[Title 50 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2006 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          

          50


          Parts 600 to 659

                         Revised as of October 1, 2006


          Wildlife and Fisheries
          



________________________

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of October 1, 2006
          With Ancillaries
                    Published by
                    Office of the Federal Register
                    National Archives and Records
                    Administration
                    A Special Edition of the Federal Register

[[Page ii]]

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[[Page iii]]







As of October 1, 2006

Title 50, Part 600-End

Revised as of October 1, 2005

Is Replaced by

Title 50, Parts 600-659

and

Part 660-End



[[Page v]]





                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 50:
          Chapter VI--Fishery Conservation and Management, 
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
          Department of Commerce                                     3
  Finding Aids:
      Material Approved for Incorporation by Reference........     631
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................     633
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......     651
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................     661

[[Page vi]]





                     ----------------------------

                     Cite this Code: CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 50 CFR 600.5 refers 
                       to title 50, part 600, 
                       section 5.

                     ----------------------------

[[Page vii]]



                               EXPLANATION

    The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and 
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided 
into 50 titles which represent broad areas subject to Federal 
regulation. Each title is divided into chapters which usually bear the 
name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into 
parts covering specific regulatory areas.
    Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year 
and issued on a quarterly basis approximately as follows:

Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1

    The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each 
volume.

LEGAL STATUS

    The contents of the Federal Register are required to be judicially 
noticed (44 U.S.C. 1507). The Code of Federal Regulations is prima facie 
evidence of the text of the original documents (44 U.S.C. 1510).

HOW TO USE THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

    The Code of Federal Regulations is kept up to date by the individual 
issues of the Federal Register. These two publications must be used 
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    To determine whether a Code volume has been amended since its 
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Sections Affected (LSA),'' which is issued monthly, and the ``Cumulative 
List of Parts Affected,'' which appears in the Reader Aids section of 
the daily Federal Register. These two lists will identify the Federal 
Register page number of the latest amendment of any given rule.

EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATES

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Register since the last revision of that volume of the Code. Source 
citations for the regulations are referred to by volume number and page 
number of the Federal Register and date of publication. Publication 
dates and effective dates are usually not the same and care must be 
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instances where the effective date is beyond the cut-off date for the 
Code a note has been inserted to reflect the future effective date. In 
those instances where a regulation published in the Federal Register 
states a date certain for expiration, an appropriate note will be 
inserted following the text.

OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) requires 
Federal agencies to display an OMB control number with their information 
collection request.

[[Page viii]]

Many agencies have begun publishing numerous OMB control numbers as 
amendments to existing regulations in the CFR. These OMB numbers are 
placed as close as possible to the applicable recordkeeping or reporting 
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OBSOLETE PROVISIONS

    Provisions that become obsolete before the revision date stated on 
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January 1, 2001, consult either the List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-
1963, 1964-1972, 1973-1985, or 1986-2000, published in 11 separate 
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Sections Affected'' is published at the end of each CFR volume.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    What is incorporation by reference? Incorporation by reference was 
established by statute and allows Federal agencies to meet the 
requirement to publish regulations in the Federal Register by referring 
to materials already published elsewhere. For an incorporation to be 
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This material, like any other properly issued regulation, has the force 
of law.
    What is a proper incorporation by reference? The Director of the 
Federal Register will approve an incorporation by reference only when 
the requirements of 1 CFR part 51 are met. Some of the elements on which 
approval is based are:
    (a) The incorporation will substantially reduce the volume of 
material published in the Federal Register.
    (b) The matter incorporated is in fact available to the extent 
necessary to afford fairness and uniformity in the administrative 
process.
    (c) The incorporating document is drafted and submitted for 
publication in accordance with 1 CFR part 51.
    Properly approved incorporations by reference in this volume are 
listed in the Finding Aids at the end of this volume.
    What if the material incorporated by reference cannot be found? If 
you have any problem locating or obtaining a copy of material listed in 
the Finding Aids of this volume as an approved incorporation by 
reference, please contact the agency that issued the regulation 
containing that incorporation. If, after contacting the agency, you find 
the material is not available, please notify the Director of the Federal 
Register, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC 
20408, or call 202-741-6010.

CFR INDEXES AND TABULAR GUIDES

    A subject index to the Code of Federal Regulations is contained in a 
separate volume, revised annually as of January 1, entitled CFR Index 
and Finding Aids. This volume contains the Parallel Table of Statutory 
Authorities and Agency Rules (Table I). A list of CFR titles, chapters, 
and parts and an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are 
also included in this volume.
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that volume.
    The Federal Register Index is issued monthly in cumulative form. 
This index is based on a consolidation of the ``Contents'' entries in 
the daily Federal Register.
    A List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA) is published monthly, keyed to 
the revision dates of the 50 CFR titles.

[[Page ix]]


REPUBLICATION OF MATERIAL

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INQUIRIES

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register. The NARA site also contains links to GPO Access.

                              Raymond A. Mosley,
                                    Director,
                          Office of the Federal Register.

October 1, 2006.

[[Page xi]]



                               THIS TITLE

    Title 50--Fish and Wildlife is composed of nine volumes. The parts 
in these volumes are arranged in the following order: Parts 1-16; part 
17 (17.1 to 17.95(b)), part 17 (17.95(c) to End), part 17 (17.96 to 
17.99(h)), part 17 (17.99(i) to End and 17.100 to End), parts 18-199, 
parts 200-599, parts 600-659 and part 660 to End. The first six volumes 
(parts 1-16, part 17 (17.1 to 17.95(b)), part 17 (17.95(c) to End), part 
17 (17.96 to 17.99(h)), part 17 (part 17.99(i) to End and 17.100 to 
End), and parts 18-199) contain the current regulations issued under 
chapter I--United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior. The seventh volume (parts 200-599) contains the current 
regulations issued under chapter II--National Marine Fisheries Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; 
chapter III--International Fishing and Related Activities, chapter IV--
Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department 
of the Interior and National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce); Endangered 
Species Committee regulations; and chapter V--Marine Mammal Commission. 
The eighth and ninth volumes (parts 600-659 and part 660 to End) contain 
the current regulations issued under chapter VI--Fishery Conservation 
and Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Department of Commerce. The contents of these volumes represent all 
current regulations codified under this title of the CFR as of October 
1, 2006.

    Alphabetical listings of endangered and threatened wildlife and 
plants appear in Sec. Sec.  17.11 and 17.12.

    The OMB control numbers for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration appear in 15 CFR 902.1.

    For this volume, Moja N. Mwaniki and Carol A. Conroy were Chief 
Editors. The Code of Federal Regulations publication program is under 
the direction of Frances D. McDonald, assisted by Kenneth R. Payne.


[[Page 1]]



                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES




                  (This book contains part 600 to 659)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter vi--Fishery Conservation and Management, National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
  Commerce..................................................         600

[[Page 3]]



    CHAPTER VI--FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC
                     AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION,
                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE




  --------------------------------------------------------------------


  Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to Chapter VI appear at 69 FR 
53361, 53362, Sept. 1, 2004.
Part                                                                Page
600             Magnuson-Stevens Act provisions.............           5
622             Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf, and South 
                    Atlantic................................         173
635             Atlantic highly migratory species...........         265
640             Spiny lobster fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
                    and South Atlantic......................         320
644             [Reserved]

648             Fisheries of the Northeastern United States.         331
654             Stone crab fishery of the Gulf of Mexico....         616
655-659         [Reserved]

[[Page 5]]



PART 600_MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS--Table of Contents




                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
600.5 Purpose and scope.
600.10 Definitions.
600.15 Other acronyms.

             Subpart B_Regional Fishery Management Councils

600.105 Intercouncil boundaries.
600.110 Intercouncil fisheries.
600.115 Statement of organization, practices, and procedures (SOPP).
600.120 Employment practices.
600.125 Budgeting, funding, and accounting.
600.130 Protection of confidentiality of statistics.
600.135 Meeting procedures.
600.150 Disposition of records.
600.155 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

                      Subpart C_Council Membership

600.205 Principal state officials and their designees.
600.210 Terms of Council members.
600.215 Council nomination and appointment procedures.
600.220 Oath of office.
600.225 Rules of conduct.
600.230 Removal.
600.235 Financial disclosure.
600.240 Security assurances.
600.245 Council member compensation.

                      Subpart D_National Standards

600.305 General.
600.310 National Standard 1--Optimum Yield.
600.315 National Standard 2--Scientific Information.
600.320 National Standard 3--Management Units.
600.325 National Standard 4--Allocations.
600.330 National Standard 5--Efficiency.
600.335 National Standard 6--Variations and Contingencies.
600.340 National Standard 7--Costs and Benefits.
600.345 National Standard 8--Communities.
600.350 National Standard 9--Bycatch.
600.355 National Standard 10--Safety of Life at Sea.

                 Subpart E_Confidentiality of Statistics

600.405 Types of statistics covered.
600.410 Collection and maintenance of statistics.
600.415 Access to statistics.
600.420 Control system.
600.425 Release of statistics.

                        Subpart F_Foreign Fishing

600.501 Vessel permits.
600.502 Vessel reports.
600.503 Vessel and gear identification.
600.504 Facilitation of enforcement.
600.505 Prohibitions.
600.506 Observers.
600.507 Recordkeeping.
600.508 Fishing operations.
600.509 Prohibited species.
600.510 Gear avoidance and disposal.
600.511 Fishery closure procedures.
600.512 Scientific research.
600.513 Recreational fishing.
600.514 Relation to other laws.
600.515 Interpretation of 16 U.S.C. 1857(4).
600.516 Total allowable level of foreign fishing (TALFF).
600.517 Allocations.
600.518 Fee schedule for foreign fishing.
600.520 Northwest Atlantic Ocean fishery.
600.525 Applicability of Subpart F to Canadian Albacore Fishing Vessels 
          off the West Coast.
600.530 Pacific albacore fishery.

      Subpart G_Preemption of State Authority Under Section 306(b)

600.605 General policy.
600.610 Factual findings for Federal preemption.
600.615 Commencement of proceedings.
600.620 Rules pertaining to the hearing.
600.625 Secretary's decision.
600.630 Application for reinstatement of state authority.

           Subpart H_General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries

600.705 Relation to other laws.
600.710 Permits.
600.715 Recordkeeping and reporting.
600.720 Vessel and gear identification.
600.725 General prohibitions.
600.730 Facilitation of enforcement.
600.735 Penalties.
600.740 Enforcement policy.
600.745 Scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted 
          educational activity.
600.746 Observers.
600.747 Guidelines and procedures for determining new fisheries and 
          gear.

                  Subpart I_Fishery Negotiation Panels

600.750 Definitions.
600.751 Determination of need for a fishery negotiation panel.
600.752 Use of conveners and facilitators.
600.753 Notice of intent to establish a fishery negotiation panel.

[[Page 6]]

600.754 Decision to establish a fishery negotiation panel.
600.755 Establishment of a fishery negotiation panel.
600.756 Conduct and operation of a fishery negotiation panel.
600.757 Operational protocols.
600.758 Preparation of report.
600.759 Use of report.
600.760 Fishery Negotiation Panel lifetime.

                 Subpart J_Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)

600.805 Purpose and scope.
600.810 Definitions and word usage.
600.815 Contents of Fishery Management Plans.

      Subpart K_EFH Coordination, Consultation, and Recommendations

600.905 Purpose, scope, and NMFS/Council cooperation.
600.910 Definitions and word usage.
600.915 Coordination for the conservation and enhancement of EFH.
600.920 Federal agency consultation with the Secretary.
600.925 NMFS EFH Conservation Recommendations to Federal and state 
          agencies.
600.930 Council comments and recommendations to Federal and state 
          agencies.

             Subpart L_Fishing Capacity Reduction Framework

600.1000 Definitions.
600.1001 Requests.
600.1002 General requirements.
600.1003 Content of a request for a financed program.
600.1004 Accepting a request for, and determinations about initiating, a 
          financed program.
600.1005 Content of a request for a subsidized program.
600.1006 Accepting a request for, and determinations about conducting, a 
          subsidized program.
600.1007 Reduction amendments.
600.1008 Implementation plan and implementation regulations.
600.1009 Bids.
600.1010 Referenda.
600.1011 Reduction methods and other conditions.
600.1012 Reduction loan.
600.1013 Fee payment and collection.
600.1014 Fee collection deposits, disbursements, records, and reports.
600.1015 Late charges.
600.1016 Enforcement.
600.1017 Prohibitions and penalties.

    Subpart M_Specific Fishery or Program Fishing Capacity Reduction 
                               Regulations

600.1100 General. [Reserved]
600.1101 Inshore fee system for repayment of the loan to harvesters of 
          Pollock from the directed fishing allowance allocated to the 
          inshore component under section 206(b)(1) of the AFA.
600.1102 Pacific Coast groundfish fee.
600.1103 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab species program.
600.1104 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) crab species fee payment 
          and collection system.
600.1105 Longline catcher processor subsector of the Bering Sea and 
          Aleutian Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery 
          program.

                         Subpart N_Shark Finning

600.1200 Purpose and scope.
600.1201 Relation to other laws.
600.1202 Definitions.
600.1203 Prohibitions.
600.1204 Shark finning; possession at sea and landing of shark fins.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Source: 61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 600.5  Purpose and scope.

    (a) This part contains general provisions governing the operation of 
the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils established by the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and describes the Secretary's role and 
responsibilities under the Act. The Councils are institutions created by 
Federal law and must conform to the uniform standards established by the 
Secretary in this part.
    (b) This part also governs all foreign fishing under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, prescribes procedures for the conduct of preemption 
hearings under section 306(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and collects 
the general provisions common to all domestic fisheries governed by this 
chapter.
    (c) This part also governs fishing capacity reduction programs under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 65 
FR 31443, May 18, 2000]

[[Page 7]]



Sec. 600.10  Definitions.

    Unless defined otherwise in other parts of Chapter VI, the terms in 
this chapter have the following meanings:
    Administrator means the Administrator of NOAA (Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere) or a designee.
    Advisory group means a Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), 
Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), or Advisory Panel (AP) 
established by a Council under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Agent, for the purpose of foreign fishing (subpart F), means a 
person appointed and maintained within the United States who is 
authorized to receive and respond to any legal process issued in the 
United States to an owner and/or operator of a vessel operating under a 
permit and of any other vessel of that Nation fishing subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States. Any diplomatic official accepting 
such an appointment as designated agent waives diplomatic or other 
immunity in connection with such process.
    Aggregate or summary form means confidential data structured in such 
a way that the identity of the submitter cannot be determined either 
from the present release of the data or in combination with other 
releases.
    Albacore means the species Thunnus alalunga, or a part thereof.
    Allocated species means any species or species group allocated to a 
foreign nation under Sec. 600.517 for catching by vessels of that 
Nation.
    Allocation means direct and deliberate distribution of the 
opportunity to participate in a fishery among identifiable, discrete 
user groups or individuals.
    Allowable chemical means a substance, generally used to immobilize 
marine life so it can be captured alive, that, when introduced into the 
water, does not take Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral (as 
defined at 50 CFR 622.2) and is allowed by Florida or Hawaii or the U.S. 
Pacific Insular Area for the harvest of tropical fish.
    Anadromous species means species of fish that spawn in fresh or 
estuarine waters of the United States and that migrate to ocean waters.
    Angling means fishing for, attempting to fish for, catching or 
attempting to catch fish by any person (angler) with a hook attached to 
a line that is hand-held or by rod and reel made for this purpose.
    Area of custody means any vessel, building, vehicle, live car, 
pound, pier or dock facility where fish might be found.
    Assistant Administrator means the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA, or a designee.
    Atlantic tunas means bluefin, albacore, bigeye, skipjack, and 
yellowfin tunas found in the Atlantic Ocean.
    Atlantic Tunas Convention Act means the Atlantic Tunas Convention 
Act of 1975, 16 U.S.C. 971-971h.
    Authorized officer means:
    (1) Any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the USCG;
    (2) Any special agent or fishery enforcement officer of NMFS;
    (3) Any officer designated by the head of any Federal or state 
agency that has entered into an agreement with the Secretary and the 
Commandant of the USCG to enforce the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act or any other statute administered by NOAA; or
    (4) Any USCG personnel accompanying and acting under the direction 
of any person described in paragraph (1) of this definition.
    Authorized species means any species or species group that a foreign 
vessel is authorized to retain in a joint venture by a permit issued 
under Activity Code 4 as described by Sec. 600.501(c).
    Automatic reel means a reel that remains attached to a vessel when 
in use from which a line and attached hook(s) are deployed. The line is 
payed out from and retrieved on the reel electrically or hydraulically.
    Bandit gear means vertical hook and line gear with rods that are 
attached to the vessel when in use. Lines are retrieved by manual, 
electric, or hydraulic reels.
    Barrier net means a small-mesh net used to capture coral reef or 
coastal pelagic fishes.
    Bigeye tuna means the species Thunnus obesus, or a part thereof.
    Billfish means blue marlin, longbill spearfish, sailfish, or white 
marlin.

[[Page 8]]

    Bluefin tuna means the species Thunnus thynnus, or a part thereof.
    Blue marlin means the species Makaira nigricans, or a part thereof.
    Bully net means a circular frame attached at right angles to a pole 
and supporting a conical bag of webbing.
    Buoy gear means fishing gear consisting of a float and one or more 
lines suspended therefrom. A hook or hooks are on the lines at or near 
the end. The float and line(s) drift freely and are retrieved 
periodically to remove catch and rebait hooks.
    Carcass means a fish in whole condition or that portion of a fish 
that has been gilled and/or gutted and the head and some or all fins 
have been removed, but that is otherwise in whole condition.
    Cast net means a circular net with weights attached to the 
perimeter.
    Catch limit means the total allowable harvest or take from a single 
fishing trip or day, as defined in this section.
    Catch, take, or harvest includes, but is not limited to, any 
activity that results in killing any fish or bringing any live fish on 
board a vessel.
    Center means one of the five NMFS Fisheries Science Centers.
    Charter boat means a vessel less than 100 gross tons (90.8 mt) that 
meets the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard to carry six or fewer 
passengers for hire.
    Coast Guard Commander means one of the commanding officers of the 
Coast Guard units specified in Table 1 of Sec. 600.502, or a designee.
    Codend means the terminal, closed end of a trawl net.
    Confidential statistics are those submitted as a requirement of an 
FMP and that reveal the business or identity of the submitter.
    Continental shelf fishery resources means the species listed under 
section 3(7) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Council means one of the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils 
established by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Data, statistics, and information are used interchangeably.
    Dealer means the person who first receives fish by way of purchase, 
barter, or trade.
    Designated representative means the person appointed by a foreign 
nation and maintained within the United States who is responsible for 
transmitting information to and submitting reports from vessels of that 
Nation and establishing observer transfer arrangements for vessels in 
both directed and joint venture activities.
    Dip net means a small mesh bag, sometimes attached to a handle, 
shaped and framed in various ways. It is operated by hand or partially 
by mechanical power to capture the fish.
    Directed fishing, for the purpose of foreign fishing (subpart F), 
means any fishing by the vessels of a foreign nation for allocations of 
fish granted that Nation under Sec. 600.517.
    Director means the Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Discard means to release or return fish to the sea, whether or not 
such fish are brought fully on board a fishing vessel.
    Dredge means a gear consisting of a mouth frame attached to a 
holding bag constructed of metal rings or mesh.
    Drop net means a small, usually circular net with weight around the 
perimeter and a float in the center.
    Essential fish habitat (EFH) means those waters and substrate 
necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to 
maturity. For the purpose of interpreting the definition of essential 
fish habitat: ``Waters'' include aquatic areas and their associated 
physical, chemical, and biological properties that are used by fish and 
may include aquatic areas historically used by fish where appropriate; 
``substrate'' includes sediment, hard bottom, structures underlying the 
waters, and associated biological communities; ``necessary'' means the 
habitat required to support a sustainable fishery and the managed 
species' contribution to a healthy ecosystem; and ``spawning, breeding, 
feeding, or growth to maturity'' covers a species' full life cycle.
    Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) means the zone established by 
Presidential Proclamation 5030, 3 CFR part 22, dated March 10, 1983, and 
is that area adjacent to the United States which, except where modified 
to accommodate international boundaries, encompasses all

[[Page 9]]

waters from the seaward boundary of each of the coastal states to a line 
on which each point is 200 nautical miles (370.40 km) from the baseline 
from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured.
    Exempted educational activity means an activity, conducted by an 
educational institution accredited by a recognized national or 
international accreditation body, of limited scope and duration, that is 
otherwise prohibited by part 635 or chapter VI of this title, but that 
is authorized by the appropriate Director or Regional Administrator for 
educational purposes.
    Exempted or experimental fishing means fishing from a vessel of the 
United States that involves activities otherwise prohibited by part 635 
or chapter VI of this title, but that are authorized under an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP). These regulations refer exclusively to exempted 
fishing. References in part 635 of this title and elsewhere in this 
chapter to experimental fishing mean exempted fishing under this part.
    Fillet means to remove slices of fish flesh from the carcass by cuts 
made parallel to the backbone.
    Fish means:
    (1) When used as a noun, means any finfish, mollusk, crustacean, or 
parts thereof, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life other 
than marine mammals and birds.
    (2) When used as a verb, means to engage in ``fishing,'' as defined 
below.
    Fishery means:
    (1) One or more stocks of fish that can be treated as a unit for 
purposes of conservation and management and that are identified on the 
basis of geographic, scientific, technical, recreational, or economic 
characteristics, or method of catch; or
    (2) Any fishing for such stocks.
    Fishery management unit (FMU) means a fishery or that portion of a 
fishery identified in an FMP relevant to the FMP's management 
objectives. The choice of an FMU depends on the focus of the FMP's 
objectives, and may be organized around biological, geographic, 
economic, technical, social, or ecological perspectives.
    Fishery resource means any fish, any stock of fish, any species of 
fish, and any habitat of fish.
    Fishing, or to fish means any activity, other than scientific 
research conducted by a scientific research vessel, that involves:
    (1) The catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
    (2) The attempted catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
    (3) Any other activity that can reasonably be expected to result in 
the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; or
    (4) Any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any 
activity described in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of this definition.
    Fishing vessel means any vessel, boat, ship, or other craft that is 
used for, equipped to be used for, or of a type that is normally used 
for:
    (1) Fishing; or
    (2) Aiding or assisting one or more vessels at sea in the 
performance of any activity relating to fishing, including, but not 
limited to, preparation, supply, storage, refrigeration, transportation, 
or processing.
    Fish weir means a large catching arrangement with a collecting 
chamber that is made of non-textile material (wood, wicker) instead of 
netting as in a pound net.
    Foreign fishing means fishing by a foreign fishing vessel.
    Foreign fishing vessel (FFV) means any fishing vessel other than a 
vessel of the United States, except those foreign vessels engaged in 
recreational fishing, as defined in this section.
    Gear conflict means any incident at sea involving one or more 
fishing vessels:
    (1) In which one fishing vessel or its gear comes into contact with 
another vessel or the gear of another vessel; and
    (2) That results in the loss of, or damage to, a fishing vessel, 
fishing gear, or catch.
    Gillnet means a panel of netting, suspended vertically in the water 
by floats along the top and weights along the bottom, to entangle fish 
that attempt to pass through it.

[[Page 10]]

    Governing International Fishery Agreement (GIFA) means an agreement 
between the United States and a foreign nation or Nations under section 
201(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Grants Officer means the NOAA official authorized to sign, on behalf 
of the Government, the cooperative agreement providing funds to support 
the Council's operations and functions.
    Greenwich mean time (GMT) means the local mean time at Greenwich, 
England. All times in this part are GMT unless otherwise specified.
    Handgear means handline, harpoon, or rod and reel.
    Hand harvest means harvesting by hand.
    Handline means fishing gear that is set and pulled by hand and 
consists of one vertical line to which may be attached leader lines with 
hooks.
    Harass means to unreasonably interfere with an individual's work 
performance, or to engage in conduct that creates an intimidating, 
hostile, or offensive environment.
    Harpoon or harpoon gear means fishing gear consisting of a pointed 
dart or iron attached to the end of a line several hundred feet in 
length, the other end of which is attached to a floatation device. 
Harpoon gear is attached to a pole or stick that is propelled only by 
hand, and not by mechanical means.
    Headboat means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of Inspection 
issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire.
    Hook and line means one or more hooks attached to one or more lines 
(can include a troll).
    Hoop net means a cone-shaped or flat net which may or may not have 
throats and flues stretched over a series of rings or hoops for support.
    Industry means both recreational and commercial fishing, and 
includes the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.
    International radio call sign (IRCS) means the unique radio 
identifier assigned a vessel by the appropriate authority of the flag 
state.
    Joint venture means any operation by a foreign vessel assisting 
fishing by U.S. fishing vessels, including catching, scouting, 
processing and/or support. (A joint venture generally entails a foreign 
vessel processing fish received from U.S. fishing vessels and conducting 
associated support activities.)
    Lampara net means a surround net with the sections of netting made 
and joined to create bagging. It is hauled with purse rings and is 
generally much smaller in size than a purse seine net.
    Land means to begin offloading fish, to offload fish, or to arrive 
in port or at a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.
    Longbill spearfish means the species Tetrapturus pfluegeri, or a 
part thereof.
    Longline means a line that is deployed horizontally and to which 
gangions and hooks or pots are attached. Longlines can be stationary, 
anchored, or buoyed lines that may be hauled manually, electrically, or 
hydraulically.
    Magnuson-Stevens Act means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), formerly known 
as the Magnuson Act.
    Metric ton (mt) means 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb).
    nm means nautical mile (6,076 ft (1,852 m)).
    Official number means the documentation number issued by the USCG or 
the certificate number issued by a state or by the USCG for an 
undocumented vessel.
    Operator, with respect to any vessel, means the master or other 
individual aboard and in charge of that vessel.
    Optimum yield (OY) means the amount of fish that:
    (1) Will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, 
particularly with respect to food production and recreational 
opportunities, and taking into account the protection of marine 
ecosystems;
    (2) Is prescribed as such on the basis of the maximum sustainable 
yield from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social, or 
ecological factor; and
    (3) In the case of an overfished fishery, provides for rebuilding to 
a level consistent with producing the maximum sustainable yield in such 
fishery.
    Owner, with respect to any vessel, means:
    (1) Any person who owns that vessel in whole or in part;

[[Page 11]]

    (2) Any charterer of the vessel, whether bareboat, time, or voyage;
    (3) Any person who acts in the capacity of a charterer, including, 
but not limited to, parties to a management agreement, operating 
agreement, or any similar agreement that bestows control over the 
destination, function, or operation of the vessel; or
    (4) Any agent designated as such by a person described in paragraph 
(1), (2), or (3) of this definition.
    Pelagic longline means a longline that is suspended by floats in the 
water column and that is not fixed to or in contact with the ocean 
bottom.
    Plan Team means a Council working group selected from agencies, 
institutions, and organizations having a role in the research and/or 
management of fisheries, whose primary purpose is to assist the Council 
in the preparation and/or review of FMPs, amendments, and supporting 
documents for the Council, and/or SSC and AP.
    Postmark means independently verifiable evidence of the date of 
mailing, such as a U.S. Postal Service postmark, or other private 
carrier postmark, certified mail receipt, overnight mail receipt, or a 
receipt issued upon hand delivery to a representative of NMFS authorized 
to collect fishery statistics.
    Pot means trap.
    Powerhead means any device with an explosive charge, usually 
attached to a spear gun, spear, pole, or stick, that may or may not fire 
a projectile upon contact.
    Predominately means, with respect to fishing in a fishery, that more 
fishing on a stock or stocks of fish covered by the FMP occurs, or would 
occur in the absence of regulations, within or beyond the EEZ than 
occurs in the aggregate within the boundaries of all states off the 
coasts of which the fishery is conducted.
    Processing, for the purpose of foreign fishing (subpart F), means 
any operation by an FFV to receive fish from foreign or U.S. fishing 
vessels and/or the preparation of fish, including, but not limited to, 
cleaning, cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, or freezing, 
either on the FFV's behalf or to assist other foreign or U.S. fishing 
vessels.
    Product recovery rate (PRR) means a ratio expressed as a percentage 
of the weight of processed product divided by the round weight of fish 
used to produce that amount of product.
    Prohibited species, with respect to a foreign vessel, means any 
species of fish that that vessel is not specifically allocated or 
authorized to retain, including fish caught or received in excess of any 
allocation or authorization.
    Purchase means the act or activity of buying, trading, or bartering, 
or attempting to buy, trade, or barter.
    Purse seine means a floated and weighted encircling net that is 
closed by means of a drawstring threaded through rings attached to the 
bottom of the net.
    Recreational fishing, with respect to a foreign vessel, means any 
fishing from a foreign vessel not operated for profit and not operated 
for the purpose of scientific research. It may not involve the sale, 
barter, or trade of part or all of the catch (see Sec. 600.513).
    Retain on board means to fail to return fish to the sea after a 
reasonable opportunity to sort the catch.
    Region mean one of five NMFS Regional Offices responsible for 
administering the management and development of marine resources in the 
United States in their respective geographical regions.
    Regional Administrator means the Administrator of one of the five 
NMFS Regions described in Table 1 of Sec. 600.502, or a designee. 
Formerly known as Regional Director.
    Regional Program Officer means the NMFS official designated in the 
terms and conditions of the grant award responsible for monitoring, 
recommending, and reviewing any technical aspects of the application for 
Federal assistance and the award.
    Rod and reel means a hand-held (including rod holder) fishing rod 
with a manually or electrically operated reel attached.
    Round means a whole fish--one that has not been gilled, gutted, 
beheaded, or definned.
    Round weight means the weight of the whole fish before processing or 
removal of any part.
    Sailfish means the species Istiophorus platypterus, or a part 
thereof.

[[Page 12]]

    Sale or sell means the act or activity of transferring property for 
money or credit, trading, or bartering, or attempting to so transfer, 
trade, or barter.
    Science and Research Director means the Director of one of the five 
NMFS Fisheries Science Centers described in Table 1 of Sec. 600.502 of 
this part, or a designee, also known as Center Director.
    Scientific cruise means the period of time during which a scientific 
research vessel is operated in furtherance of a scientific research 
project, beginning when the vessel leaves port to undertake the project 
and ending when the vessel completes the project as provided for in the 
applicable scientific research plan.
    Scientific research activity is, for the purposes of this part, an 
activity in furtherance of a scientific fishery investigation or study 
that would meet the definition of fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, but for the exemption applicable to scientific research activity 
conducted from a scientific research vessel. Scientific research 
activity includes, but is not limited to, sampling, collecting, 
observing, or surveying the fish or fishery resources within the EEZ, at 
sea, on board scientific research vessels, to increase scientific 
knowledge of the fishery resources or their environment, or to test a 
hypothesis as part of a planned, directed investigation or study 
conducted according to methodologies generally accepted as appropriate 
for scientific research. At-sea scientific fishery investigations 
address one or more issues involving taxonomy, biology, physiology, 
behavior, disease, aging, growth, mortality, migration, recruitment, 
distribution, abundance, ecology, stock structure, bycatch, and catch 
estimation of finfish and shellfish (invertebrate) species considered to 
be a component of the fishery resources within the EEZ. Scientific 
research activity does not include the collection and retention of fish 
outside the scope of the applicable research plan, or the testing of 
fishing gear. Data collection designed to capture and land quantities of 
fish or invertebrates for product development, market research, and/or 
public display are not scientific research activities and must be 
permitted under exempted fishing procedures. For foreign vessels, such 
data collection activities are considered scientific research if they 
are carried out in full cooperation with the United States.
    Scientific research plan means a detailed, written formulation, 
prepared in advance of the research, for the accomplishment of a 
scientific research project. At a minimum, a sound scientific research 
plan should include:
    (1) A description of the nature and objectives of the project, 
including the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested.
    (2) The experimental design of the project, including a description 
of the methods to be used, the type and class of any vessel(s) to be 
used, and a description of sampling equipment.
    (3) The geographical area(s) in which the project is to be 
conducted.
    (4) The expected date of first appearance and final departure of the 
research vessel(s) to be employed, and deployment and removal of 
equipment, as appropriate.
    (5) The expected quantity and species of fish to be taken and their 
intended disposition, and, if significant amounts of a managed species 
or species otherwise restricted by size or sex are needed, an 
explanation of such need.
    (6) The name, address, and telephone/telex/fax number of the 
sponsoring organization and its director.
    (7) The name, address, and telephone/telex/fax number, and 
curriculum vitae of the person in charge of the project and, where 
different, the person in charge of the research project on board the 
vessel.
    (8) The identity of any vessel(s) to be used including, but not 
limited to, the vessel's name, official documentation number and IRCS, 
home port, and name, address, and telephone number of the owner and 
master.
    Scientific research vessel means a vessel owned or chartered by, and 
controlled by, a foreign government agency, U.S. Government agency 
(including NOAA or institutions designated as federally funded research 
and development centers), U.S. state or territorial agency, university 
(or other educational institution accredited by a recognized national or 
international accreditation body), international

[[Page 13]]

treaty organization, or scientific institution. In order for a vessel 
that is owned or chartered and controlled by a foreign government to 
meet this definition, the vessel must have scientific research as its 
exclusive mission during the scientific cruise in question and the 
vessel operations must be conducted in accordance with a scientific 
research plan.
    Scouting means any operation by a vessel exploring (on the behalf of 
an FFV or U.S. fishing vessel) for the presence of fish by visual, 
acoustic, or other means that do not involve the catching of fish.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee.
    Seine means a net with long narrow wings, that is rigged with floats 
and weights.
    Skipjack tuna means the species Katsuwonus pelamis, or a part 
thereof.
    Slurp gun means a tube-shaped suction device that operates somewhat 
like a syringe by sucking up the fish.
    Snare means a device consisting of a pole to which is attached a 
line forming at its end a loop with a running knot that tightens around 
the fish when the line is pulled.
    Spear means a sharp, pointed, or barbed instrument on a shaft. 
Spears can be operated manually or shot from a gun or sling.
    State means each of the several states, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other Commonwealth, 
territory, or possession of the United States.
    State employee means any employee of the state agency responsible 
for developing and monitoring the state's program for marine and/or 
anadromous fisheries.
    Statement of Organization, Practices, and Procedures (SOPP) means a 
statement by each Council describing its organization, practices, and 
procedures as required under section 302(f)(6) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act.
    Stock assessment means the process of collecting and analyzing 
biological and statistical information to determine the changes in the 
abundance of fishery stocks in response to fishing, and, to the extent 
possible, to predict future trends of stock abundance. Stock assessments 
are based on resource surveys; knowledge of the habitat requirements, 
life history, and behavior of the species; the use of environmental 
indices to determine impacts on stocks; and catch statistics. Stock 
assessments are used as a basis to ``assess and specify the present and 
probable future condition of a fishery'' (as is required by the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act), and are summarized in the Stock Assessment and 
Fishery Evaluation or similar document.
    Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) means a document or 
set of documents that provides Councils with a summary of the most 
recent biological condition of species in an FMU, and the social and 
economic condition of the recreational and commercial fishing industries 
and the fish processing industries. It summarizes, on a periodic basis, 
the best available scientific information concerning the past, present, 
and possible future condition of the stocks and fisheries being managed 
under Federal regulation.
    Submersible means a manned or unmanned device that functions or 
operates primarily underwater and is used to harvest fish, i.e., 
precious corals, with mechanical arms.
    Substantially (affects) means, for the purpose of subpart G, with 
respect to whether a state's action or omission will substantially 
affect the carrying out of an FMP for a fishery, that those effects are 
important or material, or considerable in degree. The effects of a 
state's action or omission for purposes of this definition include 
effects upon:
    (1) The achievement of the FMP's goals or objectives for the 
fishery;
    (2) The achievement of OY from the fishery on a continuing basis;
    (3) The attainment of the national standards for fishery 
conservation and management (as set forth in section 301(a) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act) and compliance with other applicable law; or
    (4) The enforcement of regulations implementing the FMP.
    Support means any operation by a vessel assisting fishing by foreign 
or U.S. vessels, including supplying water,

[[Page 14]]

fuel, provisions, fish processing equipment, or other supplies to a 
fishing vessel.
    Swordfish means the species Xiphias gladius, or a part thereof.
    Tangle net dredge means dredge gear consisting of weights and flimsy 
netting that hangs loosely in order to immediately entangle fish.
    Total length (TL) means the straight-line distance from the tip of 
the snout to the tip of the tail (caudal fin) while the fish is lying on 
its side, normally extended.
    Trammel net means a net consisting of two or more panels of netting, 
suspended vertically in the water column by a common float line and a 
common weight line. One panel of netting has a larger mesh size than the 
other(s) in order to entrap fish in a pocket.
    Transship means offloading and onloading or otherwise transferring 
fish or fish products and/or transporting fish or products made from 
fish.
    Trap means a portable, enclosed device with one or more gates or 
entrances and one or more lines attached to surface floats. Also called 
a pot.
    Trawl means a cone or funnel-shaped net that is towed through the 
water, and can include a pair trawl that is towed simultaneously by two 
boats.
    Trip means the time period that begins when a fishing vessel departs 
from a dock, berth, beach, seawall, ramp, or port to carry out fishing 
operations and that terminates with a return to a dock, berth, beach, 
seawall, ramp, or port.
    U.S. observer or observer means any person serving in the capacity 
of an observer employed by NMFS, either directly or under contract, or 
certified as a supplementary observer by NMFS.
    Vessel of the United States or U.S. vessel means:
    (1) Any vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United 
States Code;
    (2) Any vessel numbered under chapter 123 of title 46, United States 
Code, and measuring less than 5 net tons;
    (3) Any vessel numbered under chapter 123 of title 46, United States 
Code, and used exclusively for pleasure; or
    (4) Any vessel not equipped with propulsion machinery of any kind 
and used exclusively for pleasure.
    White marlin means the species Tetrapturus albidus, or a part 
thereof.
    Yellowfin tuna means the species Thunnus albacares, or a part 
thereof.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14646, Mar. 27, 1997; 
62 FR 66551, Dec. 19, 1997; 63 FR 7073, 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 FR 4036, 
Jan. 27, 1999; 64 FR 29133, May 28, 1999; 64 FR 67516, Dec. 2, 1999; 67 
FR 2375, Jan. 17, 2002; 67 FR 64312, Oct. 18, 2002; 69 FR 30240, May 27, 
2004]



Sec. 600.15  Other acronyms.

    (a) Fishery management terms. (1) ABC--acceptable biological catch
    (2) ATCA-Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
    (3) BFT (Atlantic bluefin tuna) means the subspecies of bluefin 
tuna, Thunnus thynnus thynnus, or a part thereof, that occurs in the 
Atlantic Ocean.
    (4) BSD means the ICCAT bluefin tuna statistical document.
    (5) DAH--estimated domestic annual harvest
    (6) DAP--estimated domestic annual processing
    (7) EIS--environmental impact statement
    (8) EY--equilibrium yield
    (9) FMP--fishery management plan
    (10) ICCAT means the International Commission for the Conservation 
of Atlantic Tunas.
    (11) JVP--joint venture processing
    (12) MSY--maximum sustainable yield
    (13) PMP--preliminary FMP
    (14) TAC--total allowable catch
    (15) TALFF--total allowable level of foreign fishing
    (b) Legislation. (1) APA--Administrative Procedure Act
    (2) CZMA--Coastal Zone Management Act
    (3) ESA--Endangered Species Act
    (4) FACA--Federal Advisory Committee Act
    (5) FOIA--Freedom of Information Act
    (6) FLSA--Fair Labor Standards Act
    (7) MMPA--Marine Mammal Protection Act
    (8) MPRSA--Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
    (9) NEPA--National Environmental Policy Act

[[Page 15]]

    (10) PA--Privacy Act
    (11) PRA--Paperwork Reduction Act
    (12) RFA--Regulatory Flexibility Act
    (c) Federal agencies. (1) CEQ--Council on Environmental Quality
    (2) DOC--Department of Commerce
    (3) DOI--Department of the Interior
    (4) DOS--Department of State
    (5) EPA--Environmental Protection Agency
    (6) FWS--Fish and Wildlife Service
    (7) GSA--General Services Administration
    (8) NMFS--National Marine Fisheries Service
    (9) NOAA--National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    (10) OMB--Office of Management and Budget
    (11) OPM--Office of Personnel Management
    (12) SBA--Small Business Administration
    (13) USCG--United States Coast Guard

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7073, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 
FR 29134, May 28, 1999]



             Subpart B_Regional Fishery Management Councils



Sec. 600.105  Intercouncil boundaries.

    (a) New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils. The boundary begins at 
the intersection point of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York at 
41[deg]18[min]16.249[sec] N. lat. and 71[deg]54[min]28.477[sec] W. long. 
and proceeds south 37[deg]22[min]32.75[sec] East to the point of 
intersection with the outward boundary of the EEZ as specified in the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils. The boundary begins at 
the seaward boundary between the States of Virginia and North Carolina 
(36[deg]31[min]00.8[sec] N. lat.), and proceeds due east to the point of 
intersection with the outward boundary of the EEZ as specified in the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (c) South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Councils. The boundary 
coincides with the line of demarcation between the Atlantic Ocean and 
the Gulf of Mexico, which begins at the intersection of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ, as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
83[deg]00[min] W. long., proceeds northward along that meridian to 
24[deg]35[min] N. lat., (near the Dry Tortugas Islands), thence eastward 
along that parallel, through Rebecca Shoal and the Quicksand Shoal, to 
the Marquesas Keys, and then through the Florida Keys to the mainland at 
the eastern end of Florida Bay, the line so running that the narrow 
waters within the Dry Tortugas Islands, the Marquesas Keys and the 
Florida Keys, and between the Florida Keys and the mainland, are within 
the Gulf of Mexico.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.110  Intercouncil fisheries.

    If any fishery extends beyond the geographical area of authority of 
any one Council, the Secretary may--
    (a) Designate a single Council to prepare the FMP for such fishery 
and any amendments to such FMP, in consultation with the other Councils 
concerned; or
    (b) Require that the FMP and any amendments be prepared jointly by 
all the Councils concerned.
    (1) A jointly prepared FMP or amendment must be adopted by a 
majority of the voting members, present and voting, of each 
participating Council. Different conservation and management measures 
may be developed for specific geographic areas, but the FMP should 
address the entire geographic range of the stock(s).
    (2) In the case of joint FMP or amendment preparation, one Council 
will be designated as the ``administrative lead.'' The ``administrative 
lead'' Council is responsible for the preparation of the FMP or any 
amendments and other required documents for submission to the Secretary.
    (3) None of the Councils involved in joint preparation may withdraw 
without Secretarial approval. If Councils cannot agree on approach or 
management measures within a reasonable period of time, the Secretary 
may designate a single Council to prepare the FMP or may issue the FMP 
under Secretarial authority.



Sec. 600.115  Statement of organization, practices, and procedures (SOPP).

    (a) Councils are required to publish and make available to the 
public a SOPP in accordance with such uniform

[[Page 16]]

standards as are prescribed by the Secretary (section 302(f)(6)) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The purpose of the SOPP is to inform the public 
how the Council operates within the framework of the Secretary's uniform 
standards.
    (b) Amendments to current SOPPs must be consistent with the 
guidelines in this section and the terms and conditions of the 
cooperative agreement, the statutory requirements of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable law. Upon approval of a Council's SOPP 
amendment by the Secretary, a Notice of Availability will be published 
in the Federal Register, including an address where the public may write 
to request copies.
    (c) Councils may deviate, where lawful, from the guidelines with 
appropriate supporting rationale, and Secretarial approval of each 
amendment to a SOPP would constitute approval of any such deviations for 
that particular Council.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.120  Employment practices.

    (a) Council staff positions must be filled solely on the basis of 
merit, fitness for duty, competence, and qualifications. Employment 
actions must be free from discrimination based on race, religion, color, 
national origin, sex, age, disability, reprisal, sexual orientation, 
status as a parent, or on any additional bases protected by applicable 
Federal, state, or local law.
    (b) The annual pay rates for Council staff positions shall be 
consistent with the pay rates established for General Schedule Federal 
employees as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 5332, and the Alternative Personnel 
Management System for the U.S. Department of Commerce (62 FR 67434). The 
Councils have the discretion to adjust pay rates and pay increases based 
on cost of living (COLA) differentials in their geographic locations. 
COLA adjustments in pay rates and pay increases may be provided for 
staff members whose post of duty is located in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
    (1) No pay adjustment based on geographic location shall exceed the 
COLA and locality pay adjustments available to Federal employees in the 
same geographic area.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Salary increases funded in lieu of life and medical/dental 
policies are not permitted.
    (d) Unused sick leave may be accumulated without limit, or up to a 
maximum number of days and contribution per day, as specified by the 
Council in its SOPP. Distributions of accumulated funds for unused sick 
leave may be made to the employee upon his or her retirement, or to his 
or her estate upon his or her death, as established by the Council in 
its SOPP.
    (e) Each Council may pay for unused annual leave upon separation, 
retirement, or death of an employee.
    (f) One or more accounts shall be maintained to pay for unused sick 
or annual leave as authorized under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this 
section, and will be funded from the Council's annual operating 
allowances. Councils have the option to deposit funds into these 
account(s) at the end of the budget period if unobligated balances 
remain. Interest earned on these account(s) will be maintained in the 
account(s), along with the principal, for the purpose of payment of 
unused annual and sick leave only. These account(s), including interest, 
may be carried over from year to year. Budgeting for accrued leave will 
be identified in the ``Other'' object class categories section of the 
SF-424A.
    (g) A Council must notify the NOAA Office of General Counsel before 
seeking outside legal advice, which may be for technical assistance not 
available from NOAA. If the Council is seeking legal services in 
connection with an employment practices question, the Council must first 
notify the Department of Commerce's Office of the Assistant General 
Counsel for Administration, Employment and Labor Law Division. A Council 
may not contract for the provision of legal services on a continuing 
basis.

[66 FR 57886, Nov. 19, 2001]



Sec. 600.125  Budgeting, funding, and accounting.

    (a) Each Council's grant activities are governed by OMB Circular A-
110

[[Page 17]]

(Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-Profit 
Organizations), OMB Circular A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit 
Organizations), 15 CFR Part 29b (Audit Requirements for Institutions of 
Higher Education and other Nonprofit Organizations), and the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement. (See 5 CFR 1310.3 for 
availability of OMB Circulars.)
    (b) Councils may not independently enter into agreements, including 
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, whereby they will receive 
funds for services rendered. All such agreements must be approved and 
entered into by NOAA on behalf of the Councils.
    (c) Councils are not authorized to accept gifts or contributions 
directly. All such donations must be directed to the NMFS Regional 
Administrator in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce 
regulations.

[66 FR 57887, Nov. 19, 2001]



Sec. 600.130  Protection of confidentiality of statistics.

    Each Council must establish appropriate procedures for ensuring the 
confidentiality of the statistics that may be submitted to it by Federal 
or state authorities and may be voluntarily submitted to it by private 
persons, including, but not limited to (also see Sec. 600.405):
    (a) Procedures for the restriction of Council member, employee, or 
advisory group access and the prevention of conflicts of interest, 
except that such procedures must be consistent with procedures of the 
Secretary.
    (b) In the case of statistics submitted to the Council by a state, 
the confidentiality laws and regulations of that state.



Sec. 600.135  Meeting procedures.

    (a) Public notice of regular meetings of the Council, scientific 
statistical committee or advisory panels, including the agenda, must be 
published in the Federal Register on a timely basis, and appropriate 
news media notice must be given. The published agenda of any regular 
meeting may not be modified to include additional matters for Council 
action without public notice, or such notice must be given at least 14 
days prior to the meeting date, unless such modification is to address 
an emergency under section 305 (c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, in which 
case public notice shall be given immediately. Drafts of all regular 
public meeting notices must be transmitted to the NMFS Headquarters 
Office at least 23 calendar days before the first day of the regular 
meeting. Councils must ensure that all public meetings are accessible to 
persons with disabilities, and that the public can make timely requests 
for language interpreters or other auxiliary aids at public meetings.
    (b) Drafts of emergency public notices must be transmitted to the 
NMFS Washington Office; recommended at least 5 working days prior to the 
first day of the emergency meeting. Although notices of, and agendas 
for, emergency meetings are not required to be published in the Federal 
Register, notices of emergency meetings must be promptly announced 
through the appropriate news media.
    (c) After notifying local newspapers in the major fishing ports 
within its region, having included in the notification the time and 
place of the meeting and the reason for closing any meeting or portion 
thereof:
    (1) A Council, SSC, AP, or FIAC shall close any meeting, or portion 
thereof, that concerns information bearing on a national security 
classification.
    (2) A Council, SSC, AP, or FIAC may close any meeting, or portion 
thereof, that concerns matters or information pertaining to national 
security, employment matters, or briefings on litigation in which the 
Council is interested.
    (3) A Council, SSC, AP, or FIAC may close any meeting, or portion 
thereof, that concerns internal administrative matters other than 
employment. Examples of other internal administrative matters include 
candidates for appointment to AP, SSC, and other subsidiary bodies and 
public decorum or medical conditions of members of a Council or its 
subsidiary bodies. In deciding whether to close a portion of a meeting 
to discuss internal administrative matters, a Council or subsidiary

[[Page 18]]

body should consider not only the privacy interests of individuals whose 
conduct or qualifications may be discussed, but also the interest of the 
public in being informed of Council operations and actions.
    (d) Without the notice required by paragraph (c) of this section, a 
Council, SSC, AP, or FIAC may briefly close a portion of a meeting to 
discuss employment or other internal administrative matters. The closed 
portion of a meeting that is closed without notice may not exceed 2 
hours.
    (e) Before closing a meeting or portion thereof, a Council or 
subsidiary body should consult with the NOAA General Counsel Office to 
ensure that the matters to be discussed fall within the exceptions to 
the requirement to hold public meetings described in paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (f) Actions that affect the public, although based on discussions in 
closed meetings, must be taken in public. For example, appointments to 
an AP must be made in the public part of the meeting; however, a 
decision to take disciplinary action against a Council employee need not 
be announced to the public.
    (g) A majority of the voting members of any Council constitute a 
quorum for Council meetings, but one or more such members designated by 
the Council may hold hearings.
    (h) Decisions of any Council are by majority vote of the voting 
members present and voting (except for a vote to propose removal of a 
Council member, see 50 CFR 600.230). Voting by proxy is permitted only 
pursuant to 50 CFR 600.205 (b). An abstention does not affect the 
unanimity of a vote.
    (i) Voting members of the Council who disagree with the majority on 
any issue to be submitted to the Secretary, including principal state 
officials raising federalism issues, may submit a written statement of 
their reasons for dissent. If any Council member elects to file such a 
statement, it should be submitted to the Secretary at the same time the 
majority report is submitted.

[66 FR 57887, Nov. 19, 2001]



Sec. 600.150  Disposition of records.

    (a) Council records must be handled in accordance with NOAA records 
management office procedures. All records and documents created or 
received by Council employees while in active duty status belong to the 
Federal Government. When employees leave the Council, they may not take 
the original or file copies of records with them.
    (b) [Reserved]

[66 FR 57887, Nov. 19, 2001]



Sec. 600.155  Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

    (a) FOIA requests received by a Council should be coordinated 
promptly with the appropriate NMFS Regional Office. The Region will 
forward the request to the NMFS FOIA Official to secure a FOIA number 
and log into the FOIA system. The Region will also obtain clearance from 
the NOAA General Counsel's Office concerning initial determination for 
denial of requested information.
    (b) FOIA requests will be controlled and documented in the Region. 
The requests should be forwarded to the NMFS FOIA Officer who will 
prepare the Form CD-244, ``FOIA Request and Action Record'', with the 
official FOIA number and due date. In the event the Region determines 
that the requested information is exempt from disclosure, in full or in 
part, under the FOIA, the denial letter prepared for the Assistant 
Administrator's signature, along with the ``Foreseeable Harm'' Memo and 
list of documents to be withheld, must be cleared through the NMFS FOIA 
Officer. Upon completion, a copy of the signed CD-244 and cover letter 
transmitting the information should be provided to the NMFS FOIA Officer 
and the NOAA FOIA Officer.

[66 FR 57887, Nov. 19, 2001]



                      Subpart C_Council Membership



Sec. 600.205  Principal state officials and their designees.

    (a) Only a full-time state employee of the state agency responsible 
for marine and/or anadromous fisheries shall be appointed by a 
constituent state Governor as the principal state official for purposes 
of section 302(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) A principal state official may name his/her designee(s) to act 
on his/

[[Page 19]]

her behalf at Council meetings. Individuals designated to serve as 
designees of a principal state official on a Council, pursuant to 
section 302(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, must be a resident of 
the state and be knowledgeable and experienced, by reason of his or her 
occupational or other experience, scientific expertise, or training, in 
the fishery resources of the geographic area of concern to the Council.
    (c) New or revised appointments by state Governors of principal 
state officials and new or revised designations by principal state 
officials of their designees(s) must be delivered in writing to the 
appropriate NMFS Regional Administrator and the Council chair at least 
48 hours before the individual may vote on any issue before the Council. 
A designee may not name another designee. Written appointment of the 
principal state official must indicate his or her employment status, how 
the official is employed by the state fisheries agency, and whether the 
official's full salary is paid by the state. Written designation(s) by 
the principal state official must indicate how the designee is 
knowledgeable and experienced in fishery resources of the geographic 
area of concern to the Council, the County in which the designee 
resides, and whether the designee's salary is paid by the state.

[66 FR 57888, Nov. 19, 2001]



Sec. 600.210  Terms of Council members.

    (a) Voting members (other than principal state officials, the 
Regional Administrators, or their designees) are appointed for a term of 
3 years and, except as discussed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, may be reappointed. A voting member's Council service of 18 
months or more during a term of office will be counted as service for 
the entire 3-year term.
    (b) The anniversary date for measuring terms of membership is August 
11. The Secretary may designate a term of appointment shorter than 3 
years, if necessary, to provide for balanced expiration of terms of 
office. Members may not serve more than three consecutive terms.
    (c) A member appointed after January 1, 1986, who has completed 
three consecutive terms will be eligible for appointment to another term 
one full year after completion of the third consecutive term.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7073, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.215  Council nomination and appointment procedures.

    (a) General. (1) Each year, the 3-year terms for approximately one-
third of the appointed members of the Councils expire. The Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) will appoint or new members or will reappoint 
seated members to another term to fill the seats being vacated.
    (2) There are two categories of seats to which voting members are 
appointed: ``Obligatory'' and ``At-large.''
    (i) Obligatory seats are state specific. Each constituent state is 
entitled to one seat on the Council on which it is a member, except that 
the State of Alaska is entitled to five seats and the State of 
Washington is entitled to two seats on the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council. When the term of a state's obligatory member is 
expiring or when that seat becomes vacant before the expiration of its 
term, the governor of that state must submit the names of at least three 
qualified individuals to fill that Council seat.
    (ii) The Magnuson-Stevens Act also provides for appointment, by the 
Secretary, of one treaty Indian tribal representative to the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council). To fill that seat, the 
Secretary solicits written nominations from the heads of governments of 
those Indian Tribes with federally recognized fishing rights from the 
States of California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. The list of nominees 
must contain a total of at least three individuals who are knowledgeable 
and experienced regarding the fishery resources under the authority of 
the Pacific Council. The Secretary will appoint one tribal Indian 
representative from this list to the Pacific Council for a term of 3 
years and rotate the appointment among the tribes.
    (iii) At-large seats are regional. When the term of an at-large 
member is expiring or when that seat becomes vacant before the 
expiration of a term, the governors of all constituent states

[[Page 20]]

of that Council must each submit the names of at least three qualified 
individuals to fill the seat.
    (b) Responsibilities of State Governors. (1) Council members are 
selected by the Secretary from lists of nominees submitted by Governors 
of the constituent states, pursuant to section 302(b)(2)(C) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. For each applicable vacancy, a Governor must 
submit the names of at least three nominees who meet the qualification 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. A Governor must provide a 
statement explaining how each of his/her nominees meet the qualification 
requirements, and must also provide appropriate documentation to the 
Secretary that each nomination was made in consultation with commercial 
and recreational fishing interests of that state and that each nominee 
is knowledgeable and experienced by reason of his or her occupational or 
other experience, scientific expertise, or training in one or more of 
the following ways related to the fishery resources of the geographical 
area of concern to the Council:
    (i) Commercial fishing or the processing or marketing of fish, fish 
products, or fishing equipment;
    (ii) Fishing for pleasure, relaxation, or consumption, or experience 
in any business supporting fishing;
    (iii) Leadership in a state, regional, or national organization 
whose members participate in a fishery in the Council's area of 
authority;
    (iv) The management and conservation of natural resources, including 
related interactions with industry, government bodies, academic 
institutions, and public agencies. This includes experience serving as a 
member of a Council, Advisory Panel, Scientific and Statistical 
Committee, or Fishing Industry Advisory Committee;
    (v) Representing consumers of fish or fish products through 
participation in local, state, or national organizations, or performing 
other activities specifically related to the education or protection of 
consumers of marine resources; or
    (vi) Teaching, journalism, writing, consulting, practicing law, or 
researching matters related to fisheries, fishery management, and marine 
resource conservation.
    (2) To assist in identifying qualifications, each nominee must 
furnish to the appropriate governor's office a current resume, or 
equivalent, describing career history--with particular attention to 
experience related to the criteria in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. 
Nominees may provide such information in any format they wish.
    (3) A constituent State Governor must determine the state of 
residency of each of his/her nominees. A Governor may not nominate a 
non-resident of that state for appointment to a Council seat obligated 
to that state. A Governor may nominate residents of another constituent 
state of a Council for appointment to an at large seat on that Council.
    (4) If, at any time during a term, a member changes residency to 
another state that is not a constituent state of that Council, or a 
member appointed to an obligatory seat changes residency to any other 
state, the member may no longer vote and must resign from the Council. 
For purposes of this paragraph, a state resident is an individual who 
maintains his/her principal residence within that constituent state and 
who, if applicable, pays income taxes to that state and/or to another 
appropriate jurisdiction within that state.
    (5) When the terms of both an obligatory member and an at-large 
member expire concurrently, the Governor of the state holding the 
expiring obligatory seat may indicate that the nominees who were not 
selected for appointment to the obligatory seat may be considered for 
appointment to an at-large seat, provided that the resulting total 
number of nominees submitted by that governor for the expiring at-large 
seat is no fewer than three different nominees. When obligatory and at-
large seats do not expire concurrently, the Secretary may select from 
any of the nominees for such obligatory seat and from the nominees for 
any at-large seat submitted by the Governor of that state, provided that 
the resulting total number of nominees submitted by that Governor for 
the expiring seats is no fewer than six. If a total of fewer than

[[Page 21]]

six nominees is submitted by the Governor, each of the six will be 
considered for the expiring obligatory seat, but not for the expiring 
at-large seat.
    (c) Responsibilities of eligible tribal Indian governments. The 
tribal Indian representative on the Pacific Council will be selected by 
the Secretary from a list of no fewer than three individuals submitted 
by the tribal Indian governments with federally recognized fishing 
rights from California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, pursuant to 
section 302(b)(5) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. To assist in assessing 
the qualifications of each nominee, each head of an appropriate tribal 
Indian government must furnish to the Assistant Administrator a current 
resume, or equivalent, describing the nominee's qualifications, with 
emphasis on knowledge and experience related to the fishery resources 
affected by recommendations of the Pacific Council. Prior service on the 
Pacific Council in a different capacity will not disqualify nominees 
proposed by tribal Indian governments.
    (d) Nomination deadlines. Nomination letters and completed kits must 
be forwarded by express mail under a single mailing to the address 
specified by the Assistant Administrator by March 15. For appointments 
outside the normal cycle, a different deadline for receipt of 
nominations will be announced.
    (1) Obligatory seats. (i) The governor of the state for which the 
term of an obligatory seat is expiring must submit the names of at least 
three qualified individuals to fill that seat by the March 15 deadline. 
The Secretary will appoint to the Pacific Council a representative of an 
Indian tribe from a list of no fewer than three individuals submitted by 
the tribal Indian governments.
    (ii) If the nominator fails to provide a nomination letter and at 
least three complete nomination kits by March 15, the obligatory seat 
will remain vacant until all required information has been received and 
processed and the Secretary has made the appointment.
    (2) At-large seats. (i) If a Governor chooses to submit nominations 
for an at-large seat, he/she must submit lists that contain at least 
three different qualified nominees for each vacant seat. A nomination 
letter and at least three complete nomination kits must be forwarded by 
express mail under a single mailing to the address specified by the 
Assistant Administrator by March 15.
    (ii) Nomination packages that are incomplete after March 15 will be 
returned to the nominating Governor and will be processed no further. 
At-large members will be appointed from among the nominations submitted 
by the governors who complied with the nomination requirements and the 
March 15 deadline.
    (e) Responsibilities of the Secretary. (1) The Secretary must, to 
the extent practicable, ensure a fair and balanced apportionment, on a 
rotating or other basis, of the active participants (or their 
representatives) in the commercial and recreational fisheries in the 
Council's area of authority. Further, the Secretary must take action to 
ensure, to the extent practicable, that those persons dependent for 
their livelihood upon the fisheries in the Council's area of authority 
are fairly represented as voting members on the Councils.
    (2) The Secretary will review each list submitted by a governor or 
the tribal Indian governments to ascertain whether the individuals on 
the list are qualified for the vacancy. If the Secretary determines that 
a nominee is not qualified, the Secretary will notify the appropriate 
Governor or tribal Indian government of that determination. The Governor 
or tribal Indian government shall then submit a revised list of nominees 
or resubmit the original list with an additional explanation of the 
qualifications of the nominee in question. The Secretary reserves the 
right to determine whether nominees are qualified.
    (3) The Secretary will select the appointees from lists of qualified 
nominees provided by the Governors of the constituent Council states or 
of the tribal Indian governments that are eligible to nominate 
candidates for that vacancy.
    (i) For Governor-nominated seats, the Secretary will select an 
appointee for an obligatory seat from the list of qualified nominees 
submitted by the governor of the state. In filling expiring at-large 
seats, the Secretary will select an appointee(s) for an at-large

[[Page 22]]

seat(s) from the list of all qualified candidates submitted. The 
Secretary will consider only complete slates of nominees submitted by 
the governors of the Council's constituent states. When an appointed 
member vacates his/her seat prior to the expiration of his/her term, the 
Secretary will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term by 
selecting from complete nomination letters and kits that are timely and 
contain the required number of candidates.
    (ii) For the tribal Indian seat, the Secretary will solicit 
nominations of individuals for the list referred to in paragraph (c) of 
this section only from those Indian tribes with federally recognized 
fishing rights from California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. The 
Secretary will consult with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of 
the Interior, to determine which Indian tribes may submit nominations. 
Any vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of any term shall be 
filled in the same manner as described in paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of 
this section, except that the Secretary may use the list referred to in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section from which the vacating member was 
chosen. The Secretary shall rotate the appointment among the tribes, 
taking into consideration:
    (A) The qualifications of the individuals on the list referred to in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (B) The various rights of the Indian tribes involved, and judicial 
cases that set out the manner in which these rights are to be exercised.
    (C) The geographic area in which the tribe of the representative is 
located.
    (D) The limitation that no tribal Indian representative shall serve 
more than three consecutive terms in the Indian tribal seat.

[64 FR 4600, Jan. 29, 1999]



Sec. 600.220  Oath of office.

    Each member appointed to a Council must take an oath of office.



Sec. 600.225  Rules of conduct.

    (a) Council members, as Federal office holders, and Council 
employees are subject to most Federal criminal statutes covering 
bribery, conflict-of-interest, disclosure of confidential information, 
and lobbying with appropriated funds.
    (b) The Councils are responsible for maintaining high standards of 
ethical conduct among themselves, their staffs, and their advisory 
groups. In addition to abiding by the applicable Federal conflict of 
interest statutes, both members and employees of the Councils must 
comply with the following standards of conduct:
    (1) No employee of a Council may use his or her official authority 
or influence derived from his or her position with the Council for the 
purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election to or 
a nomination for any national, state, county, or municipal elective 
office.
    (2) No employee of a Council may be deprived of employment, 
position, work, compensation, or benefit provided for or made possible 
by the Magnuson-Stevens Act on account of any political activity or lack 
of such activity in support of or in opposition to any candidate or any 
political party in any national, state, county, or municipal election, 
or on account of his or her political affiliation.
    (3) No Council member or employee may pay, offer, promise, solicit, 
or receive from any person, firm, or corporation a contribution of money 
or anything of value in consideration of either support or the use of 
influence or the promise of support or influence in obtaining for any 
person any appointive office, place, or employment under the Council.
    (4) No employee of a Council may have a direct or indirect financial 
interest that conflicts with the fair and impartial conduct of his or 
her Council duties.
    (5) No Council member, employee of a Council, or member of a Council 
advisory group may use or allow the use, for other than official 
purposes, of information obtained through or in connection with his or 
her Council employment that has not been made available to the general 
public.
    (6) No Council member or employee of the Council may engage in 
criminal, infamous, dishonest, notoriously immoral, or disgraceful 
conduct.

[[Page 23]]

    (7) No Council member or employee of the Council may use Council 
property on other than official business. Such property must be 
protected and preserved from improper or deleterious operation or use.
    (8)(i) Except as provided in Sec. 600.235(h) or in 18 U.S.C. 208, 
no Council member may participate personally and substantially as a 
member through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the 
rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in a particular matter 
in which the member, the member's spouse, minor child, general partner, 
organization in which the member is serving as officer, director, 
trustee, general partner, or employee, or any person or organization 
with whom the member is negotiating or has any arrangement concerning 
prospective employment, has a financial interest. (Note that this 
financial interest is broader than the one defined in Sec. 600.235(a).)
    (ii) No Council member may participate personally and substantially 
as a member through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the 
rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, in a particular matter 
primarily of individual concern, such as a contract, in which he or she 
has a financial interest, even if the interest has been disclosed in 
accordance with Sec. 600.235.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 63 
FR 64185, Nov. 19, 1998]



Sec. 600.230  Removal.

    The Secretary may remove for cause any Secretarially appointed 
member of a Council in accordance with section 302(b)(6) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, wherein the Council concerned first recommends 
removal of that member by not less than two-thirds of the voting 
members. A recommendation of a Council to remove a member must be made 
in writing to the Secretary and accompanied by a statement of the 
reasons upon which the recommendation is based.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7073, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.235  Financial disclosure.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of Sec. 600.235:
    Affected individual means an individual who is--
    (1) Nominated by the Governor of a state or appointed by the 
Secretary of Commerce to serve as a voting member of a Council in 
accordance with section 302(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act; or
    (2) A representative of an Indian tribe appointed to the Pacific 
Council by the Secretary of Commerce under section 302(b)(5) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act who is not subject to disclosure and recusal 
requirements under the laws of an Indian tribal government.
    Council decision means approval of a fishery management plan (FMP) 
or FMP amendment (including any proposed regulations); request for 
amendment to regulations implementing an FMP; finding that an emergency 
exists involving any fishery (including recommendations for responding 
to the emergency); and comments to the Secretary on FMPs or amendments 
developed by the Secretary. It does not include a vote by a committee of 
a Council.
    Designated official means an attorney designated by the NOAA General 
Counsel.
    Financial interest in harvesting, processing, or marketing (1) 
includes:
    (i) Stock, equity, or other ownership interests in, or employment 
with, any company, business, fishing vessel, or other entity engaging in 
any harvesting, processing, or marketing activity in any fishery under 
the jurisdiction of the Council concerned;
    (ii) Stock, equity, or other ownership interests in, or employment 
with, any company or other entity that provides equipment or other 
services essential to harvesting, processing, or marketing activities in 
any fishery under the jurisdiction of the Council concerned, such as a 
chandler or a dock operation.
    (iii) Employment with, or service as an officer, director, or 
trustee of, an association whose members include companies, vessels, or 
other entities engaged in harvesting, processing, or marketing 
activities, or companies or

[[Page 24]]

other entities providing services essential to harvesting, processing, 
or marketing activities in any fishery under the jurisdiction of the 
Council concerned; and
    (iv) Employment with an entity providing consulting, legal, or 
representational services to any entity engaging in, or providing 
equipment or services essential to, harvesting, processing, or marketing 
activities in any fishery under the jurisdiction of the Council 
concerned, or to any association whose members include entities engaged 
in the activities described in paragraphs (1) (i) and (ii) of this 
definition;
    (2) Does not include stock, equity, or other ownership interests in, 
or employment with, an entity engaging in advocacy on environmental 
issues or in scientific fisheries research in any fishery under the 
jurisdiction of the Council concerned, unless it is covered under 
paragraph (1) of this definition. A financial interest in such entities 
is covered by 18 U.S.C. 208, the Federal conflict-of-interest statute.
    (b) Reporting. (1) The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the disclosure 
by each affected individual of any financial interest in harvesting, 
processing, or marketing activity, and of any such financial interest of 
the affected individual's spouse, minor child, partner, or any 
organization (other than the Council) in which that individual is 
serving as an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee. The 
information required to be reported must be disclosed on NOAA Form 88-
195, ``Statement of Financial Interests for Use by Voting Members and 
Nominees of Regional Fishery Management Councils'' (Financial Interest 
Form), or such other form as the Secretary may prescribe.
    (2) The Financial Interest Form must be filed by each nominee for 
Secretarial appointment with the Assistant Administrator by April 15 or, 
if nominated after March 15, 1 month after nomination by the Governor. A 
seated voting member appointed by the Secretary must file a Financial 
Interest Form with the Executive Director of the appropriate Council 
within 45 days of taking office; must file an update of his or her 
statement with the Executive Director of the appropriate Council within 
30 days of the time any such financial interest is acquired or 
substantially changed by the affected individual or the affected 
individual's spouse, minor child, partner, or any organization (other 
than the Council) in which that individual is serving as an officer, 
director, trustee, partner, or employee; and must update his or her form 
annually and file that update with the Executive Director of the 
appropriate Council by February 1 of each year.
    (3) The Executive Director must, in a timely manner, provide copies 
of the financial disclosure forms and all updates to the NMFS Regional 
Administrator for the geographic area concerned, the Regional Attorney 
who advises the Council, the Department of Commerce Assistant General 
Counsel for Administration, and the NMFS Office of Sustainable 
Fisheries. The completed financial interest forms will be kept on file 
in the office of the NMFS Regional Administrator for the geographic area 
concerned and at the Council offices, and will be made available for 
public inspection at such offices during normal office hours. In 
addition, the forms will be made available at each Council meeting or 
hearing.
    (4) Councils must retain the disclosure form for each affected 
individual for at least 5 years after the expiration of that 
individual's last term.
    (c) Restrictions on voting. (1) No affected individual may vote on 
any Council decision that would have a significant and predictable 
effect on a financial interest disclosed in his/her report filed under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2) As used in this section, a Council decision will be considered 
to have a ``significant and predictable effect on a financial interest'' 
if there is a close causal link between the decision and an expected and 
substantially disproportionate benefit to the financial interest in 
harvesting, processing, or marketing of any affected individual or the 
affected individual's spouse, minor child, partner, or any organization 
(other than the Council) in which that individual is serving as an 
officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee, relative to the 
financial interests of

[[Page 25]]

other participants in the same gear type or sector of the fishery. The 
relative financial interests of the affected individual and other 
participants will be determined with reference to the most recent 
fishing year for which information is available. However, for fisheries 
in which IFQs are assigned, the percentage of IFQs assigned to the 
affected individual will be dispositive.
    (3) ``Expected and substantially disproportionate benefit'' means a 
quantifiable positive or negative impact with regard to a matter likely 
to affect a fishery or sector of the fishery in which the affected 
individual has a significant interest, as indicated by:
    (i) A greater than 10-percent interest in the total harvest of the 
fishery or sector of the fishery in question;
    (ii) A greater than 10-percent interest in the marketing or 
processing of the total harvest of the fishery or sector of the fishery 
in question; or
    (iii) Full or partial ownership of more than 10 percent of the 
vessels using the same gear type within the fishery or sector of the 
fishery in question.
    (d) Voluntary recusal. An affected individual who believes that a 
Council decision would have a significant and predictable effect on that 
individual's financial interest disclosed under paragraph (b) of this 
section may, at any time before a vote is taken, announce to the Council 
an intent not to vote on the decision.
    (e) Participation in deliberations. Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of 
this section, an affected individual who is recused from voting under 
this section may participate in Council and committee deliberations 
relating to the decision, after notifying the Council of the voting 
recusal and identifying the financial interest that would be affected.
    (f) Requests for determination. (1) At the request of an affected 
individual, the designated official shall determine for the record 
whether a Council decision would have a significant and predictable 
effect on that individual's financial interest. The determination will 
be based upon a review of the information contained in the individual's 
financial disclosure form and any other reliable and probative 
information provided in writing. All information considered will be made 
part of the public record for the decision. The affected individual may 
request a determination by notifying the designated official--
    (i) Within a reasonable time before the Council meeting at which the 
Council decision will be made; or
    (ii) During a Council meeting before a Council vote on the decision.
    (2) The designated official may initiate a determination on the 
basis of--
    (i) His or her knowledge of the fishery and the financial interests 
disclosed by an affected individual; or
    (ii) Written and signed information received within a reasonable 
time before a Council meeting or, if the issue could not have been 
anticipated before the meeting, during a Council meeting before a 
Council vote on the decision.
    (3) At the beginning of each Council meeting, or during a Council 
meeting at any time reliable and probative information is received, the 
designated official shall announce the receipt of information relevant 
to a determination concerning recusal, the nature of that information, 
and the identity of the submitter of such information.
    (4) If the designated official determines that the affected 
individual may not vote, the individual may state for the record how he 
or she would have voted. A Council Chair may not allow such an 
individual to cast a vote.
    (5) A reversal of a determination under paragraph (g) of this 
section may not be treated as cause for invalidation or reconsideration 
by the Secretary of a Council's decision.
    (g) Review of determinations. (1) Any Council member may file a 
written request to the NOAA General Counsel for review of the designated 
official's determination. A request for review must be received within 
10 days of the determination.
    (2) A request must include a full statement in support of the 
review, including a concise statement as to why the Council's decision 
did or did not have a significantly disproportionate benefit to the 
financial interest of the affected individual relative to the financial 
interests of other participants in the same gear type or sector of the

[[Page 26]]

fishery, and why the designated official's determination should be 
reversed.
    (3) If the request for review is from a Council member other than 
the affected individual whose vote is at issue, the requester must 
provide a copy of the request to the affected individual at the same 
time it is submitted to the NOAA General Counsel. The affected 
individual may submit a response to the NOAA General Counsel within 10 
days from the date of his/her receipt of the request for review.
    (4) The NOAA General Counsel must complete the review and issue a 
decision within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request for 
review. The NOAA General Counsel will limit the review to the record 
before the designated official at the time of the determination, the 
request, and any response.
    (h) Exemption from other statutes. The provisions of 18 U.S.C. 208 
regarding conflicts of interest do not apply to an affected individual 
who is in compliance with the requirements of this section for filing a 
financial disclosure report.
    (i) Violations and penalties. It is unlawful for an affected 
individual to knowingly and willfully fail to disclose, or to falsely 
disclose, any financial interest as required by this section, or to 
knowingly vote on a Council decision in violation of this section. In 
addition to the penalties applicable under Sec. 600.735, a violation of 
this provision may result in removal of the affected individual from 
Council membership.

[63 FR 64185, Nov. 19, 1998]



Sec. 600.240  Security assurances.

    (a) DOC/OS will issue security assurances to Council nominees and 
members following completion of background checks. Security assurances 
will be valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. A security 
assurance will not entitle the member to access classified data. In 
instances in which Council members may need to discuss, at closed 
meetings, materials classified for national security purposes, the 
agency or individual (e.g., DOS, USCG) providing such classified 
information will be responsible for ensuring that Council members and 
other attendees have the appropriate security clearances.
    (b) Each nominee to a Council is required to complete a 
Certification of Status form (``form''). All nominees must certify, 
pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, whether they 
serve as an agent of a foreign principal. Each nominee must certify, 
date, sign, and return the form with his or her completed nomination 
kit. Nominees will not be considered for appointment to a Council if 
they have not filed this form. Any nominee who currently is an agent of 
a foreign principal will not be eligible for appointment to a Council, 
and therefore should not be nominated by a Governor for appointment.



Sec. 600.245  Council member compensation.

    (a) All voting Council members whose eligibility for compensation 
has been established in accordance with NOAA guidelines will be paid 
through the cooperative agreement as a direct line item on a contractual 
basis without deductions being made for Social Security or Federal and 
state income taxes. A report of compensation will be furnished each year 
by the member's Council to the proper Regional Program Officer, as 
required by the Internal Revenue Service. Such compensation may be paid 
on a full day's basis, whether in excess of 8 hours a day or less than 8 
hours a day. The time is compensable where the individual member is 
required to expend a significant private effort that substantially 
disrupts the daily routine to the extent that a work day is lost to the 
member. ``Homework'' time in preparation for formal Council meetings is 
not compensable.
    (b) Non-government Council members receive compensation for:
    (1) Days spent in actual attendance at a meeting of the Council or 
jointly with another Council.
    (2) Travel on the day preceding or following a scheduled meeting 
that precluded the member from conducting his normal business on the day 
in question.

[[Page 27]]

    (3) Meetings of standing committees of the Council if approved in 
advance by the Chair.
    (4) Individual member meeting with scientific and technical 
advisors, when approved in advance by the Chair and a substantial 
portion of any day is spent at the meeting.
    (5) Conducting or attending hearings, when authorized in advance by 
the Chair.
    (6) Other meetings involving Council business when approved in 
advance by the Chair.
    (c) The Executive Director of each Council must submit to the 
appropriate Regional Office annually a report, approved by the Council 
Chair, of Council member compensation authorized. This report shall 
identify, for each member, amount paid, dates, and location and purpose 
of meetings attended.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 66 
FR 57888, Nov. 19, 2001]



                      Subpart D_National Standards



Sec. 600.305  General.

    (a) Purpose. (1) This subpart establishes guidelines, based on the 
national standards, to assist in the development and review of FMPs, 
amendments, and regulations prepared by the Councils and the Secretary.
    (2) In developing FMPs, the Councils have the initial authority to 
ascertain factual circumstances, to establish management objectives, and 
to propose management measures that will achieve the objectives. The 
Secretary will determine whether the proposed management objectives and 
measures are consistent with the national standards, other provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. The Secretary has an 
obligation under section 301(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to inform 
the Councils of the Secretary's interpretation of the national standards 
so that they will have an understanding of the basis on which FMPs will 
be reviewed.
    (3) The national standards are statutory principles that must be 
followed in any FMP. The guidelines summarize Secretarial 
interpretations that have been, and will be, applied under these 
principles. The guidelines are intended as aids to decisionmaking; FMPs 
formulated according to the guidelines will have a better chance for 
expeditious Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. FMPs that 
are in substantial compliance with the guidelines, the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, and other applicable law must be approved.
    (b) Fishery management objectives. (1) Each FMP, whether prepared by 
a Council or by the Secretary, should identify what the FMP is designed 
to accomplish (i.e., the management objectives to be attained in 
regulating the fishery under consideration). In establishing objectives, 
Councils balance biological constraints with human needs, reconcile 
present and future costs and benefits, and integrate the diversity of 
public and private interests. If objectives are in conflict, priorities 
should be established among them.
    (2) How objectives are defined is important to the management 
process. Objectives should address the problems of a particular fishery. 
The objectives should be clearly stated, practicably attainable, framed 
in terms of definable events and measurable benefits, and based upon a 
comprehensive rather than a fragmentary approach to the problems 
addressed. An FMP should make a clear distinction between objectives and 
the management measures chosen to achieve them. The objectives of each 
FMP provide the context within which the Secretary will judge the 
consistency of an FMP's conservation and management measures with the 
national standards.
    (c) Word usage. The word usage refers to all regulations in this 
subpart.
    (1) Must is used, instead of ``shall'', to denote an obligation to 
act; it is used primarily when referring to requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the logical extension thereof, or of other 
applicable law.
    (2) Shall is used only when quoting statutory language directly, to 
avoid confusion with the future tense.
    (3) Should is used to indicate that an action or consideration is 
strongly recommended to fulfill the Secretary's interpretation of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is a factor reviewers will look for in 
evaluating a SOPP or FMP.

[[Page 28]]

    (4) May is used in a permissive sense.
    (5) May not is proscriptive; it has the same force as ``must not.''
    (6) Will is used descriptively, as distinguished from denoting an 
obligation to act or the future tense.
    (7) Could is used when giving examples, in a hypothetical, 
permissive sense.
    (8) Can is used to mean ``is able to,'' as distinguished from 
``may.''
    (9) Examples are given by way of illustration and further 
explanation. They are not inclusive lists; they do not limit options.
    (10) Analysis, as a paragraph heading, signals more detailed 
guidance as to the type of discussion and examination an FMP should 
contain to demonstrate compliance with the standard in question.
    (11) Council includes the Secretary, as applicable, when preparing 
FMPs or amendments under section 304(c) and (g) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act.
    (12) Stock or stock complex is used as a synonym for ``fishery'' in 
the sense of the Magnuson-Stevens Act's first definition of the term; 
that is, as ``one or more stocks of fish that can be treated as a unit 
for purposes of conservation and management and that are identified on 
the basis of geographic, scientific, technical, recreational, or 
economic characteristics,'' as distinguished from the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act's second definition of fishery as ``any fishing for such stocks.''

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 63 
FR 24229, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.310  National Standard 1--Optimum Yield.

    (a) Standard 1. Conservation and management measures shall prevent 
overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the OY from each 
fishery for the U.S. fishing industry.
    (b) General. The determination of OY is a decisional mechanism for 
resolving the Magnuson-Stevens Act's multiple purposes and policies, 
implementing an FMP's objectives, and balancing the various interests 
that comprise the national welfare. OY is based on MSY, or on MSY as it 
may be reduced under paragraph (f)(3) of this section. The most 
important limitation on the specification of OY is that the choice of OY 
and the conservation and management measures proposed to achieve it must 
prevent overfishing.
    (c) MSY. Each FMP should include an estimate of MSY as explained in 
this section.
    (1) Definitions. (i) ``MSY'' is the largest long-term average catch 
or yield that can be taken from a stock or stock complex under 
prevailing ecological and environmental conditions.
    (ii) ``MSY control rule'' means a harvest strategy which, if 
implemented, would be expected to result in a long-term average catch 
approximating MSY.
    (iii) ``MSY stock size'' means the long-term average size of the 
stock or stock complex, measured in terms of spawning biomass or other 
appropriate units, that would be achieved under an MSY control rule in 
which the fishing mortality rate is constant.
    (2) Options in specifying MSY. (i) Because MSY is a theoretical 
concept, its estimation in practice is conditional on the choice of an 
MSY control rule. In choosing an MSY control rule, Councils should be 
guided by the characteristics of the fishery, the FMP's objectives, and 
the best scientific information available. The simplest MSY control rule 
is to remove a constant catch in each year that the estimated stock size 
exceeds an appropriate lower bound, where this catch is chosen so as to 
maximize the resulting long-term average yield. Other examples include 
the following: Remove a constant fraction of the biomass in each year, 
where this fraction is chosen so as to maximize the resulting long-term 
average yield; allow a constant level of escapement in each year, where 
this level is chosen so as to maximize the resulting long-term average 
yield; vary the fishing mortality rate as a continuous function of stock 
size, where the parameters of this function are constant and chosen so 
as to maximize the resulting long-term average yield. In any MSY control 
rule, a given stock size is associated with a given level of fishing 
mortality and a given level of potential harvest, where the long-term 
average of these potential harvests provides an estimate of MSY.

[[Page 29]]

    (ii) Any MSY values used in determining OY will necessarily be 
estimates, and these will typically be associated with some level of 
uncertainty. Such estimates must be based on the best scientific 
information available (see Sec. 600.315) and must incorporate 
appropriate consideration of risk (see Sec. 600.335). Beyond these 
requirements, however, Councils have a reasonable degree of latitude in 
determining which estimates to use and how these estimates are to be 
expressed. For example, a point estimate of MSY may be expressed by 
itself or together with a confidence interval around that estimate.
    (iii) In the case of a mixed-stock fishery, MSY should be specified 
on a stock-by-stock basis. However, where MSY cannot be specified for 
each stock, then MSY may be specified on the basis of one or more 
species as an indicator for the mixed stock as a whole or for the 
fishery as a whole.
    (iv) Because MSY is a long-term average, it need not be estimated 
annually, but it must be based on the best scientific information 
available, and should be re-estimated as required by changes in 
environmental or ecological conditions or new scientific information.
    (3) Alternatives to specifying MSY. When data are insufficient to 
estimate MSY directly, Councils should adopt other measures of 
productive capacity that can serve as reasonable proxies for MSY, to the 
extent possible. Examples include various reference points defined in 
terms of relative spawning per recruit. For instance, the fishing 
mortality rate that reduces the long-term average level of spawning per 
recruit to 30-40 percent of the long-term average that would be expected 
in the absence of fishing may be a reasonable proxy for the MSY fishing 
mortality rate. The long-term average stock size obtained by fishing 
year after year at this rate under average recruitment may be a 
reasonable proxy for the MSY stock size, and the long-term average catch 
so obtained may be a reasonable proxy for MSY. The natural mortality 
rate may also be a reasonable proxy for the MSY fishing mortality rate. 
If a reliable estimate of pristine stock size (i.e., the long-term 
average stock size that would be expected in the absence of fishing) is 
available, a stock size approximately 40 percent of this value may be a 
reasonable proxy for the MSY stock size, and the product of this stock 
size and the natural mortality rate may be a reasonable proxy for MSY.
    (d) Overfishing--(1) Definitions. (i) ``To overfish'' means to fish 
at a rate or level that jeopardizes the capacity of a stock or stock 
complex to produce MSY on a continuing basis.
    (ii) ``Overfishing'' occurs whenever a stock or stock complex is 
subjected to a rate or level of fishing mortality that jeopardizes the 
capacity of a stock or stock complex to produce MSY on a continuing 
basis.
    (iii) In the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the term ``overfished'' is used 
in two senses: First, to describe any stock or stock complex that is 
subjected to a rate or level of fishing mortality meeting the criterion 
in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, and second, to describe any 
stock or stock complex whose size is sufficiently small that a change in 
management practices is required in order to achieve an appropriate 
level and rate of rebuilding. To avoid confusion, this section uses 
``overfished'' in the second sense only.
    (2) Specification of status determination criteria. Each FMP must 
specify, to the extent possible, objective and measurable status 
determination criteria for each stock or stock complex covered by that 
FMP and provide an analysis of how the status determination criteria 
were chosen and how they relate to reproductive potential. Status 
determination criteria must be expressed in a way that enables the 
Council and the Secretary to monitor the stock or stock complex and 
determine annually whether overfishing is occurring and whether the 
stock or stock complex is overfished. In all cases, status determination 
criteria must specify both of the following:
    (i) A maximum fishing mortality threshold or reasonable proxy 
thereof. The fishing mortality threshold may be expressed either as a 
single number or as a function of spawning biomass or other measure of 
productive capacity. The fishing mortality threshold must not exceed the 
fishing mortality rate

[[Page 30]]

or level associated with the relevant MSY control rule. Exceeding the 
fishing mortality threshold for a period of 1 year or more constitutes 
overfishing.
    (ii) A minimum stock size threshold or reasonable proxy thereof. The 
stock size threshold should be expressed in terms of spawning biomass or 
other measure of productive capacity. To the extent possible, the stock 
size threshold should equal whichever of the following is greater: One-
half the MSY stock size, or the minimum stock size at which rebuilding 
to the MSY level would be expected to occur within 10 years if the stock 
or stock complex were exploited at the maximum fishing mortality 
threshold specified under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section. Should 
the actual size of the stock or stock complex in a given year fall below 
this threshold, the stock or stock complex is considered overfished.
    (3) Relationship of status determination criteria to other national 
standards--(i) National standard 2. Status determination criteria must 
be based on the best scientific information available (see Sec. 
600.315). When data are insufficient to estimate MSY, Councils should 
base status determination criteria on reasonable proxies thereof to the 
extent possible (also see paragraph (c)(3) of this section). In cases 
where scientific data are severely limited, effort should also be 
directed to identifying and gathering the needed data.
    (ii) National standard 3. The requirement to manage interrelated 
stocks of fish as a unit or in close coordination notwithstanding (see 
Sec. 600.320), status determination criteria should generally be 
specified in terms of the level of stock aggregation for which the best 
scientific information is available (also see paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of 
this section).
    (iii) National standard 6. Councils must build into the status 
determination criteria appropriate consideration of risk, taking into 
account uncertainties in estimating harvest, stock conditions, life 
history parameters, or the effects of environmental factors (see Sec. 
600.335).
    (4) Relationship of status determination criteria to environmental 
change. Some short-term environmental changes can alter the current size 
of a stock or stock complex without affecting the long-term productive 
capacity of the stock or stock complex. Other environmental changes 
affect both the current size of the stock or stock complex and the long-
term productive capacity of the stock or stock complex.
    (i) If environmental changes cause a stock or stock complex to fall 
below the minimum stock size threshold without affecting the long-term 
productive capacity of the stock or stock complex, fishing mortality 
must be constrained sufficiently to allow rebuilding within an 
acceptable time frame (also see paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section). 
Status determination criteria need not be respecified.
    (ii) If environmental changes affect the long-term productive 
capacity of the stock or stock complex, one or more components of the 
status determination criteria must be respecified. Once status 
determination criteria have been respecified, fishing mortality may or 
may not have to be reduced, depending on the status of the stock or 
stock complex with respect to the new criteria.
    (iii) If manmade environmental changes are partially responsible for 
a stock or stock complex being in an overfished condition, in addition 
to controlling effort, Councils should recommend restoration of habitat 
and other ameliorative programs, to the extent possible (see also the 
guidelines issued pursuant to section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
for Council actions concerning essential fish habitat).
    (5) Secretarial approval of status determination criteria. 
Secretarial approval or disapproval of proposed status determination 
criteria will be based on consideration of whether the proposal:
    (i) Has sufficient scientific merit.
    (ii) Contains the elements described in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section.
    (iii) Provides a basis for objective measurement of the status of 
the stock or stock complex against the criteria.
    (iv) Is operationally feasible.
    (6) Exceptions. There are certain limited exceptions to the 
requirement to prevent overfishing. Harvesting one species of a mixed-
stock complex at its optimum level may result in the overfishing of 
another stock component in the complex. A Council may decide to

[[Page 31]]

permit this type of overfishing only if all of the following conditions 
are satisfied:
    (i) It is demonstrated by analysis (paragraph (f)(6) of this 
section) that such action will result in long-term net benefits to the 
Nation.
    (ii) It is demonstrated by analysis that mitigating measures have 
been considered and that a similar level of long-term net benefits 
cannot be achieved by modifying fleet behavior, gear selection/
configuration, or other technical characteristic in a manner such that 
no overfishing would occur.
    (iii) The resulting rate or level of fishing mortality will not 
cause any species or evolutionarily significant unit thereof to require 
protection under the ESA.
    (e) Ending overfishing and rebuilding overfished stocks--
(1)Definition. A threshold, either maximum fishing mortality or minimum 
stock size, is being ``approached'' whenever it is projected that the 
threshold will be breached within 2 years, based on trends in fishing 
effort, fishery resource size, and other appropriate factors.
    (2) Notification. The Secretary will immediately notify a Council 
and request that remedial action be taken whenever the Secretary 
determines that:
    (i) Overfishing is occurring;
    (ii) A stock or stock complex is overfished;
    (iii) The rate or level of fishing mortality for a stock or stock 
complex is approaching the maximum fishing mortality threshold;
    (iv) A stock or stock complex is approaching its minimum stock size 
threshold; or
    (v) Existing remedial action taken for the purpose of ending 
previously identified overfishing or rebuilding a previously identified 
overfished stock or stock complex has not resulted in adequate progress.
    (3) Council action. Within 1 year of such time as the Secretary may 
identify that overfishing is occurring, that a stock or stock complex is 
overfished, or that a threshold is being approached, or such time as a 
Council may be notified of the same under paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section, the Council must take remedial action by preparing an FMP, FMP 
amendment, or proposed regulations. This remedial action must be 
designed to accomplish all of the following purposes that apply:
    (i) If overfishing is occurring, the purpose of the action is to end 
overfishing.
    (ii) If the stock or stock complex is overfished, the purpose of the 
action is to rebuild the stock or stock complex to the MSY level within 
an appropriate time frame.
    (iii) If the rate or level of fishing mortality is approaching the 
maximum fishing mortality threshold (from below), the purpose of the 
action is to prevent this threshold from being reached.
    (iv) If the stock or stock complex is approaching the minimum stock 
size threshold (from above), the purpose of the action is to prevent 
this threshold from being reached.
    (4) Constraints on Council action. (i) In cases where overfishing is 
occurring, Council action must be sufficient to end overfishing.
    (ii) In cases where a stock or stock complex is overfished, Council 
action must specify a time period for rebuilding the stock or stock 
complex that satisfies the requirements of section 304(e)(4)(A) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (A) A number of factors enter into the specification of the time 
period for rebuilding:
    (1) The status and biology of the stock or stock complex;
    (2) Interactions between the stock or stock complex and other 
components of the marine ecosystem (also referred to as ``other 
environmental conditions'');
    (3) The needs of fishing communities;
    (4) Recommendations by international organizations in which the 
United States participates; and
    (5) Management measures under an international agreement in which 
the United States participates.
    (B) These factors enter into the specification of the time period 
for rebuilding as follows:
    (1) The lower limit of the specified time period for rebuilding is 
determined by the status and biology of the

[[Page 32]]

stock or stock complex and its interactions with other components of the 
marine ecosystem, and is defined as the amount of time that would be 
required for rebuilding if fishing mortality were eliminated entirely.
    (2) If the lower limit is less than 10 years, then the specified 
time period for rebuilding may be adjusted upward to the extent 
warranted by the needs of fishing communities and recommendations by 
international organizations in which the United States participates, 
except that no such upward adjustment can result in the specified time 
period exceeding 10 years, unless management measures under an 
international agreement in which the United States participates dictate 
otherwise.
    (3) If the lower limit is 10 years or greater, then the specified 
time period for rebuilding may be adjusted upward to the extent 
warranted by the needs of fishing communities and recommendations by 
international organizations in which the United States participates, 
except that no such upward adjustment can exceed the rebuilding period 
calculated in the absence of fishing mortality, plus one mean generation 
time or equivalent period based on the species' life-history 
characteristics. For example, suppose a stock could be rebuilt within 12 
years in the absence of any fishing mortality, and has a mean generation 
time of 8 years. The rebuilding period, in this case, could be as long 
as 20 years.
    (C) A rebuilding program undertaken after May 1, 1998 commences as 
soon as the first measures to rebuild the stock or stock complex are 
implemented.
    (D) In the case of rebuilding plans that were already in place as of 
May 1, 1998, such rebuilding plans must be reviewed to determine whether 
they are in compliance with all requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act.
    (iii) For fisheries managed under an international agreement, 
Council action must reflect traditional participation in the fishery, 
relative to other nations, by fishermen of the United States.
    (5) Interim measures. The Secretary, on his/her own initiative or in 
response to a Council request, may implement interim measures to reduce 
overfishing under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, until such 
measures can be replaced by an FMP, FMP amendment, or regulations taking 
remedial action.
    (i) These measures may remain in effect for no more than 180 days, 
but may be extended for an additional 180 days if the public has had an 
opportunity to comment on the measures and, in the case of Council-
recommended measures, the Council is actively preparing an FMP, FMP 
amendment, or proposed regulations to address overfishing on a permanent 
basis. Such measures, if otherwise in compliance with the provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, may be implemented even though they are not 
sufficient by themselves to stop overfishing of a fishery.
    (ii) If interim measures are made effective without prior notice and 
opportunity for comment, they should be reserved for exceptional 
situations, because they affect fishermen without providing the usual 
procedural safeguards. A Council recommendation for interim measures 
without notice-and-comment rulemaking will be considered favorably if 
the short-term benefits of the measures in reducing overfishing outweigh 
the value of advance notice, public comment, and deliberative 
consideration of the impacts on participants in the fishery.
    (f) OY--(1) Definitions. (i) The term ``optimum,'' with respect to 
the yield from a fishery, means the amount of fish that will provide the 
greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to 
food production and recreational opportunities and taking into account 
the protection of marine ecosystems; that is prescribed on the basis of 
the MSY from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social, 
or ecological factor; and, in the case of an overfished fishery, that 
provides for rebuilding to a level consistent with producing the MSY in 
such fishery.
    (ii) In national standard 1, use of the phrase ``achieving, on a 
continuing basis, the OY from each fishery'' means producing, from each 
fishery, a long-term series of catches such that the average catch is 
equal to the average OY and such that status determination criteria are 
met.

[[Page 33]]

    (2) Values in determination. In determining the greatest benefit to 
the Nation, these values that should be weighed are food production, 
recreational opportunities, and protection afforded to marine 
ecosystems. They should receive serious attention when considering the 
economic, social, or ecological factors used in reducing MSY to obtain 
OY.
    (i) The benefits of food production are derived from providing 
seafood to consumers, maintaining an economically viable fishery 
together with its attendant contributions to the national, regional, and 
local economies, and utilizing the capacity of the Nation's fishery 
resources to meet nutritional needs.
    (ii) The benefits of recreational opportunities reflect the quality 
of both the recreational fishing experience and non-consumptive fishery 
uses such as ecotourism, fish watching, and recreational diving, and the 
contribution of recreational fishing to the national, regional, and 
local economies and food supplies.
    (iii) The benefits of protection afforded to marine ecosystems are 
those resulting from maintaining viable populations (including those of 
unexploited species), maintaining evolutionary and ecological processes 
(e.g., disturbance regimes, hydrological processes, nutrient cycles), 
maintaining the evolutionary potential of species and ecosystems, and 
accommodating human use.
    (3) Factors relevant to OY. Because fisheries have finite 
capacities, any attempt to maximize the measures of benefit described in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this section will inevitably encounter practical 
constraints. One of these is MSY. Moreover, various factors can 
constrain the optimum level of catch to a value less than MSY. The 
Magnuson-Stevens Act's definition of OY identifies three categories of 
such factors: Social, economic, and ecological. Not every factor will be 
relevant in every fishery. For some fisheries, insufficient information 
may be available with respect to some factors to provide a basis for 
corresponding reductions in MSY.
    (i) Social factors. Examples are enjoyment gained from recreational 
fishing, avoidance of gear conflicts and resulting disputes, 
preservation of a way of life for fishermen and their families, and 
dependence of local communities on a fishery. Other factors that may be 
considered include the cultural place of subsistence fishing, 
obligations under Indian treaties, and worldwide nutritional needs.
    (ii) Economic factors. Examples are prudent consideration of the 
risk of overharvesting when a stock's size or productive capacity is 
uncertain, satisfaction of consumer and recreational needs, and 
encouragement of domestic and export markets for U.S.-harvested fish. 
Other factors that may be considered include the value of fisheries, the 
level of capitalization, the decrease in cost per unit of catch afforded 
by an increase in stock size, and the attendant increase in catch per 
unit of effort, alternate employment opportunities, and economies of 
coastal areas.
    (iii) Ecological factors. Examples are stock size and age 
composition, the vulnerability of incidental or unregulated stocks in a 
mixed-stock fishery, predator-prey or competitive interactions, and 
dependence of marine mammals and birds or endangered species on a stock 
of fish. Also important are ecological or environmental conditions that 
stress marine organisms, such as natural and manmade changes in wetlands 
or nursery grounds, and effects of pollutants on habitat and stocks.
    (4) Specification. (i) The amount of fish that constitutes the OY 
should be expressed in terms of numbers or weight of fish. However, OY 
may be expressed as a formula that converts periodic stock assessments 
into target harvest levels; in terms of an annual harvest of fish or 
shellfish having a minimum weight, length, or other measurement; or as 
an amount of fish taken only in certain areas, in certain seasons, with 
particular gear, or by a specified amount of fishing effort.
    (ii) Either a range or a single value may be specified for OY. 
Specification of a numerical, fixed-value OY does not preclude use of 
annual target harvest levels that vary with stock size. Such target 
harvest levels may be prescribed on the basis of an OY control rule 
similar to the MSY control rule described

[[Page 34]]

in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, but designed to achieve OY on 
average, rather than MSY. The annual harvest level obtained under an OY 
control rule must always be less than or equal to the harvest level that 
would be obtained under the MSY control rule.
    (iii) All fishing mortality must be counted against OY, including 
that resulting from bycatch, scientific research, and any other fishing 
activities.
    (iv) The OY specification should be translatable into an annual 
numerical estimate for the purposes of establishing any TALFF and 
analyzing impacts of the management regime. There should be a mechanism 
in the FMP for periodic reassessment of the OY specification, so that it 
is responsive to changing circumstances in the fishery.
    (v) The determination of OY requires a specification of MSY, which 
may not always be possible or meaningful. However, even where sufficient 
scientific data as to the biological characteristics of the stock do not 
exist, or where the period of exploitation or investigation has not been 
long enough for adequate understanding of stock dynamics, or where 
frequent large-scale fluctuations in stock size diminish the 
meaningfulness of the MSY concept, the OY must still be based on the 
best scientific information available. When data are insufficient to 
estimate MSY directly, Councils should adopt other measures of 
productive capacity that can serve as reasonable proxies for MSY to the 
extent possible (also see paragraph (c)(3) of this section).
    (vi) In a mixed-stock fishery, specification of a fishery-wide OY 
may be accompanied by management measures establishing separate annual 
target harvest levels for the individual stocks. In such cases, the sum 
of the individual target levels should not exceed OY.
    (5) OY and the precautionary approach. In general, Councils should 
adopt a precautionary approach to specification of OY. A precautionary 
approach is characterized by three features:
    (i) Target reference points, such as OY, should be set safely below 
limit reference points, such as the catch level associated with the 
fishing mortality rate or level defined by the status determination 
criteria. Because it is a target reference point, OY does not constitute 
an absolute ceiling, but rather a desired result. An FMP must contain 
conservation and management measures to achieve OY, and provisions for 
information collection that are designed to determine the degree to 
which OY is achieved on a continuing basis--that is, to result in a 
long-term average catch equal to the long-term average OY, while meeting 
the status determination criteria. These measures should allow for 
practical and effective implementation and enforcement of the management 
regime, so that the harvest is allowed to reach OY, but not to exceed OY 
by a substantial amount. The Secretary has an obligation to implement 
and enforce the FMP so that OY is achieved. If management measures prove 
unenforceable--or too restrictive, or not rigorous enough to realize 
OY--they should be modified; an alternative is to reexamine the adequacy 
of the OY specification. Exceeding OY does not necessarily constitute 
overfishing. However, even if no overfishing resulted from exceeding OY, 
continual harvest at a level above OY would violate national standard 1, 
because OY was not achieved on a continuing basis.
    (ii) A stock or stock complex that is below the size that would 
produce MSY should be harvested at a lower rate or level of fishing 
mortality than if the stock or stock complex were above the size that 
would produce MSY.
    (iii) Criteria used to set target catch levels should be explicitly 
risk averse, so that greater uncertainty regarding the status or 
productive capacity of a stock or stock complex corresponds to greater 
caution in setting target catch levels. Part of the OY may be held as a 
reserve to allow for factors such as uncertainties in estimates of stock 
size and DAH. If an OY reserve is established, an adequate mechanism 
should be included in the FMP to permit timely release of the reserve to 
domestic or foreign fishermen, if necessary.
    (6) Analysis. An FMP must contain an assessment of how its OY 
specification was determined (section 303(a)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act). It should relate the explanation of overfishing in

[[Page 35]]

paragraph (d) of this section to conditions in the particular fishery 
and explain how its choice of OY and conservation and management 
measures will prevent overfishing in that fishery. A Council must 
identify those economic, social, and ecological factors relevant to 
management of a particular fishery, then evaluate them to determine the 
amount, if any, by which MSY exceeds OY. The choice of a particular OY 
must be carefully defined and documented to show that the OY selected 
will produce the greatest benefit to the Nation. If overfishing is 
permitted under paragraph (d)(6) of this section, the assessment must 
contain a justification in terms of overall benefits, including a 
comparison of benefits under alternative management measures, and an 
analysis of the risk of any species or ecologically significant unit 
thereof reaching a threatened or endangered status, as well as the risk 
of any stock or stock complex falling below its minimum stock size 
threshold.
    (7) OY and foreign fishing. Section 201(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act provides that fishing by foreign nations is limited to that portion 
of the OY that will not be harvested by vessels of the United States.
    (i) DAH. Councils must consider the capacity of, and the extent to 
which, U.S. vessels will harvest the OY on an annual basis. Estimating 
the amount that U.S. fishing vessels will actually harvest is required 
to determine the surplus.
    (ii) DAP. Each FMP must assess the capacity of U.S. processors. It 
must also assess the amount of DAP, which is the sum of two estimates: 
The estimated amount of U.S. harvest that domestic processors will 
process, which may be based on historical performance or on surveys of 
the expressed intention of manufacturers to process, supported by 
evidence of contracts, plant expansion, or other relevant information; 
and the estimated amount of fish that will be harvested by domestic 
vessels, but not processed (e.g., marketed as fresh whole fish, used for 
private consumption, or used for bait).
    (iii) JVP. When DAH exceeds DAP, the surplus is available for JVP. 
JVP is derived from DAH.

[63 FR 24229, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.315  National Standard 2--Scientific Information.

    (a) Standard 2. Conservation and management measures shall be based 
upon the best scientific information available.
    (b) FMP development. The fact that scientific information concerning 
a fishery is incomplete does not prevent the preparation and 
implementation of an FMP (see related Sec. Sec. 600.320(d)(2) and 
600.340(b).
    (1) Scientific information includes, but is not limited to, 
information of a biological, ecological, economic, or social nature. 
Successful fishery management depends, in part, on the timely 
availability, quality, and quantity of scientific information, as well 
as on the thorough analysis of this information, and the extent to which 
the information is applied. If there are conflicting facts or opinions 
relevant to a particular point, a Council may choose among them, but 
should justify the choice.
    (2) FMPs must take into account the best scientific information 
available at the time of preparation. Between the initial drafting of an 
FMP and its submission for final review, new information often becomes 
available. This new information should be incorporated into the final 
FMP where practicable; but it is unnecessary to start the FMP process 
over again, unless the information indicates that drastic changes have 
occurred in the fishery that might require revision of the management 
objectives or measures.
    (c) FMP implementation. (1) An FMP must specify whatever information 
fishermen and processors will be required or requested to submit to the 
Secretary. Information about harvest within state boundaries, as well as 
in the EEZ, may be collected if it is needed for proper implementation 
of the FMP and cannot be obtained otherwise. The FMP should explain the 
practical utility of the information specified in monitoring the 
fishery, in facilitating inseason management decisions, and in

[[Page 36]]

judging the performance of the management regime; it should also 
consider the effort, cost, or social impact of obtaining it.
    (2) An FMP should identify scientific information needed from other 
sources to improve understanding and management of the resource, marine 
ecosystem, and the fishery (including fishing communities).
    (3) The information submitted by various data suppliers should be 
comparable and compatible, to the maximum extent possible.
    (d) FMP amendment. FMPs should be amended on a timely basis, as new 
information indicates the necessity for change in objectives or 
management measures.
    (e) SAFE Report. (1) The SAFE report is a document or set of 
documents that provides Councils with a summary of information 
concerning the most recent biological condition of stocks and the marine 
ecosystems in the FMU and the social and economic condition of the 
recreational and commercial fishing interests, fishing communities, and 
the fish processing industries. It summarizes, on a periodic basis, the 
best available scientific information concerning the past, present, and 
possible future condition of the stocks, marine ecosystems, and 
fisheries being managed under Federal regulation.
    (i) The Secretary has the responsibility to assure that a SAFE 
report or similar document is prepared, reviewed annually, and changed 
as necessary for each FMP. The Secretary or Councils may utilize any 
combination of talent from Council, state, Federal, university, or other 
sources to acquire and analyze data and produce the SAFE report.
    (ii) The SAFE report provides information to the Councils for 
determining annual harvest levels from each stock, documenting 
significant trends or changes in the resource, marine ecosystems, and 
fishery over time, and assessing the relative success of existing state 
and Federal fishery management programs. Information on bycatch and 
safety for each fishery should also be summarized. In addition, the SAFE 
report may be used to update or expand previous environmental and 
regulatory impact documents, and ecosystem and habitat descriptions.
    (iii) Each SAFE report must be scientifically based, and cite data 
sources and interpretations.
    (2) Each SAFE report should contain information on which to base 
harvest specifications.
    (3) Each SAFE report should contain a description of the maximum 
fishing mortality threshold and the minimum stock size threshold for 
each stock or stock complex, along with information by which the Council 
may determine:
    (i) Whether overfishing is occurring with respect to any stock or 
stock complex, whether any stock or stock complex is overfished, whether 
the rate or level of fishing mortality applied to any stock or stock 
complex is approaching the maximum fishing mortality threshold, and 
whether the size of any stock or stock complex is approaching the 
minimum stock size threshold.
    (ii) Any management measures necessary to provide for rebuilding an 
overfished stock or stock complex (if any) to a level consistent with 
producing the MSY in such fishery.
    (4) Each SAFE report may contain additional economic, social, 
community, essential fish habitat, and ecological information pertinent 
to the success of management or the achievement of objectives of each 
FMP.
    (5) Each SAFE report may contain additional economic, social, and 
ecological information pertinent to the success of management or the 
achievement of objectives of each FMP.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 24233, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.320  National Standard 3--Management Units.

    (a) Standard 3. To the extent practicable, an individual stock of 
fish shall be managed as a unit throughout its range, and interrelated 
stocks of fish shall be managed as a unit or in close coordination.
    (b) General. The purpose of this standard is to induce a 
comprehensive approach to fishery management. The geographic scope of 
the fishery, for planning purposes, should cover the entire range of the 
stocks(s) of fish, and not be overly constrained by political

[[Page 37]]

boundaries. Wherever practicable, an FMP should seek to manage 
interrelated stocks of fish.
    (c) Unity of management. Cooperation and understanding among 
entities concerned with the fishery (e.g., Councils, states, Federal 
Government, international commissions, foreign nations) are vital to 
effective management. Where management of a fishery involves multiple 
jurisdictions, coordination among the several entities should be sought 
in the development of an FMP. Where a range overlaps Council areas, one 
FMP to cover the entire range is preferred. The Secretary designates 
which Council(s) will prepare the FMP, under section 304(f) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (d) Management unit. The term ``management unit'' means a fishery or 
that portion of a fishery identified in an FMP as relevant to the FMP's 
management objectives.
    (1) Basis. The choice of a management unit depends on the focus of 
the FMP's objectives, and may be organized around biological, 
geographic, economic, technical, social, or ecological perspectives. For 
example:
    (i) Biological--could be based on a stock(s) throughout its range.
    (ii) Geographic--could be an area.
    (iii) Economic--could be based on a fishery supplying specific 
product forms.
    (iv) Technical--could be based on a fishery utilizing a specific 
gear type or similar fishing practices.
    (v) Social--could be based on fishermen as the unifying element, 
such as when the fishermen pursue different species in a regular pattern 
throughout the year.
    (vi) Ecological--could be based on species that are associated in 
the ecosystem or are dependent on a particular habitat.
    (2) Conservation and management measures. FMPs should include 
conservation and management measures for that part of the management 
unit within U.S. waters, although the Secretary can ordinarily implement 
them only within the EEZ. The measures need not be identical for each 
geographic area within the management unit, if the FMP justifies the 
differences. A management unit may contain, in addition to regulated 
species, stocks of fish for which there is not enough information 
available to specify MSY and OY or to establish management measures, so 
that data on these species may be collected under the FMP.
    (e) Analysis. To document that an FMP is as comprehensive as 
practicable, it should include discussions of the following:
    (1) The range and distribution of the stocks, as well as the 
patterns of fishing effort and harvest.
    (2) Alternative management units and reasons for selecting a 
particular one. A less-than-comprehensive management unit may be 
justified if, for example, complementary management exits or is planned 
for a separate geographic area or for a distinct use of the stocks, or 
if the unmanaged portion of the resource is immaterial to proper 
management.
    (3) Management activities and habitat programs of adjacent states 
and their effects on the FMP's objectives and management measures. Where 
state action is necessary to implement measures within state waters to 
achieve FMP objectives, the FMP should identify what state action is 
necessary, discuss the consequences of state inaction or contrary 
action, and make appropriate recommendations. The FMP should also 
discuss the impact that Federal regulations will have on state 
management activities.
    (4) Management activities of other countries having an impact on the 
fishery, and how the FMP's management measures are designed to take into 
account these impacts. International boundaries may be dealt with in 
several ways. For example:
    (i) By limiting the management unit's scope to that portion of the 
stock found in U.S. waters;
    (ii) By estimating MSY for the entire stock and then basing the 
determination of OY for the U.S. fishery on the portion of the stock 
within U.S. waters; or
    (iii) By referring to treaties or cooperative agreements.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 24234, May 1, 1998]

[[Page 38]]



Sec. 600.325  National Standard 4--Allocations.

    (a) Standard 4. Conservation and management measures shall not 
discriminate between residents of different states. If it becomes 
necessary to allocate or assign fishing privileges among various U.S. 
fishermen, such allocation shall be:
    (1) Fair and equitable to all such fishermen.
    (2) Reasonably calculated to promote conservation.
    (3) Carried out in such manner that no particular individual, 
corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such 
privileges.
    (b) Discrimination among residents of different states. An FMP may 
not differentiate among U.S. citizens, nationals, resident aliens, or 
corporations on the basis of their state of residence. An FMP may not 
incorporate or rely on a state statute or regulation that discriminates 
against residents of another state. Conservation and management measures 
that have different effects on persons in various geographic locations 
are permissible if they satisfy the other guidelines under Standard 4. 
Examples of these precepts are:
    (1) An FMP that restricted fishing in the EEZ to those holding a 
permit from state X would violate Standard 4 if state X issued permits 
only to its own citizens.
    (2) An FMP that closed a spawning ground might disadvantage 
fishermen living in the state closest to it, because they would have to 
travel farther to an open area, but the closure could be justified under 
Standard 4 as a conservation measure with no discriminatory intent.
    (c) Allocation of fishing privileges. An FMP may contain management 
measures that allocate fishing privileges if such measures are necessary 
or helpful in furthering legitimate objectives or in achieving the OY, 
and if the measures conform with paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through 
(c)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (1) Definition. An ``allocation'' or ``assignment'' of fishing 
privileges is a direct and deliberate distribution of the opportunity to 
participate in a fishery among identifiable, discrete user groups or 
individuals. Any management measure (or lack of management) has 
incidental allocative effects, but only those measures that result in 
direct distributions of fishing privileges will be judged against the 
allocation requirements of Standard 4. Adoption of an FMP that merely 
perpetuates existing fishing practices may result in an allocation, if 
those practices directly distribute the opportunity to participate in 
the fishery. Allocations of fishing privileges include, for example, 
per-vessel catch limits, quotas by vessel class and gear type, different 
quotas or fishing seasons for recreational and commercial fishermen, 
assignment of ocean areas to different gear users, and limitation of 
permits to a certain number of vessels or fishermen.
    (2) Analysis of allocations. Each FMP should contain a description 
and analysis of the allocations existing in the fishery and of those 
made in the FMP. The effects of eliminating an existing allocation 
system should be examined. Allocation schemes considered, but rejected 
by the Council, should be included in the discussion. The analysis 
should relate the recommended allocations to the FMP's objectives and OY 
specification, and discuss the factors listed in paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section.
    (3) Factors in making allocations. An allocation of fishing 
privileges must be fair and equitable, must be reasonably calculated to 
promote conservation, and must avoid excessive shares. These tests are 
explained in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (c)(3)(iii) of this section:
    (i) Fairness and equity. (A) An allocation of fishing privileges 
should be rationally connected to the achievement of OY or with the 
furtherance of a legitimate FMP objective. Inherent in an allocation is 
the advantaging of one group to the detriment of another. The motive for 
making a particular allocation should be justified in terms of the 
objectives of the FMP; otherwise, the disadvantaged user groups or 
individuals would suffer without cause. For instance, an FMP objective 
to preserve the economic status quo cannot be achieved by excluding a 
group of long-time participants in the fishery. On the other hand, there 
is a rational connection between an objective of harvesting

[[Page 39]]

shrimp at their maximum size and closing a nursery area to trawling.
    (B) An allocation of fishing privileges may impose a hardship on one 
group if it is outweighed by the total benefits received by another 
group or groups. An allocation need not preserve the status quo in the 
fishery to qualify as ``fair and equitable,'' if a restructuring of 
fishing privileges would maximize overall benefits. The Council should 
make an initial estimate of the relative benefits and hardships imposed 
by the allocation, and compare its consequences with those of 
alternative allocation schemes, including the status quo. Where 
relevant, judicial guidance and government policy concerning the rights 
of treaty Indians and aboriginal Americans must be considered in 
determining whether an allocation is fair and equitable.
    (ii) Promotion of conservation. Numerous methods of allocating 
fishing privileges are considered ``conservation and management'' 
measures under section 303 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. An allocation 
scheme may promote conservation by encouraging a rational, more easily 
managed use of the resource. Or, it may promote conservation (in the 
sense of wise use) by optimizing the yield in terms of size, value, 
market mix, price, or economic or social benefit of the product. To the 
extent that rebuilding plans or other conservation and management 
measures that reduce the overall harvest in a fishery are necessary, any 
harvest restrictions or recovery benefits must be allocated fairly and 
equitably among the commercial, recreational, and charter fishing 
sectors of the fishery.
    (iii) Avoidance of excessive shares. An allocation scheme must be 
designed to deter any person or other entity from acquiring an excessive 
share of fishing privileges, and to avoid creating conditions fostering 
inordinate control, by buyers or sellers, that would not otherwise 
exist.
    (iv) Other factors. In designing an allocation scheme, a Council 
should consider other factors relevant to the FMP's objectives. Examples 
are economic and social consequences of the scheme, food production, 
consumer interest, dependence on the fishery by present participants and 
coastal communities, efficiency of various types of gear used in the 
fishery, transferability of effort to and impact on other fisheries, 
opportunity for new participants to enter the fishery, and enhancement 
of opportunities for recreational fishing.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 24234, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.330  National Standard 5--Efficiency.

    (a) Standard 5. Conservation and management measures shall, where 
practicable, consider efficiency in the utilization of fishery 
resources; except that no such measure shall have economic allocation as 
its sole purpose.
    (b) Efficiency in the utilization of resources--(1) General. The 
term ``utilization'' encompasses harvesting, processing, marketing, and 
non-consumptive uses of the resource, since management decisions affect 
all sectors of the industry. In considering efficient utilization of 
fishery resources, this standard highlights one way that a fishery can 
contribute to the Nation's benefit with the least cost to society: Given 
a set of objectives for the fishery, an FMP should contain management 
measures that result in as efficient a fishery as is practicable or 
desirable.
    (2) Efficiency. In theory, an efficient fishery would harvest the OY 
with the minimum use of economic inputs such as labor, capital, 
interest, and fuel. Efficiency in terms of aggregate costs then becomes 
a conservation objective, where ``conservation'' constitutes wise use of 
all resources involved in the fishery, not just fish stocks.
    (i) In an FMP, management measures may be proposed that allocate 
fish among different groups of individuals or establish a system of 
property rights. Alternative measures examined in searching for an 
efficient outcome will result in different distributions of gains and 
burdens among identifiable user groups. An FMP should demonstrate that 
management measures aimed at efficiency do not simply redistribute gains 
and burdens without an increase in efficiency.

[[Page 40]]

    (ii) Management regimes that allow a fishery to operate at the 
lowest possible cost (e.g., fishing effort, administration, and 
enforcement) for a particular level of catch and initial stock size are 
considered efficient. Restrictive measures that unnecessarily raise any 
of those costs move the regime toward inefficiency. Unless the use of 
inefficient techniques or the creation of redundant fishing capacity 
contributes to the attainment of other social or biological objectives, 
an FMP may not contain management measures that impede the use of cost-
effective techniques of harvesting, processing, or marketing, and should 
avoid creating strong incentives for excessive investment in private 
sector fishing capital and labor.
    (c) Limited access. A ``system for limiting access,'' which is an 
optional measure under section 303(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, is a 
type of allocation of fishing privileges that may be considered to 
contribute to economic efficiency or conservation. For example, limited 
access may be used to combat overfishing, overcrowding, or 
overcapitalization in a fishery to achieve OY. In an unutilized or 
underutilized fishery, it may be used to reduce the chance that these 
conditions will adversely affect the fishery in the future, or to 
provide adequate economic return to pioneers in a new fishery. In some 
cases, limited entry is a useful ingredient of a conservation scheme, 
because it facilitates application and enforcement of other management 
measures.
    (1) Definition. Limited access (or limited entry) is a management 
technique that attempts to limit units of effort in a fishery, usually 
for the purpose of reducing economic waste, improving net economic 
return to the fishermen, or capturing economic rent for the benefit of 
the taxpayer or the consumer. Common forms of limited access are 
licensing of vessels, gear, or fishermen to reduce the number of units 
of effort, and dividing the total allowable catch into fishermen's 
quotas (a stock-certificate system). Two forms (i.e., Federal fees for 
licenses or permits in excess of administrative costs, and taxation) are 
not permitted under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, except for fees allowed 
under section 304(d)(2).
    (2) Factors to consider. The Magnuson-Stevens Act ties the use of 
limited access to the achievement of OY. An FMP that proposes a limited 
access system must consider the factors listed in section 303(b)(6) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in Sec. 600.325(c)(3). In addition, it 
should consider the criteria for qualifying for a permit, the nature of 
the interest created, whether to make the permit transferable, and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act's limitations on returning economic rent to the 
public under section 304(d). The FMP should also discuss the costs of 
achieving an appropriate distribution of fishing privileges.
    (d) Analysis. An FMP should discuss the extent to which 
overcapitalization, congestion, economic waste, and inefficient 
techniques in the fishery reduce the net benefits derived from the 
management unit and prevent the attainment and appropriate allocation of 
OY. It should also explain, in terms of the FMP's objectives, any 
restriction placed on the use of efficient techniques of harvesting, 
processing, or marketing. If, during FMP development, the Council 
considered imposing a limited-entry system, the FMP should analyze the 
Council's decision to recommend or reject limited access as a technique 
to achieve efficient utilization of the resources of the fishing 
industry.
    (e) Economic allocation. This standard prohibits only those measures 
that distribute fishery resources among fishermen on the basis of 
economic factors alone, and that have economic allocation as their only 
purpose. Where conservation and management measures are recommended that 
would change the economic structure of the industry or the economic 
conditions under which the industry operates, the need for such measures 
must be justified in light of the biological, ecological, and social 
objectives of the FMP, as well as the economic objectives.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 63 
FR 24234, May 1, 1998]

[[Page 41]]



Sec. 600.335  National Standard 6--Variations and Contingencies.

    (a) Standard 6. Conservation and management measures shall take into 
account and allow for variations among, and contingencies in, fisheries, 
fishery resources, and catches.
    (b) Conservation and management. Each fishery exhibits unique 
uncertainties. The phrase ``conservation and management'' implies the 
wise use of fishery resources through a management regime that includes 
some protection against these uncertainties. The particular regime 
chosen must be flexible enough to allow timely response to resource, 
industry, and other national and regional needs. Continual data 
acquisition and analysis will help the development of management 
measures to compensate for variations and to reduce the need for 
substantial buffers. Flexibility in the management regime and the 
regulatory process will aid in responding to contingencies.
    (c) Variations. (1) In fishery management terms, variations arise 
from biological, social, and economic occurrences, as well as from 
fishing practices. Biological uncertainties and lack of knowledge can 
hamper attempts to estimate stock size and strength, stock location in 
time and space, environmental/habitat changes, and ecological 
interactions. Economic uncertainty may involve changes in foreign or 
domestic market conditions, changes in operating costs, drifts toward 
overcapitalization, and economic perturbations caused by changed fishing 
patterns. Changes in fishing practices, such as the introduction of new 
gear, rapid increases or decreases in harvest effort, new fishing 
strategies, and the effects of new management techniques, may also 
create uncertainties. Social changes could involve increases or 
decreases in recreational fishing, or the movement of people into or out 
of fishing activities due to such factors as age or educational 
opportunities.
    (2) Every effort should be made to develop FMPs that discuss and 
take into account these vicissitudes. To the extent practicable, FMPs 
should provide a suitable buffer in favor of conservation. Allowances 
for uncertainties should be factored into the various elements of an 
FMP. Examples are:
    (i) Reduce OY. Lack of scientific knowledge about the condition of a 
stock(s) could be reason to reduce OY.
    (ii) Establish a reserve. Creation of a reserve may compensate for 
uncertainties in estimating domestic harvest, stock conditions, or 
environmental factors.
    (iii) Adjust management techniques. In the absence of adequate data 
to predict the effect of a new regime, and to avoid creating unwanted 
variations, a Council could guard against producing drastic changes in 
fishing patterns, allocations, or practices.
    (iv) Highlight habitat conditions. FMPs may address the impact of 
pollution and the effects of wetland and estuarine degradation on the 
stocks of fish; identify causes of pollution and habitat degradation and 
the authorities having jurisdiction to regulate or influence such 
activities; propose recommendations that the Secretary will convey to 
those authorities to alleviate such problems; and state the views of the 
Council on unresolved or anticipated issues.
    (d) Contingencies. Unpredictable events--such as unexpected resource 
surges or failures, fishing effort greater than anticipated, disruptive 
gear conflicts, climatic conditions, or environmental catastrophes--are 
best handled by establishing a flexible management regime that contains 
a range of management options through which it is possible to act 
quickly without amending the FMP or even its regulations.
    (1) The FMP should describe the management options and their 
consequences in the necessary detail to guide the Secretary in 
responding to changed circumstances, so that the Council preserves its 
role as policy-setter for the fishery. The description should enable the 
public to understand what may happen under the flexible regime, and to 
comment on the options.
    (2) FMPs should include criteria for the selection of management 
measures, directions for their application, and mechanisms for timely 
adjustment of management measures comprising the regime. For example, an 
FMP could include criteria that allow the Secretary to open and close 
seasons, close fishing grounds, or make other adjustments in management 
measures.

[[Page 42]]

    (3) Amendment of a flexible FMP would be necessary when 
circumstances in the fishery change substantially, or when a Council 
adopts a different management philosophy and objectives.



Sec. 600.340  National Standard 7--Costs and Benefits.

    (a) Standard 7. Conservation and management measures shall, where 
practicable, minimize costs and avoid unnecessary duplication.
    (b) Necessity of Federal management--(1) General. The principle that 
not every fishery needs regulation is implicit in this standard. The 
Magnuson-Stevens Act requires Councils to prepare FMPs only for 
overfished fisheries and for other fisheries where regulation would 
serve some useful purpose and where the present or future benefits of 
regulation would justify the costs. For example, the need to collect 
data about a fishery is not, by itself, adequate justification for 
preparation of an FMP, since there are less costly ways to gather the 
data (see Sec. 600.320(d)(2). In some cases, the FMP preparation 
process itself, even if it does not culminate in a document approved by 
the Secretary, can be useful in supplying a basis for management by one 
or more coastal states.
    (2) Criteria. In deciding whether a fishery needs management through 
regulations implementing an FMP, the following general factors should be 
considered, among others:
    (i) The importance of the fishery to the Nation and to the regional 
economy.
    (ii) The condition of the stock or stocks of fish and whether an FMP 
can improve or maintain that condition.
    (iii) The extent to which the fishery could be or is already 
adequately managed by states, by state/Federal programs, by Federal 
regulations pursuant to FMPs or international commissions, or by 
industry self-regulation, consistent with the policies and standards of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (iv) The need to resolve competing interests and conflicts among 
user groups and whether an FMP can further that resolution.
    (v) The economic condition of a fishery and whether an FMP can 
produce more efficient utilization.
    (vi) The needs of a developing fishery, and whether an FMP can 
foster orderly growth.
    (vii) The costs associated with an FMP, balanced against the 
benefits (see paragraph (d) of this section as a guide).
    (c) Alternative management measures. Management measures should not 
impose unnecessary burdens on the economy, on individuals, on private or 
public organizations, or on Federal, state, or local governments. 
Factors such as fuel costs, enforcement costs, or the burdens of 
collecting data may well suggest a preferred alternative.
    (d) Analysis. The supporting analyses for FMPs should demonstrate 
that the benefits of fishery regulation are real and substantial 
relative to the added research, administrative, and enforcement costs, 
as well as costs to the industry of compliance. In determining the 
benefits and costs of management measures, each management strategy 
considered and its impacts on different user groups in the fishery 
should be evaluated. This requirement need not produce an elaborate, 
formalistic cost/benefit analysis. Rather, an evaluation of effects and 
costs, especially of differences among workable alternatives, including 
the status quo, is adequate. If quantitative estimates are not possible, 
qualitative estimates will suffice.
    (1) Burdens. Management measures should be designed to give 
fishermen the greatest possible freedom of action in conducting business 
and pursuing recreational opportunities that are consistent with 
ensuring wise use of the resources and reducing conflict in the fishery. 
The type and level of burden placed on user groups by the regulations 
need to be identified. Such an examination should include, for example: 
Capital outlays; operating and maintenance costs; reporting costs; 
administrative, enforcement, and information costs; and prices to 
consumers. Management measures may shift costs from one level of 
government to another, from one part of the private sector to another, 
or from the government to the private sector. Redistribution of costs 
through regulations is likely to

[[Page 43]]

generate controversy. A discussion of these and any other burdens placed 
on the public through FMP regulations should be a part of the FMP's 
supporting analyses.
    (2) Gains. The relative distribution of gains may change as a result 
of instituting different sets of alternatives, as may the specific type 
of gain. The analysis of benefits should focus on the specific gains 
produced by each alternative set of management measures, including the 
status quo. The benefits to society that result from the alternative 
management measures should be identified, and the level of gain 
assessed.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 63 
FR 24234, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.345  National Standard 8--Communities.

    (a) Standard 8. Conservation and management measures shall, 
consistent with the conservation requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act (including the prevention of overfishing and rebuilding of 
overfished stocks), take into account the importance of fishery 
resources to fishing communities in order to:
    (1) Provide for the sustained participation of such communities; and
    (2) To the extent practicable, minimize adverse economic impacts on 
such communities.
    (b) General. (1) This standard requires that an FMP take into 
account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities. This 
consideration, however, is within the context of the conservation 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Deliberations regarding the 
importance of fishery resources to affected fishing communities, 
therefore, must not compromise the achievement of conservation 
requirements and goals of the FMP. Where the preferred alternative 
negatively affects the sustained participation of fishing communities, 
the FMP should discuss the rationale for selecting this alternative over 
another with a lesser impact on fishing communities. All other things 
being equal, where two alternatives achieve similar conservation goals, 
the alternative that provides the greater potential for sustained 
participation of such communities and minimizes the adverse economic 
impacts on such communities would be the preferred alternative.
    (2) This standard does not constitute a basis for allocating 
resources to a specific fishing community nor for providing preferential 
treatment based on residence in a fishing community.
    (3) The term ``fishing community'' means a community that is 
substantially dependent on or substantially engaged in the harvest or 
processing of fishery resources to meet social and economic needs, and 
includes fishing vessel owners, operators, and crew, and fish processors 
that are based in such communities. A fishing community is a social or 
economic group whose members reside in a specific location and share a 
common dependency on commercial, recreational, or subsistence fishing or 
on directly related fisheries-dependent services and industries (for 
example, boatyards, ice suppliers, tackle shops).
    (4) The term ``sustained participation'' means continued access to 
the fishery within the constraints of the condition of the resource.
    (c) Analysis. (1) FMPs must examine the social and economic 
importance of fisheries to communities potentially affected by 
management measures. For example, severe reductions of harvests for 
conservation purposes may decrease employment opportunities for 
fishermen and processing plant workers, thereby adversely affecting 
their families and communities. Similarly, a management measure that 
results in the allocation of fishery resources among competing sectors 
of a fishery may benefit some communities at the expense of others.
    (2) An appropriate vehicle for the analyses under this standard is 
the fishery impact statement required by section 303(a)(9) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Qualitative and quantitative data may be used, 
including information provided by fishermen, dealers, processors, and 
fisheries organizations and associations. In cases where data are 
severely limited, effort should be directed to identifying and gathering 
needed data.
    (3) To address the sustained participation of fishing communities 
that will

[[Page 44]]

be affected by management measures, the analysis should first identify 
affected fishing communities and then assess their differing levels of 
dependence on and engagement in the fishery being regulated. The 
analysis should also specify how that assessment was made. The best 
available data on the history, extent, and type of participation of 
these fishing communities in the fishery should be incorporated into the 
social and economic information presented in the FMP. The analysis does 
not have to contain an exhaustive listing of all communities that might 
fit the definition; a judgment can be made as to which are primarily 
affected. The analysis should discuss each alternative's likely effect 
on the sustained participation of these fishing communities in the 
fishery.
    (4) The analysis should assess the likely positive and negative 
social and economic impacts of the alternative management measures, over 
both the short and the long term, on fishing communities. Any particular 
management measure may economically benefit some communities while 
adversely affecting others. Economic impacts should be considered both 
for individual communities and for the group of all affected communities 
identified in the FMP. Impacts of both consumptive and non-consumptive 
uses of fishery resources should be considered.
    (5) A discussion of social and economic impacts should identify 
those alternatives that would minimize adverse impacts on these fishing 
communities within the constraints of conservation and management goals 
of the FMP, other national standards, and other applicable law.

[63 FR 24234, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.350  National Standard 9--Bycatch.

    (a) Standard 9. Conservation and management measures shall, to the 
extent practicable:
    (1) Minimize bycatch; and
    (2) To the extent bycatch cannot be avoided, minimize the mortality 
of such bycatch.
    (b) General. This national standard requires Councils to consider 
the bycatch effects of existing and planned conservation and management 
measures. Bycatch can, in two ways, impede efforts to protect marine 
ecosystems and achieve sustainable fisheries and the full benefits they 
can provide to the Nation. First, bycatch can increase substantially the 
uncertainty concerning total fishing-related mortality, which makes it 
more difficult to assess the status of stocks, to set the appropriate OY 
and define overfishing levels, and to ensure that OYs are attained and 
overfishing levels are not exceeded. Second, bycatch may also preclude 
other more productive uses of fishery resources.
    (c) Definition--Bycatch. The term ``bycatch'' means fish that are 
harvested in a fishery, but that are not sold or kept for personal use. 
Bycatch includes the discard of whole fish at sea or elsewhere, 
including economic discards and regulatory discards, and fishing 
mortality due to an encounter with fishing gear that does not result in 
capture of fish (i.e., unobserved fishing mortality). Bycatch does not 
include any fish that legally are retained in a fishery and kept for 
personal, tribal, or cultural use, or that enter commerce through sale, 
barter, or trade. Bycatch does not include fish released alive under a 
recreational catch-and-release fishery management program. A catch-and-
release fishery management program is one in which the retention of a 
particular species is prohibited. In such a program, those fish released 
alive would not be considered bycatch. Bycatch also does not include 
Atlantic highly migratory species harvested in a commercial fishery that 
are not regulatory discards and that are tagged and released alive under 
a scientific tag-and-release program established by the Secretary.
    (d) Minimizing bycatch and bycatch mortality. The priority under 
this standard is first to avoid catching bycatch species where 
practicable. Fish that are bycatch and cannot be avoided must, to the 
extent practicable, be returned to the sea alive. Any proposed 
conservation and management measure that does not give priority to 
avoiding the capture of bycatch species must be supported by appropriate 
analyses. In their evaluation, the Councils must consider the net 
benefits to the Nation, which include, but are not limited to:

[[Page 45]]

Negative impacts on affected stocks; incomes accruing to participants in 
directed fisheries in both the short and long term; incomes accruing to 
participants in fisheries that target the bycatch species; environmental 
consequences; non-market values of bycatch species, which include non-
consumptive uses of bycatch species and existence values, as well as 
recreational values; and impacts on other marine organisms. To evaluate 
conservation and management measures relative to this and other national 
standards, as well as to evaluate total fishing mortality, Councils 
must--
    (1) Promote development of a database on bycatch and bycatch 
mortality in the fishery to the extent practicable. A review and, where 
necessary, improvement of data collection methods, data sources, and 
applications of data must be initiated for each fishery to determine the 
amount, type, disposition, and other characteristics of bycatch and 
bycatch mortality in each fishery for purposes of this standard and of 
section 303(a)(11) and (12) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Bycatch should 
be categorized to focus on management responses necessary to minimize 
bycatch and bycatch mortality to the extent practicable. When 
appropriate, management measures, such as at-sea monitoring programs, 
should be developed to meet these information needs.
    (2) For each management measure, assess the effects on the amount 
and type of bycatch and bycatch mortality in the fishery. Most 
conservation and management measures can affect the amounts of bycatch 
or bycatch mortality in a fishery, as well as the extent to which 
further reductions in bycatch are practicable. In analyzing measures, 
including the status quo, Councils should assess the impacts of 
minimizing bycatch and bycatch mortality, as well as consistency of the 
selected measure with other national standards and applicable laws. The 
benefits of minimizing bycatch to the extent practicable should be 
identified and an assessment of the impact of the selected measure on 
bycatch and bycatch mortality provided. Due to limitations on the 
information available, fishery managers may not be able to generate 
precise estimates of bycatch and bycatch mortality or other effects for 
each alternative. In the absence of quantitative estimates of the 
impacts of each alternative, Councils may use qualitative measures. 
Information on the amount and type of bycatch should be summarized in 
the SAFE reports.
    (3) Select measures that, to the extent practicable, will minimize 
bycatch and bycatch mortality. (i) A determination of whether a 
conservation and management measure minimizes bycatch or bycatch 
mortality to the extent practicable, consistent with other national 
standards and maximization of net benefits to the Nation, should 
consider the following factors:
    (A) Population effects for the bycatch species.
    (B) Ecological effects due to changes in the bycatch of that species 
(effects on other species in the ecosystem).
    (C) Changes in the bycatch of other species of fish and the 
resulting population and ecosystem effects.
    (D) Effects on marine mammals and birds.
    (E) Changes in fishing, processing, disposal, and marketing costs.
    (F) Changes in fishing practices and behavior of fishermen.
    (G) Changes in research, administration, and enforcement costs and 
management effectiveness.
    (H) Changes in the economic, social, or cultural value of fishing 
activities and nonconsumptive uses of fishery resources.
    (I) Changes in the distribution of benefits and costs.
    (J) Social effects.
    (ii) The Councils should adhere to the precautionary approach found 
in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (Article 6.5), which is 
available from the Director, Publications Division, FAO, Viale delle 
Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy, when faced with uncertainty 
concerning any of the factors listed in this paragraph (d)(3).
    (4) Monitor selected management measures. Effects of implemented 
measures should be evaluated routinely. Monitoring systems should be 
established prior to fishing under the selected

[[Page 46]]

management measures. Where applicable, plans should be developed and 
coordinated with industry and other concerned organizations to identify 
opportunities for cooperative data collection, coordination of data 
management for cost efficiency, and avoidance of duplicative effort.
    (e) Other considerations. Other applicable laws, such as the MMPA, 
the ESA, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, require that Councils 
consider the impact of conservation and management measures on living 
marine resources other than fish; i.e., marine mammals and birds.

[63 FR 24235, May 1, 1998]



Sec. 600.355  National Standard 10--Safety of Life at Sea.

    (a) Standard 10. Conservation and management measures shall, to the 
extent practicable, promote the safety of human life at sea.
    (b) General. (1) Fishing is an inherently dangerous occupation where 
not all hazardous situations can be foreseen or avoided. The standard 
directs Councils to reduce that risk in crafting their management 
measures, so long as they can meet the other national standards and the 
legal and practical requirements of conservation and management. This 
standard is not meant to give preference to one method of managing a 
fishery over another.
    (2) The qualifying phrase ``to the extent practicable'' recognizes 
that regulation necessarily puts constraints on fishing that would not 
otherwise exist. These constraints may create pressures on fishermen to 
fish under conditions that they would otherwise avoid. This standard 
instructs the Councils to identify and avoid those situations, if they 
can do so consistent with the legal and practical requirements of 
conservation and management of the resource.
    (3) For the purposes of this national standard, the safety of the 
fishing vessel and the protection from injury of persons aboard the 
vessel are considered the same as ``safety of human life at sea. The 
safety of a vessel and the people aboard is ultimately the 
responsibility of the master of that vessel. Each master makes many 
decisions about vessel maintenance and loading and about the 
capabilities of the vessel and crew to operate safely in a variety of 
weather and sea conditions. This national standard does not replace the 
judgment or relieve the responsibility of the vessel master related to 
vessel safety. The Councils, the USCG, and NMFS, through the 
consultation process of paragraph (d) of this section, will review all 
FMPs, amendments, and regulations during their development to ensure 
they recognize any impact on the safety of human life at sea and 
minimize or mitigate that impact where practicable.
    (c) Safety considerations. The following is a non-inclusive list of 
safety considerations that should be considered in evaluating management 
measures under national standard 10.
    (1) Operating environment. Where and when a fishing vessel operates 
is partly a function of the general climate and weather patterns of an 
area. Typically, larger vessels can fish farther offshore and in more 
adverse weather conditions than smaller vessels. An FMP should try to 
avoid creating situations that result in vessels going out farther, 
fishing longer, or fishing in weather worse than they generally would 
have in the absence of management measures. Where these conditions are 
unavoidable, management measures should mitigate these effects, 
consistent with the overall management goals of the fishery.
    (2) Gear and vessel loading requirements. A fishing vessel operates 
in a very dynamic environment that can be an extremely dangerous place 
to work. Moving heavy gear in a seaway creates a dangerous situation on 
a vessel. Carrying extra gear can also significantly reduce the 
stability of a fishing vessel, making it prone to capsizing. An FMP 
should consider the safety and stability of fishing vessels when 
requiring specific gear or requiring the removal of gear from the water. 
Management measures should reflect a sensitivity to these issues and 
provide methods of mitigation of these situations wherever possible.
    (3) Limited season and area fisheries. Fisheries where time 
constraints for harvesting are a significant factor and with no 
flexibility for weather, often

[[Page 47]]

called ``derby'' fisheries, can create serious safety problems. To 
participate fully in such a fishery, fishermen may fish in bad weather 
and overload their vessel with catch and/or gear. Where these conditions 
exist, FMPs should attempt to mitigate these effects and avoid them in 
new management regimes, as discussed in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (d) Consultation. During preparation of any FMP, FMP amendment, or 
regulation that might affect safety of human life at sea, the Council 
should consult with the USCG and the fishing industry as to the nature 
and extent of any adverse impacts. This consultation may be done through 
a Council advisory panel, committee, or other review of the FMP, FMP 
amendment, or regulations. Mitigation, to the extent practicable, and 
other safety considerations identified in paragraph (c) of this section 
should be included in the FMP.
    (e) Mitigation measures. There are many ways in which an FMP may 
avoid or provide alternative measures to reduce potential impacts on 
safety of human life at sea. The following is a list of some factors 
that could be considered when management measures are developed:
    (1) Setting seasons to avoid hazardous weather.
    (2) Providing for seasonal or trip flexibility to account for bad 
weather (weather days).
    (3) Allowing for pre- and post-season ``soak time'' to deploy and 
pick up fixed gear, so as to avoid overloading vessels with fixed gear.
    (4) Tailoring gear requirements to provide for smaller or lighter 
gear for smaller vessels.
    (5) Avoiding management measures that require hazardous at-sea 
inspections or enforcement if other comparable enforcement could be 
accomplished as effectively.
    (6) Limiting the number of participants in the fishery.
    (7) Spreading effort over time and area to avoid potential gear and/
or vessel conflicts.
    (8) Implementing management measures that reduce the race for fish 
and the resulting incentives for fishermen to take additional risks with 
respect to vessel safety.

[63 FR 24236, May 1, 1998]



                 Subpart E_Confidentiality of Statistics



Sec. 600.405  Types of statistics covered.

    NOAA is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other statutes 
to collect proprietary or confidential commercial or financial 
information. This part applies to all pertinent data required to be 
submitted to the Secretary with respect to any FMP including, but not 
limited to, information regarding the type and quantity of fishing gear 
used, catch by species in numbers of fish or weight thereof, areas in 
which fishing occurred, time of fishing, number of hauls, and the 
estimated processing capacity of, and the actual processing capacity 
utilized by, U.S. fish processors.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.410  Collection and maintenance of statistics.

    (a) General. (1) All statistics required to be submitted to the 
Secretary are provided to the Assistant Administrator.
    (2) After receipt, the Assistant Administrator will remove all 
identifying particulars from the statistics if doing so is consistent 
with the needs of NMFS and good scientific practice.
    (3) Appropriate safeguards as specified by NOAA Directives, or other 
NOAA or NMFS internal procedures, apply to the collection and 
maintenance of all statistics, whether separated from identifying 
particulars or not, so as to ensure their confidentiality.
    (b) Collection agreements with states. (1) The Assistant 
Administrator may enter into an agreement with a state authorizing the 
state to collect statistics on behalf of the Secretary.
    (2) NMFS will not enter into a cooperative collection agreement with 
a state unless the state has authority to protect the statistics from 
disclosure in a manner at least as protective as these regulations.

[[Page 48]]



Sec. 600.415  Access to statistics.

    (a) General. In determining whether to grant a request for access to 
confidential data, the following information will be taken into 
consideration (also see Sec. 600.130):
    (1) The specific types of data required.
    (2) The relevance of the data to conservation and management issues.
    (3) The duration of time access will be required: continuous, 
infrequent, or one-time.
    (4) An explanation of why the availability of aggregate or non-
confidential summaries of data from other sources would not satisfy the 
requested needs.
    (b) Federal employees. Statistics submitted as a requirement of an 
FMP and that reveal the identity of the submitter will only be 
accessible to the following:
    (1) Personnel within NMFS responsible for the collection, 
processing, and storage of the statistics.
    (2) Federal employees who are responsible for FMP development, 
monitoring, and enforcement.
    (3) Personnel within NMFS performing research that requires 
confidential statistics.
    (4) Other NOAA personnel on a demonstrable need-to-know basis.
    (5) NOAA/NMFS contractors or grantees who require access to 
confidential statistics to perform functions authorized by a Federal 
contract or grant.
    (c) State personnel. Upon written request, confidential statistics 
will only be accessible if:
    (1) State employees demonstrate a need for confidential statistics 
for use in fishery conservation and management.
    (2) The state has entered into a written agreement between the 
Assistant Administrator and the head of the state's agency that manages 
marine and/or anadromous fisheries. The agreement shall contain a 
finding by the Assistant Administrator that the state has 
confidentiality protection authority comparable to the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and that the state will exercise this authority to limit subsequent 
access and use of the data to fishery management and monitoring 
purposes.
    (d) Councils. Upon written request by the Council Executive 
Director, access to confidential data will be granted to:
    (1) Council employees who are responsible for FMP development and 
monitoring.
    (2) A Council for use by the Council for conservation and management 
purposes, with the approval of the Assistant Administrator. In addition 
to the information described in paragraph (a) of this section, the 
Assistant Administrator will consider the following in deciding whether 
to grant access:
    (i) The possibility that Council members might gain personal or 
competitive advantage from access to the data.
    (ii) The possibility that the suppliers of the data would be placed 
at a competitive disadvantage by public disclosure of the data at 
Council meetings or hearings.
    (3) A contractor of the Council for use in such analysis or studies 
necessary for conservation and management purposes, with approval of the 
Assistant Administrator and execution of an agreement with NMFS as 
described by NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-100.
    (e) Prohibitions. Persons having access to these data are prohibited 
from unauthorized use or disclosure and are subject to the provisions of 
18 U.S.C. 1905, 16 U.S.C. 1857, and NOAA/NMFS internal procedures, 
including NAO 216-100.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.420  Control system.

    (a) The Assistant Administrator maintains a control system to 
protect the identity of submitters of statistics required by an FMP. The 
control system:
    (1) Identifies those persons who have access to the statistics.
    (2) Contains procedures to limit access to confidential data to 
authorized users.
    (3) Provides for safeguarding the data.
    (b) This system requires that all persons who have authorized access 
to the data be informed of the confidentiality of the data. These 
persons are required to sign a statement that they:

[[Page 49]]

    (1) Have been informed that the data are confidential.
    (2) Have reviewed and are familiar with the procedures to protect 
confidential statistics.



Sec. 600.425  Release of statistics.

    (a) The Assistant Administrator will not release to the public any 
statistics required to be submitted under an FMP in a form that would 
identify the submitter, except as required by law.
    (b) All requests from the public for statistics submitted in 
response to a requirement of an FMP will be processed consistent with 
the NOAA FOIA regulations (15 CFR part 903), NAO 205-14, Department of 
Commerce Administrative Orders 205-12 and 205-14 and 15 CFR part 4.
    (c) NOAA does not release or allow access to confidential 
information in its possession to members of Council advisory groups, 
except as provided by law.



                        Subpart F_Foreign Fishing



Sec. 600.501  Vessel permits.

    (a) General. (1) Each FFV fishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
must have on board a permit issued under this section, unless it is 
engaged only in recreational fishing.
    (2) Permits issued under this section do not authorize FFV's or 
persons to harass, capture, or kill marine mammals. No marine mammals 
may be taken in the course of fishing unless that vessel has on board a 
currently valid Authorization Certificate under the MMPA. Regulations 
governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing 
operations are contained in 50 CFR part 229 of this title.
    (b) Responsibility of owners and operators. The owners and operators 
of each FFV are jointly and severally responsible for compliance with 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the applicable GIFA, this subpart, and any 
permit issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and this subpart. The 
owners and operators of each FFV bear civil responsibility for the acts 
of their employees and agents constituting violations, regardless of 
whether the specific acts were authorized or even forbidden by the 
employer or principal, and regardless of knowledge concerning the 
occurrence.
    (c) Activity codes. Permits to fish under this subpart may be issued 
by the Assistant Administrator for the activities described in this 
paragraph, but the permits may be modified by regulations of this 
subpart and by the conditions and restrictions attached to the permit 
(see paragraphs (e)(1)(v) and (l) of this section). The Assistant 
Administrator may issue a permit, as appropriate, for one or more of the 
activity codes listed. Only vessels of nations having a GIFA with the 
United States may be issued permits for activity codes 1 through 9. A 
GIFA is not required for a vessel to be issued a permit for activity 
code 10. The activity codes are described as follows:
    (1) Activity Code 1. Catching, scouting, processing, transshipping, 
and supporting foreign vessels. Activity is limited to fish harvested or 
to be harvested by foreign vessels in the EEZ.
    (2) Activity Code 2. Processing, scouting, transshipping, and 
supporting foreign vessels. Activity is limited to fish harvested or to 
be harvested by foreign vessels in the EEZ.
    (3) Activity Code 3. Transshipping, scouting, and supporting foreign 
vessels. Activity is limited to fish harvested or to be harvested by 
foreign vessels in the EEZ.
    (4) Activity Code 4. Processing, scouting, transshipping, and 
supporting U.S. vessels delivering fish to foreign vessels. Activity is 
limited to the receipt of unprocessed fish harvested or to be harvested 
by U.S. vessels.
    (5) Activity Code 5. Transshipping, scouting, and supporting foreign 
vessels. Transshipment limited to fish received or to be received from 
foreign vessels processing fish from U.S. harvesting vessels.
    (6) Activity Code 6. Transshipping, scouting, and supporting U.S. 
vessels. Transshipment limited to U.S.-harvested fish processed on board 
U.S. vessels.
    (7) Activity Code 7. Processing, transshipping, and supporting 
foreign vessels. Activity limited to fish harvested or to be harvested 
by foreign vessels seaward of the EEZ.

[[Page 50]]

    (8) Activity Code 8. Transshipping and supporting foreign vessels. 
Activity is limited to fish harvested or to be harvested seaward of the 
EEZ by foreign vessels or fish duly authorized for processing in the 
internal waters of one of the states.
    (9) Activity Code 9. Supporting U.S. fishing vessels and U.S. fish 
processing vessels and any foreign fishing vessels authorized under any 
activity code under paragraph (c) of this subpart.
    (10) Activity Code 10. Transshipping at sea for the purpose of 
transporting fish or fish products from a point within the EEZ or, with 
the concurrence of a state, within the boundaries of that state, to a 
point outside the United States.
    (d) Application. (1) Applications for FFV permits authorizing 
activity codes 1 through 9 must be submitted by an official 
representative of a foreign nation to the DOS. Applications for permits 
authorizing activity codes 1 through 9 are available from, and should be 
submitted to, DOS, OES/OMC, Washington, DC 20520. Applications for FFV 
permits authorizing activity code 10 may be submitted by any person to 
the Assistant Administrator. Applications for permits authorizing 
activity code 10 are available from NMFS, Attn: International Fisheries 
Division, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. All 
applicants should allow 90 days for review and comment by the public, 
involved governmental agencies, and appropriate Councils and for 
processing before the anticipated date to begin fishing. The permit 
application fee must be paid at the time of application according to 
Sec. 600.518.
    (2) Applicants must provide complete and accurate information 
requested on the permit application form.
    (3) Applicants for FFV's that will support U.S. vessels in joint 
ventures (Activity Code 4) must provide the additional information 
specified by the permit application form.
    (4) Each applicant may request to substitute one FFV for another of 
the same flag by submitting a new application form and a short 
explanation of the reason for the substitution to the appropriate 
address listed at paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Each substitution is 
considered a new application, and a new application fee must be paid. 
NMFS will promptly process an application for a vessel replacing a 
permitted FFV that is disabled or decommissioned, once the appropriate 
Council(s) and governmental agencies have been notified of the 
substituted application.
    (e) Issuance. (1) Permits may be issued to an FFV by the Assistant 
Administrator after--
    (i) The Assistant Administrator determines that the fishing 
described in the application will meet the requirements of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and approves the permit application.
    (ii) The applicant has paid the fees and provided any assurances 
required by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 
600.518.
    (iii) The applicant has appointed an agent.
    (iv) The applicant has identified a designated representative.
    (v) The applicant has accepted the general ``conditions and 
restrictions'' of receiving permits, as required by section 204(b)(7) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and any ``additional restrictions'' attached 
to the permit for the conservation and management of fishery resources 
or for the prevention of significant impairment of the national defense 
or security interests.
    (2) The DOS will provide permits for activity codes 1 through 9 to 
the official representative of the applicant foreign nation. The 
Assistant Administrator will provide permits for activity code 10 
directly to the applicant.
    (3) An approved permit will contain--
    (i) The name and IRCS of the FFV and its permit number.
    (ii) The permitted fisheries and/or activity codes.
    (iii) The date of issuance and expiration date, if other than 
December 31.
    (iv) All conditions and restrictions, and any additional 
restrictions and technical modifications appended to the permit.
    (4) Permits are not issued for boats that are launched from larger 
vessels. Any enforcement action that results from the activities of a 
launched boat will be taken against the permitted vessel.

[[Page 51]]

    (f) Duration. A permit is valid from its date of issuance to its 
date of expiration, unless it is revoked or suspended or the nation 
issuing the FFV's documents does not accept amendments to the permit 
made by the Assistant Administrator in accordance with the procedures of 
paragraph (l) of this section. The permit will be valid for no longer 
than the calendar year in which it was issued.
    (g) Transfer. Permits are not transferable or assignable. A permit 
is valid only for the FFV to which it is issued.
    (h) Display. Each FFV operator must have a properly completed permit 
form available on board the FFV when engaged in fishing activities and 
must produce it at the request of an authorized officer or observer.
    (i) Suspension and revocation. NMFS may apply sanctions to an FFV's 
permit by revoking, suspending, or imposing additional permit 
restrictions on the permit under 15 CFR part 904, if the vessel is 
involved in the commission of any violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
the GIFA, or this subpart; if an agent and a designated representative 
are not maintained in the United States; if a civil penalty or criminal 
fine imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act has become overdue; or as 
otherwise specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (j) Fees. Permit application fees are described in Sec. 600.518.
    (k) Change in application information. The applicant must report, in 
writing, any change in the information supplied under paragraph (d) of 
this section to the Assistant Administrator within 15 calendar days 
after the date of the change. Failure to report a change in the 
ownership from that described in the current application within the 
specified time frame voids the permit, and all penalties involved will 
accrue to the previous owner.
    (l) Permit amendments. (1) The Assistant Administrator may amend a 
permit by adding ``additional restrictions'' for the conservation and 
management of fishery resources covered by the permit, or for the 
national defense or security if the Assistant Administrator determines 
that such interests would be significantly impaired without such 
restrictions. Compliance with the added additional restrictions is a 
condition of the permit. Violations of added additional restrictions 
will be treated as violations of this subpart.
    (2) The Assistant Administrator may make proposed additional 
restrictions effective immediately, if necessary, to prevent substantial 
harm to a fishery resource of the United States, to allow for the 
continuation of ongoing fishing operations, or to allow for fishing to 
begin at the normal time for opening of the fishery.
    (3) The Assistant Administrator will send proposed additional 
restrictions to each Nation whose vessels are affected (via the 
Secretary of State), to the appropriate Councils, and to the Commandant 
of the Coast Guard. NMFS will, at the same time, publish a document of 
any significant proposed additional restrictions in the Federal 
Register. The document will include a summary of the reasons underlying 
the proposal, and the reasons that any proposed additional restrictions 
are made effective immediately.
    (4) The Nation whose vessels are involved, the owners of the 
affected vessels, their representatives, the agencies specified in 
paragraph (l)(3) of this section, and the public may submit written 
comments on the proposed additional restrictions within 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register.
    (5) The Assistant Administrator will make a final decision regarding 
the proposed additional restrictions as soon as practicable after the 
end of the comment period. The Assistant Administrator will provide the 
final additional restrictions to the Nation whose vessels are affected 
(via the Secretary of State) according to the procedures of paragraph 
(e) of this section. The Assistant Administrator will include with the 
final additional restrictions to the Nation, a response to comments 
submitted.
    (6) Additional restrictions may be modified by following the 
procedures of paragraphs (l)(2) through (l)(5) of this section.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 
FR 39019, July 21, 1999]

[[Page 52]]



Sec. 600.502  Vessel reports.

    (a) The operator of each FFV must report the FFV's activities to the 
USCG and NMFS as specified in this section.
    (b) All reports required by this section must be in English and in 
the formats specified in the permit additions and restrictions. Reports 
must be delivered via private or commercial communications facilities, 
facsimile, or other electronic means acceptable to NMFS and the USCG, 
directly to the appropriate NMFS Region or Center and USCG commander. 
Weekly reports must also be delivered directly to the appropriate NMFS 
Region or Center (see tables 1 and 2 of this section). (The required 
reports may be delivered to the closest USCG communication station as 
indicated in table 3 of this section or other USCG communication station 
only if adequate private or commercial communications facilities have 
not been successfully contacted.) Radio reports must be made via 
radiotelegraphy, Telex, or facsimile where available. For the purposes 
of this section, a message is considered ``transmitted'' when its 
receipt is acknowledged by a communications facility and considered 
``delivered'' upon its receipt by the offices of the appropriate USCG 
commander, NMFS Regional Office, or NMFS Center identified in table 2 of 
this section. Reports required by this section may be submitted by the 
vessel's designated representative; however, the operator of the FFV is 
responsible for the correct and timely filing of all required reports.
    (c) Activity reports. The operator of each FFV must report the FFV's 
movements and activities before or upon the event, as specified in this 
paragraph (c). Appropriate forms, instructions, codes, and examples are 
contained in the conditions and restrictions of the FFV's permit. Each 
FFV report must contain the following information: The message 
identifier ``VESREP'' to indicate it is a vessel activity report, FFV 
name, international radio call sign IRCS, date (month and day based on 
GMT), time (hour and minute GMT), position (latitude and longitude to 
the nearest degree and minute) where required, area (by fishing area 
code) where required, the appropriate action code, confirmation codes 
where required, and the other information specified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(11) of this section.
    (1) ``BEGIN''. Each operator must specify the date, time, position, 
and area the FFV will actually ``BEGIN'' fishing in the EEZ and the 
species (by species code), product (by product code), and quantity of 
all fish and fish products (by product weight to the nearest hundredth 
of a metric ton) on board when entering the EEZ (action code ``BEGIN''). 
The message must be delivered at least 24 hours before the vessel begins 
to fish.
    (2) ``DEPART''. Each operator must specify the date, time, position, 
and area the FFV will ``DEPART'' the EEZ to embark or debark an 
observer, to visit a U.S. port, to conduct a joint venture in internal 
waters, or to otherwise temporarily leave an authorized fishing area, 
but not depart the seaward limit of the EEZ (action code ``DEPART''). 
The message must be transmitted before the FFV departs the present 
fishing area and delivered within 24 hours of its transmittal.
    (3) ``RETURN''. Each operator must specify the date, time, position, 
and area the FFV will ``RETURN'' to the EEZ following a temporary 
departure, and the species (by species code), product (by product code), 
and quantity of all fish and fish products (by product weight to the 
nearest hundredth of a metric ton) on board that were received in a 
joint venture in internal waters (action code ``RETURN''). The message 
must be transmitted before returning to the EEZ and delivered within 24 
hours of its transmittal.
    (4) ``SHIFT''. Each operator must report each SHIFT in fishing area 
(as described for each fishery) by specifying the date, time, and 
position the FFV will start fishing, and the new area (action code 
``SHIFT''). The message must be transmitted before leaving the original 
area and delivered within 24 hours of its transmittal. If a foreign 
vessel operates within 20 nautical miles (37.04 km) of a fishing area 
boundary, its operator may submit in one message the shift reports for 
all fishing area shifts occurring during 1 fishing day (0001-2400 GMT). 
This message must be

[[Page 53]]

transmitted prior to the last shift expected to be made in the day and 
delivered within 24 hours of its transmittal.
    (5) ``JV OPS''. Each operator must specify the date, time, position, 
and area at which the FFV will ``START'' joint venture operations 
(action code ``START JV OPS'') or ``END'' joint venture operations 
(action code ``END JV OPS''). These reports must be made in addition to 
other activity reports made under this section. Each message must be 
transmitted before the event and delivered within 24 hours of its 
transmittal.
    (6) ``TRANSFER''. The operator of each FFV that anticipates a 
transshipping operation in which the FFV will receive fish or fisheries 
products must specify the date, time, position and area the FFV will 
conduct the ``TRANSFER'' and the name and IRCS of the other FFV or U.S. 
vessel involved (action code ``TRANSFER''). The report must include the 
permit activity code under which the transfer will be made. The message 
must be transmitted prior to the transfer and delivered within 24 hours 
of its transmittal. The movement of raw fish from a permitted foreign 
catching vessel or, under an Activity Code 4, from a U.S. fishing vessel 
to the reporting processing vessel and the return of nets or codends is 
not considered a transfer.
    (7) ``OFFLOADED''. Each operator must specify the date, time, 
position, and area the FFV ``OFFLOADED'' fish or fisheries products TO 
another FFV or a U.S. vessel in a transfer, the other FFV's or U.S. 
vessel's name, IRCS, Permit Activity Code under which the transfer was 
made, species (by species code) and quantity of fish and fisheries 
products (by product code and by product weight, to the nearest 
hundredth of a metric ton) offloaded (action code ``OFFLOADED TO''). The 
message must be transmitted within 12 hours after the transfer is 
completed and delivered within 24 hours of its transmittal and before 
the FFV ceases fishing in the EEZ.
    (8) ``RECEIVED''. Each operator must specify the date, time, 
position and area the vessel ``RECEIVED'' fish or fisheries products 
FROM another FFV in a transfer, the other FFV's or U.S. vessel's name, 
IRCS, Permit Activity Code under which the receipt was made, species (by 
species code) and quantity of fish and fisheries products (by product 
code and by product weight, to the nearest hundredth of a metric ton) 
received (action code ``RECEIVED FROM''). The message must be 
transmitted within 12 hours after the transfer is completed and 
delivered within 24 hours of its transmittal and before the vessel 
ceases fishing in the EEZ.
    (9) ``CEASE''. Each operator must specify the date, time, position, 
and area the FFV will ``CEASE'' fishing in order to leave the EEZ 
(action code ``CEASE''). The message must be delivered at least 24 hours 
before the FFV's departure.
    (10) ``CHANGE''. Each operator must report any ``CHANGE'' TO the 
FFV's operations if the position or time of an event specified in an 
activity report will vary more than 5 nautical miles (9.26 km) or 4 
hours from that previously reported, by sending a revised message 
inserting the word ``CHANGE'' in front of the previous report, repeating 
the name, IRCS, date, and time of the previous report, adding the word 
``TO'' and the complete revised text of the new report (action code 
``CHANGE TO''). Changes to reports specifying an early beginning of 
fishing by an FFV or other changes to reports contained in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(9) of this section must be transmitted and delivered 
as if the ``CHANGE'' report were the original message.
    (11) ``CANCEL''. Each operator wanting to ``CANCEL'' a previous 
report may do so by sending a revised message, and inserting the word 
``CANCEL'' in front of the previous report's vessel name, IRCS, date, 
time and action code canceled (action code ``CANCEL''). The message must 
be transmitted and delivered prior to the date and time of the event in 
the original message.
    (d) The operator of an FFV will be in violation of paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(9) of this section if the FFV does not pass within 5 
nautical miles (9.26 km) of the position given in the report within 4 
hours of the time given in the report.
    (e) The notices required by this section may be provided for 
individual or

[[Page 54]]

groups of FFV's (on a vessel-by-vessel basis) by authorized persons. An 
FFV operator may retransmit reports on the behalf of another FFV, if 
authorized by that FFV's operator. This does not relieve the individual 
vessel operator of the responsibility of filing required reports. In 
these cases, the message format should be modified so that each line of 
text under ``VESREP'' is a separate vessel report.
    (f) Weekly reports. (1) The operator of each FFV in the EEZ must 
submit appropriate weekly reports through the Nation's designated 
representative. The report must arrive at the address and time specified 
in paragraph (g) of this section. The reports may be sent by facsimile 
or Telex, but a completed copy of the report form must be mailed or hand 
delivered to confirm the Telex. Appropriate forms, instructions, codes, 
and examples are contained in the conditions and restrictions of the 
FFV's permit. Designated representatives may include more than one 
vessel report in a facsimile or Telex message, if the information is 
submitted on a vessel-by-vessel basis. Requests for corrections to 
previous reports must be submitted through the Nation's designated 
representative and mailed or hand-delivered, together with a written 
explanation of the reasons for the errors. The appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director may accept or reject any 
correction and initiate any appropriate civil penalty actions.
    (2) Weekly catch report (CATREP). The operator of each FFV must 
submit a weekly catch report stating any catch (Activity Code 1) in 
round weight of each species or species group allocated to that Nation 
by area and days fished in each area for the weekly period Sunday 
through Saturday, GMT, as modified by the fishery in which the FFV is 
engaged. Foreign vessels delivering unsorted, unprocessed fish to a 
processing vessel are not required to submit CATREP's, if that 
processing vessel (Activity Code 2) submits consolidated CATREP's for 
all fish received during each weekly period. No report is required for 
FFV's that do not catch or receive foreign-caught fish during the 
reporting period.
    (3) Weekly receipts report (RECREP). The operator of each FFV must 
submit a weekly report stating any receipts of U.S.-harvested fish in a 
joint venture (Activity Code 4) for the weekly period Sunday through 
Saturday, GMT, as modified by the fishery in which the FFV is engaged, 
for each fishing area, by authorized or prohibited species or species 
group; days fish received; round weight retained or returned to the U.S. 
fishing vessel; number of codends received; and number of vessels 
transferring codends. The report must also include the names of U.S. 
fishing vessels transferring codends during the week. No report is 
required for FFV's that do not receive any U.S.-harvested fish during 
the reporting period.
    (4) Marine mammal report (MAMREP). The operator of each FFV must 
submit a weekly report stating any incidental catch or receipt of marine 
mammals (Activity Codes 1 or 2 and/or 4), the geographical position 
caught, the condition of the animal, number caught (if more than one of 
the same species and condition), and nationality of the catching vessel 
for the period Sunday through Saturday, GMT, as modified by the fishery 
in which the vessel is engaged. Foreign catching vessels delivering 
unsorted, unprocessed fish to processing vessel are not required to 
submit MAMREP's, provided that the processing or factory vessel 
(Activity Code 2) submits consolidated MAMREP's for all fish received 
during each weekly period. FFV's receiving U.S.-harvested fish in a 
joint venture (Activity Code 4) must submit consolidated reports for 
U.S. vessels operating in the joint venture. No report is required for 
FFV's that do not catch or receive marine mammals during the reporting 
period.
    (g) Submission instructions for weekly reports. The designated 
representative for each FFV must submit weekly reports in the prescribed 
format to the appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and Research 
Director of NMFS by 1900 GMT on the Wednesday following the end of the 
reporting period. However, by agreement with the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director, the designated 
representative may submit

[[Page 55]]

weekly reports to some other facility of NMFS.
    (h) Alternative reporting procedures. As an alternative to the use 
of the specific procedures provided, an applicant may submit proposed 
reporting procedures for a general type of fishery operation (i.e., 
transshipments under Activity Code 10) to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator and the USCG commander (see tables 1 and 2 to Sec. 
600.502 of this chapter). With the agreement of the USCG commander, the 
Regional Administrator may authorize the use of alternative reporting 
procedures.

                  Table 1 to Sec.  600.502--Addresses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                NMFS science and      U.S. Coast Guard
NMFS regional administrators   research directors        commanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrator, Northeast      Director, Northeast   Commander, Atlantic
 Region, National Marine       Fisheries Science     Area, U.S. Coast
 Fisheries Service, NOAA,      Center, National      Guard, 431 Crawford
 One Blackburn Drive,          Marine Fisheries      St., Portsmouth, VA
 Gloucester, MA 01930-2298.    Service, NOAA, 166    23704.
                               Water St., Woods
                               Hole, MA 02543-1097.
Administrator, Southeast      Director, Southeast   Commander, Atlantic
 Region, National Marine       Fisheries Science     Area, U.S. Coast
 Fisheries Service, 9721       Center, National      Guard, Governor's
 Exec. Center Drive N., St.    Marine Fisheries      Island, New York
 Petersburg, FL 33702.         Service, NOAA, 75     10004.
                               Virginia Beach
                               Drive, Miami, FL
                               33149-1003.
Administrator, Northwest      Director, Northwest   Commander, Pacific
 Region, National Marine       Fisheries Science     Area, U.S. Coast
 Fisheries Service, NOAA,      Center, National      Guard, Government
 7600 Sand Point Way, NE,      Marine Fisheries      Island, Alameda, CA
 BIN C15700, Bldg. 1,          Service, NOAA, 2725   94501.
 Seattle, WA 98115.            Montlake Blvd.
                               East, Seattle, WA
                               98112-2097.
Administrator, Alaska         Director, Alaska      Commander,
 Region, National Marine       Fisheries Science     Seventeenth Coast
 Fisheries Service, NOAA,      Center, National      Guard District,
 P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK    Marine Fisheries      P.O. Box 25517,
 99802-1668.                   Service, NOAA, 7600   Juneau, AK 99802.
                               Sand Point Way, NE,
                               BIN C15700, Bldg.
                               4, Seattle, WA
                               98115-0070.
Administrator, Southwest      Director, Southwest   Commander,
 Region, National Marine       Fisheries Science     Fourteenth Coast
 Fisheries Service, NOAA,      Center, National      Guard District, 300
 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite   Marine Fisheries      Ala Moana Blvd.,
 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-   Service, NOAA, P.O.   Honolulu, HI 96850.
 4213.                         Box 271, La Jolla,
                               CA 92038-0271.
Administrator, Pacific        Director, Pacific     Commander,
 Islands Region, National      Islands Fisheries     Fourteenth Coast
 Marine Fisheries Service,     Science Center,       Guard District, 300
 NOAA, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd.,   National Marine       Ala Moana Blvd.,
 Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI      Fisheries Service,    Honolulu, HI 96850.
 96814.                        NOAA, 2570 Dole
                               Street, Honolulu,
                               HI 96822.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Table 2 to Sec.  600.502--Areas of Responsibility of NMFS and U.S.
                           Coast Guard Offices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Area of responsibility/       National Marine
           fishery              Fisheries Service     U.S. Coast Guard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean North of Cape  Director, Northeast   Commander, Atlantic
 Hatteras.                     Science Center,       Area.
                               Attn: Observer
                               Program.
Atlantic Ocean South of Cape  Director, Northeast   Commander, Atlantic
 Hatteras.                     Science Center,       Area.
                               Attn: Observer
                               Program.
Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish,    Director, Office of   Commander, Atlantic
 Billfish and Sharks.          Sustainable           Area.
                               Fisheries.
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean  Administrator,        Commander, Atlantic
 Sea.                          Southeast Region.     Area.
Pacific Ocean off the States  Administrator,        Commander, Pacific
 of California, Oregon, and    Northwest Region.     Area.
 Washington.
North Pacific Ocean and       Administrator,        Commander,
 Bering Sea off Alaska.        Alaska Region.        Seventeenth Coast
                                                     Guard District.
Pacific Ocean off Hawaii,     Administrator,        Commander,
 American Samoa, Guam,         Pacific Islands       Fourteenth Coast
 Commonwealth of the           Region.               Guard District.
 Northern Mariana Islands,
 and U.S. Insular
 Possessions in the Central
 and Western Pacific.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


               Table 3 to Sec.  600.502--U.S. Coast Guard Communications Stations and Frequencies
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Radiotelephone
   U.S. Coast Guard communications   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
               station                         IRCS                 Channel \1\                GMT time
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston..............................  NMF                     A-E                     2330-1100.
                                      ......................  B,C                     All.
                                      ......................  D                       1100-2330.
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
CAMSLANT Chesapeake (Portsmouth, VA)  NMN                     A                       2330-1100.
                                      ......................  B,C                     All.

[[Page 56]]

 
                                      ......................  D                       1100-2330.
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
New Orleans.........................  NMG                     A                       2330-1100.
                                      ......................  B,C                     All.
                                      ......................  D                       1100-2330.
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
CAMSPAC Point Reyes (San Francisco,   NMC                     A-D                     All.
 CA).
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
Honolulu............................  NMO                     A-D                     All.
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
Kodiak..............................  NOJ                     A-D                     All.
                                      ......................  E                       (On request).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Carrier frequencies of duplex, high-frequency single-sideband channels are:


------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Letter                  Shore transmit     Ship transmit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.................................             4426.0             4134.0
B.................................             6501.0             6200.0
C.................................             8764.0             8240.0
D.................................            13089.0            12242.0
E.................................            17314.0            16432.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7073, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 
FR 39020, July 21, 1999; 69 FR 8341, Feb. 24, 2004]



Sec. 600.503  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) Vessel identification. (1) The operator of each FFV assigned an 
IRCS must display that call sign amidships on both the port and 
starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, so that it is visible from an 
enforcement vessel, and on an appropriate weather deck so it is visible 
from the air.
    (2) The operator of each FFV not assigned an IRCS, such as a small 
trawler associated with a mothership or one of a pair of trawlers, must 
display the IRCS of the associated vessel, followed by a numerical 
suffix. (For example, JCZM-1, JCZM-2, etc., would be displayed on small 
trawlers not assigned an IRCS operating with a mothership whose IRCS is 
JCZM; JANP-1 would be displayed by a pair trawler not assigned an IRCS 
operating with a trawler whose IRCS is JANP.)
    (3) The vessel identification must be in a color in contrast to the 
background and must be permanently affixed to the FFV in block Roman 
alphabet letters and Arabic numerals at least 1 m in height for FFV's 
over 20 m in length, and at least 0.5 m in height for all other FFV's.
    (b) Navigational lights and shapes. Each FFV must display the lights 
and shapes prescribed by the International Regulations for Preventing 
Collisions at Sea, 1972 (TIAS 8587, and 1981 amendment TIAS 10672), for 
the activity in which the FFV is engaged (as described at 33 CFR part 
81).
    (c) Gear identification. (1) The operator of each FFV must ensure 
that all deployed fishing gear that is not physically and continuously 
attached to an FFV:
    (i) Is clearly marked at the surface with a buoy displaying the 
vessel identification of the FFV (see paragraph (a) of this section) to 
which the gear belongs.
    (ii) Has attached a light visible for 2 nautical miles (3.70 km) at 
night in good visibility.
    (iii) Has a radio buoy.
    Trawl codends passed from one vessel to another are considered 
continuously attached gear and are not required to be marked.
    (2) The operator of each FFV must ensure that deployed longlines, 
strings of traps or pots, and gillnets are marked at the surface at each 
terminal

[[Page 57]]

end with: (see paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iii) of this 
section).
    (3) Additional requirements may be specified for the fishery in 
which the vessel is engaged.
    (4) Unmarked or incorrectly identified fishing gear may be 
considered abandoned and may be disposed of in accordance with 
applicable Federal regulations by any authorized officer.
    (d) Maintenance. The operator of each FFV must--
    (1) Keep the vessel and gear identification clearly legible and in 
good repair.
    (2) Ensure that nothing on the FFV obstructs the view of the 
markings from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (3) Ensure that the proper navigational lights and shapes are 
displayed for the FFV's activity and are properly functioning.



Sec. 600.504  Facilitation of enforcement.

    (a) General. (1) The owner, operator, or any person aboard any FFV 
subject to this subpart must immediately comply with instructions and 
signals issued by an authorized officer to stop the FFV; to move the FFV 
to a specified location; and to facilitate safe boarding and inspection 
of the vessel, its gear, equipment, records, and fish and fish products 
on board for purposes of enforcing the Magnuson-Stevens Act and this 
subpart.
    (2) The operator of each FFV must provide vessel position or other 
information when requested by an authorized officer within the time 
specified in the request.
    (b) Communications equipment. (1) Each FFV must be equipped with a 
VHF-FM radiotelephone station located so that it may be operated from 
the wheelhouse. Each operator must maintain a continuous listening watch 
on channel 16 (156.8 mHz).
    (2) Each FFV must be equipped with a radiotelephone station capable 
of communicating via 2182 kHz (SSB) radiotelephony and at least one set 
of working frequencies identified in table 3 to Sec. 600.502 
appropriate to the fishery in which the FFV is operating. Each operator 
must monitor and be ready to communicate via 2182 kHz (SSB) 
radiotelephone each day from 0800 GMT to 0830 GMT and 2000 to 2030 GMT, 
and in preparation for boarding.
    (3) FFV's that are not equipped with processing facilities and that 
deliver all catches to a foreign processing vessel are exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (4) FFV's with no IRCS that do not catch fish and are used as 
auxiliary vessels to handle codends, nets, equipment, or passengers for 
a processing vessel are exempt from the requirements of paragraphs 
(b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section.
    (5) The appropriate Regional Administrator, with the agreement of 
the appropriate USCG commander, may, upon request by a foreign nation, 
accept alternatives to the radio requirements of this section to certain 
FFV's or types of FFV's operating in a fishery, provided they are 
adequate for the communications needs of the fishery.
    (c) Communications procedures. (1) Upon being approached by a USCG 
vessel or aircraft, or other vessel or aircraft with an authorized 
officer aboard, the operator of any FFV subject to this subpart must be 
alert for communications conveying enforcement instructions. The 
enforcement unit may communicate by channel 16 VHF-FM radiotelephone, 
2182 kHz (SSB) radiotelephone, message block from an aircraft, flashing 
light or flag signals from the International Code of Signals, hand 
signal, placard, loudhailer, or other appropriate means. The following 
signals, extracted from the International Code of Signals, are among 
those that may be used.
    (i) ``AA, AA, AA, etc.'', which is the call for an unknown station. 
The signaled vessel should respond by identifying itself or by 
illuminating the vessel identification required by Sec. 600.505.
    (ii) ``RY-CY'', meaning ``You should proceed at slow speed, a boat 
is coming to you''.
    (iii) ``SQ3'', meaning ``You should stop or heave to; I am going to 
board you''.
    (iv) ``L'', meaning ``You should stop your vessel instantly.''
    (2) Failure of an FFV's operator to stop the vessel when directed to 
do so by an authorized officer using VHF-FM radiotelephone (channel 16), 
2182 kHz (SSB) radiotelephone (where required),

[[Page 58]]

message block from an aircraft, flashing light signal, flaghoist, or 
loudhailer constitutes a violation of this subpart.
    (3) The operator of or any person aboard an FFV who does not 
understand a signal from an enforcement unit and who is unable to obtain 
clarification by radiotelephone or other means must consider the signal 
to be a command to stop the FFV instantly.
    (d) Boarding. The operator of an FFV signaled for boarding must--
    (1) Monitor 2182 kHz (SSB) radiotelephone and channel 16 (156.8 mHz) 
VHF-FM radiotelephone.
    (2) Stop immediately and lay to or maneuver in such a way as to 
maintain the safety of the FFV and facilitate boarding by the authorized 
officer and the boarding party or an observer.
    (3) Provide the authorized officer, boarding party, or observer a 
safe pilot ladder. The operator must ensure the pilot ladder is securely 
attached to the FFV and meets the construction requirements of 
Regulation 17, Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety 
of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 (TIAS 9700 and 1978 Protocol, TIAS 10009), 
or a substantially equivalent national standard approved by letter from 
the Assistant Administrator, with agreement with the USCG. Safe pilot 
ladder standards are summarized below:
    (i) The ladder must be of a single length of not more than 9 m (30 
ft), capable of reaching the water from the point of access to the FFV, 
accounting for all conditions of loading and trim of the FFV and for an 
adverse list of 15[deg]. Whenever the distance from sea level to the 
point of access to the ship is more than 9 m (30 ft), access must be by 
means of an accommodation ladder or other safe and convenient means.
    (ii) The steps of the pilot ladder must be--
    (A) Of hardwood, or other material of equivalent properties, made in 
one piece free of knots, having an efficient non-slip surface; the four 
lowest steps may be made of rubber of sufficient strength and stiffness 
or of other suitable material of equivalent characteristics.
    (B) Not less than 480 mm (19 inches) long, 115 mm (4.5 inches) wide, 
and 25 mm (1 inch) in depth, excluding any non-slip device.
    (C) Equally spaced not less than 300 millimeters (12 inches) nor 
more than 380 mm (15 inches) apart and secured in such a manner that 
they will remain horizontal.
    (iii) No pilot ladder may have more than two replacement steps that 
are secured in position by a method different from that used in the 
original construction of the ladder.
    (iv) The side ropes of the ladder must consist of two uncovered 
manila ropes not less than 60 mm (2.25 inches) in circumference on each 
side (or synthetic ropes of equivalent size and equivalent or greater 
strength). Each rope must be continuous, with no joints below the top 
step.
    (v) Battens made of hardwood, or other material of equivalent 
properties, in one piece and not less than 1.80 m (5 ft 10 inches) long 
must be provided at such intervals as will prevent the pilot ladder from 
twisting. The lowest batten must be on the fifth step from the bottom of 
the ladder and the interval between any batten and the next must not 
exceed nine steps.
    (vi) Where passage onto or off the ship is by means of a bulwark 
ladder, two handhold stanchions must be fitted at the point of boarding 
or leaving the FFV not less than 0.70 m (2 ft 3 inches) nor more than 
0.80 m (2 ft 7 inches) apart, not less than 40 mm (2.5 inches) in 
diameter, and must extend not less than 1.20 m (3 ft 11 inches) above 
the top of the bulwark.
    (4) When necessary to facilitate the boarding or when requested by 
an authorized officer or observer, provide a manrope, safety line, and 
illumination for the ladder; and
    (5) Take such other actions as necessary to ensure the safety of the 
authorized officer and the boarding party and to facilitate the boarding 
and inspection.
    (e) Access and records. (1) The owner and operator of each FFV must 
provide authorized officers access to all spaces where work is conducted 
or business papers and records are prepared or stored, including but not 
limited to, personal quarters and areas within personal quarters.

[[Page 59]]

    (2) The owner and operator of each FFV must provide to authorized 
officers all records and documents pertaining to the fishing activities 
of the vessel, including but not limited to, production records, fishing 
logs, navigation logs, transfer records, product receipts, cargo stowage 
plans or records, draft or displacement calculations, customs documents 
or records, and an accurate hold plan reflecting the current structure 
of the vessel's storage and factory spaces.
    (f) Product storage. The operator of each permitted FFV storing fish 
or fish products in a storage space must ensure that all non-fish 
product items are neither stowed beneath nor covered by fish products, 
unless required to maintain the stability and safety of the vessel. 
These items include, but are not limited to, portable conveyors, exhaust 
fans, ladders, nets, fuel bladders, extra bin boards, or other movable 
non-product items. These items may be in the space when necessary for 
safety of the vessel or crew or for storage of the product. Lumber, bin 
boards, or other dunnage may be used for shoring or bracing of product 
to ensure safety of crew and to prevent shifting of cargo within the 
space.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.505  Prohibitions.

    (a) It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (1) Ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, import, export, 
or have custody, control, or possession of any fish taken or retained in 
violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the applicable GIFA, this 
subpart, or any permit issued under this subpart;
    (2) Refuse to allow an authorized officer to board an FFV for 
purposes of conducting any search or inspection in connection with the 
enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the applicable GIFA, this 
subpart, or any other permit issued under this subpart;
    (3) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with 
any authorized officer in the conduct of any inspection or search 
described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
    (4) Resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited by the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the applicable GIFA, this subpart, or any permit issued 
under this subpart;
    (5) Interfere with, delay, or prevent by any means the apprehension 
or arrest of another person with the knowledge that such other person 
has committed any act prohibited by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
applicable GIFA, this subpart, or any permit issued under this subpart;
    (6) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, oppose, impede, intimidate, or 
prevent by any means any boarding, investigation or search, wherever 
conducted, in the process of enforcing the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
applicable GIFA, this subpart, or any permit issued under this subpart;
    (7) Engage in any fishing activity for which the FFV does not have a 
permit as required under Sec. 600.501;
    (8) Engage in any fishing activity within the EEZ without a U.S. 
observer aboard the FFV, unless the requirement has been waived by the 
Assistant Administrator or appropriate Regional Administrator;
    (9) Retain or attempt to retain, directly or indirectly, any U.S. 
harvested fish, unless the FFV has a permit for Activity Codes 4, 6, or 
10;
    (10) Use any fishing vessel to engage in fishing after the 
revocation, or during the period of suspension, of an applicable permit 
issued under this subpart;
    (11) Violate any provision of the applicable GIFA;
    (12) Falsely or incorrectly complete (including by omission) a 
permit application or permit form as specified in Sec. 600.501 (d) and 
(k);
    (13) Fail to report to the Assistant Administrator within 15 days 
any change in the information contained in the permit application for a 
FFV, as specified in Sec. 600.501(k);
    (14) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with 
an observer placed aboard an FFV under this subpart;
    (15) Interfere with or bias the sampling procedure employed by an 
observer, including sorting or discarding any catch prior to sampling, 
unless the observer has stated that sampling will not occur; or tamper 
with, destroy, or

[[Page 60]]

discard an observer's collected samples, equipment, records, 
photographic film, papers, or effects without the express consent of the 
observer;
    (16) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or 
refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from collecting samples, 
conducting product recovery rate determinations, making observations, or 
otherwise performing the observer's duties;
    (17) Harass or sexually harass an authorized officer or observer;
    (18) Fail to provide the required assistance to an observer as 
described at Sec. 600.506 (c) and (e);
    (19) Fail to identify, falsely identify, fail to properly maintain, 
or obscure the identification of the FFV or its gear as required by this 
subpart;
    (20) Falsify or fail to make, keep, maintain, or submit any record 
or report required by this subpart;
    (21) Fail to return to the sea or fail to otherwise treat prohibited 
species as required by this subpart;
    (22) Fail to report or falsely report any gear conflict;
    (23) Fail to report or falsely report any loss, jettisoning, or 
abandonment of fishing gear or other article into the EEZ that might 
interfere with fishing, obstruct fishing gear or vessels, or cause 
damage to any fishery resource or marine mammals;
    (24) Continue Activity Codes 1 through 4 after those activity codes 
have been canceled under Sec. 600.511;
    (25) Fail to maintain health and safety standards set forth in Sec. 
600.506(d);
    (26) Violate any provisions of regulations for specific fisheries of 
this subpart;
    (27) On a scientific research vessel, engage in fishing other than 
recreational fishing authorized by applicable state, territorial, or 
Federal regulations;
    (28) Violate any provision of this subpart, the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, the applicable GIFA, any notice issued under this subpart or any 
permit issued under this subpart; or
    (29) Attempt to do any of the foregoing.
    (b) It is unlawful for any FFV, and for the owner or operator of any 
FFV except an FFV engaged only in recreational fishing, to fish--
    (1) Within the boundaries of any state, unless:
    (i) The fishing is authorized by the Governor of that state as 
permitted by section 306(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to engage in a 
joint venture for processing and support with U.S. fishing vessels in 
the internal waters of that state; or
    (ii) The fishing is authorized by, and conducted in accordance with, 
a valid permit issued under Sec. 600.501, and the Governor of that 
state has indicated concurrence to allow fishing consisting solely of 
transporting fish or fish products from a point within the boundaries of 
that state to a point outside the United States; or
    (2) Within the EEZ, or for any anadromous species or continental 
shelf fishery resources beyond the EEZ, unless the fishing is authorized 
by, and conducted in accordance with, a valid permit issued under Sec. 
600.501.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 
FR 39020, July 21, 1999]



Sec. 600.506  Observers.

    (a) General. To carry out such scientific, compliance monitoring, 
and other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director (see table 2 to Sec. 
600.502) may assign U.S. observers to FFV's. Except as provided for in 
section 201(h)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, no FFV may conduct 
fishing operations within the EEZ unless a U.S. observer is aboard.
    (b) Effort plan. To ensure the availability of an observer as 
required by this section, the owners and operators of FFV's wanting to 
fish within the EEZ will submit to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director and also to the Chief, 
Financial Services Division, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910 a schedule of fishing effort 30 days prior to the 
beginning of each quarter. A quarter is a time period of 3 consecutive 
months beginning January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year. 
The schedule will contain the name and IRCS of each FFV

[[Page 61]]

intending to fish within the EEZ during the upcoming quarter, and each 
FFV's expected date of arrival and expected date of departure.
    (1) The appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and Research 
Director must be notified immediately of any substitution of vessels or 
any cancellation of plans to fish in the EEZ for FFV's listed in the 
effort plan required by this section.
    (2) If an arrival date of an FFV will vary more than 5 days from the 
date listed in the quarterly schedule, the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director must be notified at least 
10 days in advance of the rescheduled date of arrival. If the notice 
required by this paragraph (b)(2) is not given, the FFV may not engage 
in fishing until an observer is available and has been placed aboard the 
vessel or the requirement has been waived by the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director.
    (c) Assistance to observers. To assist the observer in the 
accomplishment of his or her assigned duties, the owner and operator of 
an FFV to which an observer is assigned must--
    (1) Provide, at no cost to the observer or the United States, 
accommodations for the observer aboard the FFV that are equivalent to 
those provided to the officers of that vessel.
    (2) Cause the FFV to proceed to such places and at such times as may 
be designated by the appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and 
Research Director for the purpose of embarking and debarking the 
observer.
    (3) Allow the observer to use the FFV's communications equipment and 
personnel upon demand for the transmission and receipt of messages.
    (4) Allow the observer access to and use of the FFV's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon demand to determine the vessel's position.
    (5) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the FFV's 
bridge, trawl, or working decks, holding bins, processing areas, freezer 
spaces, weight scales, cargo holds and any other space that may be used 
to hold, process, weigh, or store fish or fish products at any time.
    (6) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the FFV's daily log, 
communications log, transfer log, and any other log, document, notice, 
or record required by these regulations.
    (7) Provide the observer copies of any records required by these 
regulations upon demand.
    (8) Notify the observer at least 15 minutes before fish are brought 
on board or fish or fish products are transferred from the FFV to allow 
sampling the catch or observing the transfer, unless the observer 
specifically requests not to be notified.
    (9) Provide all other reasonable assistance to enable the observer 
to carry out his or her duties.
    (d) Health and safety standards. All foreign fishing vessels to 
which an observer is deployed must maintain, at all times that the 
vessel is in the EEZ, the following:
    (1) At least one working radar.
    (2) Functioning navigation lights as required by international law.
    (3) A watch on the bridge by appropriately trained and experienced 
personnel while the vessel is underway.
    (4) Lifeboats and/or inflatable life rafts with a total carrying 
capacity equal to or greater than the number of people aboard the 
vessel. Lifeboats and inflatable life rafts must be maintained in good 
working order and be readily available.
    (5) Life jackets equal or greater in number to the total number of 
persons aboard the vessel. Life jackets must be stowed in readily 
accessible and plainly marked positions throughout the vessel, and 
maintained in a state of good repair.
    (6) At least one ring life buoy for each 25 ft (7.6 m) of vessel 
length, equipped with automatic water lights. Ring life buoys must have 
an outside diameter of not more than 32 inches (81.3 cm) nor less than 
30 inches (76.2 cm), and must be maintained in a state of good repair. 
Ring life buoys must be readily available, but not positioned so they 
pose a threat of entanglement in work areas. They must be secured in 
such a way that they can be easily cast loose in the event of an 
emergency.
    (7) At least one VHF-FM radio with a functioning channel 16 (156.8 
mHz),

[[Page 62]]

International Distress, Safety and Calling Frequency, and one 
functioning AM radio (SSB-Single Side Band) capable of operating at 2182 
kHz (SSB). Radios will be maintained in a radio room, chartroom, or 
other suitable location.
    (8) At least one Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), 
approved by the USCG for offshore commercial use, stowed in a location 
so as to make it readily available in the event of an emergency.
    (9) At least six hand-held, rocket-propelled, parachute, red-flare 
distress signals, and three orange-smoke distress signals stowed in the 
pilothouse or navigation bridge in portable watertight containers.
    (10) All lights, shapes, whistles, foghorns, fog bells and gongs 
required by and maintained in accordance with the International 
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
    (11) Clean and sanitary conditions in all living spaces, food 
service and preparation areas and work spaces aboard the vessel.
    (e) Observer transfers. (1) The operator of the FFV must ensure that 
transfers of observers at sea via small boat or raft are carried out 
during daylight hours as weather and sea conditions allow, and with the 
agreement of the observer involved. The FFV operator must provide the 
observer 3 hours advance notice of at-sea transfers, so that the 
observer may collect personal belongings, equipment, and scientific 
samples.
    (2) The FFV's involved must provide a safe pilot ladder and conduct 
the transfer according to the procedures of Sec. 600.504(d) to ensure 
the safety of the during the transfer.
    (3) An experienced crew member must assist the observer in the small 
boat or raft in which the transfer is made.
    (f) Supplementary observers. In the event funds are not available 
from Congressional appropriations of fees collected to assign an 
observer to a foreign fishing vessel, the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director will assign a 
supplementary observer to that vessel. The costs of supplementary 
observers will be paid for by the owners and operators of foreign 
fishing vessels as provided for in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (g) Supplementary observer authority and duties. (1) A supplementary 
observer aboard a foreign fishing vessel has the same authority and must 
be treated in all respects as an observer who is employed by NMFS, 
either directly or under contract.
    (2) The duties of supplementary observers and their deployment and 
work schedules will be specified by the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director.
    (3) All data collected by supplementary observers will be under the 
exclusive control of the Assistant Administrator.
    (h) Supplementary observer payment--(1) Method of payment. The 
owners and operators of foreign fishing vessels must pay directly to the 
contractor the costs of supplementary observer coverage. Payment must be 
made to the contractor supplying supplementary observer coverage either 
by letter of credit or certified check drawn on a federally chartered 
bank in U.S. dollars, or other financial institution acceptable to the 
contractor. The letter of credit used to pay supplementary observer fees 
to contractors must be separate and distinct from the letter of credit 
required by Sec. 600.518(b)(2). Billing schedules will be specified by 
the terms of the contract between NOAA and the contractors. Billings for 
supplementary observer coverage will be approved by the appropriate 
Regional Administrator or Science and Research Director and then 
transmitted to the owners and operators of foreign fishing vessels by 
the appropriate designated representative. Each country will have only 
one designated representative to receive observer bills for all vessels 
of that country, except as provided for by the Assistant Administrator. 
All bills must be paid within 10 working days of the billing date. 
Failure to pay an observer bill will constitute grounds to revoke 
fishing permits. All fees collected under this section will be 
considered interim in nature and subject to reconciliation at the end of 
the fiscal year in accordance with paragraph (h)(4) of this section and 
Sec. 600.518(d).
    (2) Contractor costs. The costs charged for supplementary observer 
coverage to

[[Page 63]]

the owners and operators of foreign fishing vessels may not exceed the 
costs charged to NMFS for the same or similar services, except that 
contractors may charge to the owners and operators of foreign fishing 
vessels an additional fee to cover the administrative costs of the 
program not ordinarily part of contract costs charged to NMFS. The costs 
charged foreign fishermen for supplementary observers may include, but 
are not limited to the following:
    (i) Salary and benefits, including overtime, for supplementary 
observers.
    (ii) The costs of post-certification training required by paragraph 
(j)(2) of this section.
    (iii) The costs of travel, transportation, and per diem associated 
with deploying supplementary observers to foreign fishing vessels 
including the cost of travel, transportation, and per diem from the 
supplementary observer's post of duty to the point of embarkation to the 
foreign fishing vessel, and then from the point of disembarkation to the 
post of duty from where the trip began. For the purposes of these 
regulations, the appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and 
Research Director will designate posts of duty for supplementary 
observers.
    (iv) The costs of travel, transportation, and per diem associated 
with the debriefing following deployment of a supplementary observer by 
NMFS officials.
    (v) The administrative and overhead costs incurred by the contractor 
and, if appropriate, a reasonable profit.
    (3) NMFS costs. The owners and operators of foreign fishing vessels 
must also pay to NMFS as part of the surcharge required by section 
201(i)(4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the following costs:
    (i) The costs of certifying applicants for the position of 
supplementary observer.
    (ii) The costs of any equipment, including safety equipment, 
sampling equipment, operations manuals, or other texts necessary to 
perform the duties of a supplementary observer. The equipment will be 
specified by the appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and 
Research Director according to the requirements of the fishery to which 
the supplementary observer will be deployed.
    (iii) The costs associated with communications with supplementary 
observers for transmission of data and routine messages.
    (iv) For the purposes of monitoring the supplementary observer 
program, the costs for the management and analysis of data.
    (v) The costs for data editing and entry.
    (vi) Any costs incurred by NMFS to train, deploy or debrief a 
supplementary observer.
    (vii) The cost for U.S. Customs inspection for supplementary 
observers disembarking after deployment.
    (4) Reconciliation. Fees collected by the contractor in excess of 
the actual costs of supplementary observer coverage will be refunded to 
the owners and operators of foreign fishing vessels, or kept on deposit 
to defray the costs of future supplementary observer coverage. Refunds 
will be made within 60 days after final costs are determined and 
approved by NMFS.
    (i) Supplementary observer contractors--(1) Contractor eligibility. 
Supplementary observers will be obtained by NMFS from persons or firms 
having established contracts to provide NMFS with observers. In the 
event no such contract is in place, NMFS will use established, 
competitive contracting procedures to select persons or firms to provide 
supplementary observers. The services supplied by the supplementary 
observer contractors will be as described within the contract and as 
specified below.
    (2) Supplementary observer contractors must submit for the approval 
of the Assistant Administrator the following:
    (i) A copy of any contract, including all attachments, amendments, 
and enclosures thereto, between the contractor and the owners and 
operators of foreign fishing vessels for whom the contractor will 
provide supplementary observer services.
    (ii) All application information for persons whom the contractor 
desires to employ as certified supplementary observers.
    (iii) Billing schedules and billings to the owners and operators of 
foreign

[[Page 64]]

fishing vessels for further transmission to the designated 
representative of the appropriate foreign nation.
    (iv) All data on costs.
    (j) Supplementary observers--certification, training--(1) 
Certification. The appropriate Regional Administrator or Science and 
Research Director will certify persons as qualified for the position of 
supplementary observer once the following conditions are met:
    (i) The candidate is a citizen or national of the United States.
    (ii) The candidate has education or experience equivalent to the 
education or experience required of persons used as observers by NMFS as 
either Federal personnel or contract employees. The education and 
experience required for certification may vary according to the 
requirements of managing the foreign fishery in which the supplementary 
observer is to be deployed. Documentation of U.S. citizenship or 
nationality, and education or experience will be provided from personal 
qualification statements on file with NMFS contractors who provide 
supplementary observer services, and will not require the submission of 
additional information to NMFS.
    (2) Training. Prior to deployment to foreign fishing vessels, 
certified supplementary observers must also meet the following 
conditions:
    (i) Each certified supplementary observer must satisfactorily 
complete a course of training approved by the appropriate Regional 
Administrator or Science and Research Director as equivalent to that 
received by persons used as observers by NMFS as either Federal 
personnel or contract employees. The course of training may vary 
according to the foreign fishery in which the supplementary observer is 
to be deployed.
    (ii) Each certified supplementary observer must agree in writing to 
abide by standards of conduct as set forth in Department of Commerce 
Administrative Order 202-735 (as provided by the contractor).
    (k) Supplementary observer certification suspension or revocation. 
(1) Certification of a supplementary observer may be suspended or 
revoked by the Assistant Administrator under the following conditions:
    (i) A supplementary observer fails to perform the duties specified 
in paragraph (g)(2) of this section.
    (ii) A supplementary observer fails to abide by the standards of 
conduct described by Department of Commerce Administrative Order 202-
735.
    (2) The suspension or revocation of the certification of a 
supplementary observer by the Assistant Administrator may be based on 
the following:
    (i) Boarding inspection reports by authorized officers of the USCG 
or NMFS, or other credible information, that indicate a supplementary 
observer has failed to abide by the established standards of conduct; or
    (ii) An analysis by NMFS of the data collected by a supplementary 
observer indicating improper or incorrect data collection or recording. 
The failure to properly collect or record data is sufficient to justify 
decertification of supplementary observers; no intent to defraud need be 
demonstrated.
    (3) The Assistant Administrator will notify the supplementary 
observer, in writing, of the Assistant Administrator's intent to suspend 
or revoke certification, and the reasons therefor, and provide the 
supplementary observer a reasonable opportunity to respond. If the 
Assistant Administrator determines that there are disputed questions of 
material fact, then the Assistant Administrator may in this respect 
appoint an examiner to make an informal fact-finding inquiry and prepare 
a report and recommendations.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7074, 7075, Feb. 12, 
1998; 64 FR 39020, July 21, 1999]



Sec. 600.507  Recordkeeping.

    (a) General. The owner and operator of each FFV must maintain timely 
and accurate records required by this section as modified by the 
regulations for the fishery in which the FFV is engaged.
    (1) The owner and operator of each FFV must maintain all required 
records in English, based on Greenwich mean time (GMT) unless otherwise 
specified in the regulation, and make them immediately available for 
inspection upon the request of an authorized officer or observer.

[[Page 65]]

    (2) The owner and operator of each FFV must retain all required 
records on board the FFV whenever it is in the EEZ, for 3 years after 
the end of the permit period.
    (3) The owner and operator of each FFV must retain the required 
records and make them available for inspection upon the request of an 
authorized officer at any time during the 3 years after the end of the 
permit period, whether or not such records are on board the vessel.
    (4) The owner and operator of each FFV must provide to the Assistant 
Administrator, in the form and at the times prescribed, any other 
information requested that the Assistant Administrator determines is 
necessary to fulfill the fishery conservation, management and 
enforcement purposes of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) Communications log. The owner and operator of each FFV must 
record in a separate communications log, at the time of transmittal, the 
time and content of each notification made under Sec. 600.504.
    (c) Transfer log. Except for the transfer of unsorted, unprocessed 
fish via codend from a catching vessel to a processing vessel (Activity 
Code 2 or 4), the owner and operator of each FFV must record, in a 
separate transfer log, each transfer or receipt of any fish or fishery 
product, including quantities transferred or offloaded outside the EEZ. 
The operator must record in the log within 12 hours of the completion of 
the transfer:
    (1) The time and date (GMT) and location (in geographic coordinates) 
the transfer began and was completed.
    (2) The product weight, by species and product (use species and 
product codes), of all fish transferred, to the nearest 0.01 mt.
    (3) The name, IRCS, and permit number of both the FFV offloading the 
fish and the FFV receiving the fish.
    (d) Daily fishing log. (1) The owner or operator of each FFV 
authorized to catch fish (Activity Code 1) must maintain a daily fishing 
log of the effort, catch and production of the FFV, as modified by 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section and the regulations for the fishery in 
which the FFV is engaged. The operator must maintain on a daily and 
cumulative basis for the permit period a separate log for each fishery 
(see table 2 to Sec. 600.502) in which the FFV is engaged according to 
this section and in the format specified in the instructions provided 
with the permit or other format authorized under paragraph (i) of this 
section. Daily effort entries are required for each day the vessel 
conducts fishing operations within the EEZ. Daily entries are not 
required whenever the FFV is in port or engaged in a joint venture in 
the internal waters of a state. Each page of log may contain entries 
pertaining to only one day's fishing operations or one gear set, 
whichever is longer.
    (2) The owner or operator of each FFV authorized to catch fish 
(Activity Code 1) and that delivers all catches to a processing vessel, 
must maintain only ``SECTION ONE-EFFORT'', of the daily fishing log, 
provided the processing vessel maintains a daily consolidated fishing 
log as described in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section.
    (e) Daily fishing log--contents. The daily fishing log must contain 
the following information, as modified by paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section and the regulations for the fishery in which the FFV is engaged, 
and be completed according to the format and instructions provided with 
the permit or other format authorized under paragraph (i) of this 
section.
    (1) ``SECTION ONE-EFFORT'' must contain on a daily basis--
    (i) A consecutive page number, beginning with the first day the 
vessel started fishing operations within the EEZ and continuing 
throughout the log.
    (ii) The date (based on GMT).
    (iii) The FFV's name.
    (iv) The FFV's IRCS.
    (v) The FFV's U.S. permit number.
    (vi) The FFV's noon (1200 GMT) position in geographic coordinates.
    (vii) The master or operator's signature or title.
    (2) ``SECTION ONE-EFFORT'' must contain, for each trawl or set, as 
appropriate to the gear type employed--
    (i) The consecutive trawl or set number, beginning with the first 
set of the calendar year.
    (ii) The fishing area in which the trawl or set was completed.
    (iii) The gear type.

[[Page 66]]

    (iv) The time the gear was set.
    (v) The position of the set.
    (vi) The course of the set.
    (vii) The sea depth.
    (viii) The depth of the set.
    (ix) The duration of the set.
    (x) The hauling time.
    (xi) The position of the haul.
    (xii) The number of pots or longline units (where applicable).
    (xiii) The average number of hooks per longline unit (where 
applicable).
    (xiv) The trawl speed (where applicable).
    (xv) The mesh size of the trawl's codend (where applicable).
    (xvi) The estimated total weight of the catch for the trawl of set, 
to at least the nearest metric ton round weight.
    (3) ``SECTION TWO-CATCH'' must contain, for each trawl or set--
    (i) The consecutive set or trawl number from ``SECTION ONE''.
    (ii) The catch of each allocated species or species group to at 
least the nearest 0.1 mt round weight.
    (iii) The prohibited species catch to at least the nearest 0.1 mt 
round weight or by number, as required by the regulations for the 
fishery in which the FFV is engaged.
    (iv) The species code of each marine mammal caught and its condition 
when released.
    (4) ``SECTION TWO-CATCH'' must contain, on a daily basis--
    (i) The species codes for all allocated or prohibited species or 
species groups caught.
    (ii) For each allocated species--the amount, to at least the nearest 
0.1 mt, and the daily disposition, either processed for human 
consumption, used for fishmeal, or discarded; the daily catch by fishing 
area; the daily catch for all fishing areas; and the cumulative total 
catch.
    (iii) For the total catch of allocated species--the amount to at 
least the nearest 0.1 mt and the daily disposition, daily total catch by 
fishing area, daily total catch for all fishing areas, and cumulative 
total catch.
    (iv) The catch by fishing area, daily total, and cumulative total of 
each prohibited species.
    (5) ``SECTION THREE--PRODUCTION'' must contain, on a daily basis, 
for each allocated species caught and product produced--
    (i) The product by species code and product type.
    (ii) The daily product recovery rate of each species and product.
    (iii) The daily total product produced by species to at least the 
nearest 0.01 mt.
    (iv) The cumulative total of each product to at least the nearest 
0.01 mt.
    (v) The cumulative amount of product transferred.
    (vi) The balance of product remaining aboard the FFV.
    (vii) The total daily amount, cumulative amount, transferred product 
and balance of frozen product aboard the FFV to the nearest 0.01 mt.
    (viii) Transferred amount and balance of fishmeal and fish oil 
aboard to at least the nearest 0.01 mt.
    (f) Daily consolidated fishing or joint venture log. The operator of 
each FFV that receives unsorted, unprocessed fish from foreign catching 
vessels (Activity Code 2) for processing or receives U.S.-harvested fish 
from U.S. fishing vessels in a joint venture (Activity Code 4) must 
maintain a daily joint venture log of the effort, catch and production 
of its associated U.S. or foreign fishing vessels and the processing 
vessel as modified by the regulations for the fishery in which the FFV 
is engaged. This log is separate and in addition to the log required by 
paragraph (d) of this section. The operator must maintain a separate log 
for each fishery in which the FFV is engaged, on a daily and cumulative 
basis, according to this section and in the format specified in the 
instructions provided with the permit or other format authorized under 
paragraph (i) of this section. Receipts of fish caught outside the EEZ 
must be included. Each page of the log may contain entries pertaining to 
only one day's fishing operations.
    (g) Daily joint venture log--contents. Daily joint venture logs must 
contain the following information, as modified by the fishery in which 
the vessel is engaged, and be completed according to the format and 
instructions provided with the permit or other format authorized under 
paragraph (i) of this section.

[[Page 67]]

    (1) ``SECTION ONE-EFFORT'' must contain, on a daily basis, that 
information required in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    (2) ``SECTION ONE-EFFORT'' must contain for each receipt of a 
codend--
    (i) The consecutive codend number, beginning with the first codend 
received for the calendar year.
    (ii) The name of the U.S. fishing vessel or the name and IRCS of the 
foreign fishing vessel the codend was received from.
    (iii) The fishing area where the codend was received.
    (iv) The time the codend was received.
    (v) The position the codend was received.
    (vi) The estimated weight of the codend to at least the nearest 
metric ton round weight.
    (3) ``SECTION TWO-CATCH'' must contain, for each codend received--
    (i) The consecutive codend number from ``SECTION ONE''.
    (ii) The receipts of each authorized species or species group and 
its disposition, either processed for human consumption, used for 
fishmeal, discarded, or returned to the U.S. fishing vessel, to at least 
the nearest 0.1 mt round weight.
    (iii) The estimated receipts of each prohibited species or species 
group and its disposition, either discarded or returned to the U.S. 
fishing vessel if authorized in the fishery in which the U.S. vessel is 
engaged, to at least the nearest 0.1 mt round weight.
    (iv) The species code of each marine mammal received and its 
condition when released.
    (4) ``SECTION TWO-CATCH'' must contain on a daily basis--
    (i) The species codes of all authorized or prohibited species or 
species groups received.
    (ii) The daily disposition, as described in paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of 
this section, daily total, and cumulative total receipts of each 
authorized species or species groups.
    (iii) The daily disposition, daily total and cumulative total 
receipts of all authorized species or species groups.
    (iv) The daily and cumulative total receipts of prohibited species 
groups and their disposition as described in paragraph (g)(3)(iii) of 
this section.
    (5) ``SECTION THREE--PRODUCTION'' must contain, on a daily basis, 
for each authorized species or species group received and product 
produced, that information required in paragraph (e)(5) of this section.
    (h) Daily log maintenance. The logs required by paragraphs (e) 
through (g) of this section must be maintained separately for each 
fishery (see table 2 to Sec. 600.502).
    (1) The effort section (all of ``SECTION ONE'') of the daily logs 
must be updated within 2 hours of the hauling or receipt time. The catch 
or receipt by trawl or set (``SECTION TWO'') must be entered within 12 
hours of the hauling or receipt time. The daily and cumulative total 
catch or receipts (``SECTION TWO'') and the production portion 
(``SECTION THREE'') of the log must be updated within 12 hours of the 
end of the day on which the catch was taken. The date of catch is the 
day and time (GMT) the gear is hauled.
    (2) Entries for total daily and cumulative catch or receipt weights 
(disposition ``C'' or ``M'') must be based on the most accurate method 
available to the vessel, either scale round weights or factory weights 
converted to round weights. Entries for daily and cumulative weights of 
discarded or returned fish (disposition ``D'' or ``R'') must be based on 
the most accurate method available to the vessel, either actual count, 
scale round weight, or estimated deck weights. Entries for product 
weights must be based on the number of production units (pans, boxes, 
blocks, trays, cans, or bags) and the average weight of the production 
unit, with reasonable allowances for water added. Allowances for water 
added cannot exceed 5 percent of the unit weight. Product weights cannot 
be based on the commercial or arbitrary wholesale weight of the product, 
but must be based on the total actual weight of the product as 
determined by representative samples.
    (3) The owner or operator must make all entries in indelible ink, 
with corrections to be accomplished by lining out and rewriting, rather 
than erasure.

[[Page 68]]

    (i) Alternative log formats. As an alternative to the use of the 
specific formats provided, a Nation may submit a proposed log format for 
FFV's of that Nation for a general type of fishery operation in a 
fishery (i.e., joint venture operations) to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator and the USCG commander (see tables 1 and 2 to Sec. 
600.502). With the agreement of the USCG commander, the Regional 
Administrator may authorize the use of that log format for vessels of 
the requesting Nation.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.508  Fishing operations.

    (a) Catching. Each FFV authorized for activity code 1 may catch 
fish. An FFV may retain its catch of any species or species group for 
which there is an unfilled national allocation. All fish caught will be 
counted against the national allocation, even if the fish are discarded, 
unless exempted by the regulations of the fishery in which the FFV is 
engaged. Catching operations may be conducted as specified by the 
regulations of the fishery in which the FFV is engaged and as modified 
by the FFV's permit.
    (b) Scouting. Each FFV authorized for Activity Codes 1 through 6 may 
scout for fish. Scouting may be conducted only in the fisheries area 
authorized by the scouting vessel's permit and under such other 
circumstances as may be designated in this subpart or the permit.
    (c) Processing. Each FFV with Activity Code 1 or 2 may process fish. 
Processing may only be conducted whenever and wherever catching 
operations for FFV's of that Nation are permitted, whenever and wherever 
joint venture operations are authorized by an FFV's permit under 
Activity Code 4, and under such other circumstances as may be designated 
in this subpart or the permit.
    (d) Support. Each FFV with Activity Codes 1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 may 
support other permitted FFV's. Each FFV with Activity Codes 4 or 6 may 
support U.S. vessels. Support operations may be conducted only in the 
fisheries areas authorized by the supporting vessel's permit, and under 
such other circumstances as may be designated in this subpart or the 
permit.
    (e) Joint ventures. Each FFV with Activity Code 4 in addition to 
Activity Codes 1 or 2 may also conduct operations with U.S. fishing 
vessels. These joint venture operations with U.S. fishing vessels may be 
conducted throughout the EEZ, and under such other circumstances as may 
be designated in these regulations or the permit. FFV's with activity 
code 4 may continue operations assisting U.S. fishing vessels, despite 
closures under Sec. 600.511(a).
    (f) Internal waters. For FFV's authorized under section 306(c) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act:
    (1) Each FFV may engage in fish processing and support of U.S. 
fishing vessels within the internal waters of that state in compliance 
with terms and conditions set by the authorizing Governor.
    (2) The owner or operator of each FFV must submit weekly reports on 
the amount of fish received from vessels of the United States and the 
location(s) where such fish were harvested.
    (i) Reports must include:
    (A) Vessel identification information for the FFV.
    (B) Date of each receipt of fish.
    (C) Amount of fish received, by species.
    (D) Location(s) from which the fish received were harvested and the 
name and official number of the vessel of the United States that 
harvested the fish.
    (ii) Owners or operators of FFV's processing fish in internal waters 
under the provisions of this paragraph (f) must request, from the 
Regional Administrator, the requirements regarding timing and submission 
of the reports, at least 15 days prior to the first receipt of fish from 
a vessel of the United States. The Regional Administrator shall 
stipulate the timing and submission requirements in writing.
    (g) Transshipping. Each FFV with Activity Code 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 
8, or 10 may transship in accordance with this subpart and the vessel's 
permit.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27183, May 19, 1997; 62 
FR 34397, June 26, 1997; 64 FR 39020, July 21, 1999]

[[Page 69]]



Sec. 600.509  Prohibited species.

    (a) The owner or operator of each FFV must minimize its catch or 
receipt of prohibited species.
    (b) After allowing for sampling by an observer (if any), the owner 
or operator of each FFV must sort its catch of fish received as soon as 
possible and return all prohibited species and species parts to the sea 
immediately with a minimum of injury, regardless of condition, unless a 
different procedure is specified by the regulations for the fishery in 
which the FFV is engaged. All prohibited species must be recorded in the 
daily fishing log and other fishing logs as specified by the regulations 
for the fishery in which the FFV is engaged.
    (c) All species of fish that an FFV has not been specifically 
allocated or authorized under this subpart to retain, including fish 
caught or received in excess of any allocation or authorization, are 
prohibited species.
    (d) It is a rebuttable presumption that any prohibited species or 
species part found on board an FFV was caught and retained in violation 
of this section.



Sec. 600.510  Gear avoidance and disposal.

    (a) Vessel and gear avoidance. (1) FFV's arriving on fishing grounds 
where fishing vessels are already fishing or have set their gear for 
that purpose must ascertain the position and extent of gear already 
placed in the sea and must not place themselves or their fishing gear so 
as to interfere with or obstruct fishing operations already in progress. 
Vessels using mobile gear must avoid fixed fishing gear.
    (2) The operator of each FFV must maintain on its bridge a current 
plot of broadcast fixed-gear locations for the area in which it is 
fishing, as required by the regulations for the fishery in which the FFV 
is engaged.
    (b) Gear conflicts. The operator of each FFV that is involved in a 
conflict or that retrieves the gear of another vessel must immediately 
notify the appropriate USCG commander identified in tables 1 and 2 to 
Sec. 600.502 and request disposal instructions. Each report must 
include:
    (1) The name of the reporting vessel.
    (2) A description of the incident and articles retrieved, including 
the amount, type of gear, condition, and identification markings.
    (3) The location of the incident.
    (4) The date and time of the incident.
    (c) Disposal of fishing gear and other articles. (1) The operator of 
an FFV in the EEZ may not dump overboard, jettison or otherwise discard 
any article or substance that may interfere with other fishing vessels 
or gear, or that may catch fish or cause damage to any marine resource, 
including marine mammals and birds, except in cases of emergency 
involving the safety of the ship or crew, or as specifically authorized 
by communication from the appropriate USCG commander or other authorized 
officer. These articles and substances include, but are not limited to, 
fishing gear, net scraps, bale straps, plastic bags, oil drums, 
petroleum containers, oil, toxic chemicals or any manmade items 
retrieved in an FFV's gear.
    (2) The operator of an FFV may not abandon fishing gear in the EEZ.
    (3) If these articles or substances are encountered, or in the event 
of accidental or emergency placement into the EEZ, the vessel operator 
must immediately report the incident to the appropriate USCG Commander 
indicated in tables 1 and 2 to Sec. 600.502, and give the information 
required in paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec. 600.511  Fishery closure procedures.

    (a) Activity Codes 1 and 2 for a fishery are automatically canceled 
in the following cases, unless otherwise specified by regulations 
specific to a fishery, when--
    (1) The OY for any allocated species or species group has been 
reached in that fishery;
    (2) The TALFF or catch allowance for any allocated species or 
species group has been reached in that fishery;
    (3) The foreign nation's allocation for any allocated species or 
species group has been reached; or
    (4) The letter of credit required in Sec. 600.518(b)(2) is not 
established and maintained.
    (b) Activity Code 4 is automatically canceled when--

[[Page 70]]

    (1) The OY for a species with a JVP amount is reached;
    (2) The JVP amount for a species or species group is reached; or
    (3) The letter of credit required in Sec. 600.518(b)(2) is not 
established and maintained.
    (c) Notification. (1) The Regional Administrator is authorized to 
close a fishery on behalf of NMFS. The Regional Administrator will 
notify each FFV's designated representative of closures.
    (2) If possible, notice will be given 48 hours before the closure. 
However, each Nation and the owners and operators of all FFV's of that 
Nation are responsible for ending fishing operations when an allocation 
is reached.
    (d) Catch reconciliation. Vessel activity reports, U.S. surveillance 
observations, observer reports, and foreign catch and effort reports 
will be used to make the determination listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) 
of this section. If NMFS estimates of catch or other values made during 
the season differ from those reported by the foreign fleets, efforts may 
be initiated by the designated representative of each Nation to resolve 
such differences with NMFS. If, however, differences still persist after 
such efforts have been made, NMFS estimates will be the basis for 
decisions and will prevail.
    (e) Duration. Any closure under this section will remain in effect 
until an applicable new or increased allocation or JVP becomes available 
or the letter of credit required by Sec. 600.518(b)(2) is 
reestablished.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.512  Scientific research.

    (a) Scientific research activity. Persons planning to conduct 
scientific research activities in the EEZ that may be confused with 
fishing are encouraged to submit to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator, Director, or designee, 60 days or as soon as practicable 
prior to its start, a scientific research plan for each scientific 
cruise. The Regional Administrator, Director, or designee will 
acknowledge notification of scientific research activity by issuing to 
the operator or master of that vessel, or to the sponsoring institution, 
a letter of acknowledgment. This letter of acknowledgment is separate 
and distinct from any permit required under any other applicable law. If 
the Regional Administrator, Director, or designee, after review of a 
research plan, determines that it does not constitute scientific 
research activity, but rather fishing, the Regional Administrator, 
Director, or designee will inform the applicant as soon as practicable 
and in writing. The Regional Administrator, Director, or designee may 
also make recommendations to revise the research plan to make the cruise 
acceptable as scientific research activity. In order to facilitate 
identification of activity as scientific research, persons conducting 
scientific research activities are advised to carry a copy of the 
scientific research plan and the letter of acknowledgment on board the 
scientific research vessel. Activities conducted in accordance with a 
scientific research plan acknowledged by such a letter are presumed to 
be scientific research activities. The presumption may be overcome by 
showing that an activity does not fit the definition of scientific 
research activity or is outside the scope of the scientific research 
plan.
    (b) Reports. Persons conducting scientific research are requested to 
submit a copy of any cruise report or other publication created as a 
result of the cruise, including the amount, composition, and disposition 
of their catch, to the appropriate Science and Research Director.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.513  Recreational fishing.

    (a) Foreign vessels conducting recreational fishing must comply only 
with this section, and Sec. Sec. 600.10, 600.504(a)(1), and 600.505 (as 
applicable). Such vessels may conduct recreational fishing within the 
EEZ and within the boundaries of a state. Any fish caught may not be 
sold, bartered, or traded.
    (b) The owners or operator and any other person aboard any foreign 
vessel conducting recreational fishing must comply with any Federal laws 
or regulations applicable to the domestic fishery while in the EEZ, and 
any state

[[Page 71]]

laws or regulations applicable while in state waters.



Sec. 600.514  Relation to other laws.

    (a) Persons affected by these regulations should be aware that other 
Federal and state statutes may apply to their activities.
    (b) Fishing vessel operators must exercise due care in the conduct 
of fishing activities near submarine cables. Damage to submarine cables 
resulting from intentional acts or from the failure to exercise due care 
in the conduct of fishing operations subjects the fishing vessel 
operator to enforcement action under the International Convention for 
the Protection of Submarine Cables, and to the criminal penalties 
prescribed by the Submarine Cable Act (47 U.S.C. 21) and other laws that 
implement that Convention. Fishing vessel operators also should be aware 
that the Submarine Cable Act prohibits fishing operations at a distance 
of less than 1 nautical mile (1.85 km) from a vessel engaged in laying 
or repairing a submarine cable; or at a distance of less than 0.25 
nautical mile (0.46 km) from a buoy or buoys intended to mark the 
position of a cable when being laid, or when out of order, or broken.



Sec. 600.515  Interpretation of 16 U.S.C. 1857(4).

    Section 307(4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act prohibits any fishing 
vessel other than a vessel of the United States (foreign fishing vessel) 
from operating in the EEZ if all of the fishing gear on board the vessel 
is not stowed in compliance with that section ``unless such vessel is 
authorized to engage in fishing in the area in which the vessel is 
operating.'' If such a vessel has a permit authorization that is limited 
to fishing activities other than catching, taking or harvesting (such as 
support, scouting or processing activities), it must have all of its 
fishing gear stowed at all times while it is in the EEZ. If such a 
vessel has a permit authorization to engage in catching, taking or 
harvesting activities, but such authorization is limited to a specific 
area within the EEZ, and/or to a specific period of time, the vessel 
must have all of its fishing gear stowed while it is in the EEZ, except 
when it is in the specific area authorized, and/or during the specific 
period of time authorized.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.516  Total allowable level of foreign fishing (TALFF).

    (a) The TALFF, if any, with respect to any fishery subject to the 
exclusive fishery management authority of the United States, is that 
portion of the OY of such fishery that will not be caught by vessels of 
the United States.
    (b) Each specification of OY and each assessment of the anticipated 
U.S. harvest will be reviewed during each fishing season. Adjustments to 
TALFF's will be made based on updated information relating to status of 
stocks, estimated and actual performance of domestic and foreign fleets, 
and other relevant factors.
    (c) Specifications of OY and the initial estimates of U.S. harvests 
and TALFF's at the beginning of the relevant fishing year will be 
published in the Federal Register. Adjustments to those numbers will be 
published in the Federal Register upon occasion or as directed by 
regulations implementing FMPs. For current apportionments, contact the 
appropriate Regional Administrator or the Director.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.517  Allocations.

    The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, 
determines the allocation among foreign nations of fish species and 
species groups. The Secretary of State officially notifies each foreign 
nation of its allocation. The burden of ascertaining and accurately 
transmitting current allocations and status of harvest of an applicable 
allocation to fishing vessels is upon the foreign nation and the owner 
or operator of the FFV.



Sec. 600.518  Fee schedule for foreign fishing.

    (a) Permit application fees. Each vessel permit application 
submitted under Sec. 600.501 must be accompanied by a fee. The amount 
of the fee will be determined in accordance with the procedures for 
determining administrative

[[Page 72]]

costs of each special product or service contained in the NOAA Finance 
Handbook, which is available upon request from the International 
Fisheries Division (see address at Sec. 600.501(d)(1)). The fee is 
specified with the application form. At the time the application is 
submitted, a check for the fees, drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to the 
order of ``Department of Commerce, NOAA,'' must be sent to the Assistant 
Administrator. The permit fee payment must be accompanied by a list of 
the vessels for which the payment is made. In the case of applications 
for permits authorizing activity code 10, the permit application fee 
will be waived if the applicant provides satisfactory documentary proof 
to the Assistant Administrator that the foreign nation under which the 
vessel is registered does not collect a fee from a vessel of the United 
States engaged in similar activities in the waters of such foreign 
nation. The documentation presented (e.g., copy of foreign fishing 
regulations applicable to vessels of the United States) must clearly 
exempt vessels of the United States from such a fee.
    (b) Poundage fees--(1) Rates. If a Nation chooses to accept an 
allocation, poundage fees must be paid at the rate specified in the 
following table.

                    Table--Species and Poundage Fees
                        [Dollars per metric ton]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Poundage
                           Species                                fees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Atlantic Ocean fisheries:
  1. Butterfish..............................................     277.96
  2. Herring, Atlantic.......................................      25.75
  3. Herring, River..........................................      49.59
  4. Mackerel, Atlantic......................................      64.76
  5. Other finfish...........................................      45.48
  6. Squid, Illex............................................      97.56
  7. Squid, Loligo...........................................     321.68
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Method of payment of poundage fees and observer fees. (i) If a 
Nation chooses to accept an allocation, a revolving letter of credit (L/
C) must be established and maintained to cover the poundage fees for at 
least 25 percent of the previous year's total allocation at the rate in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, or as determined by the Assistant 
Administrator, plus the observer fees required by paragraph (c) of this 
section. The L/C must--
    (A) Be irrevocable.
    (B) Be with a bank subscribing to ICC Pub. 290.
    (C) Designate ``Department of Commerce, NOAA'' as beneficiary;
    (D) Allow partial withdrawals.
    (E) Be confirmed by a U.S. bank.
    (ii) The customer must pay all commissions, transmission, and 
service charges. No fishing will be allowed until the L/C is 
established, and authorized written notice of its issuance is provided 
to the Assistant Administrator.
    (3) Assessment of poundage fees. Poundage fees will be assessed 
quarterly for the actual catch during January through March, April 
through June, July through September, and October through December. The 
appropriate Regional Administrator will reconcile catch figures with 
each country following the procedures of Sec. 600.511(d). When the 
catch figures are agreed upon, NOAA will present a bill for collection 
as the documentary demand for payment to the confirming bank. If, after 
45 days from the end of the quarter, catches have not been reconciled, 
the estimate of the Regional Administrator will stand and a bill will be 
issued for that amount. If necessary, the catch figures may be refined 
by the Regional Administrator during the next 60 days, and any 
modifications will be reflected in the next quarter's bill.
    (c) Observer fees. The Assistant Administrator will notify the 
owners or operators of FFV's of the estimated annual costs of placing 
observers aboard their vessels. The owners or operators of any such 
vessel must provide for repayment of those costs by including one-fourth 
of the estimated annual observer fee as determined by the Assistant 
Administrator in a L/C as prescribed in Sec. 600.518(b)(2). During the 
fiscal year, payment will be withdrawn from the L/C as required to cover 
anticipated observer coverage for the upcoming fishery. The Assistant 
Administrator will reconcile any differences between the estimated cost 
and actual costs of observer coverage within 90 days after the end of 
the fiscal year.
    (d) Financial assurances. (1) A foreign nation, or the owners and 
operators of certain vessels of that foreign nation,

[[Page 73]]

may be required by the Assistant Administrator to provide financial 
assurances. Such assurances may be required if--
    (i) Civil and criminal penalties assessed against fishing vessels of 
the Nation have not effectively deterred violations;
    (ii) Vessels of that Nation have engaged in fishing in the EEZ 
without proper authorization to conduct such activities;
    (iii) The Nation's vessel owners have refused to answer 
administrative charges or summons to appear in court; or
    (iv) Enforcement of Magnuson-Stevens Act civil or criminal judgments 
in the courts of a foreign nation is unattainable.
    (2) The level of financial assurances will be guided by the level of 
penalties assessed and costs to the U.S. Government.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 64 
FR 39020, July 21, 1999; 66 FR 28132, May 22, 2001]



Sec. 600.520  Northwest Atlantic Ocean fishery.

    (a) Purpose. Sections 600.520 and 600.525 regulate all foreign 
fishing conducted under a GIFA within the EEZ in the Atlantic Ocean 
north of 35[deg]00[min] N. lat.
    (b) Authorized fishery--(1) Allocations. Foreign vessels may engage 
in fishing only in accordance with applicable national allocations.
    (2) Time and area restrictions. (i) Fishing, including processing, 
scouting, and support of foreign or U.S. vessels, is prohibited south of 
35[deg]00[min] N. lat., and north and east of a line beginning at the 
shore at 44[deg]22[min] N. lat., 67[deg]52[min] W. long. and 
intersecting the boundary of the EEZ at 44[deg]11[min]12[sec] N. lat., 
67[deg]16[min]46[sec] W. long.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator will consult with the Council prior 
to giving notice of any area or time restriction. NMFS will also consult 
with the USCG if the restriction is proposed to reduce gear conflicts. 
If NMFS determines after such consultation that the restriction appears 
to be appropriate, NMFS will publish the proposed restriction in the 
Federal Register, together with a summary of the information on which 
the restriction is based. Following a 30-day comment period, NMFS will 
publish a final action.
    (iii) The Regional Administrator may rescind any restriction if he/
she determines that the basis for the restriction no longer exists.
    (iv) Any notice of restriction shall operate as a condition imposed 
on the permit issued to the foreign vessels involved in the fishery.
    (3) TALFF. The TALFFs for the fisheries of the Northwest Atlantic 
Ocean are published in the Federal Register. Current TALFFs are also 
available from the Regional Administrator.
    (4) Species definitions. The category ``other finfish'' used in 
TALFFs and in allocations includes all species except:
    (i) The other allocated species, namely: Short-finned squid, long-
finned squid, Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, river herring 
(includes alewife, blueback herring, and hickory shad), and butterfish.
    (ii) The prohibited species, namely: American plaice, American shad, 
Atlantic cod, Atlantic menhaden, Atlantic redfish, Atlantic salmon, all 
marlin, all spearfish, sailfish, swordfish, black sea bass, bluefish, 
croaker, haddock, ocean pout, pollock, red hake, scup, sea turtles, 
sharks (except dogfish), silver hake, spot, striped bass, summer 
flounder, tilefish, yellowtail flounder, weakfish, white hake, 
windowpane flounder, winter flounder, witch flounder, Continental Shelf 
fishery resources, and other invertebrates (except nonallocated squids).
    (5) Closures. The taking of any species for which a Nation has an 
allocation is permitted, provided that:
    (i) The vessels of the foreign nation have not caught the allocation 
of that Nation for any species or species group (e.g., ``other 
finfish''). When vessels of a foreign nation have caught an applicable 
allocation of any species, all further fishing other than scouting, 
processing, or support by vessels of that Nation must cease, even if 
other allocations have not been reached. Therefore, it is essential that 
foreign nations plan their fishing strategy to ensure that the reaching 
of an allocation for one species does not result in the premature 
closing of a Nation's fishery for other allocated species.

[[Page 74]]

    (ii) The fishery has not been closed for other reasons under Sec. 
600.511.
    (6) Allocation utilization. Foreign fishing vessels may elect to 
retain or discard allocated species; however, the computation of 
allocation utilization and fee refunds will be based on the total 
quantity of that species that was caught. Prohibited species must always 
be returned to the sea as required under Sec. 600.509.
    (c) Fishing areas. For the purposes of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean 
fishery, fishing areas are that portion of the EEZ shown inside the 
boundaries of the ``three digit statistical areas'' described in Figure 
1 to this section.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR24JN96.000


[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]

[[Page 75]]



Sec. 600.525  Applicability of Subpart F to Canadian Albacore Fishing Vessels off the West Coast.

    Fishing by vessels of Canada under the 1981 Treaty Between the 
Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada 
on Pacific Coast Albacore Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges is regulated 
only under this section and Sec. 600.530 of this subpart F, and is 
exempt from any other requirements of this subpart F. Regulations 
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in waters under the fisheries 
jurisdiction of the Canada more than 12 nautical miles from the baseline 
from which the territorial sea is measured are found at Sec. Sec. 
300.170-300.176 of chapter II of this title.

[69 FR 31535, June 4, 2004]



Sec. 600.530  Pacific albacore fishery.

    (a) Purpose and scope. This section regulates fishing by Canadian 
vessels under the 1981 Treaty Between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific Coast Albacore 
Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges as amended in 2002. Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this subpart F, fishing vessels of Canada may be 
authorized to fish in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of the 
United States more than 12 nautical miles from the baseline from which 
the territorial sea is measured in accordance with the Treaty and this 
section, pursuant to Public Law 108-219 (118 Stat. 616; 16 U.S.C. 1821 
note).
    (b) Definitions. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Sec. 600.10, the 
terms used in this subpart have the following meanings:
    Fishing under the Treaty as amended in 2002 means to engage in 
fishing for albacore tuna in waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of 
the United States seaward of 12 nautical miles from the baseline from 
which the territorial sea is measured.
    Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator, Southwest 
Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213, or a designee.
    Reporting Office means the office designated by the Regional 
Administrator to take hail-in and hail-out reports from U.S. and 
Canadian vessel operators.
    Treaty means the 1981 Treaty Between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific Coast Albacore 
Tuna Vessels and Port Privileges as amended in 2002.
    (c) Vessel list. A Canadian vessel is not eligible to fish for 
albacore in U.S. waters under the Treaty as amended in 2002 unless the 
vessel is on the list provided to NMFS by the Government of Canada of 
vessels authorized by Canada to fish under the Treaty as amended in 
2002.
    (d) Vessel identification. A Canadian vessel fishing under the 
Treaty as amended in 2002 must clearly display its Canadian vessel 
registration number followed by the letter C in the same height and size 
as the numerals, consistent with Canadian vessel marking requirements.
    (e) Hail-in reports. The operator of a Canadian Vessel eligible to 
fish for albacore in U.S. waters under the Treaty as amended in 2002 
must file a hail-in report with the Reporting Office at least 24 hours 
prior to beginning any such fishing.
    (f) Hail-out Reports. The operator of a Canadian vessel that has 
been fishing in U.S. waters under the Treaty as amended in 2002 must 
file a hail-out report with the Reporting Office at least 24 hours prior 
to exiting from U.S. waters.
    (g) Prohibitions. It is prohibited for the operator of a Canadian 
vessel to engage in fishing in U.S. waters if the vessel:
    (1) Is not on the vessel list in paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Has not filed a hail-in report to advise of an intent to fish 
under the Treaty as amended in 2002 prior to engaging in such fishing; 
or
    (3) Is not clearly marked in accordance with paragraph (d) of this 
section.

[69 FR 31535, June 4, 2004]

[[Page 76]]



      Subpart G_Preemption of State Authority Under Section 306(b)



Sec. 600.605  General policy.

    It is the policy of the Secretary that preemption proceedings will 
be conducted expeditiously. The administrative law judge and counsel or 
other representative for each party are encouraged to make every effort 
at each stage of the proceedings to avoid delay.



Sec. 600.610  Factual findings for Federal preemption.

    (a) The two factual findings for Federal preemption of state 
management authority over a fishery are:
    (1) The fishing in a fishery that is covered by an FMP implemented 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act is engaged in predominately within the 
EEZ and beyond such zone.
    (2) A state has taken any action, or omitted to take any action, the 
results of which will substantially and adversely affect the carrying 
out of such FMP.
    (b) Whether fishing is engaged in ``predominately'' within or beyond 
the EEZ will be determined after consideration of relevant factors, 
including but not limited to, the catch (based on numbers, value, or 
weight of fish caught, or other relevant factors) or fishing effort 
during the appropriate period, and in light of historical patterns of 
the distribution of catch or fishing effort for such stock or stocks of 
fish.
    (c) Whether relevant effects are substantial will be determined 
after consideration of the magnitude of such actual or potential 
effects. Relevant to this determination are various factors, including 
but not limited to, the proportion of the fishery (stock or stocks of 
fish and fishing for such stocks) that is subject to the effects of a 
particular state's action or omission, the characteristics and status 
(including migratory patterns and biological condition) of the stock or 
stocks of fish in the fishery, and the similarity or dissimilarity 
between the goals, objectives, or policies of the state's action or 
omission and the management goals or objectives specified in the FMP for 
the fishery or between the state and Federal conservation and management 
measures of the fishery.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.615  Commencement of proceedings.

    (a) Notice of proposed preemption. (1) If a proceeding under this 
part is deemed necessary, the Administrator must issue a notice of 
proposed preemption to the Attorney General of the State or States 
concerned. The notice will contain:
    (i) A recital of the legal authority and jurisdiction for 
instituting the proceeding.
    (ii) A concise statement of the Sec. 600.610 factual findings for 
Federal preemption upon which the notice is based.
    (iii) The time, place, and date of the hearing.
    (2) The notice of proposed preemption will also be published in the 
Federal Register. This notification may be combined with any notice of 
proposed rulemaking published under paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (b) Response. The state will have the opportunity to respond in 
writing to the notice of proposed preemption.
    (c) Amendment. The Administrator may, at any time prior to the 
Secretary's decision, withdraw the notice of proposed preemption. Upon 
motion of either party before the record is closed, the administrative 
law judge may amend the notice of proposed preemption.
    (d) Proposed regulations--(1) In general. If additional regulations 
are required to govern fishing within the boundaries of a state, the 
Administrator may publish proposed regulations in the Federal Register 
concurrently with issuing the notification indicated in paragraph (a) of 
this section.
    (2) Emergency actions. Nothing in this section will prevent the 
Secretary from taking emergency action under section 305(c) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.620  Rules pertaining to the hearing.

    (a) The civil procedure rules of the NOAA currently set forth in 15 
CFR

[[Page 77]]

part 904, subpart C (or as subsequently amended), apply to the 
proceeding after its commencement by service of notice (pursuant to 
Sec. 600.615) and prior to the Secretary's decision (Sec. 600.625), 
except that the following sections will not apply:
    (1) 15 CFR 904.201 (Definitions);
    (2) 15 CFR 904.206(a)(1) (Duties and powers of Judge); and
    (3) 15 CFR 904.272 (Administrative review of decision).
    (b) Additional duties and powers of judge--(1) Time periods. The 
administrative law judge is authorized to modify all time periods 
pertaining to the course of the hearing (under Sec. Sec. 600.615 and 
600.620) to expedite the proceedings, upon application and appropriate 
showing of need or emergency circumstances by a party.
    (2) Intervention. Intervention by persons not parties is not 
allowed.



Sec. 600.625  Secretary's decision.

    (a) The Secretary will, on the basis of the hearing, record the 
administrative law judge's recommended decision:
    (1) Accept or reject any of the findings or conclusions of the 
administrative law judge and decide whether the factual findings exist 
for Federal preemption of a state's authority within its boundaries 
(other than in its internal waters) with respect to the fishery in 
question;
    (2) Reserve decision on the merits or withdraw the notice of 
proposed preemption; or
    (3) Remand the case to the administrative law judge for further 
proceedings as may be appropriate, along with a statement of reasons for 
the remand.
    (b) Notification. (1) If the factual findings for Federal preemption 
are determined to exist, the Secretary will notify in writing the 
Attorney General of that state and the appropriate Council(s) of the 
preemption of that state's authority. The Secretary will also direct the 
Administrator to promulgate appropriate regulations proposed under Sec. 
600.615(d) and otherwise to begin regulating the fishery within the 
state's boundaries (other than in its internal waters).
    (2) If the factual findings for Federal preemption are determined 
not to exist, the Secretary will notify, in writing, the Attorney 
General of the state and the appropriate Council(s) of that 
determination. The Secretary will also direct the Administrator to issue 
a notice withdrawing any regulations proposed under Sec. 600.615(d).



Sec. 600.630  Application for reinstatement of state authority.

    (a) Application or notice. (1) At any time after the promulgation of 
regulations under Sec. 600.625(b)(1) to regulate a fishery within a 
state's boundaries, the affected state may apply to the Secretary for 
reinstatement of state authority. The Secretary may also serve upon such 
state a notice of intent to terminate such Federal regulation. A state's 
application must include a clear and concise statement of:
    (i) The action taken by the State to correct the action or omission 
found to have substantially and adversely affected the carrying out of 
the FMP; or
    (ii) Any changed circumstances that affect the relationship of the 
state's action or omission to take action to the carrying out of the FMP 
(including any amendment to such plan); and
    (iii) Any laws, regulations, or other materials that the state 
believes support the application.
    (2) Any such application received by the Secretary or notice issued 
to the State will be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Informal response. The Secretary has sole discretion to accept 
or reject the application or response. If the Secretary accepts the 
application or rejects any responses and finds that the reasons for 
regulation of the fishery within the boundaries of the state no longer 
prevail, the Secretary will promptly terminate such regulation and 
publish in the Federal Register any regulatory amendments necessary to 
accomplish that end.
    (c) Hearing. The Secretary has sole discretion to direct the 
Administrator to schedule hearings for the receipt of evidence by an 
administrative law judge. Hearings before the administrative law judge 
to receive such evidence will be conducted in accordance with Sec. 
600.620. Upon conclusion of such hearings, the administrative law judge 
will certify the record and a recommended

[[Page 78]]

decision to the Secretary. If the Secretary, upon consideration of the 
state's application or any response to the notice published under Sec. 
600.630(a)(2), the hearing record, the recommended decision, and any 
other relevant materials finds that the reasons for regulation of the 
fishery within the boundaries of the state no longer prevail, the 
Secretary will promptly terminate such regulation and publish in the 
Federal Register any regulatory amendments necessary to accomplish that 
end.



           Subpart H_General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries



Sec. 600.705  Relation to other laws.

    (a) General. Persons affected by these regulations should be aware 
that other Federal and state statutes and regulations may apply to their 
activities. Vessel operators may wish to refer to USCG regulations found 
in the Code of Federal Regulations title 33--Navigation and Navigable 
Waters and 46--Shipping; 15 CFR part 904, subpart D--Permit Sanctions 
and Denials; and title 43--Public Lands (in regard to marine 
sanctuaries).
    (b) State responsibilities. Certain responsibilities relating to 
data collection and enforcement may be performed by authorized state 
personnel under a state/Federal agreement for data collection and a 
tripartite agreement among the state, the USCG, and the Secretary for 
enforcement.
    (c) Submarine cables. Fishing vessel operators must exercise due 
care in the conduct of fishing activities near submarine cables. Damage 
to the submarine cables resulting from intentional acts or from the 
failure to exercise due care in the conduct of fishing operations 
subjects the fishing vessel operator to the criminal penalties 
prescribed by the Submarine Cable Act (47 U.S.C. 21) which implements 
the International Convention for the Protection of Submarine Cables. 
Fishing vessel operators also should be aware that the Submarine Cable 
Act prohibits fishing operations at a distance of less than 1 nautical 
mile (1.85 km) from a vessel engaged in laying or repairing a submarine 
cable; or at a distance of less than 0.25 nautical mile (0.46 km) from a 
buoy or buoys intended to mark the position of a cable when being laid 
or when out of order or broken.
    (d) Marine mammals. Regulations governing exemption permits and the 
recordkeeping and reporting of the incidental take of marine mammals are 
set forth in part 229 of this title.
    (e) Halibut fishing. Fishing for halibut is governed by regulations 
of the International Pacific Halibut Commission set forth at part 300 of 
this title.
    (f) Marine sanctuaries. All fishing activity, regardless of species 
sought, is prohibited under 15 CFR part 924 in the U.S.S. Monitor Marine 
Sanctuary, which is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Cape 
Hatteras off the coast of North Carolina.



Sec. 600.710  Permits.

    Regulations pertaining to permits required for certain fisheries are 
set forth in the parts of this chapter governing those fisheries.



Sec. 600.715  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    Regulations pertaining to records and reports required for certain 
fisheries are set forth in the parts of this chapter governing those 
fisheries.



Sec. 600.720  Vessel and gear identification.

    Regulations pertaining to special vessel and gear markings required 
for certain fisheries are set forth in the parts of this chapter 
governing those fisheries.



Sec. 600.725  General prohibitions.

    It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Possess, have custody or control of, ship, transport, offer for 
sale, sell, purchase, land, import, or export, any fish or parts thereof 
taken or retained in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other 
statute administered by NOAA and/or any regulation or permit issued 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) Transfer or attempt to transfer, directly or indirectly, any 
U.S.-harvested fish to any foreign fishing vessel, while such vessel is 
in the EEZ, unless the foreign fishing vessel has been issued a permit 
under section 204 of the

[[Page 79]]

Magnuson-Stevens Act, which authorizes the receipt by such vessel of 
U.S.- harvested fish.
    (c) Fail to comply immediately with enforcement and boarding 
procedures specified in Sec. 600.730.
    (d) Refuse to allow an authorized officer to board a fishing vessel 
or to enter areas of custody for purposes of conducting any search, 
inspection, or seizure in connection with the enforcement of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
    (e) Dispose of fish or parts thereof or other matter in any manner, 
after any communication or signal from an authorized officer, or after 
the approach by an authorized officer or an enforcement vessel or 
aircraft.
    (f) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, or 
interfere with any authorized officer in the conduct of any search, 
inspection, or seizure in connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
    (g) Interfere with, delay, or prevent by any means, the apprehension 
of another person, knowing that such person has committed any act 
prohibited by the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered 
by NOAA.
    (h) Resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
    (i) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, offer of sale, possession, transport, import, export, or transfer 
of any fish, or attempts to do any of the above.
    (j) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent by any means an 
investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in 
connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other 
statute administered by NOAA.
    (k) Fish in violation of the terms or conditions of any permit or 
authorization issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute 
administered by NOAA.
    (l) Fail to report catches as required while fishing pursuant to an 
exempted fishing permit.
    (m) On a scientific research vessel, engage in fishing other than 
recreational fishing authorized by applicable state or Federal 
regulations.
    (n) Trade, barter, or sell; or attempt to trade, barter, or sell 
fish possessed or retained while fishing pursuant to an authorization 
for an exempted educational activity.
    (o) Harass or sexually harass an authorized officer or an observer.
    (p) Fail to submit to a USCG safety examination when required by 
NMFS pursuant to Sec. 600.746.
    (q) Fail to display a Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination 
decal or a valid certificate of compliance or inspection pursuant to 
Sec. 600.746.
    (r) Fail to provide to an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated 
observer provider information that has been requested pursuant to Sec. 
600.746, or fail to allow an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated 
observer provider to inspect any item described at Sec. 600.746.
    (s) Fish without an observer when the vessel is required to carry an 
observer.
    (t) Assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with a NMFS-
approved observer aboard a vessel.
    (u) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or 
refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from conducting his or her 
duties aboard a vessel.
    (v) The use of any gear or participation in a fishery not on the 
following list of authorized fisheries and gear is prohibited after 
December 1, 1999. A fish, regardless whether targeted, may be retained 
only if it is taken within a listed fishery, is taken with a gear 
authorized for that fishery, and is taken in conformance with all other 
applicable regulations. Listed gear can only be used in a manner that is 
consistent with existing laws and regulations. The list of fisheries and 
authorized gear does not, in any way, alter or supersede any definitions 
or regulations contained elsewhere in this chapter. A person or vessel 
is prohibited from engaging in fishing or employing fishing gear when 
such fishing gear is prohibited or restricted by regulation under an FMP 
or other applicable law. However, after

[[Page 80]]

December 1, 1999, an individual fisherman may notify the appropriate 
Council, or the Director, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory 
species, of the intent to use a gear or participate in a fishery not 
already on the list. Ninety days after such notification, the individual 
may use the gear or participate in that fishery unless regulatory action 
is taken to prohibit the use of the gear or participate in the fishery 
(e.g., through emergency or interim regulations). The list of authorized 
fisheries and gear is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Fishery                       Authorized gear types
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            I. New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hand harvest fishery..............  C. Hand harvest.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Hand harvest.
 2. Iceland Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
 3. Atlantic Salmon Fishery (FMP)          No harvest or possession in
                                            the EEZ.
 4. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP)         No harvest or possession in
                                            the EEZ.
 5. Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. NE multispecies sink gillnet        A. Gillnet.
     fishery.
    B. North Atlantic bottom trawl         B. Trawl.
     fishery.
    C. Groundfish hook and line fishery..  C. Longline, handline, rod
                                            and reel.
    D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery  D. Trap, pot.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Seine fishery.....................  F. Seine.
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear.
 6. American Lobster Fishery (FMP):
    A. Lobster pot and trap fishery......  A. Pot, trap.
    B. North Atlantic bottom trawl         B. Trawl.
     fishery.
    C. Dredge fishery....................  C. Dredge.
    D. Hand harvest fishery..............  D. Hand harvest.
    E. Gillnet fishery...................  E. Gillnet.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
 7. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Purse seine fishery...............  B. Purse seine.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Herring pair trawl fishery........  D. Pair trawl.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, gillnet.
 8. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly
 managed by MAFMC and NEFMC):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hook and line fishery.............  C. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Longline fishery..................  E. Longline.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
 9. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP
 managed by MAFMC):
    A. Pelagic longline and hook and line  A. Longline, handline.
     fishery.
    B. Seine fishery.....................  B. Purse seine, seine.
    C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  C. Pot, trap.
    D. Bluefish, croaker, flounder trawl   D. Trawl.
     fishery.
    E. Gillnet fishery...................  E. Gillnet.
    F. Dredge fishery....................  F. Dredge.
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            trap, pot, spear.
10. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and
 Butterfish Fishery (FMP managed by the
 MAFMC):
    A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish     A. Trawl.
     trawl fishery.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery  C. Longline, handline, rod
                                            and reel.
    D. Purse seine fishery...............  D. Purse seine.
    E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  E. Pot, trap.
    F. Dredge fishery....................  F. Dredge.
    G. Dip net fishery...................  G. Dip net.
    H. Bandit gear fishery...............  H. Bandit gear.
    I. Recreational fishery..............  I. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            pot, spear.
11. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
 (FMP managed by the MAFMC):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Dredge, hand harvest.

[[Page 81]]

 
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
12. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Purse seine fishery...............  A. Purse seine.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery..  D. Hook and line.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Hook and line, snagging,
                                            cast nets.
13. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hook and line, spear.
14. Atlantic Mussel and Sea Urchin
 Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Hand harvest fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Hand harvest.
15. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Hook-and-line fishery.............  C. Longline and handline.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Rod and reel.
16. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Trap and pot fishery..............  C. Trap, pot.
17. Northern Shrimp Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Shrimp trawl fishery..............  A. Trawl.
    B. Shrimp pot fishery................  B. Pot.
18. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed
 by NEFMC and MAFMC):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Longline fishery..................  C. Longline.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Trap and pot fishery..............  E. Trap, pot.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Rod and reel, spear.
19. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass
 Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Longline and hook and line fishery  B. Longline, handline.
    C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  C. Pot, trap.
    D. Gillnet fishery...................  D. Gillnet.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            pot, trap, spear.
20. Hagfish Fishery (Non-FMP)              Trap, pot.
21. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Pot and trap fishery..............  B. Pot, trap.
    C. Rod and reel, hook and line         C. Rod and reel, handline,
     fishery.                               hook and line.
    D. Trawl fishery.....................  D. Trawl.
    E. Spear fishery.....................  E. Spear.
    F. Fyke net fishery..................  F. Fyke net.
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, hook and
                                            line, handline, spear.
22. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear, hook and line, hand
                                            harvest, bandit gear,
                                            powerhead, gillnet, cast
                                            net, pot, trap, dip net,
                                            bully net, snare.
23. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet,
                                            pound net, dredge, seine,
                                            handline, longline, hook and
                                            line, rod and reel, hand
                                            harvest, purse seine, spear,
                                            bandit gear, powerhead, dip
                                            net, bully net, snare, cast
                                            net, barrier net, slurp gun,
                                            allowable chemicals.
24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by  Automatic reel, bandit gear,
 SAFMC)                                     handline, pelagic longline,
                                            rod and reel, spear
                                            (including powerheads).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           II. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass
 Fishery (FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Pelagic longline and hook and line  B. Longline, handline, rod
     fishery.                               and reel.
    C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  C. Pot, trap.
    D. Gillnet fishery...................  D. Gillnet.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            pot, trap, spear.
 2. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP):
    A. Bluefish, croaker, and flounder     A. Trawl.
     trawl fishery.

[[Page 82]]

 
    B. Pelagic longline and hook and line  B. Longline, handline, bandit
     fishery.                               gear, rod and reel.
    C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  C. Pot, trap.
    D. Gillnet fishery...................  D. Gillnet.
    E. Seine fishery.....................  E. Purse seine, seine.
    F. Dredge fishery....................  F. Dredge.
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            trap, pot, spear.
 3. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
 Butterfish Fishery (FMP):
    A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish     A. Trawl.
     trawl fishery.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery  C. Longline, handline, rod
                                            and reel.
    D. Purse seine fishery...............  D. Purse seine.
    E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery  E. Pot, trap.
    F. Dredge fishery....................  F. Dredge.
    G. Dip net fishery...................  G. Dip net.
    H. Bandit gear fishery...............  H. Bandit gear.
    I. Recreational fishery..............  I. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            pot, spear.
 4. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Dredge, hand harvest.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
 5. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP
 managed by NEFMC):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hand harvest fishery..............  C. Hand harvest.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Hand harvest.
 6. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Purse seine fishery...............  A. Purse seine.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery..  D. Hook and line.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Hook and line, snagging,
                                            cast nets.
 7. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP)         No harvest or possession in
                                            the EEZ.
 8. Northern Shrimp Trawl Fishery (Non-    Trawl.
 FMP)
 9. American Lobster Fishery (FMP managed
 by NEFMC):
    A. Pot and trap fishery..............  A. Pot, trap.
    B. Hand harvest fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
    C. Trawl fishery.....................  C. Trawl.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Gillnet fishery...................  E. Gillnet.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
10. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, rod and reel.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hook and line, spear.
11. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Pot and trap fishery..............  B. Pot, trap.
    C. Dredge............................  C. Dredge.
    D. Pound net, gillnet, seine.........  D. Pound net, gillnet, seine.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Hand harvest.
12. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed
 by NEFMC and MAFMC):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Longline fishery..................  B. Longline, rod and reel.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Trap and pot fishery..............  E. Trap and pot.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Rod and reel, spear.
13. Tilefish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Groundfish hook-and-line fishery..  A. Longline, handline, rod
                                            and fishery reel.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Rod and reel, spear.
14. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly
 managed by MAFMC and NEFMC):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hook and line fishery.............  C. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Longline fishery..................  E. Longline.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
15. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Pot and trap fishery..............  B. Pot, trap.
    C. Rod and reel, hook and line         C. Rod and reel, hook and
     handline fishery.                      line, handline.
    D. Trawl fishery.....................  D. Trawl.
    E. Spear fishery.....................  E. Spear.
    F. Fyke net fishery..................  F. Fyke net.

[[Page 83]]

 
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            hook and line, spear.
16. Coastal Gillnet Fishery (Non-FMP)      Gillnet
17. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear, hook and line, hand
                                            harvest, bandit gear,
                                            powerhead, gillnet, cast
                                            net.
18. NE Multispecies Fishery (FMP managed
 by NEFMC):
    A. NE multispecies sink gillnet        A. Gillnet.
     fishery.
    B. North Atlantic bottom trawl         B. Trawl.
     fishery.
    C. Groundfish hook and line..........  C. Longline, handline, rod
                                            and fishery reel.
    D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery  D. Trap, pot.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Seine fishery.....................  F. Seine.
    G. Recreational fishery..............  G. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear.
19. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Hook-and-line fishery.............  C. Longline and handline.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Rod and reel.
20. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Trap and pot fishery..............  C. Trap, pot.
21. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP managed
 by the NEFMC):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Purse seine fishery...............  B. Purse seine.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Herring pair trawl fishery........  D. Pair trawl.
    E. Dredge fishery....................  E. Dredge.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, gillnet.
22. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
 Fishery (FMP managed by the SAFMC):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Longline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear, handline,
                                            spear, powerhead.
    B. Black sea bass trap and pot         B. Pot, trap.
     fishery.
    C. Wreckfish fishery.................  C. Rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            handline.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear, spear,
                                            powerhead.
23. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory
 Pelagics Fishery (FMP managed by the
 SAFMC):
    A. Commercial Spanish mackerel         A. Handline, rod and reel,
     fishery.                               bandit gear, gillnet, cast
                                            net.
    B. Commercial king mackerel fishery..  B. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear.
    C. Other commercial coastal migratory  C. Longline, handline, rod
     pelagics fishery.                      and reel, bandit gear.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Bandit gear, rod and reel,
                                            handline, spear.
24. Calico Scallops Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Dredge fishery....................  B. Dredge.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Hand harvest.
25. Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP)            Trawl.
26. South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP)    Trawl.
27. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet,
                                            pound net, dredge, seine,
                                            handline, longline, hook and
                                            line, rod and reel, spear.
28. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by  Automatic reel, bandit gear,
 SAFMC)                                     handline, pelagic longline,
                                            rod and reel, spear
                                            (including powerheads).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             III. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Golden Crab Fishery (FMP)              Trap.
 2. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Trap and pot fishery..............  C. Trap, pot.
 3. Atlantic Red Drum Fishery (FMP)        No harvest or possession in
                                            the EEZ.
 4. Coral and Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
    A. Octocoral commercial fishery......  Hand harvest.
    B. Live rock aquaculture fishery.....  Hand harvest.
 5. South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP)    Trawl.
 6. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper
 Fishery (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Longline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear, handline,
                                            spear, powerhead.
    B. Black sea bass trap and pot         B. Pot, trap.
     fishery.
    C. Wreckfish fishery.................  C. Rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            handline.

[[Page 84]]

 
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear, spear,
                                            powerhead.
 7. South Atlantic Spiny Lobster Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trap, pot, dip net, bully
                                            net, snare, hand harvest.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Trap, pot, dip net, bully
                                            net, snare, hand harvest.
 8. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory
 Pelagics Fishery (FMP):
    A. Commercial Spanish mackerel         A. Handline, rod and reel,
     fishery.                               bandit gear, gillnet, cast
                                            net.
    B. Commercial king mackerel fishery..  B. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            bandit gear.
    C. Other commercial coastal migratory  C. Longline, handline, rod
     pelagics fishery.                      and reel, bandit gear.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Bandit gear, rod and reel,
                                            handline, spear.
 9. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly
 managed by NEFMC and SAFMC):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hook and line fishery.............  C. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear, bandit gear.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Longline fishery..................  E. Longline.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
10. Smooth Dogfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Gillnet fishery...................  A. Gillnet.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Hook and line fishery.............  C. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear, bandit gear.
    D. Dredge fishery....................  D. Dredge.
    E. Longline fishery..................  E. Longline.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
11. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Purse seine fishery...............  A. Purse seine.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Gillnet fishery...................  C. Gillnet.
    D. Commercial hook-and-line..........  D. Hook and line fishery.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Hook and line, snagging,
                                            cast nets.
12. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and          Trawl.
 Butterfish Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP)
13. Bait Fisheries (Non-FMP)               Purse seine.
14. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hook and line, spear.
15. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Pot and trap fishery..............  B. Pot, trap.
    C. Dredge fishery....................  C. Dredge.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Hand harvest.
16. Marine Life Aquarium Fishery (Non-     Dip net, slurp gun, barrier
 FMP)                                       net, drop net, allowable
                                            chemical, trap, pot, trawl.
17. Calico Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Dredge fishery....................  A. Dredge.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Hand harvest.
18. Summer Flounder Fishery (FMP managed
 by MAFMC):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trawl, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, pot, trap,
                                            gillnet, dredge.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            pot, trap, spear.
19. Bluefish, Croaker, and Flounder Trawl  Trawl, gillnet.
 and Gillnet Fishery (Bluefish FMP
 managed by MAFMC)
20. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, longline,
                                            handline, hook and line, rod
                                            and reel, bandit gear, cast
                                            net, pot, trap, lampara net,
                                            spear.
21. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear, hook and line, hand
                                            harvest, bandit gear,
                                            powerhead, gillnet, cast
                                            net.
22. Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP)            Trawl.
23. Octopus Fishery (Non-FMP)              Trap, pot.
24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP)            Automatic reel, bandit gear,
                                            handline, pelagic longline,
                                            rod and reel, spear
                                            (including powerheads).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              IV. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Gulf of Mexico Red Drum Fishery (FMP)  No harvest or possession in
                                            the EEZ.
 2. Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Hand harvest.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
 3. Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Snapper-Grouper reef fish longline  A. Longline, handline, bandit
     and hook and line fishery.             gear, rod and reel, buoy
                                            gear.

[[Page 85]]

 
    B. Pot and trap reef fish fishery....  B. Pot, trap.
    C. Other commercial fishery..........  C. Spear, powerhead, cast
                                            net, trawl.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Spear, powerhead, bandit
                                            gear, handline, rod reel,
                                            cast net.
 4. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (FMP):
    A. Gulf of Mexico commercial fishery.  A. Trawl butterfly net,
                                            skimmer, cast net.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Trawl.
 5. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory
 Pelagics Fishery (FMP):
    A. Large pelagics longline fishery...  A. Longline.
    B. King/Spanish mackerel gillnet       B. Gillnet.
     fishery.
    C. Pelagic hook and line fishery.....  C. Bandit gear, handline, rod
                                            and reel.
    D. Pelagic species purse seine         D. Purse seine.
     fishery.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Bandit gear, handline, rod
                                            and reel, spear.
 Gulf of Mexico Spiny Lobster Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trap, pot, dip net, bully
                                            net, hoop net, trawl, snare,
                                            hand harvest.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Dip net, bully net, pot,
                                            trap, snare, hand harvest.
 6. Stone Crab Fishery (FMP):
    A. Trap and pot fishery..............  A. Trap, pot
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Trap, pot, hand harvest.
 7. Blue Crab Fishery (Non-FMP)            Trap, pot.
 8. Golden Crab Fishery (Non-FMP)          Trap.
 9. Mullet Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Trawl fishery.....................  A. Trawl.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Pair trawl fishery................  C. Pair trawl.
    D. Cast net fishery..................  D. Cast net.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Bandit gear, handline, rod
                                            and reel, spear, cast net.
10. Inshore Coastal Gillnet Fishery (Non-  Gillnet.
 FMP)
11. Octopus Fishery (Non-FMP)              Trap, pot.
12. Marine Life Aquarium Fishery (Non-     Dip net, slurp gun, barrier
 FMP)                                       net, drop net, allowable
                                            chemical, trap, pot, trawl.
13. Coastal Herring Trawl Fishery (Non-    Trawl.
 FMP)
14. Butterfish Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP)     Trawl.
15. Gulf of Mexico Groundfish (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Trawl, purse seine,
                                            gillnet.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hook and line, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
16. Gulf of Mexico Menhaden Purse Seine    Purse seine.
 Fishery (Non-FMP)
17. Sardine Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP)  Purse seine.
18. Oyster Fishery (Non-FMP)               Dredge, tongs.
19. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            cast net, lampara net,
                                            spear.
20. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Bandit gear, handline, rod
                                            and reel, spear, bully net,
                                            gillnet, dip net, longline,
                                            powerhead, seine, slurp gun,
                                            trap, trawl, harpoon, cast
                                            net, hoop net, hook and
                                            line, hand harvest.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 V. Caribbean Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Trap/pot fishery..................  A. Trap/pot.
    B. Dip net fishery...................  B. Dip net.
    C. Hand harvest fishery..............  C. Hand harvest, snare.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Dip net, trap, pot.
 2. Caribbean Shallow Water Reef Fish
 Fishery (FMP):
    A. Longline/hook and line fishery....  A. Longline, hook and line.
    B. Trap/pot fishery..................  B. Trap, pot.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Dip net, handline, rod and
                                            reel, slurp gun, spear.
 3. Coral and Reef Resources Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Dip net, slurp gun.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Dip net, slurp gun, hand
                                            harvest.
 4. Queen Conch Fishery (FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Hand harvest.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Hand harvest.
 5. Caribbean Pelagics Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Pelagics drift gillnet fishery....  A. Gillnet.
    B. Pelagics longline/hook and line     B. Longline/hook and line.
     fishery.
    C. Recreational fishery..............  C. Spear, handline, longline,
                                            rod and reel.
 6. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            cast net, spear.
 7. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, hook and line,
                                            spear, powerhead, handline,
                                            hand harvest, cast net.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 86]]

 
                 VI. Pacific Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Washington, Oregon, and California
 Salmon Fisheries (FMP):
    A. Salmon set gillnet fishery........  A. Gillnet.
    B. Salmon hook and line fishery......  B. Hook and line.
    C. Trawl fishery.....................  C. Trawl.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Rod and reel.
 2. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries
 (FMP):
    A. Pacific groundfish trawl fishery..  A. Trawl.
    B. Set gillnet fishery...............  B. Gillnet.
    C. Groundfish longline and setline     C. Longline.
     fishery.
    D. Groundfish handline and hook and    D. Handline, hook and line.
     line fishery.
    E. Groundfish pot and trap fishery...  E. Pot, trap.
    F. Recreational fishery..............  F. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            spear, hook and line.
 3. Northern Anchovy Fishery (FMP)         Purse seine, lampara net.
 4. Angel Shark, White Croaker,            Gillnet.
 California Halibut, White Sea Bass,
 Pacific Mackerel Large-Mesh Set Net
 Fishery (Non-FMP)
 5. Thresher Shark and Swordfish Drift     Gillnet.
 Gillnet Fishery (Non-FMP)
 6. Pacific Shrimp and Prawn Fishery (Non-
 FMP):
    A. Pot and trap fishery..............  A. Pot, trap.
    B. Trawl fishery.....................  B. Trawl.
 7. Lobster and Rock Crab Pot and Trap     Pot, trap.
 Fishery (Non-FMP)
 8. Pacific Halibut Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Longline and setline fishery......  A. Longline.
    B. Hook-and-line fishery.............  B. Hook and line.
 9. California Halibut Trawl and Trammel   Trawl, trammel net.
 Net Fishery
10. Shark and Bonito Longline and Setline  Longline.
 Fishery (Non-FMP)
11. Dungeness Crab Pot and Trap Fishery    Pot, trap.
 (Non-FMP)
12. Hagfish Pot and Trap Fishery (Non-     Pot, trap.
 FMP)
13. Pacific Albacore and Other Tuna Hook-  Hook and line.
 and-line Fishery (Non-FMP)
14. Pacific Swordfish Harpoon Fishery      Harpoon.
 (Non-FMP)
15. Pacific Scallop Dredge Fishery (Non-   Dredge.
 FMP)
16. Pacific Yellowfin, Skipjack Tuna,      Purse seine.
 Purse Seine Fishery, (Non-FMP)
17. Market Squid Fishery (Non-FMP)         Purse seine, dip net.
18. Pacific Sardine, Pacific Mackerel,     Purse seine.
 Pacific Saury, Pacific Bonito, and Jack
 Mackerel Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP)
19. Finfish and Shellfish Live Trap, Hook- Trap, handline, hook and
 and-line, and Handline Fishery (Non-FMP)   line.
20. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Spear, trap, handline, pot,
                                            hook and line, rod and reel,
                                            hand harvest.
21. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            cast net, spear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              VII. North Pacific Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Alaska Scallop Fishery (FMP)           Dredge.
 2. Bering Sea (BS) and Aleutian Islands
 (AI) King and Tanner Crab Fishery (FMP):
    Pot fishery..........................  Pot.
 3. Bering Sea (BS) and Aleutian Islands
 (AI) King and Tanner Crab Fishery (FMP):
    Recreational fishery.................  Pot.
 4. BS and AI Groundfish Fishery (FMP):
    A. Groundfish trawl fishery..........  A. Trawl.
    B. Bottomfish hook-and-line, and       B. Hook and line, handline.
     handline fishery.
    C. Longline fishery..................  C. Longline.
    D. BS and AI pot and trap fishery....  D. Pot, trap.
 5. BS and AI Groundfish Recreational      Handline, rod and reel, hook
 Fishery (Non-FMP)                          and line, pot, trap.
 6. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish
 Fishery (FMP):
    A. Groundfish trawl fishery..........  A. Trawl.
    B. Bottomfish hook-and-line and        B. Hook and line, handline.
     handline fishery.
    C. Longline fishery..................  C. Longline.
    D. GOA pot and trap fishery..........  D. Pot, trap.
    E. Recreational fishery..............  E. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            hook and line, pot, trap.
 7. Pacific Halibut Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial (IFQ and CDQ)..........  A. Hook and line.
    B. Recreational......................  B. Single line with no more
                                            than 2 hooks attached or
                                            spear.
    C. Subsistence.......................  C. Setline gear and hand held
                                            gear of not more than 30
                                            hooks, including longline,
                                            handline, rod and reel,
                                            spear, jig, and hand-troll
                                            gear.
 8. Alaska High Seas Salmon Hook and Line
 Fishery:
    (FMP)................................  Hook and line.
 9. Alaska Salmon Fishery (Non-FMP):

[[Page 87]]

 
    A. Hook-and-line fishery.............  A. Hook and line.
    B. Gillnet fishery...................  B. Gillnet.
    C. Purse seine fishery...............  C. Purse seine.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Handline, rod and reel,
                                            hook and line.
10. Finfish Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP)  Purse seine.
11. Octopus/Squid Longline Fishery (Non-   Longline.
 FMP)
12. Finfish Handline and Hook-and-line     Handline, hook and line.
 Fishery (Non-FMP)
13. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Handline, rod and reel, hook
                                            line.
14. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            cast net, spear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            VIII. Western Pacific Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Western Pacific Crustacean Fishery     Trap, hand harvest, hoop net.
 (FMP)
 2. Western Pacific Crustacean Fishery
 (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Gillnet, hand harvest,
                                            hoop net, spear, snare,
                                            trap, trawl.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Gillnet, hand harvest,
                                            hoop net, spear, snare,
                                            trap.
    C. Charter fishery...................  C. Hand harvest, spear.
 3. Western Pacific Precious Corals
 Fishery (FMP):
    A. Tangle net dredge fishery.........  A. Tangle net dredge.
    B. Submersible fishery...............  B. Submersible.
    C. Dive fishery......................  C. Hand harvest.
    D. Recreational fishery..............  D. Hand harvest.
 4. Western Pacific Precious Corals        Hand harvest, submersible,
 Fishery (Non-FMP)                          tangle net dredge.
 5. Western Pacific Bottomfish and
 Seamount Groundfish Fishery (FMP):
    A. Bottomfish hook-and-line fishery..  A. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            handline, hook and line, rod
                                            and reel, hand harvest.
    B. Seamount groundfish fishery.......  B. Longline, trawl.
    C. Bottom longline fishery...........  C. Longline, hook and line.
    D. Trap fishery......................  D. Trap.
    E. Spear fishery.....................  E. Spear, powerhead.
 6. Western Pacific Bottomfish and
 Seamount Groundfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
    A. Commercial fishery................  A. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            gillnet, handline, hook-and-
                                            line, longline, rod and
                                            reel, spear, trap.
    B. Recreational fishery..............  B. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            Gillnet, handline, hook and
                                            line, longline, rod and
                                            reel, spear, trap, slurp
                                            gun, hand harvest.
    C. Charter fishery...................  C. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            handline, hook-and-line, rod
                                            and reel, spear.
 7. Western Pacific Pelagics Fishery
 (FMP):
    A. Longline Fisher...................  A. Longline.
    B. Hook and line fishery.............  B. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            handline, hook and line, rod
                                            and reel.
    C. Purse seine fishery...............  C. Lampara net, purse seine.
    D. Spear fishery.....................  D. Spear, powerhead.
 8. Western Pacific Pelagics Fishery (Non-
 FMP):
    A. Recreational fishery..............  A. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            dip net, handline, hook and
                                            line, hoop net, powerhead,
                                            rod and real, spear.
    B. Commercial fishery................  B. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            dip net, handline, hook and
                                            line, hoop net, powerhead,
                                            rod and reel, spear.
    C. Charter fishery...................  C. Bandit gear, buoy gear,
                                            dip net, handline, hook and
                                            line, hoop net, powerhead,
                                            rod and reel, spear.
 9. Western Pacific Coastal Pelagics       Bandit gear, buoy gear, dip
 Fishery (Non-FMP)                          net, gillnet, handline, hook
                                            and line, hoop net, lampara
                                            net, purse seine, rod and
                                            reel, spear.
10. Western Pacific Squid and Octopus      Bandit gear, hand harvest,
 Fishery (Non-FMP)                          hook and line, rod and reel,
                                            spear, trap.
11. Western Pacific Coral Reef Fishery     Allowable chemical, barrier
 (Non-FMP)                                  net, dip net, gillnet, hand
                                            harvest, seine, slurp gun,
                                            trap, spear, rod and reel,
                                            hook and line.
12. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, hook and line,
                                            handline, hand harvest,
                                            spear.
13. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP)           Trawl, gillnet, hook and
                                            line, longline, handline,
                                            rod and reel, bandit gear,
                                            cast net, spear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        IX. Secretary of Commerce
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks
 Fisheries (FMP):
    A. Swordfish handgear fishery........  A. Rod and reel, harpoon,
                                            handline, bandit gear.
    B. Pelagic longline fishery..........  B. Longline.
    C. Shark gillnet fishery.............  C. Gillnet

[[Page 88]]

 
    D. Shark bottom longline fishery.....  D. Longline.
    E. Shark handgear fishery............  E. Rod and reel, handline,
                                            bandit gear.
    F. Shark recreational fishery........  F. Rod and reel, handline.
    G. Tuna purse seine fishery..........  G. Purse seine.
    H. Tuna recreational fishery.........  H. Rod and reel, handline.
    I. Tuna handgear fishery.............  I. Rod and reel, harpoon,
                                            handline, bandit gear.
    J. Tuna harpoon fishery..............  J. Harpoon.
 2. Atlantic Billfish Fishery (FMP):
    Recreational fishery.................  Rod and reel.
 3. Commercial Fisheries (Non-FMP)         Rod and reel, handline,
                                            longline, gillnet, harpoon,
                                            bandit gear, purse seine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 63 
FR 27217; May 18, 1998; 64 FR 4037, Jan. 27, 1999; 64 FR 29134, May 28, 
1999; 64 FR 67516, Dec. 2, 1999; 68 FR 18161, Apr. 15, 2003; 68 FR 
26230, May 15, 2003; 68 FR 74784, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 30240, May 27, 
2004; 70 FR 62080, Oct. 28, 2005]



Sec. 600.730  Facilitation of enforcement.

    (a) General. The operator of, or any other person aboard, any 
fishing vessel subject to parts 622 through 699 of this chapter must 
immediately comply with instructions and signals issued by an authorized 
officer to stop the vessel and with instructions to facilitate safe 
boarding and inspection of the vessel, its gear, equipment, fishing 
record (where applicable), and catch for purposes of enforcing the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA and this 
chapter.
    (b) Communications. (1) Upon being approached by a USCG vessel or 
aircraft, or other vessel or aircraft with an authorized officer aboard, 
the operator of a fishing vessel must be alert for communications 
conveying enforcement instructions.
    (2) VHF-FM radiotelephone is the preferred method for communicating 
between vessels. If the size of the vessel and the wind, sea, and 
visibility conditions allow, a loudhailer may be used instead of the 
radio. Hand signals, placards, high frequency radiotelephone, or voice 
may be employed by an authorized officer, and message blocks may be 
dropped from an aircraft.
    (3) If other communications are not practicable, visual signals may 
be transmitted by flashing light directed at the vessel signaled. USCG 
units will normally use the flashing light signal ``L'' as the signal to 
stop. In the International Code of Signals, ``L'' (.-..) means ``you 
should stop your vessel instantly.'' (Period (.) means a short flash of 
light; dash (-) means a long flash of light.)
    (4) Failure of a vessel's operator promptly to stop the vessel when 
directed to do so by an authorized officer using loudhailer, 
radiotelephone, flashing light signal, or other means constitutes prima 
facie evidence of the offense of refusal to permit an authorized officer 
to board.
    (5) The operator of a vessel who does not understand a signal from 
an enforcement unit and who is unable to obtain clarification by 
loudhailer or radiotelephone must consider the signal to be a command to 
stop the vessel instantly.
    (c) Boarding. The operator of a vessel directed to stop must:
    (1) Guard Channel 16, VHF-FM, if so equipped.
    (2) Stop immediately and lay to or maneuver in such a way as to 
allow the authorized officer and his/her party to come aboard.
    (3) Except for those vessels with a freeboard of 4 ft (1.2 m) or 
less, provide a safe ladder, if needed, for the authorized officer and 
his/her party to come aboard.
    (4) When necessary to facilitate the boarding or when requested by 
an authorized officer or observer, provide a manrope or safety line, and 
illumination for the ladder.
    (5) Take such other actions as necessary to facilitate boarding and 
to ensure the safety of the authorized officer and the boarding party.
    (d) Signals. The following signals, extracted from the International 
Code of Signals, may be sent by flashing light

[[Page 89]]

by an enforcement unit when conditions do not allow communications by 
loudhailer or radiotelephone. Knowledge of these signals by vessel 
operators is not required. However, knowledge of these signals and 
appropriate action by a vessel operator may preclude the necessity of 
sending the signal ``L'' and the necessity for the vessel to stop 
instantly. (Period (.) means a short flash of light; dash (-) means a 
long flash of light.)
    (1) ``AA'' repeated (.-.-) is the call to an unknown station. The 
operator of the signaled vessel should respond by identifying the vessel 
by radiotelephone or by illuminating the vessel's identification.
    (2) ``RY-CY'' (.-. -.-- -.-. -.--) means ``you should proceed at 
slow speed, a boat is coming to you.'' This signal is normally employed 
when conditions allow an enforcement boarding without the necessity of 
the vessel being boarded coming to a complete stop, or, in some cases, 
without retrieval of fishing gear which may be in the water.
    (3) ``SQ3'' (... --.- ...--) means ``you should stop or heave to; I 
am going to board you.''

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 37225, July 17, 1996; 
63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.735  Penalties.

    Any person committing, or fishing vessel used in the commission of a 
violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered 
by NOAA and/or any regulation issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, is 
subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions and civil 
forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, to this section, to 
15 CFR part 904 (Civil Procedures), and to other applicable law.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.740  Enforcement policy.

    (a) The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides four basic enforcement 
remedies for violations, in ascending order of severity, as follows:
    (1) Issuance of a citation (a type of warning), usually at the scene 
of the offense (see 15 CFR part 904, subpart E).
    (2) Assessment by the Administrator of a civil money penalty.
    (3) For certain violations, judicial forfeiture action against the 
vessel and its catch.
    (4) Criminal prosecution of the owner or operator for some offenses. 
It shall be the policy of NMFS to enforce vigorously and equitably the 
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act by utilizing that form or 
combination of authorized remedies best suited in a particular case to 
this end.
    (b) Processing a case under one remedial form usually means that 
other remedies are inappropriate in that case. However, further 
investigation or later review may indicate the case to be either more or 
less serious than initially considered, or may otherwise reveal that the 
penalty first pursued is inadequate to serve the purposes of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under such circumstances, the Agency may pursue 
other remedies either in lieu of or in addition to the action originally 
taken. Forfeiture of the illegal catch does not fall within this general 
rule and is considered in most cases as only the initial step in 
remedying a violation by removing the ill-gotten gains of the offense.
    (c) If a fishing vessel for which a permit has been issued under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act is used in the commission of an offense prohibited 
by section 307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NOAA may impose permit 
sanctions, whether or not civil or criminal action has been undertaken 
against the vessel or its owner or operator. In some cases, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act requires permit sanctions following the assessment 
of a civil penalty or the imposition of a criminal fine. In sum, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act treats sanctions against the fishing vessel permit 
to be the carrying out of a purpose separate from that accomplished by 
civil and criminal penalties against the vessel or its owner or 
operator.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.745  Scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activity.

    (a) Scientific research activity. Nothing in this section is 
intended to inhibit or

[[Page 90]]

prevent any scientific research activity conducted by a scientific 
research vessel. Persons planning to conduct scientific research 
activities in the EEZ are encouraged to submit to the appropriate 
Regional Administrator, Director, or designee, 60 days or as soon as 
practicable prior to its start, a scientific research plan for each 
scientific cruise. The Regional Administrator, Director, or designee 
will acknowledge notification of scientific research activity by issuing 
to the operator or master of that vessel, or to the sponsoring 
institution, a letter of acknowledgment. This letter of acknowledgment 
is separate and distinct from any permit required by any other 
applicable law. If the Regional Administrator, Director, or designee, 
after review of a research plan, determines that it does not constitute 
scientific research but rather fishing, the Regional Administrator, 
Director, or designee will inform the applicant as soon as practicable 
and in writing. The Regional Administrator, Director, or designee may 
also make recommendations to revise the research plan to make the cruise 
acceptable as scientific research activity or recommend the applicant 
request an EFP. In order to facilitate identification of activity as 
scientific research, persons conducting scientific research activities 
are advised to carry a copy of the scientific research plan and the 
letter of acknowledgment on board the scientific research vessel. 
Activities conducted in accordance with a scientific research plan 
acknowledged by such a letter are presumed to be scientific research 
activity. The presumption may be overcome by showing that an activity 
does not fit the definition of scientific research activity or is 
outside the scope of the scientific research plan.
    (b) Exempted fishing--(1) General. A NMFS Regional Administrator or 
Director may authorize, for limited testing, public display, data 
collection, exploratory, health and safety, environmental cleanup, and/
or hazard removal purposes, the target or incidental harvest of species 
managed under an FMP or fishery regulations that would otherwise be 
prohibited. Exempted fishing may not be conducted unless authorized by 
an EFP issued by a Regional Administrator or Director in accordance with 
the criteria and procedures specified in this section. The Regional 
Administrator or Director may charge a fee to recover the administrative 
expenses of issuing an EFP. The amount of the fee will be calculated, at 
least annually, in accordance with procedures of the NOAA Handbook for 
determining administrative costs of each special product or service; the 
fee may not exceed such costs. Persons may contact the appropriate 
Regional Administrator or Director to find out the applicable fee.
    (2) Application. An applicant for an EFP shall submit a completed 
application package to the appropriate Regional Administrator or 
Director, as soon as practicable and at least 60 days before the desired 
effective date of the EFP. Submission of an EFP application less than 60 
days before the desired effective date of the EFP may result in a 
delayed effective date because of review requirements. The application 
package must include payment of any required fee as specified by 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and a written application that 
includes, but is not limited to, the following information:
    (i) The date of the application.
    (ii) The applicant's name, mailing address, and telephone number.
    (iii) A statement of the purposes and goals of the exempted fishery 
for which an EFP is needed, including justification for issuance of the 
EFP.
    (iv) For each vessel to be covered by the EFP, as soon as the 
information is available and before operations begin under the EFP:
    (A) A copy of the USCG documentation, state license, or registration 
of each vessel, or the information contained on the appropriate 
document.
    (B) The current name, address, and telephone number of the owner and 
master, if not included on the document provided for the vessel.
    (v) The species (target and incidental) expected to be harvested 
under the EFP, the amount(s) of such harvest necessary to conduct the 
exempted fishing, the arrangements for disposition of all regulated 
species harvested under the EFP, and any anticipated

[[Page 91]]

impacts on marine mammals or endangered species.
    (vi) For each vessel covered by the EFP, the approximate time(s) and 
place(s) fishing will take place, and the type, size, and amount of gear 
to be used.
    (vii) The signature of the applicant.
    (viii) The Regional Administrator or Director, as appropriate, may 
request from an applicant additional information necessary to make the 
determinations required under this section. An incomplete application or 
an application for which the appropriate fee has not been paid will not 
be considered until corrected in writing and the fee paid. An applicant 
for an EFP need not be the owner or operator of the vessel(s) for which 
the EFP is requested.
    (3) Issuance. (i) The Regional Administrator or Director, as 
appropriate, will review each application and will make a preliminary 
determination whether the application contains all of the required 
information and constitutes an activity appropriate for further 
consideration. If the Regional Administrator or Director finds that any 
application does not warrant further consideration, both the applicant 
and the affected Council(s) will be notified in writing of the reasons 
for the decision. If the Regional Administrator or Director determines 
that any application warrants further consideration, notification of 
receipt of the application will be published in the Federal Register 
with a brief description of the proposal, and the intent of NMFS to 
issue an EFP. Interested persons will be given a 15- to 45-day 
opportunity to comment and/or comments will be requested during public 
testimony at a Council meeting. The notification may establish a cut-off 
date for receipt of additional applications to participate in the same, 
or a similar, exempted fishing activity. The Regional Administrator or 
Director also will forward copies of the application to the Council(s), 
the USCG, and the appropriate fishery management agencies of affected 
states, accompanied by the following information:
    (A) The effect of the proposed EFP on the target and incidental 
species, including the effect on any TAC.
    (B) A citation of the regulation or regulations that, without the 
EFP, would prohibit the proposed activity.
    (C) Biological information relevant to the proposal, including 
appropriate statements of environmental impacts, including impacts on 
marine mammals and threatened or endangered species.
    (ii) If the application is complete and warrants additional 
consultation, the Regional Administrator or Director may consult with 
the appropriate Council(s) concerning the permit application during the 
period in which comments have been requested. The Council(s) or the 
Administrator or Regional Administrator shall notify the applicant in 
advance of any meeting at which the application will be considered, and 
offer the applicant the opportunity to appear in support of the 
application.
    (iii) As soon as practicable after receiving responses from the 
agencies identified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, and/or after 
the consultation, if any, described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, the Regional Administrator or Director shall notify the 
applicant in writing of the decision to grant or deny the EFP, and, if 
denied, the reasons for the denial. Grounds for denial of an EFP 
include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information 
required, or has made false statements as to any material fact, in 
connection with his or her application; or
    (B) According to the best scientific information available, the 
harvest to be conducted under the permit would detrimentally affect the 
well-being of the stock of any regulated species of fish, marine mammal, 
or threatened or endangered species in a significant way; or
    (C) Issuance of the EFP would have economic allocation as its sole 
purpose; or
    (D) Activities to be conducted under the EFP would be inconsistent 
with the intent of this section, the management objectives of the FMP, 
or other applicable law; or
    (E) The applicant has failed to demonstrate a valid justification 
for the permit; or

[[Page 92]]

    (F) The activity proposed under the EFP could create a significant 
enforcement problem.
    (iv) The decision of a Regional Administrator or Director to grant 
or deny an EFP is the final action of NMFS. If the permit, as granted, 
is significantly different from the original application, or is denied, 
NMFS may publish notification in the Federal Register describing the 
exempted fishing to be conducted under the EFP or the reasons for 
denial.
    (v) The Regional Administrator or Director may attach terms and 
conditions to the EFP consistent with the purpose of the exempted 
fishing, including, but not limited to:
    (A) The maximum amount of each regulated species that can be 
harvested and landed during the term of the EFP, including trip 
limitations, where appropriate.
    (B) The number, size(s), name(s), and identification number(s) of 
the vessel(s) authorized to conduct fishing activities under the EFP.
    (C) The time(s) and place(s) where exempted fishing may be 
conducted.
    (D) The type, size, and amount of gear that may be used by each 
vessel operated under the EFP.
    (E) The condition that observers, a vessel monitoring system, or 
other electronic equipment be carried on board vessels operated under an 
EFP, and any necessary conditions, such as predeployment notification 
requirements.
    (F) Reasonable data reporting requirements.
    (G) Other conditions as may be necessary to assure compliance with 
the purposes of the EFP, consistent with the objectives of the FMP and 
other applicable law.
    (H) Provisions for public release of data obtained under the EFP 
that are consistent with NOAA confidentiality of statistics procedures 
at set out in subpart E. An applicant may be required to waive the right 
to confidentiality of information gathered while conducting exempted 
fishing as a condition of an EFP.
    (4) Duration. Unless otherwise specified in the EFP or a superseding 
notice or regulation, an EFP is effective for no longer than 1 year, 
unless revoked, suspended, or modified. EFPs may be renewed following 
the application procedures in this section.
    (5) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (6) Transfer. EFPs issued under this section are not transferable or 
assignable. An EFP is valid only for the vessel(s) for which it is 
issued.
    (7) Inspection. Any EFP issued under this section must be carried on 
board the vessel(s) for which it was issued. The EFP must be presented 
for inspection upon request of any authorized officer.
    (8) Sanctions. Failure of a permittee to comply with the terms and 
conditions of an EFP may be grounds for revocation, suspension, or 
modification of the EFP with respect to all persons and vessels 
conducting activities under the EFP. Any action taken to revoke, 
suspend, or modify an EFP for enforcement purposes will be governed by 
15 CFR part 904, subpart D.
    (c) Reports. (1) Persons conducting scientific research activity are 
requested to submit a copy of any cruise report or other publication 
created as a result of the cruise, including the amount, composition, 
and disposition of their catch, to the appropriate Science and Research 
Director.
    (2) Persons fishing under an EFP are required to report their 
catches to the appropriate Regional Administrator or Director, as 
specified in the EFP.
    (d) Exempted educational activities--(1) General. A NMFS Regional 
Administrator or Director may authorize, for educational purposes, the 
target or incidental harvest of species managed under an FMP or fishery 
regulations that would otherwise be prohibited. The decision of a 
Regional Administrator or Director to grant or deny an exempted 
educational activity authorization is the final action of NMFS. Exempted 
educational activities may not be conducted unless authorized in writing 
by a Regional Administrator or Director in accordance with the criteria 
and procedures specified in this section. Such authorization will be 
issued without charge.
    (2) Application. An applicant for an exempted educational activity 
authorization shall submit to the appropriate

[[Page 93]]

Regional Administrator or Director, at least 15 days before the desired 
effective date of the authorization, a written application that 
includes, but is not limited to, the following information:
    (i) The date of the application.
    (ii) The applicant's name, mailing address, and telephone number.
    (iii) A brief statement of the purposes and goals of the exempted 
educational activity for which authorization is requested, including a 
general description of the arrangements for disposition of all species 
collected.
    (iv) Evidence that the sponsoring institution is a valid educational 
institution, such as accreditation by a recognized national or 
international accreditation body.
    (v) The scope and duration of the activity.
    (vi) For each vessel to be covered by the authorization:
    (A) A copy of the U.S. Coast Guard documentation, state license, or 
registration of the vessel, or the information contained on the 
appropriate document.
    (B) The current name, address, and telephone number of the owner and 
master, if not included on the document provided for the vessel.
    (vii) The species and amounts expected to be caught during the 
exempted educational activity.
    (viii) For each vessel covered by the authorization, the approximate 
time(s) and place(s) fishing will take place, and the type, size, and 
amount of gear to be used.
    (ix) The signature of the applicant.
    (x) The Regional Administrator or Director may request from an 
applicant additional information necessary to make the determinations 
required under this section. An incomplete application will not be 
considered until corrected in writing.
    (3) Issuance. (i) The Regional Administrator or Director, as 
appropriate, will review each application and will make a determination 
whether the application contains all of the required information, is 
consistent with the goals, objectives, and requirements of the FMP or 
regulations and other applicable law, and constitutes a valid exempted 
educational activity. The applicant will be notified in writing of the 
decision within 5 working days of receipt of the application.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator or Director may attach terms and 
conditions to the authorization, consistent with the purpose of the 
exempted educational activity, including, but not limited to:
    (A) The maximum amount of each regulated species that may be 
harvested.
    (B) The time(s) and place(s) where the exempted educational activity 
may be conducted.
    (C) The type, size, and amount of gear that may be used by each 
vessel operated under the authorization.
    (D) Reasonable data reporting requirements.
    (E) Such other conditions as may be necessary to assure compliance 
with the purposes of the authorization, consistent with the objectives 
of the FMP or regulations.
    (F) Provisions for public release of data obtained under the 
authorization, consistent with NOAA confidentiality of statistics 
procedures in subpart E. An applicant may be required to waive the right 
to confidentiality of information gathered while conducting exempted 
educational activities as a condition of the authorization.
    (iii) The authorization will specify the scope of the authorized 
activity and will include, at a minimum, the duration, vessel(s), 
species and gear involved in the activity, as well as any additional 
terms and conditions specified under paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this 
section.
    (4) Duration. Unless otherwise specified, authorization for an 
exempted educational activity is effective for no longer than 1 year, 
unless revoked, suspended, or modified. Authorizations may be renewed 
following the application procedures in this section.
    (5) Alteration. Any authorization that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (6) Transfer. Authorizations issued under this paragraph (d) are not 
transferable or assignable.
    (7) Inspection. Any authorization issued under this paragraph (d) 
must be carried on board the vessel(s) for which it was issued or be in 
possession of the

[[Page 94]]

applicant to which it was issued while the exempted educational activity 
is being conducted. The authorization must be presented for inspection 
upon request of any authorized officer. Activities that meet the 
definition of fishing, despite an educational purpose, are fishing. An 
authorization may allow covered fishing activities; however, fishing 
activities conducted outside the scope of an authorization for exempted 
educational activities are illegal.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.746  Observers.

    (a) Applicability. This section applies to any fishing vessel 
required to carry an observer as part of a mandatory observer program or 
carrying an observer as part of a voluntary observer program under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the ATCA (16 U.S.C. 
971 et seq.), the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et 
seq.), or any other U.S. law.
    (b) Observer requirement. An observer is not required to board, or 
stay aboard, a vessel that is unsafe or inadequate as described in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Inadequate or unsafe vessels. (1) A vessel is inadequate or 
unsafe for purposes of carrying an observer and allowing operation of 
normal observer functions if it does not comply with the applicable 
regulations regarding observer accommodations (see 50 CFR parts 229, 
300, 600, 622, 635, 648, 660, and 679) or if it has not passed a USCG 
safety examination or inspection. A vessel that has passed a USCG safety 
examination or inspection must display one of the following:
    (i) A current Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination decal, 
issued within the last 2 years, that certifies compliance with 
regulations found in 33 CFR, chapter I and 46 CFR, chapter I;
    (ii) A certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 28.710; 
or
    (iii) A valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311.
    (2) Upon request by an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated 
observer provider, a vessel owner/operator must provide correct 
information concerning any item relating to any safety or accommodation 
requirement prescribed by law or regulation. A vessel owner or operator 
must also allow an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated observer 
provider to visually examine any such item.
    (3) Pre-trip safety check. Prior to each observed trip, the observer 
is encouraged to briefly walk through the vessel's major spaces to 
ensure that no obviously hazardous conditions exist. In addition, the 
observer is encouraged to spot check the following major items for 
compliance with applicable USCG regulations:
    (i) Personal flotation devices/immersion suits;
    (ii) Ring buoys;
    (iii) Distress signals;
    (iv) Fire extinguishing equipment;
    (v) Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), when 
required; and
    (vi) Survival craft, when required.
    (d) Corrective measures. If a vessel is inadequate or unsafe for 
purposes of carrying an observer and allowing operation of normal 
observer functions, NMFS may require the vessel owner or operator either 
to:
    (1) Submit to and pass a USCG safety examination or inspection; or
    (2) Correct the deficiency that is rendering the vessel inadequate 
or unsafe (e.g., if the vessel is missing one personal flotation device, 
the owner or operator could be required to obtain an additional one), 
before the vessel is boarded by the observer.
    (e) Timing. The requirements of this section apply both at the time 
of the observer's boarding, at all times the observer is aboard, and at 
the time the observer is disembarking from the vessel.
    (f) Effect of inadequate or unsafe status. A vessel that would 
otherwise be required to carry an observer, but is inadequate or unsafe 
for purposes of carrying an observer and for allowing operation of 
normal observer functions, is prohibited from fishing without observer 
coverage.

[63 FR 27217, May 18, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 64312, Oct. 18, 2002]

[[Page 95]]



Sec. 600.747  Guidelines and procedures for determining new fisheries and gear.

    (a) General. Section 305(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the 
Secretary to prepare a list of all fisheries under the authority of each 
Council, or the Director in the case of Atlantic highly migratory 
species, and all gear used in such fisheries. This section contains 
guidelines in paragraph (b) for determining when fishing gear or a 
fishery is sufficiently different from those listed in Sec. 600.725(v) 
as to require notification of a Council or the Director in order to use 
the gear or participate in the unlisted fishery. This section also 
contains procedures in paragraph (c) for notification of a Council or 
the Director of potentially new fisheries or gear, and for amending the 
list of fisheries and gear.
    (b) Guidelines. The following guidance establishes the basis for 
determining when fishing gear or a fishery is sufficiently different 
from those listed to require notification of the appropriate Council or 
the Director.
    (1) The initial step in the determination of whether a fishing gear 
or fishery is sufficiently different to require notification is to 
compare the gear or fishery in question to the list of authorized 
fisheries and gear in Sec. 600.725(v) and to the existing gear 
definitions in Sec. 600.10.
    (2) If the gear in question falls within the bounds of a definition 
in Sec. 600.10 for an allowable gear type within that fishery, as 
listed under Sec. 600.725(v), then the gear is not considered 
different, is considered allowable gear, and does not require 
notification of the Council or Secretary 90 days before it can be used 
in that fishery.
    (3) If, for any reason, the gear is not consistent with a gear 
definition for a listed fishery as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, the gear is considered different and requires Council or 
Secretarial notification as described in paragraph (c) of this section 
90 days before it can be used in that fishery.
    (4) If a fishery falls within the bounds of the list of authorized 
fisheries and gear in Sec. 600.725(v) under the Council's or 
Secretary's authority, then the fishery is not considered different, is 
considered an allowable fishery and does not require notification of the 
Council or Director before that fishery can occur.
    (5) If a fishery is not already listed in the list of authorized 
fisheries and gear in Sec. 600.725(v), then the fishery is considered 
different and requires notification as described in paragraph (c) of 
this section 90 days before it can occur.
    (c) Procedures. If a gear or fishery does not appear on the list in 
Sec. 600.725(v), or if the gear is different from that defined in Sec. 
600.10, the process for notification, and consideration by a Council or 
the Director, is as follows:
    (1) Notification. After July 26, 1999, no person or vessel may 
employ fishing gear or engage in a fishery not included on the list of 
approved gear types in Sec. 600.725(v) without notifying the 
appropriate Council or the Director at least 90 days before the intended 
use of that gear.
    (2) Notification procedures. (i) A signed return receipt for the 
notice serves as adequate evidence of the date that the notification was 
received by the appropriate Council or the Director, in the case of 
Atlantic highly migratory species, and establishes the beginning of the 
90-day notification period, unless required information in the 
notification is incomplete.
    (ii) The notification must include:
    (A) Name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the 
notification.
    (B) Description of the gear.
    (C) The fishery or fisheries in which the gear is or will be used.
    (D) A diagram and/or photograph of the gear, as well as any 
specifications and dimensions necessary to define the gear.
    (E) The season(s) in which the gear will be fished.
    (F) The area(s) in which the gear will be fished.
    (G) The anticipated bycatch species associated with the gear, 
including protected species, such as marine mammals, sea turtles, sea 
birds, or species listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA.
    (H) How the gear will be deployed and fished, including the portions 
of the marine environment where the gear

[[Page 96]]

will be deployed (surface, midwater, and bottom).
    (iii) Failure to submit complete and accurate information will 
result in a delay in beginning the 90-day notification period. The 90-
day notification period will not begin until the information received is 
determined to be accurate and complete.
    (3) Action upon receipt of notification. (i) Species other than 
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. (A) Upon signing a return receipt of 
the notification by certified mail regarding an unlisted fishery or 
gear, a Council must immediately begin consideration of the notification 
and send a copy of the notification to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator.
    (B) If the Council finds that the use of an unlisted gear or 
participation in a new fishery would not compromise the effectiveness of 
conservation and management efforts, it shall:
    (1) Recommend to the RA that the list be amended;
    (2) Provide rationale and supporting analysis, as necessary, for 
proper consideration of the proposed amendment; and
    (3) Provide a draft proposed rule for notifying the public of the 
proposed addition, with a request for comment.
    (C) If the Council finds that the proposed gear or fishery will be 
detrimental to conservation and management efforts, it will recommend to 
the RA that the authorized list of fisheries and gear not be amended, 
that a proposed rule not be published, give reasons for its 
recommendation of a disapproval, and may request NMFS to publish 
emergency or interim regulations, and begin preparation of an FMP or 
amendment to an FMP, if appropriate.
    (D) After considering information in the notification and Council's 
recommendation, NMFS will decide whether to publish a proposed rule. If 
information on the new gear or fishery being considered indicates it is 
likely that it will compromise conservation and management efforts under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and no additional new information is likely to 
be gained from a public comment period, then a proposed rule will not be 
published and NMFS will notify the appropriate Council. In such an 
instance, NMFS will publish emergency or interim regulations to prohibit 
or restrict use of the gear or participation in the fishery. If NMFS 
determines that the proposed amendment is not likely to compromise 
conservation and management efforts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS 
will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register with a request for 
public comment.
    (ii) Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. (A) Upon signing a return 
receipt of the notification by certified mail regarding an unlisted 
fishery or gear for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS), NMFS will 
immediately begin consideration of the notification.
    (B) Based on information in the notification and submitted by the 
Council, NMFS will make a determination whether the use of an unlisted 
gear or participation in an unlisted HMS fishery will compromise the 
effectiveness of conservation and management efforts under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. If it is determined that the proposed amendment will not 
compromise conservation and management efforts, NMFS will publish a 
proposed rule.
    (C) If NMFS finds that the proposed gear or fishery will be 
detrimental to conservation and management efforts in this initial stage 
of review, it will not publish a proposed rule and notify the applicant 
of the negative determination with the reasons therefor.
    (4) Final determination and publication of a final rule. Following 
public comment, NMFS will approve or disapprove the amendment to the 
list of gear and fisheries.
    (i) If approved, NMFS will publish a final rule in the Federal 
Register and notify the applicant and the Council, if appropriate, of 
the final approval.
    (ii) If disapproved, NMFS will withdraw the proposed rule, notify 
the applicant and the Council, if appropriate, of the disapproval; 
publish emergency or interim regulations, if necessary, to prohibit or 
restrict the use of gear or the participation in a fishery; and either 
notify the Council of the need to amend an FMP or prepare an amendment 
to an FMP in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species.

[64 FR 4043, Jan. 27, 1999]

[[Page 97]]



                  Subpart I_Fishery Negotiation Panels

    Source: 62 FR 23669, May 1, 1997, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 600.750  Definitions.

    Consensus means unanimous concurrence among the members on a Fishery 
Negotiation Panel established under this rule, unless such Panel:
    (1) Agrees to define such term to mean a general but not unanimous 
concurrence; or
    (2) agrees upon another specified definition.
    Fishery negotiation panel (FNP) means an advisory committee 
established by one or more Councils or the Secretary in accordance with 
these regulations to assist in the development of fishery conservation 
and management measures.
    Interest means, with respect to an issue or matter, multiple parties 
that have a similar point of view or that are likely to be affected in a 
similar manner.
    Report means a document submitted by an FNP in accordance with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[62 FR 23669, May 1, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]



Sec. 600.751  Determination of need for a fishery negotiation panel.

    A Council or NMFS may establish an FNP to assist in the development 
of specific fishery conservation and management measures. In determining 
whether to establish an FNP, NMFS or the Council, as appropriate, shall 
consider whether:
    (a) There is a need for specific fishery conservation and management 
measures.
    (b) There are a limited number of identifiable interests that will 
be significantly affected by the conservation and management measure.
    (c) There is a reasonable likelihood that an FNP can be convened 
with a balanced representation of persons who:
    (1) Can adequately represent the interests identified under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2) Are willing to negotiate in good faith to reach a consensus on a 
report regarding the issues presented.
    (d) There is a reasonable likelihood that an FNP will reach
    a consensus on a report regarding the issues presented within 1 year 
from date of establishment of the FNP.
    (e) The use of an FNP will not unreasonably delay Council or NMFS 
fishery management plan development or rulemaking procedures.
    (f) The costs of establishment and operation of an FNP are 
reasonable when compared to fishery management plan development or 
rulemaking procedures that do not use FNP procedures.
    (g) The Council or NMFS has adequate resources and is willing to 
commit such resources, including technical assistance, to an FNP.
    (h) The use of an FNP is in the public interest.



Sec. 600.752  Use of conveners and facilitators.

    (a) Purposes of conveners. A Council or NMFS may use the services of 
a trained convener to assist the Council or NMFS in: (1) Conducting 
discussions to identify the issues of concern, and to ascertain whether 
the establishment of an FNP regarding such matter is feasible and 
appropriate.
    (2) Identifying persons who will be significantly affected by the 
issues presented in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (b) Duties of conveners. The convener shall report findings under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section and shall make recommendations to the 
Council or NMFS. Upon request of the Council or NMFS, the convener shall 
ascertain the names of persons who are willing and qualified to 
represent interests that will be significantly affected by the potential 
conservation and management measures relevant to the issues to be 
negotiated. The report and any recommendations of the convener shall be 
made available to the public upon request.
    (c) Selection of facilitator. Notwithstanding section 10(e) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a Council or NMFS may nominate a 
person trained in facilitation either from

[[Page 98]]

the Federal Government or from outside the Federal Government to serve 
as an impartial, neutral facilitator for the negotiations of the FNP, 
subject to the approval of the FNP, by consensus. The facilitator may be 
the same person as the convener used under paragraph (a) of this 
section. If the FNP does not approve the nominee of the Council or NMFS 
for facilitator, the FNP shall submit a substitute nomination. If an FNP 
does not approve any nominee of the Council or NMFS for facilitator, the 
FNP shall select, by consensus, a person to serve as facilitator. A 
person designated to represent the Council or NMFS in substantive issues 
may not serve as facilitator or otherwise chair the FNP.
    (d) Roles and duties of facilitator. A facilitator shall:
    (1) Chair the meetings of the FNP in an impartial manner.
    (2) Impartially assist the members of the FNP in conducting 
discussions and negotiations.
    (3) Manage the keeping of minutes and records as required under 
section 10(b) and (c) of FACA.



Sec. 600.753  Notice of intent to establish a fishery negotiation panel.

    (a) Publication of notice. If, after considering the report of a 
convener or conducting its own assessment, a Council or NMFS decides to 
establish an FNP, NMFS shall publish in the Federal Register and, as 
appropriate, in trade or other specialized publications, a document that 
shall include:
    (1) An announcement that the Council or NMFS intends to establish an 
FNP to negotiate and develop a report concerning specific conservation 
and management measures.
    (2) A description of the subject and scope of the conservation and 
management measure, and the issues to be considered.
    (3) A list of the interests that are likely to be significantly 
affected by the conservation and management measure.
    (4) A list of the persons proposed to represent such interests and 
the person or persons proposed to represent the Council or NMFS.
    (5) A proposed agenda and schedule for completing the work of the 
FNP.
    (6) A description of administrative support for the FNP to be 
provided by the Council or NMFS, including technical assistance.
    (7) A solicitation for comments on the proposal to establish the 
FNP, and the proposed membership of the FNP.
    (8) An explanation of how a person may apply or nominate another 
person for membership on the FNP, as provided under paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (b) Nomination of members and public comment. Persons who may be 
significantly affected by the development of conservation and management 
measure and who believe that their interests will not be adequately 
represented by any person specified in a document under paragraph (a)(4) 
of this section may apply for, or nominate another person for, 
membership on the FNP to represent such interests. Each application or 
nomination shall include:
    (1) The name of the applicant or nominee and a description of the 
interests such person shall represent.
    (2) Evidence that the applicant or nominee is authorized to 
represent parties related to the interests the person proposes to 
represent.
    (3) A written commitment that the applicant or nominee shall 
actively participate in good faith in the development of the 
conservation and management measure under consideration.
    (4) The reasons that the persons specified in the document under 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section do not adequately represent the 
interests of the person submitting the application or nomination.
    (c) Public comment. The Council or NMFS shall provide at least 30 
calendar days for the submission of comments and applications under this 
section.



Sec. 600.754  Decision to establish a fishery negotiation panel.

    (a) Determination to establish an FNP. If, after considering 
comments and applications submitted under Sec. 600.753, the Council or 
NMFS determines that an FNP can adequately represent the interests that 
will be significantly affected and that it is feasible and appropriate 
in the particular case, the Council or NMFS may establish an FNP.

[[Page 99]]

    (b) Determination not to establish FNP. If, after considering such 
comments and applications, the Council or NMFS decides not to establish 
an FNP, the Council or NMFS shall promptly publish notification of such 
decision and the reasons therefor in the Federal Register and, as 
appropriate, in trade or other specialized publications, a copy of which 
shall be sent to any person who applied for, or nominated another person 
for membership on the FNP to represent such interests with respect to 
the issues of concern.



Sec. 600.755  Establishment of a fishery negotiation panel.

    (a) General authority. (1) A Council may establish an FNP to assist 
in the development of specific conservation and management measures for 
a fishery under its authority.
    (2) NMFS may establish an FNP to assist in the development of 
specific conservation and management measures required for:
    (i) A fishery for which the Secretary has authority under section 
304(e)(5) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, regarding rebuilding of 
overfished fisheries;
    (ii) A fishery for which the Secretary has authority under 16 U.S.C. 
section 304(g), regarding highly migratory species; or
    (iii) Any fishery with the approval of the appropriate Council.
    (b) Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) In establishing and 
administering such an FNP, the Council or NMFS shall comply with the 
FACA with respect to such FNP.
    (c) Balance. Each potentially affected organization or individual 
does not necessarily have to have its own representative, but each 
interest must be adequately represented. The intent is to have a group 
that as a whole reflects a proper balance and mix of interests. 
Representatives must agree, in writing, to negotiate in good faith.
    (d) Membership. The Council or NMFS shall limit membership on an FNP 
to no more than 25 members, unless the Council or NMFS determines that a 
greater number of members is necessary for the functioning of the FNP or 
to achieve balanced membership. Each FNP shall include at least one 
person representing the Council in addition to at least one person 
representing NMFS.



Sec. 600.756  Conduct and operation of a fishery negotiation panel.

    (a) Roles and duties of an FNP. Each FNP shall consider the issue 
proposed by the Council or NMFS for consideration and shall attempt to 
reach a consensus concerning a report to assist in the development of a 
conservation and management measure with respect to such matter and any 
other matter the FNP determines is relevant to the development of a 
conservation and management measure. An FNP may adopt procedures for the 
operation of the FNP.
    (b) Roles and duties of representative of the council or NMFS. The 
person or persons representing the Council or NMFS on an FNP shall 
participate in the deliberations and activities of the FNP with the same 
rights and responsibilities as other members of the FNP, and shall be 
authorized to fully represent the Council or NMFS in the discussions and 
negotiations of the FNP.



Sec. 600.757  Operational protocols.

    (a) Services of conveners and facilitators. A Council or NMFS may 
employ or enter into contracts for the services of an individual or 
organization to serve as a convener or facilitator for an FNP 
established under Sec. 600.755, or may use the services of a government 
employee to act as a convener or a facilitator for such an FNP.
    (b) Councils. For an FNP proposed and established by one or more 
Councils approved expenses shall be paid out of the Council's operating 
budget.
    (c) Expenses of FNP members. Members of an FNP shall be responsible 
for their own expenses of participation in such an FNP, except that NMFS 
or the Council may, in accordance with section 7(d) of FACA, pay for a 
member's reasonable travel and per diem expenses, and a reasonable rate 
of compensation, if:
    (1) Such member certifies a lack of adequate financial resources to 
participate in the FNP.
    (2) The Council or NMFS determines that such member's participation 
in

[[Page 100]]

the FNP is necessary to assure an adequate representation of the 
member's interest.
    (d) Administrative support. The Council or NMFS shall provide 
appropriate administrative support to an FNP including technical 
assistance.



Sec. 600.758  Preparation of report.

    (a) At the conclusion of the negotiations, an FNP may submit a 
report. Such report shall specify:
    (1) All the areas where consensus was reached by the FNP, including, 
if appropriate, proposed conservation and management measures.
    (2) Any other information submitted by members of the FNP.
    (b) Upon receipt of the report, the Council or NMFS shall publish 
such report in the Federal Register for public comment.



Sec. 600.759  Use of report.

    A Council or NMFS may, at its discretion, use all or a part of a 
report prepared in accordance with Sec. 600.758 in the development of 
conservation and management measures. Neither a Council nor NMFS, 
whichever is appropriate, is required to use such report.



Sec. 600.760  Fishery Negotiation Panel lifetime.

    (a) An FNP shall terminate upon either:
    (1) Submission of a report prepared in accordance with Sec. 
600.758; or
    (2) Submission of a written statement from the FNP to the Council or 
NMFS that no consensus can be reached.
    (b) In no event shall an FNP exist for longer than 1 year from the 
date of establishment unless granted an extension. Upon written request 
by the FNP to the Council or NMFS, and written authorization from the 
Council or NMFS (whichever is appropriate), the Secretary may authorize 
an extension for a period not to exceed 6 months. No more than one 
extension may be granted per FNP.



                 Subpart J_Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)

    Source: 67 FR 2376, Jan. 17, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 600.805  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Purpose. This subpart provides guidelines for Councils and the 
Secretary to use in adding the required EFH provisions to an FMP, i.e., 
description and identification of EFH, adverse effects on EFH (including 
minimizing, to the extent practicable, adverse effects from fishing), 
and actions to conserve and enhance EFH.
    (b) Scope--(1) Species covered. An EFH provision in an FMP must 
include all fish species in the fishery management unit (FMU). An FMP 
may describe, identify, and protect the habitat of species not in an 
FMU; however, such habitat may not be considered EFH for the purposes of 
sections 303(a)(7) and 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (2) Geographic. EFH may be described and identified in waters of the 
United States, as defined in 33 CFR 328.3, and in the exclusive economic 
zone, as defined in Sec. 600.10. Councils may describe, identify, and 
protect habitats of managed species beyond the exclusive economic zone; 
however, such habitat may not be considered EFH for the purposes of 
sections 303(a)(7) and 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Activities 
that may adversely affect such habitat can be addressed through any 
process conducted in accordance with international agreements between 
the United States and the foreign nation(s) undertaking or authorizing 
the action.



Sec. 600.810  Definitions and word usage.

    (a) Definitions. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and Sec. 600.10, the terms in this subpart have the 
following meanings:
    Adverse effect means any impact that reduces quality and/or quantity 
of EFH. Adverse effects may include direct or indirect physical, 
chemical, or biological alterations of the waters or substrate and loss 
of, or injury to, benthic organisms, prey species and their habitat, and 
other ecosystem components, if such modifications reduce the quality 
and/or quantity of EFH. Adverse effects to EFH may result from actions 
occurring within EFH or outside of EFH and may include site-specific or 
habitat-wide impacts, including individual, cumulative, or synergistic 
consequences of actions.

[[Page 101]]

    Council includes the Secretary, as applicable, when preparing FMPs 
or amendments under sections 304(c) and (g) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Ecosystem means communities of organisms interacting with one 
another and with the chemical and physical factors making up their 
environment.
    Habitat areas of particular concern means those areas of EFH 
identified pursuant to Sec. 600.815(a)(8).
    Healthy ecosystem means an ecosystem where ecological productive 
capacity is maintained, diversity of the flora and fauna is preserved, 
and the ecosystem retains the ability to regulate itself. Such an 
ecosystem should be similar to comparable, undisturbed ecosystems with 
regard to standing crop, productivity, nutrient dynamics, trophic 
structure, species richness, stability, resilience, contamination 
levels, and the frequency of diseased organisms.
    Overfished means any stock or stock complex, the status of which is 
reported as overfished by the Secretary pursuant to section 304(e)(1) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) Word usage. The terms ``must'', ``shall'', ``should'', ``may'', 
``may not'', ``will'', ``could'', and ``can'' are used in the same 
manner as in Sec. 600.305(c).



Sec. 600.815  Contents of Fishery Management Plans.

    (a) Mandatory contents--(1) Description and identification of EFH--
(i) Overview. FMPs must describe and identify EFH in text that clearly 
states the habitats or habitat types determined to be EFH for each life 
stage of the managed species. FMPs should explain the physical, 
biological, and chemical characteristics of EFH and, if known, how these 
characteristics influence the use of EFH by the species/life stage. FMPs 
must identify the specific geographic location or extent of habitats 
described as EFH. FMPs must include maps of the geographic locations of 
EFH or the geographic boundaries within which EFH for each species and 
life stage is found.
    (ii) Habitat information by life stage. (A) Councils need basic 
information to understand the usage of various habitats by each managed 
species. Pertinent information includes the geographic range and habitat 
requirements by life stage, the distribution and characteristics of 
those habitats, and current and historic stock size as it affects 
occurrence in available habitats. FMPs should summarize the life history 
information necessary to understand each species' relationship to, or 
dependence on, its various habitats, using text, tables, and figures, as 
appropriate. FMPs should document patterns of temporal and spatial 
variation in the distribution of each major life stage (defined by 
developmental and functional shifts) to aid in understanding habitat 
needs. FMPs should summarize (e.g., in tables) all available information 
on environmental and habitat variables that control or limit 
distribution, abundance, reproduction, growth, survival, and 
productivity of the managed species. The information should be supported 
with citations.
    (B) Councils should obtain information to describe and identify EFH 
from the best available sources, including peer-reviewed literature, 
unpublished scientific reports, data files of government resource 
agencies, fisheries landing reports, and other sources of information. 
Councils should consider different types of information according to its 
scientific rigor. FMPs should identify species-specific habitat data 
gaps and deficits in data quality (including considerations of scale and 
resolution; relevance; and potential biases in collection and 
interpretation). FMPs must demonstrate that the best scientific 
information available was used in the description and identification of 
EFH, consistent with national standard 2.
    (iii) Analysis of habitat information. (A) The following approach 
should be used to organize the information necessary to describe and 
identify EFH.
    (1) Level 1: Distribution data are available for some or all 
portions of the geographic range of the species. At this level, only 
distribution data are available to describe the geographic range of a 
species (or life stage). Distribution data may be derived from 
systematic presence/absence sampling and/or may include information on 
species and life stages collected opportunistically. In the event that 
distribution data are

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available only for portions of the geographic area occupied by a 
particular life stage of a species, habitat use can be inferred on the 
basis of distributions among habitats where the species has been found 
and on information about its habitat requirements and behavior. Habitat 
use may also be inferred, if appropriate, based on information on a 
similar species or another life stage.
    (2) Level 2: Habitat-related densities of the species are available. 
At this level, quantitative data (i.e., density or relative abundance) 
are available for the habitats occupied by a species or life stage. 
Because the efficiency of sampling methods is often affected by habitat 
characteristics, strict quality assurance criteria should be used to 
ensure that density estimates are comparable among methods and habitats. 
Density data should reflect habitat utilization, and the degree that a 
habitat is utilized is assumed to be indicative of habitat value. When 
assessing habitat value on the basis of fish densities in this manner, 
temporal changes in habitat availability and utilization should be 
considered.
    (3) Level 3: Growth, reproduction, or survival rates within habitats 
are available. At this level, data are available on habitat-related 
growth, reproduction, and/or survival by life stage. The habitats 
contributing the most to productivity should be those that support the 
highest growth, reproduction, and survival of the species (or life 
stage).
    (4) Level 4: Production rates by habitat are available. At this 
level, data are available that directly relate the production rates of a 
species or life stage to habitat type, quantity, quality, and location. 
Essential habitats are those necessary to maintain fish production 
consistent with a sustainable fishery and the managed species' 
contribution to a healthy ecosystem.
    (B) Councils should strive to describe habitat based on the highest 
level of detail (i.e., Level 4). If there is no information on a given 
species or life stage, and habitat usage cannot be inferred from other 
means, such as information on a similar species or another life stage, 
EFH should not be designated.
    (iv) EFH determination. (A) Councils should analyze available 
ecological, environmental, and fisheries information and data relevant 
to the managed species, the habitat requirements by life stage, and the 
species' distribution and habitat usage to describe and identify EFH. 
The information described in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this 
section will allow Councils to assess the relative value of habitats. 
Councils should interpret this information in a risk-averse fashion to 
ensure adequate areas are identified as EFH for managed species. Level 1 
information, if available, should be used to identify the geographic 
range of the species at each life stage. If only Level 1 information is 
available, distribution data should be evaluated (e.g., using a 
frequency of occurrence or other appropriate analysis) to identify EFH 
as those habitat areas most commonly used by the species. Level 2 
through 4 information, if available, should be used to identify EFH as 
the habitats supporting the highest relative abundance; growth, 
reproduction, or survival rates; and/or production rates within the 
geographic range of a species. FMPs should explain the analyses 
conducted to distinguish EFH from all habitats potentially used by a 
species.
    (B) FMPs must describe EFH in text, including reference to the 
geographic location or extent of EFH using boundaries such as longitude 
and latitude, isotherms, isobaths, political boundaries, and major 
landmarks. If there are differences between the descriptions of EFH in 
text, maps, and tables, the textual description is ultimately 
determinative of the limits of EFH. Text and tables should explain 
pertinent physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of EFH for 
the managed species and explain any variability in habitat usage 
patterns, but the boundaries of EFH should be static.
    (C) If a species is overfished and habitat loss or degradation may 
be contributing to the species being identified as overfished, all 
habitats currently used by the species may be considered essential in 
addition to certain historic habitats that are necessary to support 
rebuilding the fishery and for which restoration is technologically and 
economically feasible. Once the fishery is no longer considered 
overfished, the EFH identification should be reviewed and amended, if 
appropriate.

[[Page 103]]

    (D) Areas described as EFH will normally be greater than or equal to 
aquatic areas that have been identified as ``critical habitat'' for any 
managed species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered 
Species Act.
    (E) Ecological relationships among species and between the species 
and their habitat require, where possible, that an ecosystem approach be 
used in determining the EFH of a managed species. EFH must be designated 
for each managed species, but, where appropriate, may be designated for 
assemblages of species or life stages that have similar habitat needs 
and requirements. If grouping species or using species assemblages for 
the purpose of designating EFH, FMPs must include a justification and 
scientific rationale. The extent of the EFH should be based on the 
judgment of the Secretary and the appropriate Council(s) regarding the 
quantity and quality of habitat that are necessary to maintain a 
sustainable fishery and the managed species' contribution to a healthy 
ecosystem.
    (F) If degraded or inaccessible aquatic habitat has contributed to 
reduced yields of a species or assemblage and if, in the judgment of the 
Secretary and the appropriate Council(s), the degraded conditions can be 
reversed through such actions as improved fish passage techniques (for 
stream or river blockages), improved water quality measures (removal of 
contaminants or increasing flows), and similar measures that are 
technologically and economically feasible, EFH should include those 
habitats that would be necessary to the species to obtain increased 
yields.
    (v) EFH mapping requirements. (A) FMPs must include maps that 
display, within the constraints of available information, the geographic 
locations of EFH or the geographic boundaries within which EFH for each 
species and life stage is found. Maps should identify the different 
types of habitat designated as EFH to the extent possible. Maps should 
explicitly distinguish EFH from non-EFH areas. Councils should confer 
with NMFS regarding mapping standards to ensure that maps from different 
Councils can be combined and shared efficiently and effectively. 
Ultimately, data used for mapping should be incorporated into a 
geographic information system (GIS) to facilitate analysis and 
presentation.
    (B) Where the present distribution or stock size of a species or 
life stage is different from the historical distribution or stock size, 
then maps of historical habitat boundaries should be included in the 
FMP, if known.
    (C) FMPs should include maps of any habitat areas of particular 
concern identified under paragraph (a)(8) of this section.
    (2) Fishing activities that may adversely affect EFH--(i) 
Evaluation. Each FMP must contain an evaluation of the potential adverse 
effects of fishing on EFH designated under the FMP, including effects of 
each fishing activity regulated under the FMP or other Federal FMPs. 
This evaluation should consider the effects of each fishing activity on 
each type of habitat found within EFH. FMPs must describe each fishing 
activity, review and discuss all available relevant information (such as 
information regarding the intensity, extent, and frequency of any 
adverse effect on EFH; the type of habitat within EFH that may be 
affected adversely; and the habitat functions that may be disturbed), 
and provide conclusions regarding whether and how each fishing activity 
adversely affects EFH. The evaluation should also consider the 
cumulative effects of multiple fishing activities on EFH. The evaluation 
should list any past management actions that minimize potential adverse 
effects on EFH and describe the benefits of those actions to EFH. The 
evaluation should give special attention to adverse effects on habitat 
areas of particular concern and should identify for possible designation 
as habitat areas of particular concern any EFH that is particularly 
vulnerable to fishing activities. Additionally, the evaluation should 
consider the establishment of research closure areas or other measures 
to evaluate the impacts of fishing activities on EFH. In completing this 
evaluation, Councils should use the best scientific information 
available, as well as other appropriate information sources. Councils 
should consider

[[Page 104]]

different types of information according to its scientific rigor.
    (ii) Minimizing adverse effects. Each FMP must minimize to the 
extent practicable adverse effects from fishing on EFH, including EFH 
designated under other Federal FMPs. Councils must act to prevent, 
mitigate, or minimize any adverse effects from fishing, to the extent 
practicable, if there is evidence that a fishing activity adversely 
affects EFH in a manner that is more than minimal and not temporary in 
nature, based on the evaluation conducted pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section and/or the cumulative impacts analysis 
conducted pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section. In such cases, 
FMPs should identify a range of potential new actions that could be 
taken to address adverse effects on EFH, include an analysis of the 
practicability of potential new actions, and adopt any new measures that 
are necessary and practicable. Amendments to the FMP or to its 
implementing regulations must ensure that the FMP continues to minimize 
to the extent practicable adverse effects on EFH caused by fishing. FMPs 
must explain the reasons for the Council's conclusions regarding the 
past and/or new actions that minimize to the extent practicable the 
adverse effects of fishing on EFH.
    (iii) Practicability. In determining whether it is practicable to 
minimize an adverse effect from fishing, Councils should consider the 
nature and extent of the adverse effect on EFH and the long and short-
term costs and benefits of potential management measures to EFH, 
associated fisheries, and the nation, consistent with national standard 
7. In determining whether management measures are practicable, Councils 
are not required to perform a formal cost/benefit analysis.
    (iv) Options for managing adverse effects from fishing. Fishery 
management options may include, but are not limited to:
    (A) Fishing equipment restrictions. These options may include, but 
are not limited to: seasonal and areal restrictions on the use of 
specified equipment, equipment modifications to allow escapement of 
particular species or particular life stages (e.g., juveniles), 
prohibitions on the use of explosives and chemicals, prohibitions on 
anchoring or setting equipment in sensitive areas, and prohibitions on 
fishing activities that cause significant damage to EFH.
    (B) Time/area closures. These actions may include, but are not 
limited to: closing areas to all fishing or specific equipment types 
during spawning, migration, foraging, and nursery activities and 
designating zones for use as marine protected areas to limit adverse 
effects of fishing practices on certain vulnerable or rare areas/
species/life stages, such as those areas designated as habitat areas of 
particular concern.
    (C) Harvest limits. These actions may include, but are not limited 
to, limits on the take of species that provide structural habitat for 
other species assemblages or communities and limits on the take of prey 
species.
    (3) Non-Magnuson-Stevens Act fishing activities that may adversely 
affect EFH. FMPs must identify any fishing activities that are not 
managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act that may adversely affect EFH. 
Such activities may include fishing managed by state agencies or other 
authorities.
    (4) Non-fishing related activities that may adversely affect EFH. 
FMPs must identify activities other than fishing that may adversely 
affect EFH. Broad categories of such activities include, but are not 
limited to: dredging, filling, excavation, mining, impoundment, 
discharge, water diversions, thermal additions, actions that contribute 
to non-point source pollution and sedimentation, introduction of 
potentially hazardous materials, introduction of exotic species, and the 
conversion of aquatic habitat that may eliminate, diminish, or disrupt 
the functions of EFH. For each activity, the FMP should describe known 
and potential adverse effects to EFH.
    (5) Cumulative impacts analysis. Cumulative impacts are impacts on 
the environment that result from the incremental impact of an action 
when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future 
actions, regardless

[[Page 105]]

of who undertakes such actions. Cumulative impacts can result from 
individually minor, but collectively significant actions taking place 
over a period of time. To the extent feasible and practicable, FMPs 
should analyze how the cumulative impacts of fishing and non-fishing 
activities influence the function of EFH on an ecosystem or watershed 
scale. An assessment of the cumulative and synergistic effects of 
multiple threats, including the effects of natural stresses (such as 
storm damage or climate-based environmental shifts) and an assessment of 
the ecological risks resulting from the impact of those threats on EFH, 
also should be included.
    (6) Conservation and enhancement. FMPs must identify actions to 
encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH, including recommended 
options to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the adverse effects 
identified pursuant to paragraphs (a)(3) through (5) of this section, 
especially in habitat areas of particular concern.
    (7) Prey species. Loss of prey may be an adverse effect on EFH and 
managed species because the presence of prey makes waters and substrate 
function as feeding habitat, and the definition of EFH includes waters 
and substrate necessary to fish for feeding. Therefore, actions that 
reduce the availability of a major prey species, either through direct 
harm or capture, or through adverse impacts to the prey species' habitat 
that are known to cause a reduction in the population of the prey 
species, may be considered adverse effects on EFH if such actions reduce 
the quality of EFH. FMPs should list the major prey species for the 
species in the fishery management unit and discuss the location of prey 
species' habitat. Adverse effects on prey species and their habitats may 
result from fishing and non-fishing activities.
    (8) Identification of habitat areas of particular concern. FMPs 
should identify specific types or areas of habitat within EFH as habitat 
areas of particular concern based on one or more of the following 
considerations:
    (i) The importance of the ecological function provided by the 
habitat.
    (ii) The extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced 
environmental degradation.
    (iii) Whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or 
will be, stressing the habitat type.
    (iv) The rarity of the habitat type.
    (9) Research and information needs. Each FMP should contain 
recommendations, preferably in priority order, for research efforts that 
the Councils and NMFS view as necessary to improve upon the description 
and identification of EFH, the identification of threats to EFH from 
fishing and other activities, and the development of conservation and 
enhancement measures for EFH.
    (10) Review and revision of EFH components of FMPs. Councils and 
NMFS should periodically review the EFH provisions of FMPs and revise or 
amend EFH provisions as warranted based on available information. FMPs 
should outline the procedures the Council will follow to review and 
update EFH information. The review of information should include, but 
not be limited to, evaluating published scientific literature and 
unpublished scientific reports; soliciting information from interested 
parties; and searching for previously unavailable or inaccessible data. 
Councils should report on their review of EFH information as part of the 
annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report prepared 
pursuant to Sec. 600.315(e). A complete review of all EFH information 
should be conducted as recommended by the Secretary, but at least once 
every 5 years.
    (b) Development of EFH recommendations for Councils. After reviewing 
the best available scientific information, as well as other appropriate 
information, and in consultation with the Councils, participants in the 
fishery, interstate commissions, Federal agencies, state agencies, and 
other interested parties, NMFS will develop written recommendations to 
assist each Council in the identification of EFH, adverse impacts to 
EFH, and actions that should be considered to ensure the conservation 
and enhancement of EFH for each FMP. NMFS will provide such 
recommendations for the initial incorporation of EFH information into an

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FMP and for any subsequent modification of the EFH components of an FMP. 
The NMFS EFH recommendations may be provided either before the Council's 
development of a draft EFH document or later as a review of a draft EFH 
document developed by a Council, as appropriate.
    (c) Relationship to other fishery management authorities. Councils 
are encouraged to coordinate with state and interstate fishery 
management agencies where Federal fisheries affect state and interstate 
managed fisheries or where state or interstate fishery regulations 
affect the management of Federal fisheries. Where a state or interstate 
fishing activity adversely affects EFH, NMFS will consider that action 
to be an adverse effect on EFH pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section and will provide EFH Conservation Recommendations to the 
appropriate state or interstate fishery management agency on that 
activity.



      Subpart K_EFH Coordination, Consultation, and Recommendations

    Source: 67 FR 2376, Jan. 17, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 600.905  Purpose, scope, and NMFS/Council cooperation.

    (a) Purpose. These procedures address the coordination, 
consultation, and recommendation requirements of sections 305(b)(1)(D) 
and 305(b)(2-4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The purpose of these 
procedures is to promote the protection of EFH in the review of Federal 
and state actions that may adversely affect EFH.
    (b) Scope. Section 305(b)(1)(D) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires 
the Secretary to coordinate with, and provide information to, other 
Federal agencies regarding the conservation and enhancement of EFH. 
Section 305(b)(2) requires all Federal agencies to consult with the 
Secretary on all actions or proposed actions authorized, funded, or 
undertaken by the agency that may adversely affect EFH. Sections 
305(b)(3) and (4) direct the Secretary and the Councils to provide 
comments and EFH Conservation Recommendations to Federal or state 
agencies on actions that affect EFH. Such recommendations may include 
measures to avoid, minimize, mitigate, or otherwise offset adverse 
effects on EFH resulting from actions or proposed actions authorized, 
funded, or undertaken by that agency. Section 305(b)(4)(B) requires 
Federal agencies to respond in writing to such comments. The following 
procedures for coordination, consultation, and recommendations allow all 
parties involved to understand and implement the requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (c) Cooperation between Councils and NMFS. The Councils and NMFS 
should cooperate closely to identify actions that may adversely affect 
EFH, to develop comments and EFH Conservation Recommendations to Federal 
and state agencies, and to provide EFH information to Federal and state 
agencies. NMFS will work with each Council to share information and to 
coordinate Council and NMFS comments and recommendations on actions that 
may adversely affect EFH. However, NMFS and the Councils also have the 
authority to act independently.



Sec. 600.910  Definitions and word usage.

    (a) Definitions. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and Sec. 600.10, the terms in this subpart have the 
following meanings:
    Adverse effect means any impact that reduces quality and/or quantity 
of EFH. Adverse effects may include direct or indirect physical, 
chemical, or biological alterations of the waters or substrate and loss 
of, or injury to, benthic organisms, prey species and their habitat, and 
other ecosystem components, if such modifications reduce the quality 
and/or quantity of EFH. Adverse effects to EFH may result from actions 
occurring within EFH or outside of EFH and may include site-specific or 
habitat-wide impacts, including individual, cumulative, or synergistic 
consequences of actions.
    Anadromous fishery resource under Council authority means an 
anadromous species managed under an FMP.

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    Federal action means any action authorized, funded, or undertaken, 
or proposed to be authorized, funded, or undertaken by a Federal agency.
    Habitat areas of particular concern means those areas of EFH 
identified pursuant to Sec. 600.815(a)(8).
    State action means any action authorized, funded, or undertaken, or 
proposed to be authorized, funded, or undertaken by a state agency.
    (b) Word usage. The terms ``must'', ``shall'', ``should'', ``may'', 
``may not'', ``will'', ``could'', and ``can'' are used in the same 
manner as in Sec. 600.305(c).



Sec. 600.915  Coordination for the conservation and enhancement of EFH.

    To further the conservation and enhancement of EFH in accordance 
with section 305(b)(1)(D) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS will compile 
and make available to other Federal and state agencies, and the general 
public, information on the locations of EFH, including maps and/or 
narrative descriptions. NMFS will also provide information on ways to 
improve ongoing Federal operations to promote the conservation and 
enhancement of EFH. Federal and state agencies empowered to authorize, 
fund, or undertake actions that may adversely affect EFH are encouraged 
to contact NMFS and the Councils to become familiar with areas 
designated as EFH, potential threats to EFH, and opportunities to 
promote the conservation and enhancement of EFH.



Sec. 600.920  Federal agency consultation with the Secretary.

    (a) Consultation generally--(1) Actions requiring consultation. 
Pursuant to section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Federal 
agencies must consult with NMFS regarding any of their actions 
authorized, funded, or undertaken, or proposed to be authorized, funded, 
or undertaken that may adversely affect EFH. EFH consultation is not 
required for actions that were completed prior to the approval of EFH 
designations by the Secretary, e.g., issued permits. Consultation is 
required for renewals, reviews, or substantial revisions of actions if 
the renewal, review, or revision may adversely affect EFH. Consultation 
on Federal programs delegated to non-Federal entities is required at the 
time of delegation, review, and renewal of the delegation. EFH 
consultation is required for any Federal funding of actions that may 
adversely affect EFH. NMFS and Federal agencies responsible for funding 
actions that may adversely affect EFH should consult on a programmatic 
level under paragraph (j) of this section, if appropriate, with respect 
to these actions. Consultation is required for emergency Federal actions 
that may adversely affect EFH, such as hazardous material clean-up, 
response to natural disasters, or actions to protect public safety. 
Federal agencies should contact NMFS early in emergency response 
planning, but may consult after-the-fact if consultation on an expedited 
basis is not practicable before taking the action.
    (2) Approaches for conducting consultation. Federal agencies may use 
one of the five approaches described in paragraphs (f) through (j) of 
this section to fulfill the EFH consultation requirements. The selection 
of a particular approach for handling EFH consultation depends on the 
nature and scope of the actions that may adversely affect EFH. Federal 
agencies should use the most efficient approach for EFH consultation 
that is appropriate for a given action or actions. The five approaches 
are: use of existing environmental review procedures, General 
Concurrence, abbreviated consultation, expanded consultation, and 
programmatic consultation.
    (3) Early notification and coordination. The Federal agency should 
notify NMFS in writing as early as practicable regarding actions that 
may adversely affect EFH. Notification will facilitate discussion of 
measures to conserve EFH. Such early coordination should occur during 
pre-application planning for projects subject to a Federal permit or 
license and during preliminary planning for projects to be funded or 
undertaken directly by a Federal agency.
    (b) Designation of lead agency. If more than one Federal agency is 
responsible for a Federal action, the consultation requirements of 
sections 305(b)(2) through (4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act may be 
fulfilled through a lead

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agency. The lead agency should notify NMFS in writing that it is 
representing one or more additional agencies. Alternatively, if one 
Federal agency has completed an EFH consultation for an action and 
another Federal agency acts separately to authorize, fund, or undertake 
the same activity (such as issuing a permit for an activity that was 
funded via a separate Federal action), the completed EFH consultation 
may suffice for both Federal actions if it adequately addresses the 
adverse effects of the actions on EFH. Federal agencies may need to 
consult with NMFS separately if, for example, only one of the agencies 
has the authority to implement measures necessary to minimize adverse 
effects on EFH and that agency does not act as the lead agency.
    (c) Designation of non-Federal representative. A Federal agency may 
designate a non-Federal representative to conduct an EFH consultation by 
giving written notice of such designation to NMFS. If a non-Federal 
representative is used, the Federal action agency remains ultimately 
responsible for compliance with sections 305(b)(2) and 305(b)(4)(B) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (d) Best available information. The Federal agency and NMFS must use 
the best scientific information available regarding the effects of the 
action on EFH and the measures that can be taken to avoid, minimize, or 
offset such effects. Other appropriate sources of information may also 
be considered.
    (e) EFH Assessments--(1) Preparation requirement. For any Federal 
action that may adversely affect EFH, Federal agencies must provide NMFS 
with a written assessment of the effects of that action on EFH. For 
actions covered by a General Concurrence under paragraph (g) of this 
section, an EFH Assessment should be completed during the development of 
the General Concurrence and is not required for the individual actions. 
For actions addressed by a programmatic consultation under paragraph (j) 
of this section, an EFH Assessment should be completed during the 
programmatic consultation and is not required for individual actions 
implemented under the program, except in those instances identified by 
NMFS in the programmatic consultation as requiring separate EFH 
consultation. Federal agencies are not required to provide NMFS with 
assessments regarding actions that they have determined would not 
adversely affect EFH. Federal agencies may incorporate an EFH Assessment 
into documents prepared for other purposes such as Endangered Species 
Act (ESA) Biological Assessments pursuant to 50 CFR part 402 or National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and public notices pursuant to 
40 CFR part 1500. If an EFH Assessment is contained in another document, 
it must include all of the information required in paragraph (e)(3) of 
this section and be clearly identified as an EFH Assessment. The 
procedure for combining an EFH consultation with other environmental 
reviews is set forth in paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) Level of detail. The level of detail in an EFH Assessment should 
be commensurate with the complexity and magnitude of the potential 
adverse effects of the action. For example, for relatively simple 
actions involving minor adverse effects on EFH, the assessment may be 
very brief. Actions that may pose a more serious threat to EFH warrant a 
correspondingly more detailed EFH Assessment.
    (3) Mandatory contents. The assessment must contain:
    (i) A description of the action.
    (ii) An analysis of the potential adverse effects of the action on 
EFH and the managed species.
    (iii) The Federal agency's conclusions regarding the effects of the 
action on EFH.
    (iv) Proposed mitigation, if applicable.
    (4) Additional information. If appropriate, the assessment should 
also include:
    (i) The results of an on-site inspection to evaluate the habitat and 
the site-specific effects of the project.
    (ii) The views of recognized experts on the habitat or species that 
may be affected.
    (iii) A review of pertinent literature and related information.
    (iv) An analysis of alternatives to the action. Such analysis should 
include

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alternatives that could avoid or minimize adverse effects on EFH.
    (v) Other relevant information.
    (5) Incorporation by reference. The assessment may incorporate by 
reference a completed EFH Assessment prepared for a similar action, 
supplemented with any relevant new project specific information, 
provided the proposed action involves similar impacts to EFH in the same 
geographic area or a similar ecological setting. It may also incorporate 
by reference other relevant environmental assessment documents. These 
documents must be provided to NMFS with the EFH Assessment.
    (f) Use of existing environmental review procedures--(1) Purpose and 
criteria. Consultation and commenting under sections 305(b)(2) and 
305(b)(4) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act should be consolidated, where 
appropriate, with interagency consultation, coordination, and 
environmental review procedures required by other statutes, such as 
NEPA, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, ESA, and 
Federal Power Act. The requirements of sections 305(b)(2) and 305(b)(4) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including consultations that would be 
considered to be abbreviated or expanded consultations under paragraphs 
(h) and (i) of this section, can be combined with existing procedures 
required by other statutes if such processes meet, or are modified to 
meet, the following criteria:
    (i) The existing process must provide NMFS with timely notification 
of actions that may adversely affect EFH. The Federal agency should 
notify NMFS according to the same timeframes for notification (or for 
public comment) as in the existing process. Whenever possible, NMFS 
should have at least 60 days notice prior to a final decision on an 
action, or at least 90 days if the action would result in substantial 
adverse impacts. NMFS and the action agency may agree to use shorter 
timeframes provided that they allow sufficient time for NMFS to develop 
EFH Conservation Recommendations.
    (ii) Notification must include an assessment of the impacts of the 
action on EFH that meets the requirements for EFH Assessments contained 
in paragraph (e) of this section. If the EFH Assessment is contained in 
another document, the Federal agency must identify that section of the 
document as the EFH Assessment.
    (iii) NMFS must have made a finding pursuant to paragraph (f)(3) of 
this section that the existing process can be used to satisfy the 
requirements of sections 305(b)(2) and 305(b)(4) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act.
    (2) NMFS response to Federal agency. If an existing environmental 
review process is used to fulfill the EFH consultation requirements, the 
comment deadline for that process should apply to the submittal of NMFS 
EFH Conservation Recommendations under section 305(b)(4)(A) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, unless NMFS and the Federal agency agree to a 
different deadline. If NMFS EFH Conservation Recommendations are 
combined with other NMFS or NOAA comments on a Federal action, such as 
NOAA comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement, the EFH 
Conservation Recommendations will be clearly identified as such (e.g., a 
section in the comment letter entitled ``EFH Conservation 
Recommendations'') and a Federal agency response pursuant to section 
305(b)(4)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act is required for only the 
identified portion of the comments.
    (3) NMFS finding. A Federal agency with an existing environmental 
review process should contact NMFS at the appropriate level (regional 
offices for regional processes, headquarters office for national 
processes) to discuss how to combine the EFH consultation requirements 
with the existing process, with or without modifications. If, at the 
conclusion of these discussions, NMFS determines that the existing or 
modified process meets the criteria of paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
NMFS will make a finding that the process can be used to satisfy the EFH 
consultation requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. If NMFS does not 
make such a finding, or if there are no existing consultation processes 
relevant to the Federal agency's actions, the agency and NMFS should 
follow one of the approaches for consultation discussed in the following 
sections.

[[Page 110]]

    (g) General Concurrence--(1) Purpose. A General Concurrence 
identifies specific types of Federal actions that may adversely affect 
EFH, but for which no further consultation is generally required because 
NMFS has determined, through an analysis of that type of action, that it 
will likely result in no more than minimal adverse effects individually 
and cumulatively. General Concurrences may be national or regional in 
scope.
    (2) Criteria. (i) For Federal actions to qualify for General 
Concurrence, NMFS must determine that the actions meet all of the 
following criteria:
    (A) The actions must be similar in nature and similar in their 
impact on EFH.
    (B) The actions must not cause greater than minimal adverse effects 
on EFH when implemented individually.
    (C) The actions must not cause greater than minimal cumulative 
adverse effects on EFH.
    (ii) Actions qualifying for General Concurrence must be tracked to 
ensure that their cumulative effects are no more than minimal. In most 
cases, tracking actions covered by a General Concurrence will be the 
responsibility of the Federal agency. However, NMFS may agree to track 
such actions. Tracking should include numbers of actions and the amount 
and type of habitat adversely affected, and should specify the baseline 
against which the actions will be tracked. The agency responsible for 
tracking such actions should make the information available to NMFS, the 
applicable Council(s), and to the public on an annual basis.
    (iii) Categories of Federal actions may also qualify for General 
Concurrence if they are modified by appropriate conditions that ensure 
the actions will meet the criteria in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this 
section. For example, NMFS may provide General Concurrence for 
additional actions contingent upon project size limitations, seasonal 
restrictions, or other conditions.
    (iv) If a General Concurrence is proposed for actions that may 
adversely affect habitat areas of particular concern, the General 
Concurrence should be subject to a higher level of scrutiny than a 
General Concurrence not involving a habitat area of particular concern.
    (3) General Concurrence development. A Federal agency may request a 
General Concurrence for a category of its actions by providing NMFS with 
an EFH Assessment containing a description of the nature and approximate 
number of the actions, an analysis of the effects of the actions on EFH, 
including cumulative effects, and the Federal agency's conclusions 
regarding the magnitude of such effects. If NMFS agrees that the actions 
fit the criteria in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section, NMFS will 
provide the Federal agency with a written statement of General 
Concurrence that further consultation is not required. If NMFS does not 
agree that the actions fit the criteria in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this 
section, NMFS will notify the Federal agency that a General Concurrence 
will not be issued and that another type of consultation will be 
required. If NMFS identifies specific types of Federal actions that may 
meet the requirements for a General Concurrence, NMFS may initiate and 
complete a General Concurrence.
    (4) Further consultation. NMFS may request notification for actions 
covered under a General Concurrence if NMFS concludes there are 
circumstances under which such actions could result in more than a 
minimal impact on EFH, or if it determines that there is no process in 
place to adequately assess the cumulative impacts of actions covered 
under the General Concurrence. NMFS may request further consultation for 
these actions on a case-by-case basis. Each General Concurrence should 
establish specific procedures for further consultation, if appropriate.
    (5) Notification. After completing a General Concurrence, NMFS will 
provide a copy to the appropriate Council(s) and will make the General 
Concurrence available to the public by posting the document on the 
internet or through other appropriate means.
    (6) Revisions. NMFS will periodically review and revise its General 
Concurrences, as appropriate.
    (h) Abbreviated consultation procedures--(1) Purpose and criteria. 
Abbreviated consultation allows NMFS to determine quickly whether, and 
to

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what degree, a Federal action may adversely affect EFH. Federal actions 
that may adversely affect EFH should be addressed through the 
abbreviated consultation procedures when those actions do not qualify 
for a General Concurrence, but do not have the potential to cause 
substantial adverse effects on EFH. For example, the abbreviated 
consultation procedures should be used when the adverse effect(s) of an 
action could be alleviated through minor modifications.
    (2) Notification by agency and submittal of EFH Assessment. 
Abbreviated consultation begins when NMFS receives from the Federal 
agency an EFH Assessment in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section and a written request for consultation.
    (3) NMFS response to Federal agency. If NMFS determines, contrary to 
the Federal agency's assessment, that an action would not adversely 
affect EFH, or if NMFS determines that no EFH Conservation 
Recommendations are needed, NMFS will notify the Federal agency either 
informally or in writing of its determination. If NMFS believes that the 
action may result in substantial adverse effects on EFH, or that 
additional analysis is needed to assess the effects of the action, NMFS 
will request in writing that the Federal agency initiate expanded 
consultation. Such request will explain why NMFS believes expanded 
consultation is needed and will specify any new information needed. If 
expanded consultation is not necessary, NMFS will provide EFH 
Conservation Recommendations, if appropriate, pursuant to section 
305(b)(4)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (4) Timing. The Federal agency must submit its EFH Assessment to 
NMFS as soon as practicable, but at least 60 days prior to a final 
decision on the action. NMFS must respond in writing within 30 days. 
NMFS and the Federal agency may agree to use a compressed schedule in 
cases where regulatory approvals or emergency situations cannot 
accommodate 30 days for consultation, or to conduct consultation earlier 
in the planning cycle for actions with lengthy approval processes.
    (i) Expanded consultation procedures--(1) Purpose and criteria. 
Expanded consultation allows maximum opportunity for NMFS and the 
Federal agency to work together to review the action's impacts on EFH 
and to develop EFH Conservation Recommendations. Expanded consultation 
procedures must be used for Federal actions that would result in 
substantial adverse effects to EFH. Federal agencies are encouraged to 
contact NMFS at the earliest opportunity to discuss whether the adverse 
effects of an action make expanded consultation appropriate.
    (2) Notification by agency and submittal of EFH Assessment. Expanded 
consultation begins when NMFS receives from the Federal agency an EFH 
Assessment in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section and a 
written request for expanded consultation. Federal agencies are 
encouraged to provide in the EFH Assessment the additional information 
identified under paragraph (e)(4) of this section to facilitate review 
of the effects of the action on EFH.
    (3) NMFS response to Federal agency. NMFS will:
    (i) Review the EFH Assessment, any additional information furnished 
by the Federal agency, and other relevant information.
    (ii) Conduct a site visit, if appropriate, to assess the quality of 
the habitat and to clarify the impacts of the Federal agency action. 
Such a site visit should be coordinated with the Federal agency and 
appropriate Council(s), if feasible.
    (iii) Coordinate its review of the action with the appropriate 
Council(s).
    (iv) Discuss EFH Conservation Recommendations with the Federal 
agency and provide such recommendations to the Federal agency, pursuant 
to section 305(b)(4)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (4) Timing. The Federal agency must submit its EFH Assessment to 
NMFS as soon as practicable, but at least 90 days prior to a final 
decision on the action. NMFS must respond within 60 days of submittal of 
a complete EFH Assessment unless consultation is extended by agreement 
between NMFS and the Federal agency. NMFS and Federal agencies may agree 
to use a compressed schedule in cases where

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regulatory approvals or emergency situations cannot accommodate 60 days 
for consultation, or to conduct consultation earlier in the planning 
cycle for actions with lengthy approval processes.
    (5) Extension of consultation. If NMFS determines that additional 
data or analysis would provide better information for development of EFH 
Conservation Recommendations, NMFS may request additional time for 
expanded consultation. If NMFS and the Federal agency agree to an 
extension, the Federal agency should provide the additional information 
to NMFS, to the extent practicable. If NMFS and the Federal agency do 
not agree to extend consultation, NMFS must provide EFH Conservation 
Recommendations to the Federal agency using the best scientific 
information available to NMFS.
    (j) Programmatic consultation--(1) Purpose. Programmatic 
consultation provides a means for NMFS and a Federal agency to consult 
regarding a potentially large number of individual actions that may 
adversely affect EFH. Programmatic consultation will generally be the 
most appropriate option to address funding programs, large-scale 
planning efforts, and other instances where sufficient information is 
available to address all reasonably foreseeable adverse effects on EFH 
of an entire program, parts of a program, or a number of similar 
individual actions occurring within a given geographic area.
    (2) Process. A Federal agency may request programmatic consultation 
by providing NMFS with an EFH Assessment in accordance with paragraph 
(e) of this section. The description of the proposed action in the EFH 
Assessment should describe the program and the nature and approximate 
number (annually or by some other appropriate time frame) of the 
actions. NMFS may also initiate programmatic consultation by requesting 
pertinent information from a Federal agency.
    (3) NMFS response to Federal agency. NMFS will respond to the 
Federal agency with programmatic EFH Conservation Recommendations and, 
if applicable, will identify any potential adverse effects that could 
not be addressed programmatically and require project-specific 
consultation. NMFS may also determine that programmatic consultation is 
not appropriate, in which case all EFH Conservation Recommendations will 
be deferred to project-specific consultations. If appropriate, NMFS' 
response may include a General Concurrence for activities that qualify 
under paragraph (g) of this section.
    (k) Responsibilities of Federal agency following receipt of EFH 
Conservation Recommendations--(1) Federal agency response. As required 
by section 305(b)(4)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Federal agency 
must provide a detailed response in writing to NMFS and to any Council 
commenting on the action under section 305(b)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act within 30 days after receiving an EFH Conservation Recommendation 
from NMFS. Such a response must be provided at least 10 days prior to 
final approval of the action if the response is inconsistent with any of 
NMFS' EFH Conservation Recommendations, unless NMFS and the Federal 
agency have agreed to use alternative time frames for the Federal agency 
response. The response must include a description of measures proposed 
by the agency for avoiding, mitigating, or offsetting the impact of the 
activity on EFH. In the case of a response that is inconsistent with 
NMFS Conservation Recommendations, the Federal agency must explain its 
reasons for not following the recommendations, including the scientific 
justification for any disagreements with NMFS over the anticipated 
effects of the action and the measures needed to avoid, minimize, 
mitigate, or offset such effects.
    (2) Further review of decisions inconsistent with NMFS or Council 
recommendations. If a Federal agency decision is inconsistent with a 
NMFS EFH Conservation Recommendation, the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries may request a meeting with the head of the Federal agency, as 
well as with any other agencies involved, to discuss the action and 
opportunities for resolving any disagreements. If a Federal agency 
decision is also inconsistent with a Council recommendation made 
pursuant to section 305(b)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Council

[[Page 113]]

may request that the Assistant Administrator initiate further review of 
the Federal agency's decision and involve the Council in any interagency 
discussion to resolve disagreements with the Federal agency. The 
Assistant Administrator will make every effort to accommodate such a 
request. NMFS may develop written procedures to further define such 
review processes.
    (l) Supplemental consultation. A Federal agency must reinitiate 
consultation with NMFS if the agency substantially revises its plans for 
an action in a manner that may adversely affect EFH or if new 
information becomes available that affects the basis for NMFS EFH 
Conservation Recommendations.



Sec. 600.925  NMFS EFH Conservation Recommendations to Federal and state agencies.

    (a) General. Under section 305(b)(4)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
NMFS is required to provide EFH Conservation Recommendations to Federal 
and state agencies for actions that would adversely affect EFH. NMFS 
will not recommend that state or Federal agencies take actions beyond 
their statutory authority.
    (b) Recommendations to Federal agencies. For Federal actions, EFH 
Conservation Recommendations will be provided to Federal agencies as 
part of EFH consultations conducted pursuant to Sec. 600.920. If NMFS 
becomes aware of a Federal action that would adversely affect EFH, but 
for which a Federal agency has not initiated an EFH consultation, NMFS 
may request that the Federal agency initiate EFH consultation, or NMFS 
will provide EFH Conservation Recommendations based on the information 
available.
    (c) Recommendations to state agencies--(1) Establishment of 
procedures. The Magnuson-Stevens Act does not require state agencies to 
consult with the Secretary regarding EFH. NMFS will use existing 
coordination procedures or establish new procedures to identify state 
actions that may adversely affect EFH, and to determine the most 
appropriate method for providing EFH Conservation Recommendations to 
state agencies.
    (2) Coordination with states on recommendations to Federal agencies. 
When an action that would adversely affect EFH is authorized, funded, or 
undertaken by both Federal and state agencies, NMFS will provide the 
appropriate state agencies with copies of EFH Conservation 
Recommendations developed as part of the Federal consultation procedures 
in Sec. 600.920. NMFS will also seek agreements on sharing information 
and copies of recommendations with Federal or state agencies conducting 
similar consultation and recommendation processes to ensure coordination 
of such efforts.
    (d) Coordination with Councils. NMFS will coordinate with each 
Council to identify the types of actions on which Councils intend to 
comment pursuant to section 305(b)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For 
such actions NMFS will share pertinent information with the Council, 
including copies of NMFS' EFH Conservation Recommendations.



Sec. 600.930  Council comments and recommendations to Federal and state agencies.

    Under section 305(b)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Councils may 
comment on and make recommendations to the Secretary and any Federal or 
state agency concerning any activity or proposed activity authorized, 
funded, or undertaken by the agency that, in the view of the Council, 
may affect the habitat, including EFH, of a fishery resource under its 
authority. Councils must provide such comments and recommendations 
concerning any activity that, in the view of the Council, is likely to 
substantially affect the habitat, including EFH, of an anadromous 
fishery resource under Council authority.
    (a) Establishment of procedures. Each Council should establish 
procedures for reviewing Federal or state actions that may adversely 
affect the habitat, including EFH, of a species under its authority. 
Each Council may receive information on actions of concern by methods 
such as directing Council staff to track proposed actions, recommending 
that the Council's habitat committee identify actions of concern, or 
entering into an agreement with

[[Page 114]]

NMFS to have the appropriate Regional Administrator notify the Council 
of actions of concern that would adversely affect EFH. Federal and state 
actions often follow specific timetables which may not coincide with 
Council meetings. Therefore, Councils should consider establishing 
abbreviated procedures for the development of Council recommendations.
    (b) Early involvement. Councils should provide comments and 
recommendations on proposed state and Federal actions of concern as 
early as practicable in project planning to ensure thorough 
consideration of Council concerns by the action agency. Each Council 
should provide NMFS with copies of its comments and recommendations to 
state and Federal agencies.



             Subpart L_Fishing Capacity Reduction Framework

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1861a(b)-(e).

    Source: 65 FR 31443, May 18, 2000, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 600.1000  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and in Sec. 
600.10 of this title, the terms used in this subpart have the following 
meanings:
    Address of Record means the business address of a person, 
partnership, or corporation. Addresses listed on permits or other NMFS 
records are presumed to be business addresses, unless clearly indicated 
otherwise.
    Bid means the price a vessel owner or reduction fishery permit 
holder requests for reduction of his/her fishing capacity. It is an 
irrevocable offer in response to the invitation to bid in Sec. 
600.1009.
    Borrower means, individually and collectively, each post-reduction 
fishing permit holder and/or fishing vessel owner fishing in the 
reduction fishery.
    Business plan means the document containing the information 
specified in Sec. 600.1003(n) and required to be submitted with a 
request for a financed program.
    Business week means a 7-day period, Saturday through Friday.
    Controlling fishery management plan or program (CFMP) means either 
any fishery management plan or any state fishery management plan or 
program, including amendments to the plan or program, pursuant to which 
a fishery is managed.
    Delivery value means:
    (1) For unprocessed fish, all compensation that a fish buyer pays to 
a fish seller in exchange for fee fish; and
    (2) For processed fish, all compensation that a fish buyer would 
have paid to a fish seller in exchange for fee fish if the fee fish had 
been unprocessed fish instead of processed fish.
    Delivery value encompasses fair market value, as defined herein, and 
includes the value of all in-kind compensation or all other goods or 
services exchanged in lieu of cash. It is synonymous with the statutory 
term ``ex-vessel value'' as used in section 312 of the Magnuson Act.
    Deposit principal means all collected fee revenue that a fish buyer 
deposits in a segregated account maintained at a federally insured 
financial institution for the sole purpose of aggregating collected fee 
revenue before sending the fee revenue to NMFS for repaying a reduction 
loan.
    Fair market value means the amount that a buyer pays a seller in an 
arm's length transaction or, alternatively, would pay a seller if the 
transaction were at arm's length.
    Fee means the amount that fish buyers deduct from the delivery value 
under a financed reduction program. The fee is the delivery value times 
the reduction fishery's applicable fee rate under section 600.1013.
    Fee fish means all fish harvested from a reduction fishery involving 
a financed program during the period in which any amount of the 
reduction loan remains unpaid. The term fee fish excludes fish harvested 
incidentally while fishing for fish not included in the reduction 
fishery.
    Final development plan means the document NMFS prepares, under Sec. 
600.1006(b) and based on the preliminary development plan the requester 
submits, for a subsidized program.
    Financed means funded, in any part, by a reduction loan.

[[Page 115]]

    Fish buyer means the first ex-vessel party who:
    (1) in an arm's--length transaction, purchases fee fish from a fish 
seller;
    (2) takes fish on consignment from a fish seller; or
    (3) otherwise receives fish from a fish seller in a non arm's-length 
transaction.
    Fish delivery means the point at which a fish buyer first purchases 
fee fish or takes possession of fee fish from a fish seller.
    Fishing capacity reduction specifications means the minimum amount 
of fishing capacity reduction and the maximum amount of reduction loan 
principal specified in a business plan.
    Fish seller means the party who harvests and first sells or 
otherwise delivers fee fish to a fish buyer.
    Fishery Management Plan (FMP) means any Federal fishery management 
plan, including amendments to the plan, that the Secretary of Commerce 
approves or adopts pursuant to section 303 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Fund means the Fishing Capacity Reduction Fund, and each subaccount 
for each program, established in the U.S. Treasury for the deposit into, 
and disbursement from, all funds, including all reduction loan capital 
and all fee revenue, involving each program.
    Implementation plan means the plan in Sec. 600.1008 for carrying 
out each program.
    Implementation regulations mean the regulations in Sec. 600.1008 
for carrying out each program.
    Net delivery value means the delivery value minus the fee.
    Post-bidding referendum means a referendum that follows bidding 
under Sec. 600.1009.
    Post-reduction means after a program reduces fishing capacity in a 
reduction fishery.
    Pre-bidding referendum means a referendum that occurs at any time 
after a request for a financed program but before a proposal under Sec. 
600.1008 of an implementation plan and implementation regulations.
    Preliminary development plan means the document specified in Sec. 
600.1005(g) and required to be submitted with a request for a subsidized 
program.
    Processed fish means fish in any form different from the form in 
which the fish existed at the time the fish was first harvested, unless 
any such difference in form represents, in the reduction fishery 
involved, the standard ex-vessel form upon which fish sellers and fish 
buyers characteristically base the delivery value of unprocessed fish.
    Program means each instance of reduction under this subpart, in each 
reduction fishery--starting with a request and ending, for a financed 
program, with full reduction loan repayment.
    Reduction means the act of reducing fishing capacity under any 
program.
    Reduction amendment means any amendment, or, where appropriate, 
framework adjustment, to a CFMP that may be necessary for a program to 
meet the requirements of this subpart.
    Reduction amendment specifications mean the reduction amendment to a 
CFMP specified in a business plan.
    Reduction contract means the invitation to bid under Sec. 600.1009, 
together with each bidder's irrevocable offer and NMFS' conditional or 
non-conditional acceptance of each such bid under Sec. 600.1009.
    Reduction cost means the total dollar amount of all reduction 
payments to fishing permit owners, fishing vessel owners, or both, in a 
reduction fishery.
    Reduction fishery means the fishery or portion of a fishery to which 
a program applies. The reduction fishery must specify each included 
species, as well as any limitations by gear type, fishing vessel size, 
geographic area, and any other relevant factor(s).
    Reduction loan means a loan, under section 1111 and section 1112 of 
Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 1279f 
and g App.), for financing any portion, or all, of a financed program's 
reduction cost and repayable by a fee under, and in accordance with, 
Sec. 600.1012, Sec. 600.1013, and Sec. 600.1014.
    Reduction payment means the Federal Government's fishing capacity 
reduction payment to a fishing permit owner, fishing vessel owner, or 
both, under a reduction contract. Additionally, it is payment for 
reduction to each bidder whose bid NMFS accepts under Sec. 600.1009. In 
a financed program

[[Page 116]]

each reduction payment constitutes a disbursement of a reduction loan's 
proceeds and is for either revoking a fishing permit or both revoking a 
fishing permit and withdrawing a vessel from fishing either by scrapping 
or title restriction.
    Reduction permit means any fishing permit revoked in a program in 
exchange for a reduction payment under a reduction contract.
    Reduction vessel means any fishing vessel withdrawn from fishing 
either by scrapping or title restriction in exchange for a reduction 
payment under a reduction contract.
    Referendum means the voting process under Sec. 600.1010 for 
approving the fee system for repaying a reduction loan.
    Request means a request, under Sec. 600.1001, for a program.
    Requester means a Council for a fishery identified in Sec. 
600.1001(c), a state governor for a fishery identified in Sec. 
600.1001(d), or the Secretary for a fishery identified in Sec. 
600.1001(e).
    Scrap means to completely and permanently reduce a fishing vessel's 
hull, superstructures, and other fixed structural components to 
fragments having value, if any, only as raw materials for reprocessing 
or for other non-fisheries use.
    Subsidized means wholly funded by anything other than a reduction 
loan.
    Treasury percentage means the annual percentage rate at which NMFS 
must pay interest to the U.S. Treasury on any principal amount that NMFS 
borrows from the U.S. Treasury in order to generate the funds with which 
to later disburse a reduction loan's principal amount.
    Unprocessed fish means fish in the same form as the fish existed at 
the time the fish was harvested, unless any difference in form 
represents, in the reduction fishery involved, the standard ex-vessel 
form upon which fish sellers and fish buyers characteristically base the 
delivery value of unprocessed fish.
    Vote means a vote in a referendum.



Sec. 600.1001  Requests.

    (a) A Council or the Governor of a State under whose authority a 
proposed reduction fishery is subject may request that NMFS conduct a 
program in that fishery. Each request shall be in writing and shall be 
submitted to the Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS. Each 
request shall satisfy the requirements of Sec. 600.1003 or Sec. 
600.1005, as applicable, and enable NMFS to make the determinations 
required by Sec. 600.1004 or Sec. 600.1006, as applicable.
    (b) NMFS cannot conduct a program in any fishery subject to the 
jurisdiction of a Council or a state unless NMFS first receives a 
request from the Council or the governor to whose jurisdiction the 
fishery is subject.
    (c) For a fishery subject to the jurisdiction of a Council, only 
that Council can or must make the request. If the fishery is subject to 
the jurisdiction of two or more Councils, those Councils must make a 
joint request. No Council may make a request, or join in making a 
request, until after the Council conducts a public hearing about the 
request.
    (d) For a fishery subject to the jurisdiction of a State, only the 
Governor of that State can make the request. If the fishery is subject 
to the jurisdiction of two or more states, the Governors of those States 
shall make a joint request. No Governor of a State may make a request, 
or join in making a request, until the State conducts a public hearing 
about the request.
    (e) For a fishery under the direct management authority of the 
Secretary, NMFS may conduct a program on NMFS' own motion by fulfilling 
the requirements of this subpart that reasonably apply to a program not 
initiated by a request.
    (f) Where necessary to accommodate special circumstances in a 
particular fishery, NMFS may waive, as NMFS deems necessary and 
appropriate, compliance with any specific requirements under this 
subpart not required by statute.



Sec. 600.1002  General requirements.

    (a) Each program must be: (1) Necessary to prevent or end 
overfishing, rebuild stocks of fish, or achieve measurable and 
significant improvements in the conservation and management of the 
reduction fishery;
    (2) Accompanied by the appropriate environmental, economic and/or 
socioeconomic analyses, in accordance with

[[Page 117]]

applicable statutes, regulations, or other authorities; and
    (3) Consistent with the CFMP, including any reduction amendment, for 
the reduction fishery.
    (b) Each CFMP for a reduction fishery must: (1) Prevent the 
replacement of fishing capacity removed by the program through a 
moratorium on new entrants, restrictions on vessel upgrades, and other 
effort control measures, taking into account the full potential fishing 
capacity of the fleet;
    (2) Establish a specified or target total allowable catch or other 
measures that trigger closure of the fishery or adjustments to reduce 
catch; and
    (3) Include, for a financed program in a reduction fishery involving 
only a portion of a fishery, appropriate provisions for the post-
reduction allocation of fish between the reduction fishery and the rest 
of the fishery that both protect the borrower's reduction investment in 
the program and support the borrower's ability to repay the reduction 
loan.



Sec. 600.1003  Content of a request for a financed program.

    A request for a financed program shall:
    (a) Specify the reduction fishery.
    (b) Project the amount of the reduction and specify what a reduction 
of that amount achieves in the reduction fishery.
    (c) Specify whether the program is to be wholly or partially 
financed and, if the latter, specify the amount and describe the 
availability of all funding from sources other than a reduction loan.
    (d) Project the availability of all Federal appropriation authority 
or other funding, if any, that the financed program requires, including 
the time at which funding from each source will be available and how 
that relates to the time at which elements of the reduction process are 
projected to occur.
    (e) Demonstrate how the program meets, or will meet after an 
appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(a).
    (f) Demonstrate how the CFMP meets, or will meet after an 
appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(b).
    (g) If a reduction amendment is necessary, include an actual 
reduction amendment or the requester's endorsement in principle of the 
reduction amendment specifications in the business plan. Endorsement in 
principle is non-binding.
    (h) Request that NMFS conduct, at the appropriate time, a referendum 
under Sec. 600.1010 of this subpart.
    (i) List the names and addresses of record of all fishing permit or 
fishing vessel owners who are currently authorized to harvest fish from 
the reduction fishery, excluding those whose authority is limited to 
incidentally harvesting fish from the reduction fishery during directed 
fishing for fish not in the reduction fishery. The list shall be based 
on the best information available to the requester. The list shall take 
into account any limitation by type of fishing gear operated, size of 
fishing vessel operated, geographic area of operation, or other factor 
that the proposed program involves. The list may include any relevant 
information that NMFS may supply to the requester.
    (j) Specify the aggregate total allowable catch in the reduction 
fishery during each of the preceding 5 years and the aggregate portion 
of such catch harvested by the parties listed under paragraph (i) of 
this section.
    (k) Specify the criteria for determining the types and number of 
fishing permits or fishing permits and fishing vessels that are eligible 
for reduction under the program. The criteria shall take into account:
    (1) The characteristics of the fishery;
    (2) Whether the program is limited to a particular gear type within 
the reduction fishery or is otherwise limited by size of fishing vessel 
operated, geographic area of operation, or other factor;
    (3) Whether the program is limited to fishing permits or involves 
both fishing permits and fishing vessels;
    (4) The reduction amendment required;
    (5) The needs of fishing communities;
    (6) Minimizing the program's reduction cost; and
    (7) All other relevant factors.
    (l) Include the requester's assessment of the program's potential 
impact on

[[Page 118]]

fisheries other than the reduction fishery, including an evaluation of 
the likely increase in participation or effort in such other fisheries, 
the general economic impact on such other fisheries, and recommendations 
that could mitigate, or enable such other fisheries to mitigate, any 
undesirable impacts.
    (m) Include any other information or guidance that would assist NMFS 
in developing an implementation plan and implementation regulations.
    (n) Include a business plan, prepared by, or on behalf of, 
knowledgeable and concerned harvesters in the reduction fishery, that:
    (1) Specifies a detailed reduction methodology that accomplishes the 
maximum sustained reduction in the reduction fishery's fishing capacity 
at the least reduction cost and in the minimum period of time, and 
otherwise achieves the program result that the requester specifies under 
paragraph (b) of this section. The methodology shall:
    (i) Establish the appropriate point for NMFS to conduct a pre-
bidding referendum and be sufficiently detailed to enable NMFS to 
readily:
    (A) Design, propose, and adopt a timely and reliable implementation 
plan,
    (B) Propose and issue timely and reliable implementation 
regulations,
    (C) Invite bids,
    (D) Accept or reject bids, and
    (E) Complete a program in accordance with this subpart, and
    (ii) Address, consistently with this subpart:
    (A) The contents and terms of invitations to bid,
    (B) Bidder eligibility,
    (C) The type of information that bidders shall supply,
    (D) The criteria for accepting or rejecting bids,
    (E) The terms of bid acceptances,
    (F) Any referendum procedures in addition to, but consistent with, 
those in Sec. 600.1010, and
    (G) All other technical matters necessary to conduct a program;
    (2) Projects and supports the reduction fishery's annual delivery 
value during the reduction loan's repayment period based on documented 
analysis of actual representative experience for a reasonable number of 
past years in the reduction fishery;
    (3) Includes the fishing capacity reduction specifications upon 
which both the pre-bidding referendum and the bidding under Sec. 
600.1009 will be based. The reduction loan's maximum principal amount 
cannot, at the interest rate projected to prevail at the time of 
reduction, exceed the principal amount that can be amortized in 20 years 
by 5 percent of the projected delivery value;
    (4) States the reduction loan's repayment term and the fee rate, or 
range of fee rates, prospectively necessary to amortize the reduction 
loan over its repayment term;
    (5) Analyzes and demonstrates the ability to repay the reduction 
loan at the minimum reduction level and at various reduction-level 
increments reasonably greater than the minimum one, based on the:
    (i) Best and most representative historical fishing revenue and 
expense data and any other relevant productivity measures available in 
the reduction fishery, and
    (ii) Projected effect of the program on the post-reduction operating 
economics of typical harvesters in the reduction fishery, with 
particular emphasis on the extent to which the reduction increases the 
ratio of delivery value to fixed cost and improves harvesting's other 
relevant productivity measures;
    (6) Demonstrates how the business plan's proposed program meets, or 
will meet after an appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in 
Sec. 600.1002(a);
    (7) Demonstrates how the CFMP meets, or will meet after an 
appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(b);
    (8) Includes, if a reduction amendment is necessary, the reduction 
amendment specifications upon which the pre-bidding referendum will be 
based;
    (9) Includes an assessment of the program's potential impact on 
fisheries other than the reduction fishery, including an evaluation of 
the likely increase in participation or effort in such other fisheries, 
the general economic impact on such other fisheries, and recommendations 
that could mitigate, or

[[Page 119]]

enable such other fisheries to mitigate, any undesirable impacts;
    (10) Specifies the names and addresses of record of all fish buyers 
who can, after reduction, reasonably be expected to receive deliveries 
of fee fish. This shall be based on the best information available, 
including any information that NMFS may be able to supply to the 
business planners;
    (11) Specifies, after full consultation with fish buyers, any 
special circumstances in the reduction fishery that may require the 
implementing regulations to contain provisions in addition to, or 
different from, those contained in Sec. 600.1013 and/or Sec. 600.1014 
in order to accommodate the circumstances of, and practices in, the 
reduction fishery while still fulfilling the intent and purpose of Sec. 
600.1013 and/or Sec. 600.1014--including, but not limited to:
    (i) In the case of reduction fisheries in which state data 
confidentiality laws or other impediments may negatively affect the 
efficient and effective conduct of the same, specification of who needs 
to take what action to resolve any such impediments, and
    (ii) In the case of reduction fisheries in which some fish sellers 
sell unprocessed, and other fish sellers sell processed fish to fish 
buyers, specification of an accurate and efficient method of 
establishing the delivery value of processed fish; and
    (12) Demonstrates by a survey of potential voters, or by any other 
convincing means, a substantial degree of potential voter support for 
the business plan and confidence in its feasibility.
    (o) Include the requester's statement of belief that the business 
plan, the CFMP, the reduction amendment specifications, and all other 
request aspects constitute a complete, realistic, and practical prospect 
for successfully completing a program in accordance with this subpart.



Sec. 600.1004  Accepting a request for, and determinations about initiating, a financed program.

    (a) Accepting a request. Once it receives a request, NMFS will 
review any request for a financed program to determine whether the 
request conforms with the requirements of Sec. 600.1003. If the request 
does not conform, NMFS will return the request with guidance on how to 
make the request conform. If the request conforms, NMFS shall accept it 
and publish a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments 
on the request. Such notice shall state the name and address of record 
of each eligible voter, as well as the basis for having determined the 
eligibility of those voters. This shall constitute notice and 
opportunity to respond about adding eligible voters, deleting ineligible 
voters, and/or correcting any voter's name and address of record. If, in 
NMFS' discretion, the comments received in response to such notice 
warrants it, or other good cause warrants it, NMFS may modify such list 
by publishing another notice in the Federal Register.
    (b) Determination about initiating a financed program. After receipt 
of a conforming request for a financed program, NMFS will, after 
reviewing and responding to any public comments received in response to 
the notice published in the Federal Register under paragraph (a) of this 
section, initiate the program if NMFS determines that:
    (1) The program meets, or will meet after an appropriate reduction 
amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(a);
    (2) The CFMP meets, or will meet after an appropriate reduction 
amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(b);
    (3) The program, if successfully implemented, is cost effective;
    (4) The reduction requested constitutes a realistic and practical 
prospect for successfully completing a program in accordance with this 
subpart and the borrower is capable of repaying the reduction loan. This 
includes enabling NMFS to readily design, propose, and adopt a timely 
and reliable implementation plan as well as propose and issue timely and 
reliable implementation regulations and otherwise complete the program 
in accordance with this subpart; and
    (5) The program accords with all other applicable law.



Sec. 600.1005  Content of a request for a subsidized program.

    A request for a subsidized program shall:
    (a) Specify the reduction fishery.

[[Page 120]]

    (b) Project the amount of the reduction and specify what a reduction 
of that amount achieves in the reduction fishery.
    (c) Project the reduction cost, the amount of reduction cost to be 
funded by Federal appropriations, and the amount, if any, to be funded 
by other sources.
    (d) Project the availability of Federal appropriations or other 
funding, if any, that completion of the program requires, including the 
time at which funding from each source will be available and how that 
relates to the time at which elements of the reduction process are 
projected to occur.
    (e) List the names and addresses of record of all fishing permit or 
fishing vessel owners who are currently authorized to harvest fish from 
the reduction fishery, excluding those whose authority is limited to 
incidentally harvesting fish from the reduction fishery during directed 
fishing for fish not in the reduction fishery. The list shall be based 
on the best information available to the requester, including any 
information that NMFS may supply to the requester, and take into account 
any limitation by type of fishing gear operated, size of fishing vessel 
operated, geographic area of operation, or other factor that the 
proposed program involves.
    (f) Specify the aggregate total allowable catch in the reduction 
fishery during each of the preceding 5 years and the aggregate portion 
of such catch harvested by the parties listed under paragraph (e) of 
this section.
    (g) Include a preliminary development plan that: (1) Specifies a 
detailed reduction methodology that accomplishes the maximum sustained 
reduction in the reduction fishery's fishing capacity at the least cost 
and in a minimum period of time, and otherwise achieves the program 
result that the requester specifies under paragraph (b) of this section. 
The methodology shall:
    (i) Be sufficiently detailed to enable NMFS to prepare a final 
development plan to serve as the basis for NMFS to readily design, 
propose, and adopt a timely and reliable implementation plan and propose 
and issue timely and reliable implementation regulations, and
    (ii) Include:
    (A) The contents and terms of invitations to bid,
    (B) Eligible bidders,
    (C) The type of information that bidders shall supply,
    (D) The criteria for accepting or rejecting bids, and
    (E) The terms of bid acceptances;
    (2) Specifies the criteria for determining the types and numbers of 
fishing permits or fishing permits and fishing vessels that are eligible 
for reduction under the program. The criteria shall take into account:
    (i) The characteristics of the fishery,
    (ii) Whether the program is limited to a particular gear type within 
the reduction fishery, or is otherwise limited by size of fishing vessel 
operated, geographic area of operation, or other factor,
    (iii) Whether the program is limited to fishing permits or involves 
both fishing permits and fishing vessels,
    (iv) The reduction amendment required,
    (v) The needs of fishing communities, and
    (vi) The need to minimize the program's reduction cost; and
    (3) Demonstrates the program's cost effectiveness.
    (h) Demonstrate how the program meets, or will meet after an 
appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(a).
    (i) Demonstrate how the CFMP meets, or will meet after an 
appropriate reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 
600.1002(b)(1) and (2).
    (j) Specify any other information or guidance that assists NMFS in 
preparing a final development plan and a proposed implementation plan 
and proposed implementation regulations.
    (k) Include the requester's statement of belief that the program 
constitutes a reasonably realistic and practical prospect for 
successfully completing a program in accordance with this subpart.



Sec. 600.1006  Accepting a request for, and determinations about conducting, a subsidized program.

    (a) Accepting a request. NMFS will review any request for a 
subsidized program submitted to NMFS to determine whether the request 
conforms with the

[[Page 121]]

requirements of Sec. 600.1005. If the request does not conform, NMFS 
will return it with guidance on how to make the request conform. If the 
request conforms, NMFS shall accept it and publish a notice in the 
Federal Register requesting public comments about the request.
    (b) Final development plan. After receipt of a conforming request, 
NMFS will prepare a final development plan if NMFS determines that the 
reduction requested constitutes a realistic and practical prospect for 
successfully completing a program in accordance with this subpart. This 
includes enabling NMFS to readily design, propose, and adopt a timely 
and reliable implementation plan as well as propose and issue timely and 
reliable implementation regulations and otherwise complete the program 
in accordance with this subpart. NMFS will, as far as possible, base the 
final development plan on the requester's preliminary development plan. 
Before completing the final development plan, NMFS will consult, as NMFS 
deems necessary, with the requester, Federal agencies, state and 
regional authorities, affected fishing communities, participants in the 
reduction fishery, conservation organizations, and other interested 
parties in preparing the final development plan.
    (c) Reaffirmation of the request. After completing the final 
development plan, NMFS will submit the plan to the requester for the 
requester's reaffirmation of the request. Based on the final development 
plan, the reaffirmation shall: (1) Certify that the final development 
plan meets, or will meet after an appropriate reduction amendment, the 
requirements in Sec. 600.1002(a);
    (2) Certify that the CFMP meets, or will meet after an appropriate 
reduction amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(b)(1) and (2); 
and
    (3) Project the date on which the requester will forward any 
necessary reduction amendment and, if the requester is a Council, 
proposed regulations to implement the reduction amendment. The requester 
shall base any necessary reduction amendment on the final development 
plan.
    (d) Determinations about conducting a subsidized program. After 
NMFS' receipt of the requester's reaffirmation, any required reduction 
amendment, and any proposed regulations required to implement the 
amendment, NMFS will initiate the program if NMFS determines that:
    (1) The program meets, or will meet after an appropriate reduction 
amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(a);
    (2) The CFMP meets, or will meet after an appropriate reduction 
amendment, the requirements in Sec. 600.1002(b)(1) and (2); and
    (3) The program is reasonably capable of being successfully 
implemented;
    (4) The program, if successfully implemented, will be cost 
effective; and
    (5) The program is in accord with all other applicable provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and this subpart.



Sec. 600.1007  Reduction amendments.

    (a) Each reduction amendment may contain provisions that are either 
dependent upon or independent of a program. Each provision of a 
reduction amendment is a dependent provision unless the amendment 
expressly designates the provision as independent.
    (b) Independent provisions are effective without regard to any 
subsequent program actions.
    (c) Dependent provisions are initially effective for the sole 
limited purpose of enabling initiation and completion of the pre-
reduction processing stage of a program.
    (d) All dependent provisions of a reduction amendment for a financed 
program are fully in force and effect for all other purposes only when 
NMFS either:
    (1) For bidding results that conform to the fishing capacity 
reduction specifications and are not subject to any other condition, 
notifies bidders, under Sec. 600.1009(e)(3), that reduction contracts 
then exist between the bidders and the United States; or
    (2) For bidding results that do not conform to the fishing capacity 
reduction specifications or are subject to any other condition, notifies 
bidders whose bids NMFS had conditionally accepted, under Sec. 600.1010 
(d)(8)(iii), that the condition pertaining to the reduction contracts 
between them and the United States is fulfilled.

[[Page 122]]

    (e) If NMFS does not, in accordance with this subpart and any 
special provisions in the implementation regulations, subsequently make 
all reduction payments that circumstances, in NMFS' judgment, reasonably 
permit NMFS to make and, thus, complete a program, no dependent 
provisions shall then have any further force or effect for any purpose 
and all final regulations involving such dependent provisions shall then 
be repealed.



Sec. 600.1008  Implementation plan and implementation regulations.

    (a) As soon as practicable after deciding to initiate a program, 
NMFS will prepare and publish, for a 60-day public comment period, a 
proposed implementation plan and implementation regulations. During the 
public comment period, NMFS will conduct a public hearing of the 
proposed implementation plan and implementation regulations in each 
state that the program affects.
    (b) To the greatest extent practicable, NMFS will base the 
implementation plan and implementation regulations for a financed 
program on the business plan. The implementation plan for a financed 
program will describe in detail all relevant aspects of implementing the 
program, including:
    (1) The reduction fishery;
    (2) The reduction methodology;
    (3) The maximum reduction cost;
    (4) The maximum reduction loan amount, if different from the maximum 
reduction cost;
    (5) The reduction cost funding, if any, other than a reduction loan;
    (6) The minimum acceptable reduction level;
    (7) The potential amount of the fee;
    (8) The criteria for determining the types and number of fishing 
permits or fishing permits and fishing vessels eligible to participate 
in the program;
    (9) The invitation to bid and bidding procedures;
    (10) The criteria for determining bid acceptance;
    (11) The referendum procedures; and
    (12) Any relevant post-referendum reduction procedures other than 
those in the implementation regulations or this subpart.
    (c) NMFS will base each implementation plan and implementation 
regulations for a subsidized program on the final development plan. The 
implementation plan will describe in detail all relevant aspects of 
implementing the program, including:
    (1) The reduction fishery;
    (2) The reduction methodology;
    (3) The maximum reduction cost;
    (4) The reduction-cost funding, if any, other than Federal 
appropriations;
    (5) The criteria for determining the types and number of fishing 
permits or fishing permits and fishing vessels eligible to participate 
in the program;
    (6) The invitation to bid and bidding procedures;
    (7) The criteria for determining bid acceptance; and
    (8) Any relevant post-bidding program procedures other than those in 
the implementation regulations or this subpart.
    (d) The implementation regulations will:
    (1) Specify, for invitations to bid, bids, and reduction contracts 
under Sec. 600.1009:
    (i) Bidder eligibility,
    (ii) Bid submission requirements and procedures,
    (iii) A bid opening date, before which a bidder may not bid, and a 
bid closing date, after which a bidder may not bid,
    (iv) A bid expiration date after which the irrevocable offer 
contained in each bid expires unless NMFS, before that date, accepts the 
bid by mailing a written acceptance notice to the bidder at the bidder's 
address of record,
    (v) The manner of bid submission and the information each bidder 
shall supply for NMFS to deem a bid responsive,
    (vi) The conditions under which NMFS will accept or reject a bid,
    (vii) The manner in which NMFS will accept or reject a bid, and
    (viii) The manner in which NMFS will notify each bidder of bid 
acceptance or rejection;
    (2) Specify any other special referendum procedures or criteria; and
    (3) Specify such other provisions, in addition to and consistent 
with those in this subpart, necessary to regulate the individual terms 
and conditions of each program and reduction loan. This includes, but is 
not limited to:

[[Page 123]]

    (i) Provisions for the payment of costs and penalties for non-
payment, non-collection, non-deposit, and/or non-disbursement of the fee 
in accordance with Sec. 600.1013 and Sec. 600.1014,
    (ii) Prospective fee rate determinations, and
    (iii) Any other aspect of fee payment, collection, deposit, 
disbursement, accounting, record keeping, and/or reporting.
    (e) NMFS will issue final implementation regulations and adopt a 
final implementation plan within 45 days of the close of the public-
comment period.
    (f) NMFS may repeal the final implementation regulations for any 
program if:
    (1) For a financed program, the bidding results do not conform to 
the fishing capacity reduction specifications or a post-bidding 
referendum does not subsequently approve an industry fee system based on 
the bidding results;
    (2) For a subsidized program, NMFS does not accept bids; and
    (3) For either a financed program or a subsidized program, if NMFS 
is unable to make all reduction payments due to a material adverse 
change.



Sec. 600.1009  Bids.

    (a) Each invitation to bid, bid, bid acceptance, reduction contract, 
and bidder--or any other party in any way affected by any of the 
foregoing--under this subpart is subject to the terms and conditions in 
this section:
    (1) Each invitation to bid constitutes the entire terms and 
conditions of a reduction contract under which:
    (i) Each bidder makes an irrevocable offer to the United States of 
fishing capacity for reduction, and
    (ii) NMFS accepts or rejects, on behalf of the United States, each 
bidder's offer;
    (2) NMFS may, at any time before the bid expiration date, accept or 
reject any or all bids;
    (3) For a financed program in which bidding results do not conform 
to the fishing capacity reduction specifications, NMFS' acceptance of 
any bid is subject to the condition that the industry fee system 
necessary to repay the reduction loan is subsequently approved by a 
successful post-bidding referendum conducted under Sec. 600.1010. 
Approval or disapproval of the industry fee system by post-bidding 
referendum is an event that neither the United States nor the bidders 
can control. Disapproval of the industry fee system by an unsuccessful 
post-bidding referendum fully excuses both parties from any performance 
and fully discharges all duties under any reduction contract;
    (4) For a financed program in one reduction fishery that is being 
conducted under appropriate implementation regulations simultaneously 
with another financed program in another reduction fishery, where the 
acceptance of bids for each financed program is conditional upon 
successful post-bidding referenda approving industry fee systems for 
both financed programs, NMFS' acceptance of all bids is, in addition to 
any condition under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, also subject to 
the additional conditions that both referenda approve the industry fee 
systems required for both financed programs--all as otherwise provided 
in paragraph (a)(3) of this section;
    (5) Upon NMFS' acceptance of the bid and tender of a reduction 
payment, the bidder consents to:
    (i) The revocation, by NMFS, of any reduction permit, and
    (ii) Where the program also involves the withdrawal of reduction 
vessels from fishing:
    (A) Title restrictions imposed by the U.S. Coast Guard on any 
reduction vessel that is federally documented to forever prohibit and 
effectively prevent any future use of the reduction vessel for fishing 
in any area subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or any 
state, territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States, or
    (B) Where reduction vessel scrapping is involved and the reduction 
vessel's owner does not comply with the owner's obligation under the 
reduction contract to scrap the reduction vessel, take such measures as 
necessary to cause the reduction vessel's prompt scrapping. The 
scrapping will be at the reduction vessel owner's risk and expense. Upon 
completion of scrapping, NMFS will take such action as may be necessary 
to recover from the reduction vessel owner any cost or expense

[[Page 124]]

NMFS incurred in causing the reduction vessel to be scrapped and any 
other damages NMFS may have incurred and such owner shall be liable to 
the United States for such cost, expenses, and damages;
    (6) Money damages not being an adequate remedy for a bidder's breach 
of a reduction contract, the United States is, in all particulars, 
entitled to specific performance of each reduction contract. This 
includes, but is not limited to, the scrapping of a reduction vessel;
    (7) Any reduction payment is available, upon timely and adequately 
documented notice to NMFS, to satisfy liens, as allowed by law, against 
any reduction permit/and or reduction vessel; provided, however, that:
    (i) No reduction payment to any bidder either relieves the bidder of 
responsibility to discharge the obligation which gives rise to any lien 
or relieves any lien holder of responsibility to protect the lien 
holder's interest,
    (ii) No reduction payment in any way gives rise to any
    liability of the United States for the obligation underlying any 
lien,
    (iii) No lien holder has any right or standing, not otherwise 
provided by law, against the United States in connection with the 
revocation of any reduction permit or the title restriction or scrapping 
of any reduction vessel under this subpart, and
    (iv) This subpart does not provide any lien holder with any right or 
standing to seek to set aside any revocation of any reduction permit or 
the title restriction or scrapping of any reduction vessel for which the 
United States made, or has agreed to make, any reduction payment. A lien 
holder is limited to recovery against the holder of the reduction permit 
or the owner of the reduction vessel as otherwise provided by law; and
    (8) Each invitation to bid may specify such other terms and 
conditions as NMFS believes necessary to enforce specific performance of 
each reduction contract or otherwise to ensure completing each program. 
This includes, but is not limited to, each bidder's certification, 
subject to the penalties in Sec. 600.1017, of the bidder's full 
authority to submit each bid and to dispose of the property involved in 
the bid in the manner contemplated by each invitation to bid.
    (b) NMFS will not invite bids for any program until NMFS determines 
that:
    (1) Any necessary reduction amendment is fully and finally approved 
and all provisions except those dependent on the completion of reduction 
are implemented;
    (2) The final implementation plan is adopted and the final 
implementation regulations are issued;
    (3) All required program funding is approved and in place, including 
all Federal appropriation and apportionment authority;
    (4) Any reduction loan involved is fully approved;
    (5) Any non-Federal funding involved is fully available at the 
required time for NMFS disbursement as reduction payments; and
    (6) All other actions necessary to disburse reduction payments, 
except for matters involving bidding and post-bidding referenda, are 
completed.
    (c) After making the affirmative determinations required under 
paragraph (b) of this section, NMFS will publish a Federal Register 
notice inviting eligible bidders to offer to the United States, under 
this subpart, fishing capacity for reduction.
    (d) NMFS may extend a bid closing date and/or a bid expiration date 
for a reasonable period. NMFS may also issue serial invitations to bid 
if the result of previous bidding, in NMFS' judgment, warrant this.
    (e) After the bid expiration date, NMFS will:
    (1) Analyze responsive bids;
    (2) Determine which bids, if any, NMFS accepts; and
    (3) Notify, by U.S. mail at each bidder's address of
    record, those bidders whose bids NMFS accepts that a reduction 
contract now exists between them and the United States--subject, where 
appropriate, to the conditions provided for elsewhere in this subpart.
    (f) NMFS will keep confidential the identity of all bidders whose 
bids NMFS does not accept. In financed programs where bidding results do 
not conform to the fishing capacity reduction specifications, NMFS also 
will

[[Page 125]]

keep confidential the identity of all bidders whose bids NMFS does 
accept until after completing a successful post-bidding referendum under 
Sec. 600.1010.



Sec. 600.1010  Referenda.

    (a) Referendum success. A referendum is successful if at least two-
thirds of the ballots that qualify to be counted as referendum votes 
under subparagraph (d)(6) of this section are cast in favor of an 
industry fee system.
    (b) Pre-bidding referendum--(1) Initial referendum. An initial pre-
bidding referendum shall be conducted for each financed program. The 
business plan shall, subject to this subpart, determine the 
chronological relationship of the initial pre-bidding referendum to 
other pre-bidding aspects of the reduction process sequence. The initial 
pre-bidding referendum shall be based on the fishing capacity reduction 
specifications. If the initial pre-bidding referendum precedes the 
adoption of any necessary reduction amendment, the initial pre-bidding 
referendum shall also be based on the reduction amendment 
specifications. If the initial pre-bidding referendum follows the 
adoption of any necessary reduction amendment, the initial pre-bidding 
referendum shall also be based on the adopted reduction amendment;
    (2) Successful initial pre-bidding referendum. If the initial pre-
bidding referendum is successful, the reduction process will proceed as 
follows:
    (i) If the initial pre-bidding referendum follows reduction 
amendment adoption, no second pre-bidding referendum shall be conducted,
    (ii) If the initial pre-bidding referendum precedes reduction 
amendment adoption, a second pre-bidding referendum shall be conducted 
if, in NMFS' judgment, the reduction amendment subsequently adopted 
differs, in any respect materially affecting the borrower's reduction 
investment in the program and the borrower's ability to repay the 
reduction loan, from the reduction amendment specifications upon which 
the initial pre-bidding referendum successfully occurred. The sole 
purpose of any second pre-bidding referendum shall be to determine 
whether the voters authorize an industry fee system despite any such 
difference between the reduction amendment specifications and a 
subsequently adopted reduction amendment.
    (3) Unsuccessful initial pre-bidding referendum. If the initial pre-
bidding referendum is unsuccessful, the reduction process will either 
cease or NMFS may suspend the process pending an appropriate amendment 
of the business plan and the request.
    (c) Post-bidding referendum. A post-bidding referendum shall occur 
only if, in NMFS' judgment, the result of bidding under Sec. 600.1009 
does not conform, in any material respect, to the fishing capacity 
reduction specifications and such result justifies, in NMFS' judgment, 
conducting a post-bidding referendum. Bidding that results in reducing 
fishing capacity in any amount not less than the minimum fishing 
capacity reduction amount for any reduction loan amount not more than 
the maximum reduction loan amount, and otherwise achieves all material 
requirements of the fishing capacity reduction specifications, shall 
conform to the fishing capacity reduction specifications. The sole 
purpose of any post-bidding referendum shall be to determine whether 
voters authorize an industry fee system for bidding that results in 
reducing fishing capacity in any amount materially less than the minimum 
amount in the fishing capacity reduction specifications.
    (d) NMFS will conduct referenda in accordance with the following: 
(1) Eligible voters. The parties eligible to vote in each referendum are 
the parties whose names are listed as being eligible to vote in the 
notice published in the Federal Register under Sec. 600.1004(a);
    (2) Ballot issuance. NMFS will mail, by U.S. certified mail, return 
receipt requested, a ballot to each eligible voter. Each ballot will 
bear a randomly derived, 5-digit number assigned to each eligible voter. 
Each ballot will contain a place for the voter to vote for or against 
the proposed industry fee system and a place, adjacent to the 5-digit 
number, for the signature of the fishing permit or fishing vessel owner 
to whom the ballot is addressed or, if the fishing permit or fishing 
vessel owner is an organization, the person

[[Page 126]]

having authority to vote and cast the ballot on the organization's 
behalf. Each ballot will contain a place for the person signing the 
ballot to print his or her name. NMFS will enclose with each ballot a 
specially-marked, postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope that each voter 
shall use to return the ballot to NMFS;
    (3) Voter certification. Each ballot will contain a certification, 
subject to the penalties set forth in Sec. 600.1017, that the person 
signing the ballot is the fishing permit or fishing vessel owner to whom 
the ballot is addressed or, if the fishing permit or fishing vessel 
owner is an organization, the person having authority to vote and cast 
the ballot on the organization's behalf;
    (4) Information included on a ballot. Each ballot mailing will:
    (i) Summarize the referendum's nature and purpose,
    (ii) Specify the date by which NMFS must receive a ballot in order 
for the ballot to be counted as a qualified vote,
    (iii) Identify the place on the ballot for the voter to vote for or 
against the proposed industry fee system, the place on the ballot where 
the voter shall sign the ballot, and the purpose of the return envelope,
    (iv) For each pre-bidding referendum, state:
    (A) The fishing capacity reduction specifications,
    (B) The reduction loan's repayment term, and
    (C) The fee rate, or range of fee rates, prospectively necessary to 
amortize the reduction loan over the loan's term,
    (v) For each initial pre-bidding referendum that precedes reduction 
amendment adoption, state the reduction amendment specifications,
    (vi) For each initial pre-bidding referendum that follows reduction 
amendment adoption, summarize the material aspects of the reduction 
amendment adopted,
    (vii) For each second pre-bidding referendum, summarize how the 
adopted reduction amendment materially differs from the reduction 
amendment specifications upon which a successful initial pre-bidding 
referendum occurred and how this material difference affects the 
borrower's reduction investment in the program and the borrower's 
ability to repay the reduction loan,
    (viii) For each post-bidding referendum, specify the actual bidding 
results that do not conform to the fishing capacity reduction 
specifications, and
    (ix) State or include whatever else NMFS deems appropriate;
    (5) Enclosures to accompany a ballot. Each ballot mailing will 
include:
    (i) A specially-marked, postage-paid, and pre-addressed envelope 
that a voter must use to return the original of a ballot to NMFS by 
whatever means of delivery the voter chooses, and
    (ii) Such other materials as NMFS deems appropriate;
    (6) Vote qualification. A completed ballot qualifies to be counted 
as a vote if the ballot:
    (i) Is physically received by NMFS on or before the last day NMFS 
specifies for receipt of the ballot,
    (ii) Is cast for or against the proposed industry fee system,
    (iii) Is signed by the voter,
    (iv) Is the original ballot NMFS sent to the voter bearing the same 
5-digit number that NMFS assigned to the voter, and
    (v) Was returned to NMFS in the specially-marked envelope that NMFS 
provided for the ballot's return;
    (6) Vote tally and notification. NMFS will:
    (i) Tally all ballots qualified to be counted as referendum votes,
    (ii) Notify, by U.S. mail at the address of record, all eligible 
voters who received ballots of:
    (A) The number of potential voters,
    (B) The number of actual voters who returned a ballot,
    (C) The number of returned ballots that qualified to be counted as 
referendum votes,
    (D) The number of votes for and the number of votes against the 
industry fee system, and
    (E) Whether the referendum was successful and approved the industry 
fee system or unsuccessful and disapproved the industry fee system, and
    (iii) If a successful referendum is a post-bidding referendum, NMFS 
will, at the same time and in the same manner, also notify the bidders 
whose bids

[[Page 127]]

were conditionally accepted that the condition pertaining to the 
reduction contracts between them and the United States is fulfilled;
    (7) Conclusiveness of referendum determinations. NMFS' 
determinations about ballot qualifications and about all other 
referendum matters, including, but not limited to, eligible voters and 
their addresses of record, are conclusive and final as of the date NMFS 
makes such determinations. No matter respecting such determinations 
shall impair, invalidate, avoid, or otherwise render unenforceable any 
referendum, reduction contract, reduction loan, or fee payment and 
collection obligation under Sec. 600.1013 and Sec. 600.1014 necessary 
to repay any reduction loan;
    (8) Ballot confidentiality. NMFS will not voluntarily release the 
name of any party who voted. NMFS will restrict the availability of all 
voter information to the maximum extent allowed by law; and
    (9) Conclusive authorization of industry fee system. Each successful 
referendum conclusively authorizes NMFS' imposition of an industry fee 
system--including the fee payment, collection, and other provisions 
regarding fee payment and collection under Sec. 600.1013 and Sec. 
600.1014--to repay the reduction loan for each financed program that 
NMFS conducts under this subpart.



Sec. 600.1011  Reduction methods and other conditions.

    (a) Reduction permits or reduction permits and reduction vessels. 
Each program may involve either the surrender and revocation of 
reduction permits or both the surrender and revocation of reduction 
permits and the withdrawal from fishing either by title restriction or 
by scrapping of reduction vessels. No financed program may, however, 
require such title restriction or scrapping of reduction vessels unless 
the business plan voluntarily includes the same.
    (b) Reduction permit revocation and surrender. Each reduction permit 
is, upon NMFS' tender of the reduction payment for the reduction permit, 
forever revoked. Each reduction permit holder shall, upon NMFS' tender 
of the reduction payment, surrender the original reduction permit to 
NMFS. The reduction permit holder, upon NMFS' tender of the reduction 
payment, forever relinquishes any claim associated with the reduction 
permit and with the fishing vessel that was used to harvest fishery 
resources under the reduction permit that could qualify the reduction 
permit holder or the fishing vessel owner for any present or future 
limited access system fishing permit in the reduction fishery.
    (c) Reduction vessel title restriction or scrapping. For each 
program that involves reduction vessel title restriction or scrapping:
    (1) Each reduction vessel that is subject to title restriction only 
and is thus not required to be scrapped, is, upon NMFS' tender of the 
reduction payment, forever prohibited from any future use for fishing in 
any area subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or any State, 
territory, possession, or commonwealth of the United States. NMFS will 
request that the U.S. Coast Guard permanently restrict each such 
reduction vessel's title to exclude the reduction vessel's future use 
for fishing in any such area;
    (2) Each reduction vessel owner whose reduction vessel is required 
to be scrapped shall, upon NMFS' tender of the reduction payment, 
immediately cease all further use of the reduction vessel and arrange, 
without delay and at the reduction vessel owner's expense, to scrap the 
reduction vessel to NMFS' satisfaction, including adequate provision for 
NMFS to document the physical act of scrapping; and
    (3) Each reduction vessel owner, upon NMFS' tender of the reduction 
payment, forever relinquishes any claim associated with the reduction 
vessel and with the reduction permit that could qualify the reduction 
vessel owner or the reduction permit holder for any present or future 
limited access system fishing permit in the reduction fishery.
    (d) Fishing permits in a non-reduction fishery. A financed program 
that does not involve the withdrawal from fishing or scrapping of 
reduction vessels may not require any holder of a reduction permit in a 
reduction fishery to surrender any fishing permit in any non-reduction 
fishery or restrict or revoke any fishing permit other than a

[[Page 128]]

reduction permit in the reduction fishery, except those fishing permits 
authorizing the incidental harvesting of species in any non-reduction 
fishery during, and as a consequence of, directed fishing for species in 
the reduction fishery.
    (e) Reduction vessels disposition. Where a business plan requires 
the withdrawal from fishing of reduction vessels as well as the 
revocation of reduction permits: (1) Each reduction vessel that is not 
documented under Federal law must in every case always be scrapped, 
without regard to whether a program is a financed program or a 
subsidized program;
    (2) No financed program may require any disposition of a reduction 
vessel documented under Federal law other than the title restriction in 
paragraph (b) of this section unless the business plan volunteers to do 
otherwise; and
    (3) Any subsidized program may require the scrapping of reduction 
vessels documented under Federal law.
    (f) Reduction payments. NMFS will disburse all reduction payments in 
the amount and in the manner prescribed in reduction contracts, except 
reduction payments that a bidder's reduction-contract nonperformance 
prevents NMFS from disbursing. In financed programs, the reduction 
loan's principal amount is the total amount of all reduction payments 
that NMFS disburses from the proceeds of a reduction loan. Any reduction 
payment that NMFS, because of a bidder's reduction-contract 
nonperformance, disburses but subsequently recovers, shall reduce the 
principal amount of the reduction loan accordingly.
    (g) Effect of reduction-contract nonperformance. No referendum, no 
reduction contract, no reduction loan, and no fee payment and collection 
obligation under Sec. 600.1013 and Sec. 600.1014 necessary to repay 
any reduction loan, shall be impaired, invalidated, avoided, or 
otherwise rendered unenforceable by virtue of any reduction contract's 
nonperformance. This is without regard to the cause of, or reason for, 
nonperformance. NMFS shall endeavor to enforce the specific performance 
of all reduction contracts, but NMFS' inability, for any reason, to 
enforce specific performance for any portion of such reduction contracts 
shall not relieve fish sellers of their obligation to pay, and fish 
buyers of their obligation to collect, the fee necessary to fully repay 
the full reduction loan balance that results from all reduction payments 
that NMFS actually makes and does not recover.
    (h) Program completion. Other than the payment and collection of the 
fee that repays a reduction loan and any other residual matters 
regarding reduction payments and the disposition of reduction permits 
and reduction vessels, a program shall be completed when NMFS tenders or 
makes all reduction payments under all reduction contracts that 
circumstances, in NMFS' judgment, reasonably permit NMFS to make.



Sec. 600.1012  Reduction loan.

    (a) Obligation. The borrower shall be obligated to repay a reduction 
loan. The borrower's obligation to repay a reduction loan shall be 
discharged by fish sellers paying a fee in accordance with Sec. 
600.1013. Fish buyers shall be obligated to collect the fee in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1013 and to deposit and disburse the fee 
revenue in accordance with Sec. 600.1014.
    (b) Principal amount, interest rate, repayment term, and penalties 
for non-payment or non-collection. The reduction loan shall be:
    (1) In a principal amount that shall be determined by subsequent 
program events under this subpart, but which shall not exceed the 
maximum principal amount in the fishing capacity reduction 
specifications;
    (2) At an annual rate, that shall be determined by subsequent 
events, of simple interest on the reduction loan's principal balance 
that shall equal 2 percent plus the Treasury percentage;
    (3) Repayable over the repayment term specified in the business plan 
or otherwise determined by subsequent events; and
    (4) Subject to such provisions as implementation regulations shall 
specify for the payment of costs and penalties for non-payment, non-
collection, non-deposit, and/or non-disbursement in accordance with 
Sec. 600.1013 and Sec. 600.1014.
    (c) Effect of prospective interest rate. Any difference between a 
prospective

[[Page 129]]

interest rate projected, for the purpose of any aspect of reduction 
planning or processing under this subpart, before the U.S. Treasury 
determines the Treasury percentage and an interest rate first known 
after the U.S. Treasury determines the Treasury percentage shall not 
void, invalidate, or otherwise impair any reduction contract, any 
reduction loan repayment obligation, or any other aspect of the 
reduction process under this subpart. Should any such difference result 
in a reduction loan that cannot, at the maximum fee rate allowed by law, 
be repaid, as previously projected, within the maximum maturity, any 
amount of the reduction loan remaining unpaid at maturity shall be 
repaid after maturity by continuing fee payment and collection under 
this subpart at such maximum fee rate until the reduction loan's unpaid 
principal balance and accrued interest is fully repaid. The above 
notwithstanding, at the discretion of the Secretary, the reduction 
contract can be voided if a material adverse change affects the 
reduction contract, reduction loan obligation, or any other aspect of 
the reduction process under this subpart.



Sec. 600.1013  Fee payment and collection.

    (a) Amount. The fee amount is the delivery value times the fee rate.
    (b) Rate. NMFS will establish the fee rate. The fee rate may not 
exceed 5 percent of the delivery value. NMFS will establish the initial 
fee rate by calculating the fee revenue annually required to amortize a 
reduction loan over the reduction loan's term, projecting the annual 
delivery value, and expressing such fee revenue as a percentage of such 
delivery value. Before each anniversary of the initial fee rate 
determination, NMFS will recalculate the fee rate reasonably required to 
ensure reduction loan repayment. This will include any changed delivery 
value projections and any adjustment required to correct for previous 
delivery values higher or lower than projected.
    (c) Payment and collection. (1) The full fee is due and payable at 
the time of fish delivery. Each fish buyer shall collect the fee at the 
time of fish delivery by deducting the fee from the delivery value 
before paying, or promising to pay, the net delivery value. Each fish 
seller shall pay the fee at the time of fish delivery by receiving from 
the fish buyer the net delivery value, or the fish buyer's promise to 
pay the net delivery value, rather than the delivery value. Regardless 
of when the fish buyer pays the net delivery value, the fish buyer shall 
collect the fee at the time of fish delivery;
    (2) In the event of any post-delivery payment for fee fish--
including, but not limited to bonuses--whose amount depends on 
conditions that cannot be known until after fish delivery, that either 
first determines the delivery value or later increases the previous 
delivery value, the fish seller shall pay, and the fish buyer shall 
collect, at the time the amount of such post-delivery payment first 
becomes known, the fee that would otherwise have been due and payable as 
if the amount of the post-delivery payment had been known, and as if the 
post-delivery payment had consequently occurred, at the time of initial 
fish delivery;
    (3)(i) Each fish seller shall be deemed to be, for the purpose of 
the fee collection, deposit, disbursement, and accounting requirements 
of this subpart, both the fish seller and the fish buyer, and shall be 
responsible for all requirements and liable for any penalties under this 
subpart applicable to fish sellers and/or fish buyers, each time that a 
fish seller sells fee fish to:
    (A) Any party whose place of business is not located in the United 
States, who does not take delivery or possession of the fee fish in the 
United States, who is not otherwise subject to this subpart, or to whom 
or against whom NMFS cannot otherwise apply or enforce this subpart,
    (B) Any party who is a general food-service wholesaler or supplier, 
a restaurant, a retailer, a consumer, some other type of end-user, or 
some other party not engaged in the business of buying fish from fish 
sellers for the purpose of reselling the fish, either with or without 
processing the fish, or
    (C) Any other party who the fish seller has good reason to believe 
is a party not subject to this subpart or to whom or against whom NMFS 
cannot otherwise apply or enforce this subpart,

[[Page 130]]

    (ii) In each such case the fish seller shall, with respect to the 
fee fish involved in each such case, discharge, in addition to the fee 
payment requirements of this subpart, all the fee collection, deposit, 
disbursement, accounting, record keeping, and reporting requirements 
that this subpart otherwise imposes on the fish buyer, and the fish 
seller shall be subject to all the penalties this subpart provides for a 
fish buyer's failure to discharge such requirements;
    (4) Fee payment begins on the date NMFS specifies under the 
notification procedures of paragraph (d) of this section and continues 
without interruption at the fee rates NMFS specifies in accordance this 
subpart until NMFS determines that the reduction loan is fully repaid. 
If a reduction loan is, for any reason, not fully repaid at the maturity 
of the reduction loan's original amortization period, fee payment and 
collection shall continue until the reduction loan is fully repaid, 
notwithstanding that the time required to fully repay the reduction loan 
exceeds the reduction loan's initially permissible maturity.
    (d) Notification. (1) At least 30 days before the effective date of 
any fee or of any fee rate change, NMFS will publish a Federal Register 
notice establishing the date from and after which the fee or fee rate 
change is effective. NMFS will then also send, by U.S. mail, an 
appropriate notification to each affected fish seller and fish buyer of 
whom NMFS has notice;
    (2) When NMFS determines that a reduction loan is fully repaid, NMFS 
will publish a Federal Register notice that the fee is no longer in 
effect and should no longer be either paid or collected. NMFS will then 
also send, by U.S. mail, notification to each affected fish seller and 
fish buyer of whom NMFS has knowledge;
    (3) If NMFS fails to notify a fish seller or a fish buyer by U.S. 
mail, or if the fish seller or fish buyer otherwise does not receive the 
notice, of the date fee payments start or of the fee rate in effect, 
each fish seller is, nevertheless, obligated to pay the fee at the fee 
rate in effect and each fish buyer is, nevertheless, obligated to 
collect the fee at the fee rate in effect.
    (e) Failure to pay or collect. (1) If a fish buyer refuses to 
collect the fee in the amount and manner that this subpart requires, the 
fish seller shall then advise the fish buyer of the fish seller's fee 
payment obligation and of the fish buyer's fee collection obligation. If 
the fish buyer still refuses to properly collect the fee, the fish 
seller, within the next 7 calendar days, shall forward the fee to NMFS. 
The fish seller at the same time shall also advise NMFS in writing of 
the full particulars, including:
    (i) The fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone 
number,
    (ii) The name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made 
fish delivery and the date of doing so,
    (iii) The quantity and delivery value of each species of fee fish 
that the fish seller delivered, and
    (iv) The fish buyer's reason, if known, for refusing to collect the 
fee in accordance with this subpart;
    (2) If a fish seller refuses to pay the fee in the amount and manner 
that this subpart requires, the fish buyer shall then advise the fish 
seller of the fish buyer's collection obligation and of the fish 
seller's payment obligation. If the fish seller still refuses to pay the 
fee, the fish buyer shall then either deduct the fee from the delivery 
value over the fish seller's protest or refuse to buy the fee fish. The 
fish buyer shall also, within the next 7 calendar days, advise NMFS in 
writing of the full particulars, including:
    (i) The fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone 
number,
    (ii) The name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made 
or attempted to make fish delivery and the date of doing so,
    (iii) The quantity and delivery value of each species of fee fish 
the fish seller delivered or attempted to deliver,
    (iv) Whether the fish buyer deducted the fee over the fish seller's 
protest or refused to buy the fee fish, and
    (v) The fish seller's reason, if known, for refusing to pay the fee 
in accordance with this subpart.
    (f) Implementation regulations at variance with this section. If any 
special circumstances in a reduction fishery require, in NMFS's 
judgment, fee payment and/or collection provisions in

[[Page 131]]

addition to, or different from, those in this section in order to 
accommodate the circumstances of, and practices in, a reduction fishery 
while still fulfilling the intent and purpose of this section, NMFS may, 
notwithstanding this section, include such provisions in the 
implementation regulations for such reduction fishery.



Sec. 600.1014  Fee collection deposits, disbursements, records, and reports.

    (a) Deposit accounts. Each fish buyer that this subpart requires to 
collect a fee shall maintain a segregated account at a federally insured 
financial institution for the sole purpose of depositing collected fee 
revenue and disbursing the fee revenue directly to NMFS in accordance 
with paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) Fee collection deposits. Each fish buyer, no less frequently 
than at the end of each business week, shall deposit, in the deposit 
account established under paragraph (a) of this section, all fee 
revenue, not previously deposited, that the fish buyer collects through 
a date not more than two calendar days before the date of deposit. 
Neither the deposit account nor the principal amount of deposits in the 
account may be pledged, assigned, or used for any purpose other than 
aggregating collected fee revenue for disbursement to the Fund in 
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The fish buyer is 
entitled, at any time, to withdraw deposit interest, if any, but never 
deposit principal, from the deposit account for the fish buyer's own use 
and purposes.
    (c) Deposit principal disbursement. On the last business day of each 
month, or more frequently if the amount in the account exceeds the 
account limit for insurance purposes, the fish buyer shall disburse to 
NMFS the full amount of deposit principal then in the deposit account. 
The fish buyer shall do this by check made payable to the Fund 
subaccount to which the deposit principal relates. The fish buyer shall 
mail each such check to the Fund subaccount lockbox that NMFS 
establishes for the receipt of the disbursements for each program. Each 
disbursement shall be accompanied by the fish buyer's settlement sheet 
completed in the manner and form that NMFS specifies. NMFS will specify 
the Fund subaccount lockbox and the manner and form of settlement sheet 
by means of the notification in Sec. 600.1013(d).
    (d) Records maintenance. Each fish buyer shall maintain, in a secure 
and orderly manner for a period of at least 3 years from the date of 
each transaction involved, at least the following information:
    (1) For all deliveries of fee fish that the fish buyer buys from 
each fish seller:
    (i) The date of delivery,
    (ii) The seller's identity,
    (iii) The weight, number, or volume of each species of fee fish 
delivered,
    (iv) The identity of the fishing vessel that delivered the fee fish,
    (v) The delivery value of each species of fee fish,
    (vi) The net delivery value,
    (vii) The identity of the party to whom the net delivery value is 
paid, if other than the fish seller,
    (viii) The date the net delivery value was paid, and
    (ix) The total fee amount collected;
    (2) For all fee collection deposits to and disbursements from the 
deposit account:
    (i) The dates and amounts of deposits,
    (ii) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the Fund's lockbox 
account, and
    (iii) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer or 
other parties of interest earned on deposits.
    (e) Annual report. In each year, on the date to be specified in each 
implementation regulation, succeeding the year during which NMFS first 
implemented a fee, each fish buyer shall submit to NMFS a report, on or 
in the form NMFS specifies, containing the following information for the 
preceding year, or whatever longer period may be involved in the first 
annual report, for all fee fish each fish buyer purchases from fish 
sellers: (1) Total weight, number, or volume bought;
    (2) Total delivery value paid;
    (3) Total fee amounts collected;
    (4) Total fee collection amounts deposited by month;

[[Page 132]]

    (5) Dates and amounts of monthly disbursements to each Fund lockbox 
account;
    (6) Total amount of interest earned on deposits; and
    (7) Depository account balance at year-end.
    (f) State records. If landing records that a state requires from 
fish sellers contain some or all of the data that this section requires 
and state confidentiality laws or regulations do not prevent NMFS' 
access to the records maintained for the state, then fish buyers can use 
such records to meet appropriate portions of this section's 
recordkeeping requirements. If, however, state confidentiality laws or 
regulations make such records unavailable to NMFS, then fish buyers 
shall maintain separate records for NMFS that meet the requirements of 
this section. If any state law or regulation prohibits fish buyers, or 
fish sellers where appropriate, from keeping, for the purpose of 
complying with any requirement of this section, separate records that 
involve some or all of the same data elements as the landing records 
that the fish buyers also keep, for state purposes and under state law 
or regulation, then a financed reduction program will not be possible.
    (g) Audits. NMFS or its agents may audit, in whatever manner NMFS 
believes reasonably necessary for the duly diligent administration of 
reduction loans, the financial records of fish buyers and fish sellers 
in each reduction fishery in order to ensure proper fee payment, 
collection, deposit, disbursement, accounting, record keeping, and 
reporting. Fish buyers and fish sellers shall make all records of all 
program transactions involving post-reduction fish harvests, fish 
deliveries, and fee payments, collections, deposits, disbursements, 
accounting, record keeping, and reporting available to NMFS or NMFS' 
agents at reasonable times and places and promptly provide all requested 
information reasonably related to these records that such fish sellers 
and fish buyers may otherwise lawfully provide. Trip tickets (or similar 
accounting records establishing the pounds of fee fish that each fish 
buyer buys from each fish seller each time that each fish buyer does so 
and each price that each fish buyer then pays to each fish seller for 
the fee fish) are essential audit documentation.
    (h) Confidentiality of records. NMFS and NMFS' auditing agents shall 
maintain the confidentiality of all data to which NMFS has access under 
this section and shall neither release the data nor allow the data's use 
for any purpose other than the purpose of this subpart; provided, 
however, that NMFS may aggregate such data so as to preclude their 
identification with any fish buyer or any fish seller and use them in 
the aggregate for other purposes).
    (i) Refunds. When NMFS determines that a reduction loan is fully 
repaid, NMFS will refund any excess fee receipts, on a last-in/first-out 
basis, to the fish buyers. Fish buyers shall return the refunds, on a 
last-in/first-out basis, to the fish sellers who paid the amounts 
refunded.
    (j) Implementation regulations at variance with this section. If any 
special circumstances in a reduction fishery require, in NMFS's 
judgment, fee collection deposit, disbursement, or records provisions in 
addition to, or different from, those in this section in order to 
accommodate the circumstances of, and practices in, a reduction fishery 
while still fulfilling the intent and purpose of this section, NMFS may, 
notwithstanding this section, include such provisions in the 
implementation regulations for such reduction fishery.



Sec. 600.1015  Late charges.

    The late charge to fish buyers for fee payment, collection, deposit, 
and/or disbursement shall be one and one-half (1.5) percent per month, 
or the maximum rate permitted by state law, for the total amount of the 
fee not paid, collected, deposited, and/or disbursed when due to be 
paid, collected, deposited, and/or disbursed. The full late charge shall 
apply to the fee for each month or portion of a month that the fee 
remains unpaid, uncollected, undeposited, and/or undisbursed.



Sec. 600.1016  Enforcement.

    In accordance with applicable law or other authority, NMFS may take 
appropriate action against each fish seller and/or fish buyer 
responsible for

[[Page 133]]

non-payment, non-collection, non-deposit, and/or non-disbursement of the 
fee in accordance with this subpart to enforce the collection from such 
fish seller and/or fish buyer of any fee (including penalties and all 
costs of collection) due and owing the United States on account of the 
loan that such fish seller and/or fish buyer should have, but did not, 
pay, collect, deposit, and/or disburse in accordance with this subpart. 
All such loan recoveries shall be applied to reduce the unpaid balance 
of the loan.



Sec. 600.1017  Prohibitions and penalties.

    (a) The following activities are prohibited, and it is unlawful for 
any party to:
    (1) Vote in any referendum under this subpart if the party is 
ineligible to do so;
    (2) Vote more than once in any referendum under this subpart;
    (3) Sign or otherwise cast a ballot on behalf of a voter in any 
referendum under this subpart unless the voter has fully authorized the 
party to do so and doing so otherwise comports with this subpart;
    (4) Interfere with or attempt to hinder, delay, buy, or otherwise 
unduly or unlawfully influence any eligible voter's vote in any 
referendum under this subpart;
    (5) Submit a fraudulent, unauthorized, incomplete, misleading, 
unenforceable by specific performance, or inaccurate bid in response to 
an invitation to bid under this subpart or, in any other way, interfere 
with or attempt to interfere with, hinder, or delay, any invitation to 
bid, any bid submitted under any invitation to bid, any reduction 
contract, or any other reduction process in connection with any 
invitation to bid;
    (6) Revoke or attempt to revoke any bid under this subpart;
    (7) Fail to comply with the terms and conditions of any invitation 
to bid, bid, or reduction contract under this subpart, including NMFS' 
right under such reduction contracts to specific performance;
    (8) Fail to fully and properly pay and collect any fee due payable, 
and collectible under this subpart or otherwise avoid, decrease, 
interfere with, hinder, or delay any such payment and collection,
    (9) Convert, or otherwise use for any purpose other than the purpose 
this subpart intends, any paid or collected fee;
    (10) Fail to fully and properly deposit on time the full amount of 
all fee revenue collected under this subpart into a deposit account and 
disburse the full amount of all deposit principal to the Fund's lockbox 
account--all as this subpart requires;
    (11) Fail to maintain full, timely, and proper fee payment, 
collection, deposit, and/or disbursement records or make full, timely, 
and proper reports of such information to NMFS-all as this subpart 
requires;
    (12) Fail to advise NMFS of any fish seller's refusal to pay, or of 
any fish buyer's refusal to collect, any fee due and payable under this 
subpart;
    (13) Refuse to allow NMFS or agents that NMFS designates to review 
and audit at reasonable times all books and records reasonably pertinent 
to fee payment, collection, deposit, disbursement, and accounting under 
this subpart or otherwise interfere with, hinder, or delay NMFS or it 
agents in the course of their activities under this subpart;
    (14) Make false statements to NMFS, any of the NMFS' employees, or 
any of NMFS' agents about any of the matters in this subpart;
    (15) Obstruct, prevent, or unreasonably delay or attempt to 
obstruct, prevent, or unreasonably delay any audit or investigation NMFS 
or its agents conduct, or attempt to conduct, in connection with any of 
the matters in this subpart; and/or
    (16) Otherwise materially interfere with the efficient and effective 
conduct of reduction and the repayment of reduction loans under this 
subpart.
    (b) Any party who violates one or more of the prohibitions of 
paragraph (a) of this section is subject to the full range of penalties 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 15 CFR part 904 provide--including, but not 
limited to: civil penalties, sanctions, forfeitures, and punishment for 
criminal offenses--and to the full penalties and punishments otherwise 
provided by any other applicable law of the United States.

[[Page 134]]

    (c) Additionally, NMFS may take any and all appropriate actions, 
including the communication of action at law, against each party 
responsible for the non-payment, non-collection, non-deposit, and/or 
non-disbursement in accordance with Sec. 600.1013 and/or Sec. 600.1014 
to enforce the United States' receipt from such party of any fee--
including penalties and all costs of collection--due and owing the 
United States on account of the reduction loan that such party should 
have, but did not, pay, collect, deposit, and/or disburse in accordance 
with Sec. 600.1013 and/or Sec. 600.1014. All such reduction loan 
recoveries shall be applied to reduce the unpaid balances of reduction 
loans.



    Subpart M_Specific Fishery or Program Fishing Capacity Reduction 
                               Regulations

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1861a(b) 
through (e), 46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g, section 144(d) of Division 
B of Pub. L. 106-554, section 2201 of Pub. L. 107-20, section 205 of 
Pub. L. 107-117, Pub. L. 107-206, and Pub. L. 108-7.

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 57701, Sept. 29, 2006, the authority 
citation for 50 CFR part 600 subpart M was revised, effective Oct. 30, 
2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as 
follows:
    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1861a(b) 
through (e), 46 App. U.S.C. 1279f and 1279g, section 144(d) of Division 
B of Pub. L. 106-554, section 2201 of Pub. L. 107-20, and section 205 of 
Pub. L. 107-117, Pub. L. 107-206, Pub. L. 108-7, Pub. L. 108-199, and 
Pub. L. 108-447.

    Source: 69 FR 53361, Sept. 1, 2004, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 600.1100  [Reserved]



Sec. 600.1101  Inshore fee system for repayment of the loan to harvesters of 

Pollock from the directed fishing allowance allocated to the inshore component 

under section 206(b)(1) of the AFA.

    (a) Definition. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and in Sec. 679.2 of this title, the terms used in this 
subpart have the following meanings:
    American Fisheries Act (AFA) means Title II of Pub.L. 105-277.
    Borrower means (individually and collectively) all persons who, 
after January 1, 2000, harvest fee fish from the IC directed fishing 
allowance.
    Business week means a 7-day period, Saturday through Friday.
    Delivery value means the gross ex-vessel value of all fee fish at 
fish delivery.
    Deposit principal means all collected fee revenue that a fish buyer 
deposits in a segregated deposit account maintained in a federally 
chartered national bank for the sole purpose of aggregating collected 
fee revenue before sending the fee revenue to NMFS for repaying the 
loan.
    Fee means the six-tenths (0.6) of one cent that fish buyers deduct 
at fish delivery from the delivery value of each pound of round weight 
fee fish.
    Fee fish means all pollock harvested from the IC directed fishing 
allowance beginning on February 10, 2000 and ending at such time as the 
loan's principal and interest are fully repaid.
    Fish buyer means the first ex-vessel fish buyer who purchases fee 
fish from a fish seller.
    Fish delivery means the point at which a fish buyer first takes 
delivery or possession of fee fish from a fish seller.
    Fish seller means the harvester who catches and first sells fee fish 
to a fish buyer.
    IC directed fishing allowance means the directed fishing allowance 
allocated to the inshore component under section 206(b)(1) of the AFA.
    Loan means the loan authorized by section 207(a) of the AFA.
    Net delivery value means the delivery value minus the fee.
    Subaccount means the Inshore Component Pollock Subaccount of the 
Fishing Capacity Reduction Fund in the U.S. Treasury for the deposit of 
all funds involving the loan.
    (b) Loan--(1) Principal amount. The loan's principal amount is 
$75,000,000 (seventy five million dollars).
    (2) Interest. Interest shall, from December 30, 1998, when NMFS 
disbursed the loan, until the date the borrower fully repays the loan, 
accrue at a fixed rate of 7.09 percent. Interest shall be simple 
interest and shall accrue on the basis of a 365-day year.

[[Page 135]]

    (3) Repayment. The fee shall be the exclusive source of loan 
repayment. The fee shall be paid on all fee fish.
    (4) Application of fee receipts. NMFS shall apply all fee receipts 
it receives, first, to payment of the loan's accrued interest and, 
second, to reduction of the loan's principal balance.
    (5) Obligation. The borrower shall repay the loan in accordance with 
the AFA and this subpart.
    (c) Fee payment and collection--(1) Payment and collection. (i) The 
fee is due and payable at the time of fish delivery. Each fish buyer 
shall collect the fee at the time of fish delivery by deducting the fee 
from the delivery value before paying or promising later to pay the net 
delivery value. Each fish seller shall pay the fee at the time of fish 
delivery by receiving from the fish buyer the net delivery value or the 
fish buyer's promise later to pay the net delivery value rather than the 
delivery value. Regardless of when the fish buyer pays the net delivery 
value, the fish buyer shall collect the fee at the time of fish 
delivery;
    (ii)(A) Each fish seller shall be deemed, for the purpose of the fee 
collection, deposit, disbursement, and accounting requirements of this 
subpart, to be both the fish seller and the fish buyer--and all 
requirements and penalties under this subpart applicable to both a fish 
seller and a fish buyer shall equally apply to the fish seller--each 
time that the fish seller sells fee fish to:
    (1) Any fish buyer whose place of business is not located in the 
United States, who does not take delivery or possession of the fee fish 
in the United States, who is not otherwise subject to this subpart, or 
to whom or against whom NMFS cannot otherwise apply or enforce this 
subpart,
    (2) Any fish buyer who is a general food-service wholesaler or 
supplier, a restaurant, a retailer, a consumer, some other type of end-
user, or some other fish buyer not engaged in the business of buying 
fish from fish sellers for the purpose of reselling the fish, or
    (3) Any other fish buyer who the fish seller has good reason to 
believe is a fish buyer not subject to this subpart or to whom or 
against whom NMFS cannot otherwise apply or enforce this subpart,
    (B) In each such case the fish seller shall, with respect to the fee 
fish involved in each such case, discharge, in addition to the fee 
payment requirements of this subpart, all the fee collection, deposit, 
disbursement, accounting, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements that 
this subpart otherwise imposes on the fish buyer, and the fish seller 
shall be subject to all the penalties this subpart provides for a fish 
buyer's failure to discharge such requirements;
    (2) Notification. (i) NMFS will send an appropriate fee payment and 
collection commencement notification to each affected fish seller and 
fish buyer of whom NMFS has knowledge.
    (ii) When NMFS determines that the loan is fully repaid, NMFS will 
publish a Federal Register notification that the fee is no longer in 
effect and should no longer be either paid or collected. NMFS will then 
also send an appropriate fee termination notification to each affected 
fish seller and fish buyer of whom NMFS has knowledge;
    (3) Failure to pay or collect. (i) If a fish buyer refuses to 
collect the fee in the amount and manner that this subpart requires, the 
fish seller shall then advise the fish buyer of the fish seller's fee 
payment obligation and of the fish buyer's fee collection obligation. If 
the fish buyer still refuses to properly collect the fee, the fish 
seller, within the next 7 calendar days, shall forward the fee to NMFS. 
The fish seller at the same time shall also advise NMFS in writing of 
the full particulars, including:
    (A) The fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone 
number,
    (B) The name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made 
fish delivery and the date of doing so,
    (C) The quantity and delivery value of fee fish that the fish seller 
delivered, and
    (D) The fish buyer's reason (if known) for refusing to collect the 
fee in accordance with this subpart;
    (ii) If a fish seller refuses to pay the fee in the amount and 
manner that this subpart requires, the fish buyer shall then advise the 
fish seller of the fish buyer's collection obligation and of the

[[Page 136]]

fish seller's payment obligation. If the fish seller still refuses to 
pay the fee, the fish buyer shall then either deduct the fee from the 
delivery value over the fish seller's protest or refuse to buy the fee 
fish. The fish buyer shall also, within the next 7 calendar days, advise 
NMFS in writing of the full particulars, including:
    (A) The fish buyer's and fish seller's name, address, and telephone 
number,
    (B) The name of the fishing vessel from which the fish seller made 
or attempted to make fish delivery and the date of doing so,
    (C) The quantity and delivery value of fee fish the fish seller 
delivered or attempted to deliver,
    (D) Whether the fish buyer deducted the fee over the fish seller's 
protest or refused to buy the fee fish, and
    (E) The fish seller's reason (if known) for refusing to pay the fee 
in accordance with this subpart.
    (d) Fee collection deposits, disbursements, records, and reports--
(1) Deposit accounts. Each fish buyer that this subpart requires to 
collect a fee shall maintain a segregated account at a federally insured 
financial institution for the sole purpose of depositing collected fee 
revenue and disbursing the fee revenue directly to NMFS in accordance 
with paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Fee collection deposits. Each fish buyer, no less frequently 
than at the end of each business week, shall deposit, in the deposit 
account established under paragraph (a) of this section, all fee 
revenue, not previously deposited, that the fish buyer has collected 
through a date not more than 2 calendar days before the date of deposit. 
Neither the deposit account nor the principal amount of deposits in the 
account may be pledged, assigned, or used for any purpose other than 
aggregating collected fee revenue for disbursement to the subaccount in 
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The fish buyer is 
entitled, at any time, to withdraw deposit interest, if any, but never 
deposit principal, from the deposit account for the fish buyer's own use 
and purposes.
    (3) Deposit principal disbursement. On the last business day of each 
month, or more frequently if the amount in the account exceeds the 
account limit for insurance purposes, the fish buyer shall disburse to 
NMFS the full amount of deposit principal then in the deposit account. 
The fish buyer shall do this by check made payable to ``NOAA Inshore 
Component Pollock Loan Subaccount.'' The fish buyer shall mail each such 
check to the subaccount lockbox account that NMFS establishes for the 
receipt of the disbursements of deposit principal. Each disbursement 
shall be accompanied by the fish buyer's settlement sheet completed in 
the manner and form that NMFS specifies. NMFS will specify the 
subaccount's lockbox and the manner and form of settlement sheet by 
means of the notification in Sec. 600.1101(c).
    (4) Records maintenance. Each fish buyer shall maintain, in a secure 
and orderly manner for a period of at least 3 years from the date of 
each transaction involved, at least the following information:
    (i) For all deliveries of fee fish that the fish buyer buys from 
each fish seller:
    (A) The date of delivery,
    (B) The fish seller's identity,
    (C) The round weight of fee fish delivered,
    (D) The identity of the fishing vessel that delivered the fee fish,
    (E) The delivery value,
    (F) The net delivery value,
    (G) The identity of the party to whom the net delivery value is 
paid, if other than the fish seller,
    (H) The date the net delivery value was paid, and
    (I) The total fee amount collected;
    (ii) For all fee collection deposits to and disbursements from the 
deposit account:
    (A) The dates and amounts of deposits,
    (B) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the subaccount's 
lockbox account, and
    (C) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer or 
other parties of interest earned on deposits.
    (5) Annual report. By January 15, 2001, and by each January 15 
thereafter until the loan is fully repaid, each fish buyer shall submit 
to NMFS a report, on or in the form NMFS specifies, containing

[[Page 137]]

the following information for the preceding year for all fee fish each 
fish buyer purchases from fish sellers:
    (i) Total round weight bought;
    (ii) Total delivery value paid;
    (iii) Total fee amount collected;
    (iv) Total fee collection amounts deposited by month;
    (v) Dates and amounts of monthly disbursements to the subaccount 
lockbox;
    (vi) Total amount of interest earned on deposits; and
    (vii) Depository account balance at year-end.
    (6) State records. If landing records that a state requires from 
fish sellers contain some or all of the data that this section requires 
and state confidentiality laws or regulations do not prevent NMFS' 
access to the records maintained for the state, then fish buyers can use 
such records to meet appropriate portions of this section's 
recordkeeping requirements. If, however, state confidentiality laws or 
regulations make such records unavailable to NMFS, then fish buyers 
shall maintain separate records for NMFS that meet the requirements of 
this section.
    (7) Audits. NMFS or its agents may audit, in whatever manner NMFS 
believes reasonably necessary for the duly diligent administration of 
the loan, the financial records of the fish buyers and the fish sellers 
in order to ensure proper fee payment, collection, deposit, 
disbursement, accounting, recordkeeping, and reporting. Fish buyers and 
fish sellers shall make all records of all transactions involving fee 
fish catches, fish deliveries, and fee payments, collections, deposits, 
disbursements, accounting, recordkeeping, and reporting available to 
NMFS or its agents at reasonable times and places and promptly provide 
all requested information reasonably related to these records that such 
fish sellers and fish buyers may otherwise lawfully provide. Trip 
tickets (or similar accounting records establishing the round weight 
pounds of fee fish that each fish buyer buys from each fish seller each 
time that each fish buyer does so) are essential audit documentation.
    (8) Confidentiality of records. NMFS and its auditing agents shall 
maintain the confidentiality of all data to which NMFS has access under 
this section and shall neither release the data nor allow the data's use 
for any purpose other than the purpose of this subpart, unless otherwise 
required by law; provided, however, that NMFS may aggregate such data so 
as to preclude their identification with any fish buyer or any fish 
seller and use them in the aggregate for other purposes.
    (9) Refunds. When NMFS determines that the loan is fully repaid, 
NMFS will refund any excess fee receipts, on a last-in/first-out basis, 
to the fish buyers. Fish buyers shall return the refunds, on a last-in/
first-out basis, to the fish sellers who paid the amounts refunded.
    (e) Late charges. The late charge to fish buyers for fee payment, 
collection, deposit, and/or disbursement shall be one and one-half (1.5) 
percent per month, or the maximum rate permitted by state law, for the 
total amount of the fee not paid, collected, deposited, and/or disbursed 
when due to be paid, collected, deposited, and/or disbursed within 5 
days of the date due. The full late charge shall apply to the fee for 
each month or portion of a month that the fee remains unpaid, 
uncollected, undeposited, and/or undisbursed.
    (f) Enforcement. In accordance with applicable law or other 
authority, NMFS may take appropriate action against each fish seller 
and/or fish buyer responsible for non-payment, non-collection, non-
deposit, and/or non-disbursement of the fee in accordance with this 
subpart to enforce the collection from such fish seller and/or fish 
buyer of any fee (including penalties and all costs of collection) due 
and owing the United States on account of the loan that such fish seller 
and/or fish buyer should have, but did not, pay, collect, deposit, and/
or disburse in accordance with this subpart. All such loan recoveries 
shall be applied to reduce the unpaid balance of the loan.
    (g) Prohibitions and penalties. (1) The following activities are 
prohibited, and it is unlawful for anyone to:
    (i) Avoid, decrease, interfere with, hinder, or delay payment or 
collection of, or otherwise fail to fully and properly pay or collect, 
any fee due and

[[Page 138]]

payable under this subpart or convert, or otherwise use for any purpose 
other than the purpose this subpart intends, any paid or collected fee;
    (ii) Fail to fully and properly deposit on time the full amount of 
all fee revenue collected under this subpart into a deposit account and 
disburse the full amount of all deposit principal to the subaccount's 
lockbox account--all as this subpart requires;
    (iii) Fail to maintain full, timely, and proper fee payment, 
collection, deposit, and/or disbursement records or make full, timely, 
and proper reports of such information to NMFS-all as this subpart 
requires;
    (iv) Fail to advise NMFS of any fish seller's refusal to pay, or of 
any fish buyer's refusal to collect, any fee due and payable under this 
subpart;
    (v) Refuse to allow NMFS or agents that NMFS designates to review 
and audit at reasonable times all books and records reasonably pertinent 
to fee payment, collection, deposit, disbursement, and accounting under 
this subpart or otherwise interfere with, hinder, or delay NMFS or it 
agents in the course of their activities under this subpart;
    (vi) Make false statements to NMFS, any of the NMFS' employees, or 
any of NMFS' agents about any of the matters in this subpart;
    (vii) Obstruct, prevent, or unreasonably delay or attempt to 
obstruct, prevent, or unreasonably delay any audit or investigation NMFS 
or its agents conduct, or attempt to conduct, in connection with any of 
the matters in this subpart; and/or
    (viii) Otherwise materially interfere with the efficient and 
effective repayment of the loan.
    (2) Anyone who violates one or more of the prohibitions of paragraph 
(a) of this section is subject to the full range of penalties the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and 15 CFR part 904 provide (including, but not 
limited to: civil penalties, sanctions, forfeitures, and punishment for 
criminal offenses) and to the full penalties and punishments otherwise 
provided by any other applicable law of the United States.



Sec. 600.1102  Pacific Coast groundfish fee.

    (a) Purpose. This section implements the fee for repaying the 
reduction loan financing the Pacific Coast Groundfish Program authorized 
by section 212 of Division B, Title II, of Public Law 108-7 and 
implemented by a final notification in the Federal Register (July 18, 
2003; 68 FR 42613).
    (b) Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this section, the terms 
defined in Sec. 600.1000 of subpart L expressly apply to this section. 
The following terms have the following meanings for the purpose of this 
section:
    Borrower means, individually and collectively, each post-reduction 
fishing permit holder and/or fishing vessel owner fishing in the 
reduction fishery, in any or all of the fee-share fisheries, or in both 
the reduction fishery and any or all of the fee-share fisheries.
    Deposit principal means all collected fee revenue that a fish buyer 
deposits in an account maintained at a federally insured financial 
institution for the purpose of aggregating collected fee revenue before 
sending the fee revenue to NMFS for repaying the reduction loan.
    Fee fish means all fish harvested from the reduction fishery during 
the period in which any portion of the reduction fishery's subamount is 
outstanding and all fish harvested from each of the fee-share fisheries 
during the period in which any portion of each fee-share fishery's 
subamount is outstanding.
    Fee-share fishery means each of the fisheries for coastal Dungeness 
crab and pink shrimp in each of the States of California and Oregon and 
the fishery for coastal Dungeness crab and ocean pink shrimp in the 
State of Washington.
    Fee-share fishery subaccount means each of the six subaccounts 
established in the groundfish program's fund subaccount in which each of 
the six fee-share fishery subamounts are deposited.
    Reduction fishery means all species in, and that portion of, the 
limited entry trawl fishery under the Federal Pacific Coast Groundfish 
Fishery Management Plan that is conducted under permits, excluding those 
registered to whiting

[[Page 139]]

catcher-processors, which are endorsed for trawl gear operation.
    Reduction fishery subaccount means the subaccount established in the 
groundfish program's fund subaccount in which the reduction fishery 
subamount is deposited.
    Subamount means each portion of the reduction loan's original 
principal amount which is allocated either to the reduction fishery or 
to any one of the fee-share fisheries.
    (c) Reduction loan amount. The reduction loan's original principal 
amount is $35,662,471.
    (d) Subamounts. The subamounts of the reduction loan amount are:
    (1) Reduction fishery, $28,428,719; and
    (2) Fee-share fisheries:
    (i) California coastal Dungeness crab fee-share fishery, $2,334,334,
    (ii) California pink shrimp fee-share fishery, $674,202,
    (iii) Oregon coastal Dungeness crab fee-share fishery, $1,367,545,
    (iv) Oregon pink shrimp fee-share fishery, $2,228,845,
    (v) Washington coastal Dungeness crab fee-share fishery, $369,426, 
and
    (vi) Washington ocean pink shrimp fee-share fishery, $259,400.
    (e) Interest accrual inception. Interest began accruing on each 
portion of the reduction loan amount on and from the date each such 
portion was disbursed.
    (f) Interest rate. The reduction loan's interest rate is 6.97 
percent. This is a fixed rate of interest for the full term of the 
reduction loan's life.
    (g) Repayment term. For the purpose of determining fee rates, the 
reduction loan's repayment term shall be 30 years from March 1, 2004, 
but each fee shall continue for as long as necessary to fully repay each 
subamount.
    (h) Reduction loan. The reduction loan shall be subject to the 
provisions of Sec. 600.1012 of subpart L, except that:
    (1) The borrower's obligation to repay the reduction loan shall be 
discharged by fish sellers in the reduction fishery and in each of the 
fee-share fisheries paying the fee applicable to each such fishery's 
subamount in accordance with Sec. 600.1013 of subpart L, and
    (2) Fish buyers in the reduction fishery and in each of the fee-
share fisheries shall be obligated to collect the fee applicable to each 
such fishery's subamount in accordance with Sec. 600.1013 of this 
subpart.
    (i) Fee collection, deposits, disbursements, records, and reports. 
Fish buyers in the reduction fishery and in each of the fee share 
fisheries shall deposit and disburse, as well as keep records for and 
submit reports about, the fees applicable to each such fishery in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1014 of this subpart, except that:
    (1) Deposit accounts. Each fish buyer that this section requires to 
collect a fee shall maintain an account at a federally insured financial 
institution for the purpose of depositing collected fee revenue and 
disbursing the deposit principal directly to NMFS in accordance with 
paragraph (i)(3) of this section. The fish buyer may use this account 
for other operational purposes as well, but the fish buyer shall ensure 
that the account separately accounts for all deposit principal collected 
from the reduction fishery and from each of the six fee-share fisheries. 
The fish buyer shall separately account for all fee collections as 
follows:
    (i) All fee collections from the reduction fishery shall be 
accounted for in a reduction fishery subaccount,
    (ii) All fee collections from the California pink shrimp fee-share 
fishery shall be accounted for in a California shrimp fee-share fishery 
subaccount,
    (iii) All fee collections from the California coastal Dungeness crab 
fishery shall be accounted for in a California crab fee-share fishery 
subaccount,
    (iv) All fee collections from the Oregon pink shrimp fee-share 
fishery shall be accounted for in an Oregon shrimp fee-share fishery 
subaccount,
    (v) All fee collections from the Oregon coastal Dungeness crab fee-
share fishery shall be accounted for in an Oregon crab fee-share fishery 
subaccount,
    (vi) All fee collections from the Washington ocean pink shrimp fee-
share fishery shall be accounted for in a Washington ocean shrimp fee-
share fishery subaccount, and
    (vii) All fee collections from the Washington coastal Dungeness crab 
fishery shall be accounted for in a Washington crab fee-share fishery 
subaccount;

[[Page 140]]

    (2) Fee collection deposits. Each fish buyer, no less frequently 
than at the end of each month, shall deposit, in the deposit account 
established under paragraph (i)(1) of this section, all collected fee 
revenue not previously deposited that the fish buyer collects through a 
date not more than two calendar days before the date of deposit. The 
deposit principal may not be pledged, assigned, or used for any purpose 
other than aggregating collected fee revenue for disbursement to the 
fund in accordance with paragraph (i)(3) of this section. The fish buyer 
is entitled, at any time, to withdraw interest (if any) on the deposit 
principal, but never the deposit fee principal itself, for the fish 
buyer's own use and purposes;
    (3) Deposit principal disbursement. Not later than the 14th calendar 
day after the last calendar day of each month, or more frequently if the 
amount in the account exceeds the account limit for insurance purposes, 
the fish buyer shall disburse to NMFS the full deposit principal then in 
the deposit account, provided that the deposit principal then totals 
$100 or more. If the deposit principal then totals less than $100, the 
fish buyer need not disburse the deposit principal until either the next 
month during which the deposit principal then totals $100 or more, or 
not later than the 14th calendar day after the last calendar day of any 
year in which the deposit principal has not since the last required 
disbursement totaled $100 or more, whichever comes first. The fish buyer 
shall disburse deposit principal by check made payable to the groundfish 
program's fund subaccount. The fish buyer shall mail each such check to 
the groundfish program's fund subaccount lockbox that NMFS establishes 
for the receipt of groundfish program disbursements. Each disbursement 
shall be accompanied by the fish buyer's fee collection report completed 
in the manner and form which NMFS specifies. NMFS will, before fee 
payment and collection begins, specify the groundfish program's fund 
subaccount lockbox and the manner and form of fee collection report. 
NMFS will do this by means of the notification in Sec. 600.1013(d) of 
subpart L. NMFS' fee collection report instructions will include 
provisions for the fish buyer to specify the amount of each disbursement 
which was disbursed from the reduction fishery subaccount and/or from 
each of the six fee-share fishery subaccounts;
    (4) Records maintenance. Each fish buyer shall maintain, in a secure 
and orderly manner for a period of at least 3 years from the date of 
each transaction involved, at least the following information:
    (i) For all deliveries of fee fish that the fish buyer buys from 
each fish seller:
    (A) The date of delivery,
    (B) The fish seller's identity,
    (C) The weight, number, or volume of each species of fee fish 
delivered,
    (D) Information sufficient to specifically identify the fishing 
vessel which delivered the fee fish,
    (E) The delivery value of each species of fee fish,
    (F) The net delivery value of each species of fee fish,
    (G) The identity of the payor to whom the net delivery value is 
paid, if different than the fish seller,
    (H) The date the net delivery value was paid,
    (I) The total fee amount collected as a result of all fee fish, and
    (J) The total fee amount collected as a result of all fee fish from 
the reduction fishery and/or all fee fish from each of the six fee-share 
fisheries; and
    (ii) For all collected fee deposits to, and disbursements of deposit 
principal from, the deposit account include:
    (A) The date of each deposit,
    (B) The total amount deposited,
    (C) The total amount deposited in the reduction fishery subaccount 
and/or in each of the six fee-share fishery subaccounts,
    (D) The date of each disbursement to the Fund's lockbox,
    (E) The total amount disbursed,
    (F) The total amount disbursed from the reduction fishery subaccount 
and/or from each of the six fee-share fishery subaccounts, and
    (G) The dates and amounts of disbursements to the fish buyer, or 
other parties, of interest earned on deposits; and
    (5) Annual report. No fish buyer needs to submit an annual report 
about fee fish collection activities unless, during

[[Page 141]]

the course of an audit under Sec. 600.1014(g), NMFS requires a fish 
buyer to submit such a report or reports.
    (j) Other provisions. The reduction loan is, in all other respects, 
subject to the provisions of Sec. 600.1012 through applicable portions 
of Sec. 600.1017, except Sec. 600.1014(e).

[70 FR 40229, July 13, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 28, Jan. 3, 2006]



Sec. 600.1103  Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab species program.

    (a) Purpose. This section's purpose is to implement the program that 
Section 144(d) of Division B of Pub. L. 106-554, as amended by section 
2201 of Pub. L. 107-20 and section 205 of Pub. L. 107-117, enacted for 
BSAI crab species.
    (b) Terms. Unless otherwise defined in this section, the terms 
defined in Sec. 600.1000 expressly apply to the program for BSAI crab. 
Likewise, the terms defined in Sec. 679.2 of this chapter also apply to 
terms not otherwise defined in either Sec. 600.1000 or this section. 
The following terms used in this section have the following meanings for 
the purpose of this section:
    Acceptance means NMFS' acceptance, on behalf of the United States, 
of a bid.
    Bid means a bidder's irrevocable offer, in response to an invitation 
to bid under this section, to surrender, to have revoked, to have 
restricted, to relinquish, to have withdrawn, or to have extinguished by 
other means, in the manner this section requires, the bidder's reduction 
fishing interest.
    Bid amount means the dollar amount of each bid.
    Bidder means either a qualifying bidder bidding alone or a 
qualifying bidder and a co-bidder bidding together who at the time of 
bidding holds the reduction fishing interests specified at Sec. 
600.1018(e).
    Bid crab means the crab that NMFS determines each bidder's 
reduction/history vessel (see definition) harvested, according to the 
State of Alaska's records of the documented harvest of crab, from each 
reduction endorsement fishery and from the Norton Sound fishery during 
the most recent 5 calendar years in which each reduction endorsement 
fishery was for any length of time open for directed crab fishing during 
a 10-calendar-year period beginning on January 1, 1990, and ending on 
December 31, 1999.
    Bid score means the criterion by which NMFS decides in what order to 
accept bids in the reverse auction this section specifies.
    Co-bidder means a person who is not a qualifying bidder, but who at 
the time of bidding owns the reduction/privilege vessel this section 
requires to be included in a bid and is bidding together with a 
qualifying bidder.
    Crab means the crab species covered by the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs pursuant to 
Sec. 679.2 of this chapter.
    Crab license means a License Limitation Program license for crab 
issued pursuant to Sec. 679.4(k)(5) of this chapter.
    Crab reduction permit means a non-interim crab license endorsed for 
one or more reduction endorsement fisheries, regardless of whether it is 
also endorsed for the Norton Sound fishery.
    FSD means NMFS' Financial Services Division, located in NMFS' Silver 
Spring, MD, headquarters office.
    Non-crab reduction permit means a fishing license, including all of 
its predecessor history, for which a bidder is the holder of record on 
December 12, 2003 and which was issued based on the fishing history of 
the bidder's -reduction/history vessel.
    Norton Sound fishery means the non-reduction fishery defined in 
Sec. 679.2 of this chapter as the area/species endorsement for Norton 
Sound red king and Norton Sound blue king crab.
    NVDC means the U.S. Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation 
Center located in Falling Waters, WV.
    Qualifying bidder means a person who at the time of bidding is the 
license holder of record of a crab reduction permit.
    Qualifying voter means a person who at the time of voting in a 
referendum is the license holder of record either of an interim or a 
non-interim crab license, except a crab license whose sole area/species 
endorsement is for the Norton Sound fishery.
    RAM Program means NMFS' Restricted Access Management Program located 
in NMFS' Juneau, AK, regional office.

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    Reduction endorsement fishery means any of the seven fisheries that 
Sec. 679.2 of this chapter defines as area/species endorsements except 
the area/species endorsement for the Norton Sound fishery.
    Reduction fishery means the fishery for all crab covered by the 
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs Fishery Management 
Plan under all area/species endorsements that section 679.2 of the 
chapter defines, except the area/species endorsement for the Norton 
Sound fishery.
    Reduction fishing history means, for each bid, the complete 
documented harvest of the bidder's reduction/history vessel, upon any 
part of which such harvest NMFS based issuance of the crab license 
included in the bid as a crab reduction permit, plus such fishing 
history, after the issuance of such crab license, of any other vessel 
upon which the bidder used such crab license.
    Reduction fishing interest means, for each bid, the bidder's:
    (1) Reduction fishing privilege (see definition);
    (2) Crab reduction permit;
    (3) Non-crab reduction permit;
    (4) Reduction fishing history (see definition); and
    (5) Any other claim that could in any way qualify the owner, holder, 
or retainer of any of the reduction components, or any person claiming 
under such owner, holder, or retainer, for any present or future limited 
access system fishing license or permit in any United States fishery 
(including, but not limited to, any harvesting privilege or quota 
allocation under any present or future individual fishing quota system).
    Reduction fishing privilege means the worldwide fishing privileges 
of a bid's reduction/privilege vessel (see definition).
    Reduction/history vessel means the vessel or vessels which generated 
the reduction fishing history.
    Reduction loan sub-amount means the portion of the original 
principal amount of reduction loan this section specifies each reduction 
endorsement fishery must repay with interest.
    Reduction/privilege vessel means the vessel designated on a crab 
license on December 12, 2003.
    Referendum means a referendum under this section to determine 
whether voters approve the fee required to repay this program's 
reduction loan.
    Replacement vessel means a reduction/history vessel which replaced 
the lost or destroyed one whose reduction fishing history qualified 
during the general qualification period and the endorsement 
qualification period and, which under the exceptions in Amendment 10, 
qualified during the recent participation period.
    (c) Relationship to this subpart--(1) Provisions that apply. The 
provisions of Sec. 600.1000 through Sec. 600.1017 of this subpart 
apply to this program except as paragraph (c)(2) of this section 
provides; and
    (2) Provisions that do not apply. The following sections, or 
portions of them, of this subpart do not apply to this program:
    (i) All of:
    (A) Section 600.1001,
    (B) Section 600.1002,
    (C) Section 600.1003,
    (D) Section 600.1004,
    (E) Section 600.1005,
    (F) Section 600.1006, and
    (G) Section 600.1007,
    (ii) The portions of Sec. 600.1008:
    (A) Pertaining to an implementation plan,
    (B) Pertaining to a 60-day comment period for a proposed 
implementation regulation,
    (C) Pertaining to public hearings in each State that the this 
program affects,
    (D) Pertaining to basing the implementation regulation on a business 
plan,
    (E) Within paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) through (viii),
    (F) Within paragraph (d)(2)(ii),
    (G) Within paragraph (e), and
    (H) Within paragraph (f) and pertaining to fishing capacity 
reduction specifications and a subsidized program,
    (iii) The portions of Sec. 600.1009:
    (A) Pertaining to fishing capacity reduction specifications,
    (B) Within paragraph (a)(4),

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    (C) Pertaining to a reduction amendment,
    (D) Within paragraph (a)(5)(ii), to the extent that the paragraph is 
inconsistent with the requirements of this section,
    (E) Within paragraph (b)(i), and
    (F) Pertaining to an implementation plan,
    (iv) The portions of Sec. 600.1010:
    (A) Within paragraph (b),
    (B) Pertaining to fishing capacity reduction specifications,
    (C) Within paragraph (d)(1), and
    (D) Within paragraphs (d)(4))(iv) through (vii),
    (v) The portions of Sec. 600.1011:
    (A) That comprise the last sentence of paragraph (a),
    (B) Within paragraph (d), and
    (C) Within paragraph (e)(2),
    (vi) The portions of Sec. 600.1012:
    (A) Within paragraph (b)(3) following the word ``subpart'', and
    (B) Within paragraph (b)(3), and
    (vii) The last sentence of Sec. 600.1014(f).
    (d) Reduction cost financing. NMFS will use the proceeds of a 
reduction loan, authorized for this purpose, to finance 100 percent of 
the reduction cost. The original principal amount of the reduction loan 
will be the total of all reduction payments that NMFS makes under 
reduction contracts. This amount shall not exceed $100 million.
    (e) Who constitutes a bidder. A bidder is a person or persons who is 
the:
    (1) Holder of record and person otherwise fully and legally entitled 
to offer, in the manner this section requires, the bid's crab reduction 
permit and the bid's non-crab reduction permit;
    (2) Reduction/privilege vessel owner, title holder of record, and 
person otherwise fully and legally entitled to offer, in the manner this 
section requires, the bid's reduction fishing privilege; and
    (3) Retainer and person otherwise fully and legally entitled to 
offer, in the manner this section requires, the bid's reduction fishing 
history.
    (f) How crab licenses determine qualifying bidders and qualifying 
voters--(1) Non-interim crab licenses. Each person who is the record 
holder of a non-interim crab license endorsed for one or more reduction 
endorsement fisheries is both a qualifying bidder and a qualifying voter 
and can both bid and vote;
    (2) Interim crab licenses. Each person who is the record holder of 
an interim crab license endorsed for one or more reduction endorsement 
fisheries is a qualifying voter but not a qualifying bidder and can vote 
but not bid;
    (3) Crab licenses endorsed solely for the Norton Sound Fishery. Each 
person who is the record holder of any crab license endorsed solely for 
the Norton Sound fishery is neither a qualifying bidder nor a qualifying 
voter and can neither bid nor vote; and
    (4) Time at which qualifying bidders and voters must hold required 
crab licenses. A qualifying bidder must be the record holder of the 
required crab license at the time the qualifying bidder submits its bid. 
A qualifying voter must be the record holder of the required crab 
license at the time the qualifying voter submits its referendum ballot.
    (g) Qualifying bidders and co-bidders--(1) Qualifying bidders 
bidding alone. There is no co-bidder when a qualifying bidder owns, 
holds, or retains all the required components of the reduction fishing 
interest;
    (2) Qualifying bidders bidding together with co-bidders. When a 
qualifying bidder does not own the reduction/privilege vessel, the 
person who does may be the qualifying bidder's co-bidder; and
    (3) Minimum reduction components that qualifying bidders must hold 
or retain when bidding with co-bidders. At a minimum, a qualifying 
bidder must hold the crab reduction permit and the non-crab reduction 
permit and retain the reduction fishing history. The reduction/privilege 
vessel may, however, be owned by another person who is a co-bidder.
    (h) Reduction fishing interest--(1) General requirements. Each 
bidder must:
    (i) In its bid, offer to surrender, to have revoked, to have 
restricted, to relinquish, to have withdrawn, or to have extinguished by 
other means, in the manner that this section requires, the reduction 
fishing interest,
    (ii) At the time of bidding, hold, own, or retain the reduction 
fishing interest and be fully and legally entitled to offer, in the 
manner that this section

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requires, the reduction fishing interest, and
    (iii) Continuously thereafter hold, own, or retain the reduction 
fishing interest and remain fully and legally entitled to offer, in the 
manner that this section requires, the reduction fishing interest until:
    (A) The bid expires without NMFS first having accepted the bid,
    (B) NMFS notifies the bidder that NMFS rejects the bid,
    (C) NMFS notifies the bidder that a reduction contract between the 
bidder and the United States no longer exists, or
    (D) NMFS tenders reduction payment to the bidder;
    (2) Reduction/privilege vessel requirements. The reduction/privilege 
vessel in each bid must be:
    (i) The vessel designated, at the time this final rule is published 
in the Federal Register, on a crab license which becomes a bid's crab 
reduction permit, and
    (ii) Be neither lost nor destroyed at the time of bidding;
    (3) Reduction fishing privilege requirements. The reduction fishing 
privilege in each bid must be the reduction/privilege vessel's:
    (i) Fisheries trade endorsement under the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 
(46 U.S.C.A. 12108),
    (ii) Qualification for any present or future U.S. Government 
approval under section (9)(c)(2) of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. 
App. 808(c)(2)) for placement under foreign registry or operation under 
the authority of a foreign country, and
    (iii) Any other privilege to ever fish anywhere in the world;
    (4) Crab reduction permit requirements. (i) Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (i) of this section, the crab reduction permit 
must in each bid:
    (A) Be the crab license that NMFS issued on the basis of the 
bidder's reduction fishing history,
    (B) Be non-interim at the time each bidder submits its bid, and
    (C) Include an area/species endorsement for any one or more 
reduction endorsement fisheries,
    (ii) Although the Norton Sound fishery is not a reduction 
endorsement fishery, an area/species endorsement for the Norton Sound 
fishery occurring on a crab reduction permit must be surrendered and 
revoked (and all fishing history involving it relinquished) in the same 
manner as all other reduction endorsement fisheries occurring on the 
crab reduction permit;
    (5) Non-crab reduction permit requirements. The non-crab reduction 
permit must in each bid be every license, permit, or other harvesting 
privilege that:
    (i) NMFS issued on the basis of the fishing history of the bidder's 
reduction/history vessel, and
    (ii) For which the bidder was the license holder of record on the 
effective date of this section; and
    (6) Reduction fishing history requirements. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (i) of this section, the reduction fishing history 
in each bid must that of a single reduction/history vessel.
    (i) Exceptions to the reduction fishing interest requirements--(1) 
Lost or destroyed vessel salvaged. When a bidder has salvaged a lost or 
destroyed vessel and has made from the salvaged vessel the documented 
harvest of crab Sec. 679.4(k)(5)(iii)(B)(3) of this chapter requires, 
the crab portion of the reduction fishing history is the salvaged 
vessel's documented harvest of crab; and
    (2) Lost or destroyed vessel not salvaged. When a bidder has not 
salvaged the lost or destroyed vessel but has made from a replacement 
vessel the documented harvest of crab Sec. 679.4(k)(5)(iii)(B)(3) of 
this chapter requires:
    (i) The crab portion of the reduction fishing history is the total 
of the lost or destroyed vessel's documented harvest of crab through the 
date of such vessel's loss or destruction plus the replacement vessel's 
documented harvest of crab after such date, and
    (ii) For the purposes of this program, the lost or destroyed 
vessel's documented harvest of crab merges with, and becomes a part of, 
the replacement vessel's documented harvest of crab; and
    (3) Acquired crab fishing history. When a bidder, in the manner 
Sec. 679.4(k)(5)(iv) of this chapter requires, has made a documented 
harvest of crab from one vessel and has acquired a replacement vessel's 
documented harvest of crab:

[[Page 145]]

    (i) The crab portion of the reduction fishing history is the total 
of the acquired documented harvest of crab through December 31, 1994, 
plus the documented harvest of crab after December 31, 1994, of the 
vessel from which the bidder made the documented crab harvest Sec. 
679.4(k)(5)(iv) of this chapter requires, and
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) For the purposes of this program, the acquired documented 
harvest of crab merges with, and becomes a part of, the non-acquired 
documented harvest of crab.
    (j) Determining value of reduction/history vessels' bid crab--(1) In 
each fishery. NMFS will determine the dollar value of each reduction/
history vessel's bid crab in each reduction endorsement fishery and in 
the Norton Sound Fishery by multiplying each reduction/history vessel's 
number of pounds of each species of bid crab by the average ex-vessel 
price per pound that the State of Alaska annually publishes for each 
crab species in the bid crab; and
    (2) In all fisheries. NMFS will determine the dollar value of each 
reduction/history vessel's bid crab in all reduction endorsement 
fisheries and in the Norton Sound fishery by adding each of the products 
of the multiplications in paragraph (j)(1) of this section; and
    (3) Crab excluded from bid crab. A reduction/history vessel's bid 
crab may not include, to the extent that NMFS has knowledge:
    (i) Triangle tanner crab, grooved tanner crab, and any other crab 
not involved in the various area/species endorsements,
    (ii) Discarded crab,
    (iii) Crab caught for personal use,
    (iv) Unspecified crab, and
    (v) Any other crab for which the dollar value, crab fishery, landing 
date, or harvesting vessel NMFS cannot, for whatever reason, determine.
    (k) Determining bid score. NMFS will determine each bid score by 
dividing each bid amount by the sum in paragraph (j)(2) of this section.
    (l) Determining reduction loan sub-amount--(1) Value of all bid crab 
in each fishery. NMFS will add the dollar value of bid crab of all 
accepted bidders' reduction/history vessels in each reduction 
endorsement fishery;
    (2) Value of all bid crab in all fisheries. NMFS will add the dollar 
value of bid crab of all accepted bidders' reduction/history vessels in 
all reduction endorsement fisheries plus the Norton Sound fishery;
    (3) Each fishery as a percentage of all fisheries. NMFS will divide 
each of the sums in paragraph (l)(1) of this section by the sum in 
paragraph (l)(2) of this section. The result of this calculation will be 
the dollar value of all bid crab in each reduction endorsement fishery 
as a percentage of the dollar value of all bid crab in all reduction 
endorsement fisheries plus the Norton Sound fishery;
    (4) Applying percentages to loan amount. NMFS will multiply the 
reduction loan's full original principal amount by each of the yields in 
paragraph (l)(3) of this section; and
    (5) Loan sub-amount. Each of the amounts resulting from the 
calculation in paragraph (l)(4) of this section will be the reduction 
loan subamount that a reduction endorsement fishery must repay.
    (m) Prospectively qualifying bidder and voter notification--(1) 
General. At the appropriate point before issuing an invitation to bid, 
NMFS will publish a notification in the Federal Register listing all 
persons who at the time of publishing the notification prospectively are 
qualifying bidders and qualifying voters;
    (2) Qualifying bidder list. The prospectively qualifying bidder list 
will include the names and addresses of record of each license holder of 
record for all non-interim crab licenses except only crab licenses whose 
sole area/species endorsement is for the Norton Sound fishery;
    (3) Qualifying voter list. The prospectively qualifying voter list 
will include the names and addresses of record of each license holder of 
record for all non-interim and interim crab licenses except only crab 
licenses whose sole area/species endorsement is for the Norton Sound 
fishery;
    (4) Basis of lists. NMFS will base both the lists on the RAM 
Program's license holder records for crab licenses meeting the 
requirements of Sec. 679.4(k)(5) of

[[Page 146]]

this chapter as well as the requirements of this section;
    (5) Purpose. The purpose of the notification is to provide the 
public notice of:
    (i) The prospectively qualifying bidders, and
    (ii) The prospectively qualifying voters; and
    (6) Public comment. Any person who wants to comment about the 
notification has 30 days from the notification's publication date to do 
so. Persons should send their comments to both FSD and the RAM Program 
(at addresses that the notification will specify). Comments may address:
    (i) Persons who appear on one or more lists but should not,
    (ii) Persons who do not appear on one or more lists but should, and
    (iii) Persons who believe their names and/or business mailing 
addresses appearing on one or more lists are incorrect.
    (n) Invitation to bid--(1) Notification. At the appropriate point 
after issuing the notification in paragraph (m) of this section, NMFS 
will publish the invitation to bid in the Federal Register notification 
further specified in Sec. 600.1009(c) of this subpart, along with a 
bidding form and terms of capacity reduction agreement. No person may, 
however, bid at this stage;
    (2) Notification contents. The invitation to bid notification will 
state all applicable bid submission requirements and procedures 
(including, but not limited to, those included in this section). In 
particular, the invitation to bid notification will:
    (i) State the date on which NMFS will invite bids by mailing an 
invitation to bid to each person on the prospectively qualifying bidder 
list,
    (ii) State a bid opening date, before which a bidder may not bid, 
and a bid closing date, after which a bidder may not bid,
    (iii) State a bid expiration date after which each bid expires 
unless, prior to that date, NMFS accepts the bid by mailing a written 
acceptance notice to the bidder at the bidder's address of record,
    (iv) State the manner of bid submission and the information each 
bidder must submit for NMFS to deem a bid responsive,
    (v) State any other information required for bid submission, and
    (vi) Include a facsimile of the invitation to bid, along with a 
bidding form and terms of capacity reduction agreement comprising the 
entire terms and conditions of the reduction contract under which each 
bidder must bid and under which NMFS must accept a bid; and
    (3) Mailing. On the date specified in this notification, NMFS will 
invite bids by mailing the invitation to bid and a bidding package, 
including a bidding form terms of capacity reduction agreement, to each 
person then on the prospectively qualifying bidder list. NMFS will not 
mail the invitation to bid to any potential co-bidder because NMFS will 
not then know which bids may include a co-bidder. Each qualifying bidder 
is solely responsible to have any required co-bidder properly complete 
the bid. No person may bid before receiving the invitation to bid and 
the bidding package that NMFS mailed to that person.
    (o) Bids--(1) Content. Each invitation to bid that NMFS mails to a 
qualifying bidder will have a bid form requiring each bid to:
    (i) Identify, by name, regular mail address, telephone number, and 
(if available) electronic mail address, the qualifying bidder and each 
co-bidder,
    (ii) State the bid amount in U.S. dollars,
    (iii) Identify, by crab license number, the qualifying bidder's crab 
reduction permit and include an exact copy of this crab license (which 
the RAM Program issued),
    (iv) Identify, by vessel name and official number, the bidder's 
reduction/privilege vessel, and include an exact copy of this vessel's 
official document (which NVDC issued),
    (v) Identify, by license or permit number, each of the bidder's non-
crab reduction permits; and include an exact copy of each of these 
licenses or permits (which the RAM Program issued for licenses or 
permits involving species under the jurisdiction of NMFS' Alaska Region 
and which other NMFS

[[Page 147]]

offices issued for licenses or permits involving species under those 
offices' jurisdiction),
    (vi) Identify, separately for crab and for each other species:
    (A) The qualifying bidder's reduction fishing history, and
    (B) The dates that each portion of the reduction fishing history 
encompasses; the name and official number of the reduction/history 
vessel or vessels which gave rise to it; and the dates during which the 
qualifying bidder owned such vessels or, if the qualifying bidder 
acquired any reduction fishing history from another person, the name of 
the person from which the qualifying bidder acquired such reduction 
fishing history and the manner in which and the date on which the 
qualifying bidder did so,
    (vii) State, declare, and affirm that the qualifying bidder holds 
the crab reduction permit and retains the complete reduction fishing 
history, and is fully and legally entitled to offer both in the manner 
this section requires,
    (viii) State, declare, and affirm that either the qualifying bidder 
or the co-bidder owns the reduction/privilege vessel and holds the non-
crab reduction permit and is fully and legally entitled to offer both in 
the manner that this section requires, and
    (ix) Provide any other information or materials that NMFS believes 
is necessary and appropriate; and
    (2) Rejection. NMFS, regardless of bid scores, will reject any bid 
that NMFS believes is unresponsive to the invitation to bid. All bid 
rejections will constitute final agency action as of the date of 
rejection. Before rejection, NMFS may, however, contact any bidder to 
attempt to correct a bid deficiency if NMFS, in its discretion, believes 
the attempt warranted.
    (p) Acceptance--(1) Reverse auction. NMFS will determine which 
responsive bids NMFS accepts by using a reverse auction in which NMFS 
first accepts the responsive bid with the lowest bid score and 
successively accepts each additional responsive bid with the next lowest 
bid score until either there are no more responsive bids to accept or 
acceptance of the last responsive bid with the next lowest bid score 
would cause the reduction cost to exceed $100 million. If two or more 
responsive bid scores are exactly the same, NMFS will first accept the 
bid that NMFS first received;
    (2) Notification. NMFS will, after the conclusion of a successful 
referendum, notify accepted bidders that NMFS had, before the 
referendum, accepted their bids; and
    (3) Post-acceptance reduction permit transfer. After NMFS has 
accepted bids, neither the RAM Program (nor any other NMFS office) will 
transfer to other persons any reduction permits that accepted bidders 
included in the bids unless and until FSD advises the RAM Program (or 
some other NMFS office) that the resulting reduction contracts are no 
longer in effect because a referendum failed to approve the fee that 
this section requires to repay this program's reduction loan.
    (q) Reduction contracts subject to successful post-bidding 
referendum condition. Although this program involves no fishing capacity 
reduction specifications under this subpart, each bid, each acceptance, 
and each reduction contract is nevertheless subject to the successful 
post-bidding referendum condition that Sec. 600.1009(a)(3) of this 
subpart specifies for bidding results that do not conform to the fishing 
capacity reduction specifications.
    (r) Post-bidding referendum--(1) Purpose. NMFS will conduct a post-
bidding referendum whose sole purpose is to determine whether, based on 
the bidding results, qualifying voters who cast referendum ballots in 
the manner that this section requires authorize the fee required to 
repay this program's reduction loan;
    (2) Manner of conducting. NMFS will mail a referendum ballot to each 
person then on the prospectively qualifying voter list for each crab 
license that the person holds and otherwise conduct the referendum as 
specified in Sec. 600.1010 of this subpart;
    (3) One vote per crab license. Each qualifying voter may cast only 
one vote for each crab license that each qualifying voter holds;
    (4) Crab license numbers on ballots. Each referendum ballot that 
NMFS mails will contain the license number of the prospectively 
qualifying voter's crab license to which the ballot relates;

[[Page 148]]

    (5) Potential reduction results stated. Each referendum ballot that 
NMFS mails will state the aggregate potential reduction results of all 
the bids that NMFS accepted, including:
    (i) The amount of reduction that all accepted bids potentially 
effect, including:
    (A) The number of crab reduction permits, together with each area/
species endorsement for which each of these licenses is endorsed,
    (B) The number of reduction/privilege vessels and reduction/history 
vessels, and
    (C) The aggregate and average dollar value of bid crab (together 
with the number of pounds of bid crab upon which NMFS based the dollar 
value), in each reduction endorsement fishery and in the reduction 
fishery, for all reduction/history vessels during the period for which 
NMFS calculates the dollar value of bid crab,
    (ii) The reduction loan sub-amount that each reduction endorsement 
fishery must repay if a referendum approves the fee, and
    (iii) Any other useful information NMFS may then have about the 
potential sub-fee rate initially necessary in each reduction endorsement 
fishery to repay each reduction loan sub-amount; and
    (6) Notice that condition fulfilled. If the referendum is 
successful, NMFS will notify accepted bidders, in the manner that Sec. 
600.1010(d)(6)(iii) of this subpart specifies, that a successful 
referendum has fulfilled the reduction contracts' successful post-
bidding referendum condition specified in paragraph (q) of this section.
    (s) Reduction method. In return for each reduction payment, NMFS 
will permanently:
    (1) Revoke each crab reduction permit;
    (2) Revoke each non-crab reduction permit;
    (3) Revoke each reduction fishing privilege (which revocation will 
run with the reduction/privilege vessel's title in the manner Sec. 
600.1009(a)(5)(ii)(A) of this subpart requires and in accordance with 46 
U.S.C. 12108(d));
    (4) Effect relinquishment of each reduction fishing history for the 
purposes specified in this section by noting in the RAM Program records 
(or such other records as may be appropriate for reduction permits 
issued elsewhere) that the reduction fishing history has been 
relinquished under this section and will never again be available to 
anyone for any fisheries purpose; and
    (5) Otherwise restrict in accordance with this subpart each 
reduction/privilege vessel and fully effect the surrender, revocation, 
restriction, relinquishment, withdrawal, or extinguishment by other 
means of all components of each reduction fishing interest.
    (t) Reduction payment tender and disbursement--(1) Fishing continues 
until tender. Each accepted bidder may continue fishing as it otherwise 
would have absent the program until NMFS, after a successful referendum, 
tenders reduction payment to the accepted bidder;
    (2) Notification to the public. After a successful referendum but 
before tendering reduction payment, NMFS will publish a notification in 
the Federal Register listing all proposed reduction payments and putting 
the public on notice:
    (i) Of the crab reduction permits, the reduction/privilege vessels, 
the reduction fishing histories, and the non-crab reduction permits upon 
whose holding, owning, retaining, or other legal authority 
representations accepted bidders based their bids and NMFS based its 
acceptances, and
    (ii) That NMFS intends, in accordance with the reduction contracts, 
to tender reduction payments in return for the actions specified in 
paragraph (s) of this section;
    (3) Public response. The public has 30 days after the date on which 
NMFS publishes the reduction payment tender notification to advise NMFS 
in writing of any holding, owning, or retaining claims that conflict 
with the representations upon which the accepted bidders based their 
bids and on which NMFS based its acceptances;
    (4) Tender and disbursement parties. NMFS will tender reduction 
payments only to accepted bidders, unless otherwise provided contrary 
written instructions by accepted bidders. Creditors or other parties 
with secured or other interests in reduction/privilege vessels or 
reduction permits are responsible to

[[Page 149]]

make their own arrangements with accepted bidders;
    (5) Time of tender. At the end of the reduction payment tender 
notification period, NMFS will tender reduction payments to accepted 
bidders, unless NMFS then knows of a material dispute about an accepted 
bidder's authority to enter into the reduction contract with respect to 
any one or more components of the reduction fishing interest that 
warrants, in NMFS' discretion, an alternative course of action;
    (6) Method of tender and disbursement. NMFS will tender reduction 
payment by requesting from each accepted bidder specific, written 
instructions for paying the reduction payments. Upon receipt of these 
payment instructions, NMFS will immediately disburse reduction payments 
in accordance with the payment instructions; and
    (7) Effect of tender. Concurrently with NMFS' tender of reduction 
payment to each accepted bidder:
    (i) All fishing activity for any species anywhere in the world in 
any way associated with each accepted bidder's reduction fishing 
interest must cease,
    (ii) Each accepted bidder must retrieve all fixed fishing gear for 
whose deployment the accepted bidder's reduction/privilege vessel was 
responsible, and
    (iii) NMFS will fully exercise its reduction contract rights with 
respect to the reduction fishing interest by taking the actions 
specified in paragraph (s) of this section.
    (u) Fee payment and collection--(1) Fish sellers who pay the fee. 
Any person who harvests any crab, but whom ADF&G's fisheries reporting 
requirements do not require to record and submit an ADF&G fish ticket 
for that crab, is a fish seller for the purpose of paying any fee on 
that crab and otherwise complying with the requirements of Sec. 
600.1013 of this subpart;
    (2) Fish buyers who collect the fee. Any person whom ADF&G's 
fisheries reporting requirements require to record and submit an ADF&G 
fish ticket for any crab that another person harvested is a fish buyer 
for the purpose of collecting the fee on that crab and otherwise 
complying with the requirements of Sec. 600.1013 of this subpart; and
    (3) Persons who are both fish sellers and fish buyers and both pay 
and collect the fee. Any person who harvests any crab, and whom ADF&G's 
fisheries reporting requirements require to record and submit an ADF&G 
fish ticket for that crab, is both a fish seller and a fish buyer for 
the purpose of paying and collecting the fee on that crab and otherwise 
complying with the requirements of Sec. 600.1013 of this subpart.
    (v) Fishing prohibition and penalties--(1) General. Fishing, for the 
purpose of this section, includes the full range of activities defined 
in the term ``fishing'' in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801),
    (2) Prohibitions. Concurrently with NMFS' tender of each reduction 
payment, and with the sole exception in paragraph (t)(7)(i) of this 
section, no person whatsoever may, and it is unlawful for any person to:
    (i) Fish with or attempt to fish with, or allow others to fish with 
or attempt to fish with, the reduction/privilege vessel anywhere in the 
world for any species under any conditions and regardless of the 
reduction/privilege vessel's ownership or registry for so long as the 
reduction/privilege vessel exists. This prohibition includes, but is not 
limited to, fishing on the high seas or in the jurisdiction of any 
foreign country (to the extent prohibited by law) while operating under 
U.S. flag,
    (ii) Place or attempt to place, or allow others to place or attempt 
to place, the reduction/privilege vessel under foreign flag or registry,
    (iii) Operate or attempt to operate, or allow others to operate or 
attempt to operate, the reduction/privilege vessel under the authority 
of a foreign country to the extent prohibited by law,
    (iv) Otherwise avoid or attempt to avoid, or allow others to avoid 
or attempt to avoid, the revocation of the reduction fishing privilege 
with respect to any reduction/privilege vessel, and
    (v) Make any claim or attempt to make any claim, or allow others to 
claim or attempt to make any claim, for any present or future limited 
access fishing license or permit in any U.S. fishery (including, but not 
limited to, any quota allocation under any present

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or future individual quota allocation system) based in any way on any 
portion of a reduction fishing interest surrendered, revoked, 
restricted, relinquished, withdrawn, or extinguished by other means 
under this section; and
    (3) Penalties. The activities that this paragraph prohibits are 
subject to the full penalties provided in Sec. 600.1017 of this 
subpart, and immediate cause for NMFS to take action to, among other 
things:
    (i) At the reduction/privilege vessel owner's expense, seize and 
scrap the reduction/privilege vessel, and
    (ii) Pursue such other remedies and enforce such other penalties as 
may be applicable.
    (w) Program administration--(1) FSD responsibilities. FSD is 
responsible for implementing and administering this program. FSD will:
    (i) Issue all notifications and mailings that this section requires,
    (ii) Prepare and issue the invitation to bid,
    (iii) Receive bids,
    (iv) Reject bids,
    (v) Score bids,
    (vi) Make acceptances,
    (vii) Prepare and issue referendum ballots,
    (viii) Receive referendum ballots,
    (ix) Tally referendum ballots,
    (x) Determine referendum success or failure,
    (xi) Tender and disburse reduction payments,
    (xii) Administer reduction contracts,
    (xiii) Administer fees and reduction loan repayment, and
    (xiv) Discharge all other management and administration functions 
that this section requires;
    (2) RAM Program responsibilities. Upon FSD's advice, the RAM Program 
(for fishing licenses under the jurisdiction of NMFS's Alaska Region) 
and any other appropriate NMFS authority (for fishing licenses under the 
jurisdiction of any other NMFS office) will revoke reduction permits and 
effect the surrender of fishing histories in accordance with this 
section; and
    (3) NVDC and MARAD responsibilities. FSD will advise NVDC, MARAD, 
such other agency or agencies as may be involved, or all of them to 
revoke reduction/privilege vessels' fisheries trade endorsements and 
otherwise restrict reduction/privilege vessels in accordance with this 
section.
    (x) Reduction loan and reduction loan sub-amounts. [Reserved]

[68 FR 69337, Dec. 12, 2003. Redesignated at 69 FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004]



Sec. 600.1104  Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) crab species fee payment and collection system.

    (a) Purpose. As authorized by Public Law 106-554, this section's 
purpose is to:
    (1) In accordance with Sec. 600.1012 of subpart L, establish:
    (i) The borrower's obligation to repay a reduction loan, and
    (ii) The loan's principal amount, interest rate, and repayment term; 
and
    (2) In accordance with Sec. 600.1013 through Sec. 600.1016 of 
subpart L, implement an industry fee system for the reduction fishery.
    (b) Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this section, the terms 
defined in Sec. 600.1000 of subpart L and Sec. 600.1103 of this 
subpart expressly apply to this section. The following terms have the 
following meanings for the purpose of this section:
    Crab rationalization crab means the same as in Sec. 680.2 of this 
chapter.
    Crab rationalization fisheries means the same as in Sec. 680.2 of 
this chapter.
    Reduction endorsement fishery means any of the seven fisheries that 
Sec. 679.2 of this chapter formerly (before adoption of part 680 of 
this chapter) defined as crab area/species endorsements, except the 
area/species endorsement for Norton Sound red king. More specifically, 
the reduction endorsement fisheries, and the crab rationalization 
fisheries which (after adoption of part 680 of this chapter) correspond 
to the reduction endorsement fisheries, are:
    (1) Bristol Bay red king (the corresponding crab rationalization 
fishery is Bristol Bay red king crab),
    (2) Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area C. opilio and C. bairdi 
(the corresponding crab rationalization fisheries are two separate 
fisheries, one for Bering Sea snow crab and another for Bering Sea 
Tanner crab),
    (3) Aleutian Islands brown king (the corresponding crab 
rationalization fisheries are the two separate fisheries,

[[Page 151]]

one for Eastern Aleutian Islands golden king crab and another for 
Western Aleutian Islands golden king crab),
    (4) Aleutian Islands red king (the corresponding crab 
rationalization fishery is Western Aleutian Islands red king crab),
    (5) Pribilof red king and Pribilof blue king (the corresponding crab 
rationalization fishery is Pribilof red king and blue king crab), and
    (6) St. Matthew blue king (the corresponding crab rationalization 
fishery is also St. Matthew blue king crab).
    Reduction fishery means the fishery for all crab rationalization 
crab, excluding CDQ allocations, in all crab rationalization fisheries.
    Sub-amount means the portion of the reduction loan amount for whose 
repayment the borrower in each reduction endorsement fishery is 
obligated.
    (c) Reduction loan amount. The reduction loan's original principal 
amount is $97,399,357.11.
    (d) Sub-amounts. The sub-amounts are:
    (1) For Bristol Bay red king, $17,129,957.23;
    (2) For Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area C. opilio and C. 
bairdi, $66,410,767.20;
    (3) For Aleutian Islands brown king, $6,380,837.19;
    (4) For Aleutian Islands red king, $237,588.04;
    (5) For Pribilof red king and Pribilof blue king, $1,571,216.35; and
    (6) For St. Matthew blue king, $5,668,991.10.
    (e) Interest accrual from inception. Interest began accruing on each 
portion of the reduction loan amount on and from the date on which NMFS 
disbursed each such portion.
    (f) Interest rate. The reduction loan's interest rate shall be the 
applicable rate which the U.S. Treasury determines at the end of fiscal 
year 2005 plus 2 percent.
    (g) Repayment term. For the purpose of determining fee rates, the 
reduction loan's repayment term is 30 years from January 19, 2005, but 
each fee shall continue indefinitely for as long as necessary to fully 
repay each subamount.
    (h) Reduction loan repayment. (1) The borrower shall, in accordance 
with Sec. 600.1012, repay the reduction loan;
    (2) Fish sellers in each reduction endorsement fishery shall, in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1013, pay the fee at the rate applicable to 
each such fishery's subamount;
    (3) Fish buyers in each reduction endorsement fishery shall, in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1013, collect the fee at the rate applicable 
to each such fishery;
    (4) Fish buyers in each reduction endorsement fishery shall in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1014, deposit and disburse, as well as keep 
records for and submit reports about, the fees applicable to each such 
fishery; except the requirements specified under paragraph (c) of this 
section concerning the deposit principal disbursement shall be made to 
NMFS not later than the 7th calendar day of each month; and the 
requirements specified under paragraph (e) of this section concerning 
annual reports which shall be submitted to NMFS by July 1 of each 
calendar year; and,
    (5) The reduction loan is, in all other respects, subject to the 
provisions of Sec. 600.1012 through Sec. 600.1017.

[70 FR 54656, Sept. 16, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 27210, May 10, 2006]



Sec. 600.1105  Longline catcher processor subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery program.

    (a) Purpose. This section implements the capacity reduction program 
that Title II, Section 219(e) of Public Law 108-447 enacted for the 
longline catcher processor subsector of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands (BSAI) non-pollock groundfish fishery.
    (b) Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this section, the terms 
defined in Sec. 600.1000 of subpart L of this part expressly apply to 
this section. The following terms have the following meanings for the 
purpose of this section:
    Act means Title II, Section 219 of Public Law 108-447.
    AI means the Aleutian Islands.
    Application Form means the form published on the FLCC's website that 
sets forth whether the qualifying LLP License is a Latent License and 
identifies the individual(s) authorized to execute and deliver Offers 
and Offer Ranking Ballots on behalf of the Subsector Member.

[[Page 152]]

    Auditor means Jack V. Tagart, Ph.D., d.b.a. Tagart Consulting.
    Authorized Party means the individuals authorized by Subsector 
Members on the application form to execute and submit Offers, Rankings, 
protests and other documents and/or notices on behalf of Subsector 
Member.
    Ballot means the form found on the auditor's website used to cast a 
vote in favor of, or in opposition to, the currently Selected Offers.
    BS means the Bering Sea.
    BSAI means the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands.
    BSAI Pacific Cod ITAC means the Total Allowable Catch for Pacific 
cod after the subtraction of the 7.5 percent Community Development 
Program reserve.
    Capacity Reduction Agreement or Reduction Agreement means an 
agreement entered into by the Subsector Members and the FLCC under which 
the FLCC is permitted to develop and submit a Capacity Reduction Plan to 
the Secretary.
    Certificate of Documentation (COD) means a document issued by the 
U.S. Coast Guard's National Documentation Center that registers the 
vessel with the United States Government.
    Closing Vote means a vote held pursuant to paragraph (d)(7) of this 
section, after two-thirds (\2/3\) or more of the Nonoffering Subsector 
Members submit Ranking Forms electing to accept the Selected Offerors 
and close the Selection Process, and there are no unresolved Protests or 
Arbitrations.
    Current Offer means an Offer submitted by a Subsector Member to the 
Auditor during any Submission Period and, with regard to such Offer, 
Offeror has not become a Rejected Offeror. The term ``Current Offer'' 
includes Selected Offers.
    Current Offeror means an Offering Subsector Member that has 
submitted an Offer to the Auditor during any Submission Period and, with 
regard to such Offer, Offeror has not become a Rejected Offeror. The 
term ``Current Offeror'' includes Selected Offerors.
    Database means the online LLP License database maintained by NMFS as 
downloaded by the Auditor pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    Effective Date means the date the Capacity Reduction Agreement 
becomes effective pursuant to section 4.e of the Capacity Reduction 
Agreement.
    Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract or Reduction Contract means the 
contract that any Current Offeror must sign and agree to abide by if 
NMFS accepts the offer by signing the Reduction Contract.
    FLCC Counsel means Bauer Moynihan & Johnson LLP or other counsel 
representing the FLCC in any review or arbitration under the Capacity 
Reduction Agreement.
    Latent License means an LLP License on which a vessel was not 
designated at the time an Offer is submitted.
    LLP License means a Federal License Limitation Program groundfish 
license issued pursuant to Sec. 679.4(k) of this chapter or successor 
regulation that is noninterim and transferable, or that is interim and 
subsequently becomes noninterim and transferable, and that is endorsed 
for BS or AI catcher processor fishing activity, C/P, Pacific cod and 
hook and line gear.
    Longline Subsector means the longline catcher processor subsector of 
the BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery as defined in the Act.
    Longline Subsector ITAC means the longline catcher processor 
subsector remainder of the Total Allowable Catch after the subtraction 
of the 7.5 percent Community Development Program reserve.
    Nonoffering Subsector Member shall have the meaning ascribed thereto 
in paragraph (d)(5)(i) of this section.
    Offer Content means all information included in Offers submitted to 
the Auditor pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.
    Offer Form means the form found on the Auditor's website used to 
make an offer.
    Offer(s) means a binding offer(s) from a Subsector Member to sell 
its LLP, right to participate in the fisheries, the fishing history 
associated with such LLP, and any vessel set forth on the Offer Form 
submitted by Offeror pursuant to the terms of this Capacity Reduction 
Agreement.
    Opening Date means the first Monday following the Effective Date set 
forth in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

[[Page 153]]

    Person includes any natural person(s) and any corporation, 
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association 
or any other entity whatsoever, organized under the laws of the United 
States or of a state.
    Prequalification Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in 
paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.
    Ranking Form means the form posted by the Auditor pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(5)(iii) of this section.
    Ranking Period shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii) of this section.
    Reduction Fishery means the BSAI non-pollock groundfish fishery.
    Reduction Fishing Interests shall have the meaning ascribed thereto 
in the Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract.
    Reduction Plan means a business plan prepared by the Subsector 
Members in accordance with Section 1 of the Capacity Reduction Agreement 
and forwarded to the Secretary for approval.
    Reduction Privilege Vessel means the vessel listed on the Offeror's 
License Limitation Program license.
    Rejected Offer means an Offer that has been through one or more 
Rankings and is not a Selected Offer following the latest Ranking 
Period, with respect to which the Offering Subsector Member's 
obligations have terminated pursuant to paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and 
(d)(6)(v) of this section.
    Rejected Offeror means a Subsector Member that has submitted an 
Offer which has been ranked and was not posted as a Selected Offer 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(6)(ii) of this section.
    Restricted Access Management (RAM) means the Restricted Access 
Management Program in the Alaska Region, NMFS, located in Juneau, 
Alaska.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee.
    Selected Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in paragraph 
(d)(6)(iv) of this section.
    Selected Offeror means a Subsector Member that has submitted an 
Offer which has been ranked and is posted as a Selected Offer pursuant 
to paragraph (d)(6)(ii) of this section.
    Selection Process means the process set forth in paragraph (d) of 
this section for selecting the fishing capacity to be removed by the 
Reduction Plan.
    Submission Period(s) or Submitting Period(s) shall have the meaning 
ascribed thereto in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section.
    Subsector Member(s) means a member(s) of the Longline Subsector.
    Web site means the internet Web site developed and maintained on 
behalf of the FLCC for implementation of the Selection Process described 
herein with a URL address of http://www.freezerlonglinecoop.org.
    (c) Qualification and enrollment of subsector members--(1) 
Distribution. A copy of the Reduction Agreement, Application Form, and 
Reduction Contract shall be mailed to each holder of record of an LLP 
License endorsed for BS or AI catcher processor activity, C/P, Pacific 
cod and hook and line gear, as the Auditor determines from the Database 
downloaded by the Auditor as of January 30, 2006, regardless of whether 
the LLP License is indicated in the Database as noninterim and 
transferable or otherwise.
    (2) Application. Any person, regardless of whether having received 
the mailing described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, may as a 
Subsector Member apply to enroll with the FLCC to participate in the 
Reduction Program, by submitting all of the following documents:
    (i) Fully executed Reduction Agreement;
    (ii) Photocopy of the LLP License(s) evidencing Subsector Member's 
qualification as a member of the Longline Subsector;
    (iii) Unless applying as the holder of a Latent License, a photocopy 
of Federal Fisheries Permit for the vessel(s) designated on the LLP 
License(s) on the date the Reduction Agreement is signed by the 
Subsector Member;
    (iv) Unless applying as the holder of a Latent License, a photocopy 
of the Certificate of Documentation (COD) for the vessel(s) designated 
on the LLP License(s) on the date the Reduction Agreement is signed by 
the Subsector Member; and
    (v) An executed Application Form which sets forth whether the 
qualifying LLP License is a Latent License and identifies the 
individual(s) authorized to execute and deliver Offers and Offer

[[Page 154]]

Ranking Ballots on behalf of the Subsector Member.
    (3) Examination by Auditor--(i) In general. Each application must be 
submitted to the Auditor who will examine applications for completeness 
and inconsistencies, whether on the face of the documents or with the 
Database. Any application which is incomplete or which contains 
inconsistencies shall be invalid. The Auditor shall notify by e-mail or 
mail an applicant of the basis for the Auditor's finding an application 
invalid. An applicant may resubmit a revised application. If the 
application meets all requirements, the Auditor may accept the 
application as valid and enroll the applicant.
    (ii) Interim LLP Licenses. If an LLP License is interim and/or 
nontransferable, the applicant's enrollment shall be accepted as a 
Subsector Member and may fully participate in the Selection Process. 
However, any posting of an Offer submitted with respect to such LLP 
License shall note the status of such LLP License until that Subsector 
Member submits to the Auditor a letter from the RAM confirming that it 
is within the Subsector Member's control to cause the qualifying LLP 
License to be issued as noninterim and transferable upon withdrawal of 
all applicable appeals.
    (4) Enrollment period. Applications that meet all requirements will 
be accepted until the Selection Process is completed.
    (5) Effective date. The Effective Date of any Reduction Agreement 
shall be ten (10) calendar days after written notice is sent by the 
Auditor to each holder of record of an LLP License endorsed for BS or AI 
catcher processor activity, C/P, Pacific cod and hook and line gear (as 
determined by the Auditor from the Auditor's examination of the 
Database) advising that the number of Subsector Members that have 
delivered to the Auditor a complete Application, including a fully 
executed Reduction Agreement, exceeds seventy percent (70 percent) of 
the members of the Longline Subsector (as determined by the Auditor from 
the Auditor's examination of the Database).
    (6) Notice. All notices related to the effective date of the 
Reduction Agreement shall be sent by the Auditor via registered mail.
    (7) Withdrawal. A Subsector Member, unless such Subsector Member is 
a Current Offeror or Selected Offeror, may terminate the Reduction 
Agreement at any time with respect to that Subsector Member by giving 
ten (10) calendar days written notice to the Auditor preferably via e-
mail. Withdrawal of a Subsector Member shall not affect the validity of 
the Reduction Agreement with respect to any other Subsector Members. 
Once effective, the Reduction Agreement shall continue in full force and 
effect regardless of whether subsequent withdrawals reduce the number of 
Subsector Members below that level required to effectuate the Reduction 
Agreement. Attempted withdrawal by a Current Offeror or Selected Offeror 
shall be invalid, and such Offer shall remain a binding, irrevocable 
Offer, unaffected by the attempted withdrawal.
    (d) Selection of fishing capacity to be removed by Reduction Plan. 
The fishing capacity removed by the Reduction Plan will be the Reduction 
Fishing Interests voluntarily offered through the Reduction Plan by 
offering Subsector Members and as selected by the Nonoffering Subsector 
Members, up to an aggregate amount of thirty six million dollars 
($36,000,000) as set forth in this paragraph (d).
    (1) Overview. The Selection Process will begin upon the Effective 
Date of the Reduction Agreement. The Selection Process will alternate on 
a weekly basis between:
    (i) Submitting Periods, during which individual Subsector Members 
may submit Offers of fishing capacity they wish to include in the 
Reduction Plan; and
    (ii) Ranking Periods, during which Nonoffering Subsector Members 
will rank the submitted Offers.
    (2) Offers--(i) Binding agreement. An Offer from a Subsector Member 
shall be a binding, irrevocable offer from a Subsector Member to 
relinquish to NMFS the Reduction Fishing Interests for the price set 
forth on the Offer contingent on such Offer being a Selected Offer at 
the closing of the Selection Process. Once submitted, an Offer may not 
be revoked or withdrawn while

[[Page 155]]

that Offer is a Current Offer or Selected Offer. An Offer that is 
submitted by a Subsector Member, but is not a Selected Offer during the 
subsequent Ranking Period, shall be deemed to be terminated and the 
Subsector Member shall have no further obligation with respect to 
performance of that Offer.
    (ii) Offer content. All Offers submitted to the Auditor shall 
include the following information: LLP License number; LLP License 
number(s) of any linked crab LLP Licenses; license MLOA (MLOA--maximum 
length overall of a vessel is defined at Sec. 679.2 of this chapter); 
the license area, gear and species endorsements; a summary of the 
Pacific cod catch history for the calendar years 1995-2004; and the 
offered price. The Offer shall also state whether a vessel is currently 
designated on the LLP License and as such will be withdrawn from all 
fisheries if the Offer is selected for reduction in the Reduction Plan. 
If so, the Offer shall identify such vessel by name, official number, 
and current owner. In addition, the Offer shall provide a summary of the 
Pacific cod catch history for the calendar years 1995-2004 of the vessel 
to be retired from the fisheries. All summary catch histories included 
in Offers shall be calculated utilizing both the weekly production 
report and best blend methodology and shall separately state for each 
methodology the Pacific cod catch in metric tons and as a percentage of 
the overall catch for the longline catcher processor subsector on an 
annual basis for each of the required years. If the vessel stated to be 
withdrawn from the fisheries is not owned by the LLP License owner of 
record, the Offer shall be countersigned by the owner of record of the 
vessel. An Offer offering a Latent License shall state on the Offer Form 
that the offered LLP License is a Latent License. The Offer Form shall 
also include a comment section for any additional information that 
Offerors wish to provide to the Subsector Members concerning the Offer.
    (iii) Prequalification of Offers. A Subsector Member may submit a 
Prequalification Offer to the Auditor at any time prior to the Opening 
Date. A Prequalification Offer shall contain all elements of an Offer, 
except that a price need not be provided. The Auditor shall notify the 
Subsector Member submitting a Prequalification Offer as to any 
deficiencies as soon as practicable. All details of a Prequalification 
Offer shall be kept confidential by the Auditor.
    (3) Submitting an Offer--(i) Offer submission. Commencing on the 
first Tuesday following the Opening Date and during all Submission 
Periods until the Selection Process is closed, any Subsector Member may 
submit an Offer. All Offers are to be on the applicable form provided on 
the FLCC website, executed by an Authorized Party and submitted to the 
Auditor by facsimile. Any Subsector Member may submit an Offer during 
any Submission Period, even if that Subsector Member has not submitted 
an Offer in any previous Submission Period. If a Subsector Member holds 
more than one LLP License, such Subsector Member may, but is not 
required to, submit an Offer for each LLP License held during a 
Submission Period.
    (ii) Submission Periods. The initial Submission Period shall 
commence at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on the Tuesday following the Opening 
Date and end at 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week. 
Subsequent Submission Periods shall commence at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) on 
the first Tuesday following the preceding Ranking Period and end at 5 
p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week. All times set forth in 
the Reduction Agreement and used in the Offer process shall be the time 
kept in the Pacific time zone as calculated by the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology.
    (iii) Validity of Offer. The Auditor shall examine each Offer for 
consistency with the Database and information contained in the 
enrollment documents. If there is an inconsistency in the information 
contained in the Offer, any of the elements required of an Offer 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section are missing, or the 
Auditor does not receive the original Offer Form before the Offers are 
to be posted pursuant to paragraph (d)(4) of this section, the Auditor 
shall notify the offering Subsector Member by e-mail or mail that the 
Offer is nonconforming as soon as practicable after discovering

[[Page 156]]

the basis of invalidity. The Subsector Member may submit a revised, 
conforming Offer prior to the close of that Submission Period or, in any 
subsequent Submission Period. Only one Offer may be submitted with 
respect to an LLP License during a Submission Period. In the event a 
Subsector Member submits more than one Offer with respect to an LLP 
License during a Submission Period, the first conforming Offer received 
by the Auditor shall be binding and irrevocable and any subsequent 
Offers shall be deemed invalid.
    (iv) Warranty. By submitting an Offer, the Offering Subsector 
Member, warrants and represents that the Offering Subsector Member has 
read and understands the terms of the Reduction Agreement, the Offer, 
and the Reduction Contract and has had the opportunity to seek 
independent legal counsel regarding such documents and/or agreements and 
the consequences of submitting an Offer.
    (4) Posting Offers--(i) Current offers. For each Offer received 
during a Submission Period, the Auditor shall post on the Website no 
later than 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the following Tuesday all of the 
details of such Offer as set forth on the Offer Form. In addition, the 
Auditor shall post, as available to Auditor, a summary by year of up to 
ten (10) years catch history during the period 1995-2004 in total round 
weight equivalents and percentage of Longline Subsector ITAC harvested 
for any vessel that is included in the Offer. Subsector Member (or 
vessel owner, if other than the Subsector Member) expressly authorizes 
Auditor to release the catch history summary information previously 
prepared for that Subsector Member or vessel owner by the Auditor as 
part of the analysis of FLCC's membership's catch history previously 
conducted by the Auditor on behalf of the FLCC.
    (ii) Posting order. Offers shall be posted on the Website by the 
Auditor in alphabetical order of the Offering Subsector Member's name.
    (iii) Questions as to Offer. The Auditor shall respond to no 
questions from Subsector Member regarding Offers except to confirm that 
the posting accurately reflects the details of the Offer. If an Offering 
Subsector Member notices an error in an Offer posting on the Website, 
such Subsector Member shall notify the Auditor as soon as practicable. 
The Auditor shall review such notice, the posting and the original 
Offer. If an error was made in posting the Auditor shall correct the 
posting as soon as practicable and notify the Subsector Members via e-
mail or mail of the correction. In the event such an error is not 
discovered prior to Ranking, an Offering Subsector Member shall be bound 
to the terms of the submitted Offer, not the terms of the posted Offer.
    (iv) Archive. The Auditor shall maintain on the Website an archive 
of prior Offers posted, which shall be available for review by all 
Subsector Members.
    (5) Ranking--(i) Eligibility. Each Subsector Member that has not 
submitted an Offer during the preceding Submission Period, or whose 
vessel is not included as a withdrawing vessel in an Offer during the 
preceding Submission Period (i.e., a Nonoffering Subsector Member), may 
submit to the Auditor a Ranking Form during a Ranking Period. With 
respect to Ranking, a Subsector Member that holds more than one LLP 
License may participate in the Ranking process for each LLP License not 
included in an Offer.
    (ii) Ranking Period. The initial Ranking Period shall commence 
immediately after the Offers from the preceding Submission Period have 
been posted and end at 5 p.m. (Pacific time) on the Friday of that week. 
Subsequent Ranking Periods shall commence immediately after the Offers 
from the preceding Submission Period have been posted and end at 5 p.m. 
(Pacific time) on the Friday of that week.
    (iii) Ranking Form. Prior to each Ranking Period, the Auditor will 
post a Ranking Form on the Website in ``pdf'' file format. Each eligible 
Subsector Member wishing to rank the current Offers shall rank the 
Offers on the Ranking Form numerically in the Subsector Member's 
preferred order of purchase. The Offer that Subsector Member would most 
like to have accepted should be ranked number one (1), and subsequent 
Offers ranked sequentially until the Offer that the Subsector Member 
would least like to see

[[Page 157]]

accepted is ranked with the highest numerical score. A Subsector Member 
wishing to call for a Closing Vote shall, in lieu of ranking the Current 
Offers, mark the Ranking Form to accept the Selected Offers selected 
during the prior Ranking Period and close the Selection Process. To be 
valid, the Ranking Form must rank each Current Offer listed on the 
Ranking Form or, if applicable, be marked to call for a Closing Vote. 
Ranking Forms shall be submitted by sending a completed Ranking Form, 
signed by an Authorized Party, to the Auditor by facsimile or mail prior 
to the end of the Ranking Period. A Subsector Member is not required to 
rank the Offers during a Ranking Period or call for a Closing Vote.
    (iv) Validity of Subsector Member Ranking. The Auditor shall examine 
each Ranking Form for completeness, whether the form either ranks the 
Offers or calls for a Closing Vote (but not both), and authorized 
signature. Any incomplete or otherwise noncompliant Ranking Form(s) 
shall be invalid, and shall not be included in the Rankings of the 
Current Offers. The Auditor shall notify the Subsector Member of the 
reason for declaring any Ranking Form invalid as soon as practicable. A 
Subsector Member may cure the submission of an invalid Ranking Form by 
submitting a complying Ranking Form if accomplished before the end of 
the applicable Ranking Period.
    (6) Ranking results--(i) Compiling the rankings. Unless two-thirds 
(\2/3\) of the Nonoffering Subsector Members have called for a Closing 
Vote, the Auditor shall compile the results of the Ranking Forms by 
assigning one point for each position on a Ranking Form. That is, the 
Offer ranked number one (1) on a Ranking Form shall be awarded one (1) 
point, the Offer ranked two (2) shall receive two (2) points, and 
continuing on in this manner until all Offers have been assigned points 
correlating to its ranking on each valid Ranking Form. The Offer with 
the least number of total points assigned shall be the highest ranked 
Offer, and the Offer with the greatest total points assigned shall be 
the lowest ranked Offer.
    (ii) Posting rankings. The Auditor shall post the results of the 
compilation of the Ranking Forms on the Website in alphabetical order 
based on the Offering Subsector Member's name no later than 5 p.m. 
(Pacific time) on the Monday following the Ranking Period. The Auditor 
shall post the highest consecutive ranking Offers that total thirty six 
million dollars ($36,000,000) or less. Those Offering Subsector Members 
whose Offers are posted shall be deemed Selected Offerors and their 
Offers shall be deemed Selected Offers. Those Offering Subsector Members 
whose Offers are not posted shall be deemed Rejected Offerors.
    (iii) Selected Offer information or confidentiality. The Auditor 
shall post the name of the Offering Subsector Member, the amount of the 
Offer, and a summary of the total number of Ranking Forms received and 
the number of such forms on which the Members called for a Closing Vote. 
Other than the foregoing, the Auditor shall not post any details of the 
compilation of the Ranking Forms.
    (iv) Selected Offerors. Selected Offerors may not withdraw their 
Offers unless in subsequent rankings their Offers no longer are within 
the highest ranking Offers and they become Rejected Offerors. A Selected 
Offeror may, however, modify a Selected Offer solely to the extent such 
modification consists of a reduction in the Offer price. A Selected 
Offeror may submit a modified Offer to the Auditor during the next 
Offering Period as set forth in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. Unless 
a Selected Offeror becomes a Rejected Offeror in a subsequent Ranking, a 
Selected Offeror shall be bound by the terms of the lowest Selected 
Offer submitted as if such modified Offer had been the original Selected 
Offer. In the event a Selected Offeror submits a modified Offer and such 
Offer is not ranked because sufficient votes are received to call for a 
Closing Vote, the previously Selected Offer shall remain the Selected 
Offer.
    (v) Rejected Offerors. The Offer of a Rejected Offeror is terminated 
and the Rejected Offeror is no longer bound by the terms of its Offer. A 
Rejected Offeror may, at its sole discretion, resubmit the same Offer, 
submit a revised Offer, or elect not to submit an Offer during

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any subsequent Submission Period until the Selection Process is closed.
    (vi) Ties. In the event there is a tie with respect to Offers which 
results in the tied Offers exceeding thirty-six million dollars 
($36,000,000), the tied Offers and all Offers ranked lower than the tied 
Offers shall be deemed to be rejected and the Rejected Offerors may, at 
their option, submit an Offer in a subsequent Submission Period.
    (vii) Archive. Auditor shall maintain on the Website an archive of 
prior Offer Rankings as posted over the course of the Selection Process, 
which shall be available for Subsector Member review.
    (7) Closing. The Selection Process will close when two-thirds (\2/
3\) or more of the Nonoffering Subsector Members of the Longline 
Subsector, as determined by the Auditor, affirmatively vote to accept 
the Selected Offerors selected during the prior Ranking Period as part 
of the Reduction Plan to be submitted to the Secretary.
    (i) Call for Vote. A Closing Vote will be held when: at least two-
thirds (\2/3\) of the Nonoffering Subsector Members submit Ranking Forms 
electing to accept the Selected Offerors and close the Selection Process 
in lieu of Ranking the current Offers; and there are no unresolved 
Protests or Arbitrations. The Auditor shall notify all Subsector Members 
by e-mail or mail and posting a notice on the Website as soon as 
practicable that a Closing Vote is to be held. Such notice shall state 
the starting and ending dates and times of the voting period, which 
shall be not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) calendar days 
from the date of such notice. A voting period shall commence at 9 a.m. 
(Pacific time) on Monday and end at 5 p.m. on the Friday of that week.
    (ii) Voting. No less than three (3) calendar days prior to the 
voting period, the Auditor will post a Closing Ballot on the Website in 
``pdf'' file format. Each eligible Nonoffering Subsector Member wishing 
to vote shall print out the Closing Ballot, and, with respect to each of 
the currently Selected Offers on the Closing Ballot, vote either in 
favor of or opposed to accepting that Selected Offer and submit a 
completed and signed Closing Ballot to the Auditor preferably by 
facsimile prior to the end of the Voting Period.
    (iii) Ballot verification. The Auditor shall examine each submitted 
Closing Ballot for completeness and authorized signature. Any incomplete 
Closing Ballot shall be void, and shall not be included in the voting 
results. The Auditor shall not notify the Subsector Member of an invalid 
Closing Ballot.
    (iv) Voting results. The Auditor shall post the results of the Vote 
as soon as practicable after voting closes. Each Offer on the Closing 
Ballot that receives votes approving acceptance of such Offer from two-
thirds (\2/3\) or more of the total number of Nonoffering Subsector 
Members shall be a Selected Offeror and shall be the basis for the 
Reduction Plan submitted to NMFS. Any Offer on the Closing Ballot that 
does not receive such two-thirds (\2/3\) approval shall be rejected and 
shall not be included among the Offers included among the Reduction Plan 
submitted to NMFS.
    (v) Notification to NMFS. Upon closing of the Selection Process, 
FLCC shall notify NMFS in writing of the identities of the Selected 
Offerors and provide to NMFS a completed and fully executed original 
Reduction Agreement from each of the Selected Offerors and a certified 
copy of the fully executed Reduction Agreement and Reduction Contract.
    (e) Submission of Reduction Plan, including repayment. Upon 
completion of the offering process, the FLCC on behalf of the Subsector 
Members shall submit to NMFS the Reduction Plan which shall include the 
provisions set forth in this paragraph (e).
    (1) Capacity reduction. The Reduction Plan shall identify as the 
proposed capacity reduction, without auction process, the LLP Licenses 
as well as the vessels and the catch histories related to the LLP 
Licenses, linked crab LLP Licenses, and any other fishing rights or 
other interests associated with the LLP Licenses and vessels included in 
the Selected Offers. The aggregate of all Reduction Agreements and 
Reduction Contracts signed by Subsector Members whose offers to 
participate in this buyback were accepted by votes of the Subsector 
Members, will together with the FLCC's supporting documents

[[Page 159]]

and rationale for recognizing that these offers represent the 
expenditure of the least money for the greatest capacity reduction, 
constitute the Reduction Plan to be submitted to NMFS for approval on 
behalf of the Secretary of Commerce.
    (2) Loan repayment--(i) Term. As authorized by Section 219(B)(2) of 
the Act, the capacity reduction loan (the ``Reduction Loan'') shall be 
amortized over a thirty (30) year term. The Reduction Loan's original 
principal amount may not exceed thirty-six million dollars 
($36,000,000), but may be less if the reduction cost is less. Subsector 
Members acknowledge that in the event payments made under the Reduction 
Plan are insufficient to repay the actual loan, the term of repayment 
shall be extended by NMFS until the loan is paid in full.
    (ii) Interest. The Reduction Loan's interest rate will be the U.S. 
Treasury's cost of borrowing equivalent maturity funds plus 2 percent. 
NMFS will determine the Reduction Loan's initial interest rate when NMFS 
borrows from the U.S. Treasury the funds with which to disburse 
reduction payments. The initial interest rate will change to a final 
interest rate at the end of the Federal fiscal year in which NMFS 
borrows the funds from the U.S. Treasury. The final interest rate will 
be 2 percent plus a weighted average, throughout that fiscal year, of 
the U.S. Treasury's cost of borrowing equivalent maturity funds. The 
final interest rate will be fixed, and will not vary over the remainder 
of the reduction loan's 30-year term. The Reduction loan will be subject 
to a level debt amortization. There is no prepayment penalty.
    (iii) Fees. The Reduction Loan shall be repaid by fees collected 
from the Longline Subsector. The fee amount will be based upon: The 
principal and interest due over the next twelve months divided by the 
product of the Hook & Line, Catcher Processor (Longline Subsector; 
sometimes referred to as the ``H&LCP Subsector'') portion of the BSAI 
Pacific cod ITAC (in metric tons) set by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (NPFMC) in December of each year multiplied by 2,205 
(i.e., the number of pounds in a metric ton). In the event that the 
Longline Subsector portion for the ensuing year is not available, the 
Longline Subsector portion forecast from the preceding year will be used 
to calculate the fee.
    (A) The fee will be expressed in cents per pound rounded up to the 
next one-tenth of a cent. For example: If the principal and interest due 
equal $2,900,000 and the Longline Subsector portion equals 100,000 
metric tons, then the fee per round weight pound of Pacific cod will 
equal 1.4 cents per pound. [2,900,000 /(100,000 x 2,205) = .01315]. The 
fee will be accessed and collected on Pacific cod to the extent possible 
and if not, will be accessed and collected as provided for in this 
paragraph (e).
    (B) Fees must be accessed and collected on Pacific cod used for bait 
or discarded. Although the fee could be up to 5 percent of the ex-vessel 
production value of all post-reduction Longline Subsector landings, the 
fee will be less than 5 percent if NMFS projects that a lesser rate can 
amortize the fishery's reduction loan over the reduction loan's 30-year 
term. In the event that the total principal and interest due exceeds 5 
percent of the ex-vessel Pacific cod revenues, a penny per pound round 
weight fee will be calculated based on the latest available revenue 
records and NMFS conversion factors for pollock, arrowtooth flounder, 
Greenland turbot, skate, yellowfin sole and rock sole.
    (C) The additional fee will be limited to the amount necessary to 
amortize the remaining twelve months principal and interest in addition 
to the 5 percent fee accessed against Pacific cod. The additional fee 
will be a minimum of one cent per pound. In the event that collections 
exceed the total principal and interest needed to amortize the payment 
due, the principal balance of the loan will be reduced. To verify that 
the fees collected do not exceed 5 percent of the fishery revenues, the 
annual total of principal and interest due will be compared to the 
latest available annual Longline Subsector revenues to ensure it is 
equal to or less than 5 percent of the total ex-vessel production 
revenues. In the event that any of the components necessary to calculate 
the next year's fee are not available, or for any other reason

[[Page 160]]

NMFS believes the calculation must be postponed, the fee will remain at 
the previous year's amount until such a time that new calculations are 
made and communicated to the post reduction fishery participants.
    (D) It is possible that the fishery may not open during some years 
and no Longline Subsector portion of the ITAC is granted. Consequently, 
the fishery will not produce fee revenue with which to service the 
reduction loan during those years. However, interest will continue to 
accrue on the principal balance. When this happens, if the fee rate is 
not already at the maximum 5 percent, NMFS will increase the fisheries' 
fee rate to the maximum 5 percent of the revenues for Pacific cod and 
the species mentioned in paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B), apply all subsequent 
fee revenue first to the payment of accrued interest, and continue the 
maximum fee rates until all principal and interest payments become 
current. Once all principal and interest payments are current, NMFS will 
make a determination about adjusting the fee rate.
    (iv) Reduction loan. NMFS has promulgated framework regulations 
generally applicable to all fishing capacity reduction programs (Sec. 
600.1000 et seq.). The reduction loan shall be subject to the provisions 
of Sec. 600.1012, except that: the borrower's obligation to repay the 
reduction loan shall be discharged by the owner of the Longline 
Subsector license regardless of which vessel catches fish under this 
license and regardless of who processes the fish in the reduction 
fishery in accordance with Sec. 600.1013. Longline Subsector license 
owners in the reduction fishery shall be obligated to collect the fee in 
accordance with Sec. 600.1013.
    (v) Collection. The LLP License holder of the vessel harvesting in 
the post-capacity reduction plan Longline Subsector shall be responsible 
for self-collecting the repayment fees owed by that LLP License holder. 
Fees shall be submitted to NMFS monthly and shall be due no later than 
fifteen (15) calendar days following the end of each calendar month.
    (vi) Record keeping and Reporting. The holder of the LLP License on 
which a vessel harvesting in the post-capacity reduction plan Longline 
Subsector is designated shall be responsible for compliance with the 
applicable record keeping and reporting requirements.
    (3) Agreement with Secretary. Each Selected Offeror, and vessel 
owner if not the Subsector Member, that has submitted a Selected Offer 
shall complete and deliver to the FLCC for inclusion in the Reduction 
Plan submitted to NMFS, designee for the Secretary, a completed and 
fully executed Reduction Contract. Any and all LLP License(s) and or 
vessels set forth on a Selected Offer shall be included as Reduction 
Fishing Interests in such Reduction Contract.
    (f) Decisions of the Auditor and the FLCC. Time is of the essence in 
developing and implementing a Reduction Plan and, accordingly, the 
Offerors shall be limited to, and bound by, the decisions of the Auditor 
and the FLCC.
    (1) The Auditor's examination of submitted applications, Offers, 
Prequalification Offers and Rankings shall be solely ministerial in 
nature. That is, the Auditor will verify whether the documents submitted 
by Subsector Members are, on their face, consistent with each other and 
the Database, in compliance with the requirements set forth in the 
Reduction Agreement, and, signed by an Authorized Party. The Auditor may 
presume the validity of all signatures on documents submitted. The 
Auditor shall not make substantive decisions as to compliance (e.g., 
whether an interim LLP License satisfies the requirements of the Act, or 
whether a discrepancy in the name appearing on LLP Licenses and other 
documents is material).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (g) Enforcement/specific performance. The parties to the Reduction 
Agreement have agreed that the opportunity to develop and submit a 
capacity reduction program for the Longline Subsector under the terms of 
the Act is both unique and finite and that failure of a Selected 
Offeror, and vessel owner, if not a Subsector Member, to perform the 
obligations provided by the Reduction Agreement will result in 
irreparable damage to the FLCC, the Subsector Members and other Selected 
Offerors. Accordingly, the parties to

[[Page 161]]

the Reduction Agreement expressly acknowledge that money damages are an 
inadequate means of redress and agree that upon the failure of the 
Selected Offeror, and vessel owner if not a Subsector Member, to fulfill 
its obligations under the Reduction Agreement that specific performance 
of those obligations may be obtained by suit in equity brought by the 
FLCC in any court of competent jurisdiction without obligation to 
arbitrate such action.
    (h) Miscellaneous--(1) Time/Holidays. All times related to the 
Selection Process shall be the time kept in the Pacific time zone as 
calculated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In the 
event that any date occurring within the Selection Process is a Federal 
holiday, the date shall roll over to the next occurring business day.
    (2) Termination. The Reduction Agreement shall automatically 
terminate if no vote of acceptance is completed by December 31, 2007. 
The Reduction Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to approval 
of the Reduction Plan by NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, by written 
notice from 50 percent of Subsector Members.
    (3) Choice of law/venue. The Reduction Agreement shall be construed 
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington 
without regard to its choice of law provisions. The parties submit to 
the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the United States District Court 
located in Seattle, Washington, with respect to any litigation arising 
out of or relating to the Reduction Agreement or out of the performance 
of services hereunder.
    (4) Incorporation. All executed counterparts of the Reduction 
Agreement, Application Forms and Offers constitute the agreement between 
the parties with respect to the subject matter of the Reduction 
Agreement and are incorporated into the Reduction Agreement as if fully 
written.
    (5) Counterparts. The Reduction Agreement may be executed in 
multiple counterparts and will be effective as to signatories on the 
Effective Date. The Reduction Agreement may be executed in duplicate 
originals, each of which shall be deemed to be an original instrument. 
All such counterparts and duplicate originals together shall constitute 
the same agreement, whether or not all parties execute each counterpart.
    (i) The facsimile signature of any party to the Reduction Agreement 
shall constitute the duly authorized, irrevocable execution and delivery 
of the Reduction Agreement as fully as if the Reduction Agreement 
contained the original ink signatures of the party or parties supplying 
a facsimile signature.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (i) Amendment. Subsector Member acknowledges that the Reduction 
Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the Reduction Plan may be subject 
to amendment to conform to the requirements for approval of the 
Reduction Plan by NMFS on behalf of the Secretary. The Auditor shall 
distribute to each Subsector Member in electronic format the amended 
form of the Reduction Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the 
Reduction Plan, which amended documents in the form distributed by the 
Auditor and identified by the Auditor by date and version, the version 
of each such document then in effect at the time of any dispute arising 
or action taken shall be deemed binding upon the parties with respect to 
such dispute and/or action.
    (j) Warranties. Subsector Member must expressly warrant and 
represent in the Reduction Agreement that:
    (1) Subsector Member has had an opportunity to consult with 
Subsector Member's attorney or other advisors of Subsector Member with 
respect to the Reduction Agreement, the Reduction Contract, and the Act 
and the ramifications of the ratification of the Reduction Plan 
contemplated therein;
    (2) Subsector Member has full understanding and appreciation of the 
ramifications of executing and delivering the Reduction Agreement and, 
free from coercion of any kind by the FLCC or any of its members, 
officers, agents and/or employees, executes and delivers the Reduction 
Agreement as the free and voluntary act of Subsector Member;
    (3) The execution and delivery of the Reduction Agreement, does not 
and will not conflict with any provisions of

[[Page 162]]

the governing documents of Subsector Member;
    (4) The person executing the Reduction Agreement has been duly 
authorized by Subsector Member to execute and deliver the Reduction 
Agreement and to undertake and perform the actions contemplated herein; 
and
    (5) Subsector Member has taken all actions necessary for the 
Reduction Agreement to constitute the valid and binding obligation of 
Subsector Member, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
    (k) Approval of the Reduction Plan. Acceptance of the Offers are at 
the sole discretion of NMFS on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce. To 
be approved by NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, any Reduction Plan 
developed and submitted in accordance with this section and Subpart M to 
this part must be found by the Assistant Administrator of NMFS, to:
    (1) Be consistent with the requirements of Section 219(e) of the FY 
2005 Appropriations Act (Public Law 108-447);
    (2) Be consistent with the requirements of Section 312(b) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1861(a)) except for the requirement that a Council or Governor of a 
State request such a program (as set out in section 312(b)(1)) and for 
the requirements of section 312(b)(4);
    (3) Contain provisions for a fee system that provides for full and 
timely repayment of the capacity reduction loan by the Longline 
Subsector and that it provide for the assessment of such fees;
    (4) Not require a bidding or auction process;
    (5) Result in the maximum sustained reduction in fishing capacity at 
the least cost and in the minimum amount of time; and
    (6) Permit vessels in the Longline Subsector to be upgraded to 
achieve efficiencies in fishing operations provided that such upgrades 
do not result in the vessel exceeding the applicable length, tonnage, or 
horsepower limitations set out in Federal law or regulation.
    (l) Referenda. The provisions of Sec. 600.1010 (including 
Sec. Sec. 600.1004(a), 600.1008, 600.1009, 600.1013, 600.1014, and 
600.1017(a)(5), (6) and (7)) shall apply to the Reduction Plan of this 
section to the extent that they do not conflict with this section or 
with subpart M of this part.

Appendix to Sec. 600.1105--Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract: Bering 
      Sea and Aleutian Islands Longline Catcher Processor Subsector

  Fishing Capacity Reduction Contract: Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
                  Longline Catcher Processor Subsector

    This agreement, (the ``Reduction Contract'') is entered into by and 
between the party or parties named in section 46 of this contract 
entitled, ``Fishing Capacity Reduction Offer Submission Form and 
Reduction Fishing Interests Identification,'' as the qualifying Offeror 
and as the co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) (collectively the 
``Offeror'') and the United States of America, acting by and through the 
Secretary of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, Financial Services Division 
(``NMFS''). The Reduction Contract is effective when NMFS signs the 
Reduction Contract and, thereby, accepts the Offeror's offer, subject to 
the condition subsequent of NMFS' formal notification of a successful 
referendum.

                               Witnesseth

    Whereas, Section 219, Title II, Division B of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2005, as enacted on December 8, 2004, (the ``Act'') 
authorizes a fishing capacity reduction program implementing capacity 
reduction plans submitted to NMFS by catcher processor subsectors of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (``BSAI'') non-pollock groundfish 
fishery as set forth in the Act;
    Whereas, the longline catcher processor subsector (the ``Longline 
Subsector'') is among the catcher processor subsectors eligible to 
submit to NMFS a capacity reduction plan under the terms of the Act;
    Whereas, the Freezer Longline Conservation Cooperative (the 
``FLCC'') has developed and is submitting to NMFS concurrently with this 
Reduction Contract a capacity reduction plan for the Longline Subsector 
(the ``Reduction Plan'');
    Whereas, the selection process will be pursuant to the fishing 
capacity Reduction Contract and the Reduction Plan;
    Whereas, the term ``Reduction Fishery'' is defined by the Reduction 
Plan as the longline catcher processor subsector of the BSAI non-pollock 
groundfish fishery;
    Whereas, the Reduction Plan's express objective is to permanently 
reduce harvesting

[[Page 163]]

capacity in the Reduction Fishery; Whereas, NMFS implements the 
Reduction Plan pursuant to Section 219 of the Act as well as the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1861a(b)-(e))(as excepted by the Act, including inter alia, any 
requirement that the Reduction Plan include a bidding or auction 
process) and other applicable law;
    Whereas, NMFS has promulgated framework regulations generally 
applicable to all fishing capacity reduction programs, portions of which 
are applicable to the Reduction Plan, (50 CFR 600.1000 et seq.);
    Whereas, NMFS can implement the Reduction Plan only after giving 
notice to all members of the Longline Subsector of the Reduction Plan 
pursuant to Section 219(3)(b) of the Act and approval of the Reduction 
Plan by referendum of the Longline Subsector; and
    Whereas, this Reduction Contract is submitted by Offeror and the 
FLCC as an integral element of the Reduction Plan and is expressly 
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the framework 
regulations, the final rule (as used in this contract ``final rule'' 
means the final rule promulgated by NMFS which sets forth the 
regulations implementing the Reduction Plan for the Longline Subsector) 
and applicable law.
    Now therefore, for good and valuable consideration and the premises 
and covenants hereinafter set forth the receipt and sufficiency of which 
the parties to the Reduction Contract hereby acknowledge, and intending 
to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
    1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are true and 
correct and are expressly incorporated herein by this reference.
    2. Further Incorporation. The Act, framework regulations, final rule 
and any other rule promulgated pursuant to the Act are expressly 
incorporated herein by this reference. In the event of conflicting 
language, the framework regulations, the final rule and any other rule 
promulgated pursuant to the Act, take precedence over the Reduction 
Contract.
    3. Contract Form. By completing and submitting the Reduction 
Contract to NMFS the Offeror hereby irrevocably offers to relinquish its 
Reduction Fishing Interests. If NMFS discovers any deficiencies in the 
Offeror's submission to NMFS, NMFS may, at its sole discretion, contact 
the Offeror in an attempt to correct such offer deficiency. ``Reduction 
Fishing Interests'' means all of Offeror(s) rights, title and interest 
to the Groundfish Reduction Permit, Reduction Permit(s), Reduction 
Fishing Privilege and Reduction Fishing History as defined in this 
Reduction Contract.
    4. Groundfish Reduction Permit. Offeror expressly acknowledges that 
it hereby offers to permanently surrender, relinquish, and have NMFS 
permanently revoke the valid non-interim Federal License Limitation 
Program groundfish license issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.4(k) (or 
successor regulation) endorsed for Bering Sea or Aleutian Islands 
catcher processor fishing activity, C/P, Pacific cod, and hook and line 
gear identified in section 46 of this contract as well as any present or 
future claims of eligibility for any fishery privilege based upon such 
permit, including any Latent License and any offered and accepted 
interim permit that Offeror causes to become a non-interim permit, (the 
``Groundfish Reduction Permit'').
    5. Reduction Permit(s). Offeror hereby acknowledges that it offers 
to permanently surrender, relinquish, and have NMFS permanently revoke 
any and all Federal fishery licenses, fishery permits, and area and 
species endorsements issued for any vessel named on the Groundfish 
Reduction Permit as well as any present or future claims of eligibility 
for any fishery privilege based upon such permit, including any Latent 
License, (the ``Reduction Permits'').
    6. Reduction Privilege Vessel. The Reduction Privilege Vessel is the 
vessel listed on the Offeror's License Limitation Program license.
    7. Reduction Fishing Privilege. If a vessel is specified in section 
46 of this contract (the ``Reduction Privilege Vessel''), Offeror hereby 
acknowledges that Offeror offers to relinquish and surrender the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel's fishing privilege and consents to the 
imposition of Federal vessel documentation restrictions that have the 
effect of permanently revoking the Reduction Privilege Vessel's legal 
ability to fish anywhere in the world as well as its legal ability to 
operate under foreign registry or control--including the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel's: fisheries trade endorsement under the Commercial 
Fishing Industry Vessel Anti-Reflagging Act (46 U.S.C. 12108); 
eligibility for the approval required under section 9(c)(2) of the 
Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. App. 808(c)(2)), for the placement of a 
vessel under foreign flag or registry, as well as its operation under 
the authority of a foreign country; and the privilege otherwise to ever 
fish again anywhere in the world (the ``Reduction Fishing Privilege''). 
Offeror agrees to instruct the United States Coast Guard's Vessel 
Documentation Center to remove the fishery endorsement from the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel. If the Reduction Privilege Vessel is not a 
federally documented vessel, the Offeror offers to promptly scrap the 
vessel and allow NMFS whatever access to the scrapping NMFS deems 
reasonably necessary to document and confirm the scrapping.
    8. Reduction Fishing History. Offeror surrenders, relinquishes, and 
consents to NMFS'

[[Page 164]]

permanent revocation of the following Reduction Fishing History (the 
``Reduction Fishing History''):
    a. The Reduction Privilege Vessel's full and complete documented 
harvest of groundfish;
    b. For any documented harvest of the Reduction Privilege Vessel 
whatsoever, including that specified in section 8 of this contract, any 
right or privilege to make any claim in any way related to any fishery 
privilege derived in whole or in part from any such other and documented 
harvest which could ever qualify any party for any future limited access 
system fishing license, permit, and other harvest authorization of any 
kind; including without limitation crab LLP licenses linked to License 
Limitation Program (``LLP'') licenses, state fishing rights appurtenant 
to Reduction Fishing Vessels, and all fishing history associated 
therewith, but without prejudice to any party who before submission of 
this offer may have for value independently acquired the fishing history 
involving any such documented harvest;
    c. Any documented harvest on any other vessel (Reduction Fishing 
Vessel) that gave rise to the Groundfish Reduction Permit; and
    d. All fishing history associated with the latent LLP license 
identified on the Selected Offer and any fishing history associated with 
the fishing vessel that gave rise to the latent LLP license that remains 
in the Offeror's possession as of August 11, 2006 (i.e., date of 
publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register).
    9. Halibut, Sablefish and Crab IFQs Excluded. Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this Reduction Contract, no right, title and/or 
interest to harvest, process or otherwise utilize individual fishing 
quota (``IFQ'') quota share in the halibut, sablefish and crab fisheries 
pursuant to 50 CFR parts 679 and 680, nor crab LLP license history to 
the extent necessary for the issuance of crab IFQ pursuant to 50 CFR 
part 680 as in effect as of the date of this Contract, shall be included 
among Offeror's Reduction Fishing Interests.
    10. Representations and Warranties. Offeror represents and warrants 
that, as of the date of submission of this Reduction Contract, Offeror 
is:
    a. The holder of record, according to NMFS' official fishing license 
records, at the time of offer, of the Groundfish Reduction Permit and 
the Reduction Permit(s).
    b. The Reduction Privilege Vessel's owner of record, according to 
the National Vessel Documentation Center's official vessel documentation 
records, at the time of offer, and that the Reduction Privilege Vessel 
is neither lost nor destroyed at the time of offer.
    c. In retention of and fully and legally entitled to offer and 
dispose of hereunder, full and complete rights to the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel's full and complete Reduction Fishing History necessary 
to fully and completely comply with the requirements of section 8 of 
this contract.
    11. Offer Amount. NMFS' payment to Offeror in the exact amount of 
the amount set forth by Offeror in section 46 of this contract is full 
and complete consideration for the Offeror's offer.
    12. Additional Offer Elements. Offeror shall include with its offer 
an exact photocopy of the Reduction Privilege Vessel's official vessel 
documentation or registration (i.e., the certificate of documentation 
the U.S. Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center issued for 
federally documented vessels or the registration a State issues for 
State registered vessels) and an exact photocopy of the Groundfish 
Reduction Permit and all Reduction Permit(s). The Offeror shall also 
include with the offer all other information required in this Reduction 
Contract and otherwise comply with Reduction Contract requirements.
    13. Use of Official Fishing License or Permit Databases. Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that NMFS shall use the appropriate official 
governmental fishing license or permit database to:
    Determine the Offeror's address of record; verify the Offeror's 
qualification to offer; determine the holder of record of the Groundfish 
Reduction Permit and Reduction Permit(s); and verify the Offeror's 
inclusion in the offer of all permits and licenses required to be 
offered in the Offer.
    14. Use of National Vessel Documentation Center Database. Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that NMFS shall use the records of the National 
Vessel Documentation Center to determine the owner of record for a 
federally documented Reduction Privilege Vessel and the appropriate 
State records to determine the owner of record of a non-federally 
documented Reduction Privilege Vessel.
    15. Offeror to Ensure Accurate Records. Offeror shall, to the best 
of its ability, ensure that the records of the databases relevant to 
sections 13 and 14 of this contract are true, accurate, and complete.
    16. Submissions are Irrevocable. The parties hereto expressly 
acknowledge as the essence hereof that the Offeror voluntarily submits 
to NMFS this firm and irrevocable offer. The Offeror expressly 
acknowledges that it hereby waives any privilege or right to withdraw, 
change, modify, alter, rescind, or cancel any portion of the Reduction 
Contract and that the receipt date and time which NMFS marks on the 
Reduction Contract constitutes the date and time of the offer's 
submission.
    17. Offer Rejection. NMFS shall reject an offer that NMFS deems is 
in any way unresponsive or not in conformance with the Reduction 
Contract, and the applicable law or regulations unless the Offeror 
corrects the

[[Page 165]]

defect and NMFS, in its sole discretion, accepts the correction.
    18. Notarized Offeror Signature(s) Required. NMFS shall deem as non-
responsive and reject an offer whose Offer Submission Form does not 
contain the notarized signatures of all persons required to sign the 
form on behalf of the Offeror.
    19. Offer Rejections Constitute Final Agency Action. NMFS's offer 
rejections are conclusive and constitute final agency action as of the 
rejection date.
    20. Effect of Offer Submission. Submitting an irrevocable offer 
conforming to the requirements stated herein entitles the Offeror to 
have NMFS accept the offer if NMFS, in its sole discretion, deems that 
the offer is fully responsive and complies with the Act, the final rule 
and any other rule promulgated pursuant to the Act.
    21. Offeror Retains Use. After submitting an offer, the Offeror 
shall continue to hold, own, or retain unimpaired every aspect of any 
and all LLP License(s) and or vessels set forth on an Offer included as 
Reduction Fishing Interests, until such time as: NMFS notifies the 
Offeror that the Reduction Plan is not in compliance with the Act or 
other applicable law and will not be approved by NMFS; notifies the 
Offeror that the referendum was unsuccessful; NMFS tenders the reduction 
payment and the Offeror complies with its obligations under the 
Reduction Contract; or NMFS otherwise excuses the Offeror's performance.
    22. Acceptance by Referendum. NMFS shall formally notify the Offeror 
in writing whether the referendum is successful, which written notice 
shall inform Offeror that the condition subsequent has been satisfied. 
Therefore, Offeror expressly acknowledges that all parties must perform 
under the Reduction Contract and the Reduction Contract is enforceable 
against, and binding on, the Reduction Contract parties in accordance 
with the terms and conditions herein.
    23. Reduction Contract Subject to Federal Law. The Reduction 
Contract is subject to Federal law.
    24. Notice to Creditors. Upon NMFS' offer acceptance notice to the 
Offeror, Offeror agrees to notify all parties with secured interests in 
the Reduction Fishing Interests that the Offeror has entered into the 
Reduction Contract.
    25. Referendum. Offeror acknowledges that the outcome of the 
referendum of the Reduction Plan is an occurrence over which NMFS has no 
control.
    26. Unsuccessful Referendum Excuses Performance. An unsuccessful 
referendum excuses all parties hereto from every obligation to perform 
under the Reduction Contract. In such event, NMFS need not tender 
reduction payment and the Offeror need not surrender and relinquish or 
allow the revocation or restriction of any element of the Reduction 
Fishing Interest specified in the Reduction Contract. An unsuccessful 
referendum shall cause the Reduction Contract to have no further force 
or effect.
    27. Offeror Responsibilities upon Successful Referendum. Upon NMFS' 
formal notification to the Offeror that the referendum was successful 
and that NMFS had accepted the Reduction Contract, Offeror shall 
immediately become ready to surrender and relinquish and allow the 
revocation or restriction of (as NMFS deems appropriate) the Reduction 
Fishing Interests.
    28. Written Payment Instructions. After a successful referendum, 
NMFS shall tender reduction payment by requesting the Offeror to provide 
to NMFS, and the Offeror shall subsequently so provide, written payment 
instructions for NMFS' disbursement of the reduction payment to the 
Offeror or to the Offeror's order.
    29. Request for Written Payment Instructions Constitutes Tender. 
NMFS' request to the Offeror for written payment instructions 
constitutes reduction payment tender, as specified in 50 CFR 600.1011.
    30. Offeror Responsibilities upon Tender. Upon NMFS' reduction 
payment tender to the Offeror, the Offeror shall immediately surrender 
and relinquish and allow the revocation or restriction of (as NMFS deems 
appropriate) the Reduction Fishing Interests. The Offeror must then 
return the original of its Groundfish Reduction Permit and Reduction 
Permit(s) to NMFS. Concurrently with NMFS' reduction payment tender, the 
Offeror shall forever cease all fishing for any species with the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel and immediately retrieve all fishing gear, 
irrespective of ownership, previously deployed from the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel. Offeror agrees to authorize the United States Coast 
Guard to cancel the fishery endorsement in the Reduction Privilege 
Vessel.
    31. Reduction Privilege Vessel Lacking Federal Documentation. Upon 
NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, the Offeror shall 
immediately scrap any vessel which the Offeror specified as a Reduction 
Privilege Vessel and which is documented solely under state law or 
otherwise lacks documentation under Federal law. The Offeror shall scrap 
such vessel at the Offeror's expense. The Offeror shall allow NMFS, its 
agents, or its appointees reasonable opportunity to observe and confirm 
such scrapping. The Offeror shall conclude such scrapping within a 
reasonable time.
    32. Future Harvest Privilege and Reduction Fishing History 
Extinguished. Upon NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, the 
Offeror shall surrender and relinquish and consent to the revocation, 
restriction, withdrawal, invalidation, or extinguishment by other means 
(as NMFS deems appropriate), of any claim in any way related to any 
fishing privilege derived, in whole or in part,

[[Page 166]]

from the use or holdership of the Groundfish Reduction Permits and the 
Reduction Permit(s), from the use or ownership of the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel (subject to and in accordance with the provisions of 
section 8 of this contract), and from any documented harvest fishing 
history arising under or associated with the same which could ever 
qualify the Offeror for any future limited access fishing license, 
fishing permit, and other harvest authorization of any kind.
    33. Post Tender Use of Federally Documented Reduction Privilege 
Vessel. After NMFS' reduction payment tender to the Offeror, the Offeror 
may continue to use a federally documented Reduction Privilege Vessel 
for any lawful purpose except ``fishing'' as defined under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and may transfer--subject to all restrictions in the 
Reduction Contract, other applicable regulations, and the applicable 
law--the vessel to a new owner. The Offeror or any subsequent owner 
shall only operate the Reduction Privilege Vessel under the United 
States flag and shall not operate such vessel under the authority of a 
foreign country. In the event the Offeror fails to abide by such 
restrictions, the Offeror expressly acknowledges and hereby agrees to 
allow NMFS to pursue any and all remedies available to it, including, 
but not limited to, recovering the reduction payment and seizing the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel and scrapping it at the Offeror's expense.
    34. NMFS' Actions upon Tender. Contemporaneously with NMFS' 
reduction payment tender to the Offeror, and without regard to the 
Offeror's refusal or failure to perform any of its Reduction Contract 
duties and obligations, NMFS shall: Permanently revoke the Offeror's 
Groundfish Reduction Permit and Reduction Permit(s); notify the National 
Vessel Documentation Center to permanently revoke the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel's fishery trade endorsement; notify the U.S. Maritime 
Administration to make the Reduction Privilege Vessel permanently 
ineligible for the approval of requests to place the vessel under 
foreign registry or operate the vessel under a foreign country's 
authority; record in the appropriate NMFS records that the Reduction 
Fishing History represented by any documented harvest fishing history 
accrued on, under, or as a result of the operation of the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel and/or Reduction Fishing Vessel (subject to and in 
accordance with the provisions of section 8 of this contract), the 
Groundfish Reduction Permit, and the Reduction Permit(s) which could 
ever qualify the Offeror for any future limited access fishing license, 
fishing permit, or other harvesting privilege of any kind shall never 
again be available to anyone for any fisheries purpose; and implement 
any other restrictions the applicable law or regulations impose.
    35. Material Disputes to be Identified. Members of the public shall, 
up until NMFS receives the Offeror's written payment instructions, be 
able to advise NMFS in writing of any material dispute with regard to 
any aspect of any accepted Reduction Contract. Such a material dispute 
shall neither relieve the Offeror of any Reduction Contract duties or 
obligations nor affect NMFS' right to enforce performance of the 
Reduction Contract terms and conditions.
    36. Reduction Payment Disbursement. Once NMFS receives the Offeror's 
written payment instructions and certification of compliance with the 
Reduction Contract, NMFS shall as soon as practicable disburse the 
reduction payment to the Offeror. Reduction payment disbursement shall 
be in strict accordance with the Offeror's written payment instructions. 
Unless the Offeror's written payment instructions direct NMFS to the 
contrary, NMFS shall disburse the whole of the reduction payment to the 
Offeror. If the qualifying Offeror offers with a co-Offeror, both the 
qualifying Offeror and the co-Offeror must approve and sign the written 
payment instructions.
    37. Reduction Payment Withheld for Scrapping or for Other Reasons. 
In the event that a Reduction Privilege Vessel which is not under 
Federal documentation must be scrapped, NMFS shall withhold from 
reduction payment disbursement an amount sufficient to scrap such 
vessel. NMFS shall withhold such sum until the vessel is completely 
scrapped before disbursing any amount withheld. NMFS may confirm, if 
NMFS so chooses, that the vessel has been scrapped before disbursing any 
amount withheld. If NMFS has reason to believe the Offeror has failed to 
comply with any of the Reduction Contract terms and conditions, NMFS 
shall also withhold reduction payment disbursement until such time as 
the Offeror performs in accordance with the Reduction Contract terms and 
conditions.
    38. Offeror Assistance with Restriction. The Offeror shall, upon 
NMFS' request, furnish such additional documents, undertakings, 
assurances, or take such other actions as may be reasonably required to 
enable NMFS' revocation, restriction, invalidation, withdrawal, or 
extinguishment by other means (as NMFS deems appropriate) of all 
components of the Reduction Contract's Reduction Fishing Interest in 
accordance with the requirements of the Reduction Contract terms and 
conditions, applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    39. Recordation of Restrictions. Upon the Reduction Fishing 
Privilege's revocation, the Offeror shall do everything reasonably 
necessary to ensure that such revocation is recorded on the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel's Federal documentation (which the National Vessel 
Documentation Center maintains in accordance with Federal maritime law 
and

[[Page 167]]

regulations) in such manner as is acceptable to NMFS and as shall 
prevent the Reduction Privilege Vessel, regardless of its subsequent 
ownership, from ever again being eligible for a fishery trade 
endorsement or ever again fishing. The term ``fishing'' includes the 
full range of activities defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802).
    40. Reduction Element Omission. In the event NMFS accepts the offer 
and the Offeror has failed, for any reason, to specify in the Reduction 
Contract any Groundfish Reduction Permit, non-Groundfish Reduction 
Permit(s), Reduction Privilege Vessel, Reduction Fishing Vessel, 
Reduction Fishing History, or any other element of the Reduction Fishing 
Interest which the Offeror should under Reduction Contract, applicable 
regulations and the applicable law have specified in Reduction Contract, 
such omitted element shall nevertheless be deemed to be included in the 
Reduction Contract and to be subject to the Reduction Contract's terms 
and conditions; and all Reduction Contract terms and conditions which 
should have applied to such omitted element had it not be omitted shall 
apply as if such element had not been omitted. Upon the Offeror 
discovering any such omission, the Offeror shall immediately and fully 
advise NMFS of such omission. Upon either NMFS or the Offeror 
discovering any such omission, the Offeror shall act in accordance with 
the Reduction Contract, applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    41. Remedy for Breach. Because money damages are not a sufficient 
remedy for the Offeror breaching any one or more of the Reduction 
Contract terms and conditions, the Offeror explicitly agrees to and 
hereby authorizes specific performance of the Reduction Contract, in 
addition to any money damages, as a remedy for such breach. In the event 
of such breach, NMFS shall take any reasonable action, including 
requiring and enforcing specific performance of the Reduction Contract, 
NMFS deems necessary to carry out the Reduction Contract, applicable 
regulations and the applicable law.
    42. Waiver of Data Confidentiality. The Offeror consents to the 
public release of any information provided in connection with the 
Reduction Contract or pursuant to Reduction Plan requirements, including 
any information provided in the Reduction Contract or by any other means 
associated with, or necessary for evaluation of, the Offeror's Reduction 
Contract if NMFS finds that the release of such information is necessary 
to achieve the Reduction Plan's authorized purpose. The Offeror hereby 
explicitly waives any claim of confidentiality otherwise afforded to 
catch, or harvest data and fishing histories otherwise protected from 
release under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1881 a(b)) or any other law. In the event of such 
information release, the Offeror hereby forever fully and 
unconditionally releases and holds harmless the United States and its 
officers, agents, employees, representatives, of and from any and all 
claims, demands, debts, damages, duties, causes of action, actions and 
suits whatsoever, in law or equity, on account of any act, failure to 
act or event arising from, out of, or in any way related to, the release 
of any information associated with the Reduction Program.
    43. Oral Agreement Invalid. The Reduction Contract, any addendums to 
section 46 of this contract, and enclosures of photocopies of licenses 
and permits required under section 46 of this contract, contain the 
final terms and conditions of the agreement between the Offeror and NMFS 
and represent the entire and exclusive agreement between them. NMFS and 
the Offeror forever waive all right to sue, or otherwise counterclaim 
against each other, based on any claim of past, present, or future oral 
agreement between them.
    44. Severable Provisions. The Reduction Contract provisions are 
severable; and, in the event that any portion of the Reduction Contract 
is held to be void, invalid, non-binding, or otherwise unenforceable, 
the remaining portion thereof shall remain fully valid, binding, and 
enforceable against the Offeror and NMFS.
    45. Disputes. Any and all disputes involving the Reduction Contract, 
and any other Reduction Plan aspect affecting them shall in all respects 
be governed by the Federal laws of the United States; and the Offeror 
and all other parties claiming under the Offeror irrevocably submit 
themselves to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts of the United 
States and/or to any other Federal administrative body which the 
applicable law authorizes to adjudicate such disputes.
    46. Fishing Capacity Reduction Offer Submission Form and Reduction 
Fishing Interests Identification.
    a. Completion and Submission. The Offeror must fully, faithfully, 
and accurately complete this section 46 of this contract and thereafter 
submit the full and complete Reduction Contract to NMFS in accordance 
with the Reduction Contract. If completing this section requires 
inserting more information than the places provided for the insertion of 
such information allows, the Offeror should attach an addendum to the 
Reduction Contract that: Includes and identifies the additional 
information, states that the addendum is a part of the Reduction Fishing 
Interests Identification portion of the Reduction Contract, states (as a 
means of identifying the Reduction Contract to which the addendum 
relates) the NMFS license number designated on the Reduction Contract's 
Groundfish Reduction Permit, and is signed by all persons who signed the 
Reduction Contract as the Offeror.

[[Page 168]]

    b. Offeror Information.
    (1) Offeror name(s). Insert in the table provided under this section 
46.b(1) of this contract the name(s) of the qualifying Offeror and of 
the co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror), and check the appropriate box 
for each name listed.
    Each name the Offeror inserts must be the full and exact legal name 
of record of each person, partnership, corporation or other business 
entity identified on the offer. If any Reduction Fishing Interest 
element is co-owned by more than one person, partnership, corporation or 
other business entity, the Offeror must insert each co-owner's name.
    In each case, the Offeror is the holder of record, at the time of 
Offeror's execution of this Reduction Contract, of the Groundfish 
Reduction Permit and the Reduction Permit(s). A co-Offeror is not 
allowed for either the Groundfish Reduction Permit or the Reduction 
Permit(s). If the Offeror is also the owner of record, at the time of 
offering, of the Reduction Privilege Vessel, the qualifying Offeror is 
the sole Offeror. If, however, the owner of record, at the time of 
execution of this Reduction Contract, of the Reduction Privilege Vessel 
is not exactly the same as the Offeror, then the owner of record is the 
co-Offeror; and the Offeror and the co-Offeror jointly offer together as 
the Offeror.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 OFFEROR NAME(S)  If Offeror or     Check appropriate box for each name
co-Offeror consists of more than       listed in the adjacent column
 one owner, use one row of this  ---------------------------------------
 column to name each co-Offeror.
  If not, use only one row for                          Co-Offeror  (if
 Offeror and one row for any co-        Offeror              any)
             Offeror
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Offeror address(s) of record. Insert in the table provided under 
this section 46.b(2) of this contract the Offeror's and the co-Offeror's 
(if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact address(s) of record, and 
check the appropriate box for each address listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 OFFEROR ADDRESS(S)  If Offeror   Check appropriate box for each address
 or co-Offeror consists of more        listed in the adjacent column
 than one owner, use one row of  ---------------------------------------
 this column for address of each
 co-owner. If not, use only one
 row for Offeror and one row for
 any co-Offeror.  Always use the
  same row order as is Offeror                          Co-Offeror  (if
    Name(s) table in section            Offeror              any)
  46.b(1), i.e., address (1) is
for name (1), address (2) is for
  name (2), address (3) is for
         name (3), etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Offeror business telephone number(s). Insert in the table 
provided under this section 46.b(3) the Offeror's and the co-Offeror's 
(if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact business telephone number(s), 
and check the appropriate box for each number listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   OFFEROR BUSINESS TELEPHONE         Check appropriate box for each
  NUMBER(S)  If Offeror or co-        telephone number listed in the
  Offeror consists of more than               adjacent column
 one owner, use one row of this  ---------------------------------------
 column for the telephone number
  of each co-owner. If not, use
only one row for Offeror and one
 row for any co-Offeror.  Always
  use the same row order as is
Offeror Name(s) table in section        Offeror         Co-Offeror  (if
 46.b(1), i.e., telephone number                             any)
 (1) is for name (1), telephone
   number (2) is for name (2),
telephone number (3) is for name
            (3), etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 169]]

 
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Offeror electronic mail address(s) (if available). Insert in the 
table printed under this section 46.b(4) the Offeror's and the co-
Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) full and exact electronic mail (e-
mail) address(s), and check the appropriate box for each address.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  OFFEROR E-MAIL ADDRESS(S)  If    Check appropriate box for each e-mail
 Offeror or co-Offeror consists    address listed in the adjacent column
 of more than one owner, use one ---------------------------------------
  row of this column for the e-
 mail address of each co-owner.
  If not, use only one row for
 Offeror and one row for any co-
Offeror. Always use the same row
   order as is Offeror Name in          Offeror         Co-Offeror  (if
     section 46.b(1) of this                                 any)
  contract, i.e., e-mail (1) is
 for name (1), e-mail (2) is for
name (2), e-mail (3) is for name
            (3), etc
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    c. LLP license number for Groundfish Reduction Permit. Insert in the 
place this section 46.c provides the full and exact license number which 
NMFS designated on the LLP license which the Offeror specifies as the 
Groundfish Reduction Permit. Attach with the Reduction Contract an exact 
photocopy of such license.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LLP LICENSE NUMBER(S) AND FISHERY(S) OF Of LLP LICENSE(S) SPECIFIED AS
                     GROUNDFISH REDUCTION PERMIT(S)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
          License  number(s)                       Fishery(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    d. License number(s) for Reduction Permit(s). Insert in the place 
this section 46.d provides the fishery(s) involved in, and the full and 
exact license number(s) with NMFS designated on the license(s) which the 
Offeror specifies in the Reduction Contract as the Reduction Permit(s). 
Enclose with the Reduction Contract an exact photocopy of each such 
license.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LLP LICENSE NUMBER(S) AND FISHERY OF LICENSE(S) SPECIFIED AS REDUCTION
                                 PERMITS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
          License  number(s)                       Fishery(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. Reduction Fishing History. For all Reduction Fishing History 
insert in the place provided in the table under this section 46.e the 
chronological and other information with each column heading therein 
requires. The information required does not include any actual landing 
data. Any Offeror whose Groundfish Reduction Permit whose issuance NMFS 
based on the fishing history of a lost or destroyed vessel plus a 
replacement vessel

[[Page 170]]

must insert information for both vessels and meet the requirements of 
the framework regulations, final rule and any other regulations 
promulgated pursuant to the Act. Any Offeror whose Groundfish Reduction 
Permit whose issuance NMFS in any part based on acquisition of fishing 
history from another party must insert information regarding such catch 
history.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        FOR EACH FISHING HISTORY IN 2ND
                                                    COLUMN
   NAMES(S) AND                      -----------------------------------
 OFFICIAL NUMBER        FOR EACH                          If Reduction
   OF REDUCTION        REDUCTION       License No. of   Privilege Vessel
 PRIVILEGE VESSEL   PRIVILEGE VESSEL   each Groundfish  acquired fishing
 AND NAME(S) AND     IN 1ST COLUMN    Reduction Permit    history from
     OFFICIAL       PROVIDE FROM TO     and Reduction    another party,
 NUMBER(S) OF ANY     DATE OF EACH        Permit(s)      provide name of
VESSEL FROM WHICH   FISHING HISTORY    associated with  party, manner in
 FISHING HISTORY   OFFEROR POSSESSES     each vessel     which acquired,
   WAS ACQUIRED                           involved          and date
                                                            acquired
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    f. Reduction Privilege Vessel. Insert the full and exact name and 
official number which the National Vessel Documentation Center 
designated for the Reduction Privilege Vessel which the Offeror or the 
co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) specifies in the Reduction 
Contract, and check the box appropriate for the vessel's ownership of 
record.
    Enclose with the Reduction Contract an exact photocopy of such 
vessel's official certificate of documentation.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  REDUCTION PRIVILEGE VESSEL                          Check appropriate ownership box below
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Official name                   Official No.                Offeror            Co-Offeror (if any)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      ........................  .......................  .......................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    g. Offer Amount. Insert in the place this section 46.g provides the 
Offeror's full and exact offer amount, both in words and in numbers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       OFFER AMOUNT [U.S. DOLLARS]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 In words                            In numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    h. Reduction Contract Signature. In compliance with the Reduction 
Contract, applicable regulations and the applicable law, the Offeror 
submits the Reduction Contract as the Offeror's irrevocable offer to 
NMFS for the permanent surrender and relinquishment and revocation, 
restriction, withdrawal, invalidation, or extinguishment by other means 
(as NMFS deems appropriate) of the Groundfish Reduction Permit, any 
Reduction Permit(s), the Reduction Fishing Privilege, and the Reduction 
Fishing History--all as identified in the Reduction Contract or as 
required under applicable regulations, or the applicable law.
    The Offeror expressly acknowledges that NMFS' acceptance of the 
Offeror's offer hereunder and NMFS' tender, following a successful 
referendum, of a reduction payment in the same amount specified in 
section 46.g of this contract (less any sum withheld for scrapping any 
Reduction Privilege Vessel lacking Federal documentation or for any 
other purpose) to the Offeror shall, among other things, render the 
Reduction Privilege Vessel permanently ineligible or any fishing 
worldwide, including, but not limited to, fishing on the high seas or in 
the jurisdiction of any foreign country while operating under United 
States flag, and shall impose or create other legal and contractual 
restrictions, impediments, limitations, obligations, or other provisions 
which restrict, revoke, withdraw, invalidate, or extinguish by other 
means (as NMFS deems appropriate) the complete Reduction Fishing 
Interest and any other fishery privileges or claims associated with the 
Groundfish Reduction Permit, any Reduction Permit(s), the Reduction 
Privilege Vessel, and the Reduction Fishing History--all as more fully 
set forth in the Reduction Contract, applicable regulations, and the 
applicable law.
    By completing and signing the Reduction Contract, the Offeror 
expressly acknowledges that the Offeror has fully and completely

[[Page 171]]

read the entire Reduction Contract. The Offeror expressly states, 
declares, affirms, attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that the 
Offeror is fully able to enter into the Reduction Contract and that the 
Offeror legally holds, owns, or retains, and is fully able under the 
Reduction Contract provisions to offer and dispose of, the full 
Reduction Fishing Interest which the Reduction Contract specifies and 
the applicable regulations, and the applicable law requires that any 
person or entity completing the Reduction Contract and/or signing the 
Reduction Contract on behalf of another person or entity, expressly 
attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that such completing and/or 
signing person or entity has the express and written permission or other 
grant of authority to bind such other person or entity to the Reduction 
Contract's terms and conditions. The Offeror expressly attests, 
warrants, and represents to NMFS that every co-owner of the Offeror 
necessary to constitute the Offeror's full and complete execution of the 
Reduction Contract has signed the Reduction Contract. The Offeror 
expressly attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that the Offeror: 
Fully understands the consequences of submitting the completed Reduction 
Contract of which it is a party to NMFS; pledges to abide by the terms 
and conditions of the Reduction Contract; and is aware of, understands, 
and consents to, any and all remedies available to NMFS for the 
Offeror's breach of the Reduction Contract or submission of an offer 
which fails to conform with the Reduction Contract, final rule, 
applicable regulations and the applicable law. The Offeror expressly 
attests, warrants, and represents to NMFS that all information which the 
Offeror inserted in the Reduction Contract is true, accurate, complete, 
and fully in accordance with the Reduction Contract, final rule, other 
applicable regulations and the applicable law.
    In witness whereof, the Offeror has, in the place provided below, 
executed the Reduction Contract either as an Offeror offering alone or 
as an Offeror and co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) jointly offering 
together, in accordance with the requirements specified above, and on 
the date written below. The Reduction Contract is effective as of the 
date NMFS accepts the Offeror's offer by signing the Reduction Contract.
    The Offeror and co-Offeror (if there is a co-Offeror) must each sign 
the Reduction Contract exactly as instructed herein. Each co-owner (if 
there is a co-owner) of each Offeror and co-Offeror (if there is a co-
Offeror) must also sign the Reduction Contract exactly as instructed 
herein. A notary public must, for each person or entity signing on 
behalf of the Offeror, complete and sign the acknowledgment and 
certification provision associated with each such person or entity's 
signature.
    I. Offeror and co-Offeror's (if there is a co-Offeror) signature(s) 
and notary's acknowledgment(s) and certification(s).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  OFFEROR'S SIGNATURE AND NOTARY'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CERTIFICATION  If
  Offeror or co-Offeror consists of more than one owner, use one row of
  column 1 for each co-owner's signature. If not, use only one row for
  Offeror and one row for co-Offeror (if any).  Always use same Offeror
 row order as in Offeror Name in the table under section 46.b(1) of this
contract (i.e., signature (1) is for name (1), signature (2) is for name
                (2) signature (3) is for name (3), etc.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFEROR SIGNATURE   Check appropriate column for each   NOTARY SIGNATURE
   (1) Sign. (2)         signature in 1st column         (1) Sign. (2)
    Print: the    ------------------------------------     Print: the
  following: (a)                                         following: (a)
  signer's name,                                       name, (b) signing
   (b) signer's                                          date, (3) date
title (if signing                                          commission
 for corporation                                        expires, and (4)
or other business                                      State and county.
 entity), and (c)                                         Each notary
   signing date                                        signature attests
------------------                                     to the following:
                                                        ``I certify that
                                                         I know or have
                                                          satisfactory
                                                       evidence that the
                                                       person who signed
                                                       in the 1st column
                      Qualifying      Co-Offeror (if    of this same row
                        Offeror            any)        is the person who
                                                        appeared before
                                                          me and: (1)
                                                       acknowledged his/
                                                         her signature;
                                                          (2) on oath,
                                                        stated that he/
                                                            she was
                                                         authorized to
                                                         sign; and (3)
                                                       acknowledged that
                                                         he/she did so
                                                           freely and
                                                         voluntarily.''
                                                      ------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    II. United States of America's signature. United States of America, 
Acting by and through the Secretary of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Financial 
Services Division.


[[Page 172]]


[fxsp0]Dated:___________________________________________________________
[fxsp0]By:______________________________________________________________

Leo C. Erwin, Chief,

Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[71 FR 57701, Sept. 29, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 57701, Sept. 29, 2006, Sec. 600.1105 
was added, effective Oct. 30, 2006.



                         Subpart N_Shark Finning

    Source: 67 FR 6200, Feb. 11, 2002, unless otherwise noted. 
Redesignated at 69 FR 53361, Sept. 1, 2004.



Sec. 600.1200  Purpose and scope.

    The regulations in this subpart govern ``shark finning'' (the 
removal of shark fins and discarding of the carcass), the possession of 
shark fins, and the landing into U.S. ports of shark fins without 
corresponding carcasses under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
They implement the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000.



Sec. 600.1201  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this subpart to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
Sec. 600.514 and 600.705 and in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) Regulations pertaining to shark conservation and management for 
certain shark fisheries are also set forth in this subpart and in parts 
635 (for Federal Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean shark 
fisheries), 648 (for spiny dogfish fisheries), and 660 (for fisheries 
off West Coast states and in the western Pacific) of this chapter 
governing those fisheries.
    (c) Nothing in this regulation supercedes more restrictive state 
laws or regulations regarding shark finning in state waters.
    (d) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued an 
Atlantic Federal commercial shark limited access permit or a spiny 
dogfish permit is subject to the reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements found at parts 635 and 648 of this chapter, respectively.



Sec. 600.1202  Definitions.

    (a) In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
in Sec. 600.10, the terms used in this subpart have the following 
meanings:
    Land or landing means offloading fish, or causing fish to be 
offloaded, from a fishing vessel, either to another vessel or to a 
shoreside location or facility, or arriving in port, or at a dock, 
berth, beach, seawall, or ramp to begin offloading fish.
    Shark finning means taking a shark, removing a fin or fins (whether 
or not including the tail), and returning the remainder of the shark to 
the sea.
    (b) If there is any difference between a definition in this section 
and in Sec. 600.10, the definition in this section is the operative 
definition for the purposes of this subpart.



Sec. 600.1203  Prohibitions.

    (a) In addition to the prohibitions in Sec. Sec. 600.505 and 
600.725, it is unlawful for any person to do, or attempt to do, any of 
the following:
    (1) Engage in shark finning, as provided in Sec. 600.1204(a) and 
(i).
    (2) Possess shark fins without the corresponding carcasses while on 
board a U.S. fishing vessel, as provided in Sec. 600.1204(b) and (j).
    (3) Land shark fins without the corresponding carcasses, as provided 
in Sec. 600.1204(c) and (k).
    (4) Fail to have all shark fins and carcasses from a U.S. or foreign 
fishing vessel landed at one time and weighed at the time of the 
landing, as provided in Sec. 600.1204(d).
    (5) Possess, purchase, offer to sell, or sell shark fins taken, 
landed, or possessed in violation of this section, as provided in Sec. 
600.1204(e) and (l).
    (6) When requested, fail to allow an authorized officer or any 
employee of NMFS designated by a Regional Administrator access to and/or 
inspection or copying of any records pertaining to the landing, sale, 
purchase, or other disposition of shark fins and/or shark carcasses, as 
provided in Sec. 600.1204(f).
    (7) Fail to have shark fins and carcasses recorded as specified in 
Sec. 635.30(c)(3) of this chapter.
    (8) Fail to have all shark carcasses and fins landed and weighed at 
the same time if landed in an Atlantic coastal port, and to have all 
weights recorded on the weighout slips specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(2) of 
this chapter.

[[Page 173]]

    (9) Fail to maintain a shark intact through landing as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 600.1204(h) and 635.30(c)(4) of this chapter.
    (b)(1) For purposes of this section, it is a rebuttable presumption 
that shark fins landed by a U.S. or foreign fishing vessel were taken, 
held, or landed in violation of this section if the total weight of the 
shark fins landed exceeds 5 percent of the total dressed weight of shark 
carcasses on board or landed from the fishing vessel.
    (2) For purposes of this section, it is a rebuttable presumption 
that shark fins possessed by a U.S. fishing vessel were taken and held 
in violation of this section if the total weight of the shark fins on 
board, or landed, exceeds 5 percent of the total dressed weight of shark 
carcasses on board or landed from the fishing vessel.



Sec. 600.1204  Shark finning; possession at sea and landing of shark fins.

    (a)(1) No person aboard a U.S. fishing vessel shall engage in shark 
finning in waters seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ.
    (2) No person aboard a foreign fishing vessel shall engage in shark 
finning in waters shoreward of the outer boundary of the U.S. EEZ.
    (b) No person aboard a U.S. fishing vessel shall possess on board 
shark fins harvested seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ 
without the corresponding carcass(es), as may be determined by the 
weight of the shark fins in accordance with Sec. 600.1203(b)(2), except 
that sharks may be dressed at sea.
    (c) No person aboard a U.S. or foreign fishing vessel (including any 
cargo vessel that received shark fins from a fishing vessel at sea) 
shall land shark fins harvested in waters seaward of the inner boundary 
of the U.S. EEZ without corresponding shark carcasses, as may be 
determined by the weight of the shark fins in accordance with Sec. 
600.1203(b)(1).
    (d) Except as provided in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section, a 
person who operates a U.S. or foreign fishing vessel and who lands shark 
fins harvested in waters seaward of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ 
shall land all fins and corresponding carcasses from the vessel at the 
same point of landing and shall have all fins and carcasses weighed at 
that time.
    (e) A person may not purchase, offer to sell, or sell shark fins 
taken, landed, or possessed in violation of this section.
    (f) Upon request, a person who owns or operates a vessel or a dealer 
shall allow an authorized officer or any employee of NMFS designated by 
a Regional Administrator access to, and/or inspection or copying of, any 
records pertaining to the landing, sale, purchase, or other disposition 
of shark fins and/or shark carcasses.
    (g) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a 
Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit and who lands 
shark in an Atlantic coastal port must have all fins weighed in 
conjunction with the weighing of the carcasses at the vessel's first 
point of landing. Such weights must be recorded on the ``weighout 
slips'' specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(2) of this chapter.
    (h) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has not been issued 
a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit and who lands 
shark in or from the U.S. EEZ in an Atlantic coastal port must comply 
with regulations found at Sec. 635.30(c)(4) of this chapter.
    (i) No person aboard a vessel that has been issued a Federal 
Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit shall engage in shark 
finning.
    (j) No person aboard a vessel that has been issued a Federal 
Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit shall possess on board 
shark fins without the corresponding carcass(es), as may be determined 
by the weight of the shark fins in accordance with Sec. 600.1203(b)(2), 
except that sharks may be dressed at sea.
    (k) No person aboard a vessel that has been issued a Federal 
Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit shall land shark fins 
without the corresponding carcass(es).
    (l) A dealer may not purchase from an owner or operator of a fishing 
vessel issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit 
who lands shark in an Atlantic coastal port fins whose wet weight 
exceeds 5 percent of the dressed weight of the carcasses.

[[Page 174]]



PART 622_FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC--Table of Contents




                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
622.1 Purpose and scope.
622.2 Definitions and acronyms.
622.3 Relation to other laws and regulations.
622.4 Permits and fees.
622.5 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.6 Vessel and gear identification.
622.7 Prohibitions.
622.8 At-sea observer coverage.
622.9 Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).
622.10 Conservation measures for protected resources.

                      Subpart B_Effort Limitations

622.15 Wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.
622.16 Red snapper individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.
622.17 South Atlantic golden crab controlled access.
622.18 South Atlantic snapper-grouper limited access.
622.19 South Atlantic rock shrimp limited access.

                      Subpart C_Management Measures

622.30 Fishing years.
622.31 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.32 Prohibited and limited-harvest species.
622.33 Caribbean EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
622.34 Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
622.35 Atlantic EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
622.36 Seasonal harvest limitations.
622.37 Size limits.
622.38 Landing fish intact.
622.39 Bag and possession limits.
622.40 Limitations on traps and pots.
622.41 Species specific limitations.
622.42 Quotas.
622.43 Closures.
622.44 Commercial trip limits.
622.45 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.46 Prevention of gear conflicts.
622.47 Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.
622.48 Adjustment of management measures.

Appendix A to Part 622--Species Tables
Appendix B to Part 622--Gulf Areas
Appendix C to Part 622--Fish Length Measurements
Appendix D to Part 622--Specifications for Certified BRDs

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Source: 61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 622 appear at 70 FR 
73389, Dec. 12, 2005.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 622.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of this part is to implement the FMPs prepared under 
the Magnuson Act by the CFMC, GMFMC, and/or SAFMC listed in Table 1 of 
this section.
    (b) This part governs conservation and management of species 
included in the FMPs in or from the Caribbean, Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, South 
Atlantic, or Atlantic EEZ, as indicated in Table 1 of this section. For 
the FMPs noted in the following table, conservation and management 
extends to adjoining state waters for the purposes of data collection 
and monitoring.

                Table 1--FMPs Implemented Under Part 622
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Responsible fishery
            FMP title                  management         Geographical
                                       council(s)             area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Coast Red Drum FMP.....  SAFMC                 Mid-Atlantic and
                                                         South Atlantic.
FMP for Coastal Migratory         GMFMC/SAFMC           Gulf,\1\ Mid-
 Pelagic Resources.                                      Atlantic \1,2\
                                                         and South
                                                         Atlantic. \1,3\
FMP for Coral and Coral Reefs of  GMFMC                 Gulf.
 the Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs, and   SAFMC                 South Atlantic.
 Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of
 the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for Corals and Reef           CFMC                  Caribbean.
 Associated Plants and
 Invertebrates of Puerto Rico
 and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo     SAFMC                 Atlantic.
 Fishery off the Atlantic States.
FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery   SAFMC                 South Atlantic
 of the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for Queen Conch Resources of  CFMC                  Caribbean.
 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
 Islands.
FMP for Pelagic Sargassum         SAFMC                 South Atlantic
 Habitat of the South Atlantic
 Region.
FMP for the Red Drum Fishery of   GMFMC                 Gulf. \1\
 the Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Reef Fish Fishery of  CFMC                  Caribbean.
 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
 Islands.

[[Page 175]]

 
FMP for the Reef Fish Resources   GMFMC                 Gulf. \1\
 of the Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of     GMFMC                 Gulf. \1\
 the Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of     SAFMC                 South Atlantic.
 the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for the Snapper-Grouper       SAFMC                 South Atlantic.
 Fishery of the South Atlantic                           \1,4\
 Region.
FMP for the Spiny Lobster         CFMC                  Caribbean.
 Fishery of Puerto Rico and the
 U.S. Virgin Islands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for purposes of data
  collection and quota monitoring.
\2\ Only king and Spanish mackerel and cobia are managed under the FMP
  in the Mid-Atlantic.
\3\ Bluefish are not managed under the FMP in the South Atlantic.
\4\ Bank, rock, and black sea bass and scup are not managed by the FMP
  or regulated by this part north of 35[deg]15.19[min] N. lat., the
  latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC.


[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43956, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 65483, Dec. 13, 1996; 63 FR 10565, Mar. 4, 1998; 67 FR 22362, May 3, 
2002; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 69 FR 30240, May 27, 2004]



Sec. 622.2  Definitions and acronyms.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in Sec. 
600.10 of this chapter, and the acronyms in Sec. 600.15 of this 
chapter, the terms and acronyms used in this part have the following 
meanings:
    Allowable chemical means a substance, generally used to immobilize 
marine life so that it can be captured alive, that, when introduced into 
the water, does not take Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral and is 
allowed by Florida for the harvest of tropical fish (e.g., quinaldine, 
quinaldine compounds, or similar substances).
    Allowable octocoral means an erect, nonencrusting species of the 
subclass Octocorallia, except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. 
ventalina, plus the attached substrate within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of an 
allowable octocoral.

    Note: An erect, nonencrusting species of the subclass Octocorallia, 
except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. ventalina, with attached 
substrate exceeding 1 inch (2.54 cm) is considered to be live rock and 
not allowable octocoral.

    Aquacultured live rock means live rock that is harvested under a 
Federal aquacultured live rock permit, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(3)(iii).
    Atlantic means the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic.
    Authorized statistical reporting agent means:
    (1) Any person so designated by the SRD; or
    (2) Any person so designated by the head of any Federal or State 
agency that has entered into an agreement with the Assistant 
Administrator to collect fishery data.
    Automatic reel means a reel that remains attached to a vessel when 
in use from which a line and attached hook(s) are deployed. The line is 
payed out from and retrieved on the reel electrically or hydraulically.
    Bandit gear means a rod and reel that remain attached to a vessel 
when in use from which a line and attached hook(s) are deployed. The 
line is payed out from and retrieved on the reel manually, electrically, 
or hydraulically.
    BRD means bycatch reduction device.
    Buoy gear means fishing gear consisting of a float and one or more 
weighted lines suspended therefrom, generally long enough to reach the 
bottom. A hook or hooks (usually 6 to 10) are on the lines at or near 
the end. The float and line(s) drift freely and are retrieved 
periodically to remove catch and rebait hooks.
    Carapace length means the straight-line distance from the orbital 
notch inside the orbital spine, in a line parallel to the lateral 
rostral sulcus, to the posterior margin of the cephalothorax. (See 
Figure 1 in Appendix C of this part.)
    Caribbean means the Caribbean Sea around Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands.
    Caribbean coral reef resource means one or more of the species, or a 
part thereof, listed in Table 1 in Appendix A of this part, whether 
living or dead.

[[Page 176]]

    Caribbean prohibited coral means, in the Caribbean; a gorgonian, 
that is, a Caribbean coral reef resource of the Class Anthozoa, Subclass 
Octocorallia, Order Gorgonacea; a live rock; or a stony coral, that is, 
a Caribbean coral reef resource of the Class Hydrozoa (fire corals and 
hydrocorals) or of the Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Orders 
Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia (black corals); or a part 
thereof.
    Caribbean queen conch or queen conch means the species, Strombus 
gigus, or a part thereof.
    Caribbean reef fish means one or more of the species, or a part 
thereof, listed in Table 2 in Appendix A of this part.
    Caribbean spiny lobster means the species Panulirus argus, or a part 
thereof.
    CFMC means the Caribbean Fishery Management Council.
    Charter vessel means a vessel less than 100 gross tons (90.8 mt) 
that is subject to the requirements of the USCG to carry six or fewer 
passengers for hire and that engages in charter fishing at any time 
during the calendar year. A charter vessel with a commercial permit, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2), is considered to be operating as a 
charter vessel when it carries a passenger who pays a fee or when there 
are more than three persons aboard, including operator and crew. 
However, a charter vessel that has a charter vessel permit for Gulf reef 
fish, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, and a valid 
Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued by the USCG to carry passengers 
for hire will not be considered to be operating as a charter vessel 
provided--
    (1) It is not carrying a passenger who pays a fee; and
    (2) When underway for more than 12 hours, that vessel meets, but 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI for 
vessels underway over 12 hours; or when underway for not more than 12 
hours, that vessel meets the minimum manning requirements outlined in 
its COI for vessels underway for not more than 12-hours (if any), and 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI for 
vessels that are underway for more than 12 hours.
    Coastal migratory pelagic fish means one or more of the following 
species, or a part thereof:
    (1) Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Gulf of Mexico only).
    (2) Cero, Scomberomorus regalis.
    (3) Cobia, Rachycentron canadum.
    (4) Dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus (Gulf of Mexico only).
    (5) King mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla.
    (6) Little tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus.
    (7) Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus.
    Coral area means marine habitat in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ 
where coral growth abounds, including patch reefs, outer bank reefs, 
deep water banks, and hard bottoms.
    Dealer, in addition to the definition specified in Sec. 600.10 of 
this chapter, means the person who first receives rock shrimp harvested 
from the EEZ or dolphin or wahoo harvested from the Atlantic EEZ upon 
transfer ashore.
    Dolphin means the species Coryphaena equiselis or C. hippurus, or a 
part thereof, in the Atlantic. (See the definition of Coastal migratory 
pelagic fish for dolphin in the Gulf of Mexico.)
    Drift gillnet, for the purposes of this part, means a gillnet, other 
than a long gillnet or a run-around gillnet, that is unattached to the 
ocean bottom, regardless of whether attached to a vessel.
    Fish trap means--
    (1) In the Caribbean EEZ, a trap and its component parts (including 
the lines and buoys), regardless of the construction material, used for 
or capable of taking finfish.
    (2) In the Gulf EEZ, a trap and its component parts (including the 
lines and buoys), regardless of the construction material, used for or 
capable of taking finfish, except a trap historically used in the 
directed fishery for crustaceans (that is, blue crab, stone crab, and 
spiny lobster).
    (3) In the South Atlantic EEZ, a trap and its component parts 
(including the lines and buoys), regardless of the construction 
material, used for or capable of taking fish, except a sea bass pot, a 
golden crab trap, or a crustacean trap (that is, a type of trap 
historically used in the directed fishery for blue crab,

[[Page 177]]

stone crab, red crab, jonah crab, or spiny lobster and that contains at 
any time not more than 25 percent, by number, of fish other than blue 
crab, stone crab, red crab, jonah crab, and spiny lobster).
    Fork length means the straight-line distance from the tip of the 
head (snout) to the rear center edge of the tail (caudal fin). (See 
Figure 2 in Appendix C of this part.)
    Golden crab means the species Chaceon fenneri, or a part thereof.
    Golden crab trap means any trap used or possessed in association 
with a directed fishery for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ, 
including any trap that contains a golden crab in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ or any trap on board a vessel that possesses golden crab in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ.
    GMFMC means the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
    Gulf means the Gulf of Mexico. The line of demarcation between the 
Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is specified in Sec. 600.105(c) 
of this chapter.
    Gulf reef fish means one or more of the species, or a part thereof, 
listed in Table 3 in Appendix A of this part.
    Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral means, in the Gulf and 
South Atlantic, one or more of the following, or a part thereof:
    (1) Coral belonging to the Class Hydrozoa (fire corals and 
hydrocorals).
    (2) Coral belonging to the Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, 
Orders Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia (black corals).
    (3) A seafan, Gorgonia flabellum or G. ventalina.
    (4) Coral in a coral reef, except for allowable octocoral.
    (5) Coral in an HAPC, including allowable octocoral.
    Handline means a line with attached hook(s) that is tended directly 
by hand.
    HAPC means habitat area of particular concern.
    Headboat means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of Inspection 
(COI) issued by the USCG to carry more than six passengers for hire.
    (1) A headboat with a commercial vessel permit, as required under 
Sec. 622.4(a)(2), is considered to be operating as a headboat when it 
carries a passenger who pays a fee or--
    (i) In the case of persons aboard fishing for or possessing South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, when there are more persons aboard than the 
number of crew specified in the vessel's COI; or
    (ii) In the case of persons aboard fishing for or possessing coastal 
migratory pelagic fish, when there are more than three persons aboard, 
including operator and crew.
    (2) However a vessel that has a headboat permit for Gulf reef fish, 
a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, and a valid COI issued by 
the USCG to carry passengers for hire will not be considered to be 
operating as a headboat provided--
    (i) It is not carrying a passenger who pays a fee; and
    (ii) When underway for more than 12 hours, that vessel meets, but 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI for 
vessels underway over 12 hours; or when underway for not more than 12 
hours, that vessel meets the minimum manning requirements outlined in 
its COI for vessels underway for not more than 12-hours (if any), and 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI for 
vessels that are underway for more than 12 hours.
    Headrope length means the distance, measured along the forwardmost 
webbing of a trawl net, between the points at which the upper lip (top 
edge) of the mouth of the net are attached to sleds, doors, or other 
devices that spread the net.
    Hook-and-line gear means automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, 
handline, longline, and rod and reel.
    Live rock means living marine organisms, or an assemblage thereof, 
attached to a hard substrate, including dead coral or rock (excluding 
individual mollusk shells).
    Long gillnet means a gillnet that has a float line that is more than 
1,000 yd (914 m) in length.
     Longline means a line that is deployed horizontally to which 
gangions and hooks are attached. A longline may be a bottom longline, 
i.e., designed for use on the bottom, or a pelagic longline, i.e., 
designed for use off the bottom. The longline hauler may

[[Page 178]]

be manually, electrically, or hydraulically operated.
    MAFMC means the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
    Mid-Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the New England Fishery Management 
Council and the MAFMC, as specified in Sec. 600.105(a) of this chapter, 
to the boundary between the MAFMC and the SAFMC, as specified in Sec. 
600.105(b) of this chapter.
    Migratory group, for king and Spanish mackerel, means a group of 
fish that may or may not be a separate genetic stock, but that is 
treated as a separate stock for management purposes. King and Spanish 
mackerel are divided into migratory groups--the Atlantic migratory group 
and the Gulf migratory group. The boundaries between these groups are as 
follows:
    (1) King mackerel--(i) Summer separation. From April 1 through 
October 31, the boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic migratory 
groups of king mackerel is 25[deg]48[min] N. lat., which is a line 
directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary to the outer 
limit of the EEZ.
    (ii) Winter separation. From November 1 through March 31, the 
boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic migratory groups of king 
mackerel is 29[deg]25[min] N. lat., which is a line directly east from 
the Volusia/Flagler County, FL, boundary to the outer limit of the EEZ.
    (2) Spanish mackerel. The boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic 
migratory groups of Spanish mackerel is 25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat., which 
is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary 
to the outer limit of the EEZ.
    North Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the United States and Canada to the 
boundary between the New England Fishery Management Council and the 
MAFMC, as specified in Sec. 600.105(a) of this chapter.
    Off Florida means the waters in the Gulf and South Atlantic from 
30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
seaward terminus of the Georgia/Florida boundary, to 
87[deg]31[min]06[sec] W. long., which is a line directly south from the 
Alabama/Florida boundary.
    Off Georgia means the waters in the South Atlantic from a line 
extending in a direction of 104[deg] from true north from the seaward 
terminus of the South Carolina/Georgia boundary to 
30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
seaward terminus of the Georgia/Florida boundary.
    Official sunrise or official sunset means the time of sunrise or 
sunset as determined for the date and location in The Nautical Almanac, 
prepared by the U.S. Naval Observatory.
    Off Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama means the waters in the Gulf 
other than off Florida and off Texas.
    Off North Carolina means the waters in the South Atlantic from 
36[deg]34[min]55[sec] N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
Virginia/North Carolina boundary, to a line extending in a direction of 
135[deg]34[min]55[sec] from true north from the North Carolina/South 
Carolina boundary, as marked by the border station on Bird Island at 
33[deg]51[min]07.9[sec] N. lat., 78[deg]32[min]32.6[sec] W. long.
    Off South Carolina means the waters in the South Atlantic from a 
line extending in a direction of 135[deg]34[min]55[sec] from true north 
from the North Carolina/South Carolina boundary, as marked by the border 
station on Bird Island at 33[deg]51[min]07.9[sec] N. lat., 
78[min]32[min]32.6[sec] W. long., to a line extending in a direction of 
104[deg] from true north from the seaward terminus of the South 
Carolina/Georgia boundary.
    Off Texas means the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line from 
29[deg]32.1[min] N. lat., 93[deg]47.7[min] W. long. to 26[deg]11.4[min] 
N. lat., 92[deg]53[min] W. long., which line is an extension of the 
boundary between Louisiana and Texas.
    Pelagic longline means a longline that is suspended by floats in the 
water column and that is not fixed to or in contact with the ocean 
bottom.
    Pelagic sargassum means the species Sargassum natans or S. fluitans, 
or a part thereof.
    Penaeid shrimp means one or more of the following species, or a part 
thereof:
    (1) Brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus.
    (2) Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum.

[[Page 179]]

    (3) White shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus.
    Penaeid shrimp trawler means any vessel that is equipped with one or 
more trawl nets whose on-board or landed catch of penaeid shrimp is more 
than 1 percent, by weight, of all fish comprising its on-board or landed 
catch.
    Powerhead means any device with an explosive charge, usually 
attached to a speargun, spear, pole, or stick, that fires a projectile 
upon contact.
    Processor means a person who processes fish or fish products, or 
parts thereof, for commercial use or consumption.
    Purchase means the act or activity of buying, trading, or bartering, 
or attempting to buy, trade, or barter.
    Red drum, also called redfish, means Sciaenops ocellatus, or a part 
thereof.
    Red snapper means Lutjanus campechanus, or a part thereof, one of 
the Gulf reef fish species.
    Regional Administrator (RA), for the purposes of this part, means 
the Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive 
N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702, or a designee.
    Rod and reel means a rod and reel unit that is not attached to a 
vessel, or, if attached, is readily removable, from which a line and 
attached hook(s) are deployed. The line is payed out from and retrieved 
on the reel manually, electrically, or hydraulically.
     Run-around gillnet means a gillnet, other than a long gillnet, 
that, when used, encloses an area of water.
    SAFMC means the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
    Sale or sell means the act or activity of transferring property for 
money or credit, trading, or bartering, or attempting to so transfer, 
trade, or barter.
    Science and Research Director (SRD), for the purposes of this part, 
means the Science and Research Director, Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center, NMFS (see Table 1 of Sec. 600.502 of this chapter).
    Sea bass pot means a trap has six rectangular sides and does not 
exceed 25 inches (63.5 cm) in height, width, or depth.
    Shrimp means one or more of the following species, or a part 
thereof:
    (1) Brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus.
    (2) White shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus.
    (3) Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum.
    (4) Royal red shrimp, Hymenopenaeus robustus.
    (5) Rock shrimp, Sicyonia brevirostris.
    (6) Seabob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri.
    Shrimp trawler means any vessel that is equipped with one or more 
trawl nets whose on-board or landed catch of shrimp is more than 1 
percent, by weight, of all fish comprising its on-board or landed catch.
    SMZ means special management zone.
    South Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the MAFMC and the SAFMC, as specified 
in Sec. 600.105(b) of this chapter, to the line of demarcation between 
the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as specified in Sec. 
600.105(c) of this chapter.
    South Atlantic snapper-grouper means one or more of the species, or 
a part thereof, listed in Table 4 in Appendix A of this part.
    Stab net means a gillnet, other than a long gillnet, or trammel net 
whose weight line sinks to the bottom and submerges the float line.
    Total length (TL), for the purposes of this part, means the 
straight-line distance from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail 
(caudal fin), excluding any caudal filament, while the fish is lying on 
its side. The mouth of the fish may be closed and/or the tail may be 
squeezed together to give the greatest overall measurement. (See Figure 
2 in Appendix C of this part.)
    Toxic chemical means any substance, other than an allowable 
chemical, that, when introduced into the water, can stun, immobilize, or 
take marine life.
    Trammel net means two or more panels of netting, suspended 
vertically in the water by a common float line and a common weight line, 
with one panel having a larger mesh size than the other(s), to entrap 
fish in a pocket of netting.
    Trip means a fishing trip, regardless of number of days duration, 
that begins with departure from a dock, berth,

[[Page 180]]

beach, seawall, or ramp and that terminates with return to a dock, 
berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.
    Try net, also called test net, means a net pulled for brief periods 
by a shrimp trawler to test for shrimp concentrations or determine 
fishing conditions (e.g., presence or absence of bottom debris, 
jellyfish, bycatch, seagrasses).
    Wahoo means the species Acanthocybium solandri, or a part thereof, 
in the Atlantic.
    Wild live rock means live rock other than aquacultured live rock.
    Wreckfish means the species Polyprion americanus, or a part thereof, 
one of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper species.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43956, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 47448, Sept. 9, 1996; 61 FR 65483, Dec. 13, 1996; 62 FR 18539, Apr. 
16, 1997; 63 FR 10565, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 18144, Apr. 14, 1998; 64 FR 
59125, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 52957, Aug. 31, 2000; 67 FR 51078, Aug. 7, 
2002; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 69 FR 30240, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 62080, 
Oct. 28, 2005; 70 FR 73387, Dec. 12, 2005; 71 FR 45433, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 622.3  Relation to other laws and regulations.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
600.705 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) Except for regulations on allowable octocoral, Gulf and South 
Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock, this part is intended to apply 
within the EEZ portions of applicable National Marine Sanctuaries and 
National Parks, unless the regulations governing such sanctuaries or 
parks prohibit their application. Regulations on allowable octocoral, 
Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock do not apply 
within the EEZ portions of the following National Marine Sanctuaries and 
National Parks:
    (1) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart 
P).
    (2) Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart 
I).
    (3) Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart F).
    (4) Everglades National Park (36 CFR 7.45).
    (5) Biscayne National Park (16 U.S.C. 410gg).
    (6) Fort Jefferson National Monument (36 CFR 7.27).
    (c) For allowable octocoral, if a state has a catch, landing, or 
gear regulation that is more restrictive than a catch, landing, or gear 
regulation in this part, a person landing in such state allowable 
octocoral taken from the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ must comply with the 
more restrictive state regulation.
    (d) General provisions on facilitation of enforcement, penalties, 
and enforcement policy applicable to all domestic fisheries are set 
forth in Sec. Sec. 600.730, 600.735, and 600.740 of this chapter, 
respectively.
    (e) An activity that is otherwise prohibited by this part may be 
conducted if authorized as scientific research activity, exempted 
fishing, or exempted educational activity, as specified in Sec. 600.745 
of this chapter.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 28284, May 16, 2006]



Sec. 622.4  Permits and fees.

    (a) Permits required. To conduct activities in fisheries governed in 
this part, valid permits, licenses, and endorsements are required as 
follows:
    (1) Charter vessel/headboat permits. (i) For a person aboard a 
vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or 
possess, in or from the EEZ, species in any of the following species 
groups, a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for that species group 
must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board--
    (A) Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (B) South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (C) Gulf reef fish.
    (D) South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    (E) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (See paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section for the requirements for operator permits in the dolphin and 
wahoo fishery.)
    (ii) See paragraph (r) of this section regarding a limited access 
system for charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf reef fish and Gulf 
coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (iii) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/
headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel 
is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard must 
adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of

[[Page 181]]

``Charter vessel'' and ``Headboat'' in Sec. 622.2 for an explanation of 
when vessels are considered to be operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, respectively.
    (2) Commercial vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements--(i) Fish 
traps in the Gulf. For a person to possess or use a fish trap in the EEZ 
in the Gulf of Mexico, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish 
with a fish trap endorsement must have been issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. See paragraph (n) of this section regarding fish trap 
endorsements.
    (ii) Gillnets for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast 
subzone. For a person aboard a vessel to use a run-around gillnet for 
king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone (see Sec. 
622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(3)), a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and 
a king mackerel gillnet permit must have been issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. See paragraph (o) of this section regarding a limited 
access system applicable to king mackerel gillnet permits and 
restrictions on transferability of king mackerel gillnet permits.
    (iii) King mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for 
exemption from the bag limits and to fish under a quota for king 
mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for king mackerel must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board. To obtain or renew a commercial vessel 
permit for king mackerel, at least 25 percent of the applicant's earned 
income, or at least $10,000, must have been derived from commercial 
fishing (i.e., harvest and first sale of fish) or from charter fishing 
during one of the three calendar years preceding the application. See 
paragraph (q) of this section regarding a limited access system 
applicable to commercial vessel permits for king mackerel, transfers of 
permits under the limited access system, and limited exceptions to the 
earned income or gross sales requirement for a permit.
    (iv) Spanish mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible 
for exemption from the bag limits and to fish under a quota for Spanish 
mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel must have been issued to 
the vessel and must be on board. To obtain or renew a commercial vessel 
permit for Spanish mackerel, at least 25 percent of the applicant's 
earned income, or at least $10,000, must have been derived from 
commercial fishing (i.e., harvest and first sale of fish) or from 
charter fishing during one of the 3 calendar years preceding the 
application.
    (v) Gulf reef fish. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for 
exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell Gulf 
reef fish in or from the Gulf EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. To 
obtain or renew a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, more than 
50 percent of the applicant's earned income must have been derived from 
commercial fishing (i.e., harvest and first sale of fish) or from 
charter fishing during either of the 2 calendar years preceding the 
application. See paragraph (m) of this section regarding a limited 
access system for commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef fish and 
limited exceptions to the earned income requirement for a permit.
    (vi) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. For a person aboard a vessel to 
be eligible for exemption from the bag limits for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, to engage in the 
directed fishery for tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ, to use a 
longline to fish for South Atlantic snapper-grouper in the South 
Atlantic EEZ, or to use a sea bass pot in the South Atlantic EEZ between 
35[deg]15.19[min] N. lat. (due east of Cape Hatteras Light, NC) and 
28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly 
Building, Cape Canaveral, FL), a commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper must have been issued to the vessel and must be 
on board. A vessel with longline gear and more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of 
tilefish on board is considered to be in the directed fishery for 
tilefish. It is a rebuttable presumption that a fishing vessel with more 
than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of tilefish on board harvested such tilefish in 
the EEZ. See Sec. 622.18 for limitations on the use, transfer, and 
renewal of a commercial

[[Page 182]]

vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    (vii) Wreckfish. For a person aboard a vessel to fish for wreckfish 
in the South Atlantic EEZ, possess wreckfish in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, offload wreckfish from the South Atlantic EEZ, or sell 
wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit 
for wreckfish must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. 
To obtain a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish, the applicant must 
be a wreckfish shareholder; and either the shareholder must be the 
vessel owner or the owner or operator must be an employee, contractor, 
or agent of the shareholder. (See Sec. 622.15 for information on 
wreckfish shareholders.)
    (viii) South Atlantic rock shrimp. (A) For a person aboard a vessel 
to fish for rock shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ or possess rock shrimp 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for rock 
shrimp must be issued to the vessel and must be on board. (See paragraph 
(a)(5) of this section for the requirements for operator permits for the 
South Atlantic rock shrimp fishery.)
    (B) In addition, for a person aboard a vessel to fish for rock 
shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off Florida or possess 
rock shrimp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off 
Florida, a limited access endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp 
must be issued to the vessel and must be on board. See Sec. 622.19 for 
limitations on the issuance, transfer, renewal, and reissuance of a 
limited access endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp.
    (ix) Gulf red snapper. For a person aboard a vessel for which a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued to retain 
red snapper under the trip limits specified in Sec. 622.44(d)(1) or 
(2), a Class 1 or Class 2 Gulf red snapper license must have been issued 
to the vessel and must be on board. See paragraph (p) of this section 
regarding initial issue of red snapper licenses.
    (x) South Atlantic golden crab. For a person aboard a vessel to fish 
for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ, possess golden crab in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ, off-load golden crab from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, or sell golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for golden crab must be issued to the vessel 
and must be on board. It is a rebuttable presumption that a golden crab 
on board a vessel in the South Atlantic or off-loaded from a vessel in a 
port adjoining the South Atlantic was harvested from the South Atlantic 
EEZ. See Sec. 622.17 for limitations on the use, transfer, and renewal 
of a commercial vessel permit for golden crab.
    (xi) Gulf shrimp. For a person aboard a vessel to fish for shrimp in 
the Gulf EEZ or possess shrimp in or from the Gulf EEZ, a valid 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board.
    (xii) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (A) For a person aboard a vessel 
to be eligible for exemption from the bag and possession limits for 
dolphin or wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ or to sell such dolphin or 
wahoo, a commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo must be 
issued to the vessel and must be on board, except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(2)(xii)(B) of this section. (See paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section for the requirements for operator permits in the Atlantic 
dolphin and wahoo fishery).
    (B) The provisions of paragraph (a)(2)(xii)(A) of this section 
notwithstanding, a fishing vessel, except a vessel operating as a 
charter vessel or headboat, that does not have a commercial vessel 
permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo but has a Federal commercial 
vessel permit in any other fishery, is exempt from the bag and 
possession limits for dolphin and wahoo and may sell dolphin and wahoo, 
subject to the trip and geographical limits specified in Sec. 
622.44(f)(2). (A charter vessel/headboat permit is not a commercial 
vessel permit.)
    (xiii) South Atlantic penaeid shrimp. For a person aboard a trawler 
to fish for penaeid shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ or possess penaeid 
shrimp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a valid commercial vessel 
permit for South Atlantic penaeid shrimp must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board.

[[Page 183]]

    (3) Coral permits--(i) Allowable chemical. For an individual to take 
or possess fish or other marine organisms with an allowable chemical in 
a coral area, other than fish or other marine organisms that are landed 
in Florida, a Federal allowable chemical permit must have been issued to 
the individual. Such permit must be available when the permitted 
activity is being conducted and when such fish or other marine organisms 
are possessed, through landing ashore.
    (ii) Allowable octocoral. For an individual to take or possess 
allowable octocoral in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ, other than 
allowable octocoral that is landed in Florida, a Federal allowable 
octocoral permit must have been issued to the individual. Such permit 
must be available for inspection when the permitted activity is being 
conducted and when allowable octocoral is possessed, through landing 
ashore.
    (iii) Aquacultured live rock. For a person to take or possess 
aquacultured live rock in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ, a Federal 
aquacultured live rock permit must have been issued for the specific 
harvest site. Such permit, or a copy, must be on board a vessel 
depositing or possessing material on an aquacultured live rock site or 
harvesting or possessing live rock from an aquacultured live rock site.
    (iv) Prohibited coral. A Federal permit may be issued to take or 
possess Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral or Caribbean prohibited 
coral only as scientific research activity, exempted fishing, or 
exempted educational activity. See Sec. 600.745 of this chapter for the 
procedures and limitations for such activities and fishing.
    (v) Florida permits. Appropriate Florida permits and endorsements 
are required for the following activities, without regard to whether 
they involve activities in the EEZ or Florida's waters:
    (A) Landing in Florida fish or other marine organisms taken with an 
allowable chemical in a coral area.
    (B) Landing allowable octocoral in Florida.
    (C) Landing live rock in Florida.
    (4) Dealer permits. For a dealer to receive Gulf reef fish, golden 
crab harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ, South Atlantic snapper-
grouper, rock shrimp harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ, dolphin or 
wahoo harvested from the Atlantic EEZ, or wreckfish, a dealer permit for 
Gulf reef fish, golden crab, South Atlantic snapper-grouper, rock 
shrimp, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, or wreckfish, respectively, must be 
issued to the dealer. To obtain a dealer permit, the applicant must have 
a valid state wholesaler's license in the state(s) where the dealer 
operates, if required by such state(s), and must have a physical 
facility at a fixed location in such state(s).
    (5) Operator permits. (i) The following persons are required to have 
operator permits:
    (A) An operator of a vessel that has or is required to have a valid 
permit for South Atlantic rock shrimp issued under this section.
    (B) An operator of a vessel that has or is required to have a 
charter vessel/headboat or commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and 
wahoo issued under this section.
    (ii) A person required to have an operator permit under paragraph 
(a)(5)(i) of this section must carry on board such permit and one other 
form of personal identification that includes a picture (driver's 
license, passport, etc.).
    (iii) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section must ensure that at 
least one person with a valid operator permit is aboard while the vessel 
is at sea or offloading.
    (iv) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section and the operator of 
such vessel are responsible for ensuring that a person whose operator 
permit is suspended, revoked, or modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 
CFR part 904 is not aboard that vessel.
    (b) Applications for permits. Application forms for all permits are 
available from the RA. Completed application forms and all required 
supporting documents must be submitted to the RA at least 30 days prior 
to the date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made 
effective. All vessel permits are mailed to owners, whether the 
applicant is an owner or an operator.

[[Page 184]]

    (1) Coral permits. (i) The applicant for a coral permit must be the 
individual who will be conducting the activity that requires the permit. 
In the case of a corporation or partnership that will be conducting live 
rock aquaculture activity, the applicant must be the principal 
shareholder or a general partner.
    (ii) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the applicant.
    (B) Name and address of any affiliated company, institution, or 
organization.
    (C) Information concerning vessels, harvesting gear/methods, or 
fishing areas, as specified on the application form.
    (D) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit.
    (E) If applying for an aquacultured live rock permit, identification 
of each vessel that will be depositing material on or harvesting 
aquacultured live rock from the proposed aquacultured live rock site, 
specification of the port of landing of aquacultured live rock, and a 
site evaluation report prepared pursuant to generally accepted industry 
standards that--
    (1) Provides accurate coordinates of the proposed harvesting site so 
that it can be located using LORAN or Global Positioning System 
equipment;
    (2) Shows the site on a chart in sufficient detail to determine its 
size and allow for site inspection;
    (3) Discusses possible hazards to safe navigation or hindrance to 
vessel traffic, traditional fishing operations, or other public access 
that may result from aquacultured live rock at the site;
    (4) Describes the naturally occurring bottom habitat at the site; 
and
    (5) Specifies the type and origin of material to be deposited on the 
site and how it will be distinguishable from the naturally occurring 
substrate.
    (2) Dealer permits. (i) The application for a dealer permit must be 
submitted by the owner (in the case of a corporation, an officer or 
shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a general partner).
    (ii) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) A copy of each state wholesaler's license held by the dealer.
    (B) Name, address, telephone number, date the business was formed, 
and other identifying information of the business.
    (C) The address of each physical facility at a fixed location where 
the business receives fish.
    (D) Name, address, telephone number, other identifying information, 
and official capacity in the business of the applicant.
    (E) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (3) Vessel permits. (i) The application for a commercial vessel 
permit, other than for wreckfish, or for a charter vessel/headboat 
permit must be submitted by the owner (in the case of a corporation, an 
officer or shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a general partner) 
or operator of the vessel. A commercial vessel permit that is issued 
based on the earned income qualification of an operator is valid only 
when that person is the operator of the vessel. The applicant for a 
commercial vessel permit for wreckfish must be a wreckfish shareholder.
    (ii) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) A copy of the vessel's valid USCG certificate of documentation 
or, if not documented, a copy of its valid state registration 
certificate.
    (B) Vessel name and official number.
    (C) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the vessel owner and of the applicant, if other than the 
owner.
    (D) Any other information concerning the vessel, gear 
characteristics, principal fisheries engaged in, or fishing areas, as 
specified on the application form.
    (E) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (F) If applying for a commercial vessel permit, documentation, as 
specified in the instructions accompanying each

[[Page 185]]

application form, showing that applicable eligibility requirements of 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section have been met.
    (G) If a fish trap or sea bass pot will be used, the number, 
dimensions, and estimated cubic volume of the traps/pots that will be 
used and the applicant's desired color code for use in identifying his 
or her vessel and buoys (white is not an acceptable color code).
    (4) Operator permits. An applicant for an operator permit must 
provide the following:
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information specified on the application.
    (ii) Two recent (no more than 1-yr old), color, passport-size 
photographs.
    (iii) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (c) Change in application information. The owner or operator of a 
vessel with a permit, a person with a coral permit, a person with an 
operator permit, or a dealer with a permit must notify the RA within 30 
days after any change in the application information specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section. The permit is void if any change in the 
information is not reported within 30 days.
    (d) Fees. A fee is charged for each application for a permit, 
license, or endorsement submitted under this section, for each request 
for transfer or replacement of such permit, license, or endorsement, and 
for each fish trap or sea bass pot identification tag required under 
Sec. 622.6(b)(1)(i)(B). The amount of each fee is calculated in 
accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available 
from the RA, for determining the administrative costs of each special 
product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified 
with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany each 
application, request for transfer or replacement, or request for fish 
trap/sea bass pot identification tags.
    (e) Initial issuance. (1) The RA will issue an initial permit at any 
time to an applicant if the application is complete and the specific 
requirements for the requested permit have been met. An application is 
complete when all requested forms, information, and documentation have 
been received.
    (2) Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the RA will notify 
the applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of the date of the RA's letter of 
notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (f) Duration. A permit remains valid for the period specified on it 
unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 
CFR part 904 or, in the case of a vessel or dealer permit, the vessel or 
dealership is sold.
    (g) Transfer--(1) Vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements and 
dealer permits. A vessel permit, license, or endorsement or a dealer 
permit issued under this section is not transferable or assignable, 
except as provided in paragraph (m) of this section for a commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, in paragraph (n) of this section for a 
fish trap endorsement, in paragraph (o) of this section for a king 
mackerel gillnet permit, in paragraph (p) of this section for a red 
snapper license, in paragraph (q) of this section for a commercial 
vessel permit for king mackerel, in paragraph (r) of this section for a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish 
or Gulf reef fish, in Sec. 622.17(c) for a commercial vessel permit for 
golden crab, in Sec. 622.18(e) for a commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, or in Sec. 622.19(e) for a commercial vessel 
permit for South Atlantic rock shrimp. A person who acquires a vessel or 
dealership who desires to conduct activities for which a permit, 
license, or endorsement is required must apply for a permit, license, or 
endorsement in accordance with the provisions of this section. If the 
acquired vessel or dealership is currently permitted, the application 
must be accompanied by the original permit and a copy of a signed bill 
of sale or equivalent acquisition papers.
    (2) Operator permits. An operator permit is not transferable.
    (h) Renewal--(1) Vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements and 
dealer permits. A vessel owner or dealer who has been issued a permit, 
license, or endorsement under this section must

[[Page 186]]

renew such permit, license, or endorsement on an annual basis. The RA 
will mail a vessel owner or dealer whose permit, license, or endorsement 
is expiring an application for renewal approximately 2 months prior to 
the expiration date. A vessel owner or dealer who does not receive a 
renewal application from the RA by 45 days prior to the expiration date 
of the permit, license, or endorsement must contact the RA and request a 
renewal application. The applicant must submit a completed renewal 
application form and all required supporting documents to the RA prior 
to the applicable deadline for renewal of the permit, license, or 
endorsement and at least 30 days prior to the date on which the 
applicant desires to have the permit made effective. If the RA receives 
an incomplete application, the RA will notify the applicant of the 
deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 
days of the date of the RA's letter of notification, the application 
will be considered abandoned. A permit, license, or endorsement that is 
not renewed within the applicable deadline will not be reissued.
    (i) If eligible for automatic renewal. If the RA's notification 
indicates that the owner's or dealer's permit, license, or endorsement 
is eligible for automatic renewal, the RA will mail the automatically 
renewed permit, license, or endorsement approximately 1 month prior to 
expiration of the old permit, license, or endorsement.
    (ii) If ineligible for automatic renewal. If the RA's notification 
indicates that the owner's or dealer's permit, license, or endorsement 
is ineligible for automatic renewal, the notification will specify the 
reasons and, if applicable, will provide an opportunity for correction 
of any deficiencies. If the owner or dealer does not correct such 
deficiencies within 60 days after the date of the RA's notification, the 
renewal will be considered abandoned. A permit, license, or endorsement 
that is not renewed within the applicable deadline will not be reissued.
    (iii) If new application is required. If the RA's notification 
indicates that a new application is required, the notification will 
include a preprinted renewal application. If the RA receives an 
incomplete application, the RA will notify the applicant of the 
deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 
days of the date of the RA's letter of notification, the application 
will be considered abandoned. A permit, license, or endorsement that is 
not renewed within the applicable deadline will not be reissued.
    (iv) If notification is not received. A vessel owner or dealer must 
contact the RA if he/she does not receive a notification from the RA 
regarding status of renewal of a permit, license, or endorsement by 45 
days prior to expiration of the current permit.
    (2) Operator permits. An operator permit required by this section is 
issued for a period not longer than 3 years. A permit not renewed 
immediately upon its expiration would expire at the end of the 
operator's birth month that is between 2 and 3 years after issuance. For 
renewal, a new application must be submitted in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
    (i) Display. A vessel permit, license, or endorsement issued under 
this section must be carried on board the vessel. A dealer permit issued 
under this section, or a copy thereof, must be available on the dealer's 
premises. In addition, a copy of the dealer's permit must accompany each 
vehicle that is used to pick up from a fishing vessel reef fish 
harvested from the Gulf EEZ. The operator of a vessel must present the 
vessel permit, license, or endorsement for inspection upon the request 
of an authorized officer. A dealer or a vehicle operator must present 
the permit or a copy for inspection upon the request of an authorized 
officer. An operator of a vessel in a fishery in which an operator 
permit is required must present his/her operator permit and one other 
form of personal identification that includes a picture (driver's 
license, passport, etc.) for inspection upon the request of an 
authorized officer.
    (j) Sanctions and denials. (1) A permit, license, or endorsement 
issued pursuant to this section may be revoked, suspended, or modified, 
and a permit, license, or endorsement application may be denied, in 
accordance with the

[[Page 187]]

procedures governing enforcement-related permit sanctions and denials 
found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) A person whose operator permit is suspended, revoked, or 
modified may not be aboard any fishing vessel subject to Federal fishing 
regulations in any capacity, if so sanctioned by NOAA, while the vessel 
is at sea or offloading. The vessel's owner and operator are responsible 
for compliance with this measure. A list of operators whose permits are 
revoked or suspended may be obtained from the RA.
    (k) Alteration. A permit, license, or endorsement that is altered, 
erased, or mutilated is invalid.
    (l) Replacement. A replacement permit, license, or endorsement may 
be issued. An application for a replacement permit, license, or 
endorsement is not considered a new application. An application for a 
replacement operator permit must include two new photographs, as 
specified in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (m) Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for Gulf 
reef fish. (1) No applications for additional commercial vessel permits 
for Gulf reef fish will be accepted. Existing vessel permits may be 
renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer or change in 
paragraphs (m)(2) through (5) of this section, and are subject to the 
requirement for timely renewal in paragraph (m)(6) of this section.
    (2) An owner of a permitted vessel may transfer the commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish to another vessel owned by the same 
entity.
    (3) An owner whose earned income qualified for the commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish may transfer the permit to the owner of 
another vessel, or to the new owner when he or she transfers ownership 
of the permitted vessel. Such owner of another vessel, or new owner, may 
receive a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish for his or her 
vessel, and renew it through April 15 following the first full calendar 
year after obtaining it, without meeting the earned income requirement 
of paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this section. However, to further renew the 
commercial vessel permit, the owner of the other vessel, or new owner, 
must meet the earned income requirement not later than the first full 
calendar year after the permit transfer takes place.
    (4) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based on 
an operator's earned income and, thus, is valid only when that person is 
the operator of the vessel, may transfer the permit to the income 
qualifying operator when such operator becomes an owner of a vessel.
    (5) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based on 
an operator's earned income and, thus, is valid only when that person is 
the operator of the vessel, may have the operator qualification on the 
permit removed, and renew it without such qualification through April 15 
following the first full calendar year after removing it, without 
meeting the earned income requirement of paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this 
section. However, to further renew the commercial vessel permit, the 
owner must meet the earned income requirement not later than the first 
full calendar year after the operator qualification is removed. To have 
an operator qualification removed from a permit, the owner must return 
the original permit to the RA with an application for the changed 
permit.
    (6) A commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish that is not 
renewed or that is revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered 
to be not renewed when an application for renewal is not received by the 
RA within 1 year of the expiration date of the permit.
    (n) Endorsements for fish traps in the Gulf. The provisions of this 
paragraph (n) are applicable through February 7, 2007. After February 7, 
2007, no fish trap endorsements are valid.
    (1) Only those fish trap endorsements that are valid on February 7, 
1997, may be renewed. Such endorsements are subject to the restrictions 
on transfer in paragraphs (n)(2) and (3) of this section and are subject 
to the requirement for timely renewal in paragraph (n)(5) of this 
section.
    (2) Through February 7, 1999, a fish trap endorsement may be 
transferred only to a vessel that has a commercial permit for reef fish.
    (3) After February 7, 1999, a fish trap endorsement is not 
transferable except as follows:

[[Page 188]]

    (i) An owner of a vessel with a fish trap endorsement may transfer 
the endorsement to another vessel owned by the same entity.
    (ii) A fish trap endorsement is transferable upon a change of 
ownership of a permitted vessel with such endorsement from one to 
another of the following: Husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, 
mother, or father.
    (iii) When a change of ownership of a vessel with a fish trap 
endorsement is directly related to the disability or death of the owner, 
the RA may issue such endorsement, temporarily or permanently, with the 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish that is issued for the 
vessel under the new owner. Such new owner will be the person specified 
by the owner or his/her legal guardian, in the case of a disabled owner, 
or by the will or executor/administrator of the estate, in the case of a 
deceased owner. (Paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this section apply for the 
transfer of a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish upon 
disability or death of an owner.)
    (iv) A fish trap endorsement may be transferred to a vessel with a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish whose owner has a record of 
landings of reef fish from fish traps in the Gulf EEZ, as reported on 
fishing vessel logbooks received by the SRD, from November 20, 1992, 
through February 6, 1994, and who was unable to obtain a fish trap 
endorsement for the vessel with the reported landings.
    (4) The owner of a vessel that is to receive a transferred 
endorsement must return the originals of the endorsed commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish and the unendorsed permit to the RA with an 
application for a fish trap endorsement for his or her vessel.
    (5) A fish trap endorsement that is not renewed or that is revoked 
will not be reissued. Such endorsement is considered to be not renewed 
when an application for renewal is not received by the RA within 1 year 
of the expiration date of the permit.
    (o) Limited access system for king mackerel gillnet permits 
applicable in the southern Florida west coast subzone. Except for 
applications for renewals of king mackerel gillnet permits, no 
applications for king mackerel gillnet permits will be accepted. 
Application forms for permit renewal are available from the RA.
    (1) An owner of a vessel with a king mackerel gillnet permit issued 
under this limited access system may transfer that permit upon a change 
of ownership of a permitted vessel with such permit from one to another 
of the following: Husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, 
or father. Such permit also may be transferred to another vessel owned 
by the same entity.
    (2) A king mackerel gillnet permit that is not renewed or that is 
revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed 
when an application for renewal is not received by the RA within one 
year after the expiration date of the permit.
    (p) Gulf red snapper licenses--(1) Class 1 licenses. To be eligible 
for the 2,000-lb (907-kg) trip limit for Gulf red snapper specified in 
Sec. 622.44(d)(1), a vessel must have been issued both a valid 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish and a valid Class 1 Gulf red 
snapper license, and such permit and license must be on board.
    (2) Class 2 licenses. To be eligible for the 200-lb (91-kg) trip 
limit for Gulf red snapper specified in Sec. 622.44(d)(2), a vessel 
must have been issued both a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish and a valid Class 2 Gulf red snapper license, and such permit 
and license must be on board.
    (3) Operator restriction. An initial Gulf red snapper license that 
is issued for a vessel based on the qualification of an operator or 
historical captain is valid only when that operator or historical 
captain is the operator of the vessel. When applicable, this operator 
restriction is shown on the license.
    (4) Transfer of Gulf red snapper licenses. A red snapper license may 
be transferred independently of a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef 
fish. To request the transfer of a red snapper license, complete the 
transfer information on the reverse of the license and return it to the 
RA.
    (5) Initial issue of Gulf red snapper licenses--(i) Class 1 
licenses. (A) An initial Class 1 license will be issued for the vessel 
specified by the holder of a valid red snapper endorsement on March 1, 
1997, and to a historical captain. In the

[[Page 189]]

event of death or disability of such holder between March 1, 1997, and 
the date Class 1 licenses are issued, a Class 1 license will be issued 
for the vessel specified by the person to whom the red snapper 
endorsement was transferred.
    (B) Status as a historical captain is based on information collected 
under Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) (59 FR 39301, August 2, 1994). A 
historical captain is an operator who--
    (1) From November 6, 1989, through 1993, fished solely under verbal 
or written share agreements with an owner, and such agreements provided 
for the operator to be responsible for hiring the crew, who was paid 
from the share under his or her control;
    (2) Landed from that vessel at least 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of red 
snapper per year in 2 of the 3 years 1990, 1991, and 1992;
    (3) Derived more than 50 percent of his or her earned income from 
commercial fishing, that is, sale of the catch, in each of the years 
1989 through 1993; and
    (4) Landed red snapper prior to November 7, 1989.
    (ii) Class 2 licenses. (A) An initial Class 2 license will be issued 
for the vessel specified by an owner or operator whose income qualified 
for a commercial vessel permit for reef fish that was valid on March 1, 
1997, and such owner or operator was the person whose earned income 
qualified for a commercial vessel permit for reef fish that had a 
landing of red snapper during the period from January 1, 1990, through 
February 28, 1997.
    (B) For the purpose of paragraph (p)(5)(ii)(A) of this section, 
landings of red snapper are as recorded in the information collected 
under Amendment 9 to the FMP (59 FR 39301, August 2, 1994) for the 
period 1990 through 1992 and in fishing vessel logbooks, as required 
under Sec. 622.5(a)(1)(ii), received by the SRD not later than March 
31, 1997, for the period from January 1, 1993, through February 28, 
1997.
    (C) A vessel's red snapper landings record during the period from 
January 1, 1990, through February 28, 1997, is retained by the owner at 
the time of the landings if the vessel's permit was transferred to 
another vessel owned by him or her. When a vessel has had a change of 
ownership and concurrent transfer of its permit, the vessel's red 
snapper landings record is credited to the owner of that vessel on March 
1, 1997, unless there is a legally binding agreement under which a 
previous owner retained the landings record. An owner who claims such 
retention of a landings record must submit a copy of the agreement to 
the RA postmarked or hand delivered not later than January 30, 1998. 
However, an owner who submits a copy of such agreement after January 6, 
1998, is not assured that a red snapper license will be issued before 
the opening of the commercial fishery for red snapper on February 1, 
1998.
    (6) Implementation procedures--(i) Initial notification. The RA will 
notify each owner of a vessel that had a valid permit for Gulf reef fish 
on March 1, 1997, each operator whose earned income qualified for a 
valid permit on that date, and each potential historical captain of his 
or her eligibility for a Class 1 or Class 2 red snapper license. Initial 
determinations of eligibility will be based on NMFS' records of red 
snapper endorsements, red snapper landings during the period from 
January 1, 1990, through February 28, 1997, and applications for 
historical captain status under Amendment 9 to the FMP (59 FR 39301, 
August 2, 1994). An owner, operator, or potential historical captain who 
concurs with NMFS' initial determination of eligibility need take no 
further action. Each owner, operator, and historical captain who is 
initially determined to be eligible will be issued an appropriate 
license not later than January 23, 1998.
    (ii) Reconsideration. (A) An owner, operator, or potential 
historical captain who does not concur with NMFS' initial determination 
of eligibility for historical captain status or for a Class 2 red 
snapper license may request reconsideration of that initial 
determination by the RA.
    (B) A written request for reconsideration must be submitted to the 
RA postmarked or hand delivered not later than February 10, 1998, and 
must provide written documentation supporting

[[Page 190]]

the basis for reconsideration. However, an owner who submits such 
request after January 13, 1998, is not assured that a red snapper 
license will be issued before the opening of the commercial fishery for 
red snapper on February 1, 1998. Upon request by the owner, operator, or 
potential historical captain, the RA will forward the initial 
determination, the request for reconsideration, and pertinent records to 
a committee consisting of the principal state officials who are members 
of the GMFMC, or their designees. An owner, operator, or potential 
historical captain may request to make a personal appearance before the 
committee in his or her request for reconsideration. If an owner, 
operator, or potential historical captain requests that his or her 
request be forwarded to the committee, such a request constitutes the 
applicant's written authorization under section 402(b)(1)(F) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 
et seq.) for the RA to make available to the committee members such 
confidential catch and other records as are pertinent to the matter 
under reconsideration.
    (C) Members of the committee will provide their individual 
recommendations for each application for reconsideration referred to the 
committee to the RA. The committee may only deliberate whether the 
eligibility criteria specified in paragraph (p)(5) of this section were 
applied correctly in the applicant's case, based solely on the available 
record, including documentation submitted by the applicant. Neither the 
committee nor the RA may consider whether a person should have been 
eligible for historical captain status or a Class 2 license because of 
hardship or other factors. The RA will make a final decision based on 
the initial eligibility criteria in paragraph (p)(5) of this section and 
the available record, including documentation submitted by the 
applicant, and, if the request is considered by the committee, the 
recommendations and comments from each member of the committee. The RA 
will notify the applicant of the decision and the reason therefore, in 
writing, within 15 days of receiving the recommendations of the 
committee members. If the application is not considered by the 
committee, the RA will provide such notification within 15 days of the 
RA's receipt of the request for reconsideration. The RA's decision will 
constitute the final administrative action by NMFS on an application for 
reconsideration.
    (q) Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for king 
mackerel. (1) No applications for additional commercial vessel permits 
for king mackerel will be accepted. Existing vessel permits may be 
renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer or change in 
paragraphs (q)(2) through (q)(5) of this section, and are subject to the 
requirement for timely renewal in paragraph (q)(6) of this section.
    (2) An owner of a permitted vessel may transfer the commercial 
vessel permit for king mackerel issued under this limited access system 
to another vessel owned by the same entity.
    (3) An owner whose percentage of earned income or gross sales 
qualified him/her for the commercial vessel permit for king mackerel 
issued under this limited access system may request that NMFS transfer 
that permit to the owner of another vessel, or to the new owner when he 
or she transfers ownership of the permitted vessel. Such owner of 
another vessel, or new owner, may receive a commercial vessel permit for 
king mackerel for his or her vessel, and renew it through April 15 
following the first full calendar year after obtaining it, without 
meeting the percentage of earned income or gross sales requirement of 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section. However, to further renew the 
commercial vessel permit, the owner of the other vessel, or new owner, 
must meet the earned income or gross sales requirement not later than 
the first full calendar year after the permit transfer takes place.
    (4) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based on 
an operator's earned income and, thus, is valid only when that person is 
the operator of the vessel, may request that NMFS transfer the permit to 
the income-qualifying operator when such operator becomes an owner of a 
vessel.
    (5) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based on 
an operator's earned income and, thus, is

[[Page 191]]

valid only when that person is the operator of the vessel, may have the 
operator qualification on the permit removed, and renew it without such 
qualification through April 15 following the first full calendar year 
after removing it, without meeting the earned income or gross sales 
requirement of paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section. However, to 
further renew the commercial vessel permit, the owner must meet the 
earned income or gross sales requirement not later than the first full 
calendar year after the operator qualification is removed. To have an 
operator qualification removed from a permit, the owner must return the 
original permit to the RA with an application for the changed permit.
    (6) NMFS will not reissue a commercial vessel permit for king 
mackerel if the permit is revoked or if the RA does not receive an 
application for renewal within one year of the permit's expiration date.
    (r) Limited access system for charter vessel/headboat permits for 
Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish and Gulf reef fish. No applications 
for additional charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf coastal 
migratory pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish will be accepted. Existing 
permits may be renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer in 
paragraph (r)(1) of this section, and are subject to the renewal 
requirements in paragraph (r)(2) of this section.
    (1) Transfer of permits--(i) Permits without a historical captain 
endorsement. A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory 
pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish that does not have a historical captain 
endorsement is fully transferable, with or without sale of the permitted 
vessel, except that no transfer is allowed to a vessel with a greater 
authorized passenger capacity than that of the vessel to which the 
moratorium permit was originally issued, as specified on the face of the 
permit being transferred. An application to transfer a permit to an 
inspected vessel must include a copy of that vessel's current USCG 
Certificate of Inspection (COI). A vessel without a valid COI will be 
considered an uninspected vessel with an authorized passenger capacity 
restricted to six or fewer passengers.
    (ii) Permits with a historical captain endorsement. A charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Gulf 
reef fish that has a historical captain endorsement may only be 
transferred to a vessel operated by the historical captain, cannot be 
transferred to a vessel with a greater authorized passenger capacity 
than that of the vessel to which the moratorium permit was originally 
issued, as specified on the face of the permit being transferred, and is 
not otherwise transferable.
    (iii) Procedure for permit transfer. To request that the RA transfer 
a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish 
or Gulf reef fish, the owner of the vessel who is transferring the 
permit and the owner of the vessel that is to receive the transferred 
permit must complete the transfer information on the reverse side of the 
permit and return the permit and a completed application for transfer to 
the RA. See paragraph (g)(1) of this section for additional transfer-
related requirements applicable to all permits issued under this 
section.
    (2) Renewal. (i) Renewal of a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish is contingent upon 
the permitted vessel and/or captain, as appropriate, being included in 
an active survey frame for, and, if selected to report, providing the 
information required in one of the approved fishing data surveys. 
Surveys include, but are not limited to--
    (A) NMFS' Marine Recreational Fishing Vessel Directory Telephone 
Survey (conducted by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission);
    (B) NMFS' Southeast Headboat Survey (as required by Sec. 
622.5(b)(1);
    (C) Texas Parks and Wildlife Marine Recreational Fishing Survey; or
    (D) A data collection system that replaces one or more of the 
surveys in paragraph (r)(2)(i)(A),(B), or (C) of this section.
    (ii) A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory 
pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish that is not renewed or that is revoked 
will not be reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed

[[Page 192]]

when an application for renewal, as required, is not received by the RA 
within 1 year of the expiration date of the permit.
    (3) Requirement to display a vessel decal. Upon renewal or transfer 
of a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic 
fish or Gulf reef fish, the RA will issue the owner of the permitted 
vessel a vessel decal for the applicable permitted fishery or fisheries. 
The vessel decal must be displayed on the port side of the deckhouse or 
hull and must be maintained so that it is clearly visible.

[61 FR 34937, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43956, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 47448, Sept 9, 1996; 61 FR 48414, Sept. 13, 1996; 62 FR 13986, Mar. 
25, 1997; 62 FR 67721, 67722, Dec. 30, 1997; 63 FR 10565, 10569, Mar. 4, 
1998; 63 FR 38301, July 16, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 64 FR 
59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 16339, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 41017, July 3, 
2000; 65 FR 52956, Aug. 31, 2000; 65 FR 61115, Oct. 16, 2000; 67 FR 
22362, May 3, 2002; 67 FR 43562, June 28, 2002; 67 FR 51078, Aug. 7, 
2002; 68 FR 2192, Jan. 16, 2003; 68 FR 26235, May 15, 2003; 69 FR 30240, 
May 27, 2004; 68 FR 38232, June 27, 2003; 69 FR 30240, May 27, 2004; 70 
FR 32271, June 2, 2005; 70 FR 39189, July 7, 2005; 70 FR 41163, July 18, 
2005; 70 FR 73387, Dec. 12, 2005; 71 FR 28284, May 16, 2006; 71 FR 
45434, Aug. 9, 2006]

    Effective Date Notes: 1. At 71 FR 45434, Aug. 9, 2006, Sec. 
622.4(m)(1) was amended by adding a sentence to the end of the 
paragraph, effective Dec. 7, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the 
added text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.4  Permits and fees.

                                * * * * *

    (m) * * *
    (1) * * * An application for renewal or transfer of a commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish will not be considered complete until 
proof of purchase, installation, activation, and operational status of 
an approved VMS for the vessel receiving the permit has been verified by 
NMFS VMS personnel.

                                * * * * *

    2. At 71 FR 56046, Sept. 26, 2006, Sec. 622.4 was amended by 
revising paragraphs (a)(2)(xi) and (g)(1), and by adding paragraph (s), 
effective Oct. 26, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the added and 
revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.4  Permits and fees.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (xi) Gulf shrimp fisheries--(A) Gulf shrimp permit. For a person 
aboard a vessel to fish for shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or possess shrimp in 
or from the Gulf EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp must 
have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. See paragraph (s) 
of this section regarding a moratorium on commercial vessel permits for 
Gulf shrimp and the associated provisions. See the following paragraph, 
(a)(2)(xi)(B) of this section, regarding an additional endorsement 
requirement related to royal red shrimp.
    (B) Gulf royal red shrimp endorsement. Effective March 26, 2007, for 
a person aboard a vessel to fish for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or 
possess royal red shrimp in or from the Gulf EEZ, a commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf shrimp with a Gulf royal red shrimp endorsement must be 
issued to the vessel and must be on board.

                                * * * * *

    (g) * * *
    (1) Vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements and dealer permits. A 
vessel permit, license, or endorsement or a dealer permit issued under 
this section is not transferable or assignable, except as provided in 
paragraph (m) of this section for a commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish, in paragraph (n) of this section for a fish trap endorsement, 
in paragraph (o) of this section for a king mackerel gillnet permit, in 
paragraph (p) of this section for a red snapper license, in paragraph 
(q) of this section for a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, in 
paragraph (r) of this section for a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish, in paragraph (s) 
of this section for a commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf 
shrimp, in Sec. 622.17(c) for a commercial vessel permit for golden 
crab, in Sec. 622.18(e) for a commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, or in Sec. 622.19(e) for a commercial vessel 
permit for South Atlantic rock shrimp. A person who acquires a vessel or 
dealership who desires to conduct activities for which a permit, 
license, or endorsement is required must apply for a permit, license, or 
endorsement in accordance with the provisions of this section. If the 
acquired vessel or dealership is currently permitted, the application 
must be accompanied by the original permit and a copy of a signed bill 
of sale or equivalent acquisition papers. In those cases where a permit, 
license, or endorsement is transferable, the seller must sign the back 
of the permit, license, or endorsement and have the signed transfer 
document notarized.

                                * * * * *

[[Page 193]]

    (s) Moratorium on commercial vessel permits for Gulf shrimp. The 
provisions of this paragraph (s) are applicable through October 26, 
2016.
    (1) Date moratorium permits are required. Beginning March 26, 2007, 
the only valid commercial vessel permits for Gulf shrimp are those 
issued under the moratorium criteria in this paragraph (s).
    (2) Initial eligibility for a moratorium permit. Initial eligibility 
for a commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp is limited to 
a person who
    (i) Owns a vessel that was issued a Federal commercial vessel permit 
for Gulf shrimp on or before December 6, 2003; or
    (ii) On or before December 6, 2003, owned a vessel that was issued a 
Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp and, prior to September 
26, 2006, owns a vessel with a Federal commercial permit for Gulf shrimp 
that is equipped for offshore shrimp fishing, is at least 5 net tons 
(4.54 metric tons), is documented by the Coast Guard, and is the vessel 
for which the commercial vessel moratorium permit is being applied.
    (3) Application deadline and procedures. An applicant who desires a 
commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp must submit an 
application to the RA postmarked or hand delivered not later than 
October 26, 2007. After that date, no applications for additional 
commercial vessel moratorium permits for Gulf shrimp will be accepted. 
Application forms are available from the RA. Failure to apply in a 
timely manner will preclude permit issuance even when the applicant 
otherwise meets the permit eligibility criteria.
    (4) Determination of eligibility. NMFS' permit records are the sole 
basis for determining eligibility based on permit history. An applicant 
who believes he/she meets the permit eligibility criteria based on 
ownership of a vessel under a different name, as may have occurred when 
ownership has changed from individual to corporate or vice versa, must 
document his/her continuity of ownership.
    (5) Incomplete applications. If an application that is postmarked or 
hand-delivered in a timely manner is incomplete, the RA will notify the 
applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of the date of the RA's notification, the 
application will be considered abandoned.
    (6) Notification of ineligibility. If the applicant does not meet 
the applicable eligibility requirements of paragraph (s)(2) of this 
section, the RA will notify the applicant, in writing, of such 
determination and the reasons for it.
    (7) Permit transferability. Commercial vessel moratorium permits for 
Gulf shrimp are fully transferable, with or without the sale of the 
vessel. To request that the RA transfer a commercial vessel moratorium 
permit for Gulf shrimp, the owner of a vessel that is to receive the 
transferred permit must complete the transfer information on the reverse 
of the permit and return the permit and a completed application for 
transfer to the RA. Transfer documents must be notarized as specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
    (8) Renewal. (i) Renewal of a commercial vessel moratorium permit 
for Gulf shrimp is contingent upon compliance with the recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements for Gulf shrimp specified in Sec. 
622.5(a)(1)(iii).
    (ii) A commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp that is 
not renewed will be terminated and will not be reissued during the 
moratorium. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an application 
for renewal, as required, is not received by the RA within 1 year of the 
expiration date of the permit.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    Participants in fisheries governed in this part are required to keep 
records and report as follows.
    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators--(1) Requirements by 
species--(i) Coastal migratory pelagic fish. The owner or operator of a 
vessel that fishes for or lands coastal migratory pelagic fish for sale 
in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ or adjoining 
state waters, or whose vessel is issued a commercial permit for king or 
Spanish mackerel, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iii) or (iv), who 
is selected to report by the SRD, must maintain a fishing record on a 
form available from the SRD and must submit such record as specified in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Gulf reef fish. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as required under 
Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), or whose vessel fishes for or lands reef fish in 
or from state waters adjoining the Gulf EEZ, who is selected to report 
by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the 
SRD and must submit such record as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.
    (A) Fish traps. In addition to the other reporting requirements in 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the owner or operator of a vessel 
for which a fish trap endorsement has been

[[Page 194]]

issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(i), must comply with the 
following requirements.
    (1) Inspection. The RA will establish a 1-month period for mandatory 
inspection of all fish trap gear, permits, and vessels. The RA will 
provide written notification of the inspection period to each owner of a 
vessel for which a fish trap endorsement has been issued as required 
under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(i). Each such owner or operator must contact the 
Special Agent-in-Charge, NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 
St. Petersburg, FL (SAC) or his designee by telephone (727-570-5344) to 
schedule an inspection during the 1-month period. Requests for 
inspection must be made between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through 
Friday and must be made at least 72 hours in advance of the desired 
inspection date. Inspections will be conducted Monday through Friday 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. only. On the inspection date, the owner 
or operator must make all fish trap gear with attached trap tags and 
buoys and all applicable permits available for inspection on land. 
Vessels must also be made available for inspection as directed by the 
SAC or his designee. Upon completion of the inspection and a 
determination that all fish trap gear, permits, and vessels are in 
compliance, an owner or operator may resume fishing with the lawful 
gear. However, an owner or operator who fails to comply with the 
inspection requirements during the 1-month inspection period or during 
any other random inspection may not use or possess a fish trap in the 
Gulf EEZ until the required inspection or reinspection, as directed by 
the SAC, has been completed and all fish trap gear, permits, and vessels 
are determined to be in compliance with all applicable regulations.
    (2) Trip reports. For each fishing trip on which a fish trap will be 
used or possessed, an owner or operator of a vessel for which a fish 
trap endorsement has been issued, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(i), must submit a trip initiation report and a trip 
termination report to the SAC or his designee, by telephone, using the 
following 24-hour toll-free number--800-305-0697.
    (i) Trip initiation report. The trip initiation report must be 
submitted before beginning the trip and must include: vessel name; 
official number; number of traps to be deployed; sequence of trap tag 
numbers; date, time, and point of departure; and intended time and date 
of trip termination.
    (ii) Trip termination report. The trip termination report must be 
submitted immediately upon returning to port and prior to any offloading 
of catch or fish traps. The trip termination report must include: vessel 
name; official number; name and address of dealer where catch will be 
offloaded and sold; the time offloading will begin; notification of any 
lost traps; and notification of any traps left deployed for any reason.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iii) Gulf shrimp. The owner or operator of a vessel that fishes for 
shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or in adjoining state waters, or that lands 
shrimp in an adjoining state, must provide information for any fishing 
trip, as requested by the SRD, including, but not limited to, vessel 
identification, gear, effort, amount of shrimp caught by species, shrimp 
condition (heads on/heads off), fishing areas and depths, and person to 
whom sold.
    (iv) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. (A) The owner or operator of a 
vessel for which a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
has been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vi), or whose 
vessel fishes for or lands South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from 
state waters adjoining the South Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report 
by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the 
SRD and must submit such record as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.
    (B) The wreckfish shareholder under Sec. 622.15, or operator of a 
vessel for which a commercial permit for wreckfish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vii), must maintain a fishing record on 
a form available from the SRD and must submit such record as specified 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (C) The wreckfish shareholder under Sec. 622.15, or operator of a 
vessel for which a commercial permit for wreckfish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vii), must make

[[Page 195]]

available to an authorized officer upon request all records of 
offloadings, purchases, or sales of wreckfish.
    (v) South Atlantic golden crab. The owner or operator of a vessel 
for which a commercial permit for golden crab has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(x), who is selected to report by the 
SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD.
    (vi) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. The owner or operator of a vessel 
for which a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been 
issued, as required under Sec. 622.4 (a)(2)(xii), or whose vessel 
fishes for or lands Atlantic dolphin or wahoo in or from state waters 
adjoining the Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD must 
maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD and must 
submit such record as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (vii) South Atlantic rock or penaeid shrimp. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial permit for South Atlantic rock shrimp 
or South Atlantic penaeid shrimp has been issued, as required under 
Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(viii) or (xiii), respectively, or whose vessel fishes 
for or lands South Atlantic rock shrimp or South Atlantic penaeid shrimp 
in or from state waters adjoining the Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to 
report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available 
from the SRD and must submit such record as specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines. (i) Completed fishing records required by 
paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (vi), and (vii) of this section must 
be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 7 days after the end 
of each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a 
report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not 
later than 7 days after the end of that month. Information to be 
reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Reporting forms required in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section 
must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 30 days after 
sale of the golden crab offloaded from a trip. If no fishing occurred 
during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of 
the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that month. 
Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying 
instructions.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators--(1) Coastal 
migratory pelagic fish, reef fish, snapper-grouper, and Atlantic dolphin 
and wahoo. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish, South Atlantic 
coastal migratory pelagic fish, Gulf reef fish, South Atlantic snapper-
grouper, or Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, as required 
under Sec. 622.4(a)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or lands such 
coastal migratory pelagic fish, reef fish, snapper-grouper, or Atlantic 
dolphin or wahoo in or from state waters adjoining the applicable Gulf, 
South Atlantic, or Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD 
must maintain a fishing record for each trip, or a portion of such trips 
as specified by the SRD, on forms provided by the SRD and must submit 
such record as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines--(i) Charter vessels. Completed fishing 
records required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for charter vessels 
must be submitted to the SRD weekly, postmarked not later than 7 days 
after the end of each week (Sunday). Information to be reported is 
indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Headboats. Completed fishing records required by paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section for headboats must be submitted to the SRD 
monthly and must either be made available to an authorized statistical 
reporting agent or be postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of 
each month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (c) Dealers--(1) Coastal migratory pelagic fish. (i) A person who 
purchases coastal migratory pelagic fish from a fishing vessel, or 
person, that fishes for or lands such fish in or from the EEZ or 
adjoining state waters who is selected to report by the SRD must submit 
information on forms provided by the SRD. This information must be

[[Page 196]]

submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals, postmarked not later than 5 
days after the end of each month. Reporting frequency and reporting 
deadlines may be modified upon notification by the SRD. If no coastal 
migratory pelagic fish were received during a calendar month, a report 
so stating must be submitted on one of the forms, in accordance with the 
instructions on the form, and must be postmarked not later than 5 days 
after the end of the month. The information to be reported is as 
follows:
    (A) Dealer's or processor's name and address.
    (B) County where fish were landed.
    (C) Total poundage of each species received during that month, or 
other requested interval.
    (D) Average monthly price paid for each species.
    (E) Proportion of total poundage landed by each gear type.
    (ii) Alternate SRD. For the purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this 
section, in the states from New York through Virginia, or in the waters 
off those states, ``SRD'' means the Science and Research Director, 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS (see Table 1 of Sec. 600.502 
of this chapter), or a designee.
    (2) Gulf red drum. A dealers or processor who purchases red drum 
harvested from the Gulf who is selected to report by the SRD must report 
to the SRD such information as the SRD may request and in the form and 
manner as the SRD may require. The information required to be submitted 
must include, but is not limited to, the following:
    (i) Dealer's or processor's name and address.
    (ii) State and county where red drum were landed.
    (iii) Total poundage of red drum received during the reporting 
period, by each type of gear used for harvest.
    (3) Gulf reef fish. A person who purchases Gulf reef fish from a 
fishing vessel, or person, that fishes for or lands such fish in or from 
the EEZ or adjoining state waters must maintain records and submit 
information as follows:
    (i) A dealer must maintain at his/her principal place of business a 
record of Gulf reef fish that he/she receives. The record must contain 
the name of each fishing vessel from which reef fish were received and 
the date, species, and quantity of each receipt. A dealer must retain 
such record for at least 1 year after receipt date and must provide such 
record for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer or the 
SRD.
    (ii) When requested by the SRD, a dealer must provide information 
from his/her record of Gulf reef fish received the total poundage of 
each species received during the month, average monthly price paid for 
each species by market size, and proportion of total poundage landed by 
each gear type. This information must be provided on forms available 
from the SRD and must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals, 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of the month. Reporting 
frequency and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by 
the SRD. If no reef fish were received during a calendar month, a report 
so stating must be submitted on one of the forms, postmarked not later 
than 5 days after the end of the month.
    (iii) The operator of a car or truck that is used to pick up from a 
fishing vessel reef fish harvested from the Gulf must maintain a record 
containing the name of each fishing vessel from which reef fish on the 
car or truck have been received. The vehicle operator must provide such 
record for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.
    (4) Gulf shrimp. A person who purchases shrimp from a vessel, or 
person, that fishes for shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or in adjoining state 
waters, or that lands shrimp in an adjoining state, must provide the 
following information when requested by the SRD:
    (i) Name and official number of the vessel from which shrimp were 
received or the name of the person from whom shrimp were received, if 
received from other than a vessel.
    (ii) Amount of shrimp received by species and size category for each 
receipt.
    (iii) Exvessel value, by species and size category, for each 
receipt.
    (5) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. (i) A person who purchases South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper that were harvested from the EEZ or from 
adjoining state waters and who is selected to report by

[[Page 197]]

the SRD and a dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for wreckfish, 
as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), must provide information on 
receipts of South Atlantic snapper-grouper and prices paid, by species, 
on forms available from the SRD. The required information must be 
submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals, postmarked not later than 5 
days after the end of the month. Reporting frequency and reporting 
deadlines may be modified upon notification by the SRD. If no South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper were received during a calendar month, a report 
so stating must be submitted on one of the forms, postmarked not later 
than 5 days after the end of the month. However, during complete months 
encompassed by the wreckfish spawning-season closure (that is, February 
and March), a wreckfish dealer is not required to submit a report 
stating that no wreckfish were received.
    (ii) A dealer reporting South Atlantic snapper-grouper other than 
wreckfish may submit the information required in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of 
this section via facsimile (fax).
    (iii) A dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for wreckfish, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), must make available to an authorized 
officer upon request all records of offloadings, purchases, or sales of 
wreckfish.
    (6) South Atlantic golden crab. A dealer who receives from a fishing 
vessel golden crab harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ and who is 
selected by the SRD must provide information on receipts of, and prices 
paid for, South Atlantic golden crab to the SRD at monthly intervals, 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting 
frequency and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by 
the SRD.
    (7) South Atlantic rock shrimp. (i) A dealer who has been issued a 
permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), and who is 
selected by the SRD must provide information on receipts of rock shrimp 
and prices paid on forms available from the SRD. The required 
information must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals postmarked 
not later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting frequencies 
and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by the SRD.
    (ii) On demand, a dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for 
rock shrimp, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), must make available to 
an authorized officer all records of offloadings, purchases, or sales of 
rock shrimp.
    (8) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (i) A dealer who has been issued a 
permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(4), and who is selected by the SRD must provide information on 
receipts of Atlantic dolphin and wahoo and prices paid on forms 
available from the SRD. The required information must be submitted to 
the SRD at monthly intervals postmarked not later than 5 days after the 
end of each month. Reporting frequencies and reporting deadlines may be 
modified upon notification by the SRD.
    (ii) For the purposes of paragraph (c)(8)(i) of this section, in the 
states from Maine through Virginia, or in the waters off those states, 
``SRD'' means the Science and Research Director, Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, NMFS, (see Table 1 of Sec. 600.502 of this chapter), or 
a designee.
    (iii) On demand, a dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for 
Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), must 
make available to an authorized officer all records of offloadings, 
purchases, or sales of dolphin and wahoo.
    (d) Individuals with coral or live rock permits. (1) An individual 
with a Federal allowable octocoral permit must submit a report of 
harvest to the SRD. Specific reporting requirements will be provided 
with the permit.
    (2) A person with a Federal aquacultured live rock permit must 
report to the RA each deposition of material on a site. Such reports 
must be postmarked not later than 7 days after deposition and must 
contain the following information:
    (i) Permit number of site and date of deposit.
    (ii) Geological origin of material deposited.
    (iii) Amount of material deposited.
    (iv) Source of material deposited, that is, where obtained, if 
removed from another habitat, or from whom purchased.

[[Page 198]]

    (3) A person who takes aquacultured live rock must submit a report 
of harvest to the RA. Specific reporting requirements will be provided 
with the permit. This reporting requirement is waived for aquacultured 
live rock that is landed in Florida.
    (e) Additional data and inspection. Additional data will be 
collected by authorized statistical reporting agents and by authorized 
officers. A person who fishes for or possesses species in or from the 
EEZ governed in this part is required to make the applicable fish or 
parts thereof available for inspection by the SRD or an authorized 
officer upon request.
    (f) Commercial vessel, charter vessel, and headboat inventory. The 
owner or operator of a commercial vessel, charter vessel, or headboat 
operating in a fishery governed in this part who is not selected to 
report by the SRD under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section must 
provide the following information when interviewed by the SRD:
    (1) Name and official number of vessel and permit number, if 
applicable.
    (2) Length and tonnage.
    (3) Current home port.
    (4) Fishing areas.
    (5) Ports where fish were offloaded during the last year.
    (6) Type and quantity of gear.
    (7) Number of full- and part-time fishermen or crew members.

[61 FR 34940, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43956, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 47448, Sept. 9, 1996; 63 FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 
28, 1998; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 64 FR 68935, Dec. 9, 1999; 67 FR 
43565, June 28, 2002; 69 FR 30241, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 73387, Dec. 12, 
2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 56047, Sept. 26, 2006, Sec. 622.5 was 
amended by revising paragraph (a)(1)(iii), effective Oct. 26, 2006. For 
the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.

                                * * * * *

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Gulf shrimp--(A) General reporting requirement. The owner or 
operator of a vessel that fishes for shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or in 
adjoining state waters, or that lands shrimp in an adjoining state, must 
provide information for any fishing trip, as requested by the SRD, 
including, but not limited to, vessel identification, gear, effort, 
amount of shrimp caught by species, shrimp condition (heads on/heads 
off), fishing areas and depths, and person to whom sold.
    (B) Electronic logbook reporting. The owner or operator of a vessel 
for which a Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been 
issued and who is selected by the SRD must participate in the NMFS-
sponsored electronic logbook reporting program as directed by the SRD. 
In addition, such owner or operator must provide information regarding 
the size and number of shrimp trawls deployed and the type of BRD and 
turtle excluder device used, as directed by the SRD. Compliance with the 
reporting requirements of this paragraph (a)(1)(iii)(B) is required for 
permit renewal.
    (C) Vessel and Gear Characterization Form. All owners or operators 
of vessels applying for or renewing a commercial vessel moratorium 
permit for Gulf shrimp must complete an annual Gulf Shrimp Vessel and 
Gear Characterization Form. The form will be provided by NMFS at the 
time of permit application and renewal. Compliance with this reporting 
requirement is required for permit issuance and renewal.
    (D) Landings report. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a 
Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been issued must 
annually report the permitted vessel's total annual landings of shrimp 
and value, by species, on a form provided by the SRD. Compliance with 
this reporting requirement is required for permit renewal.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.6  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) Vessel identification--(1) Applicability--(i) Official number. A 
vessel for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 622.4, and a 
vessel that fishes for or possesses pelagic sargassum in the South 
Atlantic EEZ, must display its official number--
    (A) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, 
for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so 
as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (B) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel in contrasting color to the background.
    (C) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft 
(19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for vessels over 
25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in

[[Page 199]]

height for vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (ii) Official number and color code. The following vessels must 
display their official number as specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of 
this section and, in addition, must display their assigned color code: A 
vessel for which a fish trap endorsement has been issued, as required 
under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(i); a vessel for which a permit has been issued 
to fish with a sea bass pot, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vi); a 
vessel in the commercial Caribbean reef fish fishery fishing with traps; 
and a vessel in the Caribbean spiny lobster fishery. Color codes 
required for the Caribbean reef fish fishery and Caribbean spiny lobster 
fishery are assigned by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
whichever is applicable; color codes required in all other fisheries are 
assigned by the RA. The color code must be displayed--
    (A) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, 
for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so 
as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (B) In the form of a circle permanently affixed to or painted on the 
vessel.
    (C) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter for vessels over 65 ft 
(19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter for vessels over 
25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter for 
vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (2) Duties of operator. The operator of a vessel specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section must keep the official number and the 
color code, if applicable, clearly legible and in good repair and must 
ensure that no part of the fishing vessel, its rigging, fishing gear, or 
any other material on board obstructs the view of the official number or 
the color code, if applicable, from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (b) Gear identification--(1) Traps/pots and associated buoys--(i) 
Traps or pots--(A) Caribbean EEZ. A fish trap or spiny lobster trap used 
or possessed in the Caribbean EEZ must display the official number 
specified for the vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands so as 
to be easily identified.
    (B) Gulf and South Atlantic EEZ. A fish trap used or possessed in 
the Gulf EEZ and a sea bass pot used or possessed in the South Atlantic 
EEZ between 35[deg]15.19[min] N. lat. (due east of Cape Hatteras Light, 
NC) and 28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly 
Building, Cape Canaveral, FL), or a fish trap or sea bass pot on board a 
vessel with a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish or South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, must have a valid identification tag issued by the RA 
attached. A golden crab trap used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ 
or on board a vessel with a commercial permit for golden crab must have 
the commercial vessel permit number permanently affixed so as to be 
easily distinguished, located, and identified; an identification tag 
issued by the RA may be used for this purpose but is not required.
    (ii) Associated buoys. A buoy that is attached to a trap or pot must 
display the official number and assigned color code so as to be easily 
distinguished, located, and identified as follows:
    (A) Caribbean EEZ. Traps or pots used in the Caribbean spiny lobster 
or Caribbean reef fish fisheries that are fished individually, rather 
than tied together in a trap line, must have at least one buoy attached 
that floats on the surface. Traps or pots used in the Caribbean spiny 
lobster or Caribbean reef fish fisheries that are tied together in a 
trap line must have at least one buoy that floats at the surface 
attached at each end of the trap line. Each buoy must display the 
official number and color code assigned to the vessel by Puerto Rico or 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, whichever is applicable.
    (B) Gulf and South Atlantic EEZ. Each buoy must display the official 
number and color code assigned by the RA. In the Gulf EEZ, a buoy must 
be attached to each trap, or each end trap if traps are connected by a 
line. In the South Atlantic EEZ, buoys are not required to be used, but, 
if used, each buoy must display the official number and color code. 
However, no color code is required on a buoy attached to a golden crab 
trap.
    (iii) Presumption of ownership. A Caribbean spiny lobster trap, a 
fish trap, a golden crab trap, or a sea bass pot in the EEZ will be 
presumed to be the

[[Page 200]]

property of the most recently documented owner. This presumption will 
not apply with respect to such traps and pots that are lost or sold if 
the owner reports the loss or sale within 15 days to the RA.
    (iv) Unmarked traps, pots, or buoys. An unmarked Caribbean spiny 
lobster trap, a fish trap, a golden crab trap, a sea bass pot, or a buoy 
deployed in the EEZ where such trap, pot, or buoy is required to be 
marked is illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by 
the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.
    (2) Gillnet buoys. On board a vessel with a valid Spanish mackerel 
permit that is fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or that possesses 
Spanish mackerel in or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida north of 
25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-
Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary, the float line of each gillnet 
possessed, including any net in use, must have a maximum of nine 
distinctive floats, i.e., different from the usual net buoys, spaced 
uniformly at a distance of 100 yd (91.4 m) or less. Each such 
distinctive float must display the official number of the vessel.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43957, Aug. 27, 1996; 63 
FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 
1999; 65 FR 52957, Aug. 31, 2000; 67 FR 22362, May 3, 2002; 67 FR 51078, 
Aug. 7, 2002; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 70 FR 62080, Oct. 28, 2005]



Sec. 622.7  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions in Sec. 600.725 of this 
chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Engage in an activity for which a valid Federal permit, license, 
or endorsement is required under Sec. 622.4 without such permit, 
license, or endorsement.
    (b) Falsify information on an application for a permit, license, or 
endorsement or submitted in support of such application, as specified in 
Sec. 622.4(b), (g), (p), (q), or (r) or in Sec. Sec. 622.18 or 622.19.
    (c) Fail to display a permit, license, or endorsement, or other 
required identification, as specified in Sec. 622.4(i).
    (d) Falsify or fail to maintain, submit, or provide information or 
fail to comply with inspection requirements or restrictions, as 
specified in Sec. 622.5(a) through (f).
    (e) Fail to make a fish, or parts thereof, available for inspection, 
as specified in Sec. 622.5(e).
    (f) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel and gear 
identification, as specified in Sec. 622.6(a) and (b) or Sec. 
622.4(r)(11).
    (g) Fail to comply with any requirement or restriction regarding ITQ 
coupons, as specified in Sec. 622.15(c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(6), or (c)(7).
    (h) Possess wreckfish as specified in Sec. 622.15(c)(4), receive 
wreckfish except as specified in Sec. 622.15(c)(7), or offload a 
wreckfish except as specified in Sec. 622.15 (d)(3) and (d)(4).
    (i) Transfer--
    (1) A wreckfish, as specified in Sec. 622.15(d)(1);
    (2) A limited-harvest species, as specified in Sec. 622.32(c) 
introductory text;
    (3) A species/species group subject to a bag limit, as specified 
Sec. 622.39(a)(1);
    (4) South Atlantic snapper-grouper from a vessel with unauthorized 
gear on board, as specified in Sec. 622.41(d)(2)(iii); or
    (5) A species subject to a commercial trip limit, as specified in 
Sec. 622.44.
    (j) Use or possess prohibited gear or methods or possess fish in 
association with possession or use of prohibited gear, as specified in 
Sec. 622.31.
    (k) Fish for, harvest, or possess a prohibited species, or a 
limited-harvest species in excess of its limitation, sell or purchase 
such species, fail to comply with release requirements, or molest or 
strip eggs from a Caribbean spiny lobster, as specified in Sec. 622.32.
    (l) Fish in violation of the prohibitions, restrictions, and 
requirements applicable to seasonal and/or area closures, including but 
not limited to: Prohibition of all fishing, gear restrictions, 
restrictions on take or retention of fish, fish release requirements, 
and restrictions on use of an anchor or grapple, as specified in Sec. 
622.33, Sec. 622.34, or Sec. 622.35, or as may be specified under 
Sec. 622.46 (b) or (c).
    (m) Harvest, possess, offload, sell, or purchase fish in excess of 
the seasonal harvest limitations, as specified in Sec. 622.36.

[[Page 201]]

    (n) Except as allowed under Sec. 622.37(c) (2) and (3) for king and 
Spanish mackerel, possess undersized fish, fail to release undersized 
fish, or sell or purchase undersized fish, as specified in Sec. 622.37.
    (o) Fail to maintain a fish intact through offloading ashore, as 
specified in Sec. 622.38.
    (p) Exceed a bag or possession limit, as specified in Sec. 622.39.
    (q) Fail to comply with the limitations on traps and pots, including 
but not limited to: Tending requirements, constructions requirements, 
and area specific restrictions, as specified in Sec. 622.40.
    (r) Fail to comply with the species-specific limitations, as 
specified in Sec. 622.41.
    (s) Fail to comply with the restrictions that apply after closure of 
a fishery, as specified in Sec. 622.43.
    (t) Possess on board a vessel or land, purchase, or sell fish in 
excess of the commercial trip limits, as specified in Sec. 622.44.
    (u) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale/purchase, as 
specified in Sec. 622.45.
    (v) Interfere with fishing or obstruct or damage fishing gear or the 
fishing vessel of another, as specified in Sec. 622.46(a).
    (w) Fail to comply with the requirements for observer coverage as 
specified in Sec. 622.10.
    (x) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with a 
NMFS-approved observer aboard a vessel.
    (y) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or 
refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from conducting his or her 
duties aboard a vessel.
    (z) Fish for or possess golden crab in or from a fishing zone or 
sub-zone of the South Atlantic EEZ other than the zone or sub-zone for 
which the vessel is permitted or authorized, as specified in Sec. 
622.17(b).
    (aa) Falsify information submitted regarding an application for 
testing a BRD or regarding testing of a BRD, as specified in Sec. 
622.41(g)(3)(i) or (h)(3).
    (bb) Make a false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer regarding the installation, use, operation, or maintenance of a 
vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit or communication service provider.
    (cc) Operate or own a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator aboard when the vessel is at sea or offloading without such 
operator aboard, as specified in Sec. 622.4(a)(5)(i) through (iv).
    (dd) When a vessel that is subject to Federal fishing regulations is 
at sea or offloading, own or operate such vessel with a person aboard 
whose operator permit is revoked, suspended, or modified.
    (ee) Fail to comply with any provision related to a vessel 
monitoring system as specified in Sec. 622.9, including but not limited 
to, requirements for use, installation, activation, access to data, 
procedures related to interruption of VMS operation, and prohibitions on 
interference with the VMS.
    (ff) Fail to comply with the protected species conservation measures 
as specified in Sec. 622.10.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43957, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 48415, Sept. 13, 1996; 62 FR 67722, Dec. 30, 1997; 63 FR 38301, July 
16, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 64 FR 37693, July 13, 1999; 64 FR 
43941, Aug. 12, 1999; 64 FR 68935, Dec. 9, 1999; 67 FR 22361, May 3, 
2002; 67 FR 43565, June 28, 2002; 68 FR 2194, Jan. 16, 2003; 70 FR 
73387, Dec. 12, 2005; 71 FR 45434, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 622.8  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage--(1) Pelagic sargassum. A vessel that harvests 
or possesses pelagic sargassum on any trip in the South Atlantic EEZ 
must carry a NMFS-approved observer.
    (2) Golden crab. A vessel for which a Federal commercial permit for 
golden crab has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the 
vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer coverage.
    (3) Gulf reef fish. A vessel for which a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish or a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf 
reef fish has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the 
vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer coverage. Vessel 
permit renewal is contingent upon compliance with this paragraph (a)(3).
    (4) South Atlantic rock or penaeid shrimp. A vessel for which a 
Federal commercial permit for South Atlantic

[[Page 202]]

rock shrimp or South Atlantic penaeid shrimp has been issued must carry 
a NMFS-approved observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD 
for observer coverage.
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days in 
advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission 
and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any other 
space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.

[61 FR 43957, Aug. 27, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 
68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 70 FR 32272, June 2, 2005; 70 FR 73387, Dec. 
12, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 56047, Sept. 26, 2006, Sec. 622.8 was 
amended by adding paragraph (a)(5), effective Oct. 26, 2006. For the 
convenience of the user, the added and revised text is set forth as 
follows:



Sec. 622.8  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) * * *
    (5) Gulf shrimp. A vessel for which a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf shrimp has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved 
observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer 
coverage. Vessel permit renewal is contingent upon compliance with this 
paragraph (a)(5).

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.9  Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).

    (a) Requirement for use. An owner or operator of a vessel that has 
been issued a limited access endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp 
must ensure that such vessel has a NMFS-approved, operating VMS on board 
when on a trip in the South Atlantic. An operating VMS includes an 
operating mobile transmitting unit on the vessel and a functioning 
communication link between the unit and NMFS as provided by a NMFS-
approved communication service provider.
    (b) Installing and activating the VMS. Only a VMS that has been 
approved by NMFS for use in the South Atlantic rock shrimp fishery may 
be used. When installing and activating the NMFS-approved VMS, or when 
reinstalling and reactivating such VMS, the vessel owner or operator 
must--
    (1) Follow procedures indicated on an installation and activation 
checklist, which is available from NMFS, Office of Enforcement, 
Southeast Region, St. Petersburg, FL; phone: 727-570-5344; and
    (2) Submit to NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, St. 
Petersburg, FL, a statement certifying compliance with the checklist, as 
prescribed on the checklist.
    (c) Interference with the VMS. No person may interfere with, tamper 
with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of the VMS, or 
attempt any of the same.
    (d) Interruption of operation of the VMS. When a vessel's VMS is not 
operating properly, the owner or operator must immediately contact NMFS, 
Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, St. Petersburg, FL, and follow 
instructions from that office. If notified by NMFS that a vessel's VMS 
is not operating properly, the owner and operator must follow 
instructions from that office. In either event, such instructions may 
include, but are not limited to, manually communicating to a location

[[Page 203]]

designated by NMFS the vessel's positions or returning to port until the 
VMS is operable.
    (e) Access to position data. As a condition of authorized fishing 
for or possession of South Atlantic rock shrimp in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, a vessel owner or operator subject to the requirements for 
a VMS in this section must allow NMFS, the USCG, and their authorized 
officers and designees access to the vessel's position data obtained 
from the VMS.

[68 FR 2194, Jan. 16, 2003, as amended at 70 FR 73387, Dec. 12, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 45434, Aug. 9, 2006, Sec. 622.9 was 
revised, effective Dec. 7, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the 
added and revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.9  Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).

    (a) Requirements for use of a VMS--(1) South Atlantic rock shrimp. 
An owner or operator of a vessel that has been issued a limited access 
endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp must ensure that such vessel 
has an operating VMS approved by NMFS for use in the South Atlantic rock 
shrimp fishery on board when on a trip in the South Atlantic. An 
operating VMS includes an operating mobile transmitting unit on the 
vessel and a functioning communication link between the unit and NMFS as 
provided by a NMFS-approved communication service provider.
    (2) Gulf reef fish. An owner or operator of a vessel that has been 
issued a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, including a 
charter vessel/headboat issued such a permit even when under charter, 
must ensure that such vessel has an operating VMS approved by NMFS for 
use in the Gulf reef fish fishery on board at all times whether or not 
the vessel is underway, unless exempted by NMFS under the power down 
exemption of the NOAA Enforcement Draft Vessel Monitoring System 
Requirements as included in Appendix E to Final Amendment 18A to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 
Mexico. The NOAA Enforcement Draft Vessel Monitoring System Requirements 
document is available from NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast 
Region, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-
758-4833. An operating VMS includes an operating mobile transmitting 
unit on the vessel and a functioning communication link between the unit 
and NMFS as provided by a NMFS-approved communication service provider. 
Unless exempted under the power down exemption, a VMS must transmit a 
signal indicating the vessel's accurate position at least once an hour, 
24 hours a day every day. Prior to departure for each trip, a vessel 
owner or operator must report to NMFS any fishery the vessel will 
participate in on that trip and the specific type(s) of fishing gear, 
using NMFS-defined gear codes, that will be on board the vessel. This 
information may be reported to NMFS using the toll-free number, 888-219-
9228, or via an attached VMS terminal. The VMS requirements of this 
paragraph apply throughout the Gulf of Mexico. An owner or operator of a 
vessel that has been issued a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef 
fish with a fish trap endorsement and that fishes exclusively with fish 
traps is exempt from the VMS requirements of this paragraph through 
February 7, 2007.
    (b) Installation and activation of a VMS. Only a VMS that has been 
approved by NMFS for the applicable fishery may be used, and the VMS 
must be installed by a qualified marine electrician. When installing and 
activating the NMFS-approved VMS, or when reinstalling and reactivating 
such VMS, the vessel owner or operator must--
    (1) Follow procedures indicated on a NMFS-approved installation and 
activation checklist for the applicable fishery, which is available from 
NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833; and
    (2) Submit to NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 
13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a statement certifying 
compliance with the checklist, as prescribed on the checklist.
    (3) Submit to NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 
13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a vendor-completed 
installation certification checklist, which is available from NMFS, 
Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833.
    (c) Interference with the VMS. No person may interfere with, tamper 
with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of the VMS, or 
attempt any of the same.
    (d) Interruption of operation of the VMS. When a vessel's VMS is not 
operating properly, the owner or operator must immediately contact NMFS, 
Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13\th\ Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33701, phone: 800-758-4833, and follow instructions from 
that office. If notified by NMFS that a vessel's VMS is not operating 
properly, the owner and operator must follow instructions from that 
office. In either event, such instructions may include, but are not 
limited to, manually communicating to a location designated by NMFS the 
vessel's positions or returning to port until the VMS is operable.
    (e) Access to position data. As a condition of authorized fishing 
for or possession of fish in a fishery subject to VMS requirements in 
this section, a vessel owner or operator subject to the requirements for 
a VMS in this section must allow NMFS, the USCG, and

[[Page 204]]

their authorized officers and designees access to the vessel's position 
data obtained from the VMS.



Sec. 622.10  Conservation measures for protected resources.

    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo pelagic longliners. The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin 
and wahoo has been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(xii), and 
that has on board a pelagic longline must post inside the wheelhouse the 
sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS. Such owner 
or operator must also comply with the sea turtle bycatch mitigation 
measures, including gear requirements and sea turtle handling 
requirements, as specified in Sec. 635.21(c)(5)(i) and (ii) of this 
chapter, respectively. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is 
considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a power-operated 
longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of supporting the mainline, 
and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of 
these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline gear.
    (b) Gulf reef fish commercial vessels and charter vessels/
headboats--(1) Sea turtle conservation measures. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish or a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v) and 622.4(a)(1)(i), 
respectively, must post inside the wheelhouse, or within a waterproof 
case if no wheelhouse, a copy of the document provided by NMFS titled, 
``Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With Minimal 
Injury,'' and must post inside the wheelhouse, or in an easily viewable 
area if no wheelhouse, the sea turtle handling and release guidelines 
provided by NMFS. Those permitted vessels with a freeboard height of 4 
ft (1.2 m) or less must have on board a dipnet, short-handled dehooker, 
long-nose or needle-nose pliers, bolt cutters, monofilament line 
cutters, and at least two types of mouth openers/mouth gags. This 
equipment must meet the specifications described in 50 CFR 
635.21(c)(5)(i)(E) through (L) with the following modifications: the 
dipnet handle can be of variable length, only one NMFS approved short-
handled dehooker is required (i.e., CFR 635.21(c)(5)(i)(G) or (H)); and 
life rings, seat cushions, life jackets, and life vests may be used as 
alternatives to tires for cushioned surfaces as specified in 50 CFR 
635.21(c)(5)(i)(F). Those permitted vessels with a freeboard height of 
greater than 4 ft (1.2 m) must have on board a dipnet, long-handled line 
clipper, a short-handled and a long-handled dehooker, long-nose or 
needle-nose pliers, bolt cutters, monofilament line cutters, and at 
least two types of mouth openers/mouth gags. This equipment must meet 
the specifications described in 50 CFR 635.21(c)(5)(i)(A) through (L) 
with the following modifications: only one NMFS approved long-handled 
dehooker (50 CFR 635.21(c)(5)(i)(B) or (C)) and one NMFS-approved short-
handled dehooker (50 CFR 635.21(c)(5)(i)(G) or (H)) are required; and 
life rings, seat cushions, life jackets, and life vests may be used as 
alternatives to tires for cushioned surfaces as specified in 50 CFR 
635.21(c)(5)(i)(F).
    (2) Smalltooth sawfish conservation measures. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish or a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v) and 622.4(a)(1)(i), 
respectively, that incidentally catches a smalltooth sawfish must--
    (i) Keep the sawfish in the water at all times;
    (ii) If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped 
around the saw;
    (iii) Cut the line as close to the hook as possible; and
    (iv) Not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the 
saw, except for with a long-handled dehooker.

[71 FR 45435, Aug. 9, 2006]



                      Subpart B_Effort Limitations



Sec. 622.15  Wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

    The provisions of this section apply to wreckfish in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ.
    (a) Percentage shares. (1) In accordance with the procedure 
specified in

[[Page 205]]

the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region, percentage shares of the quota for wreckfish have been 
assigned. Each person has been notified by the RA of his or her 
percentage share and shareholder certificate number.
    (2) All or a portion of a person's percentage shares may be 
transferred to another person. Transfer of shares must be reported on a 
form available from the RA. The RA will confirm, in writing, each 
transfer of shares. The effective date of each transfer is the 
confirmation date provided by the RA. The confirmation date will 
normally be not later than 3 working days after receipt of a properly 
completed transfer form. A fee is charged for each transfer of shares. 
The amount of the fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of 
the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the RA, for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service provided by NOAA 
to non-Federal recipients. The fee may not exceed such costs and is 
specified with each transfer form. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each transfer form.
    (b) Lists of wreckfish shareholders and permitted vessels. Annually, 
on or about March 1, the RA will provide each wreckfish shareholder with 
a list of all wreckfish shareholders and their percentage shares, 
reflecting share transactions on forms received through February 15. 
Annually by April 15, the RA will provide each dealer who holds a dealer 
permit for wreckfish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), with a list 
of vessels for which wreckfish permits have been issued, as required 
under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vii). Annually, by April 15, the RA will provide 
each wreckfish shareholder with a list of dealers who have been issued 
dealer permits for wreckfish. From April 16 through January 14, updated 
lists will be provided when required. Updated lists may be obtained at 
other times or by a person who is not a wreckfish shareholder or 
wreckfish dealer permit holder by written request to the RA.
    (c) ITQs. (1) Annually, as soon after March 1 as the TAC for 
wreckfish for the fishing year that commences April 16 is known, the RA 
will calculate each wreckfish shareholder's ITQ. Each ITQ is the product 
of the wreckfish TAC, in round weight, for the ensuing fishing year, the 
factor for converting round weight to eviscerated weight, and each 
wreckfish shareholder's percentage share, reflecting share transactions 
reported on forms received by the RA through February 15. Thus, the ITQs 
will be in terms of eviscerated weight of wreckfish.
    (2) The RA will provide each wreckfish shareholder with ITQ coupons 
in various denominations, the total of which equals his or her ITQ, and 
a copy of the calculations used in determining his or her ITQ. Each 
coupon will be coded to indicate the initial recipient.
    (3) An ITQ coupon may be transferred from one wreckfish shareholder 
to another by completing the sale endorsement thereon (that is, the 
signature and shareholder certificate number of the buyer). An ITQ 
coupon may be possessed only by the shareholder to whom it has been 
issued, or by the shareholder's employee, contractor, or agent, unless 
the ITQ coupon has been transferred to another shareholder. An ITQ 
coupon that has been transferred to another shareholder may be possessed 
only by the shareholder whose signature appears on the coupon as the 
buyer, or by the shareholder's employee, contractor, or agent, and with 
all required sale endorsements properly completed.
    (4) Wreckfish may not be possessed on board a fishing vessel--
    (i) In an amount exceeding the total of the ITQ coupons on board the 
vessel;
    (ii) That does not have on board a commercial vessel permit for 
wreckfish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vii); or
    (iii) That does not have on board logbook forms for that fishing 
trip, as required under Sec. 622.5(a)(1)(iv)(B).
    (5) Prior to termination of a trip, a signature and date signed must 
be affixed in ink to the ``Fisherman'' part of ITQ coupons in 
denominations equal to the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish on board. 
The ``Fisherman'' part of each such coupon must be separated from the 
coupon and submitted with the logbook forms required by Sec. 
622.5(a)(1)(iv)(B) for that fishing trip.

[[Page 206]]

    (6) The ``Fish House'' part of each such coupon must be given to the 
dealer to whom the wreckfish are transferred in amounts totaling the 
eviscerated weight of the wreckfish transferred to that dealer. A 
wreckfish may be transferred only to a dealer who holds a dealer permit 
for wreckfish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4).
    (7) A dealer may receive a wreckfish only from a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for wreckfish has been issued, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(vii). A dealer must receive the ``Fish House'' part of ITQ 
coupons in amounts totaling the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish 
received; enter the permit number of the vessel from which the wreckfish 
were received, enter the date the wreckfish were received, enter the 
dealer's permit number, and sign each such ``Fish House'' part; and 
submit all such parts with the dealer reports required by Sec. 
622.5(c)(5)(i).
    (8) An owner or operator of a vessel and a dealer must make 
available to an authorized officer all ITQ coupons in his or her 
possession upon request.
    (d) Wreckfish limitations. (1) A wreckfish taken in the South 
Atlantic EEZ may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where the 
transfer takes place; and a wreckfish may not be transferred in the 
South Atlantic EEZ.
    (2) A wreckfish possessed by a fisherman or dealer shoreward of the 
outer boundary of the South Atlantic EEZ or in a South Atlantic coastal 
state will be presumed to have been harvested from the South Atlantic 
EEZ unless accompanied by documentation that it was harvested from other 
than the South Atlantic EEZ.
    (3) A wreckfish may be offloaded from a fishing vessel only between 
8 a.m. and 5 p.m., local time.
    (4) If a wreckfish is to be offloaded at a location other than a 
fixed facility of a dealer who holds a dealer permit for wreckfish, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), the wreckfish shareholder or the 
vessel operator must advise the NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast 
Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by telephone (1-800-853-1964), of the 
location not less than 24 hours prior to offloading.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999]



Sec. 622.16  Red snapper individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

    The ITQ system established by this section will remain in effect 
through March 31, 2000, during which time NMFS and the GMFMC will 
evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Based on the evaluation, the 
system may be modified, extended, or terminated.
    (a) Percentage shares. (1) Initial percentage shares of the annual 
quota of red snapper are assigned to persons in accordance with the 
procedure specified in Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) and in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(4) of this section. Each person is notified by the RD 
of his or her initial percentage shares. If additional shares become 
available to NMFS, such as by forfeiture pursuant to subpart F of 15 CFR 
part 904 for rule violations, such shares will be proportionately 
reissued to shareholders based on their shares as of November 1, after 
the additional shares become available. If NMFS is required to issue 
additional shares, such as may be required in the resolution of 
disputes, existing shares will be proportionately reduced. This 
reduction of shares will be based on shares as of November 1 after the 
required addition of shares.
    (2) All or a portion of a person's percentage shares may be 
transferred to another person who is a U.S. citizen or permanent 
resident alien. (See paragraph (c)(5) of this section for restrictions 
on the transfer of shares in the initial months under the ITQ system.) 
Transfer of shares must be reported on a form available from the RD. The 
RD will confirm, in writing, the registration of each transfer. The 
effective date of each transfer is the confirmation date provided by the 
RD. The confirmation of registration date will normally be not later 
than 3 working days after receipt of a properly completed transfer form. 
However, reports of share transfers received by the RD from November 1 
through December 31 will not be recorded or confirmed until

[[Page 207]]

after January 1. A fee is charged for each transfer of percentage 
shares. The amount of the fee is calculated in accordance with the 
procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service provided by NOAA 
to non-Federal recipients. The fee may not exceed such costs and is 
specified with each transfer form. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each transfer form.
    (3) On or about January 1 each year, the RD will provide each red 
snapper shareholder with a list of all red snapper shareholders and 
their percentage shares, reflecting share transfers as indicated on 
properly completed transfer forms received through October 31. Updated 
lists may be obtained at other times, and by persons who are not red 
snapper shareholders, by written request to the RD.
    (b) ITQs. (1) Annually, as soon after November 15 as the following 
year's red snapper quota is established, the RD will calculate each red 
snapper shareholder's ITQ in terms of eviscerated weight. Each ITQ is 
the product of the red snapper quota, in round weight, for the ensuing 
fishing year, the factor for converting round weight to eviscerated 
weight, and each red snapper shareholder's percentage share, reflecting 
share transfers reported on forms received by the RD through October 31.
    (2) The RD will provide each red snapper shareholder with ITQ 
coupons in various denominations, the total of which equals his or her 
ITQ, and a copy of the calculations used in determining his or her ITQ. 
Each coupon will be coded to indicate the initial recipient.
    (3) An ITQ coupon may be transferred. If the transfer is by sale, 
the seller must enter the sale price on the coupon.
    (4) Except when the red snapper bag limit applies, red snapper in or 
from the EEZ or on board a vessel that has been issued a commercial 
permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), may 
not be possessed in an amount, in eviscerated weight, exceeding the 
total of ITQ coupons on board. (See Sec. 622.39(a) for applicability of 
the bag limit.)
    (5) Prior to termination of a trip, the operator's signature and the 
date signed must be written in ink on the ``Vessel'' part of ITQ coupons 
totaling at least the eviscerated weight of the red snapper on board. An 
owner or operator of a vessel must separate the ``Vessel'' part of each 
such coupon, enter thereon the permit number of the dealer to whom the 
red snapper are transferred, and submit the ``Vessel'' parts with the 
logbook forms for that fishing trip. An owner or operator of a vessel 
must make available to an authorized officer all ITQ coupons in his or 
her possession upon request.
    (6) Red snapper harvested from the EEZ or possessed by a vessel with 
a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(v), may be transferred only to a dealer with a Gulf reef 
fish permit, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4). The ``Fish House'' 
part of each ITQ coupon must be given to such dealer, or the agent or 
employee of such dealer, in amounts totaling at least the eviscerated 
weight of the red snapper transferred to that dealer.
    (7) A dealer with a Gulf reef fish permit may receive red snapper 
only from a vessel that has on board a commercial permit for Gulf reef 
fish. A dealer, or the agent or employee of a dealer, must receive the 
``Fish House'' part of ITQ coupons totaling at least the eviscerated 
weight of the red snapper received. Immediately upon receipt of red 
snapper, the dealer, or the agent or employee of the dealer, must enter 
the permit number of the vessel received from and date and sign each 
such ``Fish House'' part. The dealer must submit all such parts as 
required by paragraph (d)(6) of this section. A dealer, agent, or 
employee must make available to an authorized officer all ITQ coupons in 
his or her possession upon request.
    (c) Procedures for implementation--(1) Initial shareholders. The 
following persons are initial shareholders in the red snapper ITQ 
system:
    (i) Either the owner or operator of a vessel with a valid permit on 
August 29, 1995, provided such owner or operator had a landing of red 
snapper during the period 1990 through 1992. If the earned income of an 
operator was used to qualify for the permit that is valid on August 29, 
1995, such operator is the initial shareholder rather than the owner. In 
the case of an owner, the

[[Page 208]]

term ``person'' includes a corporation or other legal entity; and
    (ii) A historical captain. A historical captain means an operator 
who meets all of the following qualifications:
    (A) From November 6, 1989, through 1993, fished solely under verbal 
or written share agreements with an owner, and such agreements provided 
for the operator to be responsible for hiring the crew, who was paid 
from the share under his or her control.
    (B) Landed from that vessel at least 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of red 
snapper per year in 2 of the 3 years 1990, 1991, and 1992.
    (C) Derived more than 50 percent of his or her earned income from 
commercial fishing, that is, sale of the catch, in each of the years 
1989 through 1993.
    (D) Landed red snapper prior to November 7, 1989.
    (2) Initial shares. (i) Initial shares are apportioned to initial 
shareholders based on each shareholder's average of the top 2 years' 
landings in 1990, 1991, and 1992. However, no person who is an initial 
shareholder under paragraph (c)(1) of this section will receive an 
initial percentage share that will amount to less than 100 lb (45.36 
kg), round weight, of red snapper (90 lb (41 kg), eviscerated weight).
    (ii) The percentage shares remaining after the minimum shares have 
been calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section are 
apportioned based on each remaining shareholder's average of the top 2 
years' landings in 1990, 1991, and 1992. In a case where a landing is 
associated with an owner and a historical captain, such landing is 
apportioned between the owner and historical captain in accordance with 
the share agreement in effect at the time of the landing.
    (iii) The determinations of landings of red snapper during the 
period 1990 through 1992 and historical captain status are made in 
accordance with the data collected under Amendment 9 to the FMP. Those 
data identify each red snapper landing during the period 1990 through 
1992. Each landing is associated with an owner and, when an operator's 
earned income was used to qualify for the vessel permit at the time of 
the landing, with such operator. Where appropriate, a landing is also 
associated with a historical captain. However, a red snapper landings 
record during that period that is associated solely with an owner may be 
retained by that owner or transferred as follows:
    (A) An owner of a vessel with a valid commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish on August 29, 1995, who transferred a vessel permit to another 
vessel owned by him or her will retain the red snapper landings record 
for the previous vessel.
    (B) An owner of a vessel with a valid commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish on August 29, 1995, will retain the landings record of a 
permitted vessel if the vessel had a change of ownership to another 
entity without a substantive change in control of the vessel. It will be 
presumed that there was no substantive change in control of a vessel if 
a successor in interest received at least a 50 percent interest in the 
vessel as a result of the change of ownership whether the change of 
ownership was--
    (1) From a closely held corporation to its majority shareholder;
    (2) From an individual who became the majority shareholder of a 
closely held corporation receiving the vessel;
    (3) Between closely held corporations with a common majority 
shareholder; or
    (4) From one to another of the following: Husband, wife, son, 
daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father.
    (C) In other cases of transfer of a permit through change of 
ownership of a vessel, an owner of a vessel with a valid commercial 
permit for Gulf reef fish on August 29, 1995, will receive credit for 
the landings record of the vessel before his or her ownership only if 
there is a legally binding agreement for transfer of the landings 
record.
    (iv) Requests for transfers of landings records must be submitted to 
the RD and must be postmarked not later than December 14, 1995. The RD 
may require documentation supporting such request. After considering 
requests for transfers of landings records, the RD will advise each 
initial shareholder or applicant of his or her tentative allocation of 
shares.
    (3) Notification of status. The RD will advise each owner, operator, 
and historical captain for whom NMFS has a record of a red snapper 
landing during the period 1990 through 1992, including

[[Page 209]]

those who submitted such record under Amendment 9 to the FMP, of his or 
her tentative status as an initial shareholder and the tentative 
landings record that will be used to calculate his or her initial share.
    (4) Appeals. (i) A special advisory panel, appointed by the GMFMC to 
function as an appeals board, will consider written requests from 
persons who contest their tentative status as an initial shareholder, 
including historical captain status, or tentative landings record. In 
addition to considering written requests, the board may allow personal 
appearances by such persons before the board.
    (ii) The panel is only empowered to consider disputed calculations 
or determinations based on documentation submitted under Amendment 9 to 
the FMP regarding landings of red snapper during the period 1990 through 
1992, including transfers of such landings records, or regarding 
historical captain status. In addition, the panel may consider 
applications and documentation of landings not submitted under Amendment 
9 if, in the board's opinion, there is justification for the late 
application and documentation. The board is not empowered to consider an 
application from a person who believes he or she should be eligible 
because of hardship or other factors.
    (iii) A written request for consideration by the board must be 
submitted to the RD, postmarked not later than December 27, 1995, and 
must contain documentation supporting the allegations that form the 
basis for the request.
    (iv) The board will meet as necessary to consider each request that 
is submitted in a timely manner. Members of the appeals board will 
provide their individual recommendations for each appeal to the GMFMC, 
which will in turn submit its recommendation to the RD. The board and 
the GMFMC will recommend whether the eligibility criteria, specified in 
Amendment 8 to the FMP and paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, 
were correctly applied in each case, based solely on the available 
record including documentation submitted by the applicant. The GMFMC 
will also base its recommendation on the recommendations of the board. 
The RD will decide the appeal based on the above criteria and the 
available record, including documentation submitted by the applicant and 
the recommendation of the GMFMC. The RD will notify the appellant of his 
decision and the reason therefor, in writing, normally within 45 days of 
receiving the GMFMC's recommendation. The RD's decision will constitute 
the final administrative action by NMFS on an appeal.
    (v) Upon completion of the appeal process, the RD will issue share 
certificates to initial shareholders.
    (5) Transfers of shares. The following restrictions apply to the 
transfer of shares:
    (i) The transfer of shares is prohibited through September 30, 1996.
    (ii) From October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997, shares may be 
transferred only to other persons who are initial shareholders and are 
U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
    (d) Exceptions/additions to general measures. Other provisions of 
this part notwithstanding--
    (1) Management of the red snapper ITQ system extends to adjoining 
state waters in the manner stated in paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) of 
this section.
    (2) For a dealer to receive red snapper harvested from state waters 
adjoining the Gulf EEZ by or possessed on board a vessel with a 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, the dealer permit for Gulf reef 
fish specified in Sec. 622.4(a)(4) must have been issued to the dealer.
    (3) A copy of the dealer's permit must accompany each vehicle that 
is used to pick up from a fishing vessel red snapper from adjoining 
state waters harvested by or possessed on board a vessel with a 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish.
    (4) As a condition of a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, 
without regard to where red snapper are harvested or possessed, a vessel 
with such permit must comply with the red snapper ITQ requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section; may not transfer or receive red snapper 
at sea; and must maintain red snapper with head and fins intact through 
landing, and the exceptions to that requirement contained in Sec. 
622.38(d) do not apply to red snapper. Red snapper may be eviscerated,

[[Page 210]]

gilled, and scaled but must otherwise be maintained in a whole 
condition.
    (5) As a condition of a dealer permit for Gulf reef fish, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4) or under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, without regard to where red snapper are harvested or possessed, 
a permitted dealer must comply with the red snapper ITQ requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (6) In any month that a red snapper is received, a dealer must 
submit the report required under Sec. 622.5(c)(3)(ii). The ``Fish 
House'' parts of red snapper individual transferable coupons, received 
during the month in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, must 
be submitted to the SRD with the report.
    (7) It is unlawful for a person to do any of the following:
    (i) Receive red snapper from a fishing vessel without a dealer 
permit for Gulf reef fish.
    (ii) Fail to carry a copy of the dealer's permit, as specified in 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Fail to comply with a condition of a permit, as specified in 
paragraph (d)(4) or (d)(5) of this section.
    (iv) Fail to report red snapper received, as specified in paragraph 
(d)(6) of this section.

    Effective Date Note: At 61 FR 48415, Sept. 13, 1996, Sec. 622.16 
was stayed indefinitely.



Sec. 622.17  South Atlantic golden crab controlled access.

    (a) General. In accordance with the procedures specified in the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region, initial commercial vessel permits have been issued for 
the fishery. All permits in the fishery are issued on a fishing-year 
(calendar-year) basis. No additional permits may be issued except for 
the northern zone as follows:
    (1) The RA will issue up to two new vessel permits for the northern 
zone. Selection will be made from the list of historical participants in 
the South Atlantic golden crab fishery. Such list was used at the 
October 1995 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
and was prioritized based on pounds of golden crab landed, without 
reference to a specific zone. Individuals on the list who originally 
received permits will be deleted from the list.
    (2) The RA will offer in writing an opportunity to apply for a 
permit for the northern zone to the individuals highest on the list 
until two individuals accept and apply in a timely manner. An offer that 
is not accepted within 30 days after it is received will no longer be 
valid.
    (3) An application for a permit from an individual who accepts the 
RA's offer must be received by the RA no later than 30 days after the 
date of the individual's acceptance. Application forms are available 
from the RA.
    (4) A vessel permit for the northern zone issued under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section, and any successor permit, may not be changed to 
another zone. A successor permit includes a permit issued to that vessel 
for a subsequent owner and a permit issued via transfer from that vessel 
to another vessel.
    (b) Fishing zones--(1) Designation of fishing zones. The South 
Atlantic EEZ is divided into three fishing zones for golden crab as 
follows:
    (i) Northern zone--the South Atlantic EEZ north of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (ii) Middle zone--the South Atlantic EEZ from 28[deg] N. lat. to 
25[deg] N. lat.
    (iii) Southern zone--the South Atlantic EEZ south of 25[deg] N. lat.
    (2) Authorization to fish in zones. Each vessel permit indicates one 
of the zones specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. A vessel 
with a permit to fish for golden crab in the northern zone or the middle 
zone may fish only in that zone. A vessel with a documented length 
overall greater than 65 ft (19.8 m) with a permit to fish for golden 
crab in the southern zone may fish in that zone, consistent with the 
provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and, through May 3, 
2005, may also fish in the northern zone. A vessel may possess golden 
crab only in a zone in which it is authorized to fish, except that other 
zones may be transited if the vessel notifies NMFS, Office of 
Enforcement, Southeast Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by telephone (727-
570-5344) in advance and does not fish in a zone in which it is not 
authorized to fish.
    (3) Small-vessel sub-zone. Within the southern zone, a small-vessel 
sub-zone

[[Page 211]]

is established bounded on the north by 24[deg]15[min] N. lat., on the 
south by 24[deg]07[min] N. lat., on the east by 81[deg]22[min] W. long., 
and on the west by 81[deg]56[min] W. long. No vessel with a documented 
length overall greater than 65 ft (19.8 m) may fish for golden crab in 
this sub-zone, and a vessel with a documented length overall of 65 ft 
(19.8 m) or less that is permitted for the southern zone may fish for 
golden crab only in this sub-zone.
    (4) Procedure for changing zones. (i) Upon request from an owner of 
a permitted vessel, the RA will change the zone specified on a permit 
from the middle or southern zone to the northern zone. No other changes 
in the zone specified on a permit are allowed, except as specified in 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section. An owner of a permitted vessel who 
desires a change to the northern zone must submit his/her request with 
the existing permit to the RA.
    (ii) Through May 3, 2005, upon request, the RA will change a vessel 
permit back to the southern zone for an owner of a vessel, or the 
subsequent owner of a vessel, whose permit was changed from the southern 
zone to the northern zone provided that the documented length overall of 
the vessel to be used in the southern zone is not more than 20 percent 
greater than the vessel whose permit was originally changed from the 
southern zone to the northern zone.
    (c) Transferring permits between vessels--(1) Procedure for 
transferring. An owner of a vessel who desires a golden crab permit may 
request that NMFS transfer an existing permit or permits to his or her 
vessel by returning an existing permit or permits to the RA with an 
application for a permit for the replacement vessel.
    (2) Vessel size limitations on transferring. (i) To obtain a permit 
for the middle or southern zone via transfer, the documented length 
overall of the replacement vessel may not exceed the documented length 
overall, or aggregate documented lengths overall, of the replaced 
vessel(s) by more than 20 percent. The owner of a vessel permitted for 
the middle or southern zone who has requested that NMFS transfer that 
permit to a smaller vessel (i.e., downsized) may subsequently request 
NMFS transfer that permit to a vessel of a length calculated from the 
length of the permitted vessel immediately prior to downsizing.
    (ii) There are no vessel size limitations to obtain a permit for the 
northern zone via transfer.
    (d) Permit renewal. NMFS will not renew a commercial vessel permit 
for South Atlantic golden crab if the permit is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive a required application for renewal within 6 months 
after the permit's expiration. See Sec. 622.4(h) for the applicable 
general procedures and requirements for permit renewals.

[67 FR 22361, May 3, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 73388, Dec. 12, 2005]



Sec. 622.18  South Atlantic snapper-grouper limited access.

    (a) General. The only valid commercial vessel permits for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper are those that have been issued under the 
limited access criteria specified in the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. A commercial 
vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper is either a 
transferable commercial permit or a trip-limited commercial permit.
    (b) Transfers of permits. A snapper-grouper limited access permit is 
valid only for the vessel and owner named on the permit. To change 
either the vessel or the owner, an application for transfer must be 
submitted to the RA.
    (1) Transferable permits. (i) An owner of a vessel with a 
transferable permit may request that the RA transfer the permit to 
another vessel owned by the same entity.
    (ii) A transferable permit may be transferred upon a change of 
ownership of a permitted vessel with such permit from one to another of 
the following: husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or 
father.
    (iii) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, a person desiring to acquire a limited access, transferable 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper must obtain and exchange two 
such permits for one new permit.
    (iv) A transfer of a permit that is undertaken under paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section will constitute a transfer

[[Page 212]]

of the vessel's entire catch history to the new owner.
    (2) Trip-limited permits. An owner of a vessel with a trip- limited 
permit may request that the RA transfer the permit to another vessel 
owned by the same entity.
    (c) Renewal. NMFS will not reissue a commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper if the permit is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive an application for renewal within 60 days of the 
permit's expiration date.

[70 FR 73388, Dec. 12, 2005]



Sec. 622.19  South Atlantic rock shrimp limited access.

    (a) Applicability. For a person aboard a vessel to fish for rock 
shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off Florida or possess 
rock shrimp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off 
Florida, a limited access endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp 
must be issued to the vessel and must be on board.
    (b) Transfer of an endorsement. A limited access endorsement for 
South Atlantic rock shrimp is valid only for the vessel and owner named 
on the permit/endorsement. To change either the vessel or the owner, an 
application for transfer must be submitted to the RA. An owner of a 
vessel with an endorsement may request that the RA transfer the 
endorsement to another vessel owned by the same entity, to the same 
vessel owned by another entity, or to another vessel with another owner. 
A transfer of an endorsement under this paragraph will include the 
transfer of the vessel's entire catch history of South Atlantic rock 
shrimp to a new owner; no partial transfers are allowed.
    (c) Renewal. The RA will not reissue a limited access endorsement 
for South Atlantic rock shrimp if the endorsement is revoked or if the 
RA does not receive a complete application for renewal of the 
endorsement within 1 year after the endorsement's expiration date.
    (d) Non-renewal of inactive endorsements. In addition to the 
sanctions and denials specified in Sec. 622.4(j)(1), a limited access 
endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp that is inactive for a period 
of 4 consecutive calendar years will not be renewed. For the purpose of 
this paragraph, ``inactive'' means that the vessel with the endorsement 
has not landed at least 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) of rock shrimp from the 
South Atlantic EEZ in a calendar year.
    (e) Reissuance of non-renewed permits. A permit that is not renewed 
under paragraph (d) of this section will be made available to a vessel 
owner randomly selected from a list of owners who had documented 
landings of rock shrimp from the South Atlantic EEZ prior to 1996 but 
who did not qualify for an initial limited access endorsement. Owners' 
names have been placed on the list in accordance with the procedures 
specified in the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region.

[70 FR 73388, Dec. 12, 2005]



                      Subpart C_Management Measures



Sec. 622.30  Fishing years.

    The fishing year for species or species groups governed in this part 
is January 1 through December 31 except for the following:
    (a) Allowable octocoral-- October 1 through September 30.
    (b) King and Spanish mackerel. The fishing year for the king and 
Spanish mackerel bag limits specified in Sec. 622.39(c)(1) is January 1 
through December 31. The following fishing years apply only for the king 
and Spanish mackerel quotas specified in Sec. 622.42(c):
    (1) Gulf migratory group king mackerel-- July 1 through June 30.
    (2) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel--April through March.
    (3) South Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel--March 
through February.
    (c) Wreckfish-- April 16 through April 15.
    (d) South Atlantic greater amberjack--May 1 through April 30.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 3627, Jan. 25, 1999; 70 
FR 39190, July 7, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55106, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.30 
paragraph (e) was added, effective Oct. 23, 2006. For the convenience of 
the user, the added text is set forth as follows:

[[Page 213]]



Sec. 622.30  Fishing years.

                                * * * * *

    (e) South Atlantic black sea bass--June 1 through May 31.



Sec. 622.31  Prohibited gear and methods.

    In addition to the prohibited gear/methods specified in this 
section, see Sec. Sec. 622.33, 622.34, and 622.35 for seasonal/area 
prohibited gear/methods and Sec. 622.41 for species specific authorized 
and unauthorized gear/methods.
    (a) Explosives. An explosive (except an explosive in a powerhead) 
may not be used to fish in the Caribbean, Gulf, or South Atlantic EEZ. A 
vessel fishing in the EEZ for a species governed in this part, or a 
vessel for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 622.4, may not 
have on board any dynamite or similar explosive substance.
    (b) Chemicals and plants. A toxic chemical may not be used or 
possessed in a coral area, and a chemical, plant, or plant-derived toxin 
may not be used to harvest a Caribbean coral reef resource in the 
Caribbean EEZ.
    (c) Fish traps. (1) A fish trap may not be used in the South 
Atlantic EEZ.
    (2) A fish trap may not be used or possessed in the Gulf EEZ west of 
85[deg]30[min] W. long. and, after February 7, 2007, may not be used or 
possessed in the Gulf EEZ.
    (3) A fish trap used other than where authorized in paragraph (c) 
(1) or (2) of this section may be disposed of in any appropriate manner 
by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.
    (d) Longlines for wreckfish. A bottom longline may not be used to 
fish for wreckfish in the South Atlantic EEZ. A person aboard a vessel 
that has a longline on board may not retain a wreckfish in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph, a vessel is 
considered to have a longline on board when a power-operated longline 
hauler, a cable of diameter suitable for use in the longline fishery 
longer than 1.5 mi (2.4 km) on any reel, and gangions are on board. 
Removal of any one of these three elements constitutes removal of a 
longline.
    (e) Poisons. (1) A poison, drug, or other chemical may not be used 
to fish for Caribbean reef fish in the Caribbean EEZ.
    (2) A poison may not be used to take Gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ.
    (3) A poison may not be used to fish for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ.
    (f) Power-assisted tools. A power-assisted tool may not be used in 
the Caribbean EEZ to take a Caribbean coral reef resource or in the Gulf 
or South Atlantic EEZ to take allowable octocoral, prohibited coral, or 
live rock.
    (g) Powerheads. A powerhead may not be used in the Caribbean EEZ to 
harvest Caribbean reef fish or in the EEZ off South Carolina to harvest 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper. The possession of a mutilated Caribbean 
reef fish in or from the Caribbean EEZ, or a mutilated South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper in or from the EEZ off South Carolina, and a powerhead 
is prima facie evidence that such fish was harvested by a powerhead.
    (h) Rebreathers and spearfishing gear. In the South Atlantic EEZ, a 
person using a rebreather may not harvest South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
with spearfishing gear. The possession of such snapper-grouper while in 
the water with a rebreather is prima facie evidence that such fish was 
harvested with spearfishing gear while using a rebreather.
    (i) Sea bass pots. A sea bass pot may not be used in the South 
Atlantic EEZ south of 28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. (due east of the NASA 
Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL). A sea bass pot deployed 
in the EEZ south of 28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. may be disposed of in any 
appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized 
officer.
    (j) Spears and hooks. A spear, hook, or similar device may not be 
used in the Caribbean EEZ to harvest a Caribbean spiny lobster. The 
possession of a speared, pierced, or punctured Caribbean spiny lobster 
in or from the Caribbean EEZ is prima facie evidence of violation of 
this section.
    (k) Traps for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ and transfer at sea. 
A trap may not be used to fish for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ. 
Possession of a trap and royal red shrimp on board a vessel is 
prohibited. A trap used to fish

[[Page 214]]

for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ may be disposed of in any 
appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized 
officer. In addition, royal red shrimp cannot be transferred in the Gulf 
EEZ, and royal red shrimp taken in the Gulf EEZ cannot be transferred at 
sea regardless of where the transfer takes place.
    (l) Gillnets and trammel nets in the Caribbean EEZ. A gillnet or 
trammel net may not be used in the Caribbean EEZ to fish for Caribbean 
reef fish or Caribbean spiny lobster. Possession of a gillnet or trammel 
net and any Caribbean reef fish or Caribbean spiny lobster in or from 
the Caribbean EEZ is prima facie evidence of violation of this paragraph 
(l). A gillnet or trammel net used in the Caribbean EEZ to fish for any 
other species must be tended at all times.
    (m) Weak link. A bottom trawl that does not have a weak link in the 
tickler chain may not be used to fish in the Gulf EEZ. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, a weak link is defined as a length or section of the 
tickler chain that has a breaking strength less than the chain itself 
and is easily seen as such when visually inspected.
    (n) Gulf reef fish other than sand perch or dwarf sand perch may not 
be used as bait in any fishery, except that, when purchased from a fish 
processor, the filleted carcasses and offal of Gulf reef fish may be 
used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water 
crab, and spiny lobster.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 13987, Mar. 25, 1997; 63 
FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 67 FR 51079, Aug. 7, 
2002; 70 FR 62080, Oct. 28, 2005; 70 FR 76219, Dec. 23, 2005; 71 FR 
45435, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 622.32  Prohibited and limited-harvest species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this section 
apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a vessel 
operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a vessel 
that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable to that 
vessel.
    (b) Prohibited species. Prohibited species, by geographical area, 
are as follows:
    (1) Caribbean. (i) Caribbean prohibited coral may not be fished for 
or possessed in or from the Caribbean EEZ. The taking of Caribbean 
prohibited coral in the Caribbean EEZ is not considered unlawful 
possession provided it is returned immediately to the sea in the general 
area of fishing.
    (ii) No person may fish for or possess goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper in or from the Caribbean EEZ. Such fish caught in the Caribbean 
EEZ must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (iii) Egg-bearing spiny lobster in the Caribbean EEZ must be 
returned to the water unharmed. An egg-bearing spiny lobster may be 
retained in a trap, provided the trap is returned immediately to the 
water. An egg-bearing spiny lobster may not be stripped, scraped, 
shaved, clipped, or in any other manner molested, in order to remove the 
eggs.
    (iv) No person may fish for, or possess on board a fishing vessel, a 
Caribbean queen conch in or from the Caribbean EEZ, except during 
October 1 through June 30 in the area east of 64[deg]34[min] W. 
longitude which includes Lang Bank east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
    (2) Gulf. (i) Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral taken as 
incidental catch in the Gulf EEZ must be returned immediately to the sea 
in the general area of fishing. In fisheries where the entire catch is 
landed unsorted, such as the scallop and groundfish fisheries, unsorted 
prohibited coral may be landed ashore; however, no person may sell or 
purchase such prohibited coral.
    (ii) Goliath grouper may not be harvested or possessed in or from 
the Gulf EEZ.
    (iii) Red drum and Nassau grouper may not be harvested or possessed 
in or from the Gulf EEZ. Such fish caught in the Gulf EEZ must be 
released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (3) Mid-Atlantic. Red drum may not be harvested or possessed in or 
from the Mid-Atlantic EEZ south of a line extending in a direction of 
115[deg] from true north commencing at a point at 40[deg]29.6[min] N. 
lat., 73[deg]54.1[min] W. long., such point being the intersection of 
the New Jersey/New York boundary with the 3- nm line denoting the 
seaward limit of

[[Page 215]]

state waters. Red drum caught in such portion of the Mid-Atlantic EEZ 
must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (4) South Atlantic. (i) Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral 
taken as incidental catch in the South Atlantic EEZ must be returned 
immediately to the sea in the general area of fishing. In fisheries 
where the entire catch is landed unsorted, such as the scallop and 
groundfish fisheries, unsorted prohibited coral may be landed ashore; 
however, no person may sell or purchase such prohibited coral.
    (ii) Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper may not be harvested or 
possessed in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. Goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper taken in the South Atlantic EEZ incidentally by hook-and-line 
must be released immediately by cutting the line without removing the 
fish from the water.
    (iii) Red drum may not be harvested or possessed in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ. Red drum caught in the South Atlantic EEZ must be 
released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (iv) Wild live rock may not be harvested or possessed in the South 
Atlantic EEZ.
    (v) It is intended that no female golden crabs in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ be retained on board a vessel and that any female golden 
crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ be released in a manner that will 
ensure maximum probability of survival. However, to accommodate 
legitimate incidental catch and retention, the number of female golden 
crabs in or from the South Atlantic EEZ retained on board a vessel may 
not exceed 0.5 percent, by number, of all golden crabs on board. See 
Sec. 622.45(f)(1) regarding the prohibition of sale of female golden 
crabs.
    (vi) South Atlantic snapper-grouper may not be possessed in whole, 
gutted, or filleted form by a person aboard a vessel fishing for or 
possessing golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ or possessing a 
golden crab trap in the South Atlantic. Only the head, fins, and 
backbone (collectively the ``rack'') of South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
may be possessed for use as bait.
    (c) Limited-harvest species. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not 
combine a harvest limitation specified in this paragraph (c) with a 
harvest limitation applicable to state waters. A species subject to a 
harvest limitation specified in this paragraph (c) taken in the EEZ may 
not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes 
place, and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ.
    (1) Cobia. No person may possess more than two cobia per day in or 
from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, regardless of the 
number of trips or duration of a trip.
    (2) Cubera snapper. No person may harvest more than two cubera 
snapper measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, per day in the 
South Atlantic EEZ off Florida and no more than two such cubera snapper 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida may be possessed on board 
a vessel at any time.
    (3) Speckled hind and warsaw grouper. The possession of speckled 
hind and warsaw grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to 
one of each per vessel per trip.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43959, Aug. 27, 1996; 62 
FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 63 FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 70 FR 62081, Oct. 
28, 2005]



Sec. 622.33  Caribbean EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

    (a) Seasonal closures. In addition to the other restrictions 
specified in this paragraph (a), fishing with pots, traps, bottom 
longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round in the 
closed areas specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this 
section.
    (1) Mutton snapper spawning aggregation area. From March 1 through 
June 30, each year, fishing is prohibited in that part of the following 
area that is in the EEZ. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the points listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  17[deg]37.8[  64[deg]53.0[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  17[deg]39.0[  64[deg]53.0[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  17[deg]39.0[  64[deg]50.5[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  17[deg]38.1[  64[deg]50.5[
                                                      min]          min]
E...........................................  17[deg]37.8[  64[deg]52.5[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  17[deg]37.8[  64[deg]53.0[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 216]]

    (2) Red hind spawning aggregation areas. From December 1 through 
February 28, each year, fishing is prohibited in those parts of the 
following areas that are in the EEZ. Each area is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the points listed.
    (i) East of St. Croix.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  17[deg]50.2[  64[deg]27.9[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  17[deg]50.1[  64[deg]26.1[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  17[deg]49.2[  64[deg]25.8[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  17[deg]48.6[  64[deg]25.8[
                                                      min]          min]
E...........................................  17[deg]48.1[  64[deg]26.1[
                                                      min]          min]
F...........................................  17[deg]47.5[  64[deg]26.9[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  17[deg]50.2[  64[deg]27.9[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) West of Puerto Rico--(A) Bajo de Cico.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  18[deg]15.7[  67[deg]26.4[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  18[deg]15.7[  67[deg]23.2[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  18[deg]12.7[  67[deg]23.4[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  18[deg]12.7[  67[deg]26.4[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  18[deg]15.7[  67[deg]26.47
                                                      min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Tourmaline Bank.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  18[deg]11.2[  67[deg]22.4[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  18[deg]11.2[  67[deg]19.2[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  18[deg]08.2[  67[deg]19.2[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  18[deg]08.2[  67[deg]22.4[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  18[deg]11.2[  67[deg]22.4[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Abrir La Sierra Bank.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  18[deg]06.5[  67[deg]26.9[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  18[deg]06.5[  67[deg]23.9[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  18[deg]03.5[  67[deg]23.9[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  18[deg]03.5[  67[deg]26.9[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  18[deg]06.5[  67[deg]26.9[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Grammanik Bank closed area. (i) The Grammanik Bank closed area 
is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  18[deg]11.89  64[deg]56.32
                                                    8[min]        8[min]
B...........................................  18[deg]11.64  64[deg]56.22
                                                    5[min]        5[min]
C...........................................  18[deg]11.05  64[deg]57.81
                                                    8[min]        0[min]
D...........................................  18[deg]11.31  64[deg]57.91
                                                    1[min]        3[min]
A...........................................  18[deg]11.89  64[deg]56.32
                                                    8[min]        8[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) From February 1 through April 30, each year, no person may fish 
for or possess any species of fish, except highly migratory species, in 
or from the Grammanik Bank closed area. This prohibition on possession 
does not apply to such fish harvested and landed ashore prior to the 
closure. For the purpose of paragraph (a)(4) of this section, ``fish'' 
means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine 
animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds. ``Highly 
migratory species'' means bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, albacore, and 
skipjack tunas; swordfish; sharks (listed in Appendix A to part 635 of 
this title); and white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, and longbill 
spearfish.
    (4) Red, black, tiger, yellowfin, or yellowedge grouper. From 
February 1 through April 30, each year, no person may fish for or 
possess red, black, tiger, yellowfin, or yellowedge grouper in or from 
the Caribbean EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not apply to such 
grouper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (5) Additional red hind closure. From December 1 through the last 
day of February, each year, no person may fish for or possess red hind 
in or from the Caribbean EEZ west of 67[deg]10[min] W. longitude. This 
prohibition on possession does not apply to red hind harvested and 
landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (6) Vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snapper. From October 1 
through December 31, each year, no person may fish for or possess 
vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snapper in or from the Caribbean 
EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not apply to such snapper 
harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (7) Lane or mutton snapper. From April 1 through June 30, each year, 
no person may fish for or possess lane or mutton snapper in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not apply to such 
snapper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (b) Year-round area closures--(1) Hind Bank Marine Conservation 
District (MCD). The following activities are prohibited within the Hind 
Bank MCD: Fishing for any species, and anchoring by fishing vessels. The 
Hind Bank MCD is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points 
listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  18[deg]13.2[  65[deg]06.0[
                                                      min]          min]

[[Page 217]]

 
B...........................................  18[deg]13.2[  64[deg]59.0[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  18[deg]11.8[  64[deg]59.0[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  18[deg]10.7[  65[deg]06.0[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  18[deg]13.2[  65[deg]06.0[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) [Reserved]

[64 FR 60133, Nov. 4, 1999, as amended at 70 FR 62081, Oct. 28, 2005]



Sec. 622.34  Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

    (a) Alabama SMZ. The Alabama SMZ consists of artificial reefs and 
surrounding areas. In the Alabama SMZ, fishing by a vessel that is 
operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a vessel that does not have a 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2), or a vessel with such a permit fishing for Gulf reef fish 
is limited to hook-and-line gear with three or fewer hooks per line and 
spearfishing gear. A person aboard a vessel that uses on any trip gear 
other than hook-and-line gear with three or fewer hooks per line and 
spearfishing gear in the Alabama SMZ is limited on that trip to the bag 
limits for Gulf reef fish specified in Sec. 622.39(b) and, for Gulf 
reef fish for which no bag limit is specified in Sec. 622.39(b), the 
vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of all fish on board or 
landed. The Alabama SMZ is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  30[deg]02.5[  88[deg]07.7[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  30[deg]02.6[  87[deg]59.3[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  29[deg]55.0[  87[deg]55.5[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  29[deg]54.5[  88[deg]07.5[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  30[deg]02.5[  88[deg]07.7[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Florida middle grounds HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, 
bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited year round in the area 
bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  28[deg]42.5[  84[deg]24.8[
                                                      min]          min]
B...........................................  28[deg]42.5[  84[deg]16.3[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  28[deg]11.0[  84[deg]00.0[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  28[deg]11.0[  84[deg]07.0[
                                                      min]          min]
E...........................................  28[deg]26.6[  84[deg]24.8[
                                                      min]          min]
A...........................................  28[deg]42.5[  84[deg]24.8[
                                                      min]          min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Reef fish longline and buoy gear restricted area. A person 
aboard a vessel that uses, on any trip, longline or buoy gear in the 
longline and buoy gear restricted area is limited on that trip to the 
bag limits for Gulf reef fish specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1) and, for 
Gulf reef fish for which no bag limit is specified in Sec. 
622.39(b)(1), the vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of all fish 
on board or landed. The longline and buoy gear restricted area is that 
part of the Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the 
points listed in Table 1, in Appendix B of this part.
    (d) Tortugas marine reserves HAPC. The following activities are 
prohibited within the Tortugas marine reserves HAPC: Fishing for any 
species and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (1) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting the following points: From point A at 
24[deg]40[min]00[sec] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[sec] W. long. to point B 
at 24[deg]46[min]00[sec] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[sec] W. long. to 
point C at 24[deg]46[min]00[sec] N. lat., 83[deg]00[min]00[sec] W. 
long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida[min]s 
waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11434, to point A 
at 24[deg]40[min]00[sec] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[sec] W. long.
    (2) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]00[sec]
B...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]00[sec]
C...........................................  24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]00[sec]
D...........................................  24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]00[sec]
A...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]00[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Shrimp/stone crab separation zones. Five zones are established 
in the Gulf EEZ and Florida's waters off Citrus and Hernando Counties 
for the separation of shrimp trawling and stone crab trapping. Although 
Zone II is entirely within Florida's waters, it is included in this 
paragraph (e) for the convenience of fishermen. Restrictions that apply 
to Zone II and those parts of the other zones that are in Florida's 
waters are contained in Rule 46-38.001, Florida Administrative Code. 
Geographical coordinates of the points referred to in this paragraph (e) 
are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  28[deg]59[mi  82[deg]45[mi
                                                 n]30[sec]     n]36[sec]
B...........................................  28[deg]59[mi  83[deg]00[mi
                                                 n]30[sec]     n]10[sec]
C...........................................  28[deg]26[mi  82[deg]59[mi
                                                 n]01[sec]     n]47[sec]

[[Page 218]]

 
D...........................................  28[deg]26[mi  82[deg]56[mi
                                                 n]01[sec]     n]54[sec]
E...........................................  28[deg]41[mi  82[deg]55[mi
                                                 n]39[sec]     n]25[sec]
F...........................................  28[deg]41[mi  82[deg]56[mi
                                                 n]39[sec]     n]09[sec]
G...........................................  28[deg]48[mi  82[deg]56[mi
                                                 n]56[sec]     n]19[sec]
H...........................................  28[deg]53[mi  82[deg]51[mi
                                                 n]51[sec]     n]19[sec]
I \1\.......................................  28[deg]54[mi  82[deg]44[mi
                                                 n]43[sec]     n]52[sec]
J \2\.......................................  28[deg]51[mi  82[deg]44[mi
                                                 n]09[sec]     n]00[sec]
K...........................................  28[deg]50[mi  82[deg]54[mi
                                                 n]59[sec]     n]16[sec]
L...........................................  28[deg]41[mi  82[deg]53[mi
                                                 n]39[sec]     n]56[sec]
M \3\.......................................  28[deg]41[mi  82[deg]38[mi
                                                 n]39[sec]     n]46[sec]
N...........................................  28[deg]41[mi  82[deg]53[mi
                                                 n]39[sec]     n]12[sec]
O...........................................  28[deg]30[mi  82[deg]55[mi
                                                 n]51[sec]     n]11[sec]
P...........................................  28[deg]40[mi  82[deg]53[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]08[sec]
Q...........................................  28[deg]40[mi  82[deg]47[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]58[sec]
R...........................................  28[deg]35[mi  82[deg]47[mi
                                                 n]14[sec]     n]47[sec]
S...........................................  28[deg]30[mi  82[deg]52[mi
                                                 n]51[sec]     n]55[sec]
T...........................................  28[deg]27[mi  82[deg]55[mi
                                                 n]46[sec]     n]09[sec]
U...........................................  28[deg]30[mi  82[deg]52[mi
                                                 n]51[sec]    n]09[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Crystal River Entrance Light 1A.
\2\ Long Pt. (southwest tip).
\3\ Shoreline.

    (1) Zone I is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
A, B, C, D, T, E, F, G, H, I, and J, plus the shoreline between points A 
and J. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone I that is in the EEZ 
from October 5 through May 20, each year.
    (2) Zone II is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
J, I, H, K, L, and M, plus the shoreline between points J and M.
    (3) Zone III is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
P, Q, R, U, S, and P. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone III 
that is in the EEZ from October 5 through May 20, each year.
    (4) Zone IV is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
E, N, S, O, and E.
    (i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone 
IV that is in the EEZ from October 5 through December 1 and from April 2 
through May 20, each year.
    (ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone IV that is in the 
EEZ from December 2 through April 1, each year.
    (5) Zone V is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
F, G, K, L, and F.
    (i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone V 
that is in the EEZ from October 5 through November 30 and from March 16 
through May 20, each year.
    (ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone V that is in the 
EEZ from December 1 through March 15, each year.
    (f) Southwest Florida seasonal trawl closure. From January 1 to 1 
hour after official sunset on May 20, each year, trawling, including 
trawling for live bait, is prohibited in that part of the Gulf EEZ 
shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B \1\.......................................  26[deg]16.0[  81[deg]58.5[
                                                      min]          min]
C...........................................  26[deg]00.0[  82[deg]04.0[
                                                      min]          min]
D...........................................  25[deg]09.0[  81[deg]47.6[
                                                      min]          min]
E...........................................  24[deg]54.5[  81[deg]50.5[
                                                      min]          min]
M \1\.......................................  24[deg]49.3[  81[deg]46.4[
                                                      min]         min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On the seaward limit of Florida's waters.

    (g) Reef fish stressed area. The stressed area is that part of the 
Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points 
listed in Table 2, in Appendix B of this part.
    (1) A powerhead may not be used in the stressed area to take Gulf 
reef fish. Possession of a powerhead and a mutilated Gulf reef fish in 
the stressed area or after having fished in the stressed area 
constitutes prima facie evidence that such reef fish was taken with a 
powerhead in the stressed area. The provisions of this paragraph do not 
apply to the following species: dwarf sand perch, hogfish, and sand 
perch.
    (2) A roller trawl may not be used in the stressed area. Roller 
trawl means a trawl net equipped with a series of large, solid rollers 
separated by several smaller spacer rollers on a separate cable or line 
(sweep) connected to the footrope, which makes it possible to fish the 
gear over rough bottom, that is, in areas unsuitable for fishing 
conventional shrimp trawls. Rigid framed trawls adapted for shrimping 
over uneven bottom, in wide use along the west coast of Florida, and 
shrimp trawls with hollow plastic rollers for fishing on soft bottoms, 
are not considered roller trawls.
    (3) A fish trap may not be used in the stressed area. A fish trap 
used in the stressed area will be considered unclaimed or abandoned 
property and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the 
Assistant Administrator (including an authorized officer).
    (h) Texas closure. (1) From 30 minutes after official sunset on May 
15 to 30 minutes after official sunset on July

[[Page 219]]

15, trawling, except trawling for royal red shrimp beyond the 100-fathom 
(183-m) depth contour, is prohibited in the Gulf EEZ off Texas.
    (2) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, 
the RA may adjust the closing and/or opening date of the Texas closure 
to provide an earlier, later, shorter, or longer closure, but the 
duration of the closure may not exceed 90 days or be less than 45 days. 
Notification of the adjustment of the closing or opening date will be 
published in the Federal Register.
    (i) Tortugas shrimp sanctuary. (1) The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is 
closed to trawling. The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is that part of the 
EEZ off Florida shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N \1\.......................................  25[deg]52.9[  81[deg]37.9[
                                                      min]          min]
F...........................................  24[deg]50.7[  81[deg]51.3[
                                                      min]          min]
G \2\.......................................  24[deg]40.1[  82[deg]26.7[
                                                      min]          min]
H \3\.......................................  24[deg]34.7[  82[deg]35.2[
                                                      min]          min]
P \4\.......................................  24[deg]35.0[  82[deg]08.0[
                                                      min]         min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Coon Key Light.
\2\ New Ground Rocks Light.
\3\ Rebecca Shoal Light.
\4\ Marquessas Keys.

    (2) The provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this section 
notwithstanding--
    (i) Effective from April 11 through September 30, each year, that 
part of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting 
the following points is open to trawling: From point T at 
24[deg]47.8[min] N. lat., 82[deg]01.0[min] W. long. to point U at 
24[deg]43.83[min] N. lat., 82[deg]01.0[min] W. long. (on the line 
denoting the seaward limit of Florida's waters); thence along the 
seaward limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of 
NOAA chart 11439, to point V at 24[deg]42.55[min] N. lat., 
82[deg]15.0[min] W. long.; thence north to point W at 24[deg]43.6[min] 
N. lat., 82[deg]15.0[min] W. long.
    (ii) Effective from April 11 through July 31, each year, that part 
of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the 
following points is open to trawling: From point W to point V, both 
points as specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section, to point G, 
as specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Effective from May 26 through July 31, each year, that part of 
the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the 
following points is open to trawling: From point F, as specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section, to point Q at 24[deg]46.7[min] N. 
lat., 81[deg]52.2[min] W. long. (on the line denoting the seaward limit 
of Florida's waters); thence along the seaward limit of Florida's 
waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11439, to point U 
and north to point T, both points as specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of 
this section.
    (j) West and East Flower Garden Banks HAPC. The following activities 
are prohibited year-round in the HAPC: Fishing with a bottom longline, 
bottom trawl, buoy gear, dredge, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by 
fishing vessels.
    (1) West Flower Garden Bank. West Flower Garden Bank is bounded by 
rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      A                       27[deg]55[mi  93[deg]53[mi
                                               n]22.8[sec]   n]09.6[sec]
                      B                       27[deg]55[mi  93[deg]46[mi
                                               n]22.8[sec]   n]46.0[sec]
                      C                       27[deg]49[mi  93[deg]46[mi
                                               n]03.0[sec]   n]46.0[sec]
                      D                       27[deg]49[mi  93[deg]53[mi
                                               n]03.0[sec]   n]09.6[sec]
                      A                       27[deg]55[mi  93[deg]53[mi
                                               n]22.8[sec]   n]09.6[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) East Flower Garden Bank. East Flower Garden Bank is bounded by 
rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      A                       27[deg]59[mi  93[deg]38[mi
                                               n]14.4[sec]   n]58.2[sec]
                      B                       27[deg]59[mi  93[deg]34[mi
                                               n]14.4[sec]   n]03.5[sec]
                      C                       27[deg]52[mi  93[deg]34[mi
                                               n]36.5[sec]   n]03.5[sec]
                      D                       27[deg]52[mi  93[deg]38[mi
                                               n]36.5[sec]   n]58.2[sec]
                      A                       27[deg]59[mi  93[deg]38[mi
                                               n]14.4[sec]   n]58.2[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (k) Closure provisions applicable to the Madison and Swanson sites 
and Steamboat Lumps. (1)(i) The Madison and Swanson sites are bounded by 
rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  29[deg]17[mi  85[deg]50[mi
                                                        n]            n]
B...........................................  29[deg]17[mi  85[deg]38[mi
                                                        n]            n]
C...........................................  29[deg]06[mi  85[deg]38[mi
                                                        n]            n]
D...........................................  29[deg]06[mi  85[deg]50[mi
                                                        n]            n]
A...........................................  29[deg]17[mi  85[deg]50[mi
                                                        n]            n]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 220]]

    (ii) Steamboat Lumps is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  28[deg]14[mi  84[deg]48[mi
                                                        n]            n]
B...........................................  28[deg]14[mi  84[deg]37[mi
                                                        n]            n]
C...........................................  28[deg]03[mi  84[deg]37[mi
                                                        n]            n]
D...........................................  28[deg]03[mi  84[deg]48[mi
                                                        n]            n]
A...........................................  28[deg]14[mi  84[deg]48[mi
                                                        n]            n]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The provisions of paragraphs (k)(2) through (6) of this 
section apply within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps 
through June 16, 2010.
    (2) Possession of Gulf reef fish is prohibited, except for such 
possession aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as 
specified in paragraph (k)(4) of this section.
    (3) During November through April, all fishing is prohibited, and 
possession of any fish species is prohibited, except for such possession 
aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in 
paragraph (k)(4) of this section. The provisions of this paragraph, 
(k)(3), do not apply to highly migratory species.
    (4) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, transit means 
non-stop progression through the area; fishing gear appropriately stowed 
means -
    (i) A longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks are 
disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All buoys 
must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on deck.
    (ii) A trawl net may remain on deck, but trawl doors must be 
disconnected from the trawl gear and must be secured.
    (iii) A gillnet must be left on the drum. Any additional gillnets 
not attached to the drum must be stowed below deck.
    (iv) A rod and reel must be removed from the rod holder and stowed 
securely on or below deck. Terminal gear (i.e., hook, leader, sinker, 
flasher, or bait) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the 
rod and reel. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and 
stowed separately.
    (5) During May through October, surface trolling is the only 
allowable fishing activity. For the purpose of this paragraph (k)(5), 
surface trolling is defined as fishing with lines trailing behind a 
vessel which is in constant motion at speeds in excess of four knots 
with a visible wake. Such trolling may not involve the use of down 
riggers, wire lines, planers, or similar devices.
    (6) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, fish means 
finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and 
plant life other than marine mammals and birds. Highly migratory species 
means tuna species, marlin (Tetrapturus spp. and Makaira spp.), oceanic 
sharks, sailfishes (Istiophorus spp.), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
    (l) Closures of the commercial fishery for red snapper. The 
commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed 
from January 1 to noon on February 1 and thereafter from noon on the 
10th of each month to noon on the first of each succeeding month until 
the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(i)(A) is reached or until noon 
on October 1, whichever occurs first. From October 1 to December 1, the 
commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed 
from noon on the 10th of each month to noon on the first of each 
succeeding month until the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(i)(B) 
is reached or until the end of the fishing year, whichever occurs first. 
All times are local times. During these closed periods, the possession 
of red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ and in the Gulf on board a vessel 
for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to where such red 
snapper were harvested, is limited to the bag and possession limits, as 
specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(iii) and (b)(2), respectively, and such 
red snapper are subject to the prohibition on sale or purchase of red 
snapper possessed under the bag limit, as specified in Sec. 
622.45(c)(1). However, when the recreational quota for red snapper has 
been reached and the bag and possession limit has been reduced to zero, 
the limit for such possession during a closed period is zero. Also note 
that if commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in 
excess of applicable bag/possession limits, are on board the vessel, no 
bag limit of Gulf reef fish

[[Page 221]]

may be possessed, as specified in Sec. 622.39(a)(5).
    (m) Closures of the recreational fishery for red snapper. The 
recreational fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed 
from January 1 through April 20 and from November 1 through December 31. 
During a closure, the bag and possession limit for red snapper in or 
from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
    (n) Seasonal closure of the commercial fishery for vermilion 
snapper. The commercial fishery for vermilion snapper in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is closed from April 22 through May 31, each year. During the 
closure, no person aboard a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial 
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued may fish for or possess 
vermilion snapper in the Gulf, regardless of where harvested. However, a 
person aboard a vessel for which the permit indicates both charter 
vessel/headboat for Gulf reef fish and commercial Gulf reef fish may 
continue to retain vermilion snapper under the bag and possession limits 
specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(v) and (b)(2), respectively, provided 
the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. During the 
closure, the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper is prohibited as 
specified in Sec. 622.45(c)(5).
    (o) Seasonal closure of the commercial fishery for gag, red grouper, 
and black grouper. From February 15 to March 15, each year, no person 
aboard a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish has been issued may possess gag, red grouper, or black grouper 
in the Gulf, regardless of where harvested. However, a person aboard a 
vessel for which the permit indicates both charter vessel/headboat for 
Gulf reef fish and commercial Gulf reef fish may continue to retain gag, 
red grouper, and black grouper under the bag and possession limit 
specified in Sec. 622.39(b), provided the vessel is operating as a 
charter vessel or headboat. From February 15 until March 15, each year, 
the sale or purchase of gag, red grouper, or black grouper is prohibited 
as specified in Sec. 622.45(c)(4).
    (p) Closures of the Gulf group king mackerel gillnet fishery. The 
gillnet fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in or from the Gulf EEZ is 
closed each fishing year from July 1 until 6:00 a.m. on the day after 
the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday. The gillnet fishery also is 
closed during all subsequent weekends and observed Federal holidays, 
except for the first weekend following the Martin Luther King Jr. 
holiday which will remain open to the gillnet fishery provided a 
notification of closure of that fishery has not been filed under Sec. 
622.43(a). Weekend closures are effective from 6:00 a.m. Saturday to 
6:00 a.m. Monday. Holiday closures are effective from 6:00 a.m. on the 
observed Federal holiday to 6:00 a.m. the following day. All times are 
eastern standard time. During these closures, a person aboard a vessel 
using or possessing a gillnet with a stretched-mesh size of 4.75 inches 
(12.1 cm) or larger in the southern Florida west coast subzone may not 
fish for or possess Gulf group king mackerel.
    (q) [Reserved]
    (r) Pulley Ridge HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, 
buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are 
prohibited year-round in the area of the HAPC bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      A                       24[deg]58[mi  83[deg]38[mi
                                                 n]18[sec]     n]33[sec]
                      B                       24[deg]58[mi  83[deg]37[mi
                                                 n]18[sec]     n]00[sec]
                      C                       24[deg]41[mi  83[deg]37[mi
                                                 n]11[sec]     n]00[sec]
                      D                       24[deg]40[mi  83[deg]41[mi
                                                 n]00[sec]     n]22[sec]
                      E                       24[deg]43[mi  83[deg]47[mi
                                                 n]55[sec]     n]15[sec]
                      A                       24[deg]58[mi  83[deg]38[mi
                                                 n]18[sec]     n]33[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (s) Stetson Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, 
buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are 
prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      A                       28[deg]10[mi  94[deg]18[mi
                                               n]38.3[sec]   n]36.5[sec]
                      B                       28[deg]10[mi  94[deg]17[mi
                                               n]38.3[sec]   n]06.3[sec]
                      C                       28[deg]09[mi  94[deg]17[mi
                                               n]18.6[sec]   n]06.3[sec]
                      D                       28[deg]09[mi  94[deg]18[mi
                                               n]18.6[sec]   n]36.5[sec]
                      A                       28[deg]10[mi  94[deg]18[mi
                                               n]38.3[sec]   n]36.5[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (t) McGrail Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, 
buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are 
prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

[[Page 222]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      A                       27[deg]59[mi  92[deg]37[mi
                                               n]06.0[sec]   n]19.2[sec]
                      B                       27[deg]59[mi  92[deg]32[mi
                                               n]06.0[sec]   n]17.4[sec]
                      C                       27[deg]55[mi  92[deg]32[mi
                                               n]55.5[sec]   n]17.4[sec]
                      D                       27[deg]55[mi  92[deg]37[mi
                                               n]55.5[sec]   n]19.2[sec]
                      A                       27[deg]59[mi  92[deg]37[mi
                                               n]06.0[sec]   n]19.2[sec]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 48642, Sept. 16, 1996; 
62 FR 46679, Sept. 4, 1997; 62 FR 47767, Sept. 11, 1997; 62 FR 67722, 
Dec. 30, 1997; 64 FR 47713, Sept. 1, 1999; 64 FR 57404, Oct. 25, 1999; 
64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 30363, May 11, 2000; 65 FR 31830, May 
19, 2000; 65 FR 50162, Aug. 17, 2000; 67 FR 47468, July 19, 2002; 69 FR 
24535, May 4, 2004; 70 FR 33389, June 8, 2005; 70 FR 76219, Dec. 23, 
2005; 71 FR 45435, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 622.35  Atlantic EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

    (a) Allowable octocoral closed area. No person may harvest or 
possess allowable octocoral in the South Atlantic EEZ north of 
28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly 
Building, Cape Canaveral, FL).
    (b) Longline closed areas. A longline may not be used to fish in the 
EEZ for South Atlantic snapper-grouper south of 27[deg]10[min] N. lat. 
(due east of the entrance to St. Lucie Inlet, FL); or north of 
27[deg]10[min] N. lat. where the charted depth is less than 50 fathoms 
(91.4 m), as shown on the latest edition of the largest scale NOAA chart 
of the location. A person aboard a vessel with a longline on board that 
fishes on a trip in the South Atlantic EEZ south of 27[deg]10[min] N. 
lat., or north of 27[deg]10[min] N. lat. where the charted depth is less 
than 50 fathoms (91.4 m), is limited on that trip to the bag limit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper for which a bag limit is specified in 
Sec. 622.39(d)(1), and to zero for all other South Atlantic snapper-
grouper. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is considered to 
have a longline on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a cable 
or monofilament of diameter and length suitable for use in the longline 
fishery, and gangions are on board. Removal of any one of these three 
elements constitutes removal of a longline.
    (c) Oculina Bank--(1) HAPC. The Oculina Bank HAPC encompasses an 
area bounded on the north by 28[deg]30[min] N. lat., on the south by 
27[deg]30[min] N. lat., on the east by the 100-fathom (183-m) contour, 
as shown on the latest edition of NOAA chart 11460, and on the west by 
80[deg]00[min] W. long.; and two adjacent areas: the first bounded on 
the north by 28[deg]30[min] N. lat., on the south by 28[deg]29[min] N. 
lat., on the east by 80[deg]00[min] W. long., and on the west by 
80[deg]03[min] W. long.; and the second bounded on the north by 
28[deg]17[min] N. lat., on the south by 28[deg]16[min] N. lat., on the 
east by 80[deg]00[min] W. long., and on the west by 80[deg]03[min] W. 
long. In the Oculina Bank HAPC, no person may:
    (i) Use a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap.
    (ii) If aboard a fishing vessel, anchor, use an anchor and chain, or 
use a grapple and chain.
    (iii) Fish for rock shrimp or possess rock shrimp in or from the 
area on board a fishing vessel.
    (2) Experimental closed area. Within the Oculina Bank HAPC, the 
experimental closed area is bounded on the north by 27[deg]53[min] N. 
lat., on the south by 27[deg]30[min] N. lat., on the east by 
79[deg]56[min] W. long., and on the west by 80[deg]00[min] W. long. No 
person may fish for South Atlantic snapper-grouper in the experimental 
closed area, and no person may retain South Atlantic snapper-grouper in 
or from the area. In the experimental closed area, any South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper taken incidentally by hook-and-line gear must be 
released immediately by cutting the line without removing the fish from 
the water.
    (d) South Atlantic shrimp cold weather closure. (1) Pursuant to the 
procedures and criteria established in the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region, when Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, or 
South Carolina closes all or a portion of its waters of the South 
Atlantic to the harvest of brown, pink, and white shrimp, the Assistant 
Administrator may concurrently close the South Atlantic EEZ adjacent to 
the closed state waters by filing a notification of closure with the 
Office of the Federal Register. Closure of the adjacent EEZ will be 
effective until the ending date of the closure in state waters, but may 
be ended earlier based on the state's request. In the latter case, the 
Assistant Administrator will terminate a closure of the EEZ by filing a 
notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register.
    (2) During a closure, as specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section--

[[Page 223]]

    (i) No person may trawl for brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or white 
shrimp in the closed portion of the EEZ (closed area); and no person may 
possess on board a fishing vessel brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or white 
shrimp in or from a closed area, except as authorized in paragraph 
(d)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) No person aboard a vessel trawling in that part of a closed 
area that is within 25 nm of the baseline from which the territorial sea 
is measured may use or have on board a trawl net with a mesh size less 
than 4 inches (10.2 cm), as measured between the centers of opposite 
knots when pulled taut.
    (iii) Brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or white shrimp may be possessed on 
board a fishing vessel in a closed area, provided the vessel is in 
transit and all trawl nets with a mesh size less than 4 inches (10.2 
cm), as measured between the centers of opposite knots when pulled taut, 
are stowed below deck while transiting the closed area. For the purpose 
of this paragraph, a vessel is in transit when it is on a direct and 
continuous course through a closed area.
    (e) SMZs. (1) The SMZs consist of artificial reefs and surrounding 
areas as follows:
    (i) Paradise Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]31.59[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]30.51[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]57.55[min] W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]58.85[min] W. 
long.
    (ii) Ten Mile Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]26.65[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]24.80[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]51.08[min] W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]52.97[min] W. 
long.
    (iii) Pawleys Island Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]26.58[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]25.76[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]00.29[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]01.24[min] W. long.
    (iv) Georgetown Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]14.90[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]13.85[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]59.45[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]00.65[min] W. 
long.
    (v) Capers Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]45.45[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]43.91[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]33.81[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]35.10[min] W. 
long.
    (vi) Kiawah Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]29.78[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]28.25[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]59.00[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]00.95[min] W. 
long.
    (vii) Edisto Offshore Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]15.30[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]13.90[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]50.25[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]51.45[min] W. long.
    (viii) Hunting Island Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]13.72[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]12.30[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]19.23[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]21.00[min] W. long.
    (ix) Fripp Island Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]15.92[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]14.75[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]21.62[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]22.90[min] W. 
long.
    (x) Betsy Ross Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]03.60[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]02.88[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]24.57[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]25.50[min] W. 
long.
    (xi) Hilton Head Reef/Artificial Reef--T is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]00.71[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]59.42[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]35.23[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]36.37[min] W. long.
    (xii) Artificial Reef--A is bounded on the north by 30[deg]57.4[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]55.4[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]13.9[min] W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]16.3[min] W. long.
    (xiii) Artificial Reef--C is bounded on the north by 
30[deg]52.0[min] N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]50.0[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 81[deg]08.5[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
81[deg]10.9[min] W. long.
    (xiv) Artificial Reef--G is bounded on the north by 31[deg]00.0[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]58.0[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]56.8[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]59.2[min] W. long.
    (xv) Artificial Reef--F is bounded on the north by 31[deg]06.8[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]04.8[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]10.5[min] W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]13.4[min] W. long.
    (xvi) Artificial Reef--J is bounded on the north by 31[deg]36.7[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]34.7[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]47.3[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]50.1[min] W. long.
    (xvii) Artificial Reef--L is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]46.0[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]44.0[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by

[[Page 224]]

80[deg]34.7[min] W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]37.1[min] W. long.
    (xviii) Artificial Reef--KC is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]51.2[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]49.2[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]45.3[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]47.7[min] W. long.
    (xix) Ft. Pierce Inshore Reef is bounded on the north by 
27[deg]26.8[min] N. lat.; on the south by 27[deg]25.8[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]09.24[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]10.36[min] W. long.
    (xx) Ft. Pierce Offshore Reef is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  27[deg]23.68  80[deg]03.95
                                                     [min]         [min]
B...........................................  27[deg]22.80  80[deg]03.60
                                                     [min]         [min]
C...........................................  27[deg]23.94  80[deg]00.02
                                                     [min]         [min]
D...........................................  27[deg]24.85  80[deg]00.33
                                                     [min]         [min]
A...........................................  27[deg]23.68  80[deg]03.95
                                                     [min]         [min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (xxi) Key Biscayne/Artificial Reef--H is bounded on the north by 
25[deg]42.82[min] N. lat.; on the south by 25[deg]41.32[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]04.22[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]05.53[min] W. long.
    (xxii) Little River Offshore Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]42.10[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]41.10[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 78[deg]26.40[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
78[deg]27.10[min] W. long.
    (xxiii) BP-25 Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]21.70[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]20.70[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]24.80[min] W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]25.60[min] W. 
long.
    (xxiv) Vermilion Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]57.80[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]57.30[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]39.30[min] W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]40.10[min] W. 
long.
    (xxv) Cape Romaine Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]00.00[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]59.50[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]02.01[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]02.62[min] W. 
long.
    (xxvi) Y-73 Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]33.20[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]32.70[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]19.10[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]19.70[min] W. 
long.
    (xxvii) Eagles Nest Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]01.48[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]00.98[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]30.00[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]30.65[min] W. long.
    (xxviii) Bill Perry Jr. Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]26.20[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]25.20[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 78[deg]32.70[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
78[deg]33.80[min] W. long.
    (xxix) Comanche Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]27.40[min] N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]26.90[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]18.80[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]19.60[min] W. 
long.
    (xxx) Murrel's Inlet 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]17.50[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]16.50[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 78[deg]44.67[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
78[deg]45.98[min] W. long.
    (xxxi) Georgetown 95 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]11.75[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]10.75[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 78[deg]24.10[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
78[deg]25.63[min] W. long.
    (xxxii) New Georgetown 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]09.25[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]07.75[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 78[deg]49.95[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
78[deg]51.45[min] W. long.
    (xxxiii) North Inlet 45 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]21.03[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]20.03[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]00.31[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]01.51[min] W. long.
    (xxxiv) CJ Davidson Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]06.48[min] N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]05.48[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]00.27[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]01.39[min] W. long.
    (xxxv) Greenville Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]57.25[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]56.25[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]54.25[min] W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]55.25[min] W. 
long.
    (xxxvi) Charleston 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]33.60[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]32.60[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]39.70[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]40.90[min] W. long.
    (xxxvii) Edisto 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]21.75[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]20.75[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]04.10[min] W. longitude; and on the west by 
80[deg]05.70[min] W. long.
    (xxxviii) Edisto 40 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]25.78[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]24.78[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]11.24[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]12.32[min] W. long.
    (xxxix) Beaufort 45 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]07.65[min] N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]06.65[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]28.80[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]29.80[min] W. long.

[[Page 225]]

    (xl) Artificial Reef--ALT is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]18.6[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]16.6[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 81[deg]07.0[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
81[deg]09.4[min] W. long.
    (xli) Artificial Reef--CAT is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]40.2[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]38.2[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]56.2[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]58.6[min] W. long.
    (xlii) Artificial Reef--CCA is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]43.7[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]41.7[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]40.0[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]42.3[min] W. long.
    (xliii) Artificial Reef--DRH is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]18.0[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]16.0[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]56.6[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]59.0[min] W. long.
    (xliv) Artificial Reef--DUA is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]47.8[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]45.8[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]52.1[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]54.5[min] W. long.
    (xlv) Artificial Reef--DW is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]22.8[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]20.3[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 79[deg]49.8[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
79[deg]51.1[min] W. long.
    (xlvi) Artificial Reef--KBY is bounded on the north by 
30[deg]48.6[min] N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]46.6[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 81[deg]15.0[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
81[deg]17.4[min] W. long.
    (xlvii) Artificial Reef--KTK is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]31.3[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]29.3[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]59.1[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
81[deg]01.5[min] W. long.
    (xlviii) Artificial Reef--MRY is bounded on the north by 
30[deg]47.5[min] N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]45.5[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 81[deg]05.5[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
81[deg]07.8[min] W. long.
    (xlix) Artificial Reef--SAV is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]55.4[min] N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]53.4[min] N. lat.; on 
the east by 80[deg]45.2[min] W. long.; and on the west by 
80[deg]47.6[min] W. long.
    (l) Artificial Reef--SFC is bounded on the north by 31[deg]00.8[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]59.8[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]02.2[min] W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]03.4[min] W. long.
    (li) Artificial Reef--WW is bounded on the north by 31[deg]43.5[min] 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]42.2[min] N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]57.7[min] W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]59.3[min] W. long.
    (2) To determine what restrictions apply in the SMZs listed in Sec. 
622.35(e)(1), follow this table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   IN SMZs SPECIFIED IN THE FOLLOWING
      PARAGRAPHS OF Sec.  622.35            THESE RESTRICTIONS APPLY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e)(1)(i) through (x), (e)(1)(xx), and   Use of a powerhead to take
 (e)(1)(xxii) through (xxxix).            South Atlantic snapper-grouper
                                          is prohibited. Possession of a
                                          powerhead and a mutilated
                                          South Atlantic snapper-grouper
                                          in, or after having fished in,
                                          one of these SMZs constitutes
                                          prima facie evidence that such
                                          fish was taken with a
                                          powerhead in the SMZ.
(e)(1)(i) through (xviii) and            Fishing may only be conducted
 (e)(1)(xxii) through (li).               with handline, rod and reel,
                                          and spearfishing gear.
(e)(1)(i) through (li).................  Use of a sea bass pot or bottom
                                          longline is prohibited.
(e)(1)(xii) through (xviii) and          Possession of South Atlantic
 (e)(1)(xl) through (li).                 snapper-grouper taken with a
                                          powerhead is limited to the
                                          bag limits specified in Sec.
                                          622.39(d)(1).
(e)(1)(xix) and (e)(1)(xx).............  A hydraulic or electric reel
                                          that is permanently affixed to
                                          the vessel is prohibited when
                                          fishing for South Atlantic
                                          snapper-grouper.
(e)(1)(xix) and (e)(1)(xxi)............  Use of spearfishing gear is
                                          prohibited.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Golden crab trap closed areas. In the golden crab northern zone, 
a golden crab trap may not be deployed in waters less than 900 ft (274 
m) deep. In the golden crab middle and southern zones, a golden crab 
trap may not be deployed in waters less than 700 ft (213 m) deep. See 
Sec. 622.17(b) for specification of the golden crab zones.
    (g) Pelagic sargassum area and seasonal restrictions--(1) Area 
limitations. (i) No person may harvest pelagic sargassum in the South 
Atlantic EEZ between 36[deg]34[min]55[sec] N. lat. (directly east from 
the Virginia/North Carolina boundary) and 34[deg] N. lat., within 100 
nautical miles east of the North Carolina coast.

[[Page 226]]

    (ii) No person may harvest or possess pelagic sargassum in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ south of 34[deg] N. lat.
    (2) Seasonal limitation. No person may harvest or possess pelagic 
sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ during the months of July 
through October. This prohibition on possession does not apply to 
pelagic sargassum that was harvested and landed ashore prior to the 
closed period.
    (h) Dolphin/wahoo closed areas. (1) If pelagic longline gear is on 
board a vessel, a person aboard such vessel may not fish for or retain a 
dolphin or wahoo--
    (i) In the Northeastern United States closed area from June 1 
through June 30 each year. The Northeastern United States closed area is 
that portion of the EEZ between 40[deg] N. lat. and 39[deg] N. lat. from 
68[deg] W. long. to 74[deg] W. long.
    (ii) In the Charleston Bump closed area from February 1 through 
April 30 each year. The Charleston Bump closed area is that portion of 
the EEZ off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia between 34[deg] 
N. lat. and 31[deg] N. lat. and west of 76[deg] W. long.
    (iii) In the East Florida Coast closed area year round. The East 
Florida Coast closed area is that portion of the EEZ off Georgia and the 
east coast of Florida from the inner boundary of the EEZ at 31[deg] N. 
lat.; thence due east to 78[deg] W. long.; thence by a rhumb line to 
28[deg]17[min] N. lat., 79[deg]12[min] W. long.; thence proceeding in a 
southerly direction along the outer boundary of the EEZ to 24[deg] N. 
lat.; thence due west to 24[deg] N. lat., 81[deg]47[min] W. long.; 
thence due north to the innermost boundary of the EEZ at 81[deg]47[min] 
W. long.
    (2) A vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board 
when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of 
supporting the mainline, and gangions with hooks are on board. Removal 
of any one of these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline 
gear.
    (3) If a vessel is in a closed area during a time specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this section with pelagic longline gear on board, it 
is a rebuttable presumption that fish on board such vessel were taken 
with pelagic longline gear in the closed area.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43959, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 47449, Sept. 9, 1996; 63 FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 
28, 1998; 63 FR 71794, Dec. 30, 1998; 65 FR 37295, June 14, 2000; 65 FR 
61115, Oct. 16, 2000; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 69 FR 30241, May 27, 
2004]



Sec. 622.36  Seasonal harvest limitations.

    (a) Gulf EEZ. During March, April, and May, each year, the 
possession of greater amberjack in or from the Gulf EEZ and in the Gulf 
on board a vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has 
been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to 
where such greater amberjack were harvested, is limited to the bag and 
possession limits, as specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(i) and (b)(2), 
respectively, and such greater amberjack are subject to the prohibition 
on sale or purchase of greater amberjack possessed under the bag limit, 
as specified in Sec. 622.45(c)(1). Also note that if commercial 
quantities of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of 
applicable bag/possession limits, are on board the vessel, no bag limit 
of Gulf reef fish may be possessed, as specified in Sec. 622.39(a)(5).
    (b) South Atlantic EEZ--(1) Greater amberjack spawning season. 
During April, each year, the possession of greater amberjack in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ and in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for 
which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such greater amberjack were harvested, is limited to one per person per 
day or one per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. Such 
greater amberjack are subject to the prohibition on sale or purchase, as 
specified in Sec. 622.45(d)(6).
    (2) Mutton snapper spawning season. During May and June, each year, 
the possession of mutton snapper in or from the EEZ on board a vessel 
that has a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper is 
limited to 10 per person per day or 10 per person per trip, whichever is 
more restrictive.
    (3) Wreckfish spawning-season closure. From January 15 through April 
15, each

[[Page 227]]

year, no person may harvest or possess on a fishing vessel wreckfish in 
or from the EEZ; offload wreckfish from the EEZ; or sell or purchase 
wreckfish in or from the EEZ. The prohibition on sale or purchase of 
wreckfish does not apply to trade in wreckfish that were harvested, 
offloaded, and sold or purchased prior to January 15 and were held in 
cold storage by a dealer or processor.
    (4) Black grouper and gag. During March and April, each year, the 
possession of black grouper and gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
and in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, without regard to where such black grouper or 
gag were harvested, is limited to two black grouper or gag, combined, 
per person per day or two black grouper or gag, combined, per person per 
trip, whichever is more restrictive. Such black grouper or gag are 
subject to the prohibition on sale or purchase, as specified in Sec. 
622.45(d)(5).
    (5) Red porgy. During January, February, March, and April, each 
year, the harvest or possession of red porgy in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, and in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a 
valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued without regard to where such 
red porgy were harvested, is limited to one per person per day or one 
per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. Such red porgy are 
subject to the prohibition on sale or puchase, as specified in Sec. 
622.45(d)(5).

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 67723, Dec. 30, 1997; 64 
FR 3627, Jan. 25, 1999; 65 FR 51252, Aug. 23, 2000; 71 FR 45435; Aug. 9, 
2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55106, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.36 
was amended by revising paragraph (b)(5), effective Oct. 23, 2006. For 
the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.36  Atlantic EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

                                * * * * *

    (b) * * *
    (5) Red porgy. During January, February, March, and April, the 
harvest or possession of red porgy in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
limited to three per person per day or three per person per trip, 
whichever is more restrictive. In addition, this limitation is 
applicable in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued without regard to where such red porgy 
were harvested. Such red porgy are subject to the prohibition on sale or 
purchase, as specified in Sec. 622.45(d)(5).



Sec. 622.37  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. Except for undersized king and Spanish mackerel 
allowed in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section, a fish not in 
compliance with its size limit, as specified in this section, in or from 
the Caribbean, Gulf, South Atlantic, and/or Mid-Atlantic EEZ, as 
appropriate, may not be possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in 
compliance with its size limit must be released immediately with a 
minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that fish on board are in compliance with the 
size limits specified in this section.
    (a) Caribbean reef fish: Yellowtail snapper--12 inches (30.5 cm), 
TL.
    (b) Caribbean spiny lobster--3.5 inches (8.9 cm), carapace length.
    (c) Coastal migratory pelagic fish. (1) Cobia in the Gulf, Mid-
Atlantic, or South Atlantic--33 inches (83.8 cm), fork length.
    (2) King mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic--24 
inches (61.0 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a 
quota for king mackerel specified in Sec. 622.42(c)(1) may possess 
undersized king mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by 
weight, of the king mackerel on board.
    (3) Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic--
12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a 
quota for Spanish mackerel specified in Sec. 622.42(c)(2) may possess 
undersized Spanish mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by 
weight, of the Spanish mackerel on board.
    (d) Gulf reef fish--(1) Snapper. (i) Lane snapper--8 inches (20.3 
cm), TL.

[[Page 228]]

    (ii) Vermilion snapper--11 inches (27.9 cm), TL.
    (iii) Cubera, dog, gray, mahogany, and yellowtail snappers and 
schoolmaster--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (iv) Red snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a 
person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(iii) and 
15 inches (38.1 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person not subject to the 
bag limit.
    (v) Mutton snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (2) Grouper. (i) Scamp--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (ii) Red grouper and yellowfin grouper--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
    (iii) Black grouper and gag--(A) For a person not subject to the bag 
limit specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(ii)--24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
    (B) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec. 
622.39(b)(1)(ii)--22 inches (55.9 cm), TL.
    (3) Other Gulf reef fish species. (i) Gray triggerfish--12 inches 
(30.5 cm), TL.
    (ii) Hogfish--12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
    (iii) Banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack--14 inches (35.6 cm), 
fork length (minimum size); 22 inches (55.9 cm), fork length (maximum 
size).
    (iv) Greater amberjack--28 inches (71.1 cm), fork length, for a fish 
taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec. 
622.39(b)(1)(i); and 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken 
by a person not subject to the bag limit.
    (4) A person aboard a vessel that has a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish and commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, 
i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession limits, may 
not possess any Gulf reef fish that do not comply with the applicable 
commercial minimum size limit.
    (e) South Atlantic snapper-grouper--(1) Snapper. (i) Lane snapper--8 
inches (20.3 cm), TL.
    (ii) Vermilion snapper--11 inches (27.9 cm), TL, for a fish taken by 
a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec. 622.39 (d)(1)(v) 
and 12 inches (30.5 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person not subject to 
the bag limit.
    (iii) Blackfin, cubera, dog, gray, mahogany, queen, silk, and 
yellowtail snappers; and schoolmaster--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (iv) Mutton snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (v) Red snapper--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
    (2) Grouper. (i) Red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper; and 
scamp--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
    (ii) Black grouper and gag--24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
    (3) Other snapper-grouper species. (i) Black sea bass--10 inches 
(25.4 cm), TL.
    (ii) Gray triggerfish in the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida--12 
inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (iii) Hogfish--12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
    (iv) Red porgy--14 inches (35.6 cm), TL.
    (v) Greater amberjack--28 inches (71.1 cm), fork length, for a fish 
taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec. 
622.39(d)(1)(i) and 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken 
by a person not subject to the bag limit.
    (f) Gulf shrimp. White shrimp harvested in the EEZ are subject to 
the minimum-size landing and possession limits of Louisiana when 
possessed within the jurisdiction of that State.
    (g) Caribbean queen conch--9 inches (22.9 cm) in length, that is, 
from the tip of the spire to the distal end of the shell, and \3/8\ inch 
(9.5 mm) in lip width at its widest point. A queen conch with a length 
of at least 9 inches (22.9 cm) or a lip width of at least \3/8\ inch 
(9.5 mm) is not undersized.
    (h) Dolphin in the Atlantic off Florida and off Georgia--20 inches 
(50.8 cm), fork length.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 65483, Dec. 13, 1996; 62 
FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 63 FR 444, Jan. 6, 1998; 63 FR 10567, Mar. 4, 
1998; 64 FR 3628, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 45459, Aug. 20, 1999; 64 FR 
57404, Oct. 25, 1999; 65 FR 31831, May 19, 2000; 65 FR 50162, Aug. 17, 
2000; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 33389, June 8, 2005; 71 FR 45435; 
Aug. 9, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55107, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.37 
was amended by revising paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) and (e)(3)(i), effective 
Oct. 23, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set 
forth as follows:



Sec. 622.37  Size limits.

                                * * * * *

    (e) * * *

[[Page 229]]

    (1) * * *
    (ii) Vermillion snapper--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.

                                * * * * *

    (3) * * *
    (i) Black sea bass. (A) For a fish taken by a person subject to the 
bag limit specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(1)(vii):
    (1) Through May 31, 2007--11 inches (27.9 cm), TL; and
    (2) On and after June 1, 2007--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (B) For a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit in 
Sec. 622.39(d)(1)--10 inches (25.4 cm), TL.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.38  Landing fish intact.

    The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for 
ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, 
if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading ashore, 
as specified in this section.
    (a) The following must be maintained with head and fins intact: 
cobia, king mackerel, and Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-
Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, except as specified for king mackerel 
in paragraph (g) of this section; dolphin and wahoo in or from the 
Atlantic EEZ; South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, except as specified in paragraph (h) of this section; 
finfish in or from the Caribbean EEZ, except as specified in paragraphs 
(c) and (d) of this section; and finfish in or from the Gulf EEZ, except 
as specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. Such fish may be 
eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a 
whole condition.
    (b) A Caribbean spiny lobster in or from the Caribbean EEZ must be 
maintained with head and carapace intact.
    (c) Shark, swordfish, and tuna species are exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) In the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ:
    (1) Bait is exempt from the requirement to be maintained with head 
and fins intact. See Sec. 622.31(m) regarding a prohibition on the use 
of Gulf reef fish as bait.
    (i) For the purpose of this paragraph (d)(1), ``bait'' means--
    (A) Packaged, headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and 
are frozen or refrigerated;
    (B) Headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and are held 
in brine; or
    (C) Small pieces no larger than 3 in3 (7.6 cm3) or strips no larger 
than 3 inches by 9 inches (7.6 cm by 22.9 cm) that have the skin 
attached and are frozen, refrigerated, or held in brine.
    (ii) Paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section notwithstanding, a finfish 
or part thereof possessed in or landed from the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean 
EEZ that is subsequently sold or purchased as a finfish species, rather 
than as bait, is not bait.
    (2) Legal-sized finfish possessed for consumption at sea on the 
harvesting vessel are exempt from the requirement to have head and fins 
intact, provided--
    (i) Such finfish do not exceed any applicable bag limit;
    (ii) Such finfish do not exceed 1.5 lb (680 g) of finfish parts per 
person aboard; and
    (iii) The vessel is equipped to cook such finfish on board.
    (e) A golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ must be 
maintained in whole condition through landing ashore. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, whole means a crab that is in its natural condition 
and that has not been gutted or separated into component pieces, e.g., 
clusters.
    (f) Queen conch in or from the Caribbean EEZ must be maintained with 
meat and shell intact.
    (g) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that comply with the 
minimum size limits in Sec. 622.37(c)(2) and (c)(3), respectively, and 
the trip limits in Sec. 622.44(a) and (b), respectively, may be 
possessed in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ on, and 
offloaded ashore from, a vessel that is operating under the respective 
trip limits. Such cut-off fish also may be sold. A maximum of five 
additional cut-off (damaged) king mackerel, not subject to the size 
limits or trip limits, may be possessed or offloaded ashore but may not 
be sold or purchased and are not counted against the trip limit.

[[Page 230]]

    (h) In the South Atlantic EEZ, snapper-grouper lawfully harvested in 
Bahamian waters are exempt from the requirement that they be maintained 
with head and fins intact, provided valid Bahamian fishing and cruising 
permits are on board the vessel and the vessel is in transit through the 
South Atlantic EEZ. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is in 
transit through the South Atlantic EEZ when it is on a direct and 
continuous course through the South Atlantic EEZ and no one aboard the 
vessel fishes in the EEZ.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43959, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 65483, Dec. 13, 1996; 63 FR 10567, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 38303, July 
16, 1998; 64 FR 3628, Jan. 25, 1999; 65 FR 16340, Mar. 28, 2000; 67 FR 
22362, May 3, 2002; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 62081, Oct. 28, 
2005; 71 FR 45436, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 622.39  Bag and possession limits.

    (a) Applicability. (1) The bag and possession limits apply for 
species/species groups listed in this section in or from the EEZ. Unless 
specified otherwise, bag limits apply to a person on a daily basis, 
regardless of the number of trips in a day. Unless specified otherwise, 
possession limits apply to a person on a trip after the first 24 hours 
of that trip. The bag and possession limits apply to a person who fishes 
in the EEZ in any manner, except a person aboard a vessel in the EEZ 
that has on board the commercial vessel permit required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2) for the appropriate species/species group. However, see 
Sec. 622.32 for limitations on taking prohibited and limited-harvest 
species. The limitations in Sec. 622.32 apply without regard to whether 
the species is harvested by a vessel operating under a commercial vessel 
permit or by a person subject to the bag limits. The possession of a 
commercial vessel permit notwithstanding, the bag and possession limits 
apply when the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. A 
person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a bag limit specified in 
this section with a bag or possession limit applicable to state waters. 
A species/species group subject to a bag limit specified in this section 
taken in the EEZ by a person subject to the bag limits may not be 
transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, and 
such fish may not be transferred in the EEZ. The operator of a vessel 
that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that the bag and 
possession limits specified in this section are not exceeded.
    (2) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section notwithstanding, bag and 
possession limits also apply for Gulf reef fish in or from the EEZ to a 
person aboard a vessel that has on board a commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish--
    (i) When trawl gear or entangling net gear is on board. A vessel is 
considered to have trawl gear on board when trawl doors and a net are on 
board. Removal from the vessel of all trawl doors or all nets 
constitutes removal of trawl gear.
    (ii) When a longline or buoy gear is on board and the vessel is 
fishing or has fished on a trip in the reef fish longline and buoy gear 
restricted area specified in Sec. 622.34(c). A vessel is considered to 
have a longline on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a cable 
of diameter and length suitable for use in the longline fishery, and 
gangions are on board. Removal of any one of these three elements, in 
its entirety, constitutes removal of a longline.
    (iii) For a species/species group when its quota has been reached 
and closure has been effected, provided that no commercial quantities of 
Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/
possession limits, are on board as specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section.
    (iv) When the vessel has on board or is tending any trap other than 
a fish trap authorized under Sec. 622.40(a)(2), a stone crab trap, or a 
spiny lobster trap.
    (3) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section notwithstanding, the bag and 
other limits specified in Sec. 622.35(b) apply for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper in or from the EEZ to a person aboard a vessel for which 
a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued 
that has on board a longline in the longline closed area.
    (4) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section notwithstanding, a person 
aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued must comply with the bag limits 
specified in paragraph (d)(1) of

[[Page 231]]

this section for South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken with a powerhead, 
regardless of where taken, when such snapper-grouper are possessed in an 
SMZ specified in Sec. 622.35(e)(1)(xii) through (e)(1)(xviii) or 
(e)(1)(xl) through (e)(1)(li).
    (5) A person aboard a vessel that has a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish and commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, 
i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession limits, may 
not possess Gulf reef fish caught under a bag limit.
    (b) Gulf reef fish--(1) Bag limits. (i) Greater amberjack--1.
    (ii) Groupers, combined, excluding goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper -5 per person per day, but not to exceed 1 speckled hind or 1 
warsaw grouper per vessel per day or 1 red grouper per person per day. 
However, no grouper may be retained by the captain or crew of a vessel 
operating as a charter vessel or headboat--their bag limit is zero.
    (iii) Red snapper--4.
    (iv) Snappers, combined, excluding red, lane, and vermilion 
snapper--10.
    (v) Gulf reef fish, combined, excluding those specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iv) and paragraphs (b)(1)(vi) 
through (b)(1)(vii) of this section and excluding dwarf sand perch and 
sand perch--20, but not to exceed 10 vermilion snapper.
    (vi) Banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack, combined--5.
    (vii) Hogfish--5.
    (2) Possession limits. A person, or a vessel in the case of speckled 
hind or Warsaw grouper, on a trip that spans more than 24 hours may 
possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided such trip is on a 
vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, the vessel has 
two licensed operators aboard, and each passenger is issued and has in 
possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the 
length of the trip.
    (c) King and Spanish mackerel--(1) Bag limits. (i) Atlantic 
migratory group king mackerel--
    (A) Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic, other than off Florida--3.
    (B) Off Florida--2, which is the daily bag limit specified by 
Florida for its waters (Rule 46-12.004(1), Florida Administrative Code). 
If Florida changes its limit, the bag limit specified in this paragraph 
(c)(1)(i)(B) will be changed to conform to Florida's limit, provided 
such limit does not exceed 5.
    (ii) Gulf migratory group king mackerel--2.
    (iii) Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel--15.
    (iv) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel--15.
    (2) Possession limits. A person who is on a trip that spans more 
than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided 
such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each 
passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of 
the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.
    (d) South Atlantic snapper-grouper--(1) Bag limits. (i) Greater 
amberjack--1.
    (ii) Groupers, combined, excluding goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper, and tilefishes--5. However, within the 5-fish aggregate bag 
limit, no more than two fish may be gag or black grouper, combined.
    (iii) Hogfish in the South Atlantic off Florida--5.
    (iv) Snappers, combined, excluding cubera snapper measuring 30 
inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, in the South Atlantic off Florida, and 
excluding vermilion snapper--10, of which no more than 2 may be red 
snapper. (See Sec. 622.32(c)(2) for limitations on cubera snapper 
measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ off Florida.)
    (v) Vermilion snapper--10.
    (vi) Red porgy--1.
    (vii) Black sea bass--20.
    (viii) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, combined, excluding tomtate 
and blue runner and those specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through 
(vii) of this section--20.
    (2) Possession limits. (i) Provided each passenger is issued and has 
in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the 
duration of the trip--
    (A) A person aboard a charter vessel or headboat on a trip that 
spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits 
of species other than red porgy.

[[Page 232]]

    (B) A person aboard a headboat on a trip that spans more than 48 
hours and who can document that fishing was conducted on at least 3 days 
may possess no more than three daily bag limits of species other than 
red porgy.
    (ii) A person aboard a vessel may not possess red porgy in or from 
the EEZ in excess of one per day or one per trip, whichever is more 
restrictive.
    (3) Longline bag limits. Other provisions of this paragraph (d) 
notwithstanding, a person on a trip aboard a vessel for which the bag 
limits apply that has a longline on board is limited on that trip to the 
bag limit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper for which a bag limit is 
specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, and to zero for all other 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper. For the purpose of this paragraph 
(d)(3), a vessel is considered to have a longline on board when a power-
operated longline hauler, a cable or monofilament of diameter and length 
suitable for use in the longline fishery, and gangions are on board. 
Removal of any one of these three elements constitutes removal of a 
longline.
    (e) Caribbean queen conch--(1) Applicability. Paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section notwithstanding, the bag limit of paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section does not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing 
license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. See Sec. 
622.44 for the commercial daily trip limit.
    (2) Bag limit. The bag limit for queen conch in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ is 3 per person or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 
per boat.
    (f) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Bag and possession limits are as 
follows:
    (1) Dolphin--10, not to exceed 60 per vessel, whichever is less, 
except, on board a headboat, 10 per paying passenger.
    (2) Wahoo--2.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 65483, Dec. 13, 1996; 61 
FR 65985, Dec. 16, 1996; 62 FR 23674, May 1, 1997; 62 FR 67723, Dec. 30, 
1997; 63 FR 8356, Feb. 19, 1998; 63 FR 38303, July 16, 1998; 63 FR 
72203, Dec. 31, 1998; 64 FR 3628, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 33800, June 24, 
1999; 64 FR 45459, Aug. 20, 1999; 64 FR 47713, Sept. 1, 1999; 64 FR 
57404, Oct. 25, 1999; 65 FR 30363, May 11, 2000; 65 FR 41016, July 3, 
2000; 65 FR 50162, Aug. 17, 2000; 65 FR 51252, Aug. 23, 2000; 65 FR 
61116, Oct. 16, 2000; 66 FR 17369, Mar. 30, 2001; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 
2004; 69 FR 33320, June 15, 2004; 70 FR 33389, June 8, 2005; 71 FR 
34536, June 15, 2006; 71 FR 45436, Aug. 9, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55107, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.39 
was amended by revising paragraphs (d)(1)(ii), (d)(1)(vi), (d)(1)(vii), 
and (d)(2)(ii), effective Oct. 23, 2006. For the convenience of the 
user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.39  Bag and possession limits.

                                * * * * *

    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Groupers and tilefish, combined--5. However, within the 5-fish 
aggregate bag limit:
    (A) No more than two fish may be gag or black grouper, combined;
    (B) No more than one fish may be a snowy grouper;
    (C) No more than one fish may be a golden tilefish; and
    (D) No goliath grouper or Nassau grouper may be retained.

                                * * * * *

    (vi) Red porgy--3.
    (vii) Black sea bass--15.

                                * * * * *

    (2) * * *
    (ii) A person aboard a vessel may not possess red porgy in or from 
the EEZ in excess of three per day or three per trip, whichever is more 
restrictive.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.40  Limitations on traps and pots.

    (a) Tending--(1) Caribbean EEZ. A fish trap or Caribbean spiny 
lobster trap in the Caribbean EEZ may be pulled or tended only by a 
person (other than an authorized officer) aboard the fish trap or spiny 
lobster trap owner's vessel, or aboard another vessel if such vessel has

[[Page 233]]

on board written consent of the trap owner, or if the trap owner is 
aboard and has documentation verifying his identification number and 
color code. An owner's written consent must specify the time period such 
consent is effective and the trap owner's gear identification number and 
color code.
    (2) Gulf EEZ. A fish trap in the Gulf EEZ may be pulled or tended 
only by a person (other than an authorized officer) aboard the vessel 
with the fish trap endorsement to fish such trap. If such vessel has a 
breakdown that prevents it from retrieving its traps, the owner or 
operator must immediately notify the nearest NMFS Office of Enforcement 
and must obtain authorization for another vessel to retrieve and land 
its traps. The request for such authorization must include the requested 
effective period for the retrieval and landing, the persons and vessel 
to be authorized to retrieve the traps, and the point of landing of the 
traps. Such authorization will be specific as to the effective period, 
authorized persons and vessel, and point of landing. Such authorization 
is valid solely for the removal of fish traps from the EEZ and for 
harvest of fish incidental to such removal.
    (3) South Atlantic EEZ. A sea bass pot or golden crab trap in the 
South Atlantic EEZ may be pulled or tended only by a person (other than 
an authorized officer) aboard the vessel permitted to fish such pot or 
trap or aboard another vessel if such vessel has on board written 
consent of the owner or operator of the vessel so permitted. For golden 
crab only, a vessel with written consent on board must also possess a 
valid commercial vessel permit for golden crab.
    (b) Escape mechanisms--(1) Caribbean EEZ. (i) A fish trap used or 
possessed in the Caribbean EEZ must have a panel located on one side of 
the trap, excluding the top, bottom, and side containing the trap 
entrance. The opening covered by the panel must measure not less than 8 
by 8 inches (20.3 by 20.3 cm). The mesh size of the panel may not be 
smaller than the mesh size of the trap. The panel must be attached to 
the trap with untreated jute twine with a diameter not exceeding 1/8 
inch (3.2 mm). An access door may serve as the panel, provided it is on 
an appropriate side, it is hinged only at its bottom, its only other 
fastening is untreated jute twine with a diameter not exceeding 1/8 inch 
(3.2 mm), and such fastening is at the top of the door so that the door 
will fall open when such twine degrades. Jute twine used to secure a 
panel may not be wrapped or overlapped.
    (ii) A spiny lobster trap used or possessed in the Caribbean EEZ 
must contain on any vertical side or on the top a panel no smaller in 
diameter than the throat or entrance of the trap. The panel must be made 
of or attached to the trap by one of the following degradable materials:
    (A) Untreated fiber of biological origin with a diameter not 
exceeding \1/8\ inch (3.2 mm). This includes, but is not limited to tyre 
palm, hemp, jute, cotton, wool, or silk.
    (B) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire with a diameter not exceeding 
\1/16\ inch (1.6 mm), that is, 16 gauge wire.
    (2) Gulf EEZ. A fish trap used or possessed in the Gulf EEZ must 
have at least two escape windows on each of two sides, excluding the 
bottom (a total of four escape windows), that are 2 by 2 inches (5.1 by 
5.1 cm) or larger. In addition, a fish trap must have a panel or access 
door located opposite each side of the trap that has a funnel. The 
opening covered by each panel or access door must be 144 in\2\ (929 
cm\2\) or larger, with one dimension of the area equal to or larger than 
the largest interior axis of the trap's throat (funnel) with no other 
dimension less than 6 inches (15.2 cm). The hinges and fasteners of each 
panel or access door must be constructed of one of the following 
degradable materials:
    (i) Untreated jute string with a diameter not exceeding \3/16\ inch 
(4.8 mm) that is not wrapped or overlapped.
    (ii) Magnesium alloy, time float releases (pop-up devices) or 
similar magnesium alloy fasteners.
    (3) South Atlantic EEZ. (i) A sea bass pot that is used or possessed 
in the South Atlantic EEZ between 35[deg]15.19[min] N. lat. (due east of 
Cape Hatteras Light, NC) and 28[deg]35.1[min] N. lat. (due east of the 
NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL) is required to 
have--

[[Page 234]]

    (A) On at least one side, excluding top and bottom, a panel or door 
with an opening equal to or larger than the interior end of the trap's 
throat (funnel). The hinges and fasteners of each panel or door must be 
made of one of the following degradable materials:
    (1) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire with a diameter not exceeding 
0.041 inches (1.0 mm), that is, 19 gauge wire.
    (2) Galvanic timed-release mechanisms with a letter grade 
designation (degradability index) no higher than J.
    (B) An unobstructed escape vent opening on at least two opposite 
vertical sides, excluding top and bottom. The minimum dimensions of an 
escape vent opening (based on inside measurement) are:
    (1) 1\1/8\ by 5\3/4\ inches (2.9 by 14.6 cm) for a rectangular vent.
    (2) 1.75 by 1.75 inches (4.5 by 4.5 cm) for a square vent.
    (3) 2.0-inch (5.1-cm) diameter for a round vent.
    (ii) A golden crab trap that is used or possessed in the South 
Atlantic EEZ must have at least one escape gap or escape ring on each of 
two opposite vertical sides. The minimum allowable inside dimensions of 
an escape gap are 2.75 by 3.75 inches (7.0 by 9.5 cm); the minimum 
allowable inside diameter of an escape ring is 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). In 
addition to the escape gaps--
    (A) A golden crab trap constructed of webbing must have an opening 
(slit) at least 1 ft (30.5 cm) long that may be closed (relaced) only 
with untreated cotton string no larger than \3/16\ inch (0.48 cm) in 
diameter.
    (B) A golden crab trap constructed of material other than webbing 
must have an escape panel or door measuring at least 11 7/8 by 11 7/8 
inches (30.2 by 30.2 cm), located on at least one side, excluding top 
and bottom. The hinges or fasteners of such door or panel must be made 
of either ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire no larger than 19 gauge 
(0.04 inch (1.0 mm) in diameter) or untreated cotton string no larger 
than \3/16\ inch (4.8 mm) in diameter.
    (c) Construction requirements and mesh sizes--(1) Caribbean EEZ. A 
bare-wire fish trap used or possessed in the EEZ that has hexagonal mesh 
openings must have a minimum mesh size of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in the 
smallest dimension measured between centers of opposite strands. A bare-
wire fish trap used or possessed in the EEZ that has other than 
hexagonal mesh openings or a fish trap of other than bare wire, such as 
coated wire or plastic, used or possessed in the EEZ, must have a 
minimum mesh size of 2.0 inches (5.1 cm) in the smallest dimension 
measured between centers of opposite strands.
    (2) Gulf EEZ. A fish trap used or possessed in the Gulf EEZ must 
meet all of the following mesh size requirements (based on centerline 
measurements between opposite wires or netting strands):
    (i) A minimum of 2 in\2\ (12.9 cm\2\) opening for each mesh.
    (ii) One-inch (2.5-cm) minimum length for the shortest side.
    (iii) Minimum distance of 1 inch (2.5 cm) between parallel sides of 
rectangular openings, and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) between parallel sides of 
square openings and of mesh openings with more than four sides.
    (iv) One and nine-tenths inches (4.8 cm) minimum distance for 
diagonal measures of mesh.
    (3) South Atlantic EEZ. (i) A sea bass pot used or possessed in the 
South Atlantic EEZ must have mesh sizes as follows (based on centerline 
measurements between opposite, parallel wires or netting strands):
    (A) Hexagonal mesh (chicken wire)--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) 
between the wrapped sides;
    (B) Square mesh--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) between sides; or
    (C) Rectangular mesh--at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the longer 
sides and 2 inches (5.1 cm) between the shorter sides.
    (ii) A golden crab trap deployed or possessed in the South Atlantic 
EEZ may not exceed 64 ft\3\ (1.8 m\3\) in volume in the northern zone or 
48 ft\3\ (1.4 m\3\) in volume in the middle and southern zones. See 
Sec. 622.17(b) for specification of the golden crab zones.
    (d) Area-specific restrictions--(1) Gulf EEZ. In the Gulf EEZ, a 
fish trap may be pulled or tended only from official sunrise to official 
sunset. The operator of a vessel from which a fish trap is deployed in 
the Gulf EEZ must retrieve all the vessel's fish traps and return

[[Page 235]]

them to port on each trip. A fish trap that is not returned to port on a 
trip, and its attached line and buoy, may be disposed of in any 
appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized 
officer. The owner of such trap and/or the operator of the responsible 
vessel is subject to appropriate civil penalties. A buoy that floats on 
the surface must be attached to each fish trap, or to each end trap of 
traps that are connected by a line, used in the Gulf EEZ. The maximum 
allowable size for a fish trap fished in the Gulf EEZ shoreward of the 
50-fathom (91.4-m) isobath is 33 ft\3\ (0.9 m\3\) in volume. Fish trap 
volume is determined by measuring the external dimensions of the trap, 
and includes both the enclosed holding capacity of the trap and the 
volume of the funnel(s) within those dimensions. There is no size 
limitation for fish traps fished seaward of the 50-fathom (91.4-m) 
isobath. The maximum number of traps that may be assigned to, possessed, 
or fished in the Gulf EEZ by a vessel is 100.
    (2) South Atlantic EEZ. (i) In the South Atlantic EEZ, sea bass pots 
may not be used or possessed in multiple configurations, that is, two or 
more pots may not be attached one to another so that their overall 
dimensions exceed those allowed for an individual sea bass pot. This 
does not preclude connecting individual pots to a line, such as a 
``trawl'' or trot line.
    (ii) Rope is the only material allowed to be used for a buoy line or 
mainline attached to a golden crab trap, except that wire cable is 
allowed for a mainline through December 31, 2002.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43959, Aug. 27, 1996; 62 
FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 63 FR 10568, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 38303, July 
16, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 28, 1998; 64 FR 3628, Jan. 25, 1999; 67 FR 
22362, May 3, 2002; 70 FR 62081, Oct. 28, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55107, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.40 
was amended by revising paragraphs (c)(3)(i) and (d)(2), effective Oct. 
23, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth 
as follows:



Sec. 622.40  Limitations on traps and pots.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) A sea bass pot used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ must 
have mesh sizes as follows (based on centerline measurements between 
opposite, parallel wires or netting strands):
    (A) For sides of the pot other than the back panel:
    (1) Hexagonal mesh (chicken wire)--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) 
between the wrapped sides;
    (2) Square mesh--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) between sides; or
    (3) Rectangular mesh--at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the longer 
sides and 2 inches (5.1 cm) between the shorter sides.
    (B) For the entire back panel, i.e., the side of the pot opposite 
the side that contains the pot entrance, mesh that is at least 2 inches 
(5.1 cm) between sides.

                                * * * * *

    (d) * * *
    (2) South Atlantic EEZ--(i) Sea bass pots. (A) In the South Atlantic 
EEZ, sea bass pots may not be used or possessed in multiple 
configurations, that is, two or more pots may not be attached one to 
another so that their overall dimensions exceed those allowed for an 
individual sea bass pot. This does not preclude connecting individual 
pots to a line, such as a ``trawl'' or trot line.
    (B) A sea bass pot must be removed from the water in the South 
Atlantic EEZ when the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(5) is reached. 
The RA may authorize a grace period of up to 10 days for removal of pots 
after a closure is in effect based on exigent circumstances which 
include, but are not limited to, insufficient advance notice of a 
closure or severe weather. In addition, a person may request that the RA 
grant such a grace period based on severe personal hardship, such as 
equipment failure or the vessel operator's health, by providing a letter 
outlining the nature and circumstances of the severe personal hardship 
to be received by the RA no later than the effective date of the 
closure. The RA will advise the requester of the approval or disapproval 
of the request. After a closure is in effect, a black sea bass may not 
be retained by a vessel that has a sea bass pot on board.
    (ii) Golden crab traps. Rope is the only material allowed to be used 
for a buoy line or mainline attached to a golden crab trap.



Sec. 622.41  Species specific limitations.

    (a) Aquacultured live rock. In the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ:
    (1) Aquacultured live rock may be harvested only under a permit, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(3)(iii), and aquacultured live rock on a 
site may be harvested only by the person, or his or

[[Page 236]]

her employee, contractor, or agent, who has been issued the aquacultured 
live rock permit for the site. A person harvesting aquacultured live 
rock is exempt from the prohibition on taking prohibited coral for such 
prohibited coral as attaches to aquacultured live rock.
    (2) The following restrictions apply to individual aquaculture 
activities:
    (i) No aquaculture site may exceed 1 acre (0.4 ha) in size.
    (ii) Material deposited on the aquaculture site--
    (A) May not be placed over naturally occurring reef outcrops, 
limestone ledges, coral reefs, or vegetated areas.
    (B) Must be free of contaminants.
    (C) Must be nontoxic.
    (D) Must be placed on the site by hand or lowered completely to the 
bottom under restraint, that is, not allowed to fall freely.
    (E) Must be placed from a vessel that is anchored.
    (F) In the Gulf EEZ, must be distinguishable, geologically or 
otherwise (for example, be indelibly marked or tagged), from the 
naturally occurring substrate.
    (G) In the South Atlantic EEZ, must be geologically distinguishable 
from the naturally occurring substrate and, in addition, may be 
indelibly marked or tagged.
    (iii) A minimum setback of at least 50 ft (15.2 m) must be 
maintained from natural vegetated or hard bottom habitats.
    (3) Mechanically dredging or drilling, or otherwise disturbing, 
aquacultured live rock is prohibited, and aquacultured live rock may be 
harvested only by hand. In addition, the following activities are 
prohibited in the South Atlantic: Chipping of aquacultured live rock in 
the EEZ, possession of chipped aquacultured live rock in or from the 
EEZ, removal of allowable octocoral or prohibited coral from 
aquacultured live rock in or from the EEZ, and possession of prohibited 
coral not attached to aquacultured live rock or allowable octocoral, 
while aquacultured live rock is in possession. See the definition of 
``Allowable octocoral'' for clarification of the distinction between 
allowable octocoral and live rock. For the purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(3), chipping means breaking up reefs, ledges, or rocks into 
fragments, usually by means of a chisel and hammer.
    (4) Not less than 24 hours prior to harvest of aquacultured live 
rock, the owner or operator of the harvesting vessel must provide the 
following information to the NMFS Law Enforcement Office, Southeast 
Area, St. Petersburg, FL, telephone 727-570-5344:
    (i) Permit number of site to be harvested and date of harvest.
    (ii) Name and official number of the vessel to be used in 
harvesting.
    (iii) Date, port, and facility at which aquacultured live rock will 
be landed.
    (b) Caribbean reef fish anchoring restriction. The owner or operator 
of any fishing vessel, recreational or commercial, that fishes for or 
possesses Caribbean reef fish in or from the Caribbean EEZ must ensure 
that the vessel uses only an anchor retrieval system that recovers the 
anchor by its crown, thereby preventing the anchor from dragging along 
the bottom during recovery. For a grapnel hook, this could include an 
incorporated anchor rode reversal bar that runs parallel along the 
shank, which allows the rode to reverse and slip back toward the crown. 
For a fluke- or plow-type anchor, a trip line consisting of a line from 
the crown of the anchor to a surface buoy would be required.
    (c) Coastal migratory pelagic fish--(1) Authorized gear. Subject to 
the prohibitions on gear/methods specified in Sec. 622.31, the 
following are the only fishing gears that may be used in the Gulf, Mid-
Atlantic, and South Atlantic EEZ in directed fisheries for coastal 
migratory pelagic fish:
    (i) King mackerel, Atlantic migratory group--
    (A) North of 34[deg]37.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of Cape Lookout 
Light, NC--all gear except drift gillnet and long gillnet.
    (B) South of 34[deg]37.3[min] N. lat.--automatic reel, bandit gear, 
handline, and rod and reel.
    (ii) King mackerel, Gulf migratory group--hook-and-line gear and, in 
the southern Florida west coast subzone only, run-around gillnet. (See 
Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(3) for a description of

[[Page 237]]

the southern Florida west coast subzone.)
    (iii) Spanish mackerel, Atlantic migratory group--automatic reel, 
bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, cast net, run-around gillnet, and 
stab net.
    (iv) Spanish mackerel, Gulf migratory group--all gear except drift 
gillnet, long gillnet, and purse seine.
    (v) Cobia in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic EEZ and little 
tunny in the South Atlantic EEZ south of 34[deg]37.3[min] N. lat.--
automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, and pelagic 
longline.
    (vi) Cero in the South Atlantic EEZ and little tunny in the South 
Atlantic EEZ north of 34[deg]37.3[min] N. lat.--all gear except drift 
gillnet and long gillnet.
    (vii) Bluefish, cero, cobia, dolphin, and little tunny in the Gulf 
EEZ--all gear except drift gillnet and long gillnet.
    (2) Unauthorized gear. Gear types other than those specified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section are unauthorized gear and the following 
possession limitations apply:
    (i) Long gillnets. A vessel with a long gillnet on board in, or that 
has fished on a trip in, the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ 
may not have on board on that trip a coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (ii) Drift gillnets. A vessel with a drift gillnet on board in, or 
that has fished on a trip in, the Gulf EEZ may not have on board on that 
trip a coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (iii) Other unauthorized gear. Except as specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv) of this section, a person aboard a vessel with unauthorized 
gear other than a drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ or a long gillnet on 
board in, or that has fished in, the EEZ where such gear is not 
authorized in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, is subject to the bag 
limit for king and Spanish mackerel specified in Sec. 622.39(c)(1)(ii) 
and to the limit on cobia specified in Sec. 622.32(c)(1).
    (iv) Exception for king mackerel in the Gulf EEZ. The provisions of 
this paragraph (c)(2)(iv) apply to king mackerel taken in the Gulf EEZ 
and to such king mackerel possessed in the Gulf. Paragraph (c)(2)(iii) 
of this section notwithstanding, a person aboard a vessel that has a 
valid commercial permit for king mackerel is not subject to the bag 
limit for king mackerel when the vessel has on board on a trip 
unauthorized gear other than a drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ, a long 
gillnet, or a run-around gillnet in an area other than the southern 
Florida west coast subzone. Thus, the following applies to a vessel that 
has a commercial permit for king mackerel:
    (A) Such vessel may not use unauthorized gear in a directed fishery 
for king mackerel in the Gulf EEZ.
    (B) If such a vessel has a drift gillnet or a long gillnet on board 
or a run-around gillnet in an area other than the southern Florida west 
coast subzone, no king mackerel may be possessed.
    (C) If such a vessel has unauthorized gear on board other than a 
drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ, a long gillnet, or a run-around gillnet 
in an area other than the southern Florida west coast subzone, the 
possession of king mackerel taken incidentally is restricted only by the 
closure provisions of Sec. 622.43(a)(3) and the trip limits specified 
in Sec. 622.44(a). See also paragraph (c)(4) of this section regarding 
the purse seine incidental catch allowance of king mackerel.
    (3) Gillnets--(i) King mackerel. The minimum allowable mesh size for 
a gillnet used to fish in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ 
for king mackerel is 4.75 inches (12.1 cm), stretched mesh. A vessel in 
such EEZ, or having fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on 
board that has a mesh size less than 4.75 (12.1 cm) inches, stretched 
mesh, may not possess on that trip an incidental catch of king mackerel 
that exceeds 10 percent, by number, of the total lawfully possessed 
Spanish mackerel on board.
    (ii) Spanish mackerel. (A) The minimum allowable mesh size for a 
gillnet used to fish for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or 
South Atlantic EEZ is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh.
    (1) A vessel in the Gulf EEZ, or having fished on a trip in the Gulf 
EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh size less than 3.5 inches 
(8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may not possess on that trip any Spanish 
mackerel.

[[Page 238]]

    (2) A vessel in the South Atlantic or Mid-Atlantic EEZ, or having 
fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh 
size less than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may possess or land 
on the day of that trip no more than 500 lb (227 kg) of incidentally 
caught Spanish mackerel.
    (B) On board a vessel with a valid Spanish mackerel permit that is 
fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or that possesses Spanish mackerel in 
or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida north of 25[deg]20.4[min] N. 
lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, 
FL, boundary--
    (1) No person may fish with, set, place in the water, or have on 
board a gillnet with a float line longer than 800 yd (732 m).
    (2) No person may fish with, set, or place in the water more than 
one gillnet at any one time.
    (3) No more than two gillnets, including any net in use, may be 
possessed at any one time; provided, however, that if two gillnets, 
including any net in use, are possessed at any one time, they must have 
stretched mesh sizes (as allowed under the regulations) that differ by 
at least .25 inch (.64 cm).
    (4) No person may soak a gillnet for more than 1 hour. The soak 
period begins when the first mesh is placed in the water and ends either 
when the first mesh is retrieved back on board the vessel or the 
gathering of the gillnet is begun to facilitate retrieval on board the 
vessel, whichever occurs first; providing that, once the first mesh is 
retrieved or the gathering is begun, the retrieval is continuous until 
the gillnet is completely removed from the water.
    (5) The float line of each gillnet possessed, including any net in 
use, must have the distinctive floats specified in Sec. 622.6(b)(2).
    (4) Purse seine incidental catch allowance. A vessel in the EEZ, or 
having fished in the EEZ, with a purse seine on board will not be 
considered as fishing, or having fished, for king or Spanish mackerel in 
violation of a prohibition of purse seines under paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section, in violation of the possession limits under paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii) of this section, or, in the case of king mackerel from the 
Atlantic migratory group, in violation of a closure effected in 
accordance with Sec. 622.43(a), provided the king mackerel on board 
does not exceed 1 percent, or the Spanish mackerel on board does not 
exceed 10 percent, of all fish on board the vessel. Incidental catch 
will be calculated by number and/or weight of fish. Neither calculation 
may exceed the allowable percentage. Incidentally caught king or Spanish 
mackerel are counted toward the quotas provided for under Sec. 
622.42(c) and are subject to the prohibition of sale under Sec. 
622.43(a)(3)(iii).
    (d) South Atlantic snapper-grouper--(1) Authorized gear. Subject to 
the gear restrictions specified in Sec. 622.31, the following are the 
only gear types authorized in a directed fishery for snapper-grouper in 
the South Atlantic EEZ: Bandit gear, bottom longline, buoy gear, 
handline, rod and reel, sea bass pot, and spearfishing gear.
    (2) Unauthorized gear. All gear types other than those specified in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section are unauthorized gear and the following 
possession and transfer limitations apply.
    (i) A vessel with trawl gear on board that fishes in the EEZ on a 
trip may possess no more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, in or from the EEZ on that trip. 
It is a rebuttable presumption that a vessel with more than 200 lb (90.7 
kg) of South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, on board 
harvested such fish in the EEZ.
    (ii) Except as specified in paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(5) of this 
section, a person aboard a vessel with unauthorized gear on board, other 
than trawl gear, that fishes in the EEZ on a trip is limited on that 
trip to:
    (A) South Atlantic snapper-grouper species for which a bag limit is 
specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(1)--the bag limit.
    (B) All other South Atlantic snapper-grouper--zero.
    (iii) South Atlantic snapper-grouper on board a vessel with 
unauthorized gear on board may not be transferred at sea, regardless of 
where such transfer takes place, and such snapper-grouper may not be 
transferred in the EEZ.
    (iv) No vessel may receive at sea any South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
from a vessel with unauthorized gear on

[[Page 239]]

board, as specified in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (3) Possession allowance regarding sink nets off North Carolina. A 
vessel that has on board a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper, excluding wreckfish, that fishes in the EEZ off North Carolina 
with a sink net on board, may retain, without regard to the limits 
specified in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, otherwise legal South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, 
rod and reel, or sea bass pot. For the purpose of this paragraph (d)(3), 
a sink net is a gillnet with stretched mesh measurements of 3 to 4.75 
inches (7.6 to 12.1 cm) that is attached to the vessel when deployed.
    (4) Possession allowance regarding bait nets. A vessel that has on 
board a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the South Atlantic EEZ with no more than one 
bait net on board, may retain, without regard to the limits specified in 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, otherwise legal South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, rod and 
reel, or sea bass pot. For the purpose of this paragraph (d)(4), a bait 
net is a gillnet not exceeding 50 ft (15.2 m) in length or 10 ft (3.1 m) 
in height with stretched mesh measurements of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) or 
smaller that is attached to the vessel when deployed.
    (5) Possession allowance regarding cast nets. A vessel that has on 
board a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the South Atlantic EEZ with a cast net on 
board, may retain, without regard to the limits specified in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section, otherwise legal South Atlantic snapper-
grouper taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, rod and reel, or 
sea bass pot. For the purpose of this paragraph (d)(5), a cast net is a 
cone-shaped net thrown by hand and designed to spread out and capture 
fish as the weighted circumference sinks to the bottom and comes 
together when pulled by a line.
    (6) Longline species limitation. A vessel that has on board a valid 
Federal commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the EEZ on a trip with a longline on board, 
may possess only the following South Atlantic snapper-grouper: snowy 
grouper, warsaw grouper, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, golden 
tilefish, blueline tilefish, and sand tilefish. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, a vessel is considered to have a longline on board when a 
power-operated longline hauler, a cable of diameter suitable for use in 
the longline fishery on any reel, and gangions are on board. Removal of 
any one of these three elements constitutes removal of a longline.
    (e) South Atlantic golden crab. Traps are the only fishing gear 
authorized in directed fishing for golden crab in the South Atlantic 
EEZ. Golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not be retained 
on board a vessel possessing or using unauthorized gear.
    (f) Caribbean queen conch. In the Caribbean EEZ, no person may 
harvest queen conch by diving while using a device that provides a 
continuous air supply from the surface.
    (g) Rock and penaeid shrimp in the South Atlantic--(1) BRD 
requirements. Except as exempted in paragraph (g)(4) of this section, 
BRDs are required as follows:
    (i) On a penaeid shrimp trawler in the South Atlantic EEZ, each 
trawl net that is rigged for fishing and has a mesh size less than 2.50 
inches (6.35 cm), as measured between the centers of opposite knots when 
pulled taut, and each try net that is rigged for fishing and has a 
headrope length longer than 16.0 ft (4.9 m), must have a certified BRD 
installed.
    (ii) On a vessel that fishes for or possesses rock shrimp in the 
South Atlantic EEZ, each trawl net or try net that is rigged for fishing 
must have a certified BRD installed.
    (iii) A trawl net or try net is rigged for fishing if it is in the 
water, or if it is shackled, tied, or otherwise connected to a sled, 
door, or other device that spreads the net, or to a tow rope, cable, 
pole, or extension, either on board or attached to a shrimp trawler.
    (2) Certified BRDs. The following BRDs are certified for use in the 
South Atlantic EEZ. Specifications of these certified BRDs are contained 
in Appendix D of this part.

[[Page 240]]

    (i) Extended funnel.
    (ii) Expanded mesh.
    (iii) Fisheye.
    (iv) Gulf fisheye.
    (v) Jones-Davis.
    (3) Certification of additional BRDs. (i) A person who proposes a 
BRD for certification for use in the South Atlantic EEZ must submit an 
application to test such BRD, conduct the testing, and submit the 
results of the test in accordance with the Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Protocol Manual, which is available from the RA upon request.
    (ii) For a new BRD to be certified, it must be statistically 
demonstrated that in testing under the Bycatch Reduction Device Testing 
Protocol Manual the BRD can reduce the total weight of finfish taken as 
bycatch by at least 30 percent.
    (iii) If a BRD meets the certification criterion, as determined 
under the testing protocol, NMFS will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register adding the BRD to the list of certified BRDs in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this section and providing the specifications for the newly 
certified BRD, including any special conditions deemed appropriate based 
on the certification testing results.
    (4) Limited exemption. A rock or penaeid shrimp trawler that is 
authorized by the RA to test a BRD in the EEZ for possible 
certification, has such written authorization on board, and is 
conducting such test in accordance with the Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Protocol Manual is granted a limited exemption from the BRD 
requirement specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section. The exemption 
from the BRD requirement is limited to those trawls that are being used 
in the certification trials. All other trawls rigged for fishing must be 
equipped with certified BRDs.
    (h) Shrimp in the Gulf--(1) BRD requirement--(i) West of 
85[deg]30[min] W. long. On a shrimp trawler in the Gulf EEZ west of 
85[deg]30[min] W. long. and shoreward of the 100-fathom (183-m) depth 
contour, each net that is rigged for fishing must have a certified BRD 
listed in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this section installed, unless exempted 
as specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(iii) through (v) or paragraph 
(h)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) East of 85[deg]30[min] W. long. On a shrimp trawler in the Gulf 
EEZ east of 85[deg]30[min] W. long., each net that is rigged for fishing 
must have a certified BRD listed in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section 
installed, unless exempted as specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(iii) 
through (v) or paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (iii) A shrimp trawler is exempt from the requirement to have a 
certified BRD installed in each net provided that at least 90 percent 
(by weight) of all shrimp on board or offloaded from such trawler are 
royal red shrimp.
    (iv) A shrimp trawler is exempt from the requirement to have a BRD 
installed in a single try net with a headrope length of 16 ft (4.9 m) or 
less provided the single try net is either pulled immediately in front 
of another net or is not connected to another net.
    (v) A shrimp trawler is exempt from the requirement to have a 
certified BRD installed in up to two rigid-frame roller trawls that are 
16 ft (4.9 m) or less in length used or possessed on board. A rigid-
frame roller trawl is a trawl that has a mouth formed by a rigid frame 
and a grid of rigid vertical bars; has rollers on the lower horizontal 
part of the frame to allow the trawl to roll over the bottom and any 
obstruction while being towed; and has no doors, boards, or similar 
devices attached to keep the mouth of the trawl open.
    (vi) A trawl net is rigged for fishing if it is in the water, or if 
it is shackled, tied, or otherwise connected to a sled, door, or other 
device that spreads the net, or to a tow rope, cable, pole, or 
extension, either on board or attached to a shrimp trawler.
    (2) Certified BRDs. The following BRDs are certified for use by 
shrimp trawlers in the respective areas of the Gulf EEZ specified in 
paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section. Specifications of these 
certified BRDs are contained in appendix D to this part.
    (i) West of 85[deg]30[min] W. long.
    (A) Fisheye.
    (B) Gulf fisheye.
    (C) Jones-Davis.
    (ii) East of 85[deg]30[min] W. long.
    (A) Fisheye.
    (B) Gulf fisheye.
    (C) Jones-Davis.
    (D) Extended funnel.

[[Page 241]]

    (E) Expanded mesh.
    (3) Procedures for certification of additional BRDs. The process for 
the certification of additional BRDs consists of two phases--an optional 
pre-certification phase and a required certification phase.
    (i) Pre-certification. The pre-certification phase allows a person 
to test and evaluate a new BRD design for up to 60 days without being 
subject to the observer requirements and rigorous testing requirements 
specified for certification testing in the Gulf Of Mexico Bycatch 
Reduction Device Testing Protocol Manual.
    (A) A person who wants to conduct pre-certification phase testing 
must submit an application, as specified in the Gulf Of Mexico Bycatch 
Reduction Device Testing Protocol Manual, to the RA. The Gulf Of Mexico 
Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Protocol Manual, which is available 
from the RA, upon request, contains the application forms.
    (B) After reviewing the application, the RA will determine whether 
to issue a letter of authorization (LOA) to conduct pre-certification 
trials upon the vessel specified in the application. The RA will issue a 
pre-certification phase LOA if the BRD design is substantially unlike 
any BRD design previously determined not to meet the BRD certification 
criterion or, if the design is substantially similar to a BRD design 
previously determined not to meet the BRD certification criteria, and 
the application demonstrates that the design could meet the 
certification criterion through design revision or upon retesting (e.g., 
the application shows that statistical results could be improved upon 
retesting by such things as using a larger sample size than that 
previously used). If the RA authorizes pre-certification, the RA's 
letter of authorization must be on board the vessel during any trip 
involving the BRD testing.
    (ii) Certification. A person who proposes a BRD for certification 
for use in the Gulf EEZ must submit an application to test such BRD, 
conduct the testing, and submit the results of the test in accordance 
with the Gulf Of Mexico Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Protocol 
Manual. The RA will issue a LOA to conduct certification trials upon the 
vessel specified in the application if the RA finds that: The test plan 
meets the requirements of the protocol; the observer identified in the 
application is qualified and has no current or prior financial 
relationship with the entity seeking BRD certification; the application 
presents a BRD candidate substantially unlike BRDs previously determined 
not to meet the current bycatch reduction criterion, or the applicant 
has shown good cause for reconsideration (such as the likelihood of 
improved statistical results yielded from a larger sample size than that 
previously used); and for BRDs not previously tested for certification, 
the results of any pre-certification trials conducted have been reviewed 
and deemed to indicate a reasonable scientific basis for conducting 
certification testing. If authorization to conduct certification trials 
is denied, the RA will provide a letter of explanation to the applicant, 
together with relevant recommendations to address the deficiencies 
resulting in the denial. If a BRD meets the certification criterion, as 
determined under the testing protocol, NMFS will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register adding the BRD to the list of certified BRDs in 
paragraph (h)(2) of this section providing the specifications for the 
newly certified BRD, including any special conditions deemed appropriate 
based on the certification testing results.
    (iii) A shrimp trawler that is authorized to participate in the pre-
certification phase or to test a BRD in the EEZ for possible 
certification has such written authorization on board and is conducting 
such test in accordance with the Gulf Of Mexico Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Protocol Manual is granted a limited exemption from the BRD 
requirement specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section. The exemption 
from the BRD requirement is limited to those trawls that are being used 
in the certification trials. All other trawls rigged for fishing must be 
equipped with certified BRDs.
    (i) Gulf reef fish exhibiting trap rash. Gulf reef fish in or from 
the Gulf EEZ that exhibit trap rash may be possessed on board a vessel 
only if that vessel has

[[Page 242]]

a valid fish trap endorsement, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(i), 
on board. Possession of such fish on board a vessel without a valid fish 
trap endorsement is prima facie evidence of illegal trap use and is 
prohibited. For the purpose of this paragraph, trap rash is defined as 
physical damage to fish that characteristically results from contact 
with wire fish traps. Such damage includes, but is not limited to, 
broken fin spines, fin rays, or teeth; visually obvious loss of scales; 
and cuts or abrasions on the body of the fish, particularly on the head, 
snout, or mouth.
    (j) Rock shrimp in the South Atlantic off Georgia and Florida. The 
minimum mesh size for the cod end of a rock shrimp trawl net in the 
South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia and Florida is 1 7/8 inches (4.8 cm), 
stretched mesh. This minimum mesh size is required in at least the last 
40 meshes forward of the cod end drawstring (tie-off rings), and 
smaller-mesh bag liners are not allowed. A vessel that has a trawl net 
on board that does not meet these requirements may not possess a rock 
shrimp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia and Florida.
    (k) Pelagic sargassum. The minimum allowable mesh size for a net 
used to fish for pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ is 4.0 
inches (10.2 cm), stretched mesh, and such net must be attached to a 
frame no larger than 4 ft by 6 ft (1.2 m by 1.8 m). A vessel in the 
South Atlantic EEZ with a net on board that does not meet these 
requirements may not possess any pelagic sargassum.
    (l) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo--(1) Authorized gear. The following 
are the only authorized gear types in the fisheries for dolphin and 
wahoo in the Atlantic EEZ: Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, 
pelagic longline, rod and reel, and spearfishing gear (including 
powerheads). A person aboard a vessel in the Atlantic EEZ that has on 
board gear types other than authorized gear types may not possess a 
dolphin or wahoo.
    (2) [Reserved]

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43959, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 65484, Dec. 13, 1996; 62 FR 18539, Apr. 16, 1997; 63 FR 10568, Mar. 
4, 1998; 63 FR 18144, Apr. 14, 1998; 63 FR 38303, July 16, 1998; 64 FR 
3628, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 36781, July 8, 1999; 64 FR 37694, July 13, 
1999; 64 FR 43941, Aug. 12, 1999; 64 FR 45459, Aug. 20, 1999; 64 FR 
52428, Sept. 29, 1999; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 64 FR 68935, Dec. 9, 
1999; 65 FR 16340, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 52957, Aug. 31, 2000; 65 FR 
61116, Oct. 16, 2000; 68 FR 2196, Jan. 16, 2003; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 
2003; 69 FR 1541, Jan. 9, 2004; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 62082, 
Oct. 28, 2005; 70 FR 73388, Dec. 12, 2005]



Sec. 622.42  Quotas.

    Quotas apply for the fishing year for each species or species group. 
Except for the quotas for Gulf and South Atlantic coral, the quotas 
include species harvested from state waters adjoining the EEZ. Quotas 
for species managed under this part are as follows. (See Sec. 622.32 
for limitations on taking prohibited and limited-harvest species. The 
limitations in Sec. 622.32 apply without regard to whether the species 
is harvested by a vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit or 
by a person subject to the bag limits.)
    (a) Gulf reef fish--(1) Commercial quotas. The following quotas 
apply to persons who fish under commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef 
fish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v).
    (i) Red snapper--4.65 million lb (2.11 million kg), round weight, 
apportioned as follows:
    (A) Two-thirds of the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(i), 3.10 
million lb (1.41 million kg), available at noon on February 1 each year, 
subject to the closure provisions of Sec. Sec. 622.34(l) and 
622.43(a)(1)(i).
    (B) The remainder available at noon on October 1 each year, subject 
to the closure provisions of Sec. Sec. 622.34(l) and 622.43(a)(1)(i).
    (ii) Deep-water groupers (i.e., yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, 
warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, and speckled hind), and, after the quota 
for shallow-water grouper is reached, scamp, combined--1.02 million lb 
(0.46 million kg), gutted weight, that is, eviscerated but otherwise 
whole.
    (iii) Shallow-water groupers (i.e., all groupers other than deep-
water

[[Page 243]]

groupers, goliath grouper, and Nassau grouper), including scamp before 
the quota for shallow-water groupers is reached, combined--8.80 million 
lb (3.99 million kg), gutted weight, that is, eviscerated but otherwise 
whole. Within the shallow-water grouper quota there is a separate quota 
for red grouper--5.31 million lb (2.41 million kg), gutted weight. When 
either the shallow-water grouper quota or the red grouper quota is 
reached, the entire shallow-water grouper fishery will be closed and the 
closure provisions of Sec. 622.43(a) introductory text and Sec. 
622.43(a)(1)(i) apply to the entire shallow-water grouper fishery.
    (iv) Tilefishes (i.e., tilefish and goldface, blackline, anchor, and 
blueline tilefish) combined--0.44 million lb (0.20 million kg), gutted 
weight, that is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (2) Recreational quota for red snapper. The following quota applies 
to persons who harvest red snapper other than under commercial vessel 
permits for Gulf reef fish and the commercial quota specified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section--4.47 million lb (2.03 million kg), 
round weight.
    (b) Gulf and South Atlantic allowable octocoral. The quota for all 
persons who harvest allowable octocoral in the EEZ of the Gulf and South 
Atlantic is 50,000 colonies. A colony is a continuous group of coral 
polyps forming a single unit.
    (c) King and Spanish mackerel. King and Spanish mackerel quotas 
apply to persons who fish under commercial vessel permits for king or 
Spanish mackerel, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iii) or (iv). A 
fish is counted against the quota for the area where it is caught when 
it is first sold.
    (1) Migratory groups of king mackerel--(i) Gulf migratory group. The 
quota for the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel is 3.26 million lb 
(1.48 million kg). The Gulf migratory group is divided into eastern and 
western zones separated by 87[deg]31[min]06[sec] W. long., which is a 
line directly south from the Alabama/Florida boundary. Quotas for the 
eastern and western zones are as follows:
    (A) Eastern zone--2.25 million lb (1.02 million kg), which is 
further divided into quotas as follows:
    (1) Florida east coast subzone--1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg).
    (2) Florida west coast subzone--(i) Southern--1,040,625 lb (472,020 
kg), which is further divided into a quota of 520,312 lb (236,010 kg) 
for vessels fishing with hook-and-line and a quota of 520,312 lb 
(236,010 kg) for vessels fishing with run-around gillnets.
    (ii) Northern--168,750 lb (76,544 kg).
    (3) Description of Florida subzones. The Florida east coast subzone 
is that part of the eastern zone north of 25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat., 
which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, 
boundary. The Florida west coast subzone is that part of the eastern 
zone south and west of 25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat. The Florida west coast 
subzone is further divided into southern and northern subzones. From 
November 1 through March 31, the southern subzone is that part of the 
Florida west coast subzone that extends south and west from 
25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat. to 26[deg]19.8[min] N. lat., a line directly 
west from the Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary (i.e., the area off 
Collier and Monroe Counties). From April 1 through October 31, the 
southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone that is 
between 26[deg]19.8[min] N. lat. and 25[deg]48[min] N. lat., which is a 
line directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary (i.e., 
off Collier County). The northern subzone is that part of the Florida 
west coast subzone that is between 26[deg]19.8[min] N. lat. and 
87[deg]31[min]06[sec] W. long., which is a line directly south from the 
Alabama/Florida boundary.
    (B) Western zone--1.01 million lb (0.46 million kg).
    (ii) Atlantic migratory group. The quota for the Atlantic migratory 
group of king mackerel is 3.71 million lb (1.68 million kg). No more 
than 0.40 million lb (0.18 million kg) may be harvested by purse seines.
    (2) Migratory groups of Spanish mackerel--(i) Gulf migratory group. 
The quota for the Gulf migratory group of Spanish mackerel is 5.187 
million lb (2.353 million kg).
    (ii) Atlantic migratory group. The quota for the Atlantic migratory 
group of Spanish mackerel is 3.87 million lb (1.76 million kg).
    (d) Royal red shrimp in the Gulf. The quota for all persons who 
harvest royal

[[Page 244]]

red shrimp in the Gulf is 392,000 lb (177.8 mt), tail weight.
    (e) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. The quotas 
apply to persons who are not subject to the bag limits. (See Sec. 
622.39(a)(1) for applicability of the bag limits.)
    (1) Snowy grouper--344,508 lb (156,266 kg), gutted weight, that is, 
eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (2) Golden tilefish--1,001,663 lb (454,347 kg), gutted weight, that 
is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (3) Greater amberjack--1,169,931 lb (530,672 kg), gutted weight, 
that is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (f) Wreckfish. The quota for wreckfish applies to wreckfish 
shareholders, or their employees, contractors, or agents, and is 2 
million lb (907,185 kg), round weight. See Sec. 622.15 for information 
on the wreckfish shareholder under the ITQ system.
    (g) Pelagic sargassum. The quota for all persons who harvest pelagic 
sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ is 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), wet, landed 
weight. See Sec. 622.35(g)(1) for area limitations on the harvest of 
pelagic sargassum.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 48643, Sept. 16, 1996; 
62 FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 62 FR 23674, May 1, 1997; 62 FR 46679, Sept. 
4, 1997; 62 FR 67723, Dec. 30, 1997; 63 FR 8356, Feb. 19, 1998; 63 FR 
10569, Mar. 4, 1998; 64 FR 3629, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 45459, Aug. 20, 
1999; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 16340, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 
30363, May 11, 2000; 65 FR 41016, July 3, 2000; 65 FR 50162, Aug. 17, 
2000; 66 FR 17369, Mar. 30, 2001; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 69 FR 
33320, June 15, 2004; 71 FR 28285, May 16, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55107, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.42 
was amended by revising paragraph (e), effective Oct. 23, 2006. For the 
convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.42  Quotas.

                                * * * * *

    (e) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. The quotas 
apply to persons who are not subject to the bag limits. (See Sec. 
622.39(a)(1) for applicability of the bag limits.) The quotas are in 
gutted weight, that is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (1) Snowy grouper. (i) For the fishing year that commences January 
1, 2006--151,000 lb (68,492 kg).
    (ii) For the fishing year that commences January 1, 2007--118,000 lb 
(53,524 kg).
    (iii) For the fishing year that commences January 1, 2008, and for 
subsequent fishing years-84,000 lb (38,102 kg).
    (2) Golden tilefish--295,000 lb (133,810 kg).
    (3) Greater amberjack--1,169,931 lb (530,672 kg).
    (4) Vermilion snapper--1,100,000 lb (498,952 kg).
    (5) Black sea bass. (i) For the fishing year that commences June 1, 
2006--477,000 lb (216,364 kg).
    (ii) For the fishing year that commences June 1, 2007--423,000 lb 
(191,870 kg).
    (iii) For the fishing year that commences June 1, 2008, and for 
subsequent fishing years--309,000 lb (140,160 kg).
    (6) Red porgy--127,000 lb (57,606 kg).

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.43  Closures.

    (a) General. When a quota specified in Sec. 622.42 is reached, or 
is projected to be reached, the Assistant Administrator will file a 
notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. On 
and after the effective date of such notification, for the remainder of 
the fishing year, the following closure restrictions apply:
    (1) Gulf reef fish--(i) Commercial quotas. The application of bag 
limits described in this paragraph (a)(1)(i) notwithstanding, bag limits 
of Gulf reef fish may not be possessed on board a vessel with commercial 
quantities of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of 
applicable bag/possession limits, on board, as specified in Sec. 
622.39(a)(5).
    (A) If the recreational fishery for the indicated species is open, 
the bag and possession limits specified in Sec. 622.39(b) apply to all 
harvest or possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of the indicated species, 
and the sale or purchase of the indicated species taken from the Gulf 
EEZ is prohibited. In addition, the bag and possession limits for red 
snapper, when applicable, apply on board a vessel for which a commercial 
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to where such red snapper were harvested.
    (B) If the recreational fishery for the indicated species is closed, 
all harvest or possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of the indicated 
species is prohibited.
    (ii) Recreational quota for red snapper. The bag and possession 
limit for red

[[Page 245]]

snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
    (2) Gulf and South Atlantic allowable octocoral. Allowable octocoral 
may not be harvested or possessed in the Gulf EEZ or South Atlantic EEZ 
and the sale or purchase of allowable octocoral in or from the Gulf EEZ 
or South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited.
    (3) King and Spanish mackerel. The closure provisions of this 
paragraph (a)(3) do not apply to Atlantic migratory group Spanish 
mackerel, which are managed under the commercial trip limits specified 
in Sec. 622.44(b) in lieu of the closure provisions of this section.
    (i) A person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for king 
or Spanish mackerel has been issued, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(iii) or (iv), may not fish for king or Spanish mackerel in 
the EEZ or retain king or Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ under a 
bag or possession limit specified in Sec. 622.39(c) for the closed 
species, migratory group, zone, subzone, or gear, except as provided for 
under paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) A person aboard a vessel for which valid charter vessel/
headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or South 
Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish and a valid commercial vessel 
permit for king or Spanish mackerel have been issued may continue to 
retain fish under a bag and possession limit specified in Sec. 
622.39(c), provided the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat.
    (iii) The sale or purchase of king or Spanish mackerel of the closed 
species, migratory group, zone, subzone, or gear type is prohibited, 
including such king or Spanish mackerel taken under the bag limits.
    (4) Royal red shrimp in the Gulf. Royal red shrimp in or from the 
Gulf EEZ may not be retained, and the sale or purchase of royal red 
shrimp taken from the Gulf EEZ is prohibited.
    (5) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish--(i) Greater 
amberjack. The bag limit specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(1)(i) and the 
possession limits specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(2) apply to all harvest 
or possession of greater amberjack in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, 
and the sale or purchase of greater amberjack taken from the EEZ is 
prohibited. In addition, the bag and possession limits for greater 
amberjack and the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the South 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such greater amberjack were 
harvested.
    (ii) Golden tilefish and snowy grouper. Golden tilefish and snowy 
grouper, for which there are quotas, are managed under the commercial 
trip limits specified in Sec. 622.44(c) in lieu of the closure 
provisions of this section.
    (6) Wreckfish. Wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not 
be retained, and the sale or purchase of wreckfish taken from the South 
Atlantic EEZ is prohibited.
    (7) Pelagic sargassum. Pelagic sargassum may not be fished for or 
possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ and the sale or purchase of pelagic 
sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited.
    (b) Exception to prohibition on sale/purchase. (1) The prohibition 
on sale/purchase during a closure for Gulf reef fish, king and Spanish 
mackerel, royal red shrimp, greater amberjack, or wreckfish in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(3)(iii), (a)(4), (a)(5)(i), or (a)(6) of this 
section does not apply to the indicated species that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to the effective date of the closure and 
were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
    (2) The prohibition on sale/purchase during a closure for allowable 
octocoral in paragraph (a)(2) of this section or for pelagic sargassum 
in paragraph (a)(7) of this section does not apply to allowable 
octocoral or pelagic sargassum that was harvested and landed ashore 
prior to the effective date of the closure.
    (c) Reopening. When a fishery has been closed based on a projection 
of the quota specified in Sec. 622.42 being reached and subsequent data 
indicate that the quota was not reached, the Assistant Administrator may 
file a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal 
Register. Such notification may reopen the fishery to provide an

[[Page 246]]

opportunity for the quota to be reached.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 62 
FR 46679, Sept. 4, 1997; 62 FR 67723, Dec. 30, 1997; 63 FR 10569, Mar. 
4, 1998; 64 FR 3629, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 67 FR 
43565, June 28, 2002; 68 FR 57378, Oct. 3, 2003; 71 FR 45436, Aug. 9, 
2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55107, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.43 
was amended by revising paragraph (a)(5) and (b)(1), effective Oct. 23, 
2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as 
follows:



Sec. 622.43  Closures.

    (a) * * *
    (5) South Atlantic greater amberjack, snowy grouper, golden 
tilefish, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and red porgy. The 
appropriate bag limits specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(1) and the 
possession limits specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(2) apply to all harvest 
or possession of the applicable species in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, and the sale or purchase of the applicable species taken from the 
EEZ is prohibited. In addition, the bag and possession limits for the 
applicable species and the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the 
South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested.

                                * * * * *

    (b) * * *
    (1) The prohibition on sale/purchase during a closure for Gulf reef 
fish, king and Spanish mackerel, royal red shrimp, or specified snapper-
grouper species in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(3)(iii), (a)(4), or (a)(5) and 
(a)(6), respectively, of this section does not apply to the indicated 
species that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the 
effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer 
or processor.



Sec. 622.44  Commercial trip limits.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable 
species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ. For fisheries governed by this part, 
commercial trip limits apply as follows (all weights are round or 
eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise):
    (a) King mackerel--(1) Atlantic group. The following trip limits 
apply to vessels for which commercial permits for king mackerel have 
been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iii):
    (i) North of 29[deg]25[min] N. lat., which is a line directly east 
from the Flagler/Volusia County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from 
the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day 
in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
    (ii) In the area between 29[deg]25[min] N. lat. and 28[deg]47.8[min] 
N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Volusia/Brevard County, 
FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on 
board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg) from April 1 through October 31.
    (iii) In the area between 28[deg]47.8[min] N. lat. and 
25[deg]20.47[min] N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-
Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may 
not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts 
exceeding 75 fish from April 1 through October 31.
    (iv) In the area between 25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat. and 25[deg]48[min] 
N. lat., which is a line directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, 
FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on 
board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 1,250 lb 
(567 kg) from April 1 through October 31.
    (2) Gulf group. Commercial trip limits are established in the 
eastern and western zones as follows. (See Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i) for 
specification of the eastern and western zones and Sec. 
622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(3) for specifications of the subzones in the eastern 
zone.)
    (i) Eastern zone-Florida east coast subzone. In the Florida east 
coast subzone, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on 
board at any time or landed in a day from a vessel with a commercial 
permit for king mackerel as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iii) as 
follows:

[[Page 247]]

    (A) From November 1 through January 31--not to exceed 50 fish.
    (B) Beginning on February 1 and continuing through March 31--
    (1) If 75 percent or more of the Florida east coast subzone quota as 
specified in Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(1) has been taken--not to exceed 
50 fish.
    (2) If less than 75 percent of the Florida east coast subzone quota 
as specified in Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(1) has been taken--not to 
exceed 75 fish.
    (ii) Eastern zone-Florida west coast subzone--(A) Gillnet gear. (1) 
In the southern Florida west coast subzone, king mackerel in or from the 
EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a vessel for which a 
commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet 
permit have been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(ii), in 
amounts not exceeding 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) per day, provided the 
gillnet fishery for Gulf group king mackerel is not closed under Sec. 
622.34(p) or Sec. 622.43(a).
    (2) In the southern Florida west coast subzone:
    (i) King mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on board or 
landed from a vessel that uses or has on board a run-around gillnet on a 
trip only when such vessel has on board a commercial vessel permit for 
king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet permit.
    (ii) King mackerel from the southern west coast subzone landed by a 
vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king 
mackerel gillnet permit have been issued will be counted against the 
run-around gillnet quota of Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(i).
    (iii) King mackerel in or from the EEZ harvested with gear other 
than run-around gillnet may not be retained on board a vessel for which 
a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet 
permit have been issued.
    (B) Hook-and-line gear. In the Florida west coast subzone, king 
mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a 
vessel with a commercial permit for king mackerel, as required by Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(iii), and operating under the hook-and-line gear quotas in 
Sec. 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(i) or (c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(ii):
    (1) From July 1, each fishing year, until 75 percent of the 
respective northern or southern subzone's hook-and-line gear quota has 
been harvested--in amounts not exceeding 1,250 lb (567 kg) per day.
    (2) From the date that 75 percent of the respective northern or 
southern subzone's hook-and-line gear quota has been harvested, until a 
closure of the respective northern or southern subzone's fishery for 
vessels fishing with hook-and-line gear has been effected under Sec. 
622.43(a)--in amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day.
    (iii) Notice of trip limit changes. The Assistant Administrator, by 
filing a notification of trip limit change with the Office of the 
Federal Register, will effect the trip limit changes specified in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii)(B) of this section when the 
requisite harvest level has been reached or is projected to be reached.
    (iv) Western zone. In the western zone, king mackerel in or from the 
EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for king mackerel has been issued, as required under 
Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(ii), from July 1, each fishing year, until a closure 
of the western zone's fishery has been effected under Sec. 622.43(a)--
in amounts not exceeding 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) per day.
    (b) Spanish mackerel. (1) Commercial trip limits are established for 
Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel as follows:
    (i) North of 30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N. lat., which is a line 
directly east from the Georgia/Florida boundary, Spanish mackerel in or 
from the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed in a day from a 
vessel for which a permit for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iv), in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg).
    (ii) South of 30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N. lat., Spanish mackerel in 
or from the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed in a day from a 
vessel for which a permit for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(iv)--
    (A) From April 1 through November 30, in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg).

[[Page 248]]

    (B) From December 1 until 75 percent of the adjusted quota is taken, 
in amounts as follows:
    (1) Mondays through Fridays--unlimited.
    (2) Saturdays and Sundays--not exceeding 1,500 lb (680 kg).
    (C) After 75 percent of the adjusted quota is taken until 100 
percent of the adjusted quota is taken, in amounts not exceeding 1,500 
lb (680 kg).
    (D) After 100 percent of the adjusted quota is taken through the end 
of the fishing year, in amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227kg).
    (2) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
adjusted quota is 3.62 million lb (1.64 million kg). The adjusted quota 
is the quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel reduced by an 
amount calculated to allow continued harvests of Atlantic migratory 
group Spanish mackerel at the rate of 500 lb (227 kg) per vessel per day 
for the remainder of the fishing year after the adjusted quota is 
reached. By filing a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, the Assistant Administrator will announce when 75 percent and 
100 percent of the adjusted quota is reached or is projected to be 
reached.
    (3) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, a day 
starts at 6 a.m., local time, and extends for 24 hours. If a vessel 
terminates a trip prior to 6 a.m., but retains Spanish mackerel on board 
after that time, the Spanish mackerel retained on board will not be 
considered in possession during the succeeding day, provided the vessel 
is not underway between 6 a.m. and the time such Spanish mackerel are 
unloaded, and provided such Spanish mackerel are unloaded prior to 6 
p.m.
    (c) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. When a vessel fishes on a trip 
in the South Atlantic EEZ, the vessel trip limits specified in this 
paragraph (c) apply, provided persons aboard the vessel are not subject 
to the bag limits. See Sec. 622.39(a) for applicability of the bag 
limits.
    (1) Trip-limited permits. A vessel for which a trip-limited permit 
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued is limited to 225 lb 
(102.1 kg) of snapper-grouper.
    (2) Golden tilefish. (i) Until the fishing year quota specified in 
Sec. 622.42(e)(2) is reached, 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
    (ii) After the fishing year quota specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(2) is 
reached, 300 lb (136 kg).
    (3) Snowy grouper. (i) Until the fishing year quota specified in 
Sec. 622.42(e)(1) is reached, 2,500 lb (1,134 kg).
    (ii) After the fishing year quota specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(1) is 
reached, 300 lb (136 kg).
    (4) Red porgy. (i) From May 1 through December 31, 50 lb (22.7 kg).
    (ii) From January 1 through April 30, the seasonal harvest limit 
specified in Sec. 622.36(b)(5) applies.
    (5) Greater amberjack. Until the fishing year quota specified in 
Sec. 622.42(e)(3) is reached, 1,000 lb (454 kg). See Sec. 
622.43(a)(5)(i) for the limitations regarding greater amberjack after 
the fishing year quota is reached.
    (d) Gulf red snapper. (1) The trip limit for red snapper in or from 
the Gulf for a vessel that has on board a valid commercial permit for 
Gulf reef fish and a valid Class 1 red snapper license is 2,000 lb (907 
kg), round or eviscerated weight.
    (2) The trip limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf for a vessel 
that has on board a valid commercial permit for Gulf reef fish and a 
valid Class 2 red snapper license is 200 lb (91 kg), round or 
eviscerated weight.
    (3) The trip limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf for any other 
vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued 
is zero.
    (4) As a condition of a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, 
as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to where red 
snapper are harvested or possessed, a vessel that has been issued such 
permit--
    (i) May not possess red snapper in or from the Gulf in excess of the 
appropriate vessel trip limit, as specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (ii) May not transfer or receive at sea red snapper in or from the 
Gulf.
    (e) Caribbean queen conch. A person who fishes in the Caribbean EEZ 
and is not subject to the bag limit may not possess in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ more than 150 queen conch per day.

[[Page 249]]

    (f) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (1) The trip limit for wahoo in or 
from the Atlantic EEZ is 500 lb (227 kg). This trip limit applies to a 
vessel that has a Federal commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and 
wahoo, provided that the vessel is not operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat.
    (2) The trip limit for a vessel that does not have a Federal 
commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo but has a 
Federal commercial vessel permit in any other fishery is 200 lb (91 kg) 
of dolphin and wahoo, combined, provided that all fishing on and 
landings from that trip are north of 39[deg] N. lat. (A charter vessel/
headboat permit is not a commercial vessel permit.)
    (g) Gulf deep-water and shallow-water grouper, combined. For vessels 
operating under the quotas in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(ii) or (a)(1)(iii), the 
trip limit for Gulf deep-water and shallow-water grouper combined is 
6,000 lb (2,722 kg), gutted weight. However, when the quotas in Sec. 
622.42(a)(1)(ii) or (a)(1)(iii) are reached and the respective fishery 
is closed, the commercial trip limit for the species subject to the 
closure is zero. (See Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) for the 
species included in the deep-water and shallow-water grouper categories, 
respectively.)

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
622.44, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55108, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.44 
was amended by revising paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4) and (c)(5), 
effective Oct. 23, 2006. For the convenience of the user, the revised 
text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.44  Commercial trip limits.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (2) Golden tilefish. (i) Until 75 percent of the fishing year quota 
specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(2) is reached--4,000 lb (1,814 kg).
    (ii) After 75 percent of the fishing year quota specified in Sec. 
622.42(e)(2) is reached--300 lb (136 kg). However, if 75 percent of the 
fishing year quota has not been taken on or before September 1, the trip 
limit will not be reduced. The Assistant Administrator, by filing a 
notification of trip limit change with the Office of the Federal 
Register, will effect a trip limit change specified in this paragraph, 
(c)(2)(ii), when the applicable conditions have been taken.
    (iii) See Sec. 622.43(a)(5) for the limitations regarding golden 
tilefish after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (3) Snowy grouper. (i) During the 2006 fishing year, until the quota 
specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(1)(i) is reached--275 lb (125 kg).
    (ii) During the 2007 fishing year, until the quota specified in 
Sec. 622.42(e)(1)(ii) is reached--175 lb (79 kg).
    (iii) During the 2008 and subsequent fishing years, until the quota 
specified in Sec. 622.42(e)(1)(iii) is reached--100 lb (45 kg).
    (iv) See Sec. 622.43(a)(5) for the limitations regarding snowy 
grouper after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (4) Red porgy. (i) From May 1 through December 31--120 fish.
    (ii) From January 1 through April 30, the seasonal harvest limit 
specified in Sec. 622.36(b)(5) applies.
    (iii) See Sec. 622.43(a)(5) for the limitations regarding red porgy 
after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (5) Greater amberjack. Until the fishing year quota specified in 
Sec. 622.42(e)(3) is reached, 1,000 lb (454 kg). See Sec. 622.43(a)(5) 
for the limitations regarding greater amberjack after the fishing year 
quota is reached.



Sec. 622.45  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    In addition to restrictions on sale/purchase related to closures, as 
specified in Sec. 622.43 (a) and (b), restrictions on sale and/or 
purchase apply as follows.
    (a) Caribbean coral reef resource. (1) No person may sell or 
purchase a Caribbean prohibited coral harvested in the Caribbean EEZ.
    (2) A Caribbean prohibited coral that is sold in Puerto Rico or the 
U.S. Virgin Islands will be presumed to have been harvested in the 
Caribbean EEZ, unless it is accompanied by documentation showing that it 
was harvested elsewhere. Such documentation must contain:
    (i) The information specified in subpart K of part 300 of this title 
for marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are 
imported, exported, or transported in interstate commerce.
    (ii) The name and home port of the vessel, or the name and address 
of the individual, harvesting the Caribbean prohibited coral.
    (iii) The port and date of landing the Caribbean prohibited coral.

[[Page 250]]

    (iv) A statement signed by the person selling the Caribbean 
prohibited coral attesting that, to the best of his or her knowledge, 
information, and belief, such Caribbean prohibited coral was harvested 
other than in the Caribbean EEZ or the waters of Puerto Rico or the U.S. 
Virgin Islands.
    (b) Caribbean reef fish. A live red hind or live mutton snapper in 
or from the Caribbean EEZ may not be sold or purchased and used in the 
marine aquarium trade.
    (c) Gulf reef fish. (1) A Gulf reef fish harvested in the EEZ on 
board a vessel that does not have a valid commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), or a Gulf reef fish 
possessed under the bag limits specified in Sec. 622.39(b), may not be 
sold or purchased.
    (2) A Gulf reef fish harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish may be sold only to a dealer who 
has a valid permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(4).
    (3) A Gulf reef fish harvested in the EEZ may be purchased by a 
dealer who has a valid permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under 
Sec. 622.4(a)(4), only from a vessel that has a valid commercial permit 
for Gulf reef fish.
    (4) From February 15 until March 15, each year, no person may sell 
or purchase a gag, black grouper, or red grouper harvested from the Gulf 
by a vessel with a valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf reef fish. 
This prohibition on sale/purchase does not apply to gag, black grouper, 
or red grouper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 
February 15 and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
    (5) From April 22 through May 31, each year, no person may sell or 
purchase vermilion snapper harvested from the Gulf by a vessel with a 
valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf reef fish. This prohibition on 
sale/purchase does not apply to vermilion snapper that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to April 22 and were held in cold storage 
by a dealer or processor.
    (d) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. (1) A person may sell South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested in the EEZ only to a dealer who has a 
valid permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(4).
    (2) A person may purchase South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested 
in the EEZ only from a vessel that has a valid commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(vi), 
or from a person who has a valid commercial license to sell fish in the 
state where the purchase occurs.
    (3) Except for the sale or purchase of South Atlantic snapper-
grouper harvested by a vessel that has a valid commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper, the sale or purchase of such fish is 
limited to the bag limits specified in Sec. 622.39(d)(1).
    (4) A warsaw grouper or speckled hind in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ may not be sold or purchased.
    (5) During January, February, March, and April, no person may sell 
or purchase a red porgy harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ or, if 
harvested by a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been 
issued, harvested from the South Atlantic. The prohibition on sale/
purchase during January through April does not apply to red porgy that 
were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to January 1 and were held 
in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This prohibition also does not 
apply to a dealer's purchase or sale of red porgy harvested from an area 
other than the South Atlantic, provided such fish is accompanied by 
documentation of harvest outside the South Atlantic. Such documentation 
must contain:
    (i) The information specified in 50 CFR part 300 subpart K for 
marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are imported, 
exported, or transported in interstate commerce;
    (ii) The official number, name, and home port of the vessel 
harvesting the red porgy;
    (iii) The port and date of offloading from the vessel harvesting the 
red porgy; and
    (iv) A statement signed by the dealer attesting that the red porgy 
was harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic.

[[Page 251]]

    (6) During April, no person may sell or purchase a greater amberjack 
harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ or, if harvested by a vessel for 
which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested from the South 
Atlantic. The prohibition on sale/purchase during April does not apply 
to greater amberjack that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior 
to April 1 and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This 
prohibition also does not apply to a dealer's purchase or sale of 
greater amberjack harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic, 
provided such fish is accompanied by documentation of harvest outside 
the South Atlantic. Such documentation must contain:
    (i) The information specified in 50 CFR part 300 subpart K for 
marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are imported, 
exported, or transported in interstate commerce;
    (ii) The official number, name, and home port of the vessel 
harvesting the greater amberjack;
    (iii) The port and date of offloading from the vessel harvesting the 
greater amberjack; and
    (iv) A statement signed by the dealer attesting that the greater 
amberjack was harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic.
    (7) During March and April, no person may sell or purchase a gag or 
black grouper harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ or, if harvested by 
a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested 
from the South Atlantic. The prohibition on sale/purchase during March 
and April does not apply to gag or black grouper that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to March 1 and were held in cold storage 
by a dealer or processor. This prohibition also does not apply to a 
dealer's purchase or sale of gag or black grouper harvested from an area 
other than the South Atlantic, provided such fish is accompanied by 
documentation of harvest outside the South Atlantic. Such documentation 
must contain:
    (i) The information specified in 50 CFR part 300 subpart K for 
marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are imported, 
exported, or transported in interstate commerce;
    (ii) The official number, name, and home port of the vessel 
harvesting the gag or black grouper;
    (iii) The port and date of offloading from the vessel harvesting the 
gag or black grouper; and
    (iv) A statement signed by the dealer attesting that the gag or 
black grouper was harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic.
    (e) Gulf and South Atlantic wild live rock. Wild live rock in or 
from the Gulf EEZ or South Atlantic EEZ may not be sold or purchased. 
The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to wild live rock 
from the South Atlantic EEZ that was harvested and landed prior to 
January 1, 1996, or to wild live rock from the Gulf EEZ that was 
harvested and landed prior to January 1, 1997.
    (f) South Atlantic golden crab. (1) A female golden crab in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ may not be sold or purchased.
    (2) A golden crab harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ on board a 
vessel that does not have a valid commercial permit for golden crab, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(x), may not be sold or purchased.
    (3) A golden crab harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for golden crab may be sold only to a dealer who has a 
valid permit for golden crab, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4).
    (4) A golden crab harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ may be 
purchased by a dealer who has a valid permit for golden crab, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), only from a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for golden crab.
    (g) South Atlantic rock shrimp. (1) Rock shrimp harvested in the 
South Atlantic EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid 
commercial permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec. 
622.4(a)(2)(viii), may not be transferred, received, sold, or purchased.
    (2) Rock shrimp harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for rock shrimp may be transferred or sold only to a 
dealer who has a valid

[[Page 252]]

permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4).
    (3) Rock shrimp harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ may be received 
or purchased by a dealer who has a valid permit for rock shrimp, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4), only from a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for rock shrimp.
    (h) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel. A person may not 
sell or purchase a cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that does 
not comply with the minimum size limits specified in Sec. 622.37(c)(2) 
or (c)(3), respectively, or that is in excess of the trip limits 
specified in Sec. 622.44(a) or (b), respectively.
    (i) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (1) A person may sell dolphin or 
wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ only if it is harvested by a vessel 
that has a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as required 
under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(xii)(A), or by a vessel authorized a 200-lb (91-
kg) trip limit for dolphin or wahoo, as specified in Sec. 622.44(f)(2), 
and only to a dealer who has a permit for Atlantic dolphin or wahoo, as 
required under Sec. 622.4(a)(4).
    (2) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section, a person may not sell dolphin in excess of the bag limit or any 
wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ by a vessel while it was operating 
as a charter vessel or headboat.
    (3) Dolphin or wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ may be purchased 
only by a dealer who has a permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo and 
only from a vessel authorized to sell dolphin or wahoo under paragraph 
(i)(1) or (i)(2) of this section.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43960, Aug. 27, 1996; 61 
FR 47449, Sept. 9, 1996; 63 FR 10569, Mar. 4, 1998; 63 FR 57590, Oct. 
28, 1998; 64 FR 3629, Jan. 25, 1999; 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999; 65 FR 
16341, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 31831, May 19, 2000; 65 FR 51253, Aug. 23, 
2000; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 2004; 70 FR 33389, June 8, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 55108, Sept. 21, 2006, Sec. 622.45 
paragraph (d)(8) was added, effective Oct. 23, 2006. For the convenience 
of the user, the added text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 622.45  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

                                * * * * *

    (d) * * *
    (8) No person may sell or purchase a snowy grouper, golden tilefish, 
greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, or red porgy 
harvested from or possessed in the South Atlantic by a vessel for which 
a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued for the remainder of the 
fishing year after the applicable commercial quota for that species 
specified in Sec. 622.42(e) has been reached. The prohibition on sale/
purchase during these periods does not apply to such of the applicable 
species that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the 
applicable commercial quota being reached and were held in cold storage 
by a dealer or processor.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 622.46  Prevention of gear conflicts.

    (a) No person may knowingly place in the Gulf EEZ any article, 
including fishing gear, that interferes with fishing or obstructs or 
damages fishing gear or the fishing vessel of another; or knowingly use 
fishing gear in such a fashion that it obstructs or damages the fishing 
gear or fishing vessel of another.
    (b) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the FMP 
for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the RA may modify or 
establish separation zones for shrimp trawling and the use of fixed gear 
to prevent gear conflicts. Necessary prohibitions or restrictions will 
be published in the Federal Register.
    (c) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the FMP 
for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, when the RA determines that a 
conflict exists in the king mackerel fishery between hook-and-line and 
gillnet fishermen in the South Atlantic EEZ off the east coast of 
Florida between 27[deg]00.6[min] N. lat. and 27[deg]50.0[min] N. lat., 
the RA may prohibit or restrict the use of hook-and-line and/or gillnets 
in all or a portion of that area. Necessary prohibitions or restrictions 
will be published in the Federal Register.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 59126, Nov. 2, 1999]



Sec. 622.47  Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.

    Gulf groundfish trawl fishery means fishing in the Gulf EEZ by a 
vessel that

[[Page 253]]

uses a bottom trawl, the unsorted catch of which is ground up for animal 
feed or industrial products.
    (a) Other provisions of this part notwithstanding, the owner or 
operator of a vessel in the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery is exempt from 
the following requirements and limitations for the vessel's unsorted 
catch of Gulf reef fish:
    (1) The requirement for a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish in order to sell Gulf reef fish.
    (2) Minimum size limits for Gulf reef fish.
    (3) Bag limits for Gulf reef fish.
    (4) The prohibition on sale of Gulf reef fish after a quota closure.
    (b) Other provisions of this part notwithstanding, a dealer in a 
Gulf state is exempt from the requirement for a dealer permit for Gulf 
reef fish to receive Gulf reef fish harvested from the Gulf EEZ by a 
vessel in the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.



Sec. 622.48  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the applicable FMPs, 
the RA may establish or modify the following items:
    (a) Caribbean coral reef resources. Species for which management 
measures may be specified; prohibited species; harvest limitations, 
including quotas, trip, or daily landing limits; gear restrictions; 
closed seasons or areas; and marine conservation districts.
    (b) Caribbean reef fish. Size limits, closed seasons or areas, fish 
trap mesh size, and the threshold level for overfishing.
    (c) Coastal migratory pelagic fish. For a species or species group: 
Age-structured analyses, target date for rebuilding an overfished 
species, MSY (or proxy), stock biomass achieved by fishing at MSY 
(BMSY) (or proxy), maximum fishing mortality threshold 
(MFMT), minimum stock size threshold (MSST), OY, TAC, quota (including a 
quota of zero), bag limit (including a bag limit of zero), size limits, 
vessel trip limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, gear 
restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), 
reallocation of the commercial/recreational allocation of Atlantic group 
Spanish mackerel, permit requirements, definitions of essential fish 
habitat, and essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (d) Gulf reef fish. (1) For a species or species group: Target date 
for rebuilding an overfished species, TAC, bag limits, size limits, 
vessel trip limits, closed seasons or areas, gear restrictions, quotas, 
MSY (or proxy), OY, and estimates of stock biomass achieved by fishing 
at MSY (BMSY), minimum stock size threshold (MSST), and 
maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT).
    (2) SMZs and the gear restrictions applicable in each.
    (e) Gulf royal red shrimp. MSY, OY, and TAC.
    (f) South Atlantic snapper-grouper and wreckfish. Biomass levels, 
age-structured analyses, target dates for rebuilding overfished species, 
MSY, ABC, TAC, quotas, trip limits, bag limits, minimum sizes, gear 
restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), seasonal 
or area closures, definitions of essential fish habitat, essential fish 
habitat, essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs, and restrictions 
on gear and fishing activities applicable in essential fish habitat and 
essential fish habitat HAPCs.
    (g) South Atlantic golden crab. Biomass levels, age-structured 
analyses, MSY, ABC, TAC, quotas (including quotas equal to zero), trip 
limits, minimum sizes, gear regulations and restrictions, permit 
requirements, seasonal or area closures, sub-zones and their management 
measures, time frame for recovery of golden crab if overfished, fishing 
year (adjustment not to exceed 2 months), observer requirements, 
authority for the RA to close the fishery when a quota is reached or is 
projected to be reached, definitions of essential fish habitat, and 
essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (h) South Atlantic shrimp. Biomass levels, age-structured analyses, 
BRD certification criteria, BRD specifications, BRD testing protocol, 
certified BRDs, nets required to use BRDs, times and locations when the 
use of BRDs is required, definitions of essential fish habitat, and 
essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.

[[Page 254]]

    (i) Gulf shrimp. Bycatch reduction criteria, BRD certification and 
decertification criteria, BRD testing protocol, certified BRDs, and BRD 
specifications.
    (j) Gulf red drum. Target date for rebuilding an overfished species, 
MSY (or proxy), stock biomass achieved by fishing at MSY 
(BMSY), OY, TAC, minimum stock size threshold (MSST), maximum 
fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), escapement rates for juvenile fish, 
bag limits, size limits, gear harvest limits, and other restrictions 
required to prevent exceeding allocations or quotas.
    (k) Atlantic coast red drum. Definitions of essential fish habitat 
and essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (l) South Atlantic coral, coral reefs, and live/hard bottom 
habitats. Definitions of essential fish habitat and essential fish 
habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (m) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Biomass levels, age-structured 
analyses, MSY, OY, ABC, TAC, trip limits, minimum sizes, gear 
regulations and restrictions, permit requirements, seasonal or area 
closures, sub-zones and their management measures, overfishing 
definitions and other status determination criteria, time frame for 
recovery of Atlantic dolphin or wahoo if overfished, fishing year 
(adjustment not to exceed 2 months), authority for the RA to close a 
fishery when a quota is reached or is projected to be reached or reopen 
a fishery when additional quota becomes available, definitions of 
essential fish habitat, and essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43960, Aug. 27, 1996; 62 
FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 62 FR 18539, Apr. 16, 1997; 63 FR 10569, Mar. 
4, 1998; 63 FR 18144, Apr. 14, 1998; 64 FR 36781, July 8, 1999; 65 FR 
31835, May 19, 2000; 65 FR 37296, June 14, 2000; 65 FR 51253, Aug. 23, 
2000; 67 FR 22362, May 3, 2002; 69 FR 30242, May 27, 2004]

                 Appendix A to Part 622--Species Tables

    Table 1 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Coral Reef Resources

I. Coelenterates--Phylum Coelenterata
    A. Hydrocorals--Class Hydrozoa
1. Hydroids--Order Athecatae
Family Milleporidae
    Millepora spp., Fire corals
Family Stylasteridae
    Stylaster roseus, Rose lace corals
    B. Anthozoans--Class Anthozoa
1. Soft corals--Order Alcyonacea
Family Anthothelidae
    Erythropodium caribaeorum, Encrusting gorgonian
    Iciligorgia schrammi, Deepwater sea fan
Family Briaridae
    Briareum asbestinum, Corky sea finger
Family Clavulariidae
    Carijoa riisei
    Telesto spp.
2. Gorgonian corals--Order Gorgonacea
Family Ellisellidae
    Ellisella spp., Sea whips
Family Gorgoniidae
    Gorgonia flabellum, Venus sea fan
    G. mariae, Wide-mesh sea fan
    G. ventalina, Common sea fan
    Pseudopterogorgia acerosa, Sea plume
    P. albatrossae
    P. americana, Slimy sea plume
    P. bipinnata, Bipinnate plume
    P. rigida
    Pterogorgia anceps, Angular sea whip
    P. citrina, Yellow sea whip
Family Plexauridae
    Eunicea calyculata, Warty sea rod
    E. clavigera
    E. fusca, Doughnut sea rod
    E. knighti
    E. laciniata
    E. laxispica
    E. mammosa, Swollen-knob
    E. succinea, Shelf-knob sea rod
    E. touneforti
    Muricea atlantica
    M. elongata, Orange spiny rod
    M. laxa, Delicate spiny rod
    M. muricata, Spiny sea fan
    M. pinnata, Long spine sea fan
    Muriceopsis spp.
    M. flavida, Rough sea plume
    M. sulphurea
    Plexaura flexuosa, Bent sea rod
    P. homomalla, Black sea rod
    Plexaurella dichotoma, Slit-pore sea rod
    P. fusifera
    P. grandiflora
    P. grisea
    P. nutans, Giant slit-pore
    Pseudoplexaura crucis
    P. flagellosa
    P. porosa, Porous sea rod
    P. wagenaari
3. Hard Corals--Order Scleractinia
Family Acroporidae
    Acropora cervicornis, Staghorn coral
    A. palmata, Elkhorn coral
    A. prolifera, Fused staghorn
Family Agaricidae
    Agaricia agaricities, Lettuce leaf coral
    A. fragilis, Fragile saucer
    A. lamarcki, Lamarck's sheet
    A. tenuifolia, Thin leaf lettuce
    Leptoseris cucullata, Sunray lettuce
Family Astrocoeniidae

[[Page 255]]

    Stephanocoenia michelinii, Blushing star
Family Caryophyllidae
    Eusmilia fastigiata, Flower coral
    Tubastrea aurea, Cup coral
Family Faviidae
    Cladocora arbuscula, Tube coral
    Colpophyllia natans, Boulder coral
    Diploria clivosa, Knobby brain coral
    D. labyrinthiformis, Grooved brain
    D. strigosa, Symmetrical brain
    Favia fragum, Golfball coral
    Manicina areolata, Rose coral
    M. mayori, Tortugas rose coral
    Montastrea annularis, Boulder star coral
    M. cavernosa, Great star coral
    Solenastrea bournoni, Smooth star coral
Family Meandrinidae
    Dendrogyra cylindrus, Pillar coral
    Dichocoenia stellaris, Pancake star
    D. stokesi, Elliptical star
    Meandrina meandrites, Maze coral
Family Mussidae
    Isophyllastrea rigida, Rough star coral
    Isophyllia sinuosa, Sinuous cactus
    Mussa angulosa, Large flower coral
    Mycetophyllia aliciae, Thin fungus coral
    M. danae, Fat fungus coral
    M. ferox, Grooved fungus
    M. lamarckiana, Fungus coral
    Scolymia cubensis, Artichoke coral
    S. lacera, Solitary disk
Family Oculinidae
    Oculina diffusa, Ivory bush coral
Family Pocilloporidae
    Madracis decactis, Ten-ray star coral
    M. mirabilis, Yellow pencil
Family Poritidae
    Porites astreoides, Mustard hill coral
    P. branneri, Blue crust coral
    P. divaricata, Small finger coral
    P. porites, Finger coral
Family Rhizangiidae
    Astrangia solitaria, Dwarf cup coral
    Phyllangia americana, Hidden cup coral
Family Siderastreidae
    Siderastrea radians, Lesser starlet
    S. siderea, Massive starlet
4. Black Corals--Order Antipatharia
    Antipathes spp., Bushy black coral
    Stichopathes spp., Wire coral
II. Sea grasses--Phylum Angiospermae
    Halodule wrightii, Shoal grass
    Halophila spp., Sea vines
    Ruppia maritima, Widgeon grass
    Syringodium filiforme, Manatee grass
    Thalassia testudium, Turtle grass

Aquarium Trade Species in the Coral FMP--The following species are 
          included for data collection purposes only.
I. Sponges--Phylum Porifera
A. Demosponges--Class Demospongiae
    Aphimedon compressa, Erect rope sponge
    Chondrilla nucula, Chicken liver sponge
    Cynachirella alloclada
    Geodia neptuni, Potato sponge
    Haliclona spp., Finger sponge
    Myriastra spp.
    Niphates digitalis, Pink vase sponge
    N. erecta, Lavender rope sponge
    Spinosella policifera
    S. vaginalis
    Tethya crypta
II. Coelenterates--Phylum Coelenterata
A. Anthozoans--Class Anthozoa
1. Anemones--Order Actiniaria
    Aiptasia tagetes, Pale anemone
    Bartholomea annulata, Corkscrew anemone
    Condylactis gigantea, Giant pink-tipped anemone
    Hereractis lucida, Knobby anemone
    Lebrunia spp., Staghorn anemone
    Stichodactyla helianthus, Sun anemone
2. Colonial Anemones--Order Zoanthidea
    Zoanthus spp., Sea mat
3. False Corals--Order Corallimorpharia
    Discosoma spp. (formerly Rhodactis), False coral
    Ricordia florida, Florida false coral
III. Annelid Worms--Phylum Annelida
A. Polychaetes--Class Polychaeta
Family Sabellidae, Feather duster worms
    Sabellastarte spp., Tube worms
    S. magnifica, Magnificent duster
Family Serpulidae
    Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm
IV. Mollusks--Phylum Mollusca
A. Gastropods--Class Gastropoda
Family Elysiidae
    Tridachia crispata, Lettuce sea slug
Family Olividae
    Oliva reticularis, Netted olive
Family Ovulidae
    Cyphoma gibbosum, Flamingo tongue
B. Bivalves--Class Bivalvia
Family Limidae
    Lima spp., Fileclams
    L. scabra, Rough fileclam
Family Spondylidae
    Spondylus americanus, Atlantic thorny oyster
C. Cephalopods--Class Cephalopoda
1. Octopuses--Order Octopoda
Family Octopodidae
    Octopus spp. (except the Common octopus, O. vulgaris)
V. Arthropods--Phylum Arthropoda
A. Crustaceans--Subphylum Crustacea
1. Decapods--Order Decapoda
Family Alpheidae
    Alpheaus armatus, Snapping shrimp
Family Diogenidae
    Paguristes spp., Hermit crabs
    P. cadenati, Red reef hermit
Family Grapsidae
    Percnon gibbesi, Nimble spray crab
Family Hippolytidae
    Lysmata spp., Peppermint shrimp
    Thor amboinensis, Anemone shrimp
Family Majidae, Coral crabs
    Mithrax spp., Clinging crabs
    M. cinctimanus, Banded clinging
    M. sculptus, Green clinging
    Stenorhynchus seticornis, Yellowline arrow

[[Page 256]]

Family Palaemonida
    Periclimenes spp., Cleaner shrimp
Family Squillidae, Mantis crabs
    Gonodactylus spp.
    Lysiosquilla spp.
Family Stenopodidae, Coral shrimp
    Stenopus hispidus, Banded shrimp
    S. scutellatus, Golden shrimp
VI. Echinoderms--Phylum Echinodermata
A. Feather stars--Class Crinoidea
    Analcidometra armata, Swimming crinoid
    Davidaster spp., Crinoids
    Nemaster spp., Crinoids
B. Sea stars--Class Asteroidea
    Astropecten spp., Sand stars
    Linckia guildingii, Common comet star
    Ophidiaster guildingii, Comet star
    Oreaster reticulatus, Cushion sea star
C. Brittle and basket stars--Class Ophiuroidea
    Astrophyton muricatum, Giant basket star
    Ophiocoma spp., Brittlestars
    Ophioderma spp., Brittlestars
    O. rubicundum, Ruby brittlestar
D. Sea Urchins--Class Echinoidea
    Diadema antillarum, Long-spined urchin
    Echinometra spp., Purple urchin
    Eucidaris tribuloides, Pencil urchin
    Lytechinus spp., Pin cushion urchin
    Tripneustes ventricosus, Sea egg
E. Sea Cucumbers--Class Holothuroidea
    Holothuria spp., Sea cucumbers
VII. Chordates--Phylum Chordata
A. Tunicates--Subphylum Urochordata

         Table 2 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Reef Fish

Lutjanidae--Snappers
Unit 1
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Blackfin snapper, L. buccanella
    Black snapper, Apsilus dentatus
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
Unit 2
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Wenchman, Pristipomoides aquilonaris
Unit 3
    Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu
    Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus
    Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogani
Unit 4
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
Serranidae--Sea basses and Groupers
Unit 1
    Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus
Unit 2
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
Unit 3
    Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus
    Coney, Epinephelus fulvus
    Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
    Graysby, Epinephelus cruentatus
    Creole-fish, Paranthias furcifer
Unit 4
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
    Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
    Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
Haemulidae--Grunts
    White grunt, Haemulon plumieri
    Margate, Haemulon album
    Tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum
    Bluestriped grunt, Haemulon sciurus
    French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum
    Porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus
Mullidae--Goatfishes
    Spotted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus
    Yellow goatfish, Mulloidichthys martinicus
Sparidae--Porgies
    Jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado
    Sea bream, Archosargus rhomboidalis
    Sheepshead porgy, Calamus penna
    Pluma, Calamus pennatula
Holocentridae--Squirrelfishes
    Blackbar soldierfish, Myripristis jacobus
    Bigeye, Priacanthus arenatus
    Longspine squirrelfish, Holocentrus rufus
    Squirrelfish, Holocentrus adscensionis
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes
    Blackline tilefish, Caulolatilus cyanops
    Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
Carangidae--Jacks
    Blue runner, Caranx crysos
    Horse-eye jack, Caranx latus
    Black jack, Caranx lugubris
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Bar jack, Caranx ruber
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Yellow jack, Caranx bartholomaei
Scaridae--Parrotfishes
    Blue parrotfish, Scarus coeruleus
    Midnight parrotfish, Scarus coelestinus
    Princess parrotfish, Scarus taeniopterus
    Queen parrotfish, Scarus vetula
    Rainbow parrotfish, Scarus guacamaia
    Redfin parrotfish, Sparisoma rubripinne
    Redtail parrotfish, Sparisoma chrysopterum
    Stoplight parrotfish, Sparisoma viride
    Redband parrotfish, Sparisoma aurofrenatum
    Striped parrotfish, Scarus croicensis
Acanthuridae--Surgeonfishes
    Blue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus
    Ocean surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahianus
    Doctorfish, Acanthurus chirurgus
Balistidae--Triggerfishes
    Ocean triggerfish, Canthidermis sufflamen
    Queen triggerfish, Balistes vetula
    Sargassum triggerfish, Xanthichthys rigens
Monacanthidae--Filefishes
    Scrawled filefish, Aluterus scriptus
    Whitespotted filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus
    Black durgon, Melichthys niger
Ostraciidae--Boxfishes
    Honeycomb cowfish, Lactophrys polygonia
    Scrawled cowfish, Lactophrys quadricornis
    Trunkfish, Lactophrys trigonus
    Spotted trunkfish, Lactophrys bicaudalis

[[Page 257]]

    Smooth trunkfish, Lactophrys triqueter
Labridae--Wrasses
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
    Puddingwife, Halichoeres radiatus
    Spanish hogfish, Bodianus rufus
Pomacanthidae--Angelfishes
    Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris
    Gray angelfish, Pomacanthus arcuatus
    French angelfish, Pomacanthus paru

Aquarium Trade--The following aquarium trade species are included for 
          data collection purposes only:
    Frogfish, Antennarius spp.
    Flamefish, Apogon maculatus
    Conchfish, Astrapogen stellatus
    Redlip blenny, Ophioblennius atlanticus
    Peacock flounder, Bothus lunatus
    Longsnout butterflyfish, Chaetodon aculeatus
    Foureye butterflyfish, Chaetodon capistratus
    Spotfin butterflyfish, Chaetodon ocellatus
    Banded butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus
    Redspotted hawkfish, Amblycirrhitus pinos
    Flying gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans
    Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber
    Neon goby, Gobiosoma oceanops
    Rusty goby, Priolepis hipoliti
    Royal gramma, Gramma loreto
    Creole wrasse, Clepticus parrae
    Yellowcheek wrasse, Halichoeres cyanocephalus
    Yellowhead wrasse, Halichoeres garnoti
    Clown wrasse, Halichoeres maculipinna
    Pearly razorfish, Hemipteronotus novacula
    Green razorfish, Hemipteronotus splendens
    Bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum
    Chain moray, Echidna catenata
    Green moray, Gymnothorax funebris
    Goldentail moray, Gymnothorax miliaris
    Batfish, Ogcocepahalus spp.
    Goldspotted eel, Myrichthys ocellatus
    Yellowhead jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons
    Dusky jawfish, Opistognathus whitehursti
    Cherubfish, Centropyge argi
    Rock beauty, Holacanthus tricolor
    Sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis
    Blue chromis, Chromis cyanea
    Sunshinefish, Chromis insolata
    Yellowtail damselfish, Microspathodon chrysurus
    Dusky damselfish, Pomacentrus fuscus
    Beaugregory, Pomacentrus leucostictus
    Bicolor damselfish, Pomacentrus partitus
    Threespot damselfish, Pomacentrus planifrons
    Glasseye snapper, Priacanthus cruentatus
    High-hat, Equetus acuminatus
    Jackknife-fish, Equetus lanceolatus
    Spotted drum, Equetus punctatus
Scorpaenidae--Scorpionfishes
    Butter hamlet, Hypoplectrus unicolor
    Swissguard basslet, Liopropoma rubre
    Greater soapfish, Rypticus saponaceus
    Orangeback bass, Serranus annularis
    Lantern bass, Serranus baldwini
    Tobaccofish, Serranus tabacarius
    Harlequin bass, Serranus tigrinus
    Chalk bass, Serranus tortugarum
    Caribbean tonguefish, Symphurus arawak
    Seahorses, Hippocampus spp.
    Pipefishes, Syngnathus spp.
    Sand diver, Synodus intermedius
    Sharpnose puffer, Canthigaster rostrata
    Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix

            Table 3 of Appendix A to Part 622--Gulf Reef Fish

Balistidae--Triggerfishes
    Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus
Carangidae--Jacks
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata
Labridae--Wrasses
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
Lutjanidae--Snappers
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus
    Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella
    Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus
    Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus
    Gray (mangrove) snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu
    Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogoni
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
    Wenchman, Pristipomoides aquilonaris
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes
    Goldface tilefish, Caulolatilus chrysops
    Blackline tilefish, Caulolatilus cyanops
    Anchor tilefish, Caulolatilus intermedius
    Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
    Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Serranidae--Groupers
    Dwarf sand perch, Diplectrum bivittatum
    Sand perch, Diplectrum formosum
    Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
    Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
    Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
    Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
    Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
    Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus
    Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
    Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
    Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis
    Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa

    Table 4 of Appendix A to Part 622--South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper

Balistidae--Triggerfishes

[[Page 258]]

    Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus
    Queen triggerfish, Balistes vetula
    Ocean triggerfish, Canthidermis sufflamen
Carangidae--Jacks
    Yellow jack, Caranx bartholomaei
    Blue runner, Caranx crysos
    Crevalle jack, Caranx hippos
    Bar jack, Caranx ruber
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata
Ephippidae--Spadefishes
    Spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber
Haemulidae--Grunts
    Black margate, Anisotremus surinamensis
    Porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus
    Margate, Haemulon album
    Tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum
    Smallmouth grunt, Haemulon chrysargyreum
    French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum
    Spanish grunt, Haemulon macrostomum
    Cottonwick, Haemulon melanurum
    Sailors choice, Haemulon parrai
    White grunt, Haemulon plumieri
    Blue stripe grunt, Haemulon sciurus
Labridae--Wrasses
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
    Puddingwife, Halichoeres radiatus
Lutjanidae--Snappers
    Black snapper, Apsilus dentatus
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus
    Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella
    Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus
    Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus
    Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogoni
    Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes
    Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
    Golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
    Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
Percichthyidae--Temperate basses
    Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus
Serranidae--Groupers
    Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
    Graysby, Epinephelus cruentatus
    Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
    Coney, Epinephelus fulvus
    Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
    Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
    Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
    Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus
    Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
    Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
    Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis
    Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
    Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
Serranidae--Sea Basses
    Bank sea bass, Centropristis ocyurus
    Rock sea bass, Centropristis philadelphica
    Black sea bass, Centropristis striata
Sparidae--Porgies
    Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus
    Grass porgy, Calamus arctifrons
    Jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado
    Saucereye porgy, Calamus calamus
    Whitebone porgy, Calamus leucosteus
    Knobbed porgy, Calamus nodosus
    Red porgy, Pagrus pagrus
    Longspine porgy, Stenotomus caprinus
    Scup, Stenotomus chrysops

      Table 5 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Conch Resources

    Queen conch, Strombus gigas

    The following species are included for data collection purposes 
only:
    Atlantic triton's trumpet, Charonia variegata
    Cameo helmet, Cassis madagascarensis
    Green star shell, Astrea tuber
    Hawkwing conch, Strombus raninus
    Milk conch, Strombus costatus
    Roostertail conch, Strombus gallus
    West Indian fighting conch, Strombus pugilis
    True tulip, Fasciolaria tulipa

[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 13988, Mar. 25, 1997; 62 
FR 67723, Dec. 30, 1997; 64 FR 57404, Oct. 25, 1999; 70 FR 62082, Oct. 
28, 2005; 70 FR 73389, Dec. 12, 2005]

                   Appendix B to Part 622--Gulf Areas

 Table 1 of Appendix B to Part 622--Seaward Coordinates of the Longline
                      and Buoy Gear Restricted Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Point No. and reference location
                \1\                     North lat.         West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Seaward limit of Florida's        24[deg]48.0[min]   82[deg]48.0[min]
 waters north of Dry Tortugas.....
 2 North of Rebecca Shoal.........   25[deg]07.5[min]   82[deg]34.0[min]
 3 Off Sanibel Island--Offshore...   26[deg]26.0[min]   82[deg]59.0[min]

[[Page 259]]

 
 4 West of Egmont Key.............   27[deg]30.0[min]   83[deg]21.5[min]
 5 Off Anclote Keys--Offshore.....   28[deg]10.0[min]   83[deg]45.0[min]
 6 Southeast corner of Florida       28[deg]11.0[min]   84[deg]00.0[min]
 Middle Ground....................
 7 Southwest corner of Florida       28[deg]11.0[min]   84[deg]07.0[min]
 Middle Ground....................
 8 West corner of Florida Middle     28[deg]26.6[min]   84[deg]24.8[min]
 Ground...........................
 9 Northwest corner of Florida       28[deg]42.5[min]   84[deg]24.8[min]
 Middle Ground....................
10 South of Carrabelle............   29[deg]05.0[min]   84[deg]47.0[min]
11 South of Cape St. George.......   29[deg]02.5[min]   85[deg]09.0[min]
12 South of Cape San Blas lighted    29[deg]21.0[min]   85[deg]30.0[min]
 bell buoy--20 fathoms............
13 South of Cape San Blas lighted    28[deg]58.7[min]   85[deg]30.0[min]
 bell buoy--50 fathoms............
14 De Soto Canyon.................   30[deg]06.0[min]   86[deg]55.0[min]
15 South of Pensacola.............   29[deg]46.0[min]   87[deg]19.0[min]
16 South of Perdido Bay...........   29[deg]29.0[min]   87[deg]27.5[min]
17 East of North Pass of the         29[deg]14.5[min]   88[deg]28.0[min]
 Mississippi River................
18 South of Southwest Pass of the    28[deg]46.5[min]   89[deg]26.0[min]
 Mississippi River................
19 Northwest tip of Mississippi      28[deg]38.5[min]   90[deg]08.5[min]
 Canyon...........................
20 West side of Mississippi Canyon   28[deg]34.5[min]   89[deg]59.5[min]
21 South of Timbalier Bay.........   28[deg]22.5[min]   90[deg]02.5[min]
22 South of Terrebonne Bay........   28[deg]10.5[min]   90[deg]31.5[min]
23 South of Freeport..............   27[deg]58.0[min]   95[deg]00.0[min]
24 Off Matagorda Island...........   27[deg]43.0[min]   96[deg]02.0[min]
25 Off Aransas Pass...............   27[deg]30.0[min]   96[deg]23.5[min]
26 Northeast of Port Mansfield....   27[deg]00.0[min]   96[deg]39.0[min]
27 East of Port Mansfield.........   26[deg]44.0[min]   96[deg]37.5[min]
28 Northeast of Port Isabel.......   26[deg]22.0[min]   96[deg]21.0[min]
29 U.S./Mexico EEZ boundary.......   26[deg]00.5[min]  96[deg]24.5[min]
Thence westerly along U.S./Mexico EEZ boundary to the seaward limit of
 Texas' waters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Nearest identifiable landfall, boundary, navigational aid, or
  submarine area.


 Table 2 of Appendix B to Part 622--Seaward Coordinates of the Stressed
                                  Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Point No. and reference location
                \1\                     North lat.         West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Seaward limit of Florida's         24[deg]45.5[min]   82[deg]41.5[min]
 waters northeast of Dry Tortugas.
2 North of Marquesas Keys.........   24[deg]48.0[min]   82[deg]06.5[min]
3 Off Cape Sable..................   25[deg]15.0[min]   82[deg]02.0[min]
4 Off Sanibel Island--Inshore.....   26[deg]26.0[min]   82[deg]29.0[min]
5 Off Sanibel Island--Offshore....   26[deg]26.0[min]   82[deg]59.0[min]
6 West of Egmont Key..............   27[deg]30.0[min]   83[deg]21.5[min]
7 Off Anclote Keys--Offshore......   28[deg]10.0[min]   83[deg]45.0[min]
8 Off Anclote Keys--Inshore.......   28[deg]10.0[min]   83[deg]14.0[min]
9 Off Deadman Bay.................   29[deg]38.0[min]   84[deg]00.0[min]
10 Seaward limit of Florida's        29[deg]35.5[min]   84[deg]38.6[min]
 waters east of Cape St. George...
Thence westerly along the seaward
 limit of Florida's waters to:
11 Seaward limit of Florida's        29[deg]32.2[min]   85[deg]27.1[min]
 waters south of Cape San Blas....
12 Southwest of Cape San Blas.....   29[deg]30.5[min]   85[deg]52.0[min]
13 Off St. Andrew Bay.............   29[deg]53.0[min]   86[deg]10.0[min]
14 De Soto Canyon.................   30[deg]06.0[min]   86[deg]55.0[min]
15 South of Florida/Alabama border   29[deg]34.5[min]   87[deg]38.0[min]
16 Off Mobile Bay.................   29[deg]41.0[min]   88[deg]00.0[min]
17 South of Alabama/Mississippi      30[deg]01.5[min]   88[deg]23.7[min]
 border...........................
18 Horn/Chandeleur Islands........   30[deg]01.5[min]   88[deg]40.5[min]
19 Chandeleur Islands.............   29[deg]35.5[min]   88[deg]37.0[min]
20 Seaward limit of Louisiana's      29[deg]16.3[min]   89[deg]00.0[min]
 waters off North Pass of the
 Mississippi River................
Thence southerly and westerly
 along the seaward limit of
 Louisiana's waters to:
21 Seaward limit of Louisiana's      28[deg]57.3[min]   89[deg]28.2[min]
 waters off Southwest Pass of the
 Mississippi River................
22 Southeast of Grand Isle........   29[deg]09.0[min]   89[deg]47.0[min]
23 Quick flashing horn buoy south    28[deg]32.5[min]   90[deg]42.0[min]
 of Isles Dernieres...............
24 Southeast of Calcasieu Pass....   29[deg]10.0[min]   92[deg]37.0[min]
25 South of Sabine Pass--10          29[deg]09.0[min]   93[deg]41.0[min]
 fathoms..........................
26 South of Sabine Pass--30          28[deg]21.5[min]   93[deg]28.0[min]
 fathoms..........................
27 East of Aransas Pass...........   27[deg]49.0[min]   96[deg]19.5[min]
28 East of Baffin Bay.............   27[deg]12.0[min]   96[deg]51.0[min]
29 Northeast of Port Mansfield....   26[deg]46.5[min]   96[deg]52.0[min]
30 Northeast of Port Isabel.......   26[deg]21.5[min]   96[deg]35.0[min]
31 U.S./Mexico EEZ boundary.......   26[deg]00.5[min]   96[deg]36.0[min]
Thence westerly along U.S./Mexico
 EEZ boundary to the seaward limit
 of Texas' waters ................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Nearest identifiable landfall, boundary, navigational aid, or
  submarine area.


[[Page 260]]

            Appendix C to Part 622--Fish Length Measurements
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JY96.000

           Figure 1 of Appendix C to Part 622--Carapace Length

[[Page 261]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25JA99.001

 Figure 2 of Appendix C to Part 622--Illustration of Length Measurements
[61 FR 34934, July 3, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 3630, Jan. 25, 1999]

        Appendix D to Part 622--Specifications for Certified BRDs

    A. Extended Funnel.

[[Page 262]]

    1. Description. The extended funnel BRD consists of an extension 
with large-mesh webbing in the center (the large-mesh escape section) 
and small-mesh webbing on each end held open by a semi-rigid hoop. A 
funnel of small-mesh webbing is placed inside the extension to form a 
passage for shrimp to the codend. It also creates an area of reduced 
water flow to allow for fish escapement through the large mesh. One side 
of the funnel is extended vertically to form a lead panel and area of 
reduced water flow. There are two sizes of extended funnel BRDs, a 
standard size and an inshore size for small trawls.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements for Standard 
Size.
    (a) Extension Material. The small-mesh sections used on both sides 
of the large-mesh escape section are constructed of 1\5/8\ inch (4.13 
cm), No. 30 stretched mesh, nylon webbing. The front section is 120 
meshes around by 6\1/2\ meshes deep. The back section is 120 meshes 
around by 23 meshes deep.
    (b) Large-Mesh Escape Section. The large-mesh escape section is 
constructed of 8 to 10 inch (20.3 to 25.4 cm), stretched mesh, webbing. 
This section is cut on the bar to form a section that is 15 inches (38.1 
cm) in length by 95 inches (241.3 cm) in circumference. The leading edge 
is attached to the 6\1/2\-mesh extension section and the rear edge is 
attached to the 23-mesh extension section.
    (c) Funnel. The funnel is constructed of 1\1/2\ inch (3.81 cm), 
stretched mesh, No. 30 depth-stretched and heat-set polyethylene 
webbing. The circumference of the leading edge is 120 meshes and the 
back edge is 78 meshes. The short side of the funnel is 34 to 36 inches 
(86.4 to 91.4 cm) long and the opposite side of the funnel extends an 
additional 22 to 24 inches (55.9 to 61.0 cm). The circumference of the 
leading edge of the funnel is attached to the forward small-mesh section 
three meshes forward of the large-mesh escape section and is evenly 
sewn, mesh for mesh, to the small-mesh section. The after edge of the 
funnel is attached to the after small-mesh section at its top and bottom 
eight meshes back from the large-mesh escape panel. Seven meshes of the 
top and seven meshes of the bottom of the funnel are attached to eight 
meshes at the top and bottom of the small-mesh section, such eight 
meshes being located immediately adjacent to the top and bottom centers 
of the small-mesh section on the side of the funnel's extended side. The 
extended side of the funnel is sewn at its top and bottom to the top and 
bottom of the small-mesh section, extending at an angle toward the top 
and bottom centers of the small-mesh section.
    (d) Semi-Rigid Hoop. A 30-inch (76.2-cm) diameter hoop constructed 
of plastic-coated trawl cable, swaged together with a \3/8\-inch (9.53-
mm) micropress sleeve, is installed five meshes behind the trailing edge 
of the large-mesh escape section. The extension webbing must be laced to 
the ring around the entire circumference and must be equally distributed 
on the hoop, that is, 30 meshes must be evenly attached to each 
quadrant.
    (e) Installation. The extended funnel BRD is attached 8 inches (20.3 
cm) behind the posterior edge of the TED. If it is attached behind a 
soft TED, a second semi-rigid hoop, as prescribed in paragraph A.2.(d), 
must be installed in the front section of the BRD extension webbing at 
the leading edge of the funnel. The codend of the trawl net is attached 
to the trailing edge of the BRD.
    3. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements for Inshore 
Size.
    (a) Extension Material. The small-mesh sections used on both sides 
of the large-mesh escape section are constructed of 1\3/8\ inch (3.5 
cm), No. 18 stretched mesh, nylon webbing. The front section is 120 
meshes around by 6\1/2\ meshes deep. The back section is 120 meshes 
around by 23 meshes deep.
    (b) Large-Mesh Escape Section. The large-mesh escape section is 
constructed of 8 to 10 inch (20.3 to 25.4 cm), stretched mesh, webbing. 
This section is cut on the bar to form a section that is 15 inches (38.1 
cm) by 75 inches (190.5 cm) in circumference. The leading edge is 
attached to the 6\1/2\-mesh extension section and the rear edge is 
attached to the 23-mesh extension section.
    (c) Funnel. The funnel is constructed of 1\3/8\ inch (3.5 cm), 
stretched mesh, No. 18 depth-stretched and heat-set polyethylene 
webbing. The circumference of the leading edge is 120 meshes and the 
back edge is 78 meshes. The short side of the funnel is 30 to 32 inches 
(76.2 to 81.3 cm) long and the opposite side of the funnel extends an 
additional 20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.9 cm). The circumference of the 
leading edge of the funnel is attached to the forward small-mesh section 
three meshes forward of the large-mesh escape section and is evenly 
sewn, mesh for mesh, to the small-mesh section. The after edge of the 
funnel is attached to the after small-mesh section at its top and bottom 
eight meshes back from the large-mesh escape panel. Seven meshes of the 
top and seven meshes of the bottom of the funnel are attached to eight 
meshes at the top and bottom of the small-mesh section, such eight 
meshes being located immediately adjacent to the top and bottom centers 
of the small-mesh section on the side of the funnel's extended side. The 
extended side of the funnel is sewn at its top and bottom to the top and 
bottom of the small-mesh section, extending at an angle toward the top 
and bottom centers of the small-mesh section.
    (d) Semi-Rigid Hoop. A 24-inch (61.0-cm) diameter hoop constructed 
of plastic-coated trawl cable, swaged together with a \3/8\-inch (9.53-
mm) micropress sleeve, is installed five meshes behind the trailing edge 
of the large mesh section. The extension webbing must

[[Page 263]]

be laced to the ring around the entire circumference and must be equally 
distributed on the hoop, that is, 30 meshes must be evenly attached to 
each quadrant.
    (e) Installation. The extended funnel BRD is attached 8 inches (20.3 
cm) behind the posterior edge of the TED. If it is attached behind a 
soft TED, a second semi-rigid hoop, as prescribed in paragraph A.3.(d), 
must be installed in the front section of the BRD extension webbing at 
the leading edge of the funnel. The codend of the trawl net is attached 
to the trailing edge of the BRD.
    B. Expanded Mesh. The expanded mesh BRD is constructed and installed 
exactly the same as the standard size extended funnel BRD, except that 
one side of the funnel is not extended to form a lead panel.
    C. Fisheye.
    1. Description. The fisheye BRD is a cone-shaped rigid frame 
constructed from aluminum or steel rod of at least \1/4\ inch diameter, 
which is inserted into the codend to form an escape opening. Fisheyes of 
several different shapes and sizes have been tested in different 
positions in the codend.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The fisheye 
has a minimum opening dimension of 5 inches (12.7 cm) and a minimum 
total opening area of 36 square inches (91.4 square cm). The fisheye 
must be installed at the top center of the codend of the trawl to create 
an opening in the trawl facing in the direction of the mouth of the 
trawl no further forward than 11 ft (3.4 m) from the codend drawstring 
(tie-off rings) or 70 percent of the distance between the codend 
drawstring and the forward edge of the codend, excluding any extension, 
whichever is the shorter distance. In the Gulf EEZ only, when the 
fisheye BRD is installed in this position, no part of the lazy line 
attachment system (i.e., any mechanism, such as elephant ears or choker 
straps, used to attach the lazy line to the codend) may overlap the 
fisheye escape opening when the fisheye is installed aft of the 
attachment point of the codend retrieval system.
    D. Gulf fisheye.
    1. Description. The Gulf fisheye BRD is a cone-shaped rigid frame 
constructed from aluminum or steel that is inserted into the top center 
of the codend, or is offset not more than 15 meshes perpendicular to the 
top center of the codend, to form an escape opening.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The Gulf 
fisheye is a cone-shaped rigid frame constructed of aluminum or steel 
rods. The rods must be at least \1/4\-inch (6.35-mm) diameter. Any 
dimension of the escape opening must be at least 5.0 inches (12.7 cm), 
and the total escape opening area must be at least 36.0 in\2\ (232.3 
cm\2\). The Gulf fisheye must be installed in the codend of the trawl to 
create an escape opening in the trawl, facing in the direction of the 
mouth of the trawl, no further forward than 12.5 ft (3.81 m) and no less 
than 8.5 ft (2.59 m) from the codend tie-off rings. When installed in 
this position, no part of the lazy line attachment system (i.e., any 
mechanism, such as elephant ears or choker straps, used to attach the 
lazy line to the codend) may overlap the fisheye escape opening when the 
fisheye is installed aft of the attachment point of the codend retrieval 
system. The Gulf fisheye may not be offset more than 15 meshes 
perpendicular to the top center of the codend.
    E. Jones-Davis.
    1. Description. The Jones-Davis BRD is similar to the expanded mesh 
and the extended funnel BRDs except that the fish escape openings are 
windows cut around the funnel rather than large-mesh sections. In 
addition, a webbing cone fish deflector is installed behind the funnel.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The Jones-
Davis BRD must contain all of the following.
    (a) Webbing extension. The webbing extension must be constructed 
from a single piece of 1\5/8\-inch (3.5-cm) stretch mesh number 30 nylon 
42 meshes by 120 meshes. A tube is formed from the extension webbing by 
sewing the 42-mesh side together.
    (b) 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop. A single hoop must be constructed 
of \1/2\-inch (1.3-cm) steel cable 88 inches (223.5 cm) in length. The 
cable must be joined at its ends by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \1/2\-
inch (1.3-cm) aluminum pipe and pressed with a \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) die 
to form a hoop. The inside diameter of this hoop must be between 27 and 
29 inches (68.6 and 73.7 cm). The hoop must be attached to the extension 
webbing 17\1/2\ meshes behind the leading edge. The extension webbing 
must be quartered and attached in four places around the hoop, and every 
other mesh must be attached all the way around the hoop using number 24 
twine or larger. The hoop must be laced with \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) 
polypropylene or polyethylene rope for chaffing.
    (c) 24-inch (61.0-cm) hoop. A single hoop must be constructed of 
either number 60 twine 80 inches (203.2 cm) in length or \3/8\-inch 
(0.95-cm) steel cable 75\1/2\ inches (191.8 cm) in length. If twine is 
used, the twine must be laced in and out of the extension webbing 39 
meshes behind the leading edge, and the ends must be tied together. If 
cable is used, the cable must be joined at its ends by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) 
piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum pipe and pressed together with a 
\1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die to form a hoop. The inside diameter of this 
hoop must be between 23 and 25 inches (58.4 and 63.4 cm). The hoop must 
be attached to the extension webbing 39 meshes behind the leading edge. 
The extension webbing must be quartered and attached in four places 
around the hoop, and every other mesh must be attached all the way 
around the hoop using number 24 twine or larger.

[[Page 264]]

The hoop must be laced with \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) polypropylene or 
polyethylene rope for chaffing.
    (d) Funnel. The funnel must be constructed from four sections of 
1\1/2\-inch (3.8-cm) heat-set and depth-stretched polypropylene or 
polyethylene webbing. The two side sections must be rectangular in 
shape, 29\1/2\ meshes on the leading edge by 23 meshes deep. The top and 
bottom sections are 29\1/2\ meshes on the leading edge by 23 meshes deep 
and tapered 1 point 2 bars on both sides down to 8 meshes across the 
back. The four sections must be sewn together down the 23-mesh edge to 
form the funnel.
    (e) Attachment of the funnel in the webbing extension. The funnel 
must be installed two meshes behind the leading edge of the extension 
starting at the center seam of the extension and the center mesh of the 
funnel's top section leading edge. On the same row of meshes, the funnel 
must be sewn evenly all the way around the inside of the extension. The 
funnel's top and bottom back edges must be attached one mesh behind the 
28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop). Starting at the top center 
seam, the back edge of the top funnel section must be attached four 
meshes each side of the center. Counting around 60 meshes from the top 
center, the back edge of the bottom section must be attached 4 meshes on 
each side of the bottom center. Clearance between the side of the funnel 
and the 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop) must be at least 6 
inches (15.2 cm) when measured in the hanging position.
    (f) Cutting the escape openings. The leading edge of the escape 
opening must be located within 18 inches (45.7 cm) of the posterior edge 
of the turtle excluder device (TED) grid. The area of the escape opening 
must total at least 864 in\2\ (5,574.2 cm\2\). Two escape openings 10 
meshes wide by 13 meshes deep must be cut 6 meshes apart in the 
extension webbing, starting at the top center extension seam, 3 meshes 
back from the leading edge and 16 meshes to the left and to the right 
(total of four openings). The four escape openings must be double 
selvaged for strength.
    (g) Alternative Method for Constructing the Funnel and Escape 
Openings. The following method for constructing the funnel and escape 
openings may be used instead of the method described in paragraphs 
F.2.d., F.2.e., and F.2.f. of this section. With this alternative 
method, the funnel and escape openings are formed by cutting a flap in 
each side of the extension webbing; pushing the flaps inward; and 
attaching the top and bottom edges along the bars of the extension 
webbing to form the v-shape of the funnel. Minimum requirements 
applicable to this method include: (1) The funnel's top and bottom back 
edges must be attached one mesh behind the 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop 
(front hoop); (2) clearance between the side of the funnel and the 28-
inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop) must be at least 6 inches (15.2 
cm) when measured in the hanging position; (3) the leading edge of the 
escape opening must be located within 18 inches (45.7 cm) of the 
posterior edge of the turtle excluder device (TED) grid; and, (4) the 
area of the escape opening must total at least 864 in\2\ (5,574.2 
cm\2\). To construct the funnel and escape openings using this method, 
begin 3\1/2\ meshes from the leading edge of the extension, at the top 
center seam, count over 18 meshes on each side, and cut 13 meshes toward 
the back of the extension. Turn parallel to the leading edge, and cut 26 
meshes toward the bottom center of the extension. Next, turn parallel to 
the top center seam, and cut 13 meshes forward toward the leading edge, 
creating a flap of webbing 13 meshes by 26 meshes by 13 meshes. Lengthen 
the flap to 18 meshes by adding a 4\1/2\-mesh by 26-mesh rectangular 
section of webbing to the 26-mesh edge. Attach the 18-mesh edges to the 
top and bottom of the extension by sewing 2 bars of the extension to 1 
mesh on the flap in toward the top center and bottom center of the 
extension, forming the exit opening and the funnel. Connect the two 
flaps together in the center with a 7-inch piece of number 42 twine to 
allow adequate clearance for fish escapement between the flaps and the 
side openings. On each side, sew a 6-mesh by 10\1/2\-mesh section of 
webbing to 6 meshes of the center of the 26-mesh cut on the extension 
and 6 meshes centered between the 13-mesh cuts 3\1/2\ meshes from the 
leading edge. This forms two 10-mesh by 13-mesh openings on each side.
    (h) Cone fish deflector. The cone fish deflector is constructed of 2 
pieces of 1\5/8\-inch (4.13-cm) polypropylene or polyethylene webbing, 
40 meshes wide by 20 meshes in length and cut on the bar on each side 
forming a triangle. Starting at the apex of the two triangles, the two 
pieces must be sewn together to form a cone of webbing. The apex of the 
cone fish deflector must be positioned within 10-14 inches (25.4-35.6 
cm) of the posterior edge of the funnel.
    (i) 11-inch (27.9-cm) cable hoop for cone deflector. A single hoop 
must be constructed of \5/16\-inch (0.79-cm) or \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) 
cable 34\1/2\ inches (87.6 cm) in length. The ends must be joined by a 
3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum pipe pressed 
together with a \1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die. The hoop must be inserted in 
the webbing cone, attached 10 meshes from the apex and laced all the way 
around with heavy twine.
    (j) Installation of the cone in the extension. The cone must be 
installed in the extension 12 inches (30.5 cm) behind the back edge of 
the funnel and attached in four places. The midpoint of a piece of 
number 60 twine 4 ft (1.22 m) in length must be attached to the apex of 
the cone. This piece of twine must be attached to the 28-inch (71.1-cm) 
cable hoop

[[Page 265]]

at the center of each of its sides; the points of attachment for the two 
pieces of twine must be measured 20 inches (50.8 cm) from the midpoint 
attachment. Two 8-inch (20.3-cm) pieces of number 60 twine must be 
attached to the top and bottom of the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone hoop. The 
opposite ends of these two pieces of twine must be attached to the top 
and bottom center of the 24-inch (61-cm) cable hoop; the points of 
attachment for the two pieces of twine must be measured 4 inches (10.2 
cm) from the points where they are tied to the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone 
hoop.

[62 FR 18539, Apr. 16, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 37694, July 13, 1999]



PART 635_ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES--Table of Contents




                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
635.1 Purpose and scope.
635.2 Definitions.
635.3 Relation to other laws.
635.4 Permits and fees.
635.5 Recordkeeping and reporting.
635.6 Vessel and gear identification.
635.7 At-sea observer coverage.

                        Subpart B_Limited Access

635.16 [Reserved]

                      Subpart C_Management Measures

635.20 Size limits.
635.21 Gear operation and deployment restrictions.
635.22 Recreational retention limits.
635.23 Retention limits for BFT.
635.24 Commercial retention limits for sharks and swordfish.
635.25 Fishing areas.
635.26 Catch and release.
635.27 Quotas.
635.28 Closures.
635.29 Transfer at sea.
635.30 Possession at sea and landing.
635.31 Restrictions on sale and purchase.
635.32 Specifically authorized activities.
635.33 Archival tags.
635.34 Adjustment of management measures.

                    Subpart D_Restrictions on Imports

635.40 Restrictions to enhance conservation.
635.41 Products denied entry.

                 Subpart E_International Port Inspection

635.50 Basis and purpose.
635.51 Authorized officer.
635.52 Vessels subject to inspection.
635.53 Reports.

                          Subpart F_Enforcement

635.69 Vessel monitoring systems.
635.70 Penalties.
635.71 Prohibitions.

Appendix A to Part 635--Species Tables

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Source: 64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec. 635.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The regulations in this part govern the conservation and 
management of Atlantic tunas, Atlantic billfish, Atlantic sharks, and 
Atlantic swordfish under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
ATCA. They implement the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, 
Swordfish, and Sharks, and the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic 
Billfishes. The Atlantic tunas regulations govern conservation and 
management of Atlantic tunas in the management unit. The Atlantic 
billfish regulations govern conservation and management of Atlantic 
billfish in the management unit. The Atlantic swordfish regulations 
govern conservation and management of North and South Atlantic swordfish 
in the management unit. North Atlantic swordfish are managed under the 
authority of both ATCA and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. South Atlantic 
swordfish are managed under the sole authority of ATCA. The shark 
regulations govern conservation and management of sharks in the 
management unit, solely under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
Sharks are managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) Under section 9(d) of ATCA, NMFS has determined that the 
regulations contained in this part with respect to Atlantic tunas are 
applicable within the territorial sea of the United States adjacent to, 
and within the boundaries of, the States of New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, 
Louisiana and Texas, and the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and

[[Page 266]]

the Virgin Islands. NMFS will undertake a continuing review of State 
regulations to determine if regulations applicable to Atlantic tunas, 
swordfish or billfish are at least as restrictive as regulations 
contained in this part and if such regulations are effectively enforced. 
In such case, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of the basis for the determination and of the 
specific regulations that shall or shall not apply in the territorial 
sea of the identified State.



Sec. 635.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, 
and Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have 
following meanings. If applicable, the terms used in this part supercede 
those used in Sec. 600.10:
    Archival tag means a device that is implanted or affixed to a fish 
to electronically record scientific information about the migratory 
behavior of that fish.
    ATCA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) means the certificate that 
must accompany any applicable shipment of fish pursuant to a finding 
under 16 U.S.C. 971d (c)(4) or (c)(5).
    Atlantic HMS means Atlantic tunas, billfish, sharks, and swordfish.
    Atlantic Ocean, as used in this part, includes the North and South 
Atlantic Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.
    BFT landings quota means the portion of the ICCAT BFT catch quota 
allocated to the United States against which landings of BFT are 
counted.
    Billfish Certificate of Eligibility (COE) means a certificate that 
accompanies a shipment of billfish indicating that the billfish or 
related species, or parts thereof, are not from the respective Atlantic 
Ocean management units.
    Bottom longline means a longline that is deployed with enough 
weights and/or anchors to maintain contact with the ocean bottom.
    BSD tag means a numbered tag affixed to a BFT issued by any country 
in conjunction with a catch statistics information program and recorded 
on a BSD.
    Caudal keel means the horizontal ridges along each side of a fish at 
the base of the tail fin.
    CFL (curved fork length) means the length of a fish measured from 
the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail along the contour of 
the body in a line that runs along the top of the pectoral fin and the 
top of the caudal keel.
    Charleston Bump closed area means the Atlantic Ocean area seaward of 
the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ from a point intersecting the inner 
boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 34[deg]00[min] N. lat. near Wilmington 
Beach, NC, and proceeding due east to connect by straight lines the 
following coordinates in the order stated: 34[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
76[deg]00[min] W. long.; 31[deg]00[min] N. lat., 76[deg]00[min] W. 
long.; then proceeding due west to intersect the inner boundary of the 
U.S. EEZ at 31[deg]00[min] N. lat. near Jekyll Island, GA.
    Circle hook means a fishing hook originally designed and 
manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the 
shank to form a generally circular, or oval, shape.
    CK means the length of a fish measured along the body contour, i.e., 
a curved measurement, from the point on the cleithrum that provides the 
shortest possible measurement along the body contour to the anterior 
portion of the caudal keel. The cleithrum is the semicircular bony 
structure at the posterior edge of the gill opening.
    Convention means the International Convention for the Conservation 
of Atlantic Tunas, signed at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 14, 1966, 20 
U.S.T. 2887, TIAS 6767, including any amendments or protocols thereto, 
which are binding upon the United States.
    Conventional tag means a numbered, flexible ribbon that is implanted 
or affixed to a fish that is released back into the ocean that allows 
for the identification of that fish in the event it is recaptured.
    Corrodible Hook means a fishing hook composed of any material other 
than stainless steel.
    Dealer tag means the numbered, flexible, self-locking ribbon issued 
by NMFS for the identification of BFT sold to a permitted dealer as 
required under Sec. 635.5(b)(2)(ii).
    Dehooking device means a device intended to remove a hook embedded 
in a

[[Page 267]]

fish in order to release the fish with minimum damage.
    Designated by NMFS means the address or location indicated in a 
letter to permit holders or in a letter accompanying reporting forms.
    DeSoto Canyon closed area means the area within the Gulf of Mexico 
bounded by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the 
order stated: 30[deg]00[min] N. lat., 88[deg]00[min] W. long.; 
30[deg]00[min] N. lat., 86[deg]00[min] W. long.; 28[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
86[deg]00[min] W. long.; 28[deg]00[min] N. lat., 84[deg]00[min] W. 
long.; 26[deg]00[min] N. lat., 84[deg]00[min] W. long.; 26[deg]00[min] 
N. lat., 86[deg]00[min] W. long.; 28[deg]00[min] N. lat., 86[deg]00[min] 
W. long.; 28[deg]00[min] N. lat., 88[deg]00[min] W. long.; 
30[deg]00[min] N. lat., 88[deg]00[min] W. long.
    Display permit means a permit issued in order to catch and land HMS 
for the purpose of public display pursuant to Sec. 635.32.
    Division Chief means the Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division, NMFS (F/SF1), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 
20910; (301) 713-2347.
    Downrigger means a piece of equipment attached to a vessel and with 
a weight on a cable that is in turn attached to hook-and-line gear to 
maintain lures or bait at depth while trolling. The downrigger has a 
release system to retrieve the weight by rod and reel or by manual, 
electric, or hydraulic winch after a fish strike on the hook-and-line 
gear.
    Dress means to process a fish by removal of head, viscera, and fins, 
but does not include removal of the backbone, halving, quartering, or 
otherwise further reducing the carcass.
    Dressed weight (dw) means the weight of a fish after it has been 
dressed.
    East Florida Coast closed area means the Atlantic Ocean area seaward 
of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ from a point intersecting the 
inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 31[deg]00[min] N. lat. near Jekyll 
Island, GA, and proceeding due east to connect by straight lines the 
following coordinates in the order stated: 31[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
78[deg]00[min] W. long.; 28[deg]17[min] N. lat., 79[deg]12[min] W. 
long.; then proceeding along the outer boundary of the EEZ to the 
intersection of the EEZ with 24[deg]00[min] N. lat.; then proceeding due 
west to the following coordinates: 24[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
81[deg]47[min] W. long.; then proceeding due north to intersect the 
inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 81[deg]47[min] W. long. near Key West, 
FL.
    EFP means an exempted fishing permit issued pursuant to Sec. 
600.745 of this chapter or to Sec. 635.32.
    Eviscerated means a fish that has only the alimentary organs 
removed.
    Export, for purposes of this subpart, means to effect exportation.
    Exportation has the same general meaning as 19 CFR 101.1 and 
generally refers to a severance of goods from the mass of things 
belonging to one country with the intention of uniting them to the mass 
of things belonging to some foreign country. For purposes of this 
subpart, a shipment between the United States and its insular 
possessions is not an export.
    Exporter, for purposes of this subpart, is the principal party in 
interest, meaning the party that receives the primary benefit, monetary 
or otherwise, of the export transaction. For exports from the United 
States, the exporter is the U.S. principal party in interest, as 
identified in Part 30 of title 15 of the CFR. An exporter is subject to 
the requirements of this subpart, even if exports are exempt from 
statistical reporting requirements under Part 30 of title 15 of the CFR.
    Finlet means one of the small individual fins on a tuna located 
behind the second dorsal and anal fins and forward of the tail fin.
    First transaction in the United States means the time and place at 
which a fish is filleted, cut into steaks, or processed in any way that 
physically alters it after being landed in or imported into the United 
States.
    Fishing record means all records of navigation and operations of a 
fishing vessel, as well as all records of catching, harvesting, 
transporting, landing, purchasing, or selling a fish.
    Fishing vessel means any vessel engaged in fishing, processing, or 
transporting fish loaded on the high seas, or any vessel outfitted for 
such activities.
    Fishing year means--
    (1) For Atlantic tunas, billfish, and swordfish--June 1 through May 
31 of the following year; and
    (2) For sharks--January 1 through December 31.
    FL (fork length) means the straight-line measurement of a fish from 
the tip

[[Page 268]]

of the snout to the fork of the tail. The measurement is not made along 
the curve of the body.
    Floatline means a line attached to a buoyant object that is used to 
support the mainline of a longline at a specific target depth.
    For-hire trip means a recreational fishing trip taken by a vessel 
with an Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit during which paying 
passenger(s) are aboard; or, for uninspected vessels, trips during which 
there are more than three persons aboard, including operator and crew; 
or, for vessels that have been issued a Certificate of Inspection by the 
U.S. Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire, trips during which there 
are more persons aboard than the number of crew specified on the 
vessel's Certificate of Inspection.
    Freeboard is defined as the working distance between the top rail of 
the gunwale to the water's surface, and will vary based on the vessel 
design.
    Gangion means a line that serves to attach a hook, suspended at a 
specific target depth, to the mainline of a longline.
    Giant BFT means an Atlantic BFT measuring 81 inches (206 cm) CFL or 
greater.
    Handgear means handline, harpoon, rod and reel or bandit gear.
    Handline means fishing gear that consists of a mainline to which no 
more than two leaders (gangions) with hooks are attached, and that is 
released and retrieved by hand, rather than by mechanical means.
    High-flyer means a flag, radar reflector or radio beacon 
transmitter, suitable for attachment to a longline to facilitate its 
location and retrieval.
    Highly migratory species (HMS) means bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, 
albacore, and skipjack tunas; swordfish; sharks (listed in appendix A to 
this part); white marlin; blue marlin; sailfish; and longbill spearfish.
    ILAP means an initial limited access permit issued pursuant to Sec. 
635.4.
    Import, for purposes of this subpart, generally means the act of 
bringing or causing any goods to be brought into the customs territory 
of a country with the intent to unlade them. For purposes of this 
subpart, goods brought into the United States from a U.S. insular 
possession, or vice-versa, are not considered imports.
    Importer, for purposes of this subpart, means the principal party 
responsible for the import of product into a country. For imports into 
the United States, and for purposes of this subpart, ``importer'' means 
the consignee as identified on entry documentation or any authorized, 
equivalent electronic medium required for release of shipments, or any 
authorized equivalent entry documentation from the customs authority of 
the United States or the separate customs territory of a U.S. insular 
possession. If a consignee is not declared, then the importer of record 
is considered to be the consignee.
    LAP means a limited access permit issued pursuant to Sec. 635.4.
    Large coastal shark (LCS) means one of the species, or a part 
thereof, listed in paragraph (a) of table 1 in appendix A to this part.
    Large medium BFT means a BFT measuring at least 73 inches (185 cm) 
and less than 81 inches (206 cm) CFL.
    Large school BFT means a BFT measuring at least 47 inches (119 cm) 
and less than 59 inches (150 cm) CFL.
    LJFL (lower jaw-fork length) means the straight-line measurement of 
a fish from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin. The 
measurement is not made along the curve of the body.
    Longline means fishing gear that is set horizontally, either 
anchored, floating, or attached to a vessel, and that consists of a 
mainline or groundline with three or more leaders (gangions) and hooks, 
whether retrieved by hand or mechanical means.
    Management unit means in this part:
    (1) For Atlantic tunas, longbill spearfish, blue marlin and white 
marlin, means all fish of these species in the Atlantic Ocean;
    (2) For sailfish, means all fish of this species in the Atlantic 
Ocean west of 30[deg] W. long.;
    (3) For North Atlantic swordfish, means all fish of this species in 
the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] N. lat.;
    (4) For South Atlantic swordfish, means all fish of this species in 
the Atlantic Ocean south of 5[deg] N. lat.; and

[[Page 269]]

    (5) For sharks, means all fish of these species in the western north 
Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, 
excluding those species listed in Table 2 of Appendix A.
    Mid-Atlantic Bight means the area bounded by straight lines 
connecting the mid-Atlantic states' internal waters and extending to 
71[deg] W. long. between 35[deg] N. lat. and 43[deg] N. lat.
    Mid-Atlantic shark closed area means the Atlantic Ocean area seaward 
of the inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ from a point intersecting the 
inner boundary of the U.S. EEZ at 35[deg]41[min] N. lat. just south of 
Oregon Inlet, North Carolina, and connecting by straight lines the 
following coordinates in the order stated: 35[deg]41[min] N. lat., 
75[deg]25[min] W. long. proceeding due east to 35[deg]41[min] N. lat., 
74[deg]51[min] W. long.; then proceeding southeast to 35[deg]30[min] N. 
lat., 74[deg]46[min] W. long.; then proceeding southwest, roughly 
following the 55 fathom mark, to 33[deg]51[min] N. lat., 76[deg]24[min] 
W. long.; then proceeding due west to intersect the inner boundary of 
the U.S. EEZ at 33[deg]51[min] N. lat., 77[deg]53[min] W. long. near 
Cape Fear, North Carolina.
    Net check refers to a visual inspection of a shark gillnet where the 
vessel operator transits the length of the gear and inspects it either 
with a spotlight or by pulling up the gear.
    Non-ridgeback large coastal shark means one of the species, or a 
part thereof, listed in paragraph (a)(2) of table 1 in appendix A to 
this part.
    North Atlantic swordfish or North Atlantic swordfish stock means 
those swordfish occurring in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] N. lat.
    Northeast Distant closed area means the Atlantic Ocean area bounded 
by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order 
stated: 35[deg]00[min] N. lat., 60[deg]00[min] W. long.; 55[deg]00[min] 
N. lat., 60[deg]00[min] W. long.; 55[deg]00[min] N. lat., 20[deg]00[min] 
W. long.; 35[deg]00[min] N. lat., 20[deg]00[min] W. long.; 
35[deg]00[min] N. lat., 60[deg]00[min] W. long.
    Northeastern United States closed area means the area bounded by 
straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order stated: 
40[deg]00[min] N. lat., 74[deg]00[min] W. long.; 40[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
68[deg]00[min] W. long.; 39[deg]00[min] N. lat., 68[deg]00[min] W. 
long.; and 39[deg]00[min] N. lat., 74[deg]00[min] W. long.
    Offset circle hook means a circle hook originally designed and 
manufactured so that the barbed end of the hook is displaced relative to 
the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook when laid on 
its side.
    Operator, with respect to any vessel, means the master or other 
individual aboard and in charge of that vessel.
    Pectoral fin means the fin located behind the gill cover on either 
side of a fish.
    Pelagic longline means a longline that is suspended by floats in the 
water column and that is not fixed to or in contact with the ocean 
bottom.
    Pelagic shark means one of the species, or a part thereof, listed in 
paragraph (c) of table 1 in appendix A to this part.
    PFCFL (pectoral fin curved fork length) means the length of a 
beheaded fish from the dorsal insertion of the pectoral fin to the fork 
of the tail measured along the contour of the body in a line that runs 
along the top of the pectoral fin and the top of the caudal keel.
    Prohibited shark means one of the species, or a part thereof, listed 
in paragraph (d) of table 1 in appendix A to this part.
    Restricted-fishing day (RFD) means a day, beginning at 0000 hours 
and ending at 2400 hours local time, during which a person aboard a 
vessel for which a General category permit for Atlantic Tunas has been 
issued may not fish for, possess, or retain a BFT.
    Ridgeback large coastal shark means one of the species, or a part 
thereof, listed in paragraph (a)(1) of table 1 in appendix A to this 
part.
    School BFT means a BFT measuring at least 27 inches (69 cm) and less 
than 47 inches (119 cm) CFL.
    Shark means one of the oceanic species, or a part thereof, listed in 
tables 1 and 2 in appendix A to this part.
    Small coastal shark (SCS) means one of the species, or a part 
thereof, listed in paragraph (b) of table 1 in appendix A to this part.
    Small medium BFT means a BFT measuring at least 59 inches (150 cm) 
and less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL.
    South Atlantic swordfish or south Atlantic swordfish stock means 
those swordfish occurring in the Atlantic Ocean south of 5[deg] N. lat.
    Tournament means any fishing competition involving Atlantic HMS in

[[Page 270]]

which participants must register or otherwise enter or in which a prize 
or award is offered for catching or landing such fish.
    Tournament operator means a person or entity responsible for 
maintaining records of participants and results used for awarding 
tournament points or prizes, regardless of whether fish are retained.
    Trip limit means the total allowable take from a single trip as 
defined in Sec. 600.10 of this chapter.
    Tuna or tuna-like means the Scombriformes (with the exception of 
families Trichiuridae and Gempylidae and the genus Scomber) and such 
other species of fishes that are regulated by ICCAT in the Atlantic 
Ocean.
    Weighout slip means a document provided to the owner or operator of 
the vessel by a person who weighs fish or parts thereof that are landed 
from a fishing vessel. A document, such as a ``tally sheet,'' ``trip 
ticket,'' or ``sales receipt,'' that contains such information is 
considered a weighout slip.
    Young school BFT means an Atlantic BFT measuring less than 27 inches 
(69 cm) CFL.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 47237, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 
FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 67 FR 45400, July 9, 2002; 67 FR 77436, Dec. 18, 
2002; 68 FR 74784, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40754, July 6, 2004; 69 FR 
67283, Nov. 17, 2004; 69 FR 70399, Dec. 6, 2004]



Sec. 635.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
600.705 of this chapter and in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) In accordance with regulations issued under the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972, as amended, it is unlawful for a commercial 
fishing vessel, a vessel owner, or a master or operator of a vessel to 
engage in fisheries for HMS in the Atlantic Ocean, unless the vessel 
owner or authorized representative has complied with specified 
requirements including, but not limited to, registration, exemption 
certificates, decals, and reports, as contained in part 229 of this 
title.
    (c) General provisions on facilitation of enforcement, penalties, 
and enforcement policy applicable to all domestic fisheries are set 
forth in Sec. Sec. 600.730, 600.735, and Sec. 600.740 of this chapter, 
respectively.
    (d) An activity that is otherwise prohibited by this part may be 
conducted if authorized as scientific research activity, exempted 
fishing or exempted educational activity, or for public display, as 
specified in Sec. 635.32.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 74784, Dec. 24, 2003]



Sec. 635.4  Permits and fees.

    Information on permits and permit requirements may be obtained from 
the Division Chief or where otherwise stated in this part.
    (a) General--(1) Authorized activities. Each permit issued by NMFS 
authorizes certain activities, and persons may not conduct these 
activities without the appropriate permit, unless otherwise authorized 
by NMFS in accordance with this part. In certain cases, additional 
permits may be required to authorize these same or related activities 
under federal, state or local jurisdictions.
    (2) Vessel permit inspection. The owner or operator of a vessel of 
the United States must have the appropriate valid permit on board the 
vessel to fish for, take, retain, or possess Atlantic HMS when engaged 
in recreational fishing and to fish for, take, retain or possess 
Atlantic tunas, swordfish, or sharks when engaged in commercial fishing. 
The vessel operator must make such permit available for inspection upon 
request by NMFS or by a person authorized by NMFS. The owner of the 
vessel is responsible for satisfying all of the requirements associated 
with obtaining, maintaining, and making available for inspection all 
required vessel permits.
    (3) Property rights. Limited access vessel permits or any other 
permit issued pursuant to this part do not represent either an absolute 
right to the resource or any interest that is subject to the takings 
provision of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Rather, 
limited access vessel permits represent only a harvesting privilege that 
may be revoked, suspended, or amended subject to the requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act or other applicable law.

[[Page 271]]

    (4) Dealer permit inspection. A dealer permit issued under this 
section, or a copy thereof, must be available at each of the dealer's 
places of business. A dealer must present the permit or a copy for 
inspection upon the request of a NMFS-authorized officer.
    (5) Display upon offloading. Upon transfer of Atlantic HMS, the 
owner or operator of the harvesting vessel must present for inspection 
the vessel's HMS Charter/Headboat permit and/or Atlantic tunas, shark, 
or swordfish permit to the receiving dealer. The permit must be 
presented prior to completing any applicable landing report specified at 
Sec. 635.5(a)(1), (a)(2) and (b)(2)(i).
    (6) Sanctions and denials. A permit issued under this section may be 
revoked, suspended, or modified, and a permit application may be denied, 
in accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related permit 
sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (7) Alteration. A vessel or dealer permit that is altered, erased, 
mutilated, or otherwise modified is invalid.
    (8) Replacement. NMFS may issue a replacement permit upon the 
request of the permittee. An application for a replacement permit will 
not be considered a new application. An appropriate fee, consistent with 
paragraph (b) of this section, may be charged for issuance of the 
replacement permit.
    (9) Fees. NMFS may charge a fee for each application for a permit or 
for each transfer or replacement of a permit. The amount of the fee is 
calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance 
Handbook, available from NMFS, for determining administrative costs of 
each special product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and 
is specified in the instructions provided with each application form. 
Each applicant must include the appropriate fee with each application or 
request for transfer or replacement. A permit will not be issued to 
anyone who fails to pay the fee.
    (10) Permit condition. An owner issued a swordfish or shark permit 
pursuant to this part must agree, as a condition of such permit, that 
the vessel's swordfish or shark fishing, catch and gear are subject to 
the requirements of this part during the period of validity of the 
permit, without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the EEZ, or 
outside the EEZ, and without regard to where such swordfish or shark, or 
gear are possessed, taken or landed. However, when a vessel fishes 
within the waters of a state that has more restrictive regulations on 
swordfish or shark fishing, persons aboard the vessel must abide by the 
state's more restrictive regulations.
    (b) HMS Charter/Headboat permits. (1) The owner of a charter boat or 
headboat used to fish for, take, retain, or possess any Atlantic HMS 
must obtain an HMS Charter/Headboat permit. A vessel issued an HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit for a fishing year shall not be issued an HMS 
Angling permit or an Atlantic Tunas permit in any category for that same 
fishing year, regardless of a change in the vessel's ownership.
    (2) While persons aboard a vessel that has been issued an HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit are fishing for or are in possession of Atlantic 
HMS, the operator of the vessel must have a valid Merchant Marine 
License or Uninspected Passenger Vessel License, as applicable, issued 
by the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to regulations at 46 CFR part 10. Such 
Coast Guard license must be carried on board the vessel.
    (c) HMS Angling permits. (1) The owner of any vessel used to fish 
recreationally for Atlantic HMS or on which Atlantic HMS are retained or 
possessed recreationally, must obtain an HMS Angling permit, except as 
provided in Sec. 635.4(c)(2). Atlantic HMS caught, retained, possessed, 
or landed by persons on board vessels with an HMS Angling permit may not 
be sold or transferred to any person for a commercial purpose. A vessel 
issued an HMS Angling permit for a fishing year shall not be issued an 
HMS Charter/Headboat permit or an Atlantic Tunas permit in any category 
for that same fishing year, regardless of a change in the vessel's 
ownership.
    (2) A vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas General category permit under 
paragraph (d) of this section may fish in a recreational HMS fishing 
tournament if the vessel has registered for, paid an entry fee to, and 
is fishing under the rules of a tournament that has notified

[[Page 272]]

NMFS as required under Sec. 635.5(d). When a vessel issued an Atlantic 
Tunas General category permit is fishing in such a tournament, such 
vessel must comply with HMS Angling category regulations, except as 
provided in 635.4(c)(3).
    (3) A vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas General category permit 
fishing in a tournament, as authorized under Sec. 635.4(c)(2), shall 
comply with Atlantic Tunas General category regulations when fishing 
for, retaining, possessing, or landing Atlantic tunas.
    (d) Atlantic Tunas vessel permits. (1) The owner of each vessel used 
to fish for or take Atlantic tunas commercially or on which Atlantic 
tunas are retained or possessed with the intention of sale must obtain 
an HMS Charter/Headboat permit issued under paragraph (b) of this 
section, or an Atlantic tunas permit in one, and only one, of the 
following categories: General, Harpoon, Longline, Purse Seine, or Trap.
    (2) Persons aboard a vessel with a valid Atlantic Tunas, HMS 
Angling, or HMS Charter/Headboat permit may fish for, take, retain, or 
possess Atlantic tunas, but only in compliance with the quotas, catch 
limits, size classes, and gear applicable to the permit category of the 
vessel from which he or she is fishing. Persons may sell Atlantic tunas 
only if the harvesting vessel has a valid permit in the General, 
Harpoon, Longline, Purse Seine, or Trap category of the Atlantic Tunas 
permit or a valid HMS Charter/Headboat permit.
    (3) A vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas permit in any category for a 
fishing year shall not be issued an HMS Angling permit, HMS Charter/
Headboat permit, or an Atlantic Tunas permit in any other category for 
that same fishing year, regardless of a change in the vessel's 
ownership.
    (4) A person can obtain an Atlantic Tunas Longline category permit 
for a vessel only if the vessel has been issued both a limited access 
permit for shark and a limited access permit for swordfish. NMFS will 
issue Atlantic Tunas Longline category permits to qualifying vessels in 
calendar year 1999. Thereafter, such permits may be obtained through 
transfer from current owners consistent with the provisions under 
paragraph (l)(2) of this section.
    (5) An owner of a vessel with an Atlantic Tunas permit in the Purse 
Seine category may transfer the permit to another purse seine vessel 
that he or she owns. In either case, the owner must submit a written 
request for transfer to NMFS, to an address designated by NMFS, and 
attach an application for the new vessel and the existing permit. NMFS 
will issue no more than 5 Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine category permits.
    (e) Shark vessel LAPs. (1) As of July 1, 1999, the only valid 
Federal commercial vessel permits for shark are those that have been 
issued under the limited access criteria specified in Sec. 635.16.
    (2) The owner of each vessel used to fish for or take Atlantic 
sharks or on which Atlantic sharks are retained, possessed with an 
intention to sell, or sold must obtain, in addition to any other 
required permits, only one of two types of commercial limited access 
shark permits: Shark directed limited access permit or shark incidental 
limited access permit. See Sec. 635.16 regarding the initial issuance 
of these two types of permits. It is a rebuttable presumption that the 
owner or operator of a vessel on which sharks are possessed in excess of 
the recreational retention limits intends to sell the sharks.
    (3) A commercial limited access permit for sharks is not required if 
the vessel is recreational fishing and retains no more sharks than the 
recreational retention limit, is operating pursuant to the conditions of 
a shark EFP, or that fishes exclusively within state waters.
    (f) Swordfish vessel LAPs. (1) The owner of each vessel used to fish 
for or take Atlantic swordfish or on which Atlantic swordfish are 
retained, possessed with an intention to sell, or sold must obtain, in 
addition to any other required permits, only one of three types of 
commercial limited access swordfish permits: swordfish directed limited 
access permit, swordfish incidental limited access permit, or swordfish 
handgear limited access permit. See Sec. 635.16 regarding the initial 
issuance of these three types of permits.

[[Page 273]]

    (2) As of July 1, 1999, the only valid commercial Federal vessel 
permits for swordfish are those that have been issued under the limited 
access criteria specified in Sec. 635.16.
    (3) A commercial Federal permit for swordfish is not required if the 
vessel is recreational fishing.
    (4) Unless the owner has been issued a swordfish handgear permit, a 
limited access permit for swordfish is valid only when the vessel has on 
board a valid limited access permit for shark and a valid Atlantic Tunas 
Longline category permit issued for such vessel.
    (g) Dealer permits--(1) Atlantic tunas. A person that receives, 
purchases, trades for, or barters for Atlantic tunas from a fishing 
vessel of the United States, as defined under Sec. 600.10 of this 
chapter, must possess a valid dealer permit.
    (2) Shark. A person that receives, purchases, trades for, or barters 
for Atlantic sharks from a fishing vessel of the United States, as 
defined under Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, must possess a valid dealer 
permit.
    (3) Swordfish. A person that receives, purchases, trades for, or 
barters for Atlantic swordfish from a fishing vessel of the United 
States, as defined under Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, must possess a 
valid dealer permit.
    (h) Applications for permits. An owner of a vessel or a dealer must 
submit to NMFS, at an address designated by NMFS, a complete application 
and required supporting documents at least 30 days before the date on 
which the permit is to be made effective. Application forms and 
instructions for their completion are available from NMFS.
    (1) Atlantic Tunas, HMS Angling, and HMS Charter/Headboat vessel 
permits. (i) An applicant must provide all information concerning his or 
her identification, vessel, gear used, fishing areas, fisheries 
participated in, the corporation or partnership owning the vessel, and 
income requirements requested by NMFS and included on the application 
form.
    (ii) An applicant must also submit a copy of the vessel's valid U.S. 
Coast Guard documentation or, if not documented, a copy of its valid 
state registration and any other information that may be necessary for 
the issuance or administration of the permit as requested by NMFS. The 
owner must submit such information to an address designated by NMFS.
    (iii) NMFS may require an applicant to provide documentation 
supporting the application before a permit is issued or to substantiate 
why such permit should not be revoked or otherwise sanctioned under 
paragraph (a)(7) of this section.
    (2) Limited access permits for swordfish and shark. See Sec. 635.16 
for the issuance of ILAPs for shark and swordfish. See paragraph (l) of 
this section for transfers of ILAPs and LAPs for shark and swordfish. 
See paragraph (m) of this section for renewals of LAPs for shark and 
swordfish.
    (3) Dealer permits. (i) An applicant for a dealer permit must 
provide all the information requested on the application form necessary 
to identify the company, its principal place of business, and mechanisms 
by which the company can be contacted.
    (ii) An applicant must also submit a copy of each state wholesaler's 
license held by the dealer and, if a business is owned by a corporation 
or partnership, the corporate or partnership documents requested on the 
application form.
    (iii) An applicant must also submit any other information that may 
be necessary for the issuance or administration of the permit, as 
requested by NMFS.
    (i) Change in application information. A vessel owner or dealer must 
report any change in the information contained in an application for a 
permit within 30 days after such change. The report must be submitted in 
writing to NMFS, to an address designated by NMFS with the issuance of 
each permit. In the case of a vessel permit for Atlantic tunas or an HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit, the vessel owner or operator must report the 
change by phone or internet to a number or website designated by NMFS. A 
new permit will be issued to incorporate the new information, subject to 
limited access provisions specified in paragraph (l)(2) of this section. 
For certain information changes, NMFS may require supporting 
documentation before a new permit will be issued. If a change in the

[[Page 274]]

permit information is not reported within 30 days, the permit is void as 
of the 31st day after such change.
    (j) Permit issuance. (1) NMFS will issue a permit within 30 days of 
receipt of a complete and qualifying application. An application is 
complete when all requested forms, information, and documentation have 
been received, including all reports and fishing or catch information 
required to be submitted under this part.
    (2) NMFS will notify the applicant of any deficiency in the 
application, including failure to provide information or reports 
required to be submitted under this part. If the applicant fails to 
correct the deficiency within 30 days following the date of 
notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (3) Except for Atlantic Tunas Longline and Purse Seine category 
permits, a vessel owner issued a permit under paragraphs (b), (c), or 
(d) of this section may change the category of the vessel's permit 
within 10-calendar days of the date of issuance of the permit. Beyond 10 
calendar days after the date of issuance of the permit, no permit 
category changes may be made.
    (k) Duration. A permit issued under this section will be valid for 
the period specified on it unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified 
pursuant to subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, the vessel or dealership is 
sold, or any other information previously submitted on the application 
changes, as specified in paragraph (i) of this section.
    (l) Transfer--(1) General. A permit issued under this section is not 
transferable or assignable to another vessel or owner or dealer; it is 
valid only for the vessel or owner or dealer to whom it is issued. If a 
person acquires a vessel or dealership and wants to conduct activities 
for which a permit is required, that person must apply for a permit in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (h) of this section or, if 
the acquired vessel is permitted in either the shark, swordfish or tuna 
longline fishery, in accordance with paragraph (l)(2) of this section. 
If the acquired vessel or dealership is currently permitted, an 
application must be accompanied by the original permit and by a copy of 
a signed bill of sale or equivalent acquisition papers.
    (2) Shark, swordfish, and tuna longline LAPs. (i) Subject to the 
restrictions on upgrading the harvesting capacity of permitted vessels 
in paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of this section and to the limitations on 
ownership of permitted vessels in paragraph (l)(2)(iii) of this section, 
an owner may transfer a shark or swordfish ILAP or LAP or an Atlantic 
Tunas Longline category permit to another vessel that he or she owns or 
to another person. Directed handgear ILAPs and LAPs for swordfish may be 
transferred to another vessel but only for use with handgear and subject 
to the upgrading restrictions in paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of this section 
and the limitations on ownership of permitted vessels in paragraph 
(l)(2)(iii) of this section. Incidental catch ILAPs and LAPs are not 
subject to the requirements specified in paragraphs (l)(2)(ii) and 
(l)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) An owner may upgrade a vessel with a shark, swordfish, or tuna 
longline limited access permit, or transfer the limited access permit to 
another vessel, and be eligible to retain or renew a limited access 
permit only if the upgrade or transfer does not result in an increase in 
horsepower of more than 20 percent or an increase of more than 10 
percent in length overall, gross registered tonnage, or net tonnage from 
the vessel baseline specifications.
    (A) The vessel baseline specifications are the respective 
specifications (length overall, gross registered tonnage, net tonnage, 
horsepower) of the first vessel that was issued an initial limited 
access permit or, if applicable, of that vessel's replacement owned as 
of May 28, 1999.
    (B) The vessel's horsepower may be increased only once subsequent to 
the issuance of a limited access permit, whether through refitting, 
replacement, or transfer. Such an increase may not exceed 20 percent of 
the horsepower of the vessel's baseline specifications, as applicable.
    (C) The vessel's length overall, gross registered tonnage, and net 
tonnage may be increased only once subsequent

[[Page 275]]

to the issuance of a limited access permit, whether through refitting, 
replacement, or transfer. Any increase in any of these three 
specifications of vessel size may not exceed 10 percent of the vessel's 
baseline specifications, as applicable. If any of these three 
specifications is increased, any increase in the other two must be 
performed at the same time. This type of upgrade may be done separately 
from an engine horsepower upgrade.
    (iii) No person or entity may own or control more than 5 percent of 
the vessels for which swordfish directed, shark directed or tuna 
longline limited access permits have been issued.
    (iv) In order to transfer a swordfish, shark or tuna longline 
limited access permit to a replacement vessel, the owner of the vessel 
issued the limited access permit must submit a request to NMFS, at an 
address designated by NMFS, to transfer the limited access permit to 
another vessel, subject to requirements specified in paragraph 
(l)(2)(ii) of this section, if applicable. The owner must return the 
current valid limited access permit to NMFS with a complete application 
for a limited access permit, as specified in paragraph (h) of this 
section, for the replacement vessel. Copies of both vessels' U.S. Coast 
Guard documentation or state registration must accompany the 
application.
    (v) For swordfish, shark, and tuna longline limited access permit 
transfers to a different person, the transferee must submit a request to 
NMFS, at an address designated by NMFS, to transfer the original limited 
access permit(s), subject to requirements specified in paragraphs 
(l)(2)(ii) and (l)(2)(iii) of this section, if applicable. The following 
must accompany the completed application: The original limited access 
permit(s) with signatures of both parties to the transaction on the back 
of the permit(s) and the bill of sale for the permit(s). A person must 
include copies of both vessels' U.S. Coast Guard documentation or state 
registration for limited access permit transfers involving vessels.
    (vi) For limited access permit transfers in conjunction with the 
sale of the permitted vessel, the transferee of the vessel and limited 
access permit(s) issued to that vessel must submit a request to NMFS, at 
an address designated by NMFS, to transfer the limited access permit(s), 
subject to requirements specified in paragraphs (l)(2)(ii) and 
(l)(2)(iii) of this section, if applicable. The following must accompany 
the completed application: The original limited access permit(s) with 
signatures of both parties to the transaction on the back of the 
permit(s), the bill of sale for the limited access permit(s) and the 
vessel, and a copy of the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard documentation or 
state registration.
    (vii) The owner of a vessel issued a limited access permit(s) who 
sells the permitted vessel but retains the limited access permit(s) must 
notify NMFS within 30 days after the sale of the change in application 
information in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section. If the 
owner wishes to transfer the limited access permit(s) to a replacement 
vessel, he/she must apply according to the procedures in paragraph 
(l)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (viii) As specified in paragraph (f)(4) of this section, a directed 
or incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish, a directed or an incidental 
catch ILAP or LAP for shark, and an Atlantic Tunas commercial category 
permit are required to retain swordfish. Accordingly, a LAP for 
swordfish obtained by transfer without either a directed or incidental 
catch shark LAP or an Atlantic tunas commercial category permit will not 
entitle an owner or operator to use a vessel to fish in the swordfish 
fishery.
    (ix) As specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, a directed or 
incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish, a directed or an incidental catch 
ILAP or LAP for shark, and an Atlantic Tunas Longline category permit 
are required to retain Atlantic tunas taken by pelagic longline gear. 
Accordingly, an Atlantic Tunas Longline category permit obtained by 
transfer without either a directed or incidental catch swordfish or 
shark LAP will not entitle an owner or operator to use the permitted 
vessel to fish in the Atlantic tunas fishery with pelagic longline gear.
    (m) Renewal--(1) General. Persons must apply annually for a dealer 
permit for Atlantic tunas, sharks, and

[[Page 276]]

swordfish, and for an Atlantic HMS Angling, HMS Charter/Headboat, tunas, 
shark, or swordfish vessel permit. A renewal application must be 
submitted to NMFS, at an address designated by NMFS, at least 30 days 
before a permit's expiration to avoid a lapse of permitted status. NMFS 
will renew a permit provided that the specific requirements for the 
requested permit are met, including those described in Sec. 635.4 
(l)(2), all reports required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA 
have been submitted, including those described in Sec. 635.5, and the 
applicant is not subject to a permit sanction or denial under paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section.
    (2) Shark, swordfish, and tuna longline LAPs. As of June 1, 2000, 
the owner of a vessel of the United States that fishes for, possesses, 
lands or sells shark or swordfish from the management unit, or takes or 
possesses such shark or swordfish as incidental catch or that fishes for 
Atlantic tunas with longline gear must have the applicable limited 
access permit(s) issued pursuant to the requirements in Sec. 635.4, 
paragraphs (e) and (f). However, any ILAP that expires on June 30, 2000, 
is valid through that date. Only valid limited access permit holders in 
the preceding year are eligible for renewal of a limited access 
permit(s). Limited access permits that have been transferred according 
to the procedures of paragraph (l) of this section are not eligible for 
renewal by the transferor.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37703, July 13, 1999; 65 
FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 FR 30652, June 7, 2001; 67 FR 77436, Dec. 18, 
2002; 68 FR 56787, Oct. 2, 2003; 69 FR 67283, Nov. 17, 2004; 71 FR 
45436, Aug. 9, 2006]



Sec. 635.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    Information on HMS vessel and dealer reporting requirements may be 
obtained from the Division Chief or where otherwise stated in this part.
    (a) Vessels--(1) Logbooks. If an owner of an HMS Charter/Headboat 
vessel, an Atlantic Tunas vessel, or a commercial shark or swordfish 
vessel, for which a permit has been issued under Sec. 635.4(b), (d), 
(e), or (f), is selected for logbook reporting in writing by NMFS, he or 
she must maintain and submit a fishing record on a logbook specified by 
NMFS. Entries are required regarding the vessel's fishing effort and the 
number of fish landed and discarded. Entries on a day's fishing 
activities must be entered on the form within 48 hours of completing 
that day's activities and, for a 1-day trip, before offloading. The 
owner or operator of the vessel must submit the logbook form(s) 
postmarked within 7 days of offloading all Atlantic HMS.
    (2) Weighout slips. If an owner of a permitted vessel is required to 
maintain and submit logbooks under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and 
Atlantic HMS harvested on a trip are sold, the owner or operator must 
obtain and submit copies of weighout slips for those fish. Each weighout 
slip must show the dealer to whom the fish were transferred, the date 
they were transferred, and the carcass weight of each fish for which 
individual weights are normally recorded. For fish that are not 
individually weighed, a weighout slip must record total weights by 
species and market category. A weighout slip for sharks prior to or as 
part of a commercial transaction involving shark carcasses or fins must 
record the weights of carcasses and any detached fins. The owner or 
operator must also submit copies of weighout slips with the logbook 
forms required to be submitted under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (3) BFT not sold. If a person who catches and lands a large medium 
or giant BFT from a vessel issued a permit in any of the commercial 
categories for Atlantic tunas does not sell or otherwise transfer the 
BFT to a dealer who has a dealer permit for Atlantic tunas, the person 
must contact a NMFS enforcement agent, at a number designated by NMFS, 
immediately upon landing such BFT, provide the information needed for 
the reports required under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, and, if 
requested, make the tuna available so that a NMFS enforcement agent or 
authorized officer may inspect the fish and attach a tag to it. 
Alternatively, such reporting requirement may be fulfilled if a dealer 
who has a dealer permit for Atlantic tunas affixes a dealer tag as 
required under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section and reports the BFT 
as being landed but

[[Page 277]]

not sold on the reports required under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
section. If a vessel is placed on a trailer, the person must contact a 
NMFS enforcement agent, or the BFT must have a dealer tag affixed to it 
by a permitted Atlantic tunas dealer, immediately upon the vessel being 
removed from the water. All BFT landed but not sold will be applied to 
the quota category according to the permit category of the vessel from 
which it was landed.
    (4) Pelagic longline sea turtle reporting. The operators of vessels 
that have pelagic longline gear on board and that have been issued, or 
are required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, and tuna 
longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the 
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are required to report any sea 
turtles that are dead when they are captured or that die during capture 
to the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center Observer 
Program, at a number designated by NOAA Fisheries, within 48 hours of 
returning to port, in addition to submitting all other reporting forms 
required by this part and 50 CFR parts 223 and 224.
    (5) Shark gillnet whale reporting. The vessel operators of vessels 
that are shark gillnetting, as defined by 50 CFR 229.2, and that have 
been issued, or are required to have, shark directed or incidental 
limited access permits for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the 
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are required to contact the NOAA 
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, at a number designated by NOAA 
Fisheries, if a listed whale is taken, in addition to submitting all 
other reporting forms required by this part and 50 CFR part 229.
    (6) Chartering Arrangements. (i) For the purposes of this section, a 
chartering arrangement means any contract, agreement, or commitment 
between a U.S. vessel owner and a foreign entity (e.g., government, 
company, person) by which the control, use, possession, or services of a 
vessel are secured, for a period of time for fishing targeting Atlantic 
HMS. Chartering arrangements under this part do not include bareboat 
charters under which a vessel enters into a fishing agreement with a 
foreign entity, changes registration to fish under another country's 
registration then, once the agreed-upon fishing is completed, reverts 
back to the vessel's original registration.
    (ii) Before fishing under a chartering arrangement, the owner of a 
fishing vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction must apply for, and obtain, 
a chartering permit as specified in Sec. 635.32 (e) and (f). If a 
chartering permit is obtained, the vessel owner must submit catch 
information as specified in the terms and conditions of that permit. All 
catches will be recorded and counted against the applicable quota of the 
Contracting Party to which the chartering foreign entity is a member 
and, unless otherwise provided in the chartering permit, must be 
offloaded in the ports of the chartering foreign entity or offloaded 
under the direct supervision of the chartering foreign entity.
    (iii) If the chartering arrangement terminates before the expiration 
of the charter permit, the vessel owner must notify NMFS immediately and 
in writing, upon termination of the chartering arrangement. Such 
notification requirements shall also apply to situations where the 
chartering arrangement is temporarily suspended and during intermittent 
periods where the vessel may be fishing under U.S. quotas for Atlantic 
HMS.
    (b) Dealers. Persons who have been issued a dealer permit under 
Sec. 635.4 must submit reports to NMFS, to an address designated by 
NMFS, and maintain records as follows:
    (1) Atlantic HMS. (i) Dealers that have been issued an Atlantic 
tunas, swordfish and/or sharks dealer permit under Sec. 635.4 must 
submit to NMFS all reports required under this section.
    (ii) Reports of Atlantic tunas, Atlantic swordfish, and/or Atlantic 
sharks received by dealers from U.S. vessels, as defined under Sec. 
600.10 of this chapter, on the first through the 15th of each month, 
must be postmarked not later than the 25th of that month. Reports of 
such fish received on the 16th through the last day of each month must 
be postmarked not later than the 10th of the following month. If a 
dealer issued an Atlantic tunas, swordfish or sharks dealer permit under 
Sec. 635.4 has not received any Atlantic HMS from U.S. vessels during a 
reporting period as

[[Page 278]]

specified in this section, he or she must still submit the report 
required under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section stating that no 
Atlantic HMS were received. This negative report must be postmarked for 
the applicable reporting period as specified in this section. This 
negative reporting requirement does not apply for bluefin tuna.
    (iii) The reporting requirement of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this 
section may be satisfied by a dealer if he or she provides a copy of 
each appropriate weighout slip or sales record, provided such weighout 
slip or sales record by itself or combined with the form available from 
NMFS includes all of the required information and identifies each fish 
by species.
    (iv) The dealer may mail or fax such report to an address designated 
by NMFS or may hand-deliver such report to a state or Federal fishery 
port agent designated by NMFS. If the dealer hand-delivers the report to 
a port agent, a dealer must deliver such report no later than the 
prescribed postmark date for the reporting period.
    (2) Requirements for bluefin tuna--(i) Dealer reports--(A)Landing 
reports. Each dealer issued an Atlantic tunas permit under Sec. 635.4 
must submit a completed landing report on a form available from NMFS for 
each BFT received from a U.S. fishing vessel. Such report must be 
submitted by electronic facsimile (fax) to a number designated by NMFS 
not later than 24 hours after receipt of the BFT. The landing report 
must indicate the name and permit number of the vessel that landed the 
BFT and must be signed by the permitted vessel's owner or operator 
immediately upon transfer of the BFT. The dealer must inspect the 
vessel's permit to verify that the required vessel name and vessel 
permit number as listed on the permit are correctly recorded on the 
landing report.
    (B) Bi-weekly reports. Each dealer issued an Atlantic tunas permit 
under Sec. 635.4 must submit a bi-weekly report on forms supplied by 
NMFS for BFT received from U.S. vessels. For BFT received from U.S. 
vessels on the first through the 15\th\ of each month, the dealer must 
submit the bi-weekly report form to NMFS postmarked not later than the 
25\th\ of that month. Reports of BFT received on the 16\th\ through the 
last day of each month must be postmarked not later than the 10\th\ of 
the following month.
    (ii) Dealer Tags. NMFS will issue numbered dealer tags to each 
person issued a dealer permit for Atlantic tunas under Sec. 635.4. A 
dealer tag is not transferable and is usable only by the dealer to whom 
it is issued. Dealer tags may not be reused once affixed to a tuna or 
recorded on a package, container, or report.
    (A) Affixing dealer tags. A dealer or a dealer's agent must affix a 
dealer tag to each BFT purchased or received from a U.S. vessel 
immediately upon offloading the BFT. If a vessel is placed on a trailer, 
the dealer or dealer's agent must affix the dealer tag to the BFT 
immediately upon the vessel being removed from the water. The dealer tag 
must be affixed to the BFT between the fifth dorsal finlet and the 
caudal keel.
    (B) Removal of dealer tags. A dealer tag affixed to any BFT under 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section or a BSD tag affixed to an 
imported bluefin tuna must remain on the fish until it is cut into 
portions. If the bluefin tuna or bluefin tuna parts subsequently are 
packaged for transport for domestic commercial use or for export, the 
number of the dealer tag or the BSD tag must be written legibly and 
indelibly on the outside of any package containing the tuna. Such tag 
number also must be recorded on any document accompanying the shipment 
of bluefin tuna for commercial use or export.
    (3) Recordkeeping. Dealers must retain at their place of business a 
copy of each written report required under paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through 
(b)(1)(iii) and paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section for a period of 2 
years from the date on which each report was required to be submitted.
    (c) Anglers. All bluefin tuna, billfish, and North Atlantic 
swordfish non-tournament landings must be reported as specified under 
paragraphs (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section, unless an alternative 
recreational catch reporting

[[Page 279]]

system has been established as specified under paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section. Tournament landings must be reported as specified under 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (1) Bluefin tuna. The owner of a vessel permitted, or required to be 
permitted, in the Atlantic HMS Angling or Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat 
category must report all BFT landings under the Angling category quota 
designated at Sec. 635.27(a) through the NMFS automated catch reporting 
system within 24 hours of the landing. Such reports may be made by 
calling 1-888-872-8862 or by submitting the required information over 
the Internet at: www.nmfspermits.com.
    (2) Billfish and North Atlantic Swordfish. Anglers must report all 
non-tournament landings of Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin, 
Atlantic sailfish and North Atlantic swordfish, including those landed 
on a charter/headboat, to NMFS by calling 1-800-894-5528 within 24 hours 
of the landing. For telephone reports, a contact phone number must be 
provided so that NMFS can call the angler back for follow up questions 
and to provide a confirmation of the reported landing. The landing 
telephone report has not been completed unless the angler has received a 
confirmation number from a NMFS' designee.
    (3) Alternative recreational catch reporting. Alternative 
recreational catch reporting procedures may be established by NMFS with 
cooperation from states which may include such methodologies as 
telephone, dockside or mail surveys, mail in or phone-in reports, 
tagging programs, catch cards, or mandatory check-in stations. A census 
or a statistical sample of persons fishing under the recreational 
fishing regulations of this part may be used for these alternative 
reporting programs (after the programs have received Paperwork Reduction 
Act approval from OMB). Persons or vessel owners selected for reporting 
will be notified by NMFS or by the cooperating state agency of the 
requirements and procedures for reporting recreational catch. Each 
person so notified must comply with those requirements and procedures. 
Additionally, NMFS may determine that recreational landing reporting 
systems implemented by the states, if mandatory, at least as 
restrictive, and effectively enforced, are sufficient for recreational 
landing monitoring as required under this part. In such case, NMFS will 
file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication 
notification indicating that compliance with the state system satisfies 
the reporting requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.
    (d) Tournament operators. A tournament operator must notify NMFS of 
the purpose, dates, and location of the tournament conducted from a port 
in an Atlantic coastal state, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and 
Puerto Rico, at least 4 weeks prior to commencement of the tournament. 
NMFS will notify a tournament operator in writing, when his or her 
tournament has been selected for reporting. The tournament operator that 
is selected must maintain and submit to NMFS a record of catch and 
effort on forms available from NMFS. Tournament operators must submit 
completed forms to NMFS, at an address designated by NMFS, postmarked no 
later than the 7th day after the conclusion of the tournament and must 
attach a copy of the tournament rules.
    (e) Inspection. Any person authorized to carry out enforcement 
activities under the regulations in this part has the authority, without 
warrant or other process, to inspect, at any reasonable time, catch on 
board a vessel or on the premises of a dealer, logbooks, catch reports, 
statistical records, sales receipts, or other records and reports 
required by this part to be made, kept, or furnished. An owner or 
operator of a fishing vessel that has been issued a permit under Sec. 
635.4 or Sec. 635.32 must allow NMFS or an authorized person to inspect 
and copy any required reports and the records, in any form, on which the 
completed reports are based, wherever they exist. An agent of a person 
issued a permit under this part, or anyone responsible for offloading, 
storing, packing, or selling regulated HMS for such permittee, shall be 
subject to the inspection provisions of this section.
    (f) Additional data and inspection. Additional data on fishing 
effort directed

[[Page 280]]

at Atlantic HMS or on catch of Atlantic HMS, regardless of whether 
retained, may be collected by contractors and statistical reporting 
agents, as designees of NMFS, and by authorized officers. A person 
issued a permit under Sec. 635.4 is required to provide requested 
information about fishing activity, and a person, regardless of whether 
issued a permit under Sec. 635.4, who possesses an Atlantic HMS is 
required to make such fish or parts thereof available for inspection by 
NMFS or its designees upon request.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 
FR 30653, June 7, 2001; 66 FR 42804, Aug. 15, 2001; 67 FR 45400, July 9, 
2002; 67 FR 77437, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 37773, 
June 25, 2003; 68 FR 74784, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004; 
69 FR 70399, Dec. 6, 2004]



Sec. 635.6  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) Vessel number. For the purposes of this section, a vessel's 
number is the vessel's official number issued by either by the U.S. 
Coast Guard or by the appropriate state agency.
    (b) Vessel identification. (1) An owner or operator of a vessel for 
which a permit has been issued under Sec. 635.4, other than an HMS 
Angling permit, must display the vessel number--
    (i) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and on 
an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an 
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (ii) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel in contrasting color to the background.
    (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft 
(19.8 m) in length; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for all other 
vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) in length; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in 
height for vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) in length or less.
    (2) The owner or operator of a vessel for which a permit has been 
issued under Sec. 635.4 must keep the vessel's number clearly legible 
and in good repair and ensure that no part of the vessel, its rigging, 
its fishing gear, or any other material on board obstructs the view of 
the vessel's number from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (c) Gear identification. (1) The owner or operator of a vessel for 
which a permit has been issued under Sec. 635.4 and that uses a 
handline, harpoon, longline, or gillnet, must display the vessel's name, 
registration number or Atlantic Tunas, HMS Angling, or HMS Charter/
Headboat permit number on each float attached to a handline or harpoon 
and on the terminal floats and high-flyers (if applicable) on a longline 
or gillnet used by the vessel. The vessel's name or number must be at 
least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height in block letters or arabic numerals in a 
color that contrasts with the background color of the float or high-
flyer.
    (2) An unmarked handline, harpoon, longline, or gillnet, is illegal 
and may be disposed of in an appropriate manner by NMFS or an authorized 
officer.
    (3) In addition to gear marking requirements in this paragraph 
(c)(1), provisions on gear marking for the southeast U.S. shark gillnet 
fishery to implement the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan are 
set forth in Sec. 229.32(b) of this title.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 42804, Aug. 15, 2001; 67 
FR 77437, Dec. 18, 2002]



Sec. 635.7  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Applicability. NMFS may select for at-sea observer coverage any 
vessel that has an Atlantic HMS, tunas, shark or swordfish permit issued 
under Sec. 635.4 or Sec. 635.32. Vessels permitted in the HMS Charter/
Headboat and Angling categories will be requested to take observers on a 
voluntary basis. When selected, vessels issued any other permit under 
Sec. 635.4 or Sec. 635.32 are required to take observers on a 
mandatory basis.
    (b) Selection of vessels. NMFS will notify a vessel owner, in 
writing, when his or her vessel is selected for observer coverage. 
Vessels will be selected to provide information on catch, bycatch and 
other fishery data according to the need for representative samples.
    (c) Notification of trips. The owner or operator of a vessel that is 
selected under paragraph (b) of this section must notify NMFS, at an 
address designated by NMFS, before commencing any fishing trip that may 
result in the incidental catch or harvest of Atlantic

[[Page 281]]

HMS. Notification procedures and information requirements such as 
expected gear deployment, trip duration and fishing area will be 
specified in a selection letter sent by NMFS.
    (d) Assignment of observers. Once notified of a trip, NMFS will 
assign an observer for that trip based on current information needs 
relative to the expected catch and bycatch likely to be associated with 
the indicated gear deployment, trip duration and fishing area. If an 
observer is not assigned for a fishing trip, NMFS will issue a waiver 
for that trip to the owner or operator of the selected vessel, so long 
as the waiver is consistent with other applicable laws. If an observer 
is assigned for a trip, the operator of the selected vessel must arrange 
to embark the observer and shall not fish for or retain any Atlantic HMS 
unless the NMFS-assigned observer is aboard.
    (e) Requirements. The owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-
approved observer is embarked, regardless of whether required to carry 
the observer, must comply with Sec. Sec. 600.725 and 600.746 of this 
chapter and-
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission 
and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any other 
space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 
FR 17372, Mar. 30, 2001; 68 FR 63741, Nov. 10, 2003]



                        Subpart B_Limited Access



Sec. 635.16  [Reserved]



                      Subpart C_Management Measures



Sec. 635.20  Size limits.

    (a) General. The CFL will be the sole criterion for determining the 
size and/or size class of whole (head on) Atlantic tunas for a vessel 
that has been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit 
under Sec. 635.4. The LJFL will be the sole criterion for determining 
the size of whole (head on) North Atlantic swordfish for a vessel that 
has not been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit 
under Sec. 635.4. If the head or tail of an North Atlantic swordfish 
has been removed prior to or at the time of landing, the CK or minimum 
weight standard shall be applied in all cases.
    (b) BFT size classes. The size class of a BFT found with the head 
removed shall be determined using pectoral fin curved fork length 
(PFCFL) multiplied by a conversion factor of 1.35. The CFL, as 
determined by conversion of the PFCFL, will be the sole criterion for 
determining the size class of a beheaded BFT. The conversion factor may 
be adjusted after consideration of additional scientific information and 
fish measurement data, and will be made effective by filing with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the 
adjustment.
    (c) BFT, bigeye tuna, and yellowfin tuna. (1) No person shall take, 
retain, or possess a BFT, bigeye tuna, or yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic 
Ocean that is less than 27 inches (69 cm) CFL;
    (2) Applying the conversion factor from PFCFL to CFL for a beheaded 
BFT in Sec. 635.20(b) means that no person shall retain or possess a 
BFT, with the head removed, that is less than 20 inches (51 cm) PFCFL.
    (3) No person shall remove the head of a bigeye tuna or yellowfin 
tuna if the remaining portion would be less than 27 inches (69 cm) from 
the fork of the tail to the forward edge of the cut.
    (d) Billfish. (1) No person shall take, retain or possess a blue 
marlin taken from its management unit that is less than 99 inches (251 
cm), LJFL.

[[Page 282]]

    (2) No person shall take, retain or possess a white marlin taken 
from its management unit that is less than 66 inches (168 cm), LJFL.
    (3) No person shall take, retain or possess shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the EEZ a sailfish taken from its management unit that is 
less than 63 inches (160 cm), LJFL.
    (e) Sharks. All sharks landed under the recreational retention 
limits specified at Sec. 635.22(c) must have the head, tail, and fins 
attached. All sharks, except Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks, 
landed under the recreational retention limits specified at Sec. 
635.22(c) must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) FL.
    (f) Swordfish. (1) No person shall take, retain, or possess a north 
or south Atlantic swordfish taken from its management unit that is less 
than 29 inches (73 cm), CK, 47 inches (119 cm), LJFL, or 33 lb (15 kg) 
dressed weight. A swordfish that is damaged by shark bites may be 
retained only if the remainder of the carcass is at least 29 inches (73 
cm) CK, 47 inches (119 cm), LJFL, or 33 lb (15 kg) dw. No person shall 
import into the United States an Atlantic swordfish weighing less than 
33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight, or a part derived from a swordfish that 
weighs less than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight.
    (2) Except for a swordfish landed in a Pacific state and remaining 
in the state of landing, a swordfish, or part thereof, weighing less 
than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight will be deemed to be an Atlantic 
swordfish harvested by a vessel of the United States and to be in 
violation of the minimum size requirement of this section unless such 
swordfish, or part thereof, is accompanied by a swordfish statistical 
document attesting that the swordfish was lawfully imported. Refer to 
Sec. 300.186 of this title for the requirements related to the 
swordfish statistical document.
    (3) A swordfish, or part thereof, will be monitored for compliance 
with the minimum size requirement of this section from the time it is 
landed in, or imported into, the United States up to, and including, the 
point of first transaction in the United States.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 
FR 42804, Aug. 15, 2001; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 
2003; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004]



Sec. 635.21  Gear operation and deployment restrictions.

    (a) All Atlantic HMS fishing gears. (1) An Atlantic HMS harvested 
from its management unit that is not retained must be released in a 
manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival, but without 
removing the fish from the water.
    (2) If a billfish is caught by a hook, the fish must be released by 
cutting the line near the hook or by using a dehooking device, in either 
case without removing the fish from the water.
    (3) All vessels that have pelagic longline gear on board and that 
have been issued, or are required to have, a limited access swordfish, 
shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean 
including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must possess inside 
the wheelhouse the document provided by NMFS entitled, ``Careful Release 
Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury,'' and all vessels 
with pelagic or bottom longline gear on board must post inside the 
wheelhouse the sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by 
NMFS.
    (4) No person may fish for, catch, possess or retain any Atlantic 
highly migratory species or anchor a fishing vessel, issued a permit or 
required to be permitted under this part, in the areas designated at 
Sec. 622.34(d) of this chapter.
    (b) General. No person shall use any gear to fish for Atlantic HMS 
other than those gears specifically authorized in this part. A vessel 
using or having on board in the Atlantic Ocean any unauthorized gear may 
not have on board an Atlantic HMS.
    (c) Pelagic longlines. For purposes of this part, a vessel is 
considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a power-operated 
longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of supporting the mainline, 
and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of 
these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline gear. If a

[[Page 283]]

vessel issued a permit under this part is in a closed area designated 
under paragraph (c)(2) of this section with pelagic longline gear on 
board, it is a rebuttable presumption that fish on board such vessel 
were taken with pelagic longline gear in the closed area.
    (1) From August 1, 1999, through November 30, 2000, no person may 
deploy a pelagic longline that is more than 24 nautical miles (44.5 km) 
in length in the Mid-Atlantic Bight.
    (2) If pelagic longline gear is on board a vessel issued a permit 
under this part, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any 
type of fishing gear in:
    (i) The Northeastern United States closed area from June 1 through 
June 30 each calender year;
    (ii) In the Charleston Bump closed area from March 1 through April 
30, 2001, and from February 1 through April 30 each calender year 
thereafter;
    (iii) In the East Florida Coast closed area at any time beginning at 
12:01 a.m. on March 1, 2001;
    (iv) In the DeSoto Canyon closed area at any time beginning at 12:01 
a.m. on November 1, 2000;
    (v) In the Northeast Distant closed area at any time, unless persons 
onboard the vessel comply with the following:
    (A) The vessel is limited, at all times, to possessing onboard and/
or using only 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 
10[deg]. The outer diameter of the hook at its widest point must be no 
smaller than 2.16 inches (55 mm) when measured with the eye of the hook 
on the vertical axis (y-axis) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis 
(x-axis), and the distance between the hook point and the shank (i.e., 
the gap) must be no larger than 1.13 inches (28.8 mm). The allowable 
offset is measured from the barbed end of the hook, and is relative to 
the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook when laid on 
its side. The only allowable offset circle hooks are those that are 
offset by the hook manufacturer; and,
    (B) The vessel is limited, at all times, to possessing onboard and/
or using only whole Atlantic mackerel and/or squid bait; and,
    (C) Vessels must possess, inside the wheelhouse, a document provided 
by NMFS entitled, ``Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release 
with Minimal Injury,'' and must post, inside the wheelhouse, sea turtle 
handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS; and,
    (D) Required sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, which NMFS has 
approved under paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of this section, on the initial list 
of ``NMFS-Approved Models For Equipment Needed For The Careful Release 
of Sea Turtles Caught In Hook And Line Fisheries,'' must be carried on 
board, and must be used in accordance with the handling requirements 
specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(v)(E) - (G) of this section; and,
    (E) Sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(D) of this section, must be used to disengage any hooked or 
entangled sea turtles that cannot be brought on board, and to facilitate 
access, safe handling, disentanglement, and hook removal or hook cutting 
of sea turtles that can be brought on board, where feasible. Sea turtles 
must be handled, and bycatch mitigation gear must be used, in accordance 
with the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines 
specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and in accordance 
with the onboard handling and resuscitation requirements specified in 
Sec. 223.206(d)(1).
    (F) Boated turtles. When practicable, active and comatose sea 
turtles must be brought on board, with a minimum of injury, using a 
dipnet approved on the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) 
of this section. All turtles less than 3 ft (.91 m) carapace length 
should be boated, if sea conditions permit. A boated turtle should be 
placed on a standard automobile tire, or cushioned surface, in an 
upright orientation to immobilize it and facilitate gear removal. Then, 
it should be determined if the hook can be removed without causing 
further injury. All externally embedded hooks should be removed, unless 
hook removal would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt to 
remove a hook should be made if the hook has been swallowed and the 
insertion point is not visible, or if it is determined that removal 
would result in

[[Page 284]]

further injury. If a hook cannot be removed, as much line as possible 
should be removed from the turtle using approved monofilament line 
cutters from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of 
this section, and the hook should be cut as close as possible to the 
insertion point before releasing the turtle using bolt cutters from that 
list. If a hook can be removed, an effective technique may be to cut off 
either the barb, or the eye, of the hook using bolt cutters, and then to 
slide the hook out. When the hook is visible in the front of the mouth, 
an approved mouth-opener from the initial list specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(D) of this section may facilitate opening the turtle's mouth, 
and an approved gag from that list may facilitate keeping the mouth 
open. Short-handled dehookers for ingested hooks, long-nose pliers, or 
needle-nose pliers from the initial list specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(D) of this section should be used to remove visible hooks from 
the mouth that have not been swallowed on boated turtles, as 
appropriate. As much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle 
without causing further injury prior to its release. Refer to the 
careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required in 
paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and the handling and 
resuscitation requirements specified in Sec. 223.206(d)(1) of this 
title, for additional information.
    (G) Non-boated turtles. If a sea turtle is too large, or hooked in a 
manner that precludes safe boating without causing further damage or 
injury to the turtle, sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, specified in 
paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section, must be used to disentangle sea 
turtles from fishing gear and disengage any hooks, or to clip the line 
and remove as much line as possible from a hook that cannot be removed, 
prior to releasing the turtle, in accordance with the protocols 
specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section. Non-boated turtles 
should be brought close to the boat and provided with time to calm down. 
Then, it must be determined whether or not the hook can be removed 
without causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks must be 
removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the 
turtle. No attempt should be made to remove a hook if it has been 
swallowed, or if it is determined that removal would result in further 
injury. If the hook cannot be removed and/or if the animal is entangled, 
as much line as possible must be removed prior to release, using an 
approved line cutter from the initial list specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(v)(D) of this section. If the hook can be removed, it must be 
removed using a long-handled dehooker from the initial list specified in 
paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section. Without causing further injury, 
as much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle prior to its 
release. Refer to the careful release protocols and handling/release 
guidelines required in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and the 
handling and resuscitation requirements specified in Sec. 223.206(d)(1) 
of this title, for additional information.
    (3) When a marine mammal or sea turtle is hooked or entangled by 
pelagic longline gear, the operator of the vessel must immediately 
release the animal, retrieve the pelagic longline gear, and move at 
least 1 nm (2 km) from the location of the incident before resuming 
fishing. Reports of marine mammal entanglements must be submitted to 
NMFS consistent with regulations in Sec. 229.6 of this title.
    (4) In the Gulf of Mexico: pelagic longline gear may not be fished 
or deployed from a vessel issued a permit under this part with live bait 
affixed to the hooks; and, a person aboard a vessel issued a permit 
under this part that has pelagic longline gear on board shall not 
maintain live baitfish in any tank or well on board the vessel and shall 
not possess live baitfish, and shall not set up or attach an aeration or 
water circulation device in or to any such tank or well. For the 
purposes of this section, the Gulf of Mexico includes all waters of the 
U.S. EEZ west and north of the boundary stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c).
    (5) The operator of a vessel required to be permitted under this 
part and that has pelagic longline gear on board must undertake the 
following sea turtle bycatch mitigation measures:
    (i) Possession and use of required mitigation gear. Required sea 
turtle bycatch

[[Page 285]]

mitigation gear, which NMFS has approved under paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of 
this section as meeting the minimum design standards specified in 
paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A) through (c)(5)(i)(L) of this section, must be 
carried on board, and must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled 
sea turtles in accordance with the handling requirements specified in 
paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (A) Long-handled line clipper or cutter. Line cutters are intended 
to cut high test monofilament line as close as possible to the hook, and 
assist in removing line from entangled sea turtles to minimize any 
remaining gear upon release. NMFS has established minimum design 
standards for the line cutters. The LaForce line cutter and the 
Arceneaux line clipper are models that meet these minimum design 
standards, and may be purchased or fabricated from readily available and 
low-cost materials. One long-handled line clipper or cutter and a set of 
replacement blades are required to be onboard. The minimum design 
standards for line cutters are as follows:
    (1) A protected and secured cutting blade. The cutting blade(s) must 
be capable of cutting 2.0-2.1 mm (0.078 in. - 0.083 in.) monofilament 
line (400-lb test) or polypropylene multistrand material, known as 
braided or tarred mainline, and must be maintained in working order. The 
cutting blade must be curved, recessed, contained in a holder, or 
otherwise designed to facilitate its safe use so that direct contact 
between the cutting surface and the sea turtle or the user is prevented. 
The cutting instrument must be securely attached to an extended reach 
handle and be easily replaceable. One extra set of replacement blades 
meeting these standards must also be carried on board to replace all 
cutting surfaces on the line cutter or clipper.
    (2) An extended reach handle. The line cutter blade must be securely 
fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal 
to, or greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or a minimum of 6 
feet (1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, but not 
required, that the handle break down into sections. There is no 
restriction on the type of material used to construct this handle as 
long as it is sturdy and facilitates the secure attachment of the 
cutting blade.
    (B) Long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. A long-handled 
dehooking device is intended to remove ingested hooks from sea turtles 
that cannot be boated. It should also be used to engage a loose hook 
when a turtle is entangled but not hooked, and line is being removed. 
The design must shield the barb of the hook and prevent it from re-
engaging during the removal process. One long-handled device to remove 
ingested hooks is required onboard. The minimum design standards are as 
follows:
    (1) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed 
of 5/16-inch (7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel and have a dehooking end no 
larger than 1 7/8-inches (4.76 cm) outside diameter. The device must 
securely engage and control the leader while shielding the barb to 
prevent the hook from re-engaging during removal. It may not have any 
unprotected terminal points (including blunt ones), as these could cause 
injury to the esophagus during hook removal. The device must be of a 
size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in 
the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna.
    (2) Extended reach handle. The dehooking end must be securely 
fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal 
to or greater than 150 percent of the freeboard, or a minimum of 6 ft 
(1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, but not required, 
that the handle break down into sections. The handle must be sturdy and 
strong enough to facilitate the secure attachment of the hook removal 
device.
    (C) Long-handled dehooker for external hooks. A long-handled 
dehooker is required for use on externally-hooked sea turtles that 
cannot be boated. The long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks described 
in paragraph (c)(5)(i)(B) of this section would meet this requirement. 
The minimum design standards are as follows:
    (1) Construction. A long-handled dehooker must be constructed of 5/
16-inch (7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel rod. A 5-inch (12.7-cm) tube T-
handle of 1-

[[Page 286]]

inch (2.54 cm) outside diameter is recommended, but not required. The 
design should be such that a fish hook can be rotated out, without 
pulling it out at an angle. The dehooking end must be blunt with all 
edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the 
range of hook sizes and styles used in the pelagic longline fishery 
targeting swordfish and tuna.
    (2) Extended reach handle. The handle must be a minimum length equal 
to the freeboard of the vessel or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater.
    (D) Long-handled device to pull an ``inverted V''. This tool is used 
to pull a ``V'' in the fishing line when implementing the ``inverted V'' 
dehooking technique, as described in the document entitled ``Careful 
Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With Minimal Injury,'' required 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, for disentangling and dehooking 
entangled sea turtles. One long-handled device to pull an ``inverted V'' 
is required onboard. If a 6-ft (1.83 m) J-style dehooker is used to 
comply with paragraph (c)(5)(i)(C) of this section, it will also satisfy 
this requirement. Minimum design standards are as follows:
    (1) Hook end. This device, such as a standard boat hook or gaff, 
must be constructed of stainless steel or aluminum. A sharp point, such 
as on a gaff hook, is to be used only for holding the monofilament 
fishing line and should never contact the sea turtle.
    (2) Extended reach handle. The handle must have a minimum length 
equal to the freeboard of the vessel, or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is 
greater. The handle must be sturdy and strong enough to facilitate the 
secure attachment of the gaff hook.
    (E) Dipnet. One dipnet is required onboard. Dipnets are to be used 
to facilitate safe handling of sea turtles by allowing them to be 
brought onboard for fishing gear removal, without causing further injury 
to the animal. Turtles must not be brought onboard without the use of a 
dipnet. The minimum design standards for dipnets are as follows:
    (1) Size of dipnet. The dipnet must have a sturdy net hoop of at 
least 31 inches (78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 
38 inches (96.52 cm) to accommodate turtles below 3 ft (0.914 m)carapace 
length. The bag mesh openings may not exceed 3 inches (7.62 cm) 3 inches 
(7.62 cm). There must be no sharp edges or burrs on the hoop, or where 
it is attached to the handle.
    (2) Extended reach handle. The dipnet hoop must be securely fastened 
to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal to, or 
greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or at least 6 ft (1.83 m), 
whichever is greater. The handle must made of a rigid material strong 
enough to facilitate the sturdy attachment of the net hoop and able to 
support a minimum of 100 lbs (34.1 kg) without breaking or significant 
bending or distortion. It is recommended, but not required, that the 
extended reach handle break down into sections.
    (F) Tire. A minimum of one tire is required for supporting a turtle 
in an upright orientation while it is onboard, although an assortment of 
sizes is recommended to accommodate a range of turtle sizes. The 
required tire must be a standard passenger vehicle tire, and must be 
free of exposed steel belts.
    (G) Short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. One short-handled 
device for removing ingested hooks is required onboard. This dehooker is 
designed to remove ingested hooks from boated sea turtles. It can also 
be used on external hooks or hooks in the front of the mouth. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (1) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed 
of 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) 316 L stainless steel, and must allow the hook to 
be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal 
process. It must be no larger than 1 5/16 inch (3.33 cm) outside 
diameter. It may not have any unprotected terminal points (including 
blunt ones), as this could cause injury to the esophagus during hook 
removal. A sliding PVC bite block must be used to protect the beak and 
facilitate hook removal if the turtle bites down on the dehooking 
device. The bite block should be constructed of a 3/4 -inch (1.91 cm) 
inside diameter high impact plastic cylinder (e.g., Schedule 80 PVC) 
that is 10 inches (25.4 cm) long to allow for 5 inches (12.7 cm) of 
slide along the shaft. The device

[[Page 287]]

must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and 
styles used in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and 
tuna.
    (2) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 - 24 inches 
(40.64 cm - 60.69 cm) in length, with approximately a 5-inch (12.7 cm) 
long tube T-handle of approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.
    (H) Short-handled dehooker for external hooks. One short-handled 
dehooker for external hooks is required onboard. The short-handled 
dehooker for ingested hooks required to comply with paragraph 
(c)(5)(i)(G) of this section will also satisfy this requirement. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (1) Hook removal device. The dehooker must be constructed of 5/16-
inch (7.94 cm) 316 L stainless steel, and the design must be such that a 
hook can be rotated out without pulling it out at an angle. The 
dehooking end must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be 
of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used 
in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna.
    (2) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 - 24 inches 
(40.64 cm - 60.69 cm) long with approximately a 5-inch (12.7 cm) long 
tube T-handle of approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.
    (I) Long-nose or needle-nose pliers. One pair of long-nose or 
needle-nose pliers is required on board. Required long-nose or needle-
nose pliers can be used to remove deeply embedded hooks from the 
turtle's flesh that must be twisted during removal. They can also hold 
PVC splice couplings, when used as mouth openers, in place. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (1) General. They must be approximately 12 inches (30.48 cm) in 
length, and should be constructed of stainless steel material.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (J) Bolt cutters. One pair of bolt cutters is required on board. 
Required bolt cutters may be used to cut hooks to facilitate their 
removal. They should be used to cut off the eye or barb of a hook, so 
that it can safely be pushed through a sea turtle without causing 
further injury. They should also be used to cut off as much of the hook 
as possible, when the remainder of the hook cannot be removed. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (1) General. They must be approximately 17 inches (43.18 cm) in 
total length, with 4-inch (10.16 cm) long blades that are 2 1/4 inches 
(5.72 cm) wide, when closed, and with 13-inch (33.02 cm) long handles. 
Required bolt cutters must be able to cut hard metals, such as stainless 
or carbon steel hooks, up to 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) diameter.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (K) Monofilament line cutters. One pair of monofilament line cutters 
is required on board. Required monofilament line cutters must be used to 
remove fishing line as close to the eye of the hook as possible, if the 
hook is swallowed or cannot be removed. Minimum design standards are as 
follows:
    (1) General. Monofilament line cutters must be approximately 7 1/2 
inches (19.05 cm) in length. The blades must be 1 in (4.45 cm) in length 
and 5/8 in (1.59 cm) wide, when closed, and are recommended to be coated 
with Teflon (a trademark owned by E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company 
Corp.).
    (2) [Reserved]
    (L) Mouth openers/mouth gags. Required mouth openers and mouth gags 
are used to open sea turtle mouths, and to keep them open when removing 
ingested hooks from boated turtles. They must allow access to the hook 
or line without causing further injury to the turtle. Design standards 
are included in the item descriptions. At least two of the seven 
different types of mouth openers/gags described below are required:
    (1) A block of hard wood. Placed in the corner of the jaw, a block 
of hard wood may be used to gag open a turtle's mouth. A smooth block of 
hard wood of a type that does not splinter (e.g. maple) with rounded 
edges should be sanded smooth, if necessary, and soaked in water to 
soften the wood. The dimensions should be approximately 11 inches (27.94 
cm) 1 inch (2.54 cm) 1 inch (2.54 cm). A long-handled, wire shoe brush 
with a wooden handle, and with the wires removed, is an inexpensive, 
effective and practical mouth-

[[Page 288]]

opening device that meets these requirements.
    (2) A set of three canine mouth gags. Canine mouth gags are highly 
recommended to hold a turtle's mouth open, because the gag locks into an 
open position to allow for hands-free operation after it is in place. A 
set of canine mouth gags must include one of each of the following 
sizes: small (5 inches)(12.7 cm), medium (6 inches) (15.24 cm), and 
large (7 inches)(17.78 cm). They must be constructed of stainless steel. 
A 1 -inch (4.45 cm) piece of vinyl tubing (3/4-inch (1.91 cm) outside 
diameter and 5/8-inch (1.59 cm) inside diameter) must be placed over the 
ends to protect the turtle's beak.
    (3) A set of two sturdy dog chew bones. Placed in the corner of a 
turtle's jaw, canine chew bones are used to gag open a sea turtle's 
mouth. Required canine chews must be constructed of durable nylon, 
zylene resin, or thermoplastic polymer, and strong enough to withstand 
biting without splintering. To accommodate a variety of turtle beak 
sizes, a set must include one large (5 1/2 - 8 inches(13.97 cm - 20.32 
cm) in length), and one small (3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (8.89 cm - 11.43 cm) 
in length) canine chew bones.
    (4) A set of two rope loops covered with hose. A set of two rope 
loops covered with a piece of hose can be used as a mouth opener, and to 
keep a turtle's mouth open during hook and/or line removal. A required 
set consists of two 3-foot (0.91 m) lengths of poly braid rope (3/8-inch 
(9.52 mm) diameter suggested), each covered with an 8-inch (20.32 cm) 
section of 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) or 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) light-duty garden 
hose, and each tied into a loop. The upper loop of rope covered with 
hose is secured on the upper beak to give control with one hand, and the 
second piece of rope covered with hose is secured on the lower beak to 
give control with the user's foot.
    (5) A hank of rope. Placed in the corner of a turtle's jaw, a hank 
of rope can be used to gag open a sea turtle's mouth. A 6-foot (1.83 m) 
lanyard of approximately 3/16-inch (4.76 mm) braided nylon rope may be 
folded to create a hank, or looped bundle, of rope. Any size soft-
braided nylon rope is allowed, however it must create a hank of 
approximately 2 - 4 inches (5.08 cm - 10.16 cm) in thickness.
    (6) A set of four PVC splice couplings. PVC splice couplings can be 
positioned inside a turtle's mouth to allow access to the back of the 
mouth for hook and line removal. They are to be held in place with the 
needle-nose pliers. To ensure proper fit and access, a required set must 
consist of the following Schedule 40 PVC splice coupling sizes: 1 inch 
(2.54 cm), 1 1/4 inch (3.18 cm), 1 1/2 inch (3.81 cm), and 2 inches 
(5.08 cm).
    (7) A large avian oral speculum. A large avian oral speculum 
provides the ability to hold a turtle's mouth open and to control the 
head with one hand, while removing a hook with the other hand. The avian 
oral speculum must be 9-inches (22.86 cm) long, and constructed of 3/16-
inch (4.76 mm) wire diameter surgical stainless steel (Type 304). It 
must be covered with 8 inches (20.32 cm) of clear vinyl tubing (5/16-
inch (7.9 mm) outside diameter, 3/16-inch (4.76 mm) inside diameter).
    (ii) Handling and release requirements. (A) Sea turtle bycatch 
mitigation gear, as required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A)-(D) of this 
section, must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles 
that cannot be brought on board. Sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, as 
required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(E)-(L) of this section, must be used to 
facilitate access, safe handling, disentanglement, and hook removal or 
hook cutting of sea turtles that can be brought on board, where 
feasible. Sea turtles must be handled, and bycatch mitigation gear must 
be used, in accordance with the careful release protocols and handling/
release guidelines specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and in 
accordance with the onboard handling and resuscitation requirements 
specified in Sec. 223.206(d)(1)of this title.
    (B) Boated turtles. When practicable, active and comatose sea 
turtles must be brought on board, with a minimum of injury, using a 
dipnet as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i)(E) of this section. All 
turtles less than 3 ft (.91 m) carapace length should be boated, if sea 
conditions permit.
    (1) A boated turtle should be placed on a standard automobile tire, 
or cushioned surface, in an upright orientation

[[Page 289]]

to immobilize it and facilitate gear removal. Then, it should be 
determined if the hook can be removed without causing further injury. 
All externally embedded hooks should be removed, unless hook removal 
would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt to remove a 
hook should be made if it has been swallowed and the insertion point is 
not visible, or if it is determined that removal would result in further 
injury. If a hook cannot be removed, as much line as possible should be 
removed from the turtle using monofilament cutters as required by 
paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, and the hook should be cut as close 
as possible to the insertion point before releasing the turtle, using 
boltcutters as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. If a 
hook can be removed, an effective technique may be to cut off either the 
barb, or the eye, of the hook using bolt cutters, and then to slide the 
hook out. When the hook is visible in the front of the mouth, a mouth-
opener, as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, may 
facilitate opening the turtle's mouth and a gag may facilitate keeping 
the mouth open. Short-handled dehookers for ingested hooks, long-nose 
pliers, or needle-nose pliers, as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of 
this section, should be used to remove visible hooks from the mouth that 
have not been swallowed on boated turtles, as appropriate. As much gear 
as possible must be removed from the turtle without causing further 
injury prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and 
handling/release guidelines required in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section, and the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in 
Sec. 223.206(d)(1) of this title, for additional information.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (C) Non-boated turtles. If a sea turtle is too large, or hooked in a 
manner that precludes safe boating without causing further damage or 
injury to the turtle, sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear required by 
paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A)-(D) of this section must be used to disentangle 
sea turtles from fishing gear and disengage any hooks, or to clip the 
line and remove as much line as possible from a hook that cannot be 
removed, prior to releasing the turtle, in accordance with the protocols 
specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (1) Non-boated turtles should be brought close to the boat and 
provided with time to calm down. Then, it must be determined whether or 
not the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All 
externally embedded hooks must be removed, unless hook removal would 
result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt should be made to 
remove a hook if it has been swallowed, or if it is determined that 
removal would result in further injury. If the hook cannot be removed 
and/or if the animal is entangled, as much line as possible must be 
removed prior to release, using a line cutter as required by paragraph 
(c)(5)(i) of this section. If the hook can be removed, it must be 
removed using a long-handled dehooker as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) 
of this section. Without causing further injury, as much gear as 
possible must be removed from the turtle prior to its release. Refer to 
the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required 
in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and the handling and resuscitation 
requirements specified in Sec. 223.206(d)(1) for additional 
information.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (iii) Gear modifications. The following measures are required of 
vessel operators to reduce the incidental capture and mortality of sea 
turtles:
    (A) Gangion length. The length of any gangion on vessels that have 
pelagic longline gear on board and that have been issued, or are 
required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline 
category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the Caribbean 
Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must be at least 10 percent longer than any 
floatline length if the total length of any gangion plus the total 
length of any floatline is less than 100 meters.
    (B) Corrodible hooks. Vessels that have pelagic longline gear on 
board and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited 
access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the 
Atlantic Ocean including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must 
only have corrodible hooks on board.

[[Page 290]]

    (C) Hook size, type, and bait. Vessels fishing outside of the NED 
closed area, as defined at Sec. 635.2, that have pelagic longline gear 
on board, and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited 
access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the 
Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are 
limited, at all times, to possessing on board and/or using only whole 
finfish and/or squid bait, and the following types and sizes of fishing 
hooks:
    (1) 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 
10[deg]; and/or,
    (2) 16/0 or larger non-offset circle hooks.
    (i) For purposes of paragraphs (c)(5)(iii)(C)(1), and 
(c)(5)(iii)(C)(2) of this section, the outer diameter of an 18/0 circle 
hook at its widest point must be no smaller than 2.16 inches (55 mm), 
and the outer diameter of a 16/0 circle hook at its widest point must be 
no smaller than 1.74 inches (44.3 mm), when measured with the eye of the 
hook on the vertical axis (y-axis) and perpendicular to the horizontal 
axis (x-axis). The distance between the hook point and the shank (i.e., 
the gap) on an 18/0 circle hook must be no larger than 1.13 inches (28.8 
mm), and the gap on a 16/0 circle hook must be no larger than 1.01 
inches (25.8 mm). The allowable offset is measured from the barbed end 
of the hook, and is relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or 
shank, of the hook when laid on its side. The only allowable offset 
circle hooks are those that are offset by the hook manufacturer.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iv) Approval of sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear. NMFS will file 
with the Office of the Federal Register for publication an initial list 
of required sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear that NMFS has approved as 
meeting the minimum design standards specified under paragraph (c)(5)(i) 
of this section. Other devices proposed for use as line clippers or 
cutters or dehookers, as specified under paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A), (B), 
(C), (G), (H), and (K) of this section, must be approved as meeting the 
minimum design standards before being used. NMFS will examine new 
devices, as they become available, to determine if they meet the minimum 
design standards, and will file with the Office of the Federal Register 
for publication notification of any new devices that are approved as 
meeting the standards.
    (d) Bottom longlines. For the purposes of this part, a vessel is 
considered to have bottom longline gear on board when a power-operated 
longline hauler, a mainline, weights and/or anchors capable of 
maintaining contact between the mainline and the ocean bottom, and 
leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of these 
elements constitutes removal of bottom longline gear. Bottom longline 
vessels may have a limited number of floats and/or high flyers onboard 
for the purposes of marking the location of the gear but removal of 
these floats does not constitute removal of bottom longline gear. If a 
vessel issued a permit under this part is in a closed area designated 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section with bottom longline gear on 
board, it is a rebuttable presumption that any fish on board such a 
vessel were taken with bottom longline in the closed area.
    (1) Effective January 1, 2005, if bottom longline gear is on board a 
vessel issued a permit under this part, persons aboard that vessel may 
not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear in the mid-Atlantic shark 
closed area from January 1 through July 31 each calendar year.
    (2) When a marine mammal, sea turtle, or smalltooth sawfish is 
hooked or entangled by bottom longline gear, the operator of the vessel 
must immediately release the animal, retrieve the bottom longline gear, 
and move at least 1 nmi (2 km) from the location of the incident before 
resuming fishing. Reports of marine mammal entanglements must be 
submitted to NMFS consistent with regulations in Sec. 229.6 of this 
title.
    (3) The operator of a vessel required to be permitted under this 
part and that has bottom longline gear on board must undertake the 
following bycatch mitigation measures to release sea turtles, prohibited 
sharks, or smalltooth sawfish, as appropriate.
    (i) Possession and use of required mitigation gear. Line clippers 
meeting minimum design specifications as specified in paragraph 
(d)(3)(i)(A) of this

[[Page 291]]

section and dipnets meeting minimum standards prescribed in paragraph 
(d)(3)(i)(B) of this section must be carried on board and must be used 
to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or 
smalltooth sawfish, in accordance with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (A) Line clippers. Line clippers are intended to cut fishing line as 
close as possible to hooked or entangled sea turtles, prohibited sharks, 
or smalltooth sawfish. NMFS has established minimum design standards for 
line clippers. The Arceneaux line clipper is a model that meets these 
minimum design standards and may be fabricated from readily available 
and low-cost materials (65 FR 16347, March 28, 2000). The minimum design 
standards for line clippers are as follows:
    (1) A protected cutting blade. The cutting blade must be curved, 
recessed, contained in a holder, or otherwise designed to minimize 
direct contact of the cutting surface with sea turtles, prohibited 
sharks, smalltooth sawfish, or users of the cutting blade.
    (2) Cutting blade edge. The blade must be able to cut 2.0-2.1 mm 
monofilament line and nylon or polypropylene multistrand material 
commonly known as braided mainline or tarred mainline.
    (3) An extended reach holder for the cutting blade. The line clipper 
must have an extended reach handle or pole of at least 6 ft (1.82 m).
    (4) Secure fastener. The cutting blade must be securely fastened to 
the extended reach handle or pole to ensure effective deployment and 
use.
    (B) Dipnets. Dipnets are intended to facilitate safe handling of sea 
turtles and access to sea turtles for purposes of cutting lines in a 
manner that prevents injury and trauma to sea turtles. The minimum 
design standards for dipnets are as follows:
    (1) Extended reach handle. The dipnet must have an extended reach 
handle of at least 6 ft (1.82 m) of wood or other rigid material able to 
support a minimum of 100 lb (34.1 kg) without breaking or significant 
bending or distortion.
    (2) Size of dipnet. The dipnet must have a net hoop of at least 31 
inches (78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 38 inches 
(96.52 cm). The bag mesh openings may not exceed 3 inches x 3 inches 
(7.62 cm x 7.62 cm).
    (ii) Handling requirements. (A) The dipnets required by this 
paragraph should be used to facilitate access and safe handling of sea 
turtles where feasible. The line clippers must be used to disentangle 
sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or smalltooth sawfish from fishing gear 
or to cut fishing line as close as possible to a hook that cannot be 
removed without causing further injury.
    (B) When practicable, active and comatose sea turtles must be 
brought on board immediately, with a minimum of injury, and handled in 
accordance with the procedures specified in Sec. 223.206(d)(1) of this 
title.
    (C) If a sea turtle is too large or hooked in a manner that 
precludes safe boarding without causing further damage or injury to the 
turtle, line clippers described in paragraph (c)(5)(i)(A) of this 
section must be used to clip the line and remove as much line as 
possible prior to releasing the turtle.
    (D) If a smalltooth sawfish is caught, the fish should be kept in 
the water while maintaining water flow over the gills and examined for 
research tags and the line should be cut as close to the hook as 
possible.
    (iii) Corrodible hooks. Vessels that have bottom longline gear on 
board and that have been issued, or required to have, a limited access 
shark permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea 
and the Gulf of Mexico, must only have corrodible hooks on board.
    (iv) Possess and use a dehooking device that meets the minimum 
design standards. The dehooking device must be carried on board and must 
be used to remove the hook from any hooked sea turtle, prohibited shark, 
or other animal, as appropriate. The dehooking device should not be used 
to release smalltooth sawfish. NMFS will file with the Office of the 
Federal Register for publication the minimum design standards for 
approved dehooking devices. NMFS may also file with the Office of the 
Federal Register for publication any additions and/or amendments to the 
minimum design standards.

[[Page 292]]

    (e) Authorized gear--(1) Atlantic tunas. A person that retains or 
possesses an Atlantic bluefin tuna may not have on board a vessel or use 
on board the vessel any gear other than that authorized for the category 
for which the Atlantic tunas or HMS permit has been issued for such 
vessel. When fishing for Atlantic tunas other than BFT, fishing gear 
authorized for any Atlantic Tunas permit category may be used, except 
that purse seine gear may be used only on board vessels permitted in the 
Purse Seine category and pelagic longline gear may be used only on board 
vessels issued an Atlantic Tunas Longline category tuna permit as well 
as ILAPs or LAPs for both swordfish and sharks. When fishing for BFT, a 
person must use only the gear types authorized for the Atlantic tunas or 
HMS permit category of the fishing vessel:
    (i) Angling. Rod and reel (including downriggers) and handline.
    (ii) Charter/Headboat. Rod and reel (including downriggers), bandit 
gear, and handline.
    (iii) General. Rod and reel (including downriggers), handline, 
harpoon, and bandit gear.
    (iv) Harpoon. Harpoon.
    (v) Longline. Longline.
    (vi) Purse Seine. Purse seine.
    (A) Mesh size. A purse seine used in directed fishing for BFT must 
have a mesh size equal to or smaller than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in the 
main body (stretched when wet) and must have at least 24-count thread 
throughout the net.
    (B) Inspection of purse seine vessels. Persons that own or operate a 
purse seine vessel conducting a directed fishery for Atlantic tunas must 
have their fishing gear inspected for mesh size by an enforcement agent 
of NMFS prior to commencing fishing for the season in any fishery that 
may result in the harvest of Atlantic tunas. Such persons must request 
such inspection at least 24 hours before commencement of the first 
fishing trip of the season. If NMFS does not inspect the vessel within 
24 hours of such notification, the inspection requirement is waived. In 
addition, at least 24 hours before commencement of offloading any BFT 
after a fishing trip, such persons must request an inspection of the 
vessel and catch by notifying NMFS. If, after notification by the 
vessel, NMFS does not arrange to inspect the vessel and catch at 
offloading, the inspection requirement is waived.
    (vii) Trap. Pound net and fish weir.
    (2) Billfish. (i) Persons may possess a blue marlin or white marlin 
in or take a blue marlin or a white marlin from its management unit only 
if it is harvested by rod and reel. Regardless of how taken, persons may 
not possess a blue marlin or a white marlin in or take a blue marlin or 
a white marlin from its management unit on board a vessel using or 
having on board a pelagic longline.
    (ii) Persons may possess or take a sailfish shoreward of the outer 
boundary of the Atlantic EEZ only if it is harvested by rod and reel. 
Regardless of how taken, persons may not possess or take a sailfish 
shoreward of the outer boundary of the Atlantic EEZ on board a vessel 
using or having on board a pelagic longline.
    (3) Sharks. (i) No person may possess a shark in the EEZ taken from 
its management unit without a permit issued under Sec. 635.4. No person 
issued a shark LAP under Sec. 635.4 may possess a shark by any gear 
other than rod and reel, handline, bandit gear, longline, or gillnet. No 
person issued an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/headboat permit 
under Sec. 635.4 may possess a shark in the EEZ if the shark was taken 
from its management unit by any gear other than rod and reel or 
handline, except that persons on a vessel issued both an HMS Charter/
headboat permit and a shark LAP may possess sharks taken with rod and 
reel, handline, bandit gear, longline, or gillnet if the vessel is not 
engaged in a for-hire fishing trip.
    (ii) No person may fish for sharks with a gillnet with a total 
length of 2.5 km or more. No person may have on board a vessel a gillnet 
with a total length of 2.5 km or more.
    (iii) Provisions on gear deployment for the southeast U.S. shark 
gillnet fishery to implement the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan are set forth in Sec. 229.32(f) of this title.
    (iv) While fishing for Atlantic sharks with a gillnet, the gillnet 
must remain

[[Page 293]]

attached to at least one vessel at one end, except during net checks.
    (v) Both the observer and vessel operator are responsible for 
sighting whales. If a listed whale is taken, the vessel operator must 
cease fishing operations immediately and contact NOAA Fisheries as 
required in Sec. 635.5(a)(5).
    (vi) Vessel operators are required to conduct net checks every 0.5 
to 2 hours to look for and remove any sea turtles, marine mammals, or 
smalltooth sawfish. Smalltooth sawfish should not be removed from the 
water while being removed from the net.
    (4) Swordfish. (i) No person may possess north Atlantic swordfish 
taken from its management unit by any gear other than handgear or 
longline, except that such swordfish taken incidentally while fishing 
with a squid trawl may be retained, subject to restrictions specified in 
Sec. 635.24(b)(2). No person may possess south Atlantic swordfish taken 
from its management unit by any gear other than longline.
    (ii) An Atlantic swordfish may not be retained or possessed on board 
a vessel with a gillnet. A swordfish will be deemed to have been 
harvested by gillnet when it is onboard, or offloaded from a vessel 
using or having on board a gillnet.
    (iii) A person aboard a vessel issued a directed handgear ILAP or 
LAP for Atlantic swordfish may not fish for swordfish with any gear 
other than handgear. A swordfish will be deemed to have been harvested 
by longline when it is on board, or offloaded from a vessel using or 
having on board longline gear.
    (iv) Except for persons aboard a vessel that has been issued a 
limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under Sec. 635.4, no 
person may fish for North Atlantic swordfish with, or possess a North 
Atlantic swordfish taken by, any gear other than handline or rod and 
reel.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 65 
FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 66 FR 17372, Mar. 30, 
2001; 67 FR 45400, July 9, 2002; 67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002; 68 FR 714, 
Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40754, 40755, July 6, 
2004; 69 FR 47797, 47798, Aug. 6, 2004]



Sec. 635.22  Recreational retention limits.

    (a) General. Atlantic HMS caught, possessed, retained, or landed 
under these recreational limits may not be sold or transferred to any 
person for a commercial purpose. Recreational retention limits apply to 
a longbill spearfish taken or possessed shoreward of the outer boundary 
of the Atlantic EEZ, to a shark taken from or possessed in the Atlantic 
EEZ, to a North Atlantic swordfish taken from or possessed in the 
Atlantic Ocean, and to bluefin and yellowfin tuna taken from or 
possessed in the Atlantic Ocean. The operator of a vessel for which a 
retention limit applies is responsible for the vessel retention limit 
and for the cumulative retention limit based on the number of persons 
aboard. Federal recreational retention limits may not be combined with 
any recreational retention limit applicable in state waters.
    (b) Billfish. No longbill spearfish from the management unit may be 
possessed shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ.
    (c) Sharks. One shark from either the large coastal, small coastal, 
or pelagic group may be retained per vessel per trip, subject to the 
size limits described in Sec. 635.20(e), and, in addition, one Atlantic 
sharpnose shark and one bonnethead shark may be retained per person per 
trip. Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than one Atlantic 
sharpnose shark and one bonnethead shark per person may be possessed on 
board a vessel. No prohibited sharks from the management unit, which are 
listed in table 1(d) of appendix A to this part, may be retained. The 
recreational retention limit for sharks applies to any person who fishes 
in any manner, except to a person aboard a vessel who has been issued an 
Atlantic shark LAP under Sec. 635.4. If an Atlantic shark quota is 
closed under Sec. 635.28, the recreational retention limit for sharks 
may be applied to persons aboard a vessel issued an Atlantic shark LAP 
under Sec. 635.4, only if that vessel has also been issued an HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit issued under Sec. 635.4 and is engaged in a 
for-hire fishing trip.
    (d) Yellowfin tuna. Three yellowfin tunas per person per day may be 
retained. Regardless of the length of a

[[Page 294]]

trip, no more than three yellowfin tuna per person may be possessed on 
board a vessel. The recreational retention limit for yellowfin tuna 
applies to a person who fishes in any manner, except to a person aboard 
a vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas vessel permit under Sec. 635.4. The 
recreational retention limit for yellowfin tuna applies to persons, 
including captain and crew, aboard a vessel that has been issued an 
Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit only when the vessel is engaged in 
a for-hire trip.
    (e) Bluefin tuna. Refer to Sec. 635.23 for Atlantic bluefin tuna 
recreational retention limits.
    (f) North Atlantic swordfish. One North Atlantic swordfish per 
person up to three per vessel per day may be retained. Regardless of the 
length of a trip, no more than the daily limit of North Atlantic 
swordfish may be possessed on board a vessel. The recreational retention 
limit for North Atlantic swordfish applies to a person who fishes in any 
manner, except to a person aboard a vessel that has been issued a 
limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under Sec. 635.4.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 
FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 67 FR 77437, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 
2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 2003]



Sec. 635.23  Retention limits for BFT.

    The retention limits in this section are subject to the quotas and 
closure provisions in Sec. Sec. 635.27 and 635.28.
    (a) General category. (1) No person aboard a vessel that has a 
General category Atlantic Tunas permit may possess, retain, land, or 
sell a BFT in the school, large school, or small medium size class.
    (2) On an RFD, no person aboard a vessel that has been issued a 
General category Atlantic Tunas permit may fish for, possess, retain, 
land, or sell a BFT of any size class, and catch-and-release or tag-and-
release fishing for BFT under Sec. 635.26 is not authorized from such 
vessel. On days other than RFDs, and when the General category is open, 
one large medium or giant BFT may be caught and landed from such vessel 
per day. NMFS will annually publish a schedule of RFDs in the Federal 
Register.
    (3) Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than a single day's 
retention limit of large medium or giant BFT may be possessed or 
retained aboard a vessel that has a General category Atlantic Tunas 
permit. On days other than RFDs, when the General category is open, no 
person aboard such vessel may continue to fish, and the vessel must 
immediately proceed to port once the applicable limit for large medium 
or giant BFT is retained.
    (4) To provide for maximum utilization of the quota for BFT, NMFS 
may increase or decrease the daily retention limit of large medium and 
giant BFT over a range from zero (on RFDs) to a maximum of three per 
vessel. Such increase or decrease will be based on a review of dealer 
reports, daily landing trends, availability of the species on the 
fishing grounds, and any other relevant factors. NMFS will adjust the 
daily retention limit specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section by 
filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication 
notification of the adjustment. Such adjustment will not be effective 
until at least 3 calendar days after notification is filed with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication, except that previously 
designated RFDs may be waived effective upon closure of the General 
category fishery so that persons aboard vessels permitted in the General 
category may conduct catch-and-release or tag-and-release fishing for 
BFT under Sec. 635.26.
    (b) Angling category. BFT may be retained and landed under the daily 
limits and quotas applicable to the Angling category by persons aboard 
vessels issued an HMS Angling permit as follows:
    (1) Large medium and giant BFT. (i) No large medium or giant BFT may 
be retained, possessed, landed, or sold in the Gulf of Mexico, except 
one per vessel per year may be landed if caught incidentally to fishing 
for other species.
    (ii) One per vessel per year may be retained, possessed, and landed 
outside the Gulf of Mexico.
    (iii) When a large medium or giant BFT has been caught and retained 
under this paragraph (b)(1), no person aboard the vessel may continue to 
fish, the vessel must immediately proceed to port, and no such BFT may 
be sold

[[Page 295]]

or transferred to any person for a commercial purpose.
    (2) School, large school, or small medium BFT. (i) No school, large 
school, or small medium BFT may be retained, possessed, landed, or sold 
in the Gulf of Mexico.
    (ii) One school, large school, or small medium BFT per vessel per 
day may be retained, possessed, or landed outside the Gulf of Mexico. 
Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than a single day's 
allowable catch of school, large school, or small medium BFT may be 
possessed or retained.
    (3) Changes to retention limits. To provide for maximum utilization 
of the quota for BFT spread over the longest period of time, NMFS may 
increase or decrease the retention limit for any size class BFT or 
change a vessel trip limit to an angler limit and vice versa. Such 
increase or decrease in retention limit will be based on a review of 
daily landing trends, availability of the species on the fishing 
grounds, and any other relevant factors. Such adjustments to the 
retention limits may be applied separately for persons aboard a specific 
vessel type, such as private vessels, headboats or charter boats. NMFS 
will adjust the daily retention limit specified in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of the adjustment. Such adjustment will not be 
effective until at least 3 calendar days after notification is filed 
with the Office of the Federal Register for publication.
    (c) HMS Charter/Headboat. Persons aboard a vessel issued an HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit may retain and land BFT under the daily limits 
and quotas applicable to the Angling category or the General category as 
follows:
    (1) When fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, the restrictions applicable 
to the Angling category specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
apply.
    (2) When fishing other than in the Gulf of Mexico when the fishery 
for the General category is closed, the restrictions applicable to the 
Angling category specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this 
section apply.
    (3) When fishing other than in the Gulf of Mexico and when the 
fishery under the General category has not been closed under Sec. 
635.28, a person aboard a vessel that has been issued an HMS Charter/
Headboat permit may fish under either the retention limits applicable to 
the General category specified in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this 
section or the retention limits applicable to the Angling category 
specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section. The size 
category of the first BFT retained will determine the fishing category 
applicable to the vessel that day.
    (d) Harpoon category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the 
Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category may retain, possess, or land an 
unlimited number of giant BFT per day. An incidental catch of only two 
large medium BFT per vessel per day may be retained, possessed, or 
landed.
    (e) Purse Seine category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the 
Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine category,
    (1) May retain, possess, land, or sell large medium BFT in amounts 
not exceeding 15 percent, by weight, of the total amount of giant BFT 
landed during that fishing year.
    (2) May retain, possess or land BFT smaller than the large medium 
size class that are taken incidentally when fishing for skipjack tuna or 
yellowfin tuna in an amount not exceeding 1 percent, by weight, of the 
skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna landed on that trip. Landings of BFT 
smaller than the large medium size class may not be sold and are counted 
against the Purse Seine category BFT quota allocated to that vessel.
    (f) Longline category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the 
Atlantic Tunas Longline category may retain, possess, land, and sell 
large medium and giant BFT taken incidentally when fishing for other 
species. For vessels fishing North or South of 31[deg]00[min] N. lat., 
limits on retention, possession, landing and sale are as follows:
    (1) One large medium or giant BFT per vessel per trip may be landed, 
provided that at least 2,000 lb (907 kg) of species other than BFT are 
legally caught, retained, and offloaded from the same trip and are 
recorded on the dealer weighout slip as sold. Two large medium or giant 
BFT per vessel per trip may be landed, provided that at

[[Page 296]]

least 6,000 lb (2,727 kg) of species other than BFT are legally caught, 
retained, and offloaded from the same trip and are recorded on the 
dealer weighout slip as sold. Three large medium or giant BFT per vessel 
per trip may be landed, provided that at least 30,000 lb (13,620 kg) of 
species other than BFT are legally caught, retained, and offloaded from 
the same trip and are recorded on the dealer weighout slip as sold.
    (2) NMFS may increase or decrease the Longline category retention 
limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero to a maximum 
of three per trip, or, for a given BFT retention limit, increase or 
decrease the target catch requirement by 25 percent from the level 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Such increase or decrease 
in the BFT retention limit or target catch requirement will be based on 
a review of dealer reports, observer reports, vessel logbooks, landing 
trends, availability of the species on the fishing grounds, and any 
other relevant factors, and will consider the likelihood of increasing 
dead discards of BFT and/or exceeding the incidental landings quota 
established for the pelagic longline fishery. Such adjustments may be 
made separately for vessels fishing North or South of 31[deg]00[min] N. 
lat. NMFS will adjust the retention limits and target catch requirements 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section by filing the adjustment 
with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. In no case 
shall such adjustment be effective less than 21 calendar days after the 
adjustment is filed with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication.
    (3) For pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant 
closed area, as defined under Sec. 635.2, under the exemption specified 
at Sec. 635.21(c)(2)(v), all BFT taken incidental to fishing for other 
species while in the Northeast Distant closed area may be retained up to 
a maximum of 25 mt for all vessels so authorized, notwithstanding the 
retention limits and target catch requirements specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section.
    (g) Trap category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the Atlantic 
Tunas Trap category may retain, possess, land, and sell each fishing 
year only one large medium or giant BFT that is taken incidentally while 
fishing for other species with a pound net or fish weir. No other 
Atlantic tunas caught in a pound net or fish weir may be retained.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 67 
FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 32417, May 30, 2003; 68 FR 56788, Oct. 2, 
2003; 68 FR 74511, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40758, July 6, 2004; 70 FR 
10900, Mar. 7, 2005]



Sec. 635.24  Commercial retention limits for sharks and swordfish.

    The retention limits in this section are subject to the quotas and 
closure provisions in Sec. Sec. 635.27 and 635.28.
    (a) Sharks. (1) Persons who own or operate a vessel that has been 
issued a directed ILAP or LAP for shark may retain, possess or land no 
more than 4,000 lb (1,814 kg), dw, of LCS per trip.
    (2) Persons who own or operate a vessel that has been issued an 
incidental catch ILAP or LAP for sharks may retain, possess or land no 
more than 5 LCS and 16 SCS and pelagic sharks, combined, per trip.
    (b) Swordfish. (1) Persons aboard a vessel that has been issued an 
incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish may retain, possess, or land no 
more than two swordfish per trip in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 
5[deg] N. lat.
    (2) Persons aboard a vessel in the squid trawl fishery that has been 
issued an incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish may retain, possess, or 
land no more than five swordfish per trip in or from the Atlantic Ocean 
north of 5[deg] N. lat. A vessel is considered to be in the squid trawl 
fishery when it has no commercial fishing gear other than trawls on 
board and when squid constitute not less than 75 percent by weight of 
the total fish on board or offloaded from the vessel.



Sec. 635.25  Fishing areas.

    (a) General. Persons on board fishing vessels subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to fish for, catch, 
retain, or land species governed by an international catch sharing 
agreement implemented under this part only in or from those management 
areas for which the United States has received an allocation.

[[Page 297]]

    (b) Exemptions. Persons and vessels subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States intending to fish for regulated species in fishing 
areas not otherwise authorized under this part, whether for the purposes 
of scientific research or commercial fishing under a chartering 
arrangement, must have a permit from NMFS issued under Sec. 635.32.
    (c) Atlantic bluefin tuna. No person aboard a U.S. fishing vessel 
shall fish for bluefin tuna in, or possess on board that fishing vessel 
a bluefin tuna taken from, the Mediterranean Sea.

[67 FR 70026, Nov. 20, 2002]



Sec. 635.26  Catch and release.

    (a) BFT. (1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a 
person aboard a vessel issued a permit under this part, other than a 
person aboard a vessel permitted in the General category on a designated 
RFD, may fish with rod and reel or handline gear for BFT under a catch-
and-release or tag-and-release program. When fishing under a tag-and-
release program, vessel owner/operators should use tags issued or 
approved by NMFS. If a BFT is tagged, the tag information, including 
information on any previously applied tag remaining on the fish, must be 
reported to NMFS. All BFT caught under the catch-and-release or tag-and-
release programs must be returned to the sea immediately with a minimum 
of injury.
    (2) Persons may obtain NMFS-issued conventional tags, reporting 
cards, and detailed instructions for their use from the NMFS Cooperative 
Tagging Center. Persons may use a conventional tag obtained from a 
source other than NMFS to tag BFT, provided the use of such tags is 
registered each year with the Cooperative Tagging Center and the NMFS 
program manager has approved the use of a conventional tag from that 
source. An angler using an alternative source of tags wishing to tag BFT 
may contact the NMFS Cooperative Tagging Center at the Southeast Fishery 
Science Center.
    (3) An angler registering for the HMS tagging program is required to 
provide his or her name, address, phone number and, if applicable, the 
identity of the alternate source of tags.
    (b) Billfish. NMFS is encouraging further catch and release of 
Atlantic billfish by establishing a recreational catch-and-release 
fishery management program, consistent with the guidance of Sec. 
600.350(c).
    (c) Sharks. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a 
person may fish for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and 
reel, provided the person releases such fish to the sea immediately with 
a minimum of injury, and that such fish may not be removed from the 
water.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 70 
FR 10900, Mar. 7, 2005]



Sec. 635.27  Quotas.

    (a) BFT. Consistent with ICCAT recommendations, NMFS will subtract 
any allowance for dead discards from the fishing year's total U.S. quota 
for BFT that can be caught and allocate the remainder to be retained, 
possessed, or landed by persons and vessels subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction. The total landing quota will be divided among the General, 
Angling, Harpoon, Purse Seine, Longline, and Trap categories. Consistent 
with these allocations and other applicable restrictions of this part, 
BFT may be taken by persons aboard vessels issued Atlantic Tunas 
permits, HMS Angling permits, or HMS Charter/Headboat permits. 
Allocations of the BFT landings quota will be made according to the 
following percentages: General--47.1 percent; Angling--19.7 percent, 
which includes the school BFT held in reserve as described under 
paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section; Harpoon--3.9 percent; Purse 
Seine--18.6 percent; Longline--8.1 percent; and Trap--0.1 percent. The 
remaining 2.5 percent of the BFT landings quota will be held in reserve 
for inseason adjustments, to compensate for overharvest in any category 
other than the Angling category school BFT subquota or for fishery 
independent research. NMFS may apportion a landings quota allocated to 
any category to specified fishing periods or to geographic areas. BFT 
landings quotas are specified in whole weight.
    (1) General category landings quota. Prior to each fishing year, 
NMFS will set the General category effort control

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schedule, including time-period subquotas and restricted-fishing days, 
through proposed and final specifications published in the Federal 
Register.
    (i) Catches from vessels for which General category Atlantic Tunas 
permits have been issued and certain catches from vessels for which an 
HMS Charter/Headboat permit has been issued are counted against the 
General category landings quota. See Sec. 635.23 (c)(3) regarding 
landings by vessels with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit that are counted 
against the General category landings quota. The total amount of large 
medium and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or 
sold under the General category landings quota is 47.1 percent of the 
overall U.S. BFT landings quota, less 10 mt which is set aside for an 
area comprising the waters south and west of a straight line originating 
at a point on the southern shore of Long Island at 72[deg] 27[min] W. 
long (Shinnecock Inlet) and running SSE 150[deg] true, and north of 
38[deg]47[min] N. lat. as specified in Sec. 635.27(a)(1)(iii). This 
47.1 percent, less the 10 mt set aside as specified in Sec. 
635.27(a)(1)(iii), is apportioned as follows:
    (A) June 1 through August 31--60 percent;
    (B) September 1 through September 30--30 percent; and
    (C) October 1 through January 31--10 percent.
    (ii) NMFS will adjust each period's apportionment based on 
overharvest or underharvest in the prior period.
    (iii) When the coastwide General category fishery has been closed in 
any quota period under Sec. 637.28(a)(1), NMFS may publish notification 
in the Federal Register to make available all or part of the 10 mt 
landings quota set aside for an area comprising the waters south and 
west of a straight line originating at a point on the southern shore of 
Long Island at 72[deg]27[min] W. long. (Shinnecock Inlet) and running 
SSE 150 true, and north of 38[deg]47[min] N. lat. The daily catch limit 
for the set-aside area will be one large medium or giant BFT per vessel 
per day. Upon the effective date of the set-aside fishery, fishing for, 
retaining, or landing large medium or giant BFT is authorized only 
within the set-aside area. Any portion of the set-aside amount not 
harvested prior to the reopening of the coastwide General category 
fishery in the subsequent quota period established under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section may be carried over for the purpose of 
renewing the set-aside fishery at a later date.
    (2) Angling category landings quota. The total amount of BFT that 
may be caught, retained, possessed, and landed by anglers aboard vessels 
for which an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit has 
been issued is 19.7 percent of the overall annual U.S. BFT landings 
quota. No more than 2.3 percent of the annual Angling category landings 
quota may be large medium or giant BFT and, over each 4-consecutive-year 
period, no more than 8 percent of the overall U.S. BFT landings quota 
may be school BFT. The Angling category landings quota includes the 
amount of school BFT held in reserve as specified under paragraph 
(a)(7)(ii) of this section. The size class subquotas for BFT are further 
subdivided as follows:
    (i) Under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section, 52.8 percent of the 
school BFT Angling category landings quota, after adjustment for the 
school BFT quota held in reserve, may be caught, retained, possessed, or 
landed south of 39[deg]18[min] N. lat., with the remaining quota being 
available to the fisheries north of the dividing line.
    (ii) An amount equal to 52.8 percent of the large school/small 
medium BFT Angling category quota may be caught, retained, possessed, or 
landed south of 39[deg]18[min] N. lat., with the remaining quota being 
available to the fisheries north of the dividing line.
    (iii) An amount equal to 66.7 percent of the large medium and giant 
BFT Angling category quota may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed 
south of 39[deg]18[min] N. lat., with the remaining quota being 
available to the fisheries north of the dividing line.
    (3) Longline category quota. The total amount of large medium and 
giant BFT that may be caught incidentally and retained, possessed, or 
landed by vessels for which Longline category Atlantic tunas permits 
have been issued is 8.1 percent of the overall U.S. BFT

[[Page 299]]

quota. In the initial quota specifications issued under paragraph (a) of 
this section, no more than 60.0 percent of the Longline category quota 
may be allocated for landing in the area south of 31[deg] 00[min]; N. 
lat. In addition, 25 mt shall be allocated for incidental catch by 
pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant closed area, 
as defined under Sec. 635.2, under the exemption specified at Sec. 
635.21(c)(2)(v).
    (4) Purse Seine category quota. (i) The total amount of large medium 
and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by 
vessels for which Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permits have been 
issued is 18.6 percent of the overall U.S. BFT landings quota. The 
directed purse seine fishery for BFT commences on July 15 of each year 
unless NMFS takes action to delay the season start date. Based on 
cumulative and projected landings in other commercial fishing 
categories, and the potential for gear conflicts on the fishing grounds 
or market impacts due to oversupply, NMFS may delay the BFT purse seine 
season start date from July 15 to no later than August 15 by filing an 
adjustment with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. In 
no case shall such adjustment be filed less than 14 calendar days prior 
to July 15.
    (ii) An owner of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic 
Tunas permit has been issued must apply in writing to NMFS at an address 
designated by NMFS, for an allocation of BFT from the Purse Seine 
category quota. The application must be postmarked no later than April 
15 for an allocation of the quota that becomes available on June 1.
    (iii) On or about May 1, NMFS will make equal allocations of the 
available size classes of BFT among purse seine vessel permit holders so 
requesting, adjusted as necessary to account for underharvest or 
overharvest by each participating vessel or the vessel it replaces from 
the previous fishing year, consistent with paragraph (a)(9)(i) of this 
section. Such allocations are freely transferable, in whole or in part, 
among vessels that have Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permits. Any 
purse seine vessel permit holder intending to land bluefin tuna under an 
allocation transferred from another purse seine vessel permit holder 
must provide written notice of such intent to NMFS, at an address 
designated by NMFS, 3 days before landing any such bluefin tuna. Such 
notification must include the transfer date, amount (mt) transferred, 
and the permit numbers of vessels involved in the transfer. Trip or 
seasonal catch limits otherwise applicable under Sec. 635.23(e) are not 
altered by transfers of bluefin tuna allocation. Purse seine vessel 
permit holders who, through landing and/or transfer, have no remaining 
bluefin tuna allocation may not use their permitted vessels in any 
fishery in which Atlantic bluefin tuna might be caught, regardless of 
whether retained.
    (iv) An owner of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic 
Tunas permit has been issued may apply to NMFS to permanently 
consolidate Purse Seine category vessel permits issued under Sec. 
635.4. Upon written approval of consolidation by NMFS, the Purse Seine 
Category Atlantic Tunas Permit of a transferring vessel will be 
canceled, and the receiving owner may apply for allocations of BFT 
commensurate with the number of consolidated permits. An owner of a 
purse seine vessel whose permit is canceled through consolidation may 
not use his or her vessel in any purse seine fishery in which BFT might 
be caught.
    (5) Harpoon category quota. The total amount of large medium and 
giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or sold by 
vessels for which Harpoon category Atlantic Tunas permits have been 
issued is 3.9 percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. The Harpoon 
category fishery closes on November 15 each year.
    (6) Trap category quota. The total amount of large medium and giant 
BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by vessels for 
which Trap category Atlantic Tunas permits have been issued is 0.1 
percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota.
    (7) Reserve. (i) The total amount of BFT that is held in reserve for 
inseason adjustments and fishery-independent research using quotas or 
subquotas other than the Angling category school BFT subquota, is 2.5 
percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. Consistent

[[Page 300]]

with paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, NMFS may allocate any 
portion of this reserve for inseason adjustments to any category quota 
in the fishery, other than the Angling category school BFT subquota.
    (ii) The total amount of school BFT that is held in reserve for 
inseason adjustments and fishery independent research is 18.5 percent of 
the total school BFT quota for the Angling category as described under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, which is in addition to the amounts 
specified in paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section. Consistent with 
paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, NMFS may allocate any portion of 
the school BFT held in reserve for inseason adjustments to the Angling 
category.
    (iii) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of any inseason adjustment. Before making any 
such adjustment, NMFS will consider the following factors:
    (A) The usefulness of information obtained from catches in the 
particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status 
of the stock.
    (B) The catches of the particular category quota to date and the 
likelihood of closure of that segment of the fishery if no allocation is 
made.
    (C) The projected ability of the vessels fishing under the 
particular category quota to harvest the additional amount of BFT before 
the end of the fishing year.
    (D) The estimated amounts by which quotas for other gear categories 
of the fishery might be exceeded.
    (E) Effects of the transfer on BFT rebuilding and overfishing.
    (F) Effects of the transfer on accomplishing the objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks.
    (8) Inseason adjustments. Within a fishing year, NMFS may transfer 
quotas among categories or, as appropriate, subcategories. If it is 
determined, based on the factors in paragraphs (a)(7)(iii)(A) through 
(a)(7)(iii)(F) of this section and the probability of exceeding the 
total quota, that vessels fishing under any category or subcategory 
quota are not likely to take that quota, NMFS may transfer inseason any 
portion of the remaining quota of that fishing category to any other 
fishing category or to the reserve as specified in paragraphs (a)(7)(i) 
and (a)(7)(ii) of this section. NMFS will file with the Office of the 
Federal Register for publication notification of any inseason 
adjustment.
    (9) Annual adjustments. (i) If NMFS determines, based on landings 
statistics and other available information, that a BFT quota in any 
category or, as appropriate, subcategory has been exceeded or has not 
been reached, with the exception of the Purse Seine category, NMFS shall 
subtract the overharvest from, or add the underharvest to, that quota 
category for the following fishing year, provided that the total of the 
adjusted category quotas and the Reserve is consistent with a 
recommendation of ICCAT regarding country quotas, the take of school 
BFT, and the allowance for dead discards. For the Purse Seine category, 
if NMFS determines, based on landings statistics and other available 
information, that a purse seine vessel's allocation, as adjusted, has 
been exceeded or has not been reached, NMFS shall subtract the 
overharvest from, or add the underharvest to, that vessel's allocation 
for the following fishing year.
    (ii) NMFS may allocate any quota remaining in the reserve at the end 
of a fishing year to account for overharvest in any fishing category, 
provided such allocation is consistent with the criteria specified in 
paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section.
    (iii) Regardless of the estimated landings in any year, NMFS may 
adjust the annual school BFT quota to ensure that the average take of 
school BFT over each 4-consecutive-year period beginning in the 1999 
fishing year does not exceed 8 percent by weight of the total U.S. BFT 
quota for that period.
    (iv) If NMFS determines that the annual dead discard allowance has 
been exceeded in one fishing year, NMFS shall subtract the amount in 
excess of the allowance from the amount of BFT that can be landed in the 
subsequent fishing year by those categories accounting for the dead 
discards. If NMFS determines that the annual dead discard allowance has 
not been

[[Page 301]]

reached, NMFS may add one-half of the remainder to the amount of BFT 
that can be landed in the subsequent fishing year. Such amount may be 
allocated to individual fishing categories or to the Reserve.
    (v) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of the amount subtracted or added and the basis 
for the quota reductions or increases made pursuant to paragraphs 
(a)(9)(i) through (a)(9)(iv) of this section.
    (b) Sharks--(1) Commercial quotas. The commercial quotas for sharks 
specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(vi) of this section 
apply to sharks harvested from the management unit, regardless of where 
harvested. Commercial quotas are specified for each of the management 
groups of large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic 
sharks. No prohibited sharks from the management unit, which are listed 
in table 1(d) of appendix A to this part, may be retained except as 
authorized under Sec. 635.32.
    (i) Fishing seasons. The commercial quotas for large coastal sharks, 
small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks will be split among three 
fishing seasons: January 1 through April 30, May 1 through August 31, 
and September 1 through December 31.
    (ii) Regions. The commercial quotas for large coastal sharks and 
small coastal sharks are split between three regions. The regions are: 
Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and North Atlantic. For the purposes of 
this section, the Gulf of Mexico region includes all waters of the U.S. 
EEZ west and north of the boundary stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c). The 
South Atlantic region includes all waters east of the Gulf of Mexico 
region north to the border between North Carolina and Virginia at 
roughly 36[deg]30[min] N. lat., including the waters surrounding the 
Caribbean. The North Atlantic region includes all waters north of the 
North Carolina and Virginia border at roughly 36[deg]30[min] N. lat.
    (iii) Large coastal sharks. The annual commercial quota for large 
coastal sharks is 1,017 mt dw, unless adjusted pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(1)(vi) of this section. This annual quota is split among the regions 
as follows: 52 percent to the Gulf of Mexico, 41 percent to the South 
Atlantic, and 7 percent to the North Atlantic. The length of each 
fishing season will be determined based on the projected catch rates, 
available quota, and other relevant factors. Consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, NMFS will publish in the Federal Register, 
prior to the beginning of the season, any annual adjustments.
    (iv) Small coastal sharks. The annual commercial quota for small 
coastal sharks is 454 mt dw, unless adjusted pursuant to paragraph 
(b)(1)(vi) of this section. This annual quota is split among the regions 
as follows: 10 percent to the Gulf of Mexico, 87 percent to the South 
Atlantic, and 3 percent to the North Atlantic.
    (v) Pelagic sharks. The annual commercial quotas for pelagic sharks 
are 92 mt dw for porbeagle sharks, 273 mt dw for blue sharks, and 488 mt 
dw for pelagic sharks other than porbeagle or blue sharks, unless 
adjusted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section.
    (vi) Annual adjustments. (A) NMFS will adjust the next year's 
fishing season quotas for large coastal, small coastal, and pelagic 
sharks to reflect actual landings during any fishing season in any 
particular region. For example, a commercial quota underharvest or 
overharvest in the fishing season in one region that begins January 1 
will result in an equivalent increase or decrease in the following 
year's quota for that region for the fishing season that begins January 
1.
    (1) NMFS will adjust a region's annual quota based on the following 
criteria: if a region has an overharvest of 10 percent or greater of its 
regional annual quota, and any other region or regions has an 
underharvest of more than 10 percent of their respective quotas, then 
NMFS may transfer up to 10 percent of the quota from the region or 
regions with the underharvest to the region with the overharvest. Any 
overharvest above 10 percent would be counted against that region's 
quota for the same season of the following year. If the underharvest is 
less than 10 percent of the quota for any other region or regions, NMFS 
would not transfer any quota, even if another region or regions had an 
overharvest in excess of 10 percent.

[[Page 302]]

    (2) Other factors NMFS would consider before making a transfer 
include, but are not limited to, the likelihood of protected species 
interactions and bycatch rates within a region, historic landings for 
the region, total landings reported for all regions at the end of their 
respective seasons, the number of storms during the open season, the 
size of a region's quotas, the amount of available quota remaining, the 
projected ability of the vessels fishing in the region from which the 
quota is proposed to be removed to harvest the remaining quota, and the 
projected ability of vessels fishing in the region receiving the quota 
to harvest the additional quota.
    (3) Quotas for each region would be further divided equally (33.3 
percent/season) among the trimester seasons in the Gulf of Mexico and 
the South Atlantic regions, and based upon historic landings of 4, 88, 
and 8 percent for the first, second, and third trimester seasons, 
respectively, in the North Atlantic region. NMFS would make adjustments 
to trimester season quotas based on a number of factors including, but 
not limited to: the historic landings for each trimester season in a 
particular region, total landings reported for all seasons at the end of 
their respective seasons, the number of storms during each open season, 
the size of each seasonal quota, the amount of available quota 
remaining, and the projected ability of vessels fishing in the season 
receiving additional quota to harvest the additional quota.
    (4) Consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, NMFS will 
publish in the Federal Register, prior to the beginning of the season, 
any annual adjustments.
    (B) NMFS will reduce the annual commercial quota for pelagic sharks 
by the amount that the blue shark quota is exceeded prior to the start 
of the next fishing season.
    (C) Sharks taken and landed from state waters are counted against 
the fishery quota for the applicable region and time period.
    (2) Public display and research quota. The annual quota for persons 
who collect sharks from any of the management groups under a display 
permit or EFP is 60 mt whole weight (43 mt dw). All sharks collected 
under the authority of a display permit or EFP, subject to restrictions 
at Sec. 635.32, will be counted against this quota.
    (c) Swordfish--(1) Categories. Consistent with ICCAT 
recommendations, the fishing year's total amount of swordfish that may 
be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by persons and vessels subject 
to U.S. jurisdiction is divided into quotas for the North Atlantic 
swordfish stock and the South Atlantic swordfish stock. The quota for 
the North Atlantic swordfish stock is further divided into equal semi-
annual directed fishery quotas, an annual incidental catch quota for 
fishermen targeting other species or taking swordfish recreationally, 
and a reserve category.
    (i) North Atlantic swordfish. (A) A swordfish from the North 
Atlantic stock caught prior to the directed fishery closure by a vessel 
for which a directed fishery permit, or a handgear permit for swordfish, 
has been issued is counted against the directed fishery quota. The 
annual fishery quota, not adjusted for over- or underharvests, is 
2,937.6 mt dw for each fishing year beginning June 1, 2004. The annual 
quota is subdivided into two equal semiannual quotas of 1,468.8 mt dw: 
one for June 1 through November 30, and the other for December 1 through 
May 31 of the following year.
    (B) A swordfish from the North Atlantic swordfish stock landed by a 
vessel for which an incidental catch permit for swordfish or an HMS 
Angling or Charter/Headboat permit has been issued, or caught after the 
effective date of a closure of the directed fishery from a vessel for 
which a directed fishery permit or a handgear permit for swordfish has 
been issued, is counted against the incidental catch quota.
    (C) A dead discard allowance of 60.2 mt dw is established for North 
Atlantic swordfish in 2003, but the allowance is reduced to zero in 2004 
and beyond. All swordfish discarded dead from U.S. fishing vessels in 
2004 and beyond, regardless of whether such vessels are permitted under 
this part, shall be counted against the annual directed fishing quota.
    (D) A portion of the total allowable catch of North Atlantic 
swordfish shall

[[Page 303]]

be held in reserve for inseason adjustments to fishing categories, to 
compensate for projected or actual overharvest in any category, for 
fishery independent research, or for other purposes consistent with 
management objectives.
    (E) In the event of an overharvest of South Atlantic swordfish, up 
to 150.4 mt dw of swordfish landed between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees 
South latitude may be applied against the North Atlantic swordfish 
quota. Otherwise, swordfish landed from this area shall be applied 
against the South Atlantic swordfish quota. For example, if the South 
Atlantic swordfish quota were 100 mt dw, and 50 mt dw were landed 
between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude, and 75 mt dw were 
caught south of 5 degrees South latitude, then 25 mt dw of the swordfish 
caught between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude would be 
applied against the North Atlantic swordfish quota. If only 25 mt dw of 
swordfish were caught between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South 
latitude, and 150 mt dw of swordfish were caught south of 5 degrees 
South latitude, 25 mt dw would be applied against the North Atlantic 
swordfish quota. The remaining 50 mt dw overharvest would be counted 
against the following year's South Atlantic swordfish quota.
    (ii) South Atlantic swordfish. From June 1, 2003, to May 31, 2006, 
the annual directed fishery quota for the South Atlantic swordfish stock 
is 75.2 mt dw. Beginning June 1, 2006, the annual directed fishery quota 
for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is 90.2 mt dw. The entire quota 
for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is reserved for vessels with 
pelagic longline gear onboard and for which a directed fishery permit 
for swordfish has been issued; retention of swordfish caught incidental 
to other fishing activities or with other fishing gear is prohibited in 
the Atlantic Ocean south of 5 degrees North latitude.
    (2) Inseason adjustments. (i) NMFS may adjust the December 1 through 
May 31 semiannual directed fishery quota or, as applicable, the reserve 
category, to reflect actual directed fishery and incidental fishing 
category catches during the June 1 through November 30 semiannual 
period.
    (ii) If NMFS determines that the annual incidental catch quota will 
not be taken before the end of the fishing year, the excess quota may be 
allocated to the directed fishery quota or to the reserve.
    (iii) If NMFS determines that it is necessary to close the directed 
swordfish fishery prior to the scheduled end of a semi-annual fishing 
season, any estimated overharvest or underharvest of the directed 
fishery quota for that semi-annual season will be used to adjust the 
annual incidental catch quota or the reserve as necessary to maintain 
landings and discards within the required annual limits.
    (iv) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of any inseason swordfish quota adjustment and 
its apportionment to fishing categories or to the reserve made under 
this paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (3) Annual adjustments. (i) Except for the carryover provisions of 
paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section, NMFS will file with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any 
adjustment to the annual quota necessary to meet the objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks. NMFS 
will provide at least 30 days opportunity for public comment.
    (ii) If consistent with applicable ICCAT recommendations, total 
landings above or below the specific North Atlantic or South Atlantic 
swordfish annual quota shall be subtracted from, or added to, the 
following year's quota for that area. As necessary to meet management 
objectives, such carryover adjustments may be apportioned to fishing 
categories and/or to the reserve. Any adjustments to the 12-month 
directed fishery quota will be apportioned equally between the two 
semiannual fishing seasons. NMFS will file with the Office of the 
Federal Register for publication notification of any adjustment or 
apportionment made under this paragraph (c)(3)(ii).
    (iii) The dressed weight equivalent of the amount by which dead 
discards exceed the allowance specified at paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of 
this section shall be

[[Page 304]]

subtracted from the landings quota in the following fishing year or from 
the reserve category. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal 
Register for publication notification of any adjustment made under this 
paragraph (c)(3)(iii).

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 58796, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 
FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 65 FR 77526, Dec. 12, 2000; 66 FR 8904, Feb. 5, 
2001; 66 FR 42805, Aug. 15, 2001; 66 FR 67121, Dec. 28, 2001; 67 FR 
70026, Nov. 20, 2002; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 32417, May 30, 
2003; 68 FR 56788, Oct. 2, 2003; 68 FR 74511, 74785, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 
FR 40758, July 6, 2004; 69 FR 68093, Nov. 23, 2004; 69 FR 69544, Nov. 
30, 2004; 71 FR 29089, May 19, 2006]



Sec. 635.28  Closures.

    (a) BFT. (1) When a BFT quota, other than the Purse Seine category 
quota specified in Sec. 635.27(a)(4), is reached, or is projected to be 
reached, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of closure. On and after the effective date and 
time of such notification, for the remainder of the fishing year or for 
a specified period as indicated in the notice, fishing for, retaining, 
possessing, or landing BFT under that quota is prohibited until the 
opening of the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified 
in the notice.
    (2) From the commencement date of the directed BFT purse seine 
fishery, as provided under Sec. 635.27(a)(4)(i), through December 31, 
the owner or operator of a vessel that has been allocated a portion of 
the Purse Seine category quota under Sec. 635.27(a)(4) may fish for 
BFT. Such vessel may be used to fish for yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, or 
skipjack tuna at any time, however, landings of BFT taken incidental to 
fisheries targeting other Atlantic tunas or in any fishery in which BFT 
might be caught will be deducted from the individual vessel's quota for 
the following BFT fishing season. Upon reaching its individual vessel 
allocation of BFT, the vessel may not participate in a directed purse 
seine fishery for Atlantic tunas or in any fishery in which BFT might be 
caught for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (3) If NMFS determines that variations in seasonal distribution, 
abundance, or migration patterns of BFT, or the catch rate in one area, 
precludes anglers in another area from a reasonable opportunity to 
harvest a portion of the Angling category quota, NMFS may close all or 
part of the fishery under that category and may reopen it at a later 
date if NMFS determines that BFT have migrated into the other area. In 
determining the need for any such interim closure or area closure, NMFS 
will consider:
    (i) The usefulness of information obtained from catches of a 
particular geographic area of the fishery for biological sampling and 
for monitoring the status of the stock;
    (ii) The current year catches from the particular geographic area 
relative to the catches recorded for that area during the preceding 4 
years;
    (iii) The catches from the particular geographic area to date 
relative to the entire category and the likelihood of closure of that 
entire category of the fishery if no interim closure or area closure is 
effected; and
    (iv) The projected ability of the entire category to harvest the 
remaining amount of BFT before the anticipated end of the fishing 
season.
    (b) Sharks. (1) The commercial fishery for large coastal sharks will 
remain open in each region under the fishing seasons and regional 
quotas, as specified at Sec. 635.27(b)(1). From the effective date and 
time of a season closure in a particular region until additional quota 
becomes available, the fishery for large coastal sharks in that 
particular region is closed.
    (2) When the fishing season quota for small coastal sharks or 
pelagic sharks specified in Sec. 635.27(b)(1) is reached for a 
particular region, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file for 
publication with the Office of the Federal Register, a notice of closure 
at least 14 days before the effective date. From the effective date and 
time of the closure until additional quota becomes available, the 
fishery for the appropriate shark species group in that particular 
region is closed.
    (3) When the fishery for a shark species group in a particular 
region is closed, a fishing vessel, issued an Atlantic Shark LAP 
pursuant to Sec. 635.4, may not possess or sell a shark of that species 
group in that region, except under the conditions specified in

[[Page 305]]

Sec. 635.22 (a) and (c), and a shark dealer in that region, issued a 
permit pursuant to Sec. 635.4, may not purchase or receive a shark of 
that species group from a vessel issued an Atlantic Shark LAP, except 
that a permitted shark dealer or processor may possess sharks that were 
harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered, prior to the 
effective date of the regional closure and were held in storage. Under a 
regional closure for a shark species group, a shark dealer issued a 
permit pursuant to Sec. 635.4 may, in accordance with state 
regulations, purchase or receive a shark of that species group if the 
sharks were harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered from a 
vessel that fishes only in state waters and that has not been issued a 
Shark LAP, HMS Angling permit, or HMS Charter/Headboat permit pursuant 
to Sec. 635.4.
    (c) Swordfish--(1) Directed fishery closure. When the annual or 
semiannual directed fishery quota specified in Sec. 635.27(c)(1)(i) or 
(ii) is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure 
at least 14 days before the effective date. From the effective date and 
time of the closure until additional directed fishery quota becomes 
available, the directed fishery for the appropriate stock is closed and 
the following catch limits apply:
    (i) When the directed fishery for the North Atlantic swordfish stock 
is closed,
    (A) No more than 15 swordfish per trip may be possessed in or from 
the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal 
state on a vessel using or having on board a pelagic longline. However, 
North Atlantic swordfish legally taken prior to the effective date of 
the closure may be possessed in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat. or 
landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel with a pelagic longline 
on board, provided the harvesting vessel does no fishing after the 
closure in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat., and reports positions 
with a vessel monitoring system, as specified in Sec. 635.69. 
Additionally, legally taken swordfish from the South Atlantic swordfish 
stock may be possessed or landed north of 5 N. lat. provided the 
harvesting vessel does no fishing on that trip north of 5 N. lat., and 
reports positions with a vessel monitoring system as specified in Sec. 
635.69. NMFS may adjust the incidental catch retention limit by filing 
with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of 
the change at least 14 days before the effective date. Changes in the 
incidental catch limits will be based upon the length of the directed 
fishery closure and the estimated rate of catch by vessels fishing under 
the incidental catch quota.
    (B) No more than 2 swordfish per trip may be possessed in or from 
the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic 
coastal state on a vessel that has been issued a handgear permit under 
Sec. 635.4(f)(1) provided that such swordfish were not taken with a 
harpoon.
    (ii) When the directed fishery for the South Atlantic swordfish 
stock is closed, swordfish from that stock taken incidental to fishing 
for other species may not be retained.
    (2) Incidental catch closure. When the annual incidental catch quota 
specified in Sec. 635.27(c)(1)(i) is reached, or is projected to be 
reached, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication notification of closure. From the effective date and time of 
such notification until an additional incidental catch quota becomes 
available, no swordfish may be possessed in or from the Atlantic Ocean 
north of 5[deg] N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state, and a 
swordfish in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] N. lat. may not 
be sold. However, legally taken swordfish from the South Atlantic 
swordfish stock may be possessed in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] 
N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel with a 
longline, provided the harvesting vessel does not fish on that trip in 
the Atlantic Ocean north of 5[deg] N. lat. and reports positions with a 
vessel monitoring system, as specified in Sec. 635.69.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37705, July 13, 1999; 66 
FR 67121, Dec. 28, 2001; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 63741, Nov. 
10, 2003; 68 FR 74511, 74786, Dec. 24, 2003]

[[Page 306]]



Sec. 635.29  Transfer at sea.

    (a) Persons may not transfer an Atlantic tuna, blue marlin, white 
marlin, or swordfish at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, regardless of where 
the fish was harvested. However, an owner or operator of a vessel for 
which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued under 
Sec. 635.4 may transfer large medium and giant BFT at sea from the net 
of the catching vessel to another vessel for which a Purse Seine 
category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued, provided the amount 
transferred does not cause the receiving vessel to exceed its currently 
authorized vessel allocation, including incidental catch limits.
    (b) Persons may not transfer a shark or a sailfish at sea shoreward 
of the outer boundary of the EEZ, regardless of where the shark was 
harvested, and persons may not transfer at sea a shark or a sailfish 
taken shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ, regardless of where 
the transfer takes place.



Sec. 635.30  Possession at sea and landing.

    (a) Atlantic tunas. Persons that own or operate a fishing vessel 
that possesses an Atlantic tuna in the Atlantic Ocean or that lands an 
Atlantic tuna in an Atlantic coastal port must maintain such Atlantic 
tuna through offloading either in round form or eviscerated with the 
head and fins removed, provided one pectoral fin and the tail remain 
attached.
    (b) Billfish. Any person that possesses a blue marlin or a white 
marlin taken from its management unit or a sailfish taken shoreward of 
the outer boundary of the EEZ or lands a blue marlin or a white marlin 
in an Atlantic coastal port must maintain such billfish with its head, 
fins, and bill intact through offloading. Persons may eviscerate such 
billfish, but it must otherwise be maintained whole.
    (c) Shark. (1) Not withstanding the regulations issued at part 600, 
subpart N of this chapter, no person who owns or operates a vessel 
issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit shall 
possess or offload wet shark fins in a quantity that exceeds 5 percent 
of the dressed weight of the shark carcasses. No person shall possess a 
shark fin on board a fishing vessel after the vessel's first point of 
landing. While shark fins are on board and when shark fins are being 
offloaded, persons issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited 
access permit are subject to the regulations at part 600, subpart N, of 
this chapter.
    (2) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a 
Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit may not fillet a 
shark at sea. A person may eviscerate and remove the head and fins, but 
must retain the fins with the dressed carcasses. While on board and when 
offloaded, wet shark fins may not exceed 5 percent of the dressed weight 
of the carcasses, in accordance with the regulations at part 600, 
subpart N, of this chapter.
    (3) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a 
Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit and who lands 
shark in an Atlantic coastal port must have all fins and carcasses 
weighed and recorded on the weighout slips specified in Sec. 
635.5(a)(2) and in accordance with regulations at part 600, subpart N, 
of this chapter. Persons may not possess a shark fin on board a fishing 
vessel after the vessel's first point of landing. The wet fins may not 
exceed 5 percent of the dressed weight of the carcasses.
    (4) Persons aboard a vessel that does not have a commercial permit 
for shark must maintain a shark in or from the EEZ intact through 
landing--the head, tail, or fins may not be removed. The shark may be 
bled.
    (d) Swordfish. Persons that own or operate a fishing vessel that 
possesses a swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean or lands a swordfish in an 
Atlantic coastal port must maintain such swordfish in round or dressed 
form through off-loading.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 69 
FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004]



Sec. 635.31  Restrictions on sale and purchase.

    (a) Atlantic tunas. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel from 
which an Atlantic tuna is landed or offloaded may sell such Atlantic 
tuna only if that vessel has a valid HMS Charter/

[[Page 307]]

Headboat permit, or a General, Harpoon, Longline, Purse Seine, or Trap 
category permit for Atlantic Tunas issued under this part. However, no 
person shall sell a BFT smaller than the large medium size class. Also, 
no large medium or giant BFT taken by a person aboard a vessel with an 
Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing in the Gulf of Mexico at 
any time, or fishing outside the Gulf of Mexico when the fishery under 
the General category has been closed, shall be sold (see Sec. 
635.23(c)). Persons shall sell Atlantic tunas only to a dealer that has 
a valid permit for purchasing Atlantic tunas issued under this part.
    (2) Dealers may purchase Atlantic tunas only from a vessel that has 
a valid commercial permit for Atlantic tunas issued under this part in 
the appropriate category.
    (3) Dealers or seafood processors may not purchase or sell a BFT 
smaller than the large medium size class unless it is lawfully imported 
and is accompanied by a bluefin tuna statistical document, as specified 
in Sec. 300.185(a) of this title.
    (4) A BFT in the possession of a dealer or seafood processor is 
deemed to be from the Atlantic Ocean. However, a BFT will not be deemed 
to be from the Atlantic Ocean if--
    (i) It was landed in a Pacific state and remains in the state of 
landing, or
    (ii) It is accompanied by a bluefin tuna statistical document, as 
specified in Sec. 300.185(a) of this title.
    (b) Billfish. (1) Persons may not sell or purchase a billfish taken 
from its management unit.
    (2) A billfish or a closely related species, namely, black marlin, 
Makaira indica, striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax, or shortbill 
spearfish, Tetrapturus angustirostris, or a part thereof, in the 
possession of a dealer or seafood processor is considered, for purposes 
of this part, to be a billfish from the Atlantic Ocean management unit. 
However, a billfish or a closely related species will not be considered 
to be from the Atlantic Ocean management unit if-
    (i) It was landed in a Pacific state and remains in the state of 
landing, or
    (ii) It is accompanied by a Billfish Certificate of Eligibility 
(COE) form, obtained from NMFS, or its equivalent that documents that 
the fish was harvested from other than the Atlantic Ocean management 
unit.
    (A) The Billfish COE required under this section must indicate, in 
English, the name and homeport of the harvesting vessel, and the date 
and port of offloading. Only the purchaser of the billfish from the 
harvesting vessel must complete this information.
    (B) The Billfish COE must be signed and dated by each dealer in 
possession of the product throughout the chain of custody up to but not 
including the consumer. This signature indicates a declaration that the 
billfish were not harvested from the management unit.
    (C) A Billfish COE may refer to billfish taken from only one 
harvesting vessel. If a shipment contains billfish taken from more than 
one vessel, a separate billfish COE must accompany the shipment for each 
harvesting vessel.
    (D) A model Billfish COE can be obtained by contacting the Division 
Chief. An equivalent form may be used provided it contains all of the 
information required under this section.
    (3) For the purposes of this paragraph, a dealer or seafood 
processor means any individual, other than a consumer, who engages in 
any activity, other than fishing, of industry, trade, or commerce, 
including but not limited to the buying or selling of a regulated 
species or parts thereof and activities conducted for the purpose of 
facilitating such buying and selling.
    (c) Shark. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel that possesses a 
shark from the management unit may sell such shark only if the vessel 
has a valid commercial permit for shark issued under this part. Persons 
may possess and sell a shark only when the fishery for that species 
group has not been closed, as specified in Sec. 635.28(b)(3).
    (2) Persons that own or operate a vessel for which a valid 
commercial shark permit has been issued and on which a shark from the 
management unit is possessed, may sell such shark only to a dealer that 
has a valid permit for shark issued under this part.
    (3) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, 
purchase, and sale of shark fins are found at part 600,

[[Page 308]]

subpart N, of this chapter and in Sec. 635.30(c).
    (4) Only dealers that have a valid permit for shark may purchase a 
shark from the owner or operator of a fishing vessel. Dealers may 
purchase a shark only from an owner or operator of a vessel who has a 
valid commercial permit for shark issued under this part, except that 
dealers may purchase a shark from an owner or operator of a vessel that 
does not have a commercial permit for shark if that vessel fishes 
exclusively in state waters. Dealers may purchase a shark from an owner 
or operator of fishing vessel that has a permit issued under this part 
only when the fishery for that species group has not been closed, as 
specified in Sec. 635.28(b)(3).
    (5) A dealer issued a permit under this part may not purchase from 
an owner or operator of a fishing vessel shark fins that were not 
harvested in accordance with the regulations found at part 600, subpart 
N, of this chapter and in Sec. 635.30(c).
    (d) Swordfish. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel on which a 
swordfish in or from the Atlantic Ocean is possessed may sell such 
swordfish only if the vessel has a valid commercial permit for swordfish 
issued under this part. Persons may sell such swordfish only to a dealer 
who has a valid permit for swordfish issued under this part.
    (2) Dealers may purchase a swordfish harvested from the Atlantic 
Ocean only from an owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has a 
valid commercial permit for swordfish issued under this part.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 67 
FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 715, Jan. 7, 2003; 69 FR 53362, Sept. 1, 
2004; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004]



Sec. 635.32  Specifically authorized activities.

    (a) General. (1) Consistent with the provisions of Sec. 600.745 of 
this chapter, except as indicated in this section, NMFS may authorize 
activities otherwise prohibited by the regulations contained in this 
part for the conduct of scientific research, the acquisition of 
information and data, the enhancement of safety at sea, the purpose of 
collecting animals for public education or display, the investigation of 
bycatch, economic discard and regulatory discard, or for chartering 
arrangements.
    (2) Activities subject to the provisions of this section include, 
but are not limited to, scientific research resulting in, or likely to 
result in, the take, harvest or incidental mortality of Atlantic HMS; 
exempted fishing and educational activities; programs under which 
regulated species retained in contravention to otherwise applicable 
regulations may be donated through approved food bank networks; or 
chartering arrangements. Such activities must be authorized in writing 
and are subject to all conditions specified in any letter of 
acknowledgment, exempted fishing permit, scientific research permit, 
display permit, or chartering permit issued in response to requests for 
authorization under this section.
    (3) For the purposes of all regulated species covered under this 
part, NMFS has the sole authority to issue permits, authorizations, and 
acknowledgments. If a regulated species landed or retained under the 
authority of this section is subject to a quota, the fish shall be 
counted against the quota category as specified in the written 
authorization.
    (4) Inspection requirements specified in Sec. 635.5(e) apply to the 
owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has been issued an exempted 
fishing permit, scientific research permit, display permit, or 
chartering permit.
    (b) Scientific research activities. For the purposes of all species 
covered under this part regulated under the authority of ATCA, the 
provisions for research plans under Sec. 600.745(a) and reports under 
Sec. 600.745(c)(1) of this chapter are mandatory. In such cases of 
authorized scientific research activities, NMFS shall issue scientific 
research permits. For scientific research activities involving the 
capture of Atlantic sharks, research plans and reports are requested; 
letters of acknowledgment shall be issued by NMFS as indicated under 
Sec. 600.745(a) of this chapter.
    (c) Exempted fishing permits. (1) For activities consistent with the 
purposes of this section and Sec. 600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, other 
than scientific research conducted from a scientific research

[[Page 309]]

vessel, NMFS may issue exempted fishing permits.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (d) Display permits. (1) For activities consistent with the purposes 
of this section and Sec. 600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, NMFS may issue 
display permits.
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 600.745 of this chapter 
and other provisions of this part, a valid display permit is required to 
fish for, take, retain, or possess an HMS in or from the Atlantic EEZ 
for the purposes of public display. A valid display permit must be on 
board the harvesting vessel, must be available when the fish is landed, 
must be available when the fish is transported to the display facility, 
and must be presented for inspection upon request of an authorized 
officer. A display permit is valid for the specific time, area, gear, 
and species specified on it. Species landed under a display permit shall 
be counted against the appropriate quota specified in Sec. 635.27 or as 
otherwise provided in the display permit.
    (3) To be eligible for a display permit, a person must provide all 
information concerning his or her identification, numbers by species of 
HMS to be collected, when and where they will be collected, vessel(s) 
and gear to be used, description of the facility where they will be 
displayed, and any other information that may be necessary for the 
issuance or administration of the permit, as requested by NMFS.
    (4) Collectors of HMS for public display must notify the local NMFS 
Office for Law Enforcement at least 24 hours, excluding weekends and 
holidays, prior to departing on a collection trip, regardless of whether 
the fishing activity will occur in or outside the EEZ, as to collection 
plans and location and the number of animals to be collected. In the 
event that a NMFS agent is not available, a message may be left.
    (5) All live HMS collected for public display are required to have 
either a conventional dart tag or a microchip Passive Integrated 
Transponder (PIT) tag applied by the collector at the time of the 
collection. Both types of tags will be supplied by NMFS. Conventional 
dart tags will be issued unless PIT tags are specifically requested in 
the permit application and their use approved by NMFS. Terms and 
conditions of the permit will address requirements associated with the 
use of the tags supplied on a case-by-case basis.
    (e) Chartering permits. (1) For activities consistent with the 
purposes of this section, Sec. 635.5(a), and Sec. 600.745(b)(1) of 
this chapter, NMFS may issue chartering permits for record keeping and 
reporting purposes. An application for a chartering permit must include 
all information required under Sec. 600.745(b)(2) of this chapter and, 
in addition, written notification of: the species of fish covered by the 
chartering arrangement and quota allocated to the Contracting Party of 
which the chartering foreign entity is a member; duration of the 
arrangement; measures adopted by the chartering Contracting Party of 
which the foreign entity is a member to implement ICCAT chartering 
provisions; copies of fishing licenses, permits, and/or other 
authorizations issued by the chartering Contracting Party of which the 
foreign entity is a member for the vessel to fish under the arrangement; 
a copy of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act Permit pursuant to 50 CFR 
300.10; documentation regarding interactions with protected resources; 
and documentation regarding the legal establishment of the chartering 
company. To be considered complete, an application for a chartering 
permit for a vessel must include all information specified in Sec. 
600.745(b)(2) of this chapter and in Sec. 635.32(e) and (f).
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 600.745 of this chapter 
and other provisions of this part, a valid chartering permit is required 
to fish for, take, retain, or possess ICCAT- regulated species under 
chartering arrangements as specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(6). A valid 
chartering permit must be on board the harvesting vessel, must be 
available when ICCAT-regulated species are landed, and must be presented 
for inspection upon request of an authorized officer. A chartering 
permit is valid for the duration of the chartering arrangement or until 
the expiration date specified on the permit, whichever comes first. 
Vessels issued a chartering permit shall not be authorized to fish

[[Page 310]]

under applicable Atlantic Highly Migratory Species quotas or 
entitlements of the United States until the chartering permit expires or 
is terminated.
    (3) Charter permit holders must submit logbooks and comply with 
reporting requirements as specified in Sec. 635.5. NMFS will provide 
specific conditions and requirements in the chartering permit, so as to 
ensure consistency, to the extent possible, with laws of foreign 
countries, the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, 
and Sharks, as well as ICCAT recommendations.
    (4) Observers may be placed on board vessels issued chartering 
permits as specified under Sec. 635.7.
    (5) NMFS will issue a chartering permit only if it determines that 
the chartering arrangement is in conformance with ICCAT's conservation 
and management programs.
    (6) A vessel shall be authorized to fish under only one chartering 
arrangement at a time.
    (7) All chartering permits are subject to sanctions and denials as 
indicated under Sec. 635.4(a)(6).
    (f) Applications and renewals. Application procedures shall be as 
indicated under Sec. 600.745(b)(2) of this chapter, except that NMFS 
may consolidate requests for the purpose of obtaining public comment. In 
such cases, NMFS may file with the Office of the Federal Register, on an 
annual or more frequent basis as necessary, notification of previously 
authorized exempted fishing, scientific research, public display, or 
chartering activities and to solicit public comment on anticipated EFP, 
SRP, LOA, public display, or chartering permit requests. Applications 
for EFP, SRP, public display, or chartering permit renewals are required 
to include all reports specified in the applicant's previous permit 
including the year-end report, all delinquent reports for permits issued 
in prior years, and all other specified information. In situations of 
delinquent reports, renewal applications will be deemed incomplete and a 
permit will not be issued under this section.
    (g) Terms and conditions. (1) For EFPs, SRPs, and public display 
permits: Written reports on fishing activities and disposition released 
under a permit issued under this section, must be submitted to NMFS, 
within 5 days of return to port. NMFS will provide specific conditions 
and requirements as needed, consistent with the Fishery Management Plan 
for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks, in the permit. If an 
individual issued a Federal permit under this section captures no HMS in 
any given month, either in or outside the EEZ, a ``no-catch'' report 
must be submitted to NMFS within 5 days of the last day of that month.
    (2) For chartering permits, written reports of fishing activities 
must be submitted to NMFS by a date specified, and to an address 
designated, in the terms and conditions of each chartering permit.
    (3) An annual written summary report of all fishing activities and 
disposition of all fish captured under the permit must be submitted to 
NMFS for all the permits (EFP, SRP, Display, and Chartering Permits) 
listed in this section within 30 days after the expiration date of the 
permit.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 63742, Nov. 10, 2003; 68 
FR 74786, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 70399, Dec. 6, 2004]



Sec. 635.33  Archival tags.

    (a) Implantation report. Any person affixing or implanting an 
archival tag into a regulated species must obtain written authorization 
from NMFS pursuant to Sec. 635.32. Persons so authorized to conduct 
archival tag implantation must provide a written report to NMFS at an 
address designated by NMFS, indicating the type and number of tags, the 
species and approximate size of the fish as well as any additional 
information requested in the authorization.
    (b) Landing. Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, persons 
may catch, possess, retain, and land an Atlantic HMS in which an 
archival tag has been implanted or affixed, provided such persons comply 
with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Landing report. Persons that retain an Atlantic HMS that has an 
archival tag must contact NMFS, prior to or at the time of landing; 
furnish all requested information regarding the location and method of 
capture; and, as instructed, remove the archival tag and return it to 
NMFS or make the

[[Page 311]]

fish available for inspection and recovery of the tag by a NMFS 
scientist, enforcement agent, or other person designated in writing by 
NMFS.
    (d) Quota monitoring. If an Atlantic HMS landed under the authority 
of paragraph (b) of this section is subject to a quota, the fish will be 
counted against the applicable quota for the species consistent with the 
fishing gear and activity which resulted in the catch. In the event such 
fishing gear or activity is otherwise prohibited under applicable 
provisions of this part, the fish shall be counted against the reserve 
quota established for that species.



Sec. 635.34  Adjustment of management measures.

    (a) NMFS may adjust the catch limits for BFT, as specified in Sec. 
635.23, and the quotas for BFT, shark, and swordfish, as specified in 
Sec. 635.27.
    (b) In accordance with the framework procedures in the Fishery 
Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the 
Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Billfishes, NMFS may establish or 
modify for species or species groups of Atlantic HMS the following 
management measures: maximum sustainable yield or optimum yield levels 
based on the latest stock assessment or updates in the SAFE report; 
domestic quotas; recreational and commercial retention limits, including 
target catch requirements; size limits; fishing years or fishing 
seasons; shark fishing regions or regional quotas; species in the 
management unit and the specification of the species groups to which 
they belong; species in the prohibited shark species group; 
classification system within shark species groups; permitting and 
reporting requirements; Atlantic tunas Purse Seine category cap on 
bluefin tuna quota; time/area restrictions; allocations among user 
groups; gear prohibitions, modifications, or use restrictions; effort 
restrictions; essential fish habitat; and actions to implement ICCAT 
recommendations, as appropriate.
    (c) NMFS may add species to the prohibited shark species group 
specified in Table 1 of appendix A if, after considering the criteria in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section, the species is determined 
to meet at least two of the criteria. Alternatively, NMFS may remove 
species from the prohibited shark species group and place them in the 
appropriate shark species group in Table 1 of appendix A if, after 
considering the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this 
section, NMFS determines the species only meets one criterion.
    (1) Biological information indicates that the stock warrants 
protection.
    (2) Information indicates that the species is rarely encountered or 
observed caught in HMS fisheries.
    (3) Information indicates that the species is not commonly 
encountered or observed caught as bycatch in fishing operations for 
species other than HMS.
    (4) The species is difficult to distinguish from other prohibited 
species.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 74788, Dec. 24, 2003]



                    Subpart D_Restrictions on Imports



Sec. 635.40  Restrictions to enhance conservation.

    (a) Determinations. Upon a determination by NMFS that species of 
fish subject to regulation or under investigation by ICCAT are 
ineligible for entry into the United States under 16 U.S.C. 971d (c)(4) 
or (c)(5), NMFS, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, will 
file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication a finding 
to that effect. Effective upon the date of filing of such finding, all 
shipments of fish in any form of the species found to be ineligible will 
be denied entry unless, with respect to a particular shipment, it is 
established by satisfactory proof pursuant to paragraph (b) of this 
section that the particular shipment of fish is eligible for entry. 
Entry will not be denied and no such proof will be required for any such 
shipment that, on the date of filing was in transit to the United States 
on board a vessel operating as a common carrier.
    (b) Proof of admissibility. (1) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of 
this section and section 6(c) of ATCA, a shipment of fish in any form of 
the species

[[Page 312]]

under regulation or under investigation by ICCAT offered for entry, 
directly or indirectly, from a country named in a finding filed with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication under paragraph (a) of 
this section is eligible for entry if the shipment is accompanied by a 
completed ATCA COE attached to the invoice certifying that the fish in 
the shipment:
    (i) Are not of the species specified in the finding;
    (ii) Are of the species named in the finding, but were not taken in 
the regulatory area; or
    (iii) Are of the species named in the finding, but are products of 
an American fishery and were lawfully taken in conformity with 
applicable conservation laws and regulations and landed in the country 
named in the finding solely for transshipment.
    (2) If the fish are offered for entry under paragraph (b)(1)(i) or 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section, the ATCA COE must be executed by a duly 
authorized official of the country named in the finding and the ATCA COE 
must be validated by a consular officer or consular agent of the United 
States. Such validation must be attached to the ATCA COE.
    (3) If the fish are offered for entry under paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of 
this section, the ATCA COE must be executed by a consular officer or 
consular agent of the United States and be accompanied by the 
declaration(s) required by 19 CFR 10.79. The ``Declaration of Master and 
Two Members of Crew on Entry of Products of American Fisheries'' 
required by 19 CFR 10.79 must contain a further statement as follows: 
``We further declare that the said fish were caught by us in full 
compliance with part 635, title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
such other conservation laws and regulations as were applicable at the 
time the fishing operation was in progress.''
    (c) Removal of import restrictions. Upon a determination by NMFS 
that the conditions no longer exist that warranted the finding under 
paragraph (a) of this section, NMFS will remove the import restriction 
by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication 
notification of removal effective on the date of filing. However, for 1 
year from the date of filing every shipment of fish in any form that was 
subject to the finding under paragraph (a) of this section will continue 
to be denied entry, unless the shipment is accompanied by a 
certification executed by an authorized official of the country of 
export and authenticated by a consular officer or consular agent of the 
United States certifying that no portion of the shipment is composed of 
fish taken prior to or during the import restriction.



Sec. 635.41  Products denied entry.

    (a) All shipments of Atlantic bigeye tuna, or its products, in any 
form, harvested by a vessel under the jurisdiction of Bolivia or Georgia 
will be denied entry into the United States.
    (b) All shipments of tuna or tuna-like species, or their products, 
in any form, harvested in the ICCAT convention area by a fishing vessel 
that is required to be listed, but not listed on the ICCAT record of 
authorized vessels will be denied entry into the United States.
    (c) All shipments of tuna or tuna-like species, or their products, 
in any form, harvested in the ICCAT convention area by a fishing vessel 
listed on the ICCAT record as engaged in illegal, unreported, and 
unregulated fishing will be denied entry into the United States.
    (d) All shipments of tuna or tuna-like species, placed in cages for 
farming and/or transshipment, harvested in the ICCAT convention area and 
caught by a fishing vessel included on the ICCAT list as engaged in 
illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing will be denied entry into 
the United States.
    (e) For the purposes of this section, it is a rebuttable presumption 
that any shipment containing swordfish, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, or 
their products offered for entry into the United States has been 
harvested by a vessel or vessels of the exporting nation.

[69 FR 70400, Dec. 6, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 28218, May 17, 2005]



                 Subpart E_International Port Inspection



Sec. 635.50  Basis and purpose.

    The regulations in this subpart implement the ICCAT port inspection

[[Page 313]]

scheme. The text of the ICCAT port inspection scheme may be obtained 
from NMFS.



Sec. 635.51  Authorized officer.

    For the purposes of this subpart, an authorized officer is a person 
appointed by an ICCAT contracting party to serve as an authorized 
inspector for ICCAT, and who possesses identification issued by the 
authorized officer's national government.



Sec. 635.52  Vessels subject to inspection.

    (a) All U.S. fishing vessels or vessels carrying fish species 
subject to regulation pursuant to a recommendation of ICCAT, and their 
catch, gear, and relevant documents, including fishing logbooks and 
cargo manifests, are subject to inspection under this subpart to verify 
compliance with ICCAT measures by an authorized officer when landing or 
transshipping tuna or when making a port call at a port of any ICCAT 
contracting party.
    (b) A vessel, or a vessel carrying fish species subject to 
regulation pursuant to a recommendation of ICCAT, that is registered by 
any of the ICCAT contracting parties, and the vessel's catch, gear, and 
relevant documents, including fishing logbooks and cargo manifests, are 
subject to inspection under this subpart to verify compliance with ICCAT 
measures when landing or transshipping regulated species or when making 
a port call in the United States.
    (c) The master of a vessel, or a vessel carrying fish species 
subject to regulation pursuant to a recommendation of ICCAT, must 
cooperate with an authorized officer during the conduct of an inspection 
in national and foreign ports. Inspections will be carried out so that 
the vessel suffers minimum interference and inconvenience, and so that 
degradation of the quality of catch is avoided.



Sec. 635.53  Reports.

    (a) Apparent violations shall be reported by the authorized officer 
on a standardized ICCAT form or form produced by the national government 
which collects the same quality of information. The authorized officer 
must sign the form in the presence of the master of the vessel, who is 
entitled to add or have added to the report any observations, and to add 
his own signature. The authorized officer should note in the vessel's 
log that the inspection has been made.
    (b) Copies of the report form must be sent to the flag state of the 
vessel and to the ICCAT Secretariat within 10 days. Flag states will 
consider and act on reports of apparent violations by foreign inspectors 
on a similar basis as the reports of their national inspectors in 
accordance with their national legislation. The vessel's flag state will 
notify ICCAT of actions taken to address the violation.



                          Subpart F_Enforcement



Sec. 635.69  Vessel monitoring systems.

    (a) Applicability. To facilitate enforcement of time-area and 
fishery closures, an owner or operator of a commercial vessel, permitted 
to fish for Atlantic HMS under Sec. 635.4 and that fishes with a 
pelagic or bottom longline or strikenet gear, is required to install a 
NMFS-approved vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit on board the vessel 
and operate the VMS unit under the following circumstances:
    (1) Whenever the vessel is away from port with pelagic longline gear 
on board;
    (2) As of January 1, 2005, whenever a vessel issued a directed shark 
LAP, is away from port with bottom longline gear on board, is located 
between 33[deg]00[min] N. lat. and 36[deg]30[min] N. lat., and the mid-
Atlantic shark closed area is closed as specified in Sec. 635.21(d)(1); 
or
    (3) As of November 15, 2004, whenever a vessel, issued a directed 
shark LAP, is away from port with a gillnet on board during the right 
whale calving season specified in the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan in Sec. 229.32(f) of this title.
    (4) A vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board, 
for the purposes of this section, when gear as specified at Sec. 
635.21(c) is on board. A vessel is considered to have bottom longline 
gear on board, for the purposes of this section, when gear as specified 
at Sec. 635.21(d) is on board. A vessel is considered to have gillnet 
gear on

[[Page 314]]

board, for the purposes of this section, when gillnet, as defined in 
Sec. 600.10, is on board a vessel that has been issued a shark LAP.
    (b) Hardware specifications. The VMS hardware must be approved by 
NMFS and must be able to perform all NMFS required functions. NMFS will 
file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication 
notification listing the specifications for approved VMS units. As 
necessary, NMFS will make additions and/or amendments to the VMS 
hardware type approval list to account for changes in specifications or 
new products offered by manufacturers. NMFS will file with the Office of 
the Federal Register for publication notification listing such additions 
and/or amendments.
    (c) Communications specifications. The communications service 
provider must be approved by NMFS and must be able to provide all NMFS 
required functions. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal 
Register for publication notification listing the specifications for 
approved VMS communications service providers. As necessary, NMFS will 
make additions and/or amendments to the VMS communications service 
providers type approval list to account for changes in specifications or 
new services offered by communications providers. NMFS will file with 
the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification listing 
such additions and/or amendments.
    (d) Installation and service activation. When installing and 
activating the NMFS-approved VMS unit, a vessel owner or operator must 
follow procedures indicated on an installation and activation checklist 
obtained from NMFS. Re-installation shall require the same checklist. 
Upon completion of installation, the vessel owner must sign a statement 
certifying compliance with the installation procedures of the checklist 
and submit such certification to NMFS as indicated on the checklist. 
Vessels fishing prior to submission of the certification will be in 
violation of the VMS requirement.
    (e) Operation. Owners or operators of vessels permitted, or required 
to be permitted, to fish for HMS, that have pelagic or bottom longline 
gear or gillnet gear on board, and that are required to have a VMS unit 
installed, as specified in paragraph (a), must activate the VMS to 
submit automatic position reports beginning 2 hours prior to leaving 
port and continuing until the vessel returns to port. While at sea, the 
unit must operate without interruption and no person may interfere with, 
tamper with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of a VMS, 
or attempt any of the same. Vessels fishing outside the geographic area 
of operation of the installed VMS will be in violation of the VMS 
requirement.
    (f) Interruption. When the vessel operator is aware that 
transmission of automatic position reports has been interrupted, or when 
notified by NMFS that automatic position reports are not being received, 
the vessel operator must contact NMFS and follow the instructions given. 
Such instructions may include but are not limited to manually 
communicating to a location designated by NMFS the vessel's position or 
returning to port until the VMS is operable.
    (g) Repair and replacement. After a fishing trip during which 
interruption of automatic position reports has occurred, the vessel's 
owner or operator must replace or repair the VMS unit prior to the 
vessel's next trip. Repair or reinstallation of a VMS unit or 
installation of a replacement, including change of communications 
service provider shall be in accordance with the checklist provided by 
NMFS and require the same certification.
    (h) Access. As a condition to obtaining a LAP for Atlantic 
swordfish, sharks, or tunas, all vessel owners or operators using 
pelagic or bottom longline or gillnet gear, subject to the VMS 
provisions of this section must allow NMFS, the USCG, and their 
authorized officers and designees access to the vessel's position data 
obtained from the VMS at the time of or after its transmission to the 
vendor or receiver, as the case may be.

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37705, July 13, 1999; 65 
FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000; 68 FR 45169, Aug. 1, 2003; 68 FR 74788, Dec. 24, 
2003; 69 FR 51012, Aug. 17, 2004]

[[Page 315]]



Sec. 635.70  Penalties.

    (a) General. See Sec. 600.735 of this chapter.
    (b) Civil procedures for Atlantic tuna. Because of the perishable 
nature of Atlantic tuna when it is not chilled or frozen, an authorized 
officer may cause to be sold, for not less than its reasonable market 
value, unchilled or unfrozen Atlantic tuna that may be seized and 
forfeited under ATCA and this part.



Sec. 635.71  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 of this 
chapter, it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States to violate any provision of this part, ATCA, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, or any other rules promulgated under ATCA or the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (a) General. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States to:
    (1) Falsify information required on an application for a permit 
submitted under Sec. 635.4 or Sec. 635.32.
    (2) Fish for, catch, possess, retain, or land an Atlantic HMS 
without the appropriate valid vessel permit, LAP, EFP, SRP, display 
permit, or chartering permit on board the vessel, as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 635.4 and 635.32.
    (3) Purchase, receive, or transfer or attempt to purchase, receive, 
or transfer, for commercial purposes, any Atlantic HMS landed by owners 
of vessels not permitted to do so under Sec. 635.4, or purchase, 
receive, or transfer, or attempt to purchase, receive, or transfer, for 
commercial purposes, any Atlantic HMS without the appropriate valid 
dealer permit issued under Sec. 635.4, except that this does not apply 
to a shark harvested from a vessel that has not been issued a permit 
under this part and that fishes exclusively within the waters under the 
jurisdiction of any state.
    (4) Sell or transfer or attempt to sell or transfer an Atlantic 
tuna, shark, or swordfish other than to a dealer that has a valid dealer 
permit issued under Sec. 635.4, except that this does not apply to a 
shark harvested from a vessel that has not been issued a permit under 
this part and that fishes exclusively within the waters under the 
jurisdiction of any state.
    (5) Fail to possess and make available for inspection a vessel 
permit on board the permitted vessel or upon transfer of HMS to a dealer 
or a dealer permit at the dealer's place of business, or to alter any 
such permit as specified in Sec. 635.4(a).
    (6) Falsify or fail to record, report, or maintain information 
required to be recorded, reported, or maintained, as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 635.5 and 635.32 or in the terms and conditions of a permit 
issued under Sec. 635.4 or an exempted fishing permit, scientific 
research permit, display permit, or chartering permit issued under Sec. 
635.32.
    (7) Fail to allow an authorized agent of NMFS to inspect and copy 
reports and records, as specified in Sec. 635.5(e) or Sec. 635.32.
    (8) Fail to make available for inspection an Atlantic HMS or its 
area of custody, as specified in Sec. 635.5(g).
    (9) Fail to report the catching of any Atlantic HMS to which a 
conventional tag has been affixed under a tag and release program.
    (10) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel and gear 
identification, as specified in Sec. 635.6.
    (11) Fail to comply with the requirements for at-sea observer 
coverage, as specified in Sec. 635.7 and Sec. 600.746.
    (12) For any person to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, 
interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent, by any means, any 
authorized officer in the conduct of any search, inspection, seizure or 
lawful investigation made in connection with enforcement of this part.
    (13) Interfere with, delay, or prevent by any means, the 
apprehension of another person, knowing that such person has committed 
any act prohibited by this part.
    (14) Fail to install, activate, repair, or replace a vessel 
monitoring system prior to leaving port with pelagic longline gear, 
bottom longline gear, or gillnet gear on board the vessel as specified 
in Sec. 635.69.
    (15) Tamper with, or fail to operate and maintain a vessel 
monitoring system as specified in Sec. 635.69.

[[Page 316]]

    (16) Fail to contact NMFS or follow NMFS instructions when automatic 
position reporting has been interrupted as specified in Sec. 635.69.
    (17) Fish for Atlantic tunas or swordfish with a gillnet or possess 
Atlantic tunas or swordfish on board a vessel with a gillnet on board, 
as specified in Sec. 635.21 (b), (e)(1), and (e)(4)(ii).
    (18) Fail to retrieve fishing gear and move after an interaction 
with a protected species, as specified in Sec. 635.21 (c)(3) or (d)(2).
    (19) Fail to release an Atlantic HMS in the manner specified in 
Sec. 635.21(a).
    (20) Fail to report the retention of an Atlantic HMS that has an 
archival tag, as specified in Sec. 635.33.
    (21) Fail to maintain an Atlantic HMS in the form specified in Sec. 
635.30.
    (22) Fish for, catch, retain, or possess an Atlantic HMS that is 
less than its minimum size limit specified in Sec. 635.20.
    (23) Fail to comply with the restrictions on use of a pelagic 
longline, bottom longline, or gillnet as specified in Sec. 635.21 (c), 
(d), or (e)(3).
    (24) Import, or attempt to import, any fish or fish products 
regulated under this part in a manner contrary to any import 
requirements or import restrictions specified at Sec. 635.40 or 635.41.
    (25) Dispose of fish or parts thereof or other matter in any manner 
after any communication or signal from an authorized officer, or after 
the approach of an authorized officer.
    (26) Violate the terms and conditions or any provision of a permit 
issued under Sec. Sec. 635.4 or 635.32.
    (27) Operate a charterboat or headboat without a valid U.S. Coast 
Guard merchant marine or uninspected passenger vessel license on board 
the vessel when fishing for or possessing Atlantic HMS as specified at 
Sec. 635.4(b).
    (28) Violate any provision of this part, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
ATCA, or any regulations or permits issued under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act or ATCA.
    (29) Land, transship, ship, transport, purchase, sell, offer for 
sale, import, export, or have in custody, possession, or control:
    (i) Any fish that the person knows, or should have known, was taken, 
retained, possessed, or landed contrary to this part, without regard to 
the citizenship of the person or registry of the fishing vessel that 
harvested the fish.
    (ii) Any fish of a species regulated pursuant to a recommendation of 
ICCAT that was harvested, retained, or possessed in a manner contrary to 
the regulations of another country.
    (30) Deploy or fish with any fishing gear from a vessel or anchor a 
fishing vessel, permitted or required to be permitted under this part, 
in any closed area as specified at Sec. 635.21.
    (31) Deploy or fish with any fishing gear from a vessel with a 
pelagic longline on board in any closed area during the time periods 
specified at Sec. 635.21(c)(2).
    (32) In the Gulf of Mexico, deploy or fish a pelagic longline with 
live bait affixed to the hooks or to possess live bait, or set up a well 
or tank to maintain live bait, aboard a vessel with pelagic longline 
gear on board as specified at Sec. 635.21(c)(4).
    (33) Fish with or deploy any fishing gear from a vessel with pelagic 
longline gear on board without carrying the required sea turtle bycatch 
mitigation gear, as specified at Sec. 635.21(c)(5)(i).
    (34) Fail to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtle with the 
least harm possible to the sea turtle as specified at Sec. 635.21 
(c)(5) or (d)(3).
    (35) For any person to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, 
interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent, by any means, NMFS 
personnel or anyone collecting information for NMFS, under an agreement 
or contract, relating to the scientific monitoring or management of 
Atlantic HMS.
    (36) Fish with bottom or pelagic longline and shark gillnet gear for 
HMS without adhering to the gear operation and deployment restrictions 
required in 50 CFR 635.21.
    (37) Fail to report to NMFS, at the number designated by NMFS, the 
incidental capture of listed whales with shark gillnet gear and sea 
turtle mortalities associated with pelagic longline gear as required by 
Sec. 635.5.
    (38) Fish for, or possess on board a fishing vessel, species 
regulated under this part in unauthorized fishing areas as specified in 
Sec. 635.25.

[[Page 317]]

    (39) Deploy or fish with any fishing gear, from a vessel with a 
bottom longline on board, in any closed area during the time periods 
specified at Sec. 635.21(d)(1).
    (40) Deploy or fish with any fishing gear, from a vessel with bottom 
longline gear on board, without carrying a dipnet, line clipper, and 
dehooking device as specified at Sec. 635.21(d)(3).
    (41) Fail to immediately notify NMFS upon the termination of a 
chartering arrangement as specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(6).
    (42) Count chartering arrangement catches against quotas other than 
those defined as the Contracting Party of which the chartering foreign 
entity is a member as specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(6).
    (43) Fail to submit catch information regarding fishing activities 
conducted under a chartering arrangement with a foreign entity, as 
specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(6).
    (44) Offload chartering arrangement catch in ports other than ports 
of the chartering Contracting Party of which the foreign entity is a 
member or offload catch without the direct supervision of the chartering 
foreign entity as specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(6).
    (45) Import or attempt to import tuna or tuna-like species harvested 
from the ICCAT convention area by a fishing vessel that is not listed in 
the ICCAT record of authorized vessels as specified in Sec. 635.41(b).
    (46) Import or attempt to import tuna or tuna-like species harvested 
by a fishing vessel on the ICCAT illegal, unreported, and unregulated 
fishing list as specified in Sec. 635.41(c).
    (47) Import or attempt to import tuna or tuna-like species, placed 
in cages for farming and/or transshipment, harvested in the ICCAT 
convention area and caught by a fishing vessel included on the ICCAT 
list as engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing as 
specified in Sec. 635.41(d).
    (b) Atlantic tunas. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States to:
    (1) Engage in fishing with a vessel that has been issued an Atlantic 
Tunas or Atlantic HMS permit under Sec. 635.4, unless the vessel 
travels to and from the area where it will be fishing under its own 
power and the person operating that vessel brings any BFT under control 
(secured to the catching vessel and/or brought on board) with no 
assistance from another vessel, except as shown by the operator that the 
safety of the vessel or its crew was jeopardized or other circumstances 
existed that were beyond the control of the operator.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) Fish for, catch, retain, or possess a BFT less than the large 
medium size class by a person aboard a vessel other than one that has on 
board a valid HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat permit, or an Atlantic 
tunas Purse Seine category permit as authorized under Sec. 635.23 (b), 
(c), and (e)(2).
    (4) Fail to inspect a vessel's permit, fail to affix a dealer tag to 
a large medium or giant BFT, or fail to use such tag as specified in 
Sec. 635.5(b)(2).
    (5) Fail to report a large medium or giant BFT that is not sold, as 
specified in Sec. 635.5(a)(3).
    (6) As an angler, fail to report a BFT, as specified in Sec. 
635.5(c)(1) or (3).
    (7) Fish for, catch, retain, or possess a BFT with gear not 
authorized for the category permit issued to the vessel or to have such 
gear on board when in possession of a BFT, as specified in Sec. 
635.21(e)(1).
    (8) Fail to request an inspection of a purse seine vessel, as 
specified in Sec. 635.21(e)(1)(vi)(B).
    (9) Fish for or catch BFT in a directed fishery with purse seine 
nets without an allocation made under Sec. 635.27(a)(4).
    (10) Fish for or catch any Atlantic tunas in a directed fishery with 
purse seine nets if there is no remaining BFT allocation made under 
Sec. 635.27 (a)(4).
    (11) Exceed the recreational catch limit for yellowfin tuna, as 
specified in Sec. 635.22(d).
    (12) Exceed a catch limit for BFT specified for the appropriate 
permit category, as specified in Sec. 635.23.
    (13) As a vessel with a General category Atlantic tuna permit, fail 
to immediately cease fishing and immediately return to port after 
catching a large medium or giant BFT on a commercial fishing day, as 
specified in Sec. 635.23(a)(3).

[[Page 318]]

    (14) As a person aboard a vessel issued an HMS Angling or Charter/
Headboat permit, fail to immediately cease fishing and immediately 
return to port after catching a large medium or giant BFT or fail to 
report such catch, as specified in Sec. 635.23(b)(1)(iii) and (c)(1) 
through (c)(3).
    (15) As a person aboard a vessel issued an HMS Angling or HMS 
Charter/Headboat permit, sell, offer for sale, or attempt to sell a 
large medium or giant BFT retained when fishing under the circumstances 
specified in Sec. 635.23(b)(1)(iii) and (c)(1) through (c)(3).
    (16) Retain a BFT caught under the catch and release program 
specified in Sec. 635.26.
    (17) As a vessel with a Purse Seine category Atlantic tunas permit, 
catch, possess, retain, or land BFT in excess of its allocation of the 
Purse Seine category quota, or fish for BFT under that allocation prior 
to the commencement date of the directed BFT purse seine fishery, as 
specified in Sec. 635.27(a)(4).
    (18) As a vessel with a Purse Seine category Atlantic tunas permit, 
land BFT smaller than the large medium size class except as specified 
under Sec. 635.23(e)(2).
    (19) Fish for, retain, possess, or land a BFT when the fishery is 
closed, as specified in Sec. 635.28(a), except as may be authorized for 
catch and release under Sec. 635.26.
    (20) Approach to within 100 yd (91.5 m) of the cork line of a purse 
seine net used by a vessel fishing for Atlantic tuna, or for a purse 
seine vessel to approach to within 100 yd (91.5 m) of a vessel actively 
fishing for Atlantic tuna, except that two vessels that have Purse Seine 
category Atlantic tuna permits may approach closer to each other.
    (21) Transfer at sea an Atlantic tuna, except as may be authorized 
for the transfer of BFT between purse seine vessels, as specified in 
Sec. 635.29(a).
    (22) As the owner or operator of a purse seine vessel, fail to 
comply with the requirements for weighing, measuring, and information 
collection specified in Sec. 635.30(a)(2).
    (23) Fish for, catch, possess, or retain a BFT from the Gulf of 
Mexico except as specified under Sec. 635.23(f)(1), or if taken 
incidental to recreational fishing for other species and retained in 
accordance with Sec. 635.23(b) and (c).
    (24) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale and purchase of an 
Atlantic tuna, as specified in Sec. Sec. 635.5(b), 635.23, and 
635.31(a).
    (25) [Reserved]
    (26) For any person to refuse to provide information requested by 
NMFS personnel or anyone collecting information for NMFS, under an 
agreement or contract, relating to the scientific monitoring or 
management of Atlantic tunas.
    (27) Possess a large medium or giant BFT, after it has been landed, 
that does not have a dealer tag affixed to it as specified in Sec. 
635.5(b)(2)(ii), unless the BFT is not to be sold and has been reported 
per the requirements specified in Sec. Sec. 635.5(a)(3) or 635.5(c).
    (28) Participate in any HMS recreational fishing activity aboard a 
vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas General category permit unless, as 
specified at Sec. 635.4(c)(2) and (3), the vessel has registered and 
paid an entry fee to, and is fishing under the rules of, a recreational 
HMS fishing tournament registered as required under Sec. 635.5(d)
    (29) Import a bigeye tuna or bigeye tuna product into the United 
States from Bolivia or Georgia as specified in Sec. 635.41.
    (c) Billfish. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States to:
    (1) Retain a billfish on board a vessel with a pelagic longline on 
board or harvested by gear other than rod and reel, as specified in 
Sec. 635.21(e)(2).
    (2) Transfer a billfish at sea, as specified in Sec. 635.29(a).
    (3) Fail to maintain a billfish in the form specified in Sec. 
635.30(b).
    (4) Sell or purchase a billfish, as specified in Sec. 635.31(b).
    (5) Retain on board a vessel a longbill spearfish, or a blue marlin, 
white marlin or sailfish that is less than the minimum size specified in 
Sec. 635.20(d).
    (6) As an angler, fail to report a billfish, as specified in Sec. 
635.5(c)(2) or (3).
    (d) Shark. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States to:

[[Page 319]]

    (1) Exceed a recreational retention limit for shark, as specified in 
Sec. 635.22(c).
    (2) Exceed a commercial retention limit for shark, as specified in 
Sec. 635.24(a).
    (3) Retain, possess, or land a shark of a species group when the 
fishery for that species group is closed, as specified in Sec. 
635.28(b)(1) and (b)(2).
    (4) Sell or purchase a shark of a species group when the fishery for 
that species group is closed, as specified in Sec. 635.28(b)(3).
    (5) Transfer a shark at sea, as specified in Sec. 635.29(b).
    (6) Fail to maintain a shark in its proper form, as specified in 
Sec. 635.30(c)(4).
    (7) Sell or purchase shark fins that are disproportionate to the 
weight of shark carcasses, as specified in Sec. 635.30(c)(2) and (c)(3) 
and Sec. 600.1204 (e) and (l) of this chapter.
    (8) Fail to have shark fins and carcasses weighed and recorded, as 
specified in Sec. 635.30(c)(3).
    (9) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale and purchase of a 
shark, as specified in Sec. 635.31(c).
    (10) Retain, possess, sell, or purchase a prohibited shark, as 
specified under Sec. 635.22(c) and Sec. 635.27(b)(1) or fail to 
disengage any hooked or entangled prohibited shark with the least harm 
possible to the animal as specified at Sec. 635.21(d)(3).
    (11) Falsify information submitted under Sec. 635.16(d)(2) or 
(d)(4) in support of an application for an ILAP or an appeal of NMFS's 
denial of an ILAP for shark.
    (12) Fish for Atlantic sharks with unauthorized gear or possess 
Atlantic sharks on board a vessel with unauthorized gear on board as 
specified in Sec. 635.21(e)(3).
    (13) Fish for Atlantic sharks with a gillnet or possess Atlantic 
sharks on board a vessel with a gillnet on board, except as specified in 
Sec. 635.21(e)(3).
    (e) Swordfish. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to 
the jurisdiction of the United States to:
    (1) Purchase, barter for, or trade for a swordfish from the north or 
south Atlantic swordfish stock without a dealer permit as specified in 
Sec. 635.4(g).
    (2) Fail to comply with the restrictions on use of a pelagic 
longline specified in Sec. 635.21(b) and (c).
    (3) When the directed fishery for swordfish is closed, exceed the 
limits specified in Sec. 635.28(c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii).
    (4) When the incidental catch fishery for swordfish is closed, 
possess, land, sell, or purchase a swordfish, as specified in Sec. 
635.28(c)(2).
    (5) Transfer at sea a swordfish, as specified in Sec. 635.29(a).
    (6) Fail to maintain a swordfish in the form specified in Sec. 
635.30(d).
    (7) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale and purchase of a 
swordfish, as specified in Sec. 635.31(d).
    (8) Fish for North Atlantic swordfish from, possess North Atlantic 
swordfish on board, or land North Atlantic swordfish from a vessel using 
or having on board gear other than pelagic longline or handgear.
    (9) Fish for swordfish from the South Atlantic swordfish stock using 
any gear other than pelagic longline.
    (10) [Reserved]
    (11) Falsify information submitted under Sec. 635.16(d)(2) or 
(d)(4) in support of an application for an ILAP or an appeal of NMFS's 
denial of an initial limited access permit for swordfish.
    (12) [Reserved]
    (13) Exceed the incidental catch retention limits specified at Sec. 
635.24(b).
    (14) Exceed the recreational catch limit for North Atlantic 
swordfish, as specified in Sec. 635.22(f).
    (15) As an angler, fail to report a North Atlantic swordfish, as 
specified in Sec. 635.5(c)(2) or (3).

[64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37705, July 13, 1999; 65 
FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 65 FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 FR 17373, Mar. 
30, 2001; 66 FR 30653, June 7, 2001; 66 FR 42805, Aug. 15, 2001; 67 FR 
6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 67 FR 45401, July 9, 2002; 67 FR 47469, July 19, 
2002; 67 FR 70027, Nov. 20, 2002; 67 FR 77439, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 715, 
Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 56788, Oct. 2, 2003; 68 FR 63742, Nov. 10, 2003; 68 
FR 74511, 74788, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40758, July 6, 2004; 69 FR 53362, 
Sept. 1, 2004; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004; 69 FR 70400, Dec. 6, 2004; 70 
FR 28219, May 17, 2005]

[[Page 320]]

                 Appendix A to Part 635--Species Tables

            Table 1 of Appendix A to Part 635-Oceanic Sharks

                        A. Large coastal sharks:

                          1. Ridgeback sharks:

Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus
Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis
Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvieri

                        2. Non-ridgeback sharks:

Blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus
Bull, Carcharhinus leucas
Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran
Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris
Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum
Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini
Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena
Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna

                        B. Small coastal sharks:

Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus
Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo
Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon

                           C. Pelagic sharks:

Blue, Prionace glauca
Oceanic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus
Porbeagle, Lamna nasus
Shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus
Thresher, Alopias vulpinus.

                          D. Prohibited sharks:

Atlantic angel, Squatina dumerili
Basking, Cetorhinus maximus
Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai
Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus vitulus
Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus
Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus
Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezi
Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus
Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus
Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis
Longfin mako, Isurus paucus
Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus
Night, Carcharhinus signatus
Sand tiger, Odontaspis taurus
Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo
Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus
Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus
Whale, Rhincodon typus
White, Carcharodon carcharias

     Table 2 of Appendix A to Part 635-Deepwater/Other Shark Species

Blotched catshark, Scyliorhinus meadi
Broadgill catshark, Apristurus riveri
Chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer
Deepwater catshark, Apristurus profundorum
Dwarf catshark, Scyliorhinus torrei
Iceland catshark, Apristurus laurussoni
Marbled catshark, Galeus arae
Smallfin catshark, Apristurus parvipinnis
Bigtooth cookiecutter, Isistius plutodus
Blainville's dogfish, Squalus blainvillei
Bramble shark, Echinorhinus brucus
Broadband dogfish, Etmopterus gracilispinnis
Caribbean lanternshark, Etmopterus hillianus
Cookiecutter shark, Isistius brasiliensis
Cuban dogfish, Squalus cubensis
Flatnose gulper shark, Deania profundorum
Fringefin lanternshark, Etmopterus schultzi
Great lanternshark, Etmopterus princeps
Green lanternshark, Etmopterus virens
Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus
Gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus
Japanese gulper shark, Centrophorus acuus
Kitefin shark, Dalatias licha
Lined lanternshark, Etmopterus bullisi
Little gulper shark, Centrophorus uyato
Portuguese shark, Cetroscymnus coelolepis
Pygmy shark, Squaliolus laticaudus
Roughskin spiny dogfish, Squalus asper
Smallmouth velvet dogfish, Scymnodon obscurus
Smooth lanternshark, Etmopterus pusillus
American sawshark, Pristiophorus schroederi
Florida smoothhound, Mustelus norrisi
Smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis



PART 640_SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH ATLANTIC--Table of Contents




                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
640.1 Purpose and scope.
640.2 Definitions.
640.3 Relation to other laws.
640.4 Permits and fees.
640.5 Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]
640.6 Vessel and gear identification.
640.7 Prohibitions.
640.8 Facilitation of enforcement.
640.9 Penalties.

                      Subpart B_Management Measures

640.20 Seasons.
640.21 Harvest limitations.
640.22 Gear and diving restrictions.
640.23 Bag/possession limits.
640.24 Authorized activities.
640.25 Adjustment of management measures.
640.26 Tortugas marine reserves.

Figure 1 to Part 640

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 640.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of this part is to implement the Fishery Management 
Plan

[[Page 321]]

for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
prepared by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Councils under the Magnuson Act.
    (b) This part governs conservation and management of spiny lobster 
and slipper (Spanish) lobster in the EEZ in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf 
of Mexico off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states from the Virginia/
North Carolina border south and through the Gulf of Mexico.
    (c) An owner or operator of a vessel that has legally harvested 
spiny lobsters in the waters of a foreign nation and possesses spiny 
lobsters, or separated tails, in the EEZ incidental to such foreign 
harvesting is exempt from the requirements of this part 640, provided 
proof of lawful harvest in the waters of a foreign nation accompanies 
such lobsters or tails.

[57 FR 56518, Nov. 30, 1992]



Sec. 640.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in Sec. 
620.2 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have the following 
meanings:
    Bully net means a circular frame attached at right angles to the end 
of a pole and supporting a conical bag of webbing. The webbing is 
usually held up by means of a cord which is released when the net is 
dropped over a lobster.
    Carapace length means the measurement of the carapace (head, body, 
or front section) of a spiny lobster from the anteriormost edge (front) 
of the groove between the horns directly above the eyes, along the 
middorsal line (middle of the back), to the rear edge of the top part of 
the carapace, excluding any translucent membrane.
    Commercial fishing means any fishing or fishing activities which 
result in the harvest of any marine or freshwater organisms, one or more 
of which (or parts thereof) is sold, traded, or bartered.
    Hoop net means a frame, circular or otherwise, supporting a shallow 
bag of webbing and suspended by a line and bridles. The net is baited 
and lowered to the ocean bottom, to be raised rapidly at a later time to 
prevent the escape of lobster.
    Live well means a shaded container used for holding live lobsters 
aboard a vessel in which aerated seawater is continuously circulated 
from the sea. Circulation of seawater at a rate that replaces the water 
at least every 8 minutes meets the requirement for aeration.
    Off Florida means the area from the Florida coast to the outer limit 
of the EEZ between the Georgia/Florida boundary 
(30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec]N. latitude) and the Alabama/Florida boundary 
(87[deg]31[min]06[sec]W. longitude).
    Off the Gulf states, other than Florida means the area from the 
coast to the outer limit of the EEZ between the Texas/Mexico border to 
the Alabama/Florida boundary (87[deg]31[min]06[sec] W. long.).
    Off Monroe County, Florida means the area from the Florida coast to 
the outer limit of the EEZ between a line extending directly east from 
the Dade/Monroe County, Florida boundary (25[deg]20.4[min]N. latitude) 
and a line extending directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, 
Florida boundary (25[deg]48.0[min]N. latitude).
    Off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida means the area 
from the coast to the outer limit of the EEZ between the Virginia/North 
Carolina boundary (36[deg]34[min]55[sec] N. lat.) to the Georgia/Florida 
boundary (30[deg]42[min]45.6[sec] N. lat.).
    Recreational fishing means fishing or fishing activities which 
result in the harvest of fish, none of which (or parts thereof) is sold, 
traded, or bartered.
    Regional Director means the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 
Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702, telephone 813-570-
5301; or a designee.
    Slipper (Spanish) lobster means the species Scyllarides nodifer.
    Spiny lobster means the species Panulirus argus.
    Tail length means the lengthwise measurement of the entire tail 
(segmented portion), not including any protruding muscle tissue, of a 
spiny lobster along the top middorsal line (middle of the back) to the 
rearmost extremity. The measurement is made with the tail in a flat, 
straight position with the tip of the tail closed.
    Trip means a fishing trip, regardless of number of days' duration, 
that begins with departure from a dock, berth,

[[Page 322]]

beach, seawall, or ramp and that terminates with return to a dock, 
berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.

[47 FR 29203, July 2, 1982, as amended at 52 FR 22659, June 15, 1987; 53 
FR 17196, May 16, 1988; 53 FR 24655, June 29, 1988; 53 FR 38294, Sept. 
30, 1988; 55 FR 26448, June 28, 1990; 57 FR 56518, Nov. 30, 1992; 58 FR 
38979, July 21, 1993; 59 FR 53119, Oct. 21, 1994; 60 FR 41830, Aug. 14, 
1995]



Sec. 640.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
620.3 of this chapter and paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) The regulations in this part apply within the boundaries of any 
national park, monument, or marine sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic EEZ.

[47 FR 29203, July 2, 1982, as amended at 52 FR 22659, June 15, 1987; 53 
FR 24655, June 29, 1988]



Sec. 640.4  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability--(1) Licenses, certificates, and permits--(i) EEZ 
off Florida and spiny lobster landed in Florida. For a person to sell, 
trade, or barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster 
harvested or possessed in the EEZ off Florida, or harvested in the EEZ 
other than off Florida and landed from a fishing vessel in Florida, or 
for a person to be exempt from the daily bag and possession limit 
specified in Sec. 640.23(b)(1) for such spiny lobster, such person must 
have the licenses and certificates specified to be a ``commercial 
harvester,'' as defined in Rule 46-24.002(2), Florida Administrative 
Code, in effect as of June 1, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, 2540 Executive 
Center Circle West, Suite 106, Tallahassee, FL 32301; telephone: 904-
487-0554. Copies may be inspected at the Office of the Regional 
Director; the Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, NMFS, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--
locations.html.
    (ii) EEZ other than off Florida. For a person to sell, trade, or 
barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster harvested 
in the EEZ other than off Florida or for a person to be exempt from the 
daily bag and possession limit specified in Sec. 640.23(b)(1) for such 
spiny lobster, a Federal vessel permit must be issued to the harvesting 
vessel and must be on board. However, see paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section for the licenses and certificates required for a person to 
possess or land spiny lobster harvested in the EEZ other than off 
Florida and subsequently possessed in the EEZ off Florida or landed from 
a fishing vessel in Florida.
    (2) Tail-separation permits. For a person to possess aboard a 
fishing vessel a separated spiny lobster tail in or from the EEZ, a 
tail-separation permit must be issued to the vessel and must be on 
board.
    (3) Corporation/partnership-owned vessels. For a vessel owned by a 
corporation or partnership to be eligible for a Federal vessel permit 
specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the earned income 
qualification specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section must be 
met by, and the statement required by that paragraph must be submitted 
by, an officer or shareholder of the corporation, a general partner of 
the partnership, or the vessel operator.
    (4) Operator-qualified permits. A vessel permit issued upon the 
qualification of an operator is valid only when that person is the 
operator of the vessel.
    (b) Applications for permits. (1) An application for a Federal 
vessel and/or tail-separation permit must be submitted and signed by the 
owner (in the case of a corporation, a qualifying officer or 
shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a qualifying general partner) 
or operator of the vessel. The application must be submitted to the 
Regional Director at least 30 days prior to the date on which the 
applicant desires to have the permit made effective.
    (2) An applicant must provide the following information:
    (i) A copy of the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard certificate of 
documentation or,

[[Page 323]]

if not documented, a copy of its state registration certificate.
    (ii) The vessel's name and official number.
    (iii) Name, mailing address including zip code, telephone number, 
social security number, and date of birth of the owner (if the owner is 
a corporation/partnership, in lieu of the social security number, 
provide the employer identification number, if one has been assigned by 
the Internal Revenue Service, and, in lieu of the date of birth, provide 
the date the corporation/partnership was formed).
    (iv) If the owner does not meet the earned income qualification 
specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section and the operator does 
meet that qualification, the name, mailing address including zip code, 
telephone number, social security number, and date of birth of the 
operator.
    (v) Information concerning vessel, gear used, fishing areas, and 
fisheries vessel is used in, as requested by the Regional Director and 
included on the application form.
    (vi) A sworn statement by the applicant for a vessel permit 
certifying that at least 10 percent of his or her earned income was 
derived from commercial fishing, that is, sale of the catch, during the 
calendar year preceding the application.
    (vii) Documentation supporting the statement of income, if required 
under paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (viii) If a tail-separation permit is desired, a sworn statement by 
the applicant certifying that his or her fishing activity--
    (A) Is routinely conducted in the EEZ on trips of 48 hours or more; 
and
    (B) Necessitates the separation of carapace and tail to maintain a 
quality product.
    (ix) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, as requested by the Regional Director and 
included on the application form.
    (3) The Regional Director may require the applicant to provide 
documentation supporting the sworn statement under paragraph (b)(2)(vi) 
of this section before a permit is issued or to substantiate why such 
permit should not be revoked or otherwise sanctioned under paragraph (h) 
of this section. Such required documentation may include copies of 
appropriate forms and schedules from the applicant's income tax return. 
Copies of income tax forms and schedules are treated as confidential.
    (c) Change in application information. The owner or operator of a 
vessel with a permit must notify the Regional Director within 30 days 
after any change in the application information specified in paragraph 
(b) of this section. The permit is void if any change in the information 
is not reported within 30 days.
    (d) Fees. A fee is charged for each permit application submitted 
under paragraph (b) of this section. The amount of the fee is calculated 
in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for 
determining the administrative costs of each special product or service. 
The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified with each application 
form. The appropriate fee must accompany each application.
    (e) Issuance. (1) The Regional Director will issue a permit at any 
time to an applicant if the application is complete and the applicant 
meets the earned income requirement specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of 
this section. An application is complete when all requested forms, 
information, and documentation have been received.
    (2) Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Regional Director 
will notify the applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to 
correct the deficiency within 30 days of the date of the Regional 
Director's letter of notification, the application will be considered 
abandoned.
    (f) Duration. A permit remains valid for the period specified on it 
unless the vessel is sold or the permit is revoked, suspended, or 
modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (g) Transfer. A permit issued pursuant to this section is not 
transferable or assignable. A person purchasing a permitted vessel who 
desires to conduct activities for which a permit is required must apply 
for a permit in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this 
section. The application must be accompanied by a copy of a signed bill 
of sale.

[[Page 324]]

    (h) Display. A permit issued pursuant to this section must be 
carried on board the vessel, and such vessel must be identified as 
required by Sec. 640.6. The operator of a vessel must present the 
permit for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.
    (i) Sanctions and denials. A permit issued pursuant to this section 
may be revoked, suspended, or modified, and a permit application may be 
denied, in accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related 
permit sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (j) Alteration. A permit that is altered, erased, or mutilated is 
invalid.
    (k) Replacement. A replacement permit may be issued. An application 
for a replacement permit will not be considered a new application. A 
fee, the amount of which is stated with the application form, must 
accompany each request for a replacement permit.

[57 FR 56518, Nov. 30, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 53119, Oct. 21, 1994; 
60 FR 41830, Aug. 14, 1995; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]



Sec. 640.5  Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]



Sec. 640.6  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) EEZ off Florida. (1) An owner or operator of a vessel that is 
used to harvest spiny lobsters by traps in the EEZ off Florida must 
comply with the vessel and gear identification requirements applicable 
to the harvesting of spiny lobsters by traps in Florida's waters in 
sections 370.14(2)(a) and (3) and 370.142(2)(b), Florida Statutes, in 
effect as of July 1, 1994, and in Rule 46-24.006(3), (4), and (5), 
Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of June 1, 1994.
    (2) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny 
lobsters by diving in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel 
identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny 
lobsters by diving in Florida's waters in Rule 46-24.006(6), Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of June 1, 1994.
    (3) The incorporation by reference in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) 
of this section of sections 370.14(2)(a) and (3) and 370.142(2)(b), 
Florida Statutes, and Rule 46-24.006(3), (4), (5), and (6), Florida 
Administrative Code, was approved by the Director of the Office of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, 
2540 Executive Center Circle West, Suite 106, Tallahassee, FL 32301; 
telephone: 904-487-0554. Copies may be inspected at the Office of the 
Regional Director; the Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; or at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--
regulations/ibr--locations.html.
    (b) EEZ other than off Florida. (1) The owner or operator of a 
vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobsters in the EEZ other than off 
Florida, must meet the following vessel and gear identification 
requirements:
    (i) The vessel's Florida crawfish license or trap number or, if not 
licensed by Florida, the vessel's Federal vessel permit number must be 
permanently and conspicuously displayed horizontally on the uppermost 
structural portion of the vessel in numbers at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) 
high so as to be readily identifiable from the air and water;
    (ii) If the vessel uses spiny lobster traps in the EEZ, other than 
off Florida--
    (A) The vessel's color code, as assigned by Florida or, if a color 
code has not been assigned by Florida, as assigned by the Regional 
Director, must be permanently and conspicuously displayed above the 
number specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section so as to be 
readily identifiable from the air and water, such color code being in 
the form of a circle at least 20 inches (50.8 cm) in diameter on a 
background of colors contrasting to those contained in the assigned 
color code;
    (B) A buoy or timed-release buoy of such strength and buoyancy to 
float must be attached to each spiny lobster trap or at each end of a 
string of traps;
    (C) A buoy used to mark spiny lobster traps must bear the vessel's 
assigned color code and be of such color,

[[Page 325]]

hue, and brilliancy as to be easily distinguished, seen, and located;
    (D) A buoy used to mark spiny lobster traps must bear the vessel's 
Florida crawfish license or trap number or, if not licensed by Florida, 
the vessel's Federal vessel permit number in numbers at least 2 inches 
(5.08 cm) high; and
    (E) A spiny lobster trap must bear the vessel's Florida crawfish 
license or trap number or, if not licensed by Florida, the vessel's 
Federal vessel permit number permanently and legibly affixed.
    (2) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ, other than off Florida, will be 
presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. Upon 
the sale or transfer of a spiny lobster trap used in the EEZ, other than 
off Florida, within 5 days of acquiring ownership, the person acquiring 
ownership must notify the Florida Division of Law Enforcement of the 
Department of Environmental Protection, for a trap that bears a Florida 
crawfish license or trap number, or the Regional Director, for a trap 
that bears a Federal vessel permit number, as to the number of traps 
purchased, the vendor, and the crawfish license or trap number, or 
Federal vessel permit number, currently displayed on the traps, and must 
request issuance of a crawfish license or trap number, or Federal vessel 
permit, if the acquiring owner does not possess such license or trap 
number or permit.
    (c) Unmarked traps and buoys. An unmarked spiny lobster trap or buoy 
in the EEZ is illegal gear. Such trap or buoy, and any connecting lines, 
will be considered unclaimed or abandoned property and may be disposed 
of in any manner considered appropriate by the Assistant Administrator 
or an authorized officer. An owner of such trap or buoy remains subject 
to appropriate civil penalties.

[57 FR 56519, Nov. 30, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 53119, Oct. 21, 1994; 
60 FR 41830, Aug. 14, 1995; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]



Sec. 640.7  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 620.7 of 
this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Sell, trade, or barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a 
spiny lobster in or from the EEZ without a required license, 
certificate, or permit, as specified in Sec. 640.4(a)(1).
    (b) Falsify information specified in Sec. 640.4(b)(2) on an 
application for a permit.
    (c) Fail to display a permit, as specified in Sec. 640.4(h).
    (d) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel and gear 
identification, as required by Sec. 640.6 (a) and (b).
    (e) Possess a spiny lobster trap in the EEZ at a time not 
authorized, as specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(3)(i) and (b)(3)(ii).
    (f) Possess a spiny lobster in or from the EEZ at a time not 
authorized, as specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(4).
    (g) Fail to return immediately to the water a berried spiny lobster 
or slipper lobster; strip eggs from or otherwise molest a berried spiny 
lobster or slipper lobster; or possess a spiny lobster or slipper 
lobster, or part thereof, from which eggs, swimmerettes, or pleopods 
have been removed or stripped; as specified in Sec. 640.21(a).
    (h) Possess or fail to return immediately to the water unharmed a 
spiny lobster smaller than the minimum size limits specified in Sec. 
640.21 (b)(1) and (b)(3), except as provided in Sec. 640.21(c).
    (i) Harvest or attempt to harvest a spiny lobster by diving without 
having and using in the water a measuring device, or fail to release an 
undersized spiny lobster in the water, as specified in Sec. 
640.21(b)(2).
    (j) Possess an undersized spiny lobster for use as an attractant in 
a trap in quantities or under conditions not authorized in Sec. 
640.21(c).
    (k) Possess a separated spiny lobster tail, except as specified in 
Sec. 640.21(d).
    (l) Possess a spiny lobster harvested by prohibited gear or methods; 
or possess on board a fishing vessel any dynamite or similar explosive 
substance; as specified in Sec. 640.20(b) and Sec. 640.22 (a)(1) and 
(a)(3).
    (m) Use or possess in the EEZ a spiny lobster trap that does not 
meet the requirements specified in Sec. 640.22(b)(1).
    (n) Pull or tend a spiny lobster trap other than during daylight 
hours, as specified in Sec. 640.22(b)(2).

[[Page 326]]

    (o) Pull or tend another person's spiny lobster trap, except as 
authorized in Sec. 640.22(b)(3).
    (p) Possess spiny lobsters in or from the EEZ in an amount exceeding 
the daily bag and possession limit specified in Sec. 640.23 (a), 
(b)(1), or (b)(2) except as authorized in Sec. 640.23(b)(3) and (b)(4).
    (q) Possess spiny lobsters aboard a vessel that uses or has on board 
a net or trawl in an amount exceeding the limits, as specified in Sec. 
640.23(b)(4).
    (r) Operate a vessel that fishes for or possesses spiny lobster in 
or from the EEZ with spiny lobster aboard in an amount exceeding the 
cumulative bag and possession limit, as specified in Sec. 640.23(d).
    (s) Transfer or receive at sea spiny lobster in or from the EEZ 
caught under the bag and possession limits, as specified in Sec. 
640.23(e).
    (t) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent by any means an 
investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in 
connection with enforcement of the Magnuson Act.
    (u) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, possession, or transfer of a spiny lobster.
    (v) Fish for any species or anchor a fishing vessel in a marine 
reserve as specified in Sec. 640.26.

[57 FR 56520, Nov 30, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 38979, July 21, 1993; 58 
FR 61845, Nov. 23, 1993; 59 FR 53119, Oct. 21, 1994; 60 FR 41831, Aug. 
14, 1995; 67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002]



Sec. 640.8  Facilitation of enforcement.

    See Sec. 620.8 of this chapter.

[53 FR 24656, June 29, 1988]



Sec. 640.9  Penalties.

    See Sec. 620.9 of this chapter.

[53 FR 24656, June 29, 1988]



                      Subpart B_Management Measures

    Source: 57 FR 56520, Nov. 30, 1992, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 640.20  Seasons.

    (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. In the 
EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, there are no 
seasonal restrictions on the harvest of spiny lobster or on the 
possession of traps.
    (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida--(1) 
Commercial and recreational fishing season. The commercial and 
recreational fishing season for spiny lobster in the EEZ off Florida and 
the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, begins on August 6 and 
ends on March 31.
    (2) Special recreational fishing seasons--(i) EEZ off Florida. There 
is a 2-day special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off Florida on 
the last Wednesday and successive Thursday of July each year during 
which fishing for spiny lobster is limited to diving or use of a bully 
net or hoop net. (See Sec. 640.22(a) for general prohibitions on gear 
and methods.) In the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, no person may 
harvest spiny lobster by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after 
official sunset to 1 hour before official sunrise, during this 2-day 
special recreational fishing season.
    (ii) EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida. There is a 2-day 
special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off the Gulf states, 
other than Florida, during the last Saturday and successive Sunday of 
July each year during which fishing for spiny lobster may be conducted 
by authorized gear and methods other than traps. (See Sec. 640.22(a) 
for general prohibitions on gear and methods.)
    (3) Possession of traps. (i) In the EEZ off Florida, the rules and 
regulations applicable to the possession of spiny lobster traps in 
Florida's waters in Rule 46-24.005(3), (4), and (5), Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of June 1, 1994, apply in their 
entirety to the possession of spiny lobster traps in the EEZ off 
Florida. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Florida Marine 
Fisheries Commission, 2540 Executive Center Circle West, Suite 106, 
Tallahassee, FL 32301; telephone: 904-487-0554. Copies may be inspected 
at the Office of the Regional Director; the Office of Fisheries 
Conservation and Management, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver

[[Page 327]]

Spring, MD; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/
code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
    (ii) In the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, a spiny 
lobster trap may be placed in the water prior to the commercial and 
recreational fishing season, which is specified in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section beginning on August 1 and must be removed from the water 
after such season not later than April 5.
    (iii) A spiny lobster trap, buoy, or rope in the EEZ off Florida or 
in the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, during periods not 
authorized in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (b)(3)(ii) of this section will 
be considered unclaimed or abandoned property and may be disposed of in 
any manner considered appropriate by the Assistant Administrator or an 
authorized officer. An owner of such trap, buoy, or rope remains subject 
to appropriate civil penalties.
    (4) Possession of spiny lobsters. In the EEZ off Florida and the 
Gulf states, a whole or a part of a spiny lobster subject to these 
regulations may only be possessed during the commercial and recreational 
fishing season and the special recreational fishing season specified in 
Sec. 640.20, unless accompanied by proof of lawful harvest in the 
waters of a foreign nation. Consistent with the provisions of paragraphs 
(b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, a spiny lobster in a trap in this 
area will not be deemed to be possessed provided such spiny lobster is 
returned immediately to the water unharmed when a trap is removed from 
the water between March 31 and April 15.
    (c) Primacy of seasonal restrictions in the EEZ off Florida. The 
seasonal restrictions applicable in the EEZ off Florida apply to all 
spiny lobsters and traps in the EEZ off Florida, without regard to 
harvest or use elsewhere, unless accompanied by proof of lawful harvest 
elsewhere.

[60 FR 41831, Aug. 14, 1995, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]



Sec. 640.21  Harvest limitations.

    (a) Berried lobsters. A berried (egg-bearing) spiny lobster or 
slipper lobster in or from the EEZ must be returned immediately to the 
water unharmed. If found in a trap in the EEZ, a berried spiny lobster 
or slipper lobster may not be retained in the trap. A berried spiny 
lobster or slipper lobster in or from the EEZ may not be stripped of its 
eggs or otherwise molested. The possession of a spiny lobster or slipper 
lobster, or part thereof, in or from the EEZ from which eggs, 
swimmerettes, or pleopods have been removed or stripped is prohibited.
    (b) Minimum size limits. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of 
this section--
    (i) No person may possess a spiny lobster in or from the EEZ with a 
carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less; and
    (ii) A spiny lobster, harvested in the EEZ by means other than 
diving, with a carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less must be 
returned immediately to the water unharmed.
    (2) No person may harvest or attempt to harvest a spiny lobster by 
diving in the EEZ unless he or she possesses, while in the water, a 
measuring device capable of measuring the carapace length. A spiny 
lobster captured by a diver must be measured in the water using such 
measuring device and, if the spiny lobster has a carapace length of 3.0 
inches (7.62 cm) or less, it must be released unharmed immediately 
without removal from the water.
    (3) Aboard a vessel authorized under paragraph (d) of this section 
to possess a separated spiny lobster tail, no person may possess in or 
from the EEZ a separated spiny lobster tail with a tail length less than 
5.5 inches (13.97 cm).
    (c) Undersized attractants. A live spiny lobster under the minimum 
size limit specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that is 
harvested in the EEZ by a trap may be retained aboard the harvesting 
vessel for future use as an attractant in a trap provided it is held in 
a live well aboard the vessel. No more than fifty undersized spiny 
lobsters, or one per trap aboard the vessel, whichever is greater, may 
be retained aboard for use as attractants. The live well must provide a 
minimum of \3/4\ gallons

[[Page 328]]

(1.7 liters) of seawater per spiny lobster. An undersized spiny lobster 
so retained must be released to the water alive and unharmed immediately 
upon leaving the trap lines and prior to one hour after official sunset 
each day.
    (d) Tail separation. The possession aboard a fishing vessel of a 
separated spiny lobster tail in or from the EEZ is authorized only when 
the possession is incidental to fishing exclusively in the EEZ on a trip 
of 48 hours or more and a Federal tail-separation permit specified in 
Sec. 640.4(a)(2) has been issued to and is on board the vessel.

[57 FR 56520, Nov. 30, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 53119, Oct. 21, 1994]



Sec. 640.22  Gear and diving restrictions.

    (a) Prohibited gear and methods. (1) A spiny lobster may not be 
taken in the EEZ with a spear, hook, or similar device, or gear 
containing such devices. In the EEZ, the possession of a speared, 
pierced, or punctured spiny lobster is prima facie evidence that 
prohibited gear was used to take such lobster. Hook, as used in this 
paragraph (a)(1), does not include a hook in a hook-and-line fishery for 
species other than spiny lobster; and possession of a spiny lobster that 
has been speared, pierced, or punctured by such hook is not considered 
evidence that prohibited gear was used to take the spiny lobster, 
provided no prohibited gear is on board the vessel.
    (2) A spiny lobster may not be taken in a directed fishery by the 
use of a net or trawl. See Sec. 640.23(d) for the bycatch limits 
applicable to a vessel that uses or has on board a net or trawl.
    (3) Poisons and explosives may not be used to take a spiny lobster 
or slipper lobster in the EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(3), chlorine, bleach, and similar substances, which are used to 
flush a spiny lobster out of rocks or coral, are poisons. A vessel in 
the spiny lobster or slipper lobster fishery may not possess on board in 
the EEZ any dynamite or similar explosive substance.
    (b) Traps. (1) In the EEZ, a spiny lobster trap may be no larger in 
dimension than 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet (91.4 cm by 61.0 cm by 61.0 
cm), or the volume equivalent. A trap constructed of material other than 
wood must have a panel constructed of wood, cotton, or other material 
that will degrade at the same rate as a wooden trap. Such panel must be 
located in the upper half of the sides or on top of the trap, so that, 
when removed, there will be an opening in the trap no smaller than the 
diameter found at the throat or entrance of the trap.
    (2) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may be pulled or tended during 
daylight hours only, that is, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 
hour after official sunset.
    (3) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may be pulled or tended only by 
the owner's vessel, or by a vessel for which permission to pull or work 
traps belonging to another person has been granted--
    (i) For traps in the EEZ off Florida, by the Florida Division of Law 
Enforcement, Department of Environmental Protection, in accordance with 
the procedures in Rule 46-24.006(7), Florida Administrative Code, in 
effect as of June 1, 1994. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the 
Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, 2540 Executive Center Circle West, 
Suite 106, Tallahassee, FL 32301; telephone: 904-487-0554. Copies may be 
inspected at the Office of the Regional Director; the Office of 
Fisheries Conservation and Management, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/
federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
    (ii) For traps in the EEZ, other than off Florida, by the Regional 
Director, as may be arranged upon written request.

[57 FR 56520, Nov. 30, 1992, as amended at 58 FR 38980, July 21, 1993; 
60 FR 41831, Aug. 14, 1995; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]



Sec. 640.23  Bag/possession limits.

    (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. The 
daily bag or possession limit for spiny lobster in or

[[Page 329]]

from the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, is 
two per person for commercial and recreational fishing, year-round.
    (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida--(1) 
Commercial and recreational fishing season. Except as specified in 
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section, during the commercial and 
recreational fishing season specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(1), the daily 
bag or possession limit of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off Florida 
and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is six per person.
    (2) Special recreational fishing seasons. During the special 
recreational fishing seasons specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(2), the daily 
bag or possession limit of spiny lobster--
    (i) In or from the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is 
six per person;
    (ii) In or from the EEZ off Florida other than off Monroe County, 
Florida, is twelve per person; and
    (iii) In or from the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, is six per 
person.
    (3) Exemption from the bag/possession limit. During the commercial 
and recreational fishing season specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(1), a 
person is exempt from the bag and possession limit specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section, provided--
    (i) The harvest of spiny lobsters is by diving, or by the use of a 
bully net, hoop net, or spiny lobster trap; and
    (ii) The vessel from which the person is operating has on board the 
required licenses, certificates, or permits, as specified in Sec. 
640.4(a)(1).
    (4) Harvest by net or trawl. During the commercial and recreational 
fishing season specified in Sec. 640.20(b)(1), aboard a vessel with the 
required licenses, certificates, or permits specified in Sec. 
640.4(a)(1) that harvests spiny lobster by net or trawl or has on board 
a net or trawl, the possession of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off 
Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, may not exceed at 
any time 5 percent, whole weight, of the total whole weight of all fish 
lawfully in possession on board such vessel. If such vessel lawfully 
possesses a separated spiny lobster tail, the possession of spiny 
lobster in or from the EEZ may not exceed at any time 1.6 percent, by 
weight of the spiny lobster or parts thereof, of the total whole weight 
of all fish lawfully in possession on board such vessel. For the 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(4), the term ``net or trawl'' does not 
include a hand-held net, a loading or dip net, a bully net, or a hoop 
net.
    (5) Diving at night. The provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section notwithstanding, a person who harvests spiny lobster in the EEZ 
by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after official sunset to 1 hour 
before official sunrise, is limited to the bag limit specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, whether or not a Federal vessel permit 
specified in Sec. 640.4(a)(1) has been issued to and is on board the 
vessel from which the diver is operating.
    (c) Combination of bag/possession limits. A person who fishes for or 
possesses spiny lobster in or from the EEZ under a bag or possession 
limit specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section may not combine 
the bag or possession limits of those paragraphs or combine such bag or 
possession limit with a bag or possession limit applicable to state 
waters.
    (d) Responsibility for bag/possession limits. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes for or possesses spiny lobster in or from the EEZ is 
responsible for the cumulative bag or possession limit specified in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section applicable to that vessel, based 
on the number of persons aboard.
    (e) Transfer at sea. A person who fishes for or possesses spiny 
lobster in or from the EEZ under a bag or possession limit specified in 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this section may not transfer a spiny lobster at 
sea from a fishing vessel to any other vessel, and no person may receive 
at sea such spiny lobster.

[60 FR 41831, Aug. 14, 1995]



Sec. 640.24  Authorized activities.

    The Assistant Administrator may authorize, for the acquisition of 
information and date, activities otherwise prohibited by the regulations 
in this part.

[57 FR 56520, Nov. 30, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 41832, Aug. 14, 1995]

[[Page 330]]



Sec. 640.25  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic, the RA may establish or modify the following items: 
definitions of essential fish habitat, Essential Fish Habitat-Habitat 
Areas of Particular Concern, Coral-Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, 
biomass levels, age-structured analyses, limits on the number of traps 
fished by each vessel, construction characteristics of traps, 
specification of gear and vessel identification requirements, 
specification of allowable or prohibited gear in a directed fishery, 
specification of bycatch levels in non-directed fisheries, changes to 
soak or removal periods and requirements for traps, recreational bag and 
possession limits, changes in fishing seasons, limitations on use, 
possession, and handling of undersized lobsters, and changes in minimum 
size.

[65 FR 37296, June 14, 2000]



Sec. 640.26  Tortugas marine reserves.

    The following activities are prohibited within the Tortugas marine 
reserves: Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (a) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting the following points: From point A at 
24[deg]40[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long. to point B 
at 24[deg]46[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long. to 
point C at 24[deg]46[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]00[min]00[min] W. 
long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's 
waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11438, to point A 
at 24[deg]40[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long.
    (b) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
B...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
C...........................................  24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
D...........................................  24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
A...........................................  24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002]

                          Figure 1 to Part 640
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26SE01.001


[47 FR 29203, July 2, 1982. Redesignated at 57 FR 56518, Nov. 30, 1992]

[[Page 331]]

                           PART 644 [RESERVED]



PART 648_FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES--Table of Contents




                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
648.1 Purpose and scope.
648.2 Definitions.
648.3 Relation to other laws.
648.4 Vessel permits.
648.5 Operator permits.
648.6 Dealer/processor permits.
648.7 Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
648.8 Vessel identification.
648.9 VMS requirements.
648.10 DAS and VMS notification requirements.
648.11 At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.
648.12 Experimental fishing.
648.13 Transfers at sea.
648.14 Prohibitions.
648.15 Facilitation of enforcement.
648.16 Penalties.
648.17 Exemptions for vessels fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.

  Subpart B_Management Measures for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
                          Butterfish Fisheries

648.20 Maximum optimum yield (OYs).
648.21 Procedures for determining initial annual amounts.
648.22 Closure of the fishery.
648.23 Gear restrictions.
648.24 Framework adjustments to management measures.

            Subpart C_Management Measures for Atlantic Salmon

648.40 Prohibition on possession.
648.41 Framework specifications.

   Subpart D_Management Measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

648.50 Shell-height standard.
648.51 Gear and crew restrictions.
648.52 Possession and landing limits.
648.53 DAS allocations.
648.54 State waters exemption.
648.55 Framework adjustments to management measures.
648.56 Scallop research.
648.57 Sea Scallop area rotation program.
648.58 Rotational closed areas.
648.59 Sea Scallop access areas.
648.60 Sea Scallop area access program requirements.
648.61 EFH closed areas.

   Subpart E_Management Measures for the Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean 
                            Quahog Fisheries

648.70 Annual individual allocations.
648.71 Catch quotas.
648.72 Minimum surf clam size.
648.73 Closed areas.
648.74 Shucking at sea.
648.75 Cage identification.
648.76 Maine mahogany quahog zone.
648.77 Framework adjustments to management measures.

   Subpart F_Management Measures for the NE Multispecies and Monkfish 
                                Fisheries

648.80 NE Multispecies regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and 
          methods of fishing.
648.81 NE multispecies closed areas and measures to protect EFH.
648.82 Effort-control program for NE multispecies limited access 
          vessels.
648.83 Multispecies minimum fish sizes.
648.84 Gear-marking requirements and gear restrictions.
648.85 Special management programs.
648.86 Multispecies possession restrictions.
648.87 Sector allocation.
648.88 Multispecies open access permit restrictions.
648.89 Recreational and charter/party vessel restrictions.
648.90 NE Multispecies assessment, framework procedures and 
          specifications, and flexible area action system.
648.91 Monkfish regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and 
          methods of fishing.
648.92 Effort-control program for monkfish limited access vessels.
648.93 Monkfish minimum fish sizes.
648.94 Monkfish possession and landing restrictions.
648.95 Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA.
648.96 Monkfish annual adjustment process and framework specifications.
648.97 Closed areas.

      Subpart G_Management Measures for the Summer Flounder Fishery

648.100 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.101 Closures.
648.102 Time restrictions.
648.103 Minimum fish sizes.
648.104 Gear restrictions.
648.105 Possession restrictions.
648.106 Sea turtle conservation.
648.107 Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder 
          fishery.
648.108 Framework adjustments to management measures.

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           Subpart H_Management Measures for the Scup Fishery

648.120 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.121 Closures.
648.122 Season and area restrictions.
648.123 Gear restrictions.
648.124 Minimum fish sizes.
648.125 Possession limit.
648.126 Protection of threatened and endangered sea turtles.
648.127 Framework adjustments to management measures.

      Subpart I_Management Measures for the Black Sea Bass Fishery

648.140 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.141 Closure.
648.142 Time restrictions.
648.143 Minimum sizes.
648.144 Gear restrictions.
648.145 Possession limit.
648.146 Special management zones.
648.147 Framework adjustments to management measures.

     Subpart J_Management Measures for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery

648.160 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.161 Closures.
648.162 Minimum fish sizes.
648.163 Gear restrictions.
648.164 Possession restrictions.
648.165 Framework specifications.

     Subpart K_Management Measures for the Atlantic Herring Fishery

648.200 Specifications.
648.201 Management areas.
648.202 Total allowable catch (TAC) controls.
648.203 Vessel size/horsepower limits.
648.204 Herring roe restrictions.
648.205 VMS requirements.
648.206 Framework provisions.

       Subpart L_Management Measures for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery

648.230 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.231 Closures.
648.232 Time Restrictions. [Reserved]
648.233 Minimum Fish Sizes. [Reserved]
648.234 Gear restrictions. [Reserved]
648.235 Possession and landing restrictions.
648.236 Special Management Zones. [Reserved]
648.237 Framework provisions.

Subpart M_Management Measures for the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery

648.260 Specifications.
648.261 Framework adjustment process.
648.262 Effort-control program for red crab limited access vessels.
648.263 Red crab possession and landing restrictions.
648.264 Gear requirements/restrictions.

         Subpart N_Management Measures for the Tilefish Fishery

648.290 Catch quotas and other restrictions.
648.291 Closures.
648.292 Tilefish trip limits.
648.293 Framework specifications.
648.294 [Reserved]

    Subpart O_Management Measures for the NE Skate Complex Fisheries

648.320 Skate FMP review and monitoring.
648.321 Framework adjustment process.
648.322 Skate possession and landing restrictions.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Source: 61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 648 appear at 62 FR 
14651, Mar. 27, 1997.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec. 648.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) This part implements the fishery management plans (FMPs) for the 
Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries (Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish FMP); Atlantic salmon (Atlantic Salmon FMP); the 
Atlantic sea scallop fishery (Scallop FMP); the Atlantic surf clam and 
ocean quahog fisheries (Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog FMP); the NE 
multispecies and monkfish fisheries ((NE Multispecies FMP) and (Monkfish 
FMP)); the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries (Summer 
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP); the Atlantic bluefish fishery 
(Atlantic Bluefish FMP); the Atlantic herring fishery (Atlantic Herring 
FMP); the spiny dogfish fishery (Spiny Dogfish FMP); the Atlantic deep-
sea red crab fishery (Deep-Sea Red Crab FMP); the tilefish fishery 
(Tilefish FMP); and the NE skate complex fisheries (Skate FMP). These 
FMPs and the regulations in this part govern the conservation and 
management of the above named fisheries of the Northeastern United 
States.
    (b) This part governs domestic fishing only. Foreign fishing is 
governed

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under subpart F of part 600 of this chapter.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43424, Aug. 23, 1996; 62 
FR 13299, Mar. 20, 1997; 65 FR 1568, Jan. 11, 2000; 65 FR 77464, Dec. 
11, 2000; 66 FR 49192, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 63229, Oct. 10, 2002; 68 FR 
49699, Aug. 19, 2003]



Sec. 648.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in Sec. 
600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have the following 
meanings:
    Alewife means Alosa pseudoharengus.
    American lobster or lobster means Homarus americanus.
    American shad means Alosa sapidissima.
    Atlantic butterfish or butterfish means Peprilus triacanthus.
    Atlantic croaker means Micropogonias undulatus.
    Atlantic deep-sea red crab (red crab) means Chaceon quinquedens.
    Atlantic herring means Clupea harengus.
    Atlantic herring carrier means a fishing vessel with an Atlantic 
herring permit that does not have any gear on board capable of catching 
or processing herring and that has on board a letter of authorization 
from the Regional Administrator to transport herring caught by another 
fishing vessel.
    Atlantic herring dealer means:
    (1) Any person who purchases or receives for a commercial purpose 
other than solely for transport or pumping operations any herring from a 
vessel issued a Federal Atlantic herring permit, whether offloaded 
directly from the vessel or from a shore-based pump, for any purpose 
other than for the purchaser's own use as bait; or
    (2) Any person owning or operating a processing vessel that receives 
any Atlantic herring from a vessel issued a Federal Atlantic herring 
permit whether at sea or in port.
    Atlantic herring processor means a person who receives unprocessed 
Atlantic herring from a fishing vessel issued a Federal Atlantic herring 
permit or from an Atlantic herring dealer for the purposes of 
processing; or the owner or operator of a fishing vessel that processes 
Atlantic herring; or an Atlantic herring dealer who purchases Atlantic 
herring from a fishing vessel with a Federal Atlantic herring permit for 
resale as bait.
    Atlantic mackerel or mackerel means Scomber scombrus.
    Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee means 
the committee made up of staff representatives of the MAFMC and the 
NEFMC, and the Northeast Regional Office and NEFSC of NMFS. The MAFMC 
Executive Director or a designee chairs the Committee.
    Atlantic salmon means Salmo salar.
    Atlantic sea scallop or scallop means Placopecten magellanicus, 
throughout its range.
    Beam trawl means gear, consisting of a twine bag attached to a beam 
attached to a towing wire, designed so that the beam does not contact 
the bottom. The beam is constructed with sinkers or shoes on either side 
that support the beam above the bottom or any other modification so that 
the beam does not contact the bottom. The beam trawl is designed to 
slide along the bottom rather than dredge the bottom.
    Black sea bass means Centropristis striata.
    Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of 
staff representatives of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South 
Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, the Northeast Regional Office of 
NMFS, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Commission 
representatives. The Council Executive Director or his designee chairs 
the Committee.
    Black sea bass pot or black sea bass trap means any such gear used 
in catching and retaining black sea bass.
    Blowfish (puffer) means any species in the family Tetraodontidae.
    Bluefish means Pomotomus saltatrix.
    Bluefish Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of staff 
representatives of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the New 
England Fishery Management Council, and South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, the NMFS Northeast Regional Office, the NMFS 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Commission. The Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council's Executive Director or a designee chairs the 
committee.
    Bonito means Sarda sarda.

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    Border transfer (BT) means the amount of herring specified pursuant 
to Sec. 648.200 that may be transferred to a Canadian transport vessel 
that is permitted under the provisions of Pub. L. 104-297, section 
105(e).
    Bottom-tending mobile gear, with respect to the NE multispecies 
fishery, means gear in contact with the ocean bottom, and towed from a 
vessel, which is moved through the water during fishing in order to 
capture fish, and includes otter trawls, beam trawls, hydraulic dredges, 
non-hydraulic dredges, and seines (with the exception of a purse seine).
    Brush-sweep trawl gear means trawl gear consisting of alternating 
roller discs and bristle brushes that are strung along cables, chains, 
or footropes, and aligned together to form the sweep of the trawl net, 
designed to allow the trawl sweep to maintain contact with the ocean 
floor, or any modification to trawl gear that is substantially similar 
in design or effect.
    Bushel (bu) means a standard unit of volumetric measurement deemed 
to hold 1.88 ft\3\ (53.24 L) of surfclams or ocean quahogs in shell, or 
1.24 ft\3\ (35.24 L) of in-shell Atlantic sea scallops.
    Cage means a container with a standard unit of volumetric 
measurement containing 60 ft\3\ (1,700 L). The outside dimensions of a 
standard cage generally are 3 ft (91 cm) wide, 4 ft (122 cm) long, and 5 
ft (152 cm) high.
    Category 1 herring vessel means a vessel issued a permit to fish for 
Atlantic herring that is required to have an operable VMS unit installed 
on board pursuant to Sec. 648.205(b).
    Chafing gear or cookies, with respect to the scallop fishery, means 
steel, rubberized or other types of donut rings, disks, washers, twine, 
or other material attached to or between the steel rings of a sea 
scallop dredge.
    Charter or party boat means any vessel that carries passengers for 
hire to engage in recreational fishing and, with respect to 
multispecies, that is not fishing under a DAS.
    Circle hook, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means a 
fishing hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank, or 
an offset circle hook where the barbed end of the hook is displaced 
relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook 
when laid on its side.
    Combination vessel means a vessel that has fished in any one 
calendar year with scallop dredge gear and otter trawl gear during the 
period 1988 through 1990, and that is eligible for an allocation of 
individual DAS under the NE Multispecies FMP and has applied for or been 
issued a limited access scallop permit.
    Commercial fishing or fishing commercially means fishing that is 
intended to, or results in, the barter, trade, transfer, or sale of 
fish.
    Commission means the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    Conger eel means Conger oceanicus.
    Council means the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) for 
the Atlantic herring, Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, 
NE multispecies, monkfish, and NE skate fisheries; or the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and 
butterfish; Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog; summer flounder, scup, 
and black sea bass; spiny dogfish; Atlantic bluefish; and tilefish 
fisheries.
    Councils with respect to the monkfish fishery and spiny dogfish 
fishery means the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and the 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC).
    Cunner means Tautogolabrus adspersus.
    DAS flip, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means ending 
fishing under a Regular B DAS and beginning fishing under a Category A 
DAS.
    DAS Lease, with respect to the NE multispecies limited access 
fishery, means the transfer of the use of DAS from one limited access NE 
multispecies vessel to another limited access NE multispecies vessel for 
a period not to exceed a single fishing year.
    DAS Lessee, with respect to the NE multispecies limited access 
fishery, means the NE multispecies limited access vessel owner and/or 
the associated vessel that acquires the use of DAS from another NE 
multispecies limited access vessel.
    DAS Lessor, with respect to the NE multispecies limited access 
fishery,

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means the NE multispecies limited access vessel owner and/or the 
associated vessel that transfers the use of DAS to another NE 
multispecies limited access vessel.
    Day(s)-at-Sea (DAS), with respect to the NE multispecies and 
monkfish fisheries (except as described in Sec. 648.82(k)(1)(iv)), 
Atlantic sea scallop fishery, and Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, 
means the 24-hour period of time or any part thereof during which a 
fishing vessel is absent from port to fish for, possess, or land, or 
fishes for, possesses or lands, regulated species, monkfish, scallops, 
or red crabs. With respect to the red crab fishery, any portion of a 
calendar day in which a vessel is declared into the red crab DAS 
fishery, shall count as a full DAS.
    Dealer means any person who receives, for a commercial purpose 
(other than solely for transport on land), from the owner or operator of 
a vessel issued a valid permit under this part, any species of fish, the 
harvest of which is managed by this part, unless otherwise exempted in 
this part.
    Dealer code means a confidential five-digit number assigned to each 
dealer required to submit purchases using the IVR system for the purpose 
of maintaining the integrity of the data reported through the IVR 
system.
    De-hooker, with respect to the NE multispecies hook gear fishery, 
means the fairlead rollers when used in a manner that extracts fish 
hooks from caught fish, also known as ``crucifiers.''
    Dredge or dredge gear, with respect to the scallop fishery, means 
gear consisting of a mouth frame attached to a holding bag constructed 
of metal rings, or any other modification to this design, that can be or 
is used in the harvest of scallops.
    Dredge bottom, with respect to scallops, means the rings and links 
found between the bail of the dredge and the club stick, which, when 
fishing, would be in contact with the sea bed. This includes the 
triangular shaped portions of the ring bag commonly known as 
``diamonds.''
    Dredge top, with respect to the scallop fishery, means the mesh 
panel in the top of a dredge and immediately adjacent rings and links 
found between the bail of the dredge, the club stick, and the two side 
panels. The bail of the dredge is the rigid structure of the forward 
portion of the dredge that connects to the warp and holds the dredge 
open. The club stick is the rigid bar at the tail of the dredge bag that 
is attached to the rings.
    Dredge vessel, with respect to the scallop fishery, means any 
fishing vessel that is equipped for fishing using dredge gear and that 
is capable of catching scallops.
    Exempted gear, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means 
gear that is deemed to be not capable of catching NE multispecies, and 
includes: Pelagic hook and line, pelagic longline, spears, rakes, diving 
gear, cast nets, tongs, harpoons, weirs, dipnets, stop nets, pound nets, 
pelagic gillnets, pots and traps, shrimp trawls (with a properly 
configured grate as defined under this part), and surfclam and ocean 
quahog dredges.
    Fishing trip or trip means a period of time during which fishing is 
conducted, beginning when the vessel leaves port and ending when the 
vessel returns to port.
    Fishing year means:
    (1) For the Atlantic sea scallop and Atlantic deep-sea red crab 
fisheries, from March 1 through the last day of February of the 
following year.
    (2) For the NE multispecies, monkfish and skate fisheries, from May 
1 through April 30 of the following year.
    (3) For the tilefish fishery, from November 1 through October 31 of 
the following year.
    (4) For all other fisheries in this part, from January 1 through 
December 31.
    Flatfish gillnets means gillnets that are either constructed with no 
floats on the float line, or that are constructed with floats on the 
float line and that have tie-down twine between the float line and the 
lead line not more than 48 inches (18.90 cm) in length and spaced not 
more than 15 feet (4.57 m) apart.
    FMP means fishery management plan.
    Fourspot flounder means Paralichthys oblongus.
    Full-processing (fully process or fully processed), with respect to 
the Atlantic

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deep-sea red crab fishery, means any activity that removes meat from any 
part of a red crab.
    Gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies means all gillnet gear 
except pelagic gillnet gear specified at Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii) and 
pelagic gillnet gear that is designed to fish for and is used to fish 
for or catch tunas, swordfish, and sharks.
    Gross registered tonnage (GRT) means the gross registered tonnage 
specified on the USCG documentation for a vessel.
    Hagfish means Myxine glutinosa.
    Hail Weight means a good-faith estimate in pounds (or count of 
individual fish, if a party or charter vessel), by species, of all 
species, or parts of species, such as monkfish livers, landed or 
discarded for each trip.
    Handgear, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means 
handline gear, rod and reel gear, and tub-trawl gear.
    Handline or handline gear means fishing gear that is released by 
hand and consists of one main line to which is attached no more than two 
leaders for a total of no more than three hooks. Handlines are retrieved 
only by hand, not by mechanical means.
    Harbor porpoise means Phocoena phocoena.
    Harbor Porpoise Review Team (HPRT) means a team of scientific and 
technical experts appointed by the NEFMC to review, analyze, and propose 
harbor porpoise take mitigation alternatives.
    Herring means Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus, or blueback 
herring, Alosa aestivalis.
    Hickory shad means Alosa mediocris.
    Hook gear means fishing gear that is comprised of a hook or hooks 
attached to a line and includes, but is not limited to, longline, 
setline, jigs, troll line, rod and reel, and line trawl.
    Illex means Illex illecebrosus (short-finned or summer squid).
    Incidental Total Allowable Catch (TAC), with respect to the NE 
multispecies fishery, means the total amount of catch (both kept and 
discarded) of a regulated groundfish stock of concern that can be taken 
by vessels fishing under Category B DAS.
    Inshore exempted species means the following species:

Bay scallop--Aequipecten irradians.
Blood arc clam--Anadara ovalis.
Blood worm--Glycera dibranchiata.
Blue crab--Callinectes similis and Callinectes sapidus.
Blue mussel--Mytilus edulis.
Green crab--Carcinus maenas.
Hermit crab--Clibanarius vittatus, Pagurus pollicaris and Pagurus 
longicarpus.
Japanese shore crab--Hemigrapsus sanguineus.
Oyster--Crassostrea virginica and Ostrea edulis.
Quahog--Mercenaria mercenaria.
Razor clam--Ensis directus.
Sand worm--Neresis virens.
Soft clam--Mya arenaria.
Spider crabLibinia emarginata.

    IVR System means the Interactive Voice Response reporting system 
established by the Regional Administrator for the purpose of monitoring 
harvest levels for certain species.
    John Dory means Zenopsis conchifera.
    JVPt, with respect to the Atlantic herring fishery, means the 
specification of the total amount of herring available for joint venture 
processing by foreign vessels in the EEZ and state waters.
    Land means to begin offloading fish, to offload fish, or to enter 
port with fish.
    Liner means a piece of mesh or any other material rigged inside or 
outside the main or outer net or dredge that restricts the mesh or ring 
size or otherwise reduces escapement.
    Link, with respect to the sea scallop fishery, means the material, 
usually made of a \3/8\-inch (10-mm) or \7/16\-inch (11-mm) diameter 
metal rod, that joins two adjacent rings within the ring bag of a 
dredge.
    Little tunny means Euthynnus alleteratus.
    Loligo means Loligo pealei (long-finned or bone squid).
    Longhorn sculpin means Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus.
    Longline gear means fishing gear that is or is designed to be set 
horizontally, either anchored, floating, or attached to a vessel, and 
that consists of a main or ground line with three or more gangions and 
hooks.
    Maine bushel means a standard unit of volumetric measurement equal 
to 1.2445 cubic feet (35.24 L) of ocean quahogs in the shell.
    Maine mahogany quahog zone means the area bounded on the east by the

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U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, on the south by a straight line at 
43[deg]50[min] N. latitude, and on the north and west by the shoreline 
of Maine.
    Menhaden means Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus.
    Midwater trawl gear means trawl gear that is designed to fish for, 
is capable of fishing for, or is being used to fish for pelagic species, 
no portion of which is designed to be or is operated in contact with the 
bottom at any time.
    Mobile gear means trawls, beam trawls, and dredges that are designed 
to maneuver with that vessel.
    Monkfish, also known as anglerfish or goosefish, means Lophius 
americanus.
    Monkfish gillnets means gillnet gear with mesh size no smaller than 
10-inches (25.4 cm) diamond mesh that is designed and used to fish for 
and catch monkfish while fishing under a monkfish DAS.
    Monkfish Monitoring Committee means a team of scientific and 
technical staff appointed by the NEFMC and MAFMC to review, analyze, and 
recommend adjustments to the management measures. The team consists of 
staff from the NEFMC and the MAFMC, NMFS Northeast Regional Office, 
NEFSC, the USCG, two fishing industry representatives selected by their 
respective Council chairman (one from each management area with at least 
one of the two representing either the Atlantic sea scallop or northeast 
multispecies fishery), and staff from affected coastal states, appointed 
by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The Chair is elected 
by the Committee from within its ranks, subject to the approval of the 
Chairs of the NEFMC and MAFMC.
    Mullet means any species in the family Mugilidae.
    Multispecies frames, also known as multispecies racks, means the 
remains of the multispecies finfish after it has been filleted or 
processed, not including the fillet.
    Multispecies Monitoring Committee means a team of scientific and 
technical staff appointed by the NEFMC to review, analyze, and recommend 
adjustments to the measurement measures. The team consists of staff from 
the NEFMC and the MAFMC, NMFS Northeast Region Office, NEFSC, the USCG, 
an industry representative, and no more than two representatives, 
appointed by the Commission, from affected states.
    NAFO means Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.
    NAFO Convention Area means the waters of the Northwest Atlantic 
Ocean north of 35[deg]00[min] N. lat. and west of a line extending due 
north from 35[deg]00[min] N. lat. and 42[deg]00[min] W. long. to 
59[deg]00[min] N. lat., thence due west to 44[deg]00[min] W. long., and 
thence due north to the coast of Greenland and the waters of the Gulf of 
St. Lawrence, Davis Strait and Baffin Bay south of 78[deg]10[min] N. 
lat.
    NAFO Regulatory Area means the part of the NAFO Convention Area 
which lies beyond the 200-mile zone of the coastal states.
    NEFSC means the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS.
    NE Skate Complex (skates) means Leucoraja ocellata (winter skate); 
Dipturis laevis (barndoor skate); Amblyraja radiata (thorny skate); 
Malacoraja senta (smooth skate); Leucoraja erinacea(little skate); Raja 
eglanteria (clearnose skate); and Leucoraja garmani (rosette skate).
    Net tonnage (NT) means the net tonnage specified on the USCG 
documentation for a vessel.
    Non-exempt gillnet fishery means a fishery which uses gillnet gear 
capable of catching multispecies.
    Non-exempt species means species of fish not included under the GOM, 
GB and SNE Regulated Mesh Area exempted fisheries, as specified in Sec. 
648.80(a)(5); (a)(6); (a)(9) through (14); (b)(3)(i) and (ii); (b)(5) 
through (8); and (d), (e), (h), and (i).
    Northeast (NE) multispecies or multispecies means the following 
species:

American plaice--Hippoglossoides platessoides.
Atlantic cod--Gadus morhua.
Atlantic halibut--Hippoglossus hippoglossus.
Haddock--Melanogrammus aeglefinus.
Ocean Pout--Macrozoarces americanus.
Offshore Hake--Merluccius albidus.
Pollock--Pollachius virens.
Redfish--Sebastes fasciatus.
Red hake--Urophycis chuss.
Silver hake (whiting)--Merluccius bilinearis.
White hake--Urophycis tenuis.
Windowpane flounder--Scophthalmus aquosus.
Winter flounder--Pleuronectes americanus.
Witch flounder--Glyptocephalus cynoglossus.
Yellowtail flounder--Pleuronectes ferruginea.


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    Northern shrimp means Pandalus borealis.
    Ocean quahog means the species Arctica islandica.
    Offload or offloading means to begin to remove, to remove, to pass 
over the rail, or otherwise take away fish from any vessel. For purposes 
of the surf clam and ocean quahog fishery, it means to separate 
physically a cage from a vessel, such as by removing the sling or wire 
used to remove the cage from the harvesting vessel.
    Open areas, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, means 
any area that is not subject to restrictions of the Sea Scallop Access 
Areas specified in Sec. Sec. 648.59 and 648.60, Rotational Closed Areas 
specified in Sec. 648.58, or EFH Closed Areas specified in Sec. 
648.61.
    Operator means the master, captain, or other individual on board a 
fishing vessel, who is in charge of that vessel's operations.
    Out of the monkfish fishery means the period of time during which a 
vessel is not fishing for monkfish under the monkfish DAS program.
    Out of the multispecies fishery means the period of time during 
which a vessel is not fishing for regulated species under the NE 
multispecies DAS program.
    Pair trawl or pair trawling means to tow a single net between two 
vessels.
    Parlor trap/pot means any structure or other device, other than a 
net, with more than one compartment inside designed to impede escape of 
lobsters or crabs from the device or structure, which is placed, or 
designed to be placed, on the ocean bottom and is designed for, or is 
capable of, catching lobsters and/or red crabs.
    Pelagic hook and line gear means handline or rod and reel gear that 
is designed to fish for, or that is being used to fish for, pelagic 
species, no portion of which is designed to be or is operated in contact 
with the bottom at any time.
    Pelagic longline gear means fishing gear that is not fixed, nor 
designed to be fixed, nor anchored to the bottom and that consists of 
monofilament main line (as opposed to a cable main line) to which 
gangions are attached.
    Personal use, with respect to the surf clam or ocean quahog fishery, 
means harvest of surf clams or ocean quahogs for use as bait, for human 
consumption, or for other purposes (not including sale or barter) in 
amounts not to exceed 2 bu (106.48 L) per person per fishing trip.
    Person who receives bluefish for commercial purposes means any 
person (excluding representatives of governmental agencies) engaged in 
the sale, barter, or trade of bluefish received from a fisherman, or one 
who transports bluefish from a fisherman.
    Postmark means independently verifiable evidence of date of mailing, 
such as U.S. Postal Service postmark, United Parcel Service (U.P.S.) or 
other private carrier postmark, certified mail receipt, overnight mail 
receipt, or receipt received upon hand delivery to an authorized 
representative of NMFS.
    Prior to leaving port, with respect to the call-in notification 
system for NE multispecies, and the call-in notification system for 
monkfish vessels that are fishing under the limited access monkfish 
Category C, D, F, G, or H permit provisions that are also fishing under 
a NE multispecies DAS, means no more than 1 hour prior to the time a 
vessel leaves the last dock or mooring in port from which that vessel 
departs to engage in fishing, including the transport of fish to another 
port. With respect to the call-in notification system for monkfish 
vessels that are fishing under the limited access monkfish Category A or 
B permit provisions, it means prior to the last dock or mooring in port 
from which a vessel departs to engage in fishing, including the 
transport of fish to another port.
    Private recreational fishing vessel, with respect to the NE 
multispecies fishery, means a vessel engaged in recreational fishing 
that has not been issued a Federal NE multispecies permit, does not sell 
fish, and does not take passengers for hire.
    Processing, or to process, with respect to the Atlantic herring 
fishery, means the preparation of Atlantic herring to render it suitable 
for human consumption, bait, commercial uses, industrial uses, or long-
term storage, including but not limited to cooking, canning, roe 
extraction, smoking, salting, drying, freezing, or rendering into meat 
or oil.

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    Processor, with respect to the Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog 
fisheries, means a person who receives surf clams or ocean quahogs for a 
commercial purpose and removes them from a cage.
    Purse seine gear means an encircling net with floats on the top 
edge, weights and a purse line on the bottom edge, and associated gear, 
or any net designed to be, or capable of being, used in such fashion.
    Quota-managed species means any species of finfish managed under 
this part by an annual or seasonal quota, by annual target or actual 
TAC, or by DAH limits.
    Recreational fishing means fishing that is not intended to, nor 
results in the barter, trade, or sale of fish.
    Recreational fishing vessel, with respect to the scup fishery, means 
any vessel from which no fishing other than recreational fishing is 
conducted. Charter and party boats are considered recreational fishing 
vessels for purposes of the scup minimum size requirement.
    Red Crab Management Unit means an area of the Atlantic Ocean from 
35[deg] 15.3[min] N. Lat., the approximate latitude of Cape Hatteras 
Light, NC, northward to the U.S.-Canada border, extending eastward from 
the shore to the outer boundary of the exclusive economic zone and 
northward to the U.S.-Canada border in which the United States exercises 
exclusive jurisdiction over all Atlantic deep-sea red crab fished for, 
possessed, caught, or retained in or from such area.
    Red crab trap/pot means any structure or other device, other than a 
net or parlor trap/pot, that is placed, or designed to be placed, on the 
ocean bottom and is designed for, or is capable of, catching red crabs.
    Regional Administrator means the Administrator, Northeast Region, 
NMFS, or a designee.
    Regulated fishery means any fishery of the United States which is 
regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Regulated species means the subset of NE multispecies that includes 
Atlantic cod, witch flounder, American plaice, yellowtail flounder, 
haddock, pollock, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, redfish, and 
white hake.
    Reporting month means the period of time beginning at 0001 hours 
local time on the first day of each calendar month and ending at 2400 
hours local time on the last day of each calendar month.
    Reporting week means the period of time beginning at 0001 local time 
on Sunday and ending at 2400 hours local time the following Saturday.
    Re-rig or re-rigged means physical alteration of the vessel or its 
gear in order to transform the vessel into one capable of fishing 
commercially for a species in the applicable fishery.
    Rigged hooks means hooks that are baited, or only need to be baited, 
in order to be fished. Unsecured, unbaited hooks and gangions are not 
considered to be rigged.
    Rockhopper and roller gear means trawl gear configured with disks, 
rollers, or other similar shaped devices that are attached to the bottom 
belly of the trawl, contact the sea bottom, and that are designed to 
raise the bottom panel of the trawl off the ocean bottom so as to enable 
the gear to be fished on hard bottom.
    Rod and reel means a hand-held (including rod holder) fishing rod 
with a manually operated reel attached.
    Rotational Closed Area, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop 
fishery, means an area that is closed only to scallop fishing for a 
period defined in Sec. 648.58.
    Roundfish gillnets means gillnets that are constructed with floats 
on the float line and that have no tie-down twine between the float line 
and the lead line.
    Runaround gillnet or encircling gillnet means a rectangular net 
placed upright in the water column in a circular fashion with an opening 
equal to or less than 1/4 the length of the net or with an opening 
greater than 1/4 the length of the net, if the opening is obstructed in 
any fashion.
    Scallop dredge vessel means any fishing vessel, other than a 
combination vessel, that uses or is equipped to use scallop dredge gear.
    Scup means Stenotomus chrysops.
    Scup Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of staff 
representative of the MAFMC, NEFMC, South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council, the NMFS Northeast Regional Office, the NEFSC, and the 
Commission. The

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MAFMC Executive Director or a designee chairs the committee.
    Scup pot or trap means a pot or trap used in catching and retaining 
scup.
    Sea Scallop Access Area, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop 
fishery, means an area that has been designated under the Atlantic Sea 
Scallop Fishery Management Plan as an area with area-specific management 
measures that are designed to control fishing effort and mortality on 
only the portion of the scallop resource within the specified Sea 
Scallop Access Area. Such measures are not applicable in Open Areas 
defined above.
    Sea Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT) means a team of technical 
experts appointed by the NEFMC.
    Sea raven means Hemitripterus americanus.
    Searobin means any species of the family Triglidae.
    Sector, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means a group 
of vessels that have voluntarily signed a contract and agree to certain 
fishing restrictions, and that have been allocated a portion of the TAC 
of a species, or an allocation of DAS.
    Shucking or to shuck means opening or to open a scallop, surf clam, 
or ocean quahog and removing the meat or the adductor muscle from the 
shell.
    Shucking machine means any mechanical device that automatically 
removes the meat or the adductor muscle from a scallop, surf clam, or 
ocean quahog shell.
    Sink gillnet or bottom-tending gillnet means any gillnet, anchored 
or otherwise, that is designed to be, or is fished on or near, the 
bottom in the lower third of the water column.
    Skate means members of the Family Rajidae, including: Leucoraja 
ocellata (winter skate); Dipturis laevis (barndoor skate); Amblyraja 
radiata (thorny skate); Malacoraja senta (smooth skate); Leucoraja 
erinacea (little skate); Raja eglanteria (clearnose skate); and 
Leucoraja garmani (rosette skate).
    Skate Management Unit means an area of the Atlantic Ocean from 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the approximate latitude of Cape Hatteras 
Light, NC, northward to the U.S.-Canada border, extending eastward from 
the shore to the outer boundary of the EEZ and northward to the U.S.-
Canada border in which the United States exercises exclusive 
jurisdiction over all skates fished for, possessed, caught, or retained 
in or from such area.
    Small-mesh multispecies means the subset of Northeast multispecies 
that includes silver hake, offshore hake, and red hake.
    Smooth dogfish means Mustelis canis.
    Sorting machine, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, 
means any mechanical device that automatically sorts whole scallops by 
shell height, size, or other physical characteristics.
    Spiny dogfish means Squalus acanthias.
    Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of 
staff representatives of the MAFMC, NEFMC, the NMFS Northeast Regional 
Office, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and the states, as well 
as two ex-officio industry members (one from each Council jurisdiction). 
The MAFMC Executive Director or a designee chairs the committee.
    Spot means Leiostomus xanthurus.
    Square mesh, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means mesh 
in which the horizontal bars of the mesh run perpendicular to the long 
axis of the net so when the net is placed under a strain the mesh 
remains open to a square-like shape. Square mesh can be formed by 
hanging diamond mesh ``on the square,'' if the resulting mesh conforms 
with the above description of square mesh.
    Squid means Loligo pealei or Illex illecebrosus.
    Standard tote means a box typically constructed of plastic, designed 
to hold 100 lb (45.3 kg) of fish plus ice, and that has a liquid 
capacity of 70 L, or a volume of not more than 4,320 cubic in (2.5 cubic 
ft or 70.79 cubic cm).
    Static gear, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means 
stationary gear, usually left for a period of time in one place, that 
depends on fish moving to the gear, and includes gillnets, longlines, 
handgear, traps, and pots.
    Stock of concern, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means 
a stock that is in an overfished condition, or that is subject to 
overfishing.
    Stocks targeted by the default measures, with respect to the NE 
multispecies

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fishery, are: American plaice, and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder for the 
2006 fishing year; and American plaice, GB cod, GOM cod, CC/GOM 
yellowtail flounder, SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, white hake and SNE/MA 
winter flounder for the 2009 fishing year.
    Sub-lease, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means the 
leasing of DAS that have already been leased to another vessel.
    Substantially similar harvesting capacity means the same or less GRT 
and vessel length.
    Summer flounder means Paralichthys dentatus.
    Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of 
staff representatives of the MAFMC, NEFMC, and SAFMC, the NMFS Northeast 
Regional Office, the NEFSC, the Southeast Science Center, and the 
Commission. The MAFMC Executive Director or a designee chairs the 
committee.
    Surf clams means Atlantic surf clams of the species Spisula 
solidissima.
    Swordfish means Xiphias gladius.
    Target total allowable catch (TAC) means the annual domestic harvest 
targets for regulated species.
    Tautog (blackfish) means Tautoga onitas.
    Tied up to the dock or tying up at a dock means tied up at a dock, 
on a mooring, or elsewhere in a harbor.
    Tilefish means Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps.
    Tilefish FMP Monitoring Committee means a committee made up of staff 
representatives of the MAFMC, the NMFS Northeast Regional Office, the 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, up to three state representatives 
(the New England states having one representative and the Mid-Atlantic 
states having a maximum of two representatives) and one non-voting 
industry member. The MAFMC Executive Director or his designee chairs the 
committee.
    Tilefish Management Unitmeans an area of the Atlantic Ocean from the 
latitude of the VA and NC border (36[deg]33.36[min] N. Lat.), extending 
eastward from the shore to the outer boundary of the exclusive economic 
zone and northward to the United States-Canada border in which the 
United States exercises exclusive jurisdiction over all golden tilefish 
(Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) fished for, possessed, caught or 
retained in or from such area.
    Total Length (TL) means the straight-line distance from the tip of 
the snout to the end of the tail (caudal fin) while the fish is lying on 
its side. For black sea bass, Total Length (TL) means the straight-line 
distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail (caudal fin), 
excluding any caudal filament, while the fish is lying on its side.
    Transboundary Management Guidance Committee (TMGC), with respect to 
the NE multispecies fishery, means the technical sub-committee that 
provides non-binding guidance to the U.S./Canada Steering Committee, 
comprised of government and industry representatives from U.S. and 
Canada.
    Transboundary Resource Advisory Committee (TRAC), with respect to 
the NE multispecies fishery, means a committee consisting of scientific 
staff from NMFS and Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans that 
jointly assess the status of the shared U.S./Canada stocks of cod, 
haddock, and yellowtail flounder.
    Transfer means to begin to remove, to remove, to pass over the rail, 
or to otherwise take away fish from any vessel and move them to another 
vessel.
    Trawl means gear consisting of a net that is towed, including but 
not limited to beam trawls, pair trawls, otter trawls, and Danish and 
Scottish seine gear.
    Trawl sweep means the total length of the footrope on a trawl net 
that is directly attached to the webbing of a net.
    Trip Identifier means the complete serial number of the vessel 
logbook page completed for that trip.
    Tub-trawl, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, means gear 
designed to be set horizontally on the bottom, with an anchored mainline 
to which are attached three or more gangions and hooks. Tub-trawls are 
retrieved only by hand, not by mechanical means.
    Tuna purse seine gear, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, 
means encircling gear designed and utilized to harvest pelagic tuna.
    Under construction means that the keel had been laid or the vessel 
was

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under written agreement for construction or the vessel was under written 
contract for purchase.
    Upon returning to port, means, for purposes of the call-in 
notification system for the NE multispecies and monkfish fisheries, upon 
first tying up at a dock at the end of a fishing trip.
    U.S. at-sea processing (USAP), with respect to the Atlantic herring 
fishery, means the specification, pursuant to Sec. 648.200, of the 
amount of herring available for processing by U.S. vessels issued an 
Atlantic herring processing permit as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(10)(ii).
    U.S./Canada Steering Committee, with respect to the NE multispecies 
fishery, means the joint U.S./Canada committee consisting of staff from 
NMFS and Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans that has overall 
responsibility for the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding.
    Used DAS baseline, with respect to the NE multispecies fishery, 
means the number of DAS that represent the historic level of DAS use 
associated with a particular limited access permit, as described in 
Sec. 648.82(l).
    Vessel length means the length specified on the USCG documentation 
for a vessel or on the state registration for a vessel not required to 
be documented under title 46 U.S.C., if the state length is verified by 
an authorized officer or NMFS official.
    Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) means a vessel monitoring system or 
VMS unit as set forth in Sec. 648.9 and approved by NMFS for use on 
Atlantic sea scallop, NE multispecies, monkfish, and Atlantic herring 
vessels, as required by this part.
    VMS unit means a device installed on board a vessel used for vessel 
monitoring and transmitting the vessel's position as required by this 
part.
    Weakfish means Cynoscion regalis.
    Whiting means Merluccius bilinearis.
    Whiting Monitoring Committee (WMC) means a team appointed by the 
NEFMC to review, analyze, and recommend adjustments to the management 
measures addressing small-mesh multispecies. The team consists of staff 
from the NEFMC and MAFMC, NMFS Northeast Regional Office, the NEFSC, the 
USCG, at least one industry representative from each geographical area 
(northern New England, southern New England, and the Mid-Atlantic), and 
no more than two representatives, appointed by the Commission, from 
affected states.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
648.2, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.



Sec. 648.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
600.705.
    (b) Nothing in these regulations supersedes more restrictive state 
management measures for any of the species referenced in Sec. 648.1 
and, for Atlantic salmon, more restrictive local management measures.



Sec. 648.4  Vessel permits.

    (a) Fishery specific permit information--(1) NE multispecies 
vessels. Except for vessels that have been issued a valid High Seas 
Fishing Compliance permit, have declared their intent to fish, and fish 
exclusively in the NAFO Regulatory Area as provided in Sec. 648.17, any 
vessel of the United States, including a charter or party boat, must 
have been issued and have on board a valid multispecies permit to fish 
for, possess, or land multispecies finfish in or from the EEZ. 
Multispecies frames used as, or to be used as, bait on a vessel fishing 
exclusively with pot gear are deemed not to be multispecies finfish for 
purposes of this part provided that there is a receipt for the purchase 
of those frames on board the vessel.
    (i) Limited access multispecies permits--(A) Eligibility. To be 
eligible to apply for a limited access NE multispecies permit, as 
specified in Sec. 648.82, a vessel must have been issued a limited 
access NE multispecies permit for the preceding year, be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a limited access NE multispecies permit for the 
preceding year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued a confirmation 
of permit history; unless otherwise specified in this paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(A). For the fishing year beginning May 1, 2004, a vessel may 
apply for a limited access Handgear A permit described in Sec. 
648.82(b)(6), if it meets the criteria described under

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paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (1) The vessel must have been previously issued a valid NE 
multispecies open access Handgear permit during at least 1 fishing year 
during the fishing years 1997 through 2002; and
    (2) The vessel must have landed and reported to NMFS at least 500 lb 
(226.8 kg) of cod, haddock, or pollock, when fishing under the open 
access Handgear permit in at least 1 of the fishing years from 1997 
through 2002, as indicated by NMFS dealer records (live weight), 
submitted to NMFS prior to January 29, 2004.
    (3) Application/renewal restrictions. The vessel owner must submit a 
complete application for an initial limited access handgear permit 
before May 1, 2005. For fishing years beyond the 2004 fishing year, the 
provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section apply.
    (B) Application/renewal restrictions. All limited access permits 
established under this section must be issued on an annual basis by the 
last day of the fishing year for which the permit is required, unless a 
Confirmation of Permit History (CPH) has been issued as specified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of this section. Application for such permits 
must be received no later than 30 days before the last day of the 
fishing year. Failure to renew a limited access permit in any fishing 
year bars the renewal of the permit in subsequent years.
    (C) Qualification restriction. Unless the Regional Administrator 
determines otherwise, no more than one vessel may qualify, at any one 
time, for a limited access permit or CPH based on that or another 
vessel's fishing and permit history. If more than one vessel owner 
claims eligibility for a limited access permit or CPH, based on one 
vessel's fishing and permit history, the Regional Administrator will 
determine who is entitled to qualify for the permit or CPH and any DAS 
allocation according to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (D) Change in ownership. The fishing and permit history of a vessel 
is presumed to transfer with the vessel whenever it is bought, sold, or 
otherwise transferred, unless there is a written agreement, signed by 
the transferor/seller and transferee/buyer, or other credible written 
evidence, verifying that the transferor/seller is retaining the vessel's 
fishing and permit history for purposes of replacing the vessel.
    (E) Replacement vessels. With the exception of vessels that have 
obtained a limited access Handgear A permit described in Sec. 
648.82(b)(6), to be eligible for a limited access permit under this 
section, the replacement vessel must meet the following criteria and any 
other applicable criteria under paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section:
    (1) The replacement vessel's horsepower may not exceed by more than 
20 percent the horsepower of the vessel's baseline specifications, as 
applicable.
    (2) The replacement vessel's length, GRT, and NT may not exceed by 
more than 10 percent the length, GRT, and NT of the vessel's baseline 
specifications, as applicable.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. A vessel may be upgraded, whether through 
refitting or replacement, and be eligible to retain or renew a limited 
access permit, only if the upgrade complies with the following:
    (1) The vessels's horsepower may be increased only once, whether 
through refitting or replacement. Such an increase may not exceed 20 
percent of the horsepower of the vessel's baseline specifications, as 
applicable.
    (2) The vessel's length, GRT, and NT may be increased only once, 
whether through refitting or replacement. Any increase in any of these 
three specifications of vessel size may not exceed 10 percent of the 
vessel's baseline specifications, as applicable. If any of these three 
specifications is increased, any increase in the other two must be 
performed at the same time. This type of upgrade may be done separately 
from an engine horsepower upgrade.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. Except as provided for in the NE 
Multispecies DAS Leasing Program, as specified in Sec. 648.82(k), and 
the NE Multispecies DAS Transfer Program as specified in Sec. 
648.82(l), limited access permits and DAS allocations may not be 
combined or consolidated.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. The vessel baseline 
specifications in this

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section are the respective specifications (length, GRT, NT, horsepower) 
of the vessel that was initially issued a limited access permit as of 
the date the initial vessel applied for such permit.
    (I) Limited access permit restrictions. (1) A vessel may be issued a 
limited access NE multispecies permit in only one category during a 
fishing year. Vessels may not change limited access NE multispecies 
permit categories during the fishing year, except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(I)(2) of this section. A vessel issued a limited 
access NE multispecies Hook-gear permit or a limited access Handgear A 
permit may not change its limited access permit category at any time.
    (2) The owner of a vessel issued a limited access multispecies 
permit may request a change in permit category, unless otherwise 
restricted by paragraph (a)(1)(i)(I)(1) of this section. The owner of a 
limited access multispecies vessel eligible to request a change in 
permit category must elect a category upon the vessel's permit 
application and will have one opportunity to request a change in permit 
category by submitting an application to the Regional Administrator 
within 45 days of the effective date of the vessel's permit. If such a 
request is not received within 45 days, the vessel owner may not request 
a change in permit category and the vessel permit category will remain 
unchanged for the duration of the fishing year. A vessel may not fish in 
more than one multispecies permit category during a fishing year.
    (3) With the exception of combination vessels, sea scallop dredge 
vessels are not eligible for limited access multispecies permits.
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of this part, a person who does not currently own a fishing 
vessel, but who has owned a qualifying vessel that has sunk, been 
destroyed, or transferred to another person, must apply for and receive 
a CPH if the fishing and permit history of such vessel has been retained 
lawfully by the applicant. To be eligible to obtain a CPH, the applicant 
must show that the qualifying vessel meets the eligibility requirements, 
as applicable, in this part. Issuance of a valid CPH preserves the 
eligibility of the applicant to apply for a limited access permit for a 
replacement vessel based on the qualifying vessel's fishing and permit 
history at a subsequent time, subject to the replacement provisions 
specified in this section. If fishing privileges have been assigned or 
allocated previously under this part, based on the qualifying vessel's 
fishing and permit history, the CPH also preserves such fishing 
privileges. A CPH must be applied for in order for the applicant to 
preserve the fishing rights and limited access eligibility of the 
qualifying vessel. An application for a CPH must be received by the 
Regional Administrator no later than 30 days prior to the end of the 
first full fishing year in which a vessel permit cannot be issued. 
Failure to do so is considered abandonment of the permit as described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section. A CPH issued under this part 
will remain valid until the fishing and permit history preserved by the 
CPH is used to qualify a replacement vessel for a limited access permit. 
Any decision regarding the issuance of a CPH for a qualifying vessel 
that has applied for or been issued previously a limited access permit 
is a final agency action subject to judicial review under 5 U.S.C. 704. 
Information requirements for the CPH application are the same as those 
for a limited access permit. Any request for information about the 
vessel on the CPH application form refers to the qualifying vessel that 
has been sunk, destroyed, or transferred. Vessel permit applicants who 
have been issued a CPH and who wish to obtain a vessel permit for a 
replacement vessel based upon the previous vessel history may do so 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permit history. If a 
vessel's limited access permit history for a particular fishery is 
voluntarily relinquished to the Regional Administrator or abandoned 
through failure to renew or otherwise, no limited access permit for that 
fishery may be reissued or renewed based on that vessel's history or to 
any other vessel relying on that vessel's history.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. A limited access permit issued 
pursuant to this section may not be issued to a

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vessel or its replacement or remain valid, if the vessel's permit or 
fishing history has been used to qualify another vessel for another 
Federal fishery.
    (M) Appeal of denial of permit--(1) Eligibility. Any applicant 
eligible to apply for a limited access multispecies Handgear A permit 
who is denied such permit may appeal the denial to the Regional 
Administrator within 30 days of the notice of denial. Any such appeal 
must be based on the grounds that the information used by the Regional 
Administrator was based on incorrect data, must be in writing, and must 
state the grounds for the appeal.
    (2) Appeal review. The Regional Administrator will appoint a 
designee who will make the initial decision on the appeal. The appellant 
may request a review of the initial decision by the Regional 
Administrator by so requesting in writing within 30 days of the notice 
of the initial decision. If the appellant does not request a review of 
the initial decision within 30 days, the initial decision is the final 
administrative action of the Department of Commerce. Such review will be 
conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the Regional Administrator. 
The hearing officer shall make findings and a recommendation to the 
Regional Administrator, which shall be advisory only. Upon receiving the 
findings and the recommendation, the Regional Administrator will issue a 
final decision on the appeal. The Regional Administrator's decision is 
the final administrative action of the Department of Commerce.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. A vessel denied a limited 
access Handgear A multispecies permit may fish under the limited access 
multispecies Handgear A category, provided that the denial has been 
appealed, the appeal is pending, and the vessel has on board a letter 
from the Regional Administrator authorizing the vessel to fish under the 
limited access category. The Regional Administrator will issue such a 
letter for the pendency of any appeal. Any such decision is the final 
administrative action of the Department of Commerce on allowable fishing 
activity, pending a final decision on the appeal. The letter of 
authorization must be carried on board the vessel. If the appeal is 
finally denied, the Regional Administrator shall send a notice of final 
denial to the vessel owner; the authorizing letter becomes invalid 5 
days after receipt of the notice of denial.
    (N) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for a limited access NE 
multispecies permit, as specified in Sec. 648.82, a vessel must have 
been issued a limited access NE multispecies permit for the preceding 
year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a limited access NE 
multispecies permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a vessel 
that was issued a confirmation of permit history; unless otherwise 
specified in this paragraph (a)(1)(i)(N). A vessel may apply for a 
limited access Handgear A permit described in Sec. 648.82(u)(6), if it 
meets the criteria described under paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(N)(1), (2), and 
(3) of this section.
    (1) The vessel must have been previously issued a valid NE 
multispecies open access Handgear permit during at least 1 fishing year 
during the fishing years 1997 through 2002; and
    (2) The vessel must have landed and reported to NMFS at least 500 lb 
(226.8 kg) of cod, haddock, or pollock, when fishing under the open 
access Handgear permit in at least 1 of the fishing years from 1997 
through 2002, as indicated by NMFS dealer records (live weight), 
submitted to NMFS prior to January 29, 2004.
    (O) Application/renewal restrictions. All limited access permits 
established under this section must be issued on an annual basis by the 
last day of the fishing year for which the permit is required, unless a 
Confirmation of Permit History (CPH) has been issued as specified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of this section. Application for such permits 
must be received no later than 30 days before the last day of the 
fishing year. Failure to renew a limited access permit in any fishing 
year bars the renewal of the permit in subsequent years.
    (P) Replacement vessels. With the exception of vessels that have 
obtained a limited access Handgear A permit described in Sec. 
648.82(u)(6), to be eligible for a limited access permit under this 
section, the replacement vessel must

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meet the following criteria and any other applicable criteria under 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section:
    (1) The replacement vessel's horsepower may not exceed by more than 
20 percent the horsepower of the vessel's baseline specifications, as 
applicable; and
    (2) The replacement vessel's length, GRT, and NT may not exceed by 
more than 10 percent the length, GRT, and NT of the vessel's baseline 
specifications, as applicable.
    (Q) Consolidation restriction. Except as provided for in the NE 
Multispecies DAS Leasing Program, as specified in Sec. 648.82(t), and 
the NE Multispecies DAS Transfer Program, as specified in Sec. 
648.82(l), limited access permits and DAS allocations may not be 
combined or consolidated.
    (R) Confirmation of permit history. Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of this part, a person who does not currently own a fishing 
vessel, but who has owned a qualifying vessel that has sunk, been 
destroyed, or transferred to another person, must apply for and receive 
a CPH if the fishing and permit history of such vessel has been retained 
lawfully by the applicant. To be eligible to obtain a CPH, the applicant 
must show that the qualifying vessel meets the eligibility requirements, 
as applicable, in this part. Issuance of a valid CPH preserves the 
eligibility of the applicant to apply for a limited access permit for a 
replacement vessel based on the qualifying vessel's fishing and permit 
history at a subsequent time, subject to the replacement provisions 
specified in this section. If fishing privileges have been assigned or 
allocated previously under this part, based on the qualifying vessel's 
fishing and permit history, the CPH also preserves such fishing 
privileges. A CPH must be applied for in order for the applicant to 
preserve the fishing rights and limited access eligibility of the 
qualifying vessel. An application for a CPH must be received by the 
Regional Administrator no later than 30 days prior to the end of the 
first full fishing year in which a vessel permit cannot be issued. 
Failure to do so is considered abandonment of the permit as described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section. A CPH issued under this part 
will remain valid until the fishing and permit history preserved by the 
CPH is used to qualify a replacement vessel for a limited access permit. 
Any decision regarding the issuance of a CPH for a qualifying vessel 
that has applied for or been issued previously a limited access permit 
is a final agency action subject to judicial review under 5 U.S.C. 704. 
Information requirements for the CPH application are the same as those 
for a limited access permit. Any request for information about the 
vessel on the CPH application form refers to the qualifying vessel that 
has been sunk, destroyed, or transferred. Vessel permit applicants who 
have been issued a CPH and who wish to obtain a vessel permit for a 
replacement vessel based upon the previous vessel history may do so 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (ii) Open access permits. A vessel of the United States that has not 
been issued and is not eligible to be issued a limited access 
multispecies permit is eligible for and may be issued an ``open access 
multispecies'', ``handgear'', or ``charter/party'' permit, and may fish 
for, possess on board, and land multispecies finfish subject to the 
restrictions in Sec. 648.88. A vessel that has been issued a valid 
limited access scallop permit, but that has not been issued a limited 
access mulitspecies permit, is eligible for and may be issued an open 
access scallop multispecies possession limit permit and may fish for, 
possess on board, and land multispecies finfish subject to the 
restrictions in Sec. 648.88. The owner of a vessel issued an open 
access permit may request a different open access permit category by 
submitting an application to the Regional Administrator at any time.
    (2) Atlantic sea scallop vessels-- Any vessel of the United States 
that fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic sea scallops in quantities 
greater than 40 lb (18.14 kg) shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell 
scallops per trip, except vessels that fish exclusively in state waters 
for scallops, must have been issued and carry on board a valid scallop 
permit.
    (i) Limited access scallop permits. Any vessel of the United States 
that possesses or lands more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked, or the 
equivalent amount of in-shell scallops (50 bu (176.2

[[Page 347]]

L)) per trip, except vessels that fish exclusively in state waters for 
scallops, must have been issued and carry on board a valid limited 
access scallop permit.
    (A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for a limited access 
scallop permit, a vessel must have been issued a limited access scallop 
permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a 
limited access scallop permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit history.
    (B) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) Limited access permit restrictions. A vessel may be issued a 
limited access scallop permit in only one category during a fishing 
year. The owner of a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit must 
elect a permit category upon the vessels permit application and will 
have one opportunity to request a change in permit category by 
submitting an application to the Regional Administrator within 45 days 
of the effective date of the vessel's permit. After this date, the 
vessel must remain in that permit category for the duration of the 
fishing year. Any DAS that a vessel uses prior to a change in permit 
category will be counted against its allocation received under any 
subsequent permit category.
    (J) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Percentage ownership restrictions. (1) For any vessel acquired 
after March 1, 1994, a vessel owner is not eligible to be issued a 
limited access scallop permit for the vessel if the issuance of the 
permit will result in the vessel owner, or in any other person who is a 
shareholder or partner of the vessel owner, having an ownership interest 
in limited access scallop vessels in excess of 5 percent of the number 
of all limited access scallop vessels at the time of permit application.
    (2) Vessel owners who were initially issued a 1994 limited access 
scallop permit or were issued or renewed a limited access scallop permit 
for a vessel in 1995 and thereafter, in compliance with the ownership 
restrictions in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(M)(1) of this section, are eligible 
to renew such permits(s), regardless of whether the renewal of the 
permits will result in the 5- percent ownership restriction being 
exceeded.
    (3) Having an ownership interest includes, but is not limited to, 
persons who are shareholders in a vessel owned by a corporation, who are 
partners (general or limited) to a vessel owner, or who, in any way, 
partly own a vessel.
    (N) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (O) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (P) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (Q) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) General scallop permit. Any vessel of the United States that is 
not in possession of a limited access scallop permit, and that 
possesses, or lands per trip, 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked meats, or 50 
bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell scallops, or less, except vessels that fish 
exclusively in state waters for scallops, must comply with one of the 
permit requirements described in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of this 
section, unless otherwise exempted under paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(C) of this 
section, and must comply with the application procedures specified in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(D) and (E) of this section.
    (A) Non-VMS general scallop permit. To possess or land up to, but 
not more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked or 5 bu (176.2 L) in-shell 
scallops per trip that are sold or are intended to be sold, a vessel 
must apply for and be issued a non-VMS general scallop permit. A

[[Page 348]]

vessel issued a non-VMS general scallop permit may not possess or land 
more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell 
scallops at any time.
    (B) VMS general scallop permit. To possess or land more than 40 lb 
(18.14 kg) of shucked meats or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops, but 
no more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked meats, or 50 bu (17.62 hL) of 
in-shell scallops, a vessel must apply for and be issued a VMS general 
scallop permit. Issuance of a VMS general scallop permit requires the 
vessel owner to submit a copy of the vendor's installation receipt or 
provide verification of vendor activation from a NMFS-approved VMS 
vendor as described in Sec. 648.9.
    (C) Vessels without general scallop permits. No scallop permit is 
required for a vessel that possesses or lands up to 40 lb (18.14 kg) of 
shucked meats or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops per trip, provided 
such scallops are not, or are not intended to be, sold, traded or 
bartered.
    (D) [Reserved]
    (E) General scallop permit restrictions. A vessel may be issued a 
general scallop permit in only one category during a fishing year. The 
owners of a vessel issued a general scallop permit must elect a permit 
category upon the vessel's permit application and shall have one 
opportunity to request a change in its permit category by submitting an 
application to the Regional Administrator within 45 days of the 
effective date of the vessel's permit. After that date, the vessel must 
remain in that permit category for the duration of the fishing year.
    (3) Summer flounder vessels. Any vessel of the United States that 
fishes for or retains summer flounder in the EEZ must have been issued 
and carry on board a valid summer flounder permit, except for vessels 
other than party or charter vessels that observe the possession limit 
set forth in Sec. 648.105.
    (i) Moratorium permits--(A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for 
a moratorium permit to fish for and retain summer flounder in excess of 
the possession limit in Sec. 648.105 in the EEZ, a vessel must have 
been issued a summer flounder moratorium permit for the preceding year, 
be replacing a vessel that was issued a moratorium permit for the 
preceding year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued a confirmation 
of permit history.
    (B) Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. The vessel baseline 
specifications in this section are the respective specifications 
(length, GRT, NT, horsepower) of the vessel as of March 22, 1999, unless 
the vessel is in the process of construction or rerigging or under 
agreement or written contract for construction or rerigging, as of the 
effective baseline specification date in which case the baseline 
specifications will be established no later than February 19, 2000.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (N) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (O) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (P) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) Party and charter boat permits. Any party or charter boat is 
eligible for a permit to fish for summer flounder, other than a summer 
flounder moratorium permit, if it is carrying passengers for hire. Such 
vessel must observe the possession limits specified in Sec. 648.105.
    (iii) Exemption permits. Owners of summer flounder vessels seeking 
an exemption from the minimum mesh requirement under the provisions of 
Sec. 648.104(b)(1) must request a letter of authorization (LOA) from 
the Regional

[[Page 349]]

Administrator. Vessels must be enrolled in the exemption program for a 
minimum of 7 days. The Regional Administrator may impose temporary 
additional procedural requirements by publishing a notification in the 
Federal Register. If a summer flounder charter or party requirement of 
this part differs from a summer flounder charter or party management 
measure required by a state, any vessel owners or operators fishing 
under the terms of a summer flounder charter/party vessel permit in the 
EEZ for summer flounder must comply with the more restrictive 
requirement while fishing in state waters, unless otherwise authorized 
under Sec. 648.107.
    (4) Surf clam and ocean quahog vessels. Any vessel of the United 
States that fishes for surf clams or ocean quahogs, except vessels 
taking surf clams and ocean quahogs for personal use or fishing 
exclusively within state waters, must have been issued and carry on 
board a valid surf clam or ocean quahog permit, respectively.
    (i) Maine mahogany quahog permit. (A) A vessel is eligible for a 
Maine mahogany quahog permit to fish for ocean quahogs in the Maine 
mahogany quahog zone if it meets the following eligibility criteria in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, and an application for a 
Maine mahogany quahog permit is submitted by May 19, 1999. After May 19, 
1999, to be eligible to apply for a Maine mahogany quahog permit, a 
vessel must have been issued a Maine mahogany quahog permit for the 
preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a Maine mahogany 
quahog permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a vessel that was 
issued a confirmation of permit history.
    (1) The vessel was issued a Federal Maine Mahogany Quahog 
Experimental Permit during one of the experimental fisheries authorized 
by the Regional Administrator between September 30, 1990, and September 
30, 1997; and,
    (2) The vessel landed at least one Maine bushel of ocean quahogs 
from the Maine mahogany quahog zone as documented by fishing or 
shellfish logs submitted to the Regional Administrator prior to January 
1, 1998.
    (B)Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Appeal of denial of a permit. (1) Any applicant denied a Maine 
mahogany quahog permit may appeal to the Regional Administrator within 
30 days of the notice of denial. Any such appeal shall be in writing. 
The only ground for appeal is that the Regional Administrator's designee 
erred in concluding that the vessel did not meet the criteria in 
paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of this section. The appeal must set forth the 
basis for the applicant's belief that the decision of the Regional 
Administrator's designee was made in error.
    (2) The appeal may be presented, at the option of the applicant, at 
a hearing before an officer appointed by the Regional Administrator.
    (3) The hearing officer shall make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (4) The Regional Administrator will make a final decision based on 
the criteria in paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of this section and on the 
available record, including any relevant documentation submitted by the 
applicant and, if a hearing is held, the recommendation of the hearing 
officer. The decision on the appeal by the Regional Administrator is the 
final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (N) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (O) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (P) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.

[[Page 350]]

    (Q) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) Mackerel, squid, and butterfish vessels. Any vessel of the 
United States, including party and charter vessels, must have been 
issued and carry on board a valid vessel permit to fish for, possess, or 
land Atlantic mackerel, squid, or butterfish in or from the EEZ.
    (i) [Reserved]
     (A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for a moratorium permit to 
fish for and retain Loligo squid, butterfish, or Illex squid in excess 
of the incidental catch allowance in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this 
section in the EEZ, a vessel must have been issued a Loligo squid and 
butterfish moratorium permit or Illex squid moratorium permit, as 
applicable, for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was 
issued a moratorium permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit history.
    (B) Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (N) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (O) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (P) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) Squid/butterfish incidental catch permit. Any vessel of the 
United States may obtain a permit to fish for or retain up to 2,500 lb 
(1.13 mt) of Loligo squid or butterfish, or up to 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of 
Illex squid, as an incidental catch in another directed fishery. The 
incidental catch allowance may be revised by the Regional Administrator 
based upon a recommendation by the Council following the procedure set 
forth in Sec. 648.21.
    (iii) Atlantic mackerel permit. Any vessel of the United States may 
obtain a permit to fish for or retain Atlantic mackerel in or from the 
EEZ, except for vessels that exceed either 165 feet in length overall 
(LOA) and 750 gross registered tons, or a shaft horsepower of 3000 shp. 
Vessels that exceed the size or horsepower restrictions may seek to 
obtain an at-sea processing permit specified under Sec. 648.6(a)(2).
    (iv) Party and charter boat permits. The owner of any party or 
charter boat must obtain a permit to fish for or retain in or from the 
EEZ mackerel, squid, or butterfish while carrying passengers for hire.
    (6) Scup vessels. Beginning on January 1, 1997, and subject to the 
eligibility requirements specified in paragraphs (a)(6)(i) and 
(a)(6)(ii) of this section, the owner of a vessel of the United States, 
including a party or charter vessel, must obtain a permit issued under 
this part to fish for or retain scup for sale, barter or trade, in or 
from the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. Any vessel, other than a 
party or charter boat, that observes the possession limit restrictions 
established pursuant to, and the prohibition on sale specified in, Sec. 
648.125 is exempt from the permit requirement.
    (i) Moratorium permit--(A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for 
a moratorium permit to fish for and retain scup, a vessel must have been 
issued a scup moratorium permit for the preceding year, be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a scup moratorium permit for the preceding year, 
or be replacing a vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit 
history.
    (B)Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.

[[Page 351]]

    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (N) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (O) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (P) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) Party and charter boat permit. Any party or charter boat is 
eligible for a permit to fish for scup, other than a scup moratorium 
permit, if it is carrying passengers for hire. Such vessel must observe 
the possession limits established pursuant to, and the prohibitions on 
sale specified in, Sec. 648.125.
    (7) Black sea bass vessels. Beginning June 1, 1997, any vessel of 
the United States that fishes for or retains black sea bass in or from 
the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras 
Light, NC, must have been issued and carry on board a valid black sea 
bass moratorium permit, except for vessels other than party or charter 
vessels that observe the possession limit established pursuant to Sec. 
648.145.
    (i) Moratorium permits--(A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for 
a moratorium permit to fish for and retain black sea bass in excess of 
the possession limit established pursuant to Sec. 648.145 in the EEZ 
north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. Lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, 
NC, a vessel must have been issued a black sea bass moratorium permit 
for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a black 
sea bass moratorium permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit history.
    (B) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of 
this section.
    (N) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this section.
    (O) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (P) Confirmation of Permit History. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) Party and charter boat permit. The owner of any party or 
charter boat must obtain a permit to fish for or retain black sea bass 
in or from U.S. waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC, 
northward to the U.S.-Canada border, while carrying passengers for hire.
    (8) Atlantic bluefish vessels. (i) Commercial. Any vessel of the 
United States including party and charter boats not carrying passengers 
for hire, that fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic bluefish in or 
from the EEZ in excess of the recreational possession limit specified at 
Sec. 648.164 must have been issued and carry on board a valid 
commercial bluefish vessel permit.
    (ii) Party and charter vessels. Any party or charter boat must have 
been issued and carry on board a valid party or charter boat permit to 
fish for, possess, or land Atlantic bluefish in or from the EEZ if it is 
carrying passengers for hire. Persons on board such

[[Page 352]]

vessel must observe the possession limits established pursuant to Sec. 
648.164, and the prohibitions on sale specified in Sec. 648.14(w).
    (9) Monkfish vessels. Any vessel of the United States, including a 
charter or party boat, must have been issued and have on board a valid 
monkfish permit to fish for, possess, or land any monkfish in or from 
the EEZ.
    (i) Limited access monkfish permits. (A) Eligibility. A vessel may 
be issued a limited access monkfish permit if it meets any of the 
following limited access monkfish permits criteria:
    (1) Category A permit (vessels without NE multispecies or scallop 
limited access DAS permits). The vessel landed at least 50,000 lb 
(22,680 kg) tail-weight or 166,000 lb (75,297.6 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995;
    (2) Category B permit (vessels less than 51 gross registered tonnage 
(GRT) without NE multispecies or scallop limited access DAS permits that 
do not qualify for a Category A permit). The vessel landed at least 
7,500 lb (3,402 kg) tail-weight or 24,900 lb (11,294.6 kg) whole weight 
of monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995;
    (3) Category C permit (vessels with NE multispecies or scallop 
limited access DAS permits). The vessel landed at least 50,000 lb 
(22,680 kg) tail-weight or 166,000 lb (75,297.6 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995; or
    (4) Category D permit (all vessels with NE multispecies limited 
access DAS permits and vessels less than 51 GRT with scallop limited 
access DAS permits that do not qualify for a Category C permit). The 
vessel landed at least 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) tail-weight or 24,900 lb 
(11,294.6 kg) whole weight of monkfish between February 28, 1991, and 
February 27, 1995.
    (5) Category F permit (vessels electing to participate in the 
Offshore Fishery Program). To fish in the Offshore Fishery Program, as 
described under Sec. 648.95, vessels must apply for and be issued a 
Category F permit and fish under this permit category for the entire 
fishing year. The owner of a vessel, or authorized representative, may 
change the vessel's limited access monkfish permit category within 45 
days of the effective date of the vessel's permit, provided the vessel 
has not fished under the monkfish DAS program during that fishing year. 
If such a request is not received within 45 days, the vessel owner may 
not request a change in permit category and the vessel's permit category 
will remain unchanged for the duration of the fishing year.
    (6) Category G permit (vessels restricted to fishing south of 
38[deg]20[min] N. lat. as described in Sec. 648.92(b)(9) that do not 
qualify for a monkfish limited access Category A, B, C, or D permit). 
The vessel landed at least 50,000 lb (22,680 kg) tail weight or 166,000 
lb (75,296 kg) whole weight of monkfish in the area south of 
38[deg]00[min] N. lat. during the period March 15 through June 15 in the 
years 1995 to 1998.
    (7) Category H permit (vessels restricted to fishing south of 
38[deg]20[min] N. lat. as described in Sec. 648.92(b)(9) that do not 
qualify for a monkfish limited access Category A, B, C, D, or G permit). 
The vessel landed at least 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) tail weight or 24,900 lb 
(11,294 kg) whole weight of monkfish in the area south of 38[deg]00[min] 
N. lat. during the period March 15 through June 15 in the years 1995 to 
1998.
    (B) Application/renewal restrictions. No one may apply for an 
initial limited access monkfish permit for a vessel after November 7, 
2000, unless otherwise allowed in this paragraph (a)(9)(i)(B). Vessels 
applying for an initial limited access Category G or H permit, as 
described in paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) and (7) of this section, must do 
so on or before April 30, 2006.
    (C) Qualification restrictions. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of 
this section.
    (2) Vessels under agreement for construction or under 
reconstruction. A vessel may be issued a limited access monkfish permit 
if the vessel was under written agreement for construction or 
reconstruction between February 28, 1994, and February 27, 1995, and 
such vessel meets any of the qualification criteria regarding amount of 
landings as stated in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of this section between 
February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1996.
    (D) Change in ownership. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (2) A vessel may be issued a limited access monkfish permit if it 
was under written agreement for purchase as of February 27, 1995 and 
meets any of the

[[Page 353]]

qualification criteria regarding amount of landings as stated in 
paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of this section between February 28, 1991, and 
February 27, 1996.
    (E) Replacement vessels. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this 
section.
    (2) A vessel =51 GRT that lawfully replaced a vessel <51 
GRT between February 27, 1995, and October 7, 1999, that meets the 
qualification criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of this 
section, but exceeds the 51 GRT vessel size qualification criteria as 
stated in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(2) or (4) of this section, may qualify 
for and fish under the permit category for which the replaced vessel 
qualified.
    (3) A vessel that replaced a vessel that fished for and landed 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995, may use the 
replaced vessel's history in lieu of or in addition to such vessel's 
fishing history to meet the qualification criteria set forth in 
paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, unless the 
owner of the replaced vessel retained the vessel's permit or fishing 
history, or such vessel no longer exists and was replaced by another 
vessel according to the provisions in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (4) A vessel that replaced a vessel that fished for and landed 
monkfish between March 15 through June 15 in the years 1995 through 
1998, may use the replaced vessel's history in lieu of, or in addition 
to, such vessel's fishing history to meet the qualification criteria set 
forth in paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) and (7) of this section, unless the 
owner of the replaced vessel retained the vessel's permit or fishing 
history, or such vessel no longer exists and was replaced by another 
vessel according to the provision of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (2) A vessel =51 GRT that upgraded from a vessel size <51 
GRT between February 27, 1995, and October 7, 1999, that meets any of 
the qualification criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of this 
section, but exceeds the 51 GRT vessel size qualification criteria as 
stated in paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(2) and (4) of this section, may 
qualify for and fish under the permit category of the smaller vessel.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specification. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. A limited access monkfish 
permit may not be issued to a vessel or to its replacement, or remain 
valid, if the vessel's permit or fishing history has been used to 
qualify another vessel for another Federal fishery.
    (M) Notification of eligibility for Category G and H permits. (1) 
NMFS will attempt to notify all owners of vessels for which NMFS has 
credible evidence available to inform them that they meet the 
qualification criteria described in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) or (7) of 
this section and that they qualify for a limited access monkfish 
Category G or H permit. Vessel owners that pre-qualify for a Category G 
or H permit must apply for the limited access permit for which they pre-
qualified on or before April 30, 2006, to meet the qualification 
requirements.
    (2) If a vessel owner has not been notified that the vessel is 
eligible to be issued a limited access monkfish Category G or H permit, 
and the vessel owner believes that there is credible evidence that the 
vessel does qualify under the pertinent criteria, the vessel owner may 
apply for a limited access monkfish Category G or H permit on or before 
April 30, 2006, by submitting written evidence that the vessel meets the 
qualification requirements described in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) or (7) 
of this section.
    (N) Appeal of denial of permit. (1) An applicant denied a limited 
access monkfish Category G or H permit may appeal to the Regional 
Administrator within 30 days of the notice of denial. Any such appeal 
shall be in writing. The only ground for appeal is that the Regional 
Administrator erred in concluding that the vessel did not meet the 
criteria described in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) or (7) of this section. 
The

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appeal shall set forth the applicant's belief that the Regional 
Administrator made an error.
    (2) The appeal may be presented, at the option of the applicant, at 
a hearing before an officer appointed by the Regional Administrator. The 
hearing officer shall make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator. The Regional Administrator's decision on the appeal is 
the final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. (i) A vessel denied a limited 
access monkfish Category G or H permit may fish under the monkfish DAS 
program, provided that the denial has been appealed, the appeal is 
pending, and the vessel has on board a letter from the Regional 
Administrator authorizing the vessel to fish under the monkfish DAS 
program. The letter of authorization must be carried on board the 
vessel. A vessel with such a letter of authorization shall not exceed 
the annual allocation of monkfish DAS as specified in Sec. 648.92(b)(1) 
and must report the use of monkfish DAS according to the provisions of 
Sec. 648.10(b) or (c), whichever applies. If the appeal is finally 
denied, the Regional Administrator shall send a notice of final denial 
to the vessel owner; the letter authorizing temporary participation in 
the monkfish fishery shall become invalid 5 days after receipt of the 
notice of denial, but no later than 10 days from the date of the denial 
letter. If the appeal is approved, any DAS used during pendency of the 
appeal shall be deducted from the vessel's annual allocation of monkfish 
DAS for that fishing year.
    (ii) Monkfish incidental catch vessels (Category E). A vessel of the 
United States that is subject to these regulations and that has not been 
issued a limited access monkfish permit under paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of 
this section, is eligible for and may be issued a monkfish incidental 
catch (Category E) permit to fish for, possess, or land monkfish subject 
to the restrictions in Sec. 648.94(c).
    (O) Replacement vessels. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of this 
section.
    (2) A vessel =51 GRT that lawfully replaced a vessel <51 
GRT between February 27, 1995, and October 7, 1999, that meets the 
qualification criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A) of this 
section, but exceeds the 51 GRT vessel size qualification criteria as 
stated in paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A)(2) or (4) of this section, may qualify 
for and fish under the permit category for which the replaced vessel 
qualified.
    (3) A vessel that replaced a vessel that fished for and landed 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995, may use the 
replaced vessel's history in lieu of or in addition to such vessel's 
fishing history to meet the qualification criteria set forth in 
paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, unless the 
owner of the replaced vessel retained the vessel's permit or fishing 
history, or such vessel no longer exists and was replaced by another 
vessel according to the provisions in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (4) A vessel that replaced a vessel that fished for and landed 
monkfish between March 15 through June 15 in the years 1995 through 
1998, may use the replaced vessel's history in lieu of, or in addition 
to, such vessel's fishing history to meet the qualification criteria set 
forth in paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(6) and (7) of this section, unless the 
owner of the replaced vessel retained the vessel's permit or fishing 
history, or such vessel no longer exists and was replaced by another 
vessel according to the provision of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (P) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(Q) of this 
section.
    (Q) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(R) of 
this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (10) Atlantic herring vessels--(i) Atlantic herring permit. (A) 
Except as provided herein, any vessel of the United States must have 
been issued and have on board a valid Atlantic herring permit to fish 
for, catch, possess, transport, land, or process Atlantic herring in or 
from the EEZ. This requirement does not apply to the following:
    (1) A vessel that possesses herring solely for its own use as bait, 
providing the vessel does not have purse seine, mid-water trawl, pelagic 
gillnet, sink gillnet, or bottom trawl gear on board; or
    (2) A skiff or other similar craft used exclusively to deploy the 
net in a purse

[[Page 355]]

seine operation during a fishing trip of a vessel that is duly permitted 
under this part.
    (B) Eligibility. A vessel of the United States is eligible for and 
may be issued an Atlantic herring permit to fish for, catch, take, 
harvest, and possess Atlantic herring in or from the EEZ unless the 
vessel is [gteqt] 165 feet (50.3 m) in length overall (LOA), or 
 750 GRT (680.4 mt), or the vessel's total main propulsion 
machinery is  3,000 horsepower.
    (ii) Atlantic herring processing permit. A vessel of the United 
States that is  165 feet (50.3 m) LOA, or  750 GRT 
(680.4 mt) is eligible to obtain an Atlantic herring processing permit 
to receive and process Atlantic herring subject to the U.S. at-sea 
processing (USAP) allocation published by the Regional Administrator 
pursuant to Sec. 648.200. Such vessel may not receive or process 
Atlantic herring caught in or from the EEZ unless the vessel has been 
issued and has on board an Atlantic herring processing permit.
    (iii) Atlantic herring carrier vessels--letter of authorization. An 
Atlantic herring carrier vessel permitted under paragraph (a)(10)(i)(A) 
of this section must have been issued and have on board the vessel a 
letter of authorization to transport Atlantic herring caught by another 
permitted fishing vessel. The letter of authorization exempts such 
vessel from the VMS and IVR reporting requirements as specified in 
subpart K, except as otherwise required by this part. An Atlantic 
herring carrier vessel may request and obtain a letter of authorization 
from the Regional Administrator.
    (iv) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (11) Spiny dogfish vessels. Any vessel of the United States that 
commercially fishes for, possesses, or lands spiny dogfish in or from 
the EEZ must have been issued and carry on board a valid commercial 
spiny dogfish vessel permit.
    (12) Tilefish vessels. Any vessel of the United States must have 
been issued and carry on board a valid tilefish vessel permit to fish 
for, possess, or land tilefish in or from the tilefish management unit.
    (i) Limited access tilefish permits--(A) Eligibility. A vessel may 
be issued a limited access tilefish permit if it meets any of the 
following limited access tilefish permit criteria, provided that the 
vessel landed the specified amounts of tilefish to meet such criteria 
within the tilefish management unit:
    (1) Full-time tier 1 category. The vessel landed at least 250,000 lb 
(113,430 kg) of tilefish per year for any 3 years between 1993 and 1998, 
at least 1 lb (2.20 kg) of which was landed prior to June 15, 1993.
    (2) Full-time tier 2 category. The vessel landed at least 30,000 lb 
(13,612 kg) per year for any of 3 years between 1993 and 1998, at least 
1 lb (2.20 kg) of which was landed prior to June 15, 1993.
    (3) Part-time category. The vessel landed 10,000 lb (4,537 kg) of 
tilefish in any 1 year between 1988 and 1993 and 10,000 lb (4,537 kg) in 
any 1 year between 1994 and 1998, or landed 28,000 lb (12,904 kg) of 
tilefish in any 1 year between 1984 and 1993, at least 1 lb (2.20 kg) of 
which was landed prior to June 15, 1993.
    (B) Application/renewal restriction--(1) Initial application. A 
vessel owner must apply for an initial limited access tilefish permit 
before November 1, 2002, one year from the effective date of the 
regulations.
    (2) For fishing years beyond the initial application year, the 
provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section apply.
    (C) Qualification restrictions. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(C) of this section apply.
    (D) Change in ownership. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of 
this section apply.
    (E) Replacement vessels. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of 
this section apply.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of 
this section apply.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(G) of this section apply.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(H) of this section apply.
    (I) Limited access permit restrictions. (1) A vessel may be issued a 
limited access tilefish permit for only one category during a fishing 
year.

[[Page 356]]

    (2) A vessel issued a limited access tilefish permit may not be 
issued an incidental catch tilefish permit during a fishing year.
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(J) of this section apply.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. The 
provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section apply.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(L) of this section apply.
    (M) Appeal of denial of a permit. (1) Any applicant denied a 
tilefish limited access permit may appeal to the Regional Administrator 
within 30 days of the notice of denial. Any such appeal shall be in 
writing. The only ground for appeal is that the Regional Administrator 
erred in concluding that the vessel did not meet the criteria in 
paragraphs (a)(12)(i)(A)(1),(2), or (3) of this section. The appeal must 
set forth the basis for the applicant's belief that the decision of the 
Regional Administrator was made in error.
    (2) The appeal may be presented, at the option of the applicant, at 
a hearing before an officer appointed by the Regional Administrator. The 
hearing officer shall make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator. The decision on the appeal by the Regional Administrator 
is the final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. A vessel denied a limited 
access tilefish permit may fish, provided that the denial has been 
appealed, the appeal is pending, and the vessel has on board a letter 
from the Regional Administrator authorizing the vessel to fish. The 
Regional Administrator will issue such a letter for the pendency of any 
appeal. The decision on the appeal is the final administrative action of 
the Department of Commerce. The letter of authorization must be carried 
on board the vessel. If the appeal is finally denied, the Regional 
Administrator shall send a notice of final denial to the vessel owner; 
the authorizing letter shall become invalid 5 days after receipt of the 
notice of denial.
    (N) For fishing years beyond the initial application year, the 
provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of this section apply.
    (O) Replacement vessels. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(P) of 
this section apply.
    (P) Consolidation restriction. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(Q) of this section apply.
    (Q) Confirmation of permit history. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(R) of this section apply.
    (ii) Tilefish incidental catch permit. A vessel of the United States 
that is subject to these regulations and that has not been issued a 
limited access tilefish permit is eligible for and may be issued a 
tilefish incidental catch permit to possess or land tilefish in or from 
the tilefish management unit. Such vessel is subject to the restrictions 
in Sec. 648.292.
    (13) Red Crab vessels. Any vessel of the United States must have 
been issued and have on board a valid red crab vessel permit to fish 
for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, any red 
crab or red crab part in or from the EEZ portion of the Red Crab 
Management Unit.
    (i) Limited access red crab permit--(A) Eligibility. A vessel, or 
its replacement, may be issued a limited access red crab permit if the 
vessel's total landings averaged greater than 250,000 lb (113,400 kg) of 
red crab per year for the 3 years beginning March 1, 1997, through 
February 29, 2000. To calculate the average value per year, the total 
landings of whole red crab, or its equivalent by weight, between March 
1, 1997, and February 29, 2000, inclusive, shall be divided by 3. If the 
quotient is greater than 250,000 lb (113,400 kg), the vessel meets the 
landings criteria. For example, if a vessel caught greater than 750,000 
lb (340,200 kg) in the 3-year qualifying time span--even if it fished 
just 2 of those 3 years--the average per year would be greater than 
250,000 lb (113,400 kg).
    (B) Application/renewal restriction--(1) Initial application for 
2002. A vessel owner must apply for an initial limited access red crab 
permit before April 8, 2003. No vessel owner may apply for an initial 
limited access red crab permit after this date.
    (2) Fishing years 2003 and beyond. (i) For fishing years beyond the 
initial

[[Page 357]]

year, the provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section apply.
    (ii) A limited-access permit holder may choose to declare out of the 
red crab fishery for the next fishing year by submitting a binding 
declaration on a form supplied by the Regional Administrator, which must 
be received by NMFS at least 180 days before the last day of the current 
fishing year. NMFS will presume that a vessel intends to fish during the 
next fishing year unless such binding declaration is received at least 
180 days before the last day of the current fishing year. Any limited-
access permit holder who has submitted a binding declaration must submit 
either a new binding declaration or a renewal application for the year 
after which they were declared out of the fishery.
    (C) Qualification restrictions. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(C) of this section apply.
    (D) Change in ownership. The provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of 
this section apply.
    (E) Replacement vessels. (1) To be eligible for a limited access 
permit under this section, the replacement vessel's length, GRT, and NT 
may not exceed by greater than 10 percent the length, GRT, and NT of the 
vessel's baseline specifications. The replacement vessel must also meet 
any other applicable criteria under paragraph (a)(13)(i)(F) of this 
section.
    (2) A vessel that lawfully replaced a vessel that meets the 
qualification criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(13)(i)(A) of this 
section may qualify for and fish under the permit category for which the 
replaced vessel qualified.
    (3) A vessel that replaced a vessel that fished for and landed red 
crab between March 1, 1997, and February 29, 2000, may use the replaced 
vessel's history in lieu of or in addition to such vessel's fishing 
history to meet the qualification criteria set forth in paragraph 
(a)(13)(i)(A) of this section, unless the owner of the replaced vessel 
retained the vessel's permit or fishing history, or such vessel no 
longer exists and was replaced by another vessel according to the 
provisions in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. A vessel may be upgraded, whether through 
refitting or replacement, and be eligible to retain or renew a limited 
access permit, provided that the vessel's length, GRT, and NT is 
increased no more than once. Any increase in any of the aforementioned 
specifications of vessel size may not exceed 10 percent of the vessel's 
baseline specifications, as applicable. If any increase in any of the 
aforementioned specifications of vessel size occurs, any increase in the 
other specifications must be performed at the same time.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(G) of this section apply.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. The vessel baseline 
specifications in this section are the respective specifications 
(length, GRT, and NT) of the vessel indicated on the vessel's initial 
limited access permit as of the date the initial vessel applies for such 
permit.
    (I) Limited access permit restrictions. A vessel issued a limited 
access red crab permit may not be issued a red crab incidental catch 
permit during the same fishing year.
    (J) Confirmation of permit history (CPH). Notwithstanding any other 
provisions of this part, a person who does not currently own a fishing 
vessel, but who has owned a qualifying vessel that has sunk, been 
destroyed, or transferred to another person and has not been replaced, 
must apply for and receive a CPH that confirms the fishing and permit 
history of such vessel has been retained lawfully by the applicant. To 
be eligible to obtain a CPH, the applicant must show that the qualifying 
vessel met the eligibility requirements, as applicable, in this part. 
Issuance of a valid CPH preserves the eligibility of the applicant to 
apply for a limited access permit for a replacement vessel based on the 
qualifying vessel's fishing and permit history at a subsequent time, 
subject to the replacement provisions specified in this section. If 
fishing privileges have been assigned or allocated previously under this 
part, based on the qualifying vessel's fishing and permit history, the 
CPH preserves such fishing privileges. A CPH must be applied for in 
order for the applicant to preserve the fishing rights and limited 
access eligibility of the qualifying vessel. An application

[[Page 358]]

for a CPH must be received by the Regional Administrator no later than 
30 days prior to the end of the first full fishing year in which a 
vessel permit cannot be issued. Failure to do so is considered 
abandonment of the permit as described in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this 
section. A CPH issued under this part will remain valid until the 
fishing and permit history preserved by the CPH is used to qualify a 
replacement vessel for a limited access permit. Any decision regarding 
the issuance of a CPH for a qualifying vessel that has applied for or 
been issued previously a limited access permit is a final agency action 
subject to judicial review under 5 U.S.C. 704. Information requirements 
for the CPH application are the same as those for a limited access 
permit. Any request for information about the vessel on the CPH 
application form refers to the qualifying vessel that has been sunk, 
destroyed, or transferred. Vessel permit applicants who have been issued 
a CPH and who wish to obtain a vessel permit for a replacement vessel 
based upon the previous vessel history may do so pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(13)(i)(E) of this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. The 
provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section apply.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(L) of this section apply.
    (M) Notification of eligibility for 2002. (1) NMFS will attempt to 
notify all owners of vessels for which NMFS has credible evidence that 
they meet the qualification criteria described in paragraph 
(a)(13)(i)(A) of this section and that they qualify for a limited access 
red crab permit. Vessel owners must still apply by April 8, 2003 to 
complete the qualification requirements.
    (2) If the vessel owner has not been notified that the vessel is 
eligible to be issued a limited access red crab permit, and the vessel 
owner believes that there is credible evidence that the vessel does 
qualify under the pertinent criteria, the vessel owner may apply for a 
limited access red crab permit by April 8, 2003 by submitting evidence 
that the vessel meets the requirements described in paragraph 
(a)(13)(i)(A) of this section.
    (N) Appeal of denial of a permit. (1) Any applicant denied a limited 
access red crab permit may appeal to the Regional Administrator within 
30 days of the notice of denial. Any such appeal shall be in writing. 
The only ground for appeal is that the Regional Administrator erred in 
concluding that the vessel did not meet the criteria in paragraph 
(a)(13)(i)(A) of this section. The appeal must set forth in writing the 
basis for the applicant's belief that the decision of the Regional 
Administrator was made in error.
    (2) The appeal may be presented, at the option of the applicant, at 
a hearing before an officer appointed by the Regional Administrator. The 
hearing officer shall make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator. The decision on the appeal by the Regional Administrator 
is the final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. A vessel denied a limited 
access red crab permit may fish for and land red crab as if a limited 
access permit had been issued, provided that the denial has been 
appealed, the appeal is pending, the vessel owner has presented prima 
facie evidence that the decision was made in error, and the vessel has 
on board a letter from the Regional Administrator authorizing the vessel 
to fish. During the appeal, the vessel may only land up to 75,000 lb 
(34,019 kg) of red crab per trip. The Regional Administrator will issue 
such a letter for the pendency of any appeal. The decision on the appeal 
is the final administrative action of the Department of Commerce. The 
letter of authorization must be carried on board the vessel. If the 
appeal is finally denied, the Regional Administrator shall send a notice 
of final denial to the vessel owner; the authorizing letter shall become 
invalid 5 days after receipt of the notice of denial.
    (O) Fishing years 2003 and beyond. For fishing years beyond the 
initial year, the provisions of paragraph (a)(1)(i)(O) of this section 
apply.
    (P) Consolidation restriction. The provisions of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(Q) of this section apply.
    (ii) Red crab incidental catch permit. A vessel of the United States 
that is subject to these regulations and that has

[[Page 359]]

not been issued a red crab limited access permit is eligible for and may 
be issued a red crab incidental catch permit to catch, possess, 
transport, land, sell, trade, barter, up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) of red 
crab, or its equivalent as specified at Sec. 648.263(a)(2)(i) and (ii), 
per fishing trip in or from the Red Crab Management Unit. Such vessel is 
subject to the restrictions in Sec. 648.263(b).
    (14) Skate vessels. Any vessel of the United States must have been 
issued and have on board a valid skate vessel permit to fish for, 
possess, transport, sell, or land skates in or from the EEZ portion of 
the Skate Management Unit.
    (b) Permit conditions. Any person who applies for a fishing permit 
under this section must agree, as a condition of the permit, that the 
vessel and the vessel's fishing activity, catch, and pertinent gear 
(without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the EEZ or landward of 
the EEZ; and without regard to where such fish or gear are possessed, 
taken, or landed), are subject to all requirements of this part, unless 
exempted from such requirements under this part. All such fishing 
activities, catch, and gear will remain subject to all applicable state 
requirements. Except as otherwise provided in this part, if a 
requirement of this part and a management measure required by a state or 
local law differ, any vessel owner permitted to fish in the EEZ for any 
species except tilefish managed under this part must comply with the 
more restrictive requirement. Except as otherwise provided in this part, 
if a requirement of this part and a management measure required by a 
state or local law differ, any vessel owner permitted to fish in the 
tilefish management unit for tilefish managed under this part must 
comply with the more restrictive requirement. Owners and operators of 
vessels fishing under the terms of a summer flounder moratorium, scup 
moratorium, or black sea bass moratorium, or a spiny dogfish, or 
bluefish, commercial vessel permit must also agree not to land summer 
flounder, scup, black sea bass, spiny dogfish, or bluefish, 
respectively, in any state after NMFS has published a notification in 
the Federal Register stating that the commercial quota for that state or 
period has been harvested and that no commercial quota is available for 
the respective species. A state not receiving an allocation of summer 
flounder, scup, black sea bass, or bluefish, either directly or through 
a coast-wide allocation, is deemed to have no commercial quota 
available. Owners and operators of vessels fishing under the terms of 
the tilefish limited access permit must agree not to land tilefish after 
NMFS has published a notification in the Federal Register stating that 
the quota for the tilefish limited access category under which a vessel 
is fishing has been harvested. Owners or operators fishing for surfclams 
and ocean quahogs within waters under the jurisdiction of any state that 
requires cage tags are not subject to any conflicting Federal minimum 
size or tagging requirements. If a surfclam and ocean quahog requirement 
of this part differs from a surfclam and ocean quahog management measure 
required by a state that does not require cage tagging, any vessel 
owners or operators permitted to fish in the EEZ for surfclams and ocean 
quahogs must comply with the more restrictive requirement while fishing 
in state waters. However, surrender of a surfclam and ocean quahog 
vessel permit by the owner by certified mail addressed to the Regional 
Administrator allows an individual to comply with the less restrictive 
state minimum size requirement, as long as fishing is conducted 
exclusively within state waters.
    (c) Permit applications--(1) General. Applicants for a permit under 
this section must submit a completed application on an appropriate form 
obtained from the Regional Administrator. The application must be signed 
and submitted to the Regional Administrator at least 30 days before the 
date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective. 
The Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of any deficiency 
in the application pursuant to this section. Vessel owners who are 
eligible to apply for limited access or moratorium permits under this 
part shall provide information with the application sufficient for the 
Regional Administrator to determine whether the vessel meets the 
applicable eligibility requirements specified in this section.

[[Page 360]]

    (2) Vessel permit information requirements. (i) An application for a 
permit issued under this section, in addition to the information 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, also must contain at 
least the following information, and any other information required by 
the Regional Administrator: Vessel name, owner name or name of the 
owner's authorized representative, mailing address, and telephone 
number; USCG documentation number and a copy of the vessel's current 
USCG documentation or, for a vessel not required to be documented under 
title 46 U.S.C., the vessel's state registration number and a copy of 
the current state registration; a copy of the vessel's current party/
charter boat license (if applicable), home port and principal port of 
landing, length overall, GRT, NT, engine horsepower, year the vessel was 
built, type of construction, type of propulsion, approximate fish hold 
capacity, type of fishing gear used by the vessel, number of crew, 
number of party or charter passengers licensed to be carried (if 
applicable), permit category, if the owner is a corporation, a copy of 
the current Certificate of Incorporation or other corporate papers 
showing the date of incorporation and the names of the current officers 
of the corporation, and the names and addresses of all shareholders 
owning 25 percent or more of the corporation's shares; if the owner is a 
partnership, a copy of the current Partnership Agreement and the names 
and addresses of all partners; if there is more than one owner, the 
names of all owners having a 25-percent interest or more; and permit 
number of any current or, if expired, previous Federal fishery permit 
issued to the vessel.
    (ii) An application for an initial limited access multispecies hook-
gear permit must also contain the following information:
    (A) If the engine horsepower was changed or a contract to change the 
engine horsepower had been entered into prior to July 1, 1996, such that 
it is different from that stated in the vessel's most recent application 
for a Federal fisheries permit before July 1, 1996, sufficient 
documentation to ascertain the different engine horsepower. However, the 
engine replacement must be completed within 1 year of the date on which 
the contract was signed.
    (B) If the length, GRT, or NT was changed or a contract to change 
the length, GRT, or NT had been entered into prior to July 1, 1996, such 
that it is different from that stated in the vessel's most recent 
application for a Federal fisheries permit, sufficient documentation to 
ascertain the different length, GRT, or NT. However, the upgrade must be 
completed within 1 year from the date on which the contract was signed.
    (iii) An application for a limited access NE multispecies permit 
must also contain the following information:
    (A) For vessels fishing for NE multispecies with gillnet gear, with 
the exception of vessels fishing under the Small Vessel permit category, 
an annual declaration as either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel designation 
as described in Sec. 648.82(k). A vessel owner electing a Day or Trip 
gillnet designation must indicate the number of gillnet tags that he/she 
is requesting, and must include a check for the cost of the tags. A 
permit holder letter will be sent to the owner of each eligible gillnet 
vessel, informing him/her of the costs associated with this tagging 
requirement and providing directions for obtaining tags. Once a vessel 
owner has elected this designation, he/she may not change the 
designation or fish under the other gillnet category for the remainder 
of the fishing year. Incomplete applications, as described in paragraph 
(e) of this section, will be considered incomplete for the purpose of 
obtaining authorization to fish in the NE multispecies gillnet fishery 
and will be processed without a gillnet authorization.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (C) For vessels fishing for NE multispecies with gillnet gear, with 
the exception of vessels fishing under the Small Vessel permit category, 
an annual declaration as either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel 
designation, as described in Sec. 648.82(s). A vessel owner electing a 
Day or Trip gillnet designation must indicate the number of gillnet tags 
that he/she is requesting, and must include a check for the cost of the 
tags. A permit holder letter will be sent to the owner of each eligible

[[Page 361]]

gillnet vessel, informing him/her of the costs associated with this 
tagging requirement and providing directions for obtaining tags. Once a 
vessel owner has elected this designation, he/she may not change the 
designation or fish under the other gillnet category for the remainder 
of the fishing year. Incomplete applications, as described in paragraph 
(e) of this section, will be considered incomplete for the purpose of 
obtaining authorization to fish in the NE multispecies gillnet fishery 
and will be processed without a gillnet authorization.
    (iv) An application for a scallop permit must also contain the 
following information:
    (A) For every person named by applicants for limited access scallop 
permits pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, the names of 
all other vessels in which that person has an ownership interest and for 
which a limited access scallop permit has been issued or applied for.
    (B) If applying for a VMS general scallop permit, or full-time or 
part-time limited access scallop permit, or if opting to use a VMS unit, 
a copy of the vendor installation receipt or proof of vendor activation 
of the VMS from a NMFS-approved VMS vendor. NMFS-approved vendors are 
described in Sec. 648.9.
    (C) If applying to fish under the small dredge program set forth 
under Sec. 648.51(e), an annual declaration into the program.
    (v) An application for a surf clam and ocean quahog permit must also 
contain the pump horsepower.
    (vi) An application for an Atlantic herring permit must also contain 
the following information:
    (A) If the vessel operator caught  500 mt of Atlantic 
herring in the previous fishing year, a statement so stating;
    (B) If the vessel operator intends to catch  500 mt of 
Atlantic herring in the current fishing year, a statement so stating;
    (C) If the vessel operator either caught  500 mt of 
Atlantic herring in the previous fishing year, or intends to catch 
 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the current fishing year, a 
copy of a vendor installation receipt from a NMFS-approved VMS vendor, 
as described in Sec. 648.9, must also be provided:
    (1) From January 10, 2001, through March 12, 2001, not later than 
March 12, 2001;
    (2) After March 12, 2001, with the application.
    (d) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge a fee to recover 
administrative expenses of issuing a permit required under this section. 
The amount of the fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of 
the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the Regional Administrator, 
for determining administrative costs of each special product or service. 
The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified with each application 
form. The appropriate fee must accompany each application; if it does 
not, the application will be considered incomplete for purposes of 
paragraph (e) of this section. Any fee paid by an insufficiently funded 
commercial instrument shall render any permit issued on the basis 
thereof null and void.
    (e) Issuance. (1) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 
904, the Regional Administrator shall issue a permit within 30 days of 
receipt of the application, unless the application is deemed incomplete 
for the following reasons:
    (i) The applicant has failed to submit a complete application. An 
application is complete when all requested forms, information, 
documentation, and fees, if applicable, have been received and the 
applicant has submitted all applicable reports specified in Sec. 648.7;
    (ii) The application was not received by the Regional Administrator 
by the applicable deadline set forth in this section;
    (iii) The applicant and applicant's vessel failed to meet all 
applicable eligibility requirements set forth in this section;
    (iv) The applicant applying for a limited access multispecies 
combination vessel or individual DAS permit, a full-time or part-time 
limited access scallop permit, or electing to use a VMS, has failed to 
meet all of the VMS requirements specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 
648.10; or

[[Page 362]]

    (v) The applicant has failed to meet any other application 
requirements stated in this part.
    (2) Incomplete applications. Upon receipt of an incomplete or 
improperly executed application for any permit under this part, the 
Regional Administrator shall notify the applicant of the deficiency in 
the application. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 
30 days following the date of notification, the application will be 
considered abandoned.
    (f) Change in permit information. Any change in the information 
specified in paragraphs (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section must be 
submitted by the applicant in writing to the Regional Administrator 
within 15 days of the change, or the permit is void.
    (g) Expiration. A permit expires upon the renewal date specified in 
the permit.
    (h) Duration. A permit will continue in effect unless it is revoked, 
suspended, or modified under 15 CFR part 904, or otherwise expires, or 
ownership changes, or the applicant has failed to report any change in 
the information on the permit application to the Regional Administrator 
as specified in paragraph (f) of this section. However, the Regional 
Administrator may authorize the continuation of a permit if the new 
owner so requests. Applications for permit continuations must be 
addressed to the Regional Administrator.
    (i) Alteration. Any permit that has been altered, erased, or 
mutilated is invalid.
    (j) Reissuance. A permit may be reissued by the Regional 
Administrator when requested in writing, stating the need for 
reissuance, the name of the vessel (if applicable), and the fishing 
permit number assigned. An application for the reissuance of a permit 
will not be considered a new application. The fee for a reissued permit 
shall be the same as for an initial permit.
    (k) Transfer. A permit issued under this part is not transferable or 
assignable. A permit will be valid only for the fishing vessel, owner 
and/or person for which it is issued.
    (l) Display. A vessel permit must be carried, at all times, on board 
the vessel for which it is issued and shall be subject to inspection 
upon request by any authorized officer. A person issued a permit under 
this section must be able to present the permit for inspection when 
requested by an authorized officer. Permits must be maintained in 
legible condition.
    (m) Sanctions. The Assistant Administrator may suspend, revoke, or 
modify, any permit issued or sought under this section. Procedures 
governing enforcement-related permit sanctions or denials are found at 
subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
648.4, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19370, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.4 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A), (B), (E), (G), and (J); 
(a)(2)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); (a)(3)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); 
(a)(4)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); (a)(5)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); 
(a)(6)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); (a)(7)(i)(B), (E), (G), and (J); 
(a)(9)(i)(E), (G), and (J); (a)(12)(i)(B)(2), (E), (G), and (J); 
(a)(13)(i)(B) and (G); and (c)(2)(iii)(A); and, adding paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i)(N) through (R); (a)(2)(i)(N), (P), and (Q); (a)(3)(i)(M) 
through (P); (a)(4)(i)(N) through (Q); (a)(5)(i)(M) through (P); 
(a)(6)(i)(M) through (P); (a)(7)(i)(M) through (P); (a)(9)(i)(O) through 
(Q); (a)(12)(i)(N) through (Q); (a)(13)(i)(O) and (P); and 
(c)(2)(iii)(C), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.



Sec. 648.5  Operator permits.

    (a) General. Any operator of a vessel fishing for or possessing: 
Atlantic sea scallops in excess of 40 lb (18.1 kg); NE multispecies, 
spiny dogfish, monkfish, Atlantic herring, Atlantic surfclam, ocean 
quahog, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, or 
Atlantic bluefish, harvested in or from the EEZ; tilefish harvested in 
or from the EEZ portion of the Tilefish Management Unit; skates 
harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit; or 
Atlantic deep-sea red crab harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the 
Red Crab Management Unit, issued a permit, including carrier and 
processing permits, for these species under this part, must have been 
issued under this section, and carry on

[[Page 363]]

board, a valid operator permit. An operator's permit issued pursuant to 
part 622 or part 697 of this chapter satisfies the permitting 
requirement of this section. This requirement does not apply to 
operators of recreational vessels.
    (b) Operator permit application. Applicants for a permit under this 
section must submit a completed application on an appropriate form 
provided by the Regional Administrator. The application must be signed 
by the applicant and submitted to the Regional Administrator at least 30 
days before the date upon which the applicant desires to have the permit 
made effective. The Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of 
any deficiency in the application, pursuant to this section.
    (c) Condition. Vessel operators who apply for an operator's permit 
under this section must agree as a condition of this permit that the 
operator and vessel's fishing, catch, crew size, and pertinent gear 
(without regard to whether such fishing occurs in the EEZ or landward of 
the EEZ, and without regard to where such fish or gear are possessed, 
taken, or landed) are subject to all requirements of this part while 
fishing in the EEZ or on board a vessel for which a permit is issued 
under Sec. 648.4, unless exempted from such requirements under Sec. 
648.12. The vessel and all such fishing, catch, and gear will remain 
subject to all applicable state or local requirements. Further, such 
operators must agree, as a condition of this permit, that, if the permit 
is suspended or revoked pursuant to 15 CFR part 904, the operator cannot 
be aboard any fishing vessel issued a Federal fisheries permit or any 
vessel subject to Federal fishing regulations while the vessel is at sea 
or engaged in offloading. If a requirement of this part and a management 
measure required by state or local law differ, any operator issued a 
permit under this part must comply with the more restrictive 
requirement.
    (d) Information requirements. An applicant must provide at least all 
the following information and any other information required by the 
Regional Administrator: Name, mailing address, and telephone number; 
date of birth; hair color; eye color; height; weight; and signature of 
the applicant. The applicant must also provide two recent (no more than 
1 year old), color, passport-size photographs.
    (e) Fees. Same as Sec. 648.4(d).
    (f) Issuance. Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, 
the Regional Administrator shall issue an operator's permit within 30 
days of receipt of a completed application, if the criteria specified 
herein are met. Upon receipt of an incomplete or improperly executed 
application, the Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of the 
deficiency in the application. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days following the date of notification, the 
application will be considered abandoned.
    (g) Expiration. Same as Sec. 648.4(g).
    (h) Duration. A permit is valid until it is revoked, suspended or 
modified under 15 CFR part 904, or otherwise expires, or the applicant 
has failed to report a change in the information on the permit 
application to the Regional Administrator as specified in paragraph (k) 
of this section.
    (i) Reissuance. Reissued permits, for otherwise valid permits, may 
be issued by the Regional Administrator when requested in writing by the 
applicant, stating the need for reissuance and the Federal operator 
permit number assigned. An applicant for a reissued permit must also 
provide two recent, color, passport-size photos of the applicant. An 
application for a reissued permit will not be considered a new 
application. An appropriate fee may be charged.
    (j) Transfer. Permits issued under this part are not transferable or 
assignable. A permit is valid only for the person to whom it is issued.
    (k) Change in permit application information. Notice of a change in 
the permit holder's name, address, or telephone number must be submitted 
in writing to, and received by, the Regional Administrator within 15 
days of the change in information. If written notice of the change in 
information is not received by the Regional Administrator within 15 
days, the permit is void.
    (l) Alteration. Same as Sec. 648.4(i).
    (m) Display. Any permit issued under this part must be maintained in 
legible condition and displayed for inspection

[[Page 364]]

upon request by any authorized officer or NMFS official.
    (n) Sanctions. Vessel operators with suspended or revoked permits 
may not be aboard a federally permitted fishing vessel in any capacity 
while the vessel is at sea or engaged in offloading. Procedures 
governing enforcement related permit sanctions and denials are found at 
subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (o) Vessel owner responsibility. Vessel owners are responsible for 
ensuring that their vessels are operated by an individual with a valid 
operator's permit issued under this section.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43425, Aug. 23, 1996; 61 
FR 58465, Nov. 15, 1996; 64 FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999; 64 FR 66587, Nov. 
29, 1999; 65 FR 45851, July 26, 2000; 65 FR 77465, Dec. 11, 2000; 66 FR 
49143, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 63231, Oct. 10, 2002; 68 FR 49699, Aug. 19, 
2003; 69 FR 62821, Oct. 28, 2004; 70 FR 21982, Apr. 28, 2005]



Sec. 648.6  Dealer/processor permits.

    (a) General. (1) All dealers of NE multispecies, monkfish, skates, 
Atlantic herring, Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, 
spiny dogfish, summer flounder, Atlantic surf clam, ocean quahog, 
Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, bluefish, tilefish, and 
black sea bass; Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog processors; and 
Atlantic herring processors or dealers, as described in Sec. 648.2; 
must have been issued under this section, and have in their possession, 
a valid permit or permits for these species. A person who meets the 
requirements of both the dealer and processor definitions of any of the 
aforementioned species' fishery regulations may need to obtain both a 
dealer and a processor permit, consistent with the requirements of that 
particular species' fishery regulations. Persons aboard vessels 
receiving small-mesh multispecies, skates, and/or Atlantic herring at 
sea for their own use exclusively as bait are deemed not to be dealers, 
and are not required to possess a valid dealer permit under this 
section, for purposes of receiving such small-mesh multispecies, skates, 
and/or Atlantic herring, provided the vessel complies with the 
provisions of Sec. 648.13. Persons aboard vessels receiving transfers 
of scup at sea from other vessels are deemed not to be dealers, and are 
not required to possess a valid dealer permit under this section, for 
purposes of receiving scup, provided the vessel complies with Sec. 
648.13(i)(2).
    (2) At-sea processors. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 
648.4(a)(5), any vessel of the United States must have been issued and 
carry on board a valid at-sea processor permit issued under this section 
to receive over the side, possess and process Atlantic mackerel 
harvested in or from the EEZ by a lawfully permitted vessel of the 
United States.
    (b) Dealer/processor permit applications. Same as Sec. 648.5(b).
    (c) Information requirements. Applications must contain at least the 
following information, as applicable, and any other information required 
by the Regional Administrator: Company name, place(s) of business 
(principal place of business if applying for a surf clam and ocean 
quahog permit), mailing address(es) and telephone number(s), owner's 
name, dealer permit number (if a renewal), name and signature of the 
person responsible for the truth and accuracy of the application, a copy 
of the certificate of incorporation if the business is a corporation, 
and a copy of the partnership agreement and the names and addresses of 
all partners, if the business is a partnership, name of at-sea processor 
vessel, and current vessel documentation papers.
    (d) Fees. Same as Sec. 648.4(d).
    (e) Issuance. Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, 
the Regional Administrator will issue a permit at any time during the 
fishing year to an applicant, unless the applicant fails to submit a 
completed application. An application is complete when all requested 
forms, information, and documentation have been received and the 
applicant has submitted all applicable reports specified in Sec. 648.7 
during the 12 months immediately preceding the application. Upon receipt 
of an incomplete or improperly executed application, the Regional 
Administrator will notify the applicant of the deficiency in the 
application. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 
days following the date of notification, the application will be 
considered abandoned.

[[Page 365]]

    (f) Expiration. Same as Sec. 648.4(g).
    (g) Duration. A permit is valid until it is revoked, suspended, or 
modified under 15 CFR part 904, or otherwise expires, or ownership 
changes, or the applicant has failed to report any change in the 
information on the permit application to the Regional Administrator as 
required by paragraph (j) of this section.
    (h) Reissuance. Reissued permits, for otherwise valid permits, may 
be issued by the Regional Administrator when requested in writing by the 
applicant, stating the need for reissuance and the Federal dealer permit 
number assigned. An application for a reissued permit will not be 
considered a new application. An appropriate fee may be charged.
    (i) Transfer. Permits issued under this part are not transferable or 
assignable. A permit is valid only for the person to whom, or other 
business entity to which, it is issued.
    (j) Change in application information. Same as Sec. 648.5(k).
    (k) Alteration. Same as Sec. 648.4(i).
    (l) Display. Same as Sec. 648.5(m).
    (m) Federal versus state requirements. If a requirement of this part 
differs from a fisheries management measure required by state law, any 
dealer issued a Federal dealer permit must comply with the more 
restrictive requirement.
    (n) Sanctions. Same as Sec. 648.4(m).

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43425, Aug. 23, 1996; 61 
FR 58465, Nov. 15, 1996; 64 FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999; 65 FR 45851, July 
26, 2000; 65 FR 77465, Dec. 11, 2000; 66 FR 49144, Sept. 26, 2001; 68 FR 
49699, Aug. 19, 2003; 69 FR 4864, Feb. 2, 2004; 69 FR 16178, Mar. 29, 
2004; 69 FR 30841, June 1, 2004]



Sec. 648.7  Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    (a) Dealers--(1) Detailed report. Federally permitted dealers must 
submit to the Regional Administrator or to the official designee a 
detailed report of all fish purchased or received for commercial 
purposes, other than solely for transport on land, within the time 
periods specified in paragraph (f) of this section, by one of the 
available electronic reporting mechanisms approved by NMFS, unless 
otherwise directed by the Regional Administrator. The following 
information, and any other information required by the Regional 
Administrator, must be provided in each report:
    (i) Required information. All dealers issued a dealer permit under 
this part must provide: Dealer name; dealer permit number; name and 
permit number or name and hull number (USCG documentation number or 
state registration number, whichever is applicable) of vessel(s) from 
which fish are purchased or received; trip identifier for each trip from 
which fish are purchased or received from a commercial fishing vessel 
permitted under this part; date(s) of purchases and receipts; units of 
measure and amount by species (by market category, if applicable); price 
per unit by species (by market category, if applicable) or total value 
by species (by market category, if applicable); port landed; cage tag 
numbers for surfclams and ocean quahogs, if applicable; disposition of 
the seafood product; and any other information deemed necessary by the 
Regional Administrator. If no fish are purchased or received during a 
reporting week, a report so stating must be submitted.
    (ii) Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to reporting 
requirements for dealers permitted under this part:
    (A) Inshore Exempted Species, as defined in Sec. 648.2, are not 
required to be reported under this part;
    (B) When purchasing or receiving fish from a vessel landing in a 
port located outside of the Northeast Region (Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina), only 
purchases or receipts of species managed by the Northeast Region under 
this part, and American lobster, managed under part 697 of this chapter, 
must be reported. Other reporting requirements may apply to those 
species not managed by the Northeast Region, which are not affected by 
this provision; and
    (C) Dealers issued a permit for Atlantic bluefin tuna under part 635 
of this chapter are not required to report their purchases or receipts 
of Atlantic bluefin tuna under this part. Other reporting requirements, 
as specified in Sec. 635.5 of this chapter, apply to the receipt of 
Atlantic bluefin tuna.

[[Page 366]]

    (iii) Dealer reporting requirements for skates. In addition to the 
requirements under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, dealers shall 
report the species of skates received. Species of skates shall be 
identified according to the following categories: Winter skate, little 
skate, little/winter skate, barndoor skate, smooth skate, thorny skate, 
clearnose skate, rosette skate, and unclassified skate. NMFS will 
provide dealers with a skate species identification guide.
    (2) System requirements. All persons required to submit reports 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section are required to have the 
capability to transmit data via the Internet. To ensure compatibility 
with the reporting system and database, dealers are required to utilize 
a personal computer, in working condition, that meets the minimum 
specifications identified by NMFS. The affected public will be notified 
of the minimum specifications via a letter to all Federal dealer permit 
holders.
    (3) Annual report. All persons issued a permit under this part are 
required to submit the following information on an annual basis, on 
forms supplied by the Regional Administrator:
    (i) All dealers and processors issued a permit under this part must 
complete all sections of the Annual Processed Products Report for all 
species that were processed during the previous year. Reports must be 
submitted to the address supplied by the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) Surfclam and ocean quahog processors and dealers whose plant 
processing capacities change more than 10 percent during any year shall 
notify the Regional Administrator in writing within 10 days after the 
change.
    (iii) Atlantic herring processors, including processing vessels, 
must complete and submit all sections of the Annual Processed Products 
Report.
    (b) Vessel owners or operators--(1) Fishing Vessel Trip Reports--(i) 
The owner or operator of any vessel issued a valid permit under this 
part must maintain on board the vessel, and submit, an accurate fishing 
log report for each fishing trip, regardless of species fished for or 
taken, on forms supplied by or approved by the Regional Administrator. 
If authorized in writing by the Regional Administrator, a vessel owner 
or operator may submit reports electronically, for example by using a 
VMS or other media. With the exception of those vessel owners or 
operators fishing under a surfclam or ocean quahog permit, at least the 
following information and any other information required by the Regional 
Administrator must be provided: Vessel name; USCG documentation number 
(or state registration number, if undocumented); permit number; date/
time sailed; date/time landed; trip type; number of crew; number of 
anglers (if a charter or party boat); gear fished; quantity and size of 
gear; mesh/ring size; chart area fished; average depth; latitude/
longitude (or loran station and bearings); total hauls per area fished; 
average tow time duration; hail weight, in pounds (or count of 
individual fish, if a party or charter vessel), by species, of all 
species, or parts of species, such as monkfish livers, landed or 
discarded; and, in the case of skate discards, ``small'' (i.e., less 
than 23 inches (58.42 cm), total length) or ``large'' (i.e., 23 inches 
(58.42 cm) or greater, total length) skates; dealer permit number; 
dealer name; date sold, port and state landed; and vessel operator's 
name, signature, and operator's permit number (if applicable).
    (ii) Surf clam and ocean quahog vessel owners and operators. The 
owner or operator of any vessel conducting any surf clam and ocean 
quahog fishing operations, except those conducted exclusively in waters 
of a state that requires cage tags or when he/she has surrendered the 
surf clam and ocean quahog fishing vessel permit, shall maintain, on 
board the vessel, an accurate daily fishing log for each fishing trip, 
on forms supplied by the Regional Administrator, showing at least: Name 
and permit number of the vessel, total amount in bushels of each species 
taken, date(s) caught, time at sea, duration of fishing time, locality 
fished, crew size, crew share by percentage, landing port, date sold, 
price per bushel, buyer, tag numbers from cages used, quantity of surf 
clams and ocean quahogs discarded, and allocation permit number.
    (iii) Vessel reporting requirements for skates. In addition to the 
requirements

[[Page 367]]

under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the owner or operator of any 
vessel issued a skate permit shall report the species of all skates 
landed. Species of skates shall be identified according to the following 
categories: Winter skate, little skate, little/winter skate, barndoor 
skate, smooth skate, thorny skate, clearnose skate, rosette skate, and 
unclassified skate. Discards of skates shall be reported according to 
two size classes, large skates (greater than or equal to 23 inches 
(58.42 cm) in total length) and small skates (less than 23 inches (58.42 
cm) in total length). All other vessel reporting requirements remain 
unchanged. NOAA Fisheries will provide vessel owners or operators that 
intend to land skates with a skate identification guide to assist in 
this data collection program.
    (2) IVR system reports--(i) Atlantic herring owners or operators. 
The owner or operator of a vessel described here must report catches 
(retained and discarded) of herring each week to an IVR system. The 
report shall include at least the following information, and any other 
information required by the Regional Administrator: Vessel 
identification, reporting week in which species are caught, pounds 
retained, pounds discarded, management area fished, and pounds of 
herring caught in each management area for the previous week. Weekly 
Atlantic herring catch reports must be submitted via the IVR system by 
midnight, Eastern Time, each Tuesday for the previous week. Reports are 
required even if herring caught during the week has not yet been landed. 
This report does not exempt the owner or operator from other applicable 
reporting requirements of Sec. 648.7.
    (A) The owner or operator of any vessel issued a permit for Atlantic 
herring subject to the requirements specified by Sec. 
648.4(c)(2)(vi)(C) that is required by Sec. 648.205 to have a VMS unit 
on board must submit an Atlantic herring catch report via the IVR system 
each week (including weeks when no herring is caught), unless exempted 
from this requirement by the Regional Administrator.
    (B) An owner or operator of any vessel issued a permit for Atlantic 
herring that is not required by Sec. 648.205 to have a VMS unit on 
board and that catches = 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic 
herring on any trip in a week must submit an Atlantic herring catch 
report via the IVR system for that week as required by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (C) An owner or operator of any vessel that catches = 
2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring, some or all of which is caught 
in or from the EEZ, on any trip in a week, must submit an Atlantic 
herring catch report via the IVR system for that week as required by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (D) Atlantic herring IVR reports are not required from Atlantic 
herring carrier vessels.
    (ii) Tilefish vessel owners or operators. The owner or operator of 
any vessel issued a limited access permit for tilefish must submit a 
tilefish catch report via the IVR system within 24 hours after returning 
to port and offloading as required by the Regional Administrator. The 
report shall include at least the following information, and any other 
information required by the Regional Administrator: Vessel 
identification, trip during which species are caught, and pounds landed. 
IVR reporting does not exempt the owner or operator from other 
applicable reporting requirements of this section.
    (iii) Red crab vessel owners and operators. The owner or operator of 
any vessel issued a limited access permit for red crab must submit a red 
crab catch report via the IVR system within 24 hours after returning to 
port and offloading as required by the Regional Administrator. The 
report shall include at least the following information, and any other 
information required by the Regional Administrator: Vessel 
identification, DAS confirmation number, trip during which species are 
caught, date landed, condition (whole, half sections with gills, half 
sections without gills), and pounds landed. IVR reporting does not 
exempt the owner or operator from other applicable reporting 
requirements of this section.
    (c) When to fill out a log report. Log reports required by paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section must be filled out with all required 
information, except for information not yet ascertainable, prior to 
entering port with fish. Information that may be considered

[[Page 368]]

unascertainable prior to entering port with fish includes dealer name, 
dealer permit number, and date sold. Log reports must be completed as 
soon as the information becomes available. Log reports required by 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section must be filled out before landing 
any surfclams or ocean quahogs.
    (d) Inspection. All persons required to submit reports under this 
section, upon the request of an authorized officer, or by an employee of 
NMFS designated by the Regional Administrator to make such inspections, 
must make immediately available for inspection copies of the required 
reports and the records upon which the reports are or will be based. At 
any time during or after a trip, vessel owners and operators must make 
immediately available for inspection the fishing log reports currently 
in use, or to be submitted.
    (e) Record retention. Records upon which trip-level reports are 
based must be retained and be available for immediate review for a total 
of 3 years after the date of the last entry on the report. Dealers must 
retain the required records at their principal place of business. Copies 
of fishing log reports must be kept on board the vessel and available 
for review for at least 1 year and must be retained for a total of 3 
years after the date of the last entry on the log.
    (f) Submitting reports--(1) Dealer or processor reports. (i) 
Detailed reports required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section must be 
received by midnight of the first Tuesday following the end of the 
reporting week. If no fish are purchased or received during a reporting 
week, the report so stating required under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section must be received by midnight of the first Tuesday following the 
end of the reporting week.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) Dealers who want to make corrections to their trip-level 
reports via the electronic editing features may do so for up to 3 
business days following submission of the initial report. If a 
correction is needed more than 3 business days following the submission 
of the initial trip-level report, the dealer must contact NMFS directly 
to request an extension of time to make the correction.
    (iv) Through April 30, 2005, to accommodate the potential lag in 
availability of some required data, the trip identifier, price and 
disposition information required under paragraph (a)(1) may be submitted 
after the detailed weekly report, but must be received within 16 days of 
the end of the reporting week or the end of the calendar month, 
whichever is later. Dealers will be able to access and update previously 
submitted trip identifier, price, and disposition data.
    (v) Effective May 1, 2005, the trip identifier required under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be submitted with the detailed 
report, as required under paragraphs (f)(1)(i) of this section. Price 
and disposition information may be submitted after the initial detailed 
report, but must be received within 16 days of the end of the reporting 
week.
    (vi) Annual reports for a calendar year must be postmarked or 
received by February 10 of the following year. Contact the Regional 
Administrator (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502) for the address of NMFS 
Statistics.
    (2) Fishing vessel log reports. (i) Fishing vessel log reports, 
required by paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, must be postmarked or 
received within 15 days after the end of the reporting month. Each owner 
will be sent forms and instructions, including the address to which 
reports are to be submitted, shortly after receipt of a Federal 
fisheries permit. If no fishing trip is made during a month, a report 
stating so must be submitted.
    (ii) Surfclam and ocean quahog log reports, required by paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section, must be postmarked or received within 3 days 
after the end of each reporting week.
    (3) At-sea purchasers and processors. With the exception of the 
owner or operator of an Atlantic herring carrier vessel, the owner or 
operator of an at-sea purchaser or processor that purchases or processes 
any Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, or 
black sea bass at sea for landing at any port of the

[[Page 369]]

United States must submit information identical to that required by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section and provide those reports to the 
Regional Administrator or designee by the same mechanism and on the same 
frequency basis.
    (g) Additional data and sampling. Federally permitted dealers must 
allow access to their premises and make available to an official 
designee of the Regional Administrator any fish purchased from vessels 
for the collection of biological data. Such data include, but are not 
limited to, length measurements of fish and the collection of age 
structures such as otoliths or scales.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43425, Aug. 23, 1996; 61 
FR 58465, Nov. 15, 1996; 62 FR 14646, Mar. 27, 1997; 63 FR 52640, Oct. 
1, 1998; 63 FR 58329, Oct. 30, 1998; 64 FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999; 65 FR 
1569, Jan. 11, 2000; 65 FR 45851, July 26, 2000; 65 FR 60895, Oct. 13, 
2000; 65 FR 77465, Dec. 11, 2000; 66 FR 49144, Sept. 26, 2001; 67 FR 
3444, Jan. 24, 2002; 67 FR 63231, Oct. 10, 2002; 68 FR 49699, Aug. 19, 
2003; 69 FR 13495, Mar. 23, 2004; 70 FR 21982, Apr. 28, 2005]



Sec. 648.8  Vessel identification.

    (a) Vessel name and official number. Each fishing vessel subject to 
this part and over 25 ft (7.6 m) in registered length must:
    (1) Affix permanently its name on the port and starboard sides of 
the bow and, if possible, on its stern.
    (2) Display its official number on the port and starboard sides of 
the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck so as to be 
clearly visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. The official 
number is the USCG documentation number or the vessel's state 
registration number for vessels not required to be documented under 
title 46 U.S.C.
    (b) Numerals. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, 
the official number must be displayed in block arabic numerals in 
contrasting color at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for fishing 
vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) in registered length, and at least 10 inches 
(25.4 cm) in height for all other vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) in 
registered length. The registered length of a vessel, for purposes of 
this section, is that registered length set forth in USCG or state 
records.
    (c) Duties of owner. The owner of each vessel subject to this part 
shall ensure that--
    (1) The vessel's name and official number are kept clearly legible 
and in good repair.
    (2) No part of the vessel, its rigging, its fishing gear, or any 
other object obstructs the view of the official number from any 
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (d) Non-permanent marking. Vessels carrying recreational fishing 
parties on a per capita basis or by charter must use markings that meet 
the above requirements, except for the requirement that they be affixed 
permanently to the vessel. The non-permanent markings must be displayed 
in conformity with the above requirements.
    (e) New Jersey surf clam or ocean quahog vessels. Instead of 
complying with paragraph (a) of this section, surf clam or ocean quahog 
vessels licensed under New Jersey law may use the appropriate vessel 
identification markings established by that state.



Sec. 648.9  VMS requirements.

    (a) Approval. The Regional Administrator will annually approve VMSs 
that meet the minimum performance criteria specified in paragraph (b) of 
this section. Any changes to the performance criteria will be published 
annually in the Federal Register and a list of approved VMSs will be 
published in the Federal Register upon addition or deletion of a VMS 
from the list. In the event that a VMS is deleted from the list, vessel 
owners that purchased a VMS unit that is part of that VMS prior to 
publication of the revised list will be considered to be in compliance 
with the requirement to have an approved unit, unless otherwise notified 
by the Regional Administrator.
    (b) Minimum VMS performance criteria. The basic required features of 
the VMS are as follows:
    (1) The VMS shall be tamper proof, i.e., shall not permit the input 
of false positions; furthermore, if a system uses satellites to 
determine position, satellite selection should be automatic to provide 
an optimal fix and should not be capable of being manually overridden by 
any person aboard a fishing vessel or by the vessel owner.

[[Page 370]]

    (2) The VMS shall be fully automatic and operational at all times, 
regardless of weather and environmental conditions, unless exempted 
under paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (3) The VMS shall be capable of tracking vessels in all U.S. waters 
in the Atlantic Ocean from the shoreline of each coastal state to a line 
215 nm offshore and shall provide position accuracy to within 400 m 
(1,300 ft).
    (4) The VMS shall be capable of transmitting and storing information 
including vessel identification, date, time, and latitude/longitude.
    (5) The VMS shall provide accurate hourly position transmissions 
every day of the year unless otherwise required under paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section, or unless exempted under paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section. In addition, the VMS shall allow polling of individual 
vessels or any set of vessels at any time, and receive position reports 
in real time. For the purposes of this specification, ``real time'' 
shall constitute data that reflect a delay of 15 minutes or less between 
the displayed information and the vessel's actual position.
    (6) The VMS shall be capable of providing network message 
communications between the vessel and shore. The VMS shall allow NMFS to 
initiate communications or data transfer at any time.
    (7) The VMS vendor shall be capable of transmitting position data to 
a NMFS-designated computer system via a modem at a minimum speed of 9600 
baud. Transmission shall be in a file format acceptable to NMFS.
    (8) The VMS shall be capable of providing vessel locations relative 
to international boundaries and fishery management areas.
    (9) The VMS vendor shall be capable of archiving vessel position 
histories for a minimum of 1 year and providing transmission to NMFS of 
specified portions of archived data in response to NMFS requests and in 
a variety of media (tape, floppy, etc.).
    (c) Operating requirements for all vessels. (1) Except as provided 
in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or unless otherwise required by 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this section, all required VMS units 
must transmit a signal indicating the vessel's accurate position, as 
specified under paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (i) At least every hour, 24 hours a day, throughout the year.
    (ii) NMFS may initiate at its discretion, the transmission of a 
signal indicating the vessel's accurate position, at least twice per 
hour, 24 hours a day, for all NE multispecies DAS vessels that elect to 
fish with a VMS specified in Sec. 648.10(b) or that are required to 
fish with a VMS as specified in Sec. 648.85(a), for each groundfish DAS 
trip that the vessel has elected to fish in the U.S./Canada Management 
Areas, and as specified in Sec. 648.85(b) for each groundfish trip that 
the vessel has elected to fish in either the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP, the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, or 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program.
    (iii) At least twice per hour, 24 hours a day, throughout the year, 
for vessels issued a general scallop permit and subject to the 
requirements of Sec. 648.4(a)(2)(ii)(B).
    (2) Power down exemption. (i) Any vessel required to transmit the 
vessel's location at all times, as required in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, is exempt from this requirement if it meets one or more of the 
following conditions and requirements:
    (A) The vessel will be continuously out of the water for more than 
72 consecutive hours, the vessel signs out of the VMS program by 
obtaining a valid letter of exemption pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(ii) 
of this section, and the vessel complies with all conditions and 
requirements of said letter;
    (B) For vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access 
permit, the vessel owner signs out of the VMS program for a minimum 
period of 30 consecutive days by obtaining a valid letter of exemption 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the vessel does not 
engage in any fisheries until the VMS unit is turned back on, and the 
vessel complies with all conditions and requirements of said letter; or
    (C) The vessel has been issued an Atlantic herring permit, and is in 
port,

[[Page 371]]

unless required by other permit requirements for other fisheries to 
transmit the vessel's location at all times.
    (D) The vessel has been issued a general scallop permit and is 
required to operate VMS as specified in Sec. 648.10(b)(1)(iv), is not 
in possession of any scallops onboard the vessel, is tied to a permanent 
dock or mooring, and the vessel operator has notified NMFS through VMS 
by transmitting the appropriate VMS power down code, that the VMS will 
be powered down, unless required by other permit requirements for other 
fisheries to transmit the vessel's location at all times. Such a vessel 
must repower the VMS prior to moving from the fixed dock or mooring. VMS 
codes and instructions are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request.
    (ii) Letter of exemption--(A) Application. A vessel owner may apply 
for a letter of exemption from the VMS transmitting requirements 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section for his/her vessel by 
sending a written request to the Regional Administrator and providing 
the following: The location of the vessel during the time an exemption 
is sought; and the exact time period for which an exemption is needed 
(i.e., the time the VMS signal will be turned off and turned on again); 
and, in the case of a vessel meeting the conditions of paragraph 
(c)(2)(i)(A) of this section, sufficient information to determine that 
the vessel will be out of the water for more than 72 continuous hours. 
The letter of exemption must be on board the vessel at all times, and 
the vessel may not turn off the VMS signal until the letter of exemption 
has been received.
    (B) Issuance. Upon receipt of an application, the Regional 
Administrator may issue a letter of exemption to the vessel if it is 
determined that the vessel owner provided sufficient information as 
required under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and that the issuance 
of the letter of exemption will not jeopardize accurate monitoring of 
the vessel's DAS. Upon written request, the Regional Administrator may 
change the time period for which the exemption is granted.
    (d) Presumption. If a VMS unit fails to transmit an hourly signal of 
a vessel's position, the vessel shall be deemed to have incurred a DAS, 
or fraction thereof, for as long as the unit fails to transmit a signal, 
unless a preponderance of evidence shows that the failure to transmit 
was due to an unavoidable malfunction or disruption of the transmission 
that occurred while the vessel was declared out of the scallop fishery 
or NE multispecies or monkfish fishery, as applicable, or was not at 
sea.
    (e) Replacement. Should a VMS unit require replacement, a vessel 
owner must submit documentation to the Regional Administrator, within 3 
days of installation and prior to the vessel's next trip, verifying that 
the new VMS unit is an operational, approved system as described under 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (f) Access. As a condition to obtaining a limited access scallop or 
multispecies permit, or an Atlantic herring permit, all vessel owners 
must allow NMFS, the USCG, and their authorized officers or designees 
access to the vessel's DAS data, if applicable, and location data 
obtained from its VMS unit, if required, at the time of or after its 
transmission to the vendor or receiver, as the case may be.
    (g) Tampering. Tampering with a VMS, a VMS unit, or a VMS signal, is 
prohibited. Tampering includes any activity that is likely to affect the 
unit's ability to operate properly, signal, or accuracy of computing the 
vessel's position fix.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14646, Mar. 27, 1997; 63 
FR 58329, Oct. 30, 1998; 64 FR 54745, Oct. 7, 1999; 65 FR 77466, Dec. 
11, 2000; 69 FR 22946, Apr. 27, 2004; 69 FR 67796, Nov. 19, 2004; 70 FR 
21941, Apr. 28, 2005; 70 FR 48867, Aug. 22, 2005; 70 FR 76426, Dec. 27, 
2005; 71 FR 33224, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.10  DAS and VMS notification requirements.

    (a) VMS Demarcation Line. The VMS Demarcation Line is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order stated 
(a copy of a map showing the line is available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

[[Page 372]]



                          VMS Demarcation Line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Description                  N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Northern terminus point        45[deg]03[min]      66[deg]47[min]
 (Canada landmass).
2. A point east of West Quoddy    44[deg]48.9[min]    66[deg]56.1[min]
 Head Light.
3. A point east of Little River   44[deg]39.0[min]    67[deg]10.5[min]
 Light.
4. Whistle Buoy ``8BI'' (SSE of   44[deg]13.6[min]    68[deg]10.8[min]
 Baker Island).
5. Isle au Haut Light...........  44[deg]03.9[min]    68[deg]39.1[min]
6. Pemaquid Point Light.........  43[deg]50.2[min]    69[deg]30.4[min]
7. A point west of Halfway Rock.  43[deg]38.0[min]    70[deg]05.0[min]
8. A point east of Cape Neddick   43[deg]09.9[min]    70[deg]34.5[min]
 Light.
9. Merrimack River Entrance       42[deg]48.6[min]    70[deg]47.1[min]
 ``MR'' Whistle Buoy.
10. Halibut Point Gong Buoy       42[deg]42.0[min]    70[deg]37.5[min]
 ``1AHP''.
11. Connecting reference point..  42[deg]40[min]      70[deg]30[min]
12. Whistle Buoy ``2'' off        42[deg]34.3[min]    70[deg]39.8[min]
 Eastern Point.
13. The Graves Light (Boston)...  42[deg]21.9[min]    70[deg]52.2[min]
14. Minots Ledge Light..........  42[deg]16.2[min]    70[deg]45.6[min]
15. Farnham Rock Lighted Bell     42[deg]05.6[min]    70[deg]36.5[min]
 Buoy.
16. Cape Cod Canal Bell Buoy      41[deg]48.9[min]    70[deg]27.7[min]
 ``CC''.
17. A point inside Cape Cod Bay.  41[deg]48.9[min]    70[deg]05[min]
18. Race Point Lighted Bell Buoy  42[deg]04.9[min]    70[deg]16.8[min]
 ``RP''.
19. Peaked Hill Bar Whistle Buoy  42[deg]07.0[min]    70[deg]06.2[min]
 ``2PH''.
20. Connecting point, off Nauset  41[deg]50[min]      69[deg]53[min]
 Light.
21. A point south of Chatham      41[deg]38[min]      69[deg]55.2[min]
 ``C'' Whistle Buoy.
22. A point in eastern Vineyard   41[deg]30[min]      70[deg]33[min]
 Sound.
23. A point east of Martha's      41[deg]22.2[min]    70[deg]24.6[min]
 Vineyard.
24. A point east of Great Pt.     41[deg]23.4[min]    69[deg]57[min]
 Light, Nantucket.
25. A point SE of Sankaty Head,   41[deg]13[min]      69[deg]57[min]
 Nantucket.
26. A point west of Nantucket...  41[deg]15.6[min]    70[deg]25.2[min]
27. Squibnocket Lighted Bell      41[deg]15.7[min]    70[deg]46.3[min]
 Buoy ``1''.
28. Wilbur Point (on Sconticut    41[deg]35.2[min]    70[deg]51.2[min]
 Neck).
29. Mishaum Point (on Smith       41[deg]31.0[min]    70[deg]57.2[min]
 Neck).
30. Sakonnet Entrance Lighted     41[deg]25.7[min]    71[deg]13.4[min]
 Whistle Buoy ``SR''.
31. Point Judith Lighted Whistle  41[deg]19.3[min]    71[deg]28.6[min]
 Buoy ``2''.
32. A point off Block Island      41[deg]08.2[min]    71[deg]32.1[min]
 Southeast Light.
33. Shinnecock Inlet Lighted      40[deg]49.0[min]    72[deg]28.6[min]
 Whistle Buoy ``SH''.
34. Scotland Horn Buoy ``S'',     40[deg]26.5[min]    73[deg]55.0[min]
 off Sandy Hook (NJ).
35. Barnegat Lighted Gong Buoy    39[deg]45.5[min]    73[deg]59.5[min]
 ``2''.
36. A point east of Atlantic      39[deg]21.9[min]    74[deg]22.7[min]
 City Light.
37. A point east of Hereford      39[deg]00.4[min]    74[deg]46[min]
 Inlet Light.
38. A point east of Cape          38[deg]47[min]      75[deg]04[min]
 Henlopen Light.
39. A point east of Fenwick       38[deg]27.1[min]    75[deg]02[min]
 Island Light.
40. A point NE of Assateague      38[deg]00[min]      75[deg]13[min]
 Island (VA).
41. Wachapreague Inlet Lighted    37[deg]35.0[min]    75[deg]33.7[min]
 Whistle Buoy ``A''.
42. A point NE of Cape Henry....  36[deg]55.6[min]    75[deg]58.5[min]
43. A point east of Currituck     36[deg]22.6[min]    75[deg]48[min]
 Beach Light.
44. Oregon Inlet (NC) Whistle     35[deg]48.5[min]    75[deg]30[min]
 Buoy.
45. Wimble Shoals, east of        35[deg]36[min]      75[deg]26[min]
 Chicamacomico.
46. A point SE of Cape Hatteras   35[deg]12.5[min]    75[deg]30[min]
 Light.
47. Hatteras Inlet Entrance Buoy  35[deg]10[min]      75[deg]46[min]
 ``HI''.
48. Ocracoke Inlet Whistle Buoy   35[deg]01.5[min]    76[deg]00.5[min]
 ``OC''.
49. A point east of Cape Lookout  34[deg]36.5[min]    76[deg]30[min]
 Light.
50. Southern terminus point.....  34[deg]35[min]      76[deg]41[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) VMS Notification. (1) The following vessels must have installed 
on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance 
criteria specified in Sec. 648.9(b), or as modified pursuant to Sec. 
648.9(a):
    (i) A scallop vessel issued a Full-time or Part-time limited access 
scallop permit or a VMS general scallop permit;
    (ii) A scallop vessel issued an Occasional limited access permit 
when fishing under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified under 
Sec. 648.60;
    (iii) A scallop vessel fishing under the Small Dredge program 
specified in Sec. 648.51(e);
    (iv) A scallop vessel issued a VMS or a Non-VMS general scallop 
permit when fishing under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified 
under Sec. 648.60;
    (v) A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies, monkfish, 
Occasional scallop, or Combination permit, whose owner elects to provide 
the notifications required by this paragraph (b), unless otherwise 
authorized or required

[[Page 373]]

by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (d) of this section;
    (vi) A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit 
electing to fish under the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding, 
as specified in Sec. 648.85(a);
    (vii) A vessel electing to fish under the Regular B DAS Pilot 
Program, as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6);
    (viii) A vessel electing to fish in the Closed Area I Hook Gear 
Haddock SAP, as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7); and
    (ix) A limited access monkfish vessel electing to fish in the 
Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA, as provided in Sec. 648.95.
    (x) A vessel electing to fish under the Regular B DAS Program, as 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10);
    (2) The owner of such a vessel specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section must provide documentation to the Regional Administrator at the 
time of application for a limited access permit or general scallop 
permit that the vessel has an operational VMS unit installed on board 
that meets those criteria, unless otherwise allowed under this paragraph 
(b). If a vessel has already been issued a limited access permit without 
the owner providing such documentation, the Regional Administrator shall 
allow at least 30 days for the vessel to install an operational VMS unit 
that meets the criteria and for the owner to provide documentation of 
such installation to the Regional Administrator. A vessel that is 
required to, or whose owner has elected to, use a VMS unit is subject to 
the following requirements and presumptions:
    (i) A vessel that has crossed the VMS Demarcation Line specified 
under paragraph (a) of this section is deemed to be fishing under the 
DAS program, unless the vessel's owner or authorized representative 
declares the vessel out of the scallop, NE multispecies, or monkfish 
fishery, as applicable, for a specific time period by notifying the 
Regional Administrator through the VMS prior to the vessel leaving port, 
or unless the vessel's owner or authorized representative declares the 
vessel will be fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as described in 
Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(ii) under the provisions of that program.
    (ii) Notification that the vessel is not fishing under the DAS 
program, the general category scallop fishery, or other fishery 
requiring the operation of VMS, must be received prior to the vessel 
leaving port. A vessel may not change its status after the vessel leaves 
port or before it returns to port on any fishing trip.
    (iii) DAS for a vessel that is under the VMS notification 
requirements of this paragraph (b), with the exception of vessels that 
have elected to fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, pursuant to Sec. 
648.85(a), begin with the first location signal received showing that 
the vessel crossed the VMS Demarcation Line after leaving port. DAS end 
with the first location signal received showing that the vessel crossed 
the VMS Demarcation Line upon its return to port. For those vessels that 
have elected to fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to Sec. 
648.85(a)(2)(i), the requirements of this paragraph (b) begin with the 
first 30-minute location signal received showing that the vessel crossed 
into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and end with the first location signal 
received showing that the vessel crossed out of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area upon beginning its return trip to port.
    (iv) If the VMS is not available or not functional, and if 
authorized by the Regional Administrator, a vessel owner must provide 
the notifications required by paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii) of 
this section by using the call-in notification system described under 
paragraph (c) of this section, instead of using the VMS specified in 
this paragraph (b).
    (v) A vessel that has crossed the VMS Demarcation Line specified 
under paragraph (a) of this section is deemed to be fishing under the 
DAS program, unless the vessel's owner or authorized representative 
declares the vessel out of the scallop, NE multispecies, or monkfish 
fishery, as applicable, for a specific time period by notifying the 
Regional Administrator through the VMS prior to the vessel leaving port, 
or unless the vessel's owner or authorized representative declares the 
vessel will be fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as described in

[[Page 374]]

Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii) under the provisions of that program.
    (vi) DAS counting for a vessel that is under the VMS notification 
requirements of this paragraph (b), with the exception of vessels that 
have elected to fish exclusively in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area on a 
particular trip, pursuant to Sec. 648.85(a), begins with the first 
location signal received showing that the vessel crossed the VMS 
Demarcation Line after leaving port. DAS end with the first location 
signal received showing that the vessel crossed the VMS Demarcation Line 
upon its return to port. For those vessels that have elected to fish in 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to Sec. 648.85(a)(2)(i), the 
requirements of this paragraph (b) begin with the first 30-minute 
location signal received showing that the vessel crossed into the 
Eastern U.S./Canada and end with the first location signal received 
showing that the vessel crossed out of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area upon 
beginning its return trip to port, unless the vessel elects to also fish 
outside the Eastern Area on the same trip, in accordance with Sec. 
648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A).
    (vii) If the VMS is not available or not functional, and if 
authorized by the Regional Administrator, a vessel owner must provide 
the notifications required by paragraphs (b)(2)(ii), (v), and (vi) of 
this section by using the call-in notification system described under 
paragraph (c) of this section, instead of using the VMS specified in 
this paragraph (b).
    (3)(i) A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies, monkfish, 
occasional scallop, or Combination permit must use the call-in system 
specified in paragraph (c) of this section, unless the owner of such 
vessel has elected to do one or more of the following activities:
    (A) Provide the notifications required by this paragraph (b), 
through VMS as specified under paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section; or
    (B) Fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area or Western U.S./Canada Area 
as described in Sec. 648.85(a)(2)(i); or
    (C) Fish under the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified at Sec. 
648.85(b)(6); or
    (D) Fish in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7).
    (E) Provide the notifications required by this paragraph (b), 
through VMS as specified under paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this section; or
    (F) Fish under the Regular B DAS Program specified at Sec. 
648.85(b)(10);
    (ii) Unless otherwise required by paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this 
section, upon recommendation by the Council, the Regional Administrator 
may require, by notification through a letter to affected permit 
holders, notification in the Federal Register, or other appropriate 
means, that a NE multispecies vessel issued an Individual DAS or 
Combination Vessel permit install on board an operational VMS unit that 
meets the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. 648.9(b), or 
as modified as provided under Sec. 648.9(a). An owner of such a vessel 
must provide documentation to the Regional Administrator that the vessel 
has installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets those 
criteria. If a vessel has already been issued a permit without the owner 
providing such documentation, the Regional Administrator shall allow at 
least 30 days for the vessel to install an operational VMS unit that 
meets the criteria and for the owner to provide documentation of such 
installation to the Regional Administrator. A vessel that is required to 
use a VMS shall be subject to the requirements and presumptions 
described under paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (v) of this section.
    (iii) A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies, monkfish, 
Occasional scallop, or Combination permit may be authorized by the 
Regional Administrator to provide the notifications required by this 
paragraph (b) using the VMS specified in this paragraph (b). The owner 
of such vessel becomes authorized by providing documentation to the 
Regional Administrator at the time of application for an Individual or 
Combination vessel limited access NE multispecies permit that the vessel 
has installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum 
performance criteria specified in Sec. 648.9(b), or as modified as 
provided under Sec. 648.9(a). Vessels that are authorized to use the 
VMS in lieu of the call-in requirement for DAS notification shall be 
subject to

[[Page 375]]

the requirements and presumptions described under paragraphs (b)(2)(i) 
through (v) of this section. Those who elect to use the VMS do not need 
to call in DAS as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. Vessels 
that do call in are exempt from the prohibition specified in Sec. 
648.14(c)(2).
    (iv) Unless otherwise required by paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this 
section, upon recommendation by the Council, the Regional Administrator 
may require, by notification through a letter to affected permit 
holders, notification in the Federal Register, or other appropriate 
means, that a NE multispecies vessel issued an Individual DAS or 
Combination Vessel permit install on board an operational VMS unit that 
meets the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. 648.9(b), or 
as modified as provided under Sec. 648.9(a). An owner of such a vessel 
must provide documentation to the Regional Administrator that the vessel 
has installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets those 
criteria. If a vessel has already been issued a permit without the owner 
providing such documentation, the Regional Administrator shall allow at 
least 30 days for the vessel to install an operational VMS unit that 
meets the criteria and for the owner to provide documentation of such 
installation to the Regional Administrator. A vessel that is required to 
use a VMS shall be subject to the requirements and presumptions 
described under paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) through (vii) of this section.
    (v) A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies, monkfish, 
Occasional scallop, or Combination permit may be authorized by the 
Regional Administrator to provide the notifications required by this 
paragraph (b) using the VMS specified in this paragraph (b). The owner 
of such vessel becomes authorized by providing documentation to the 
Regional Administrator at the time of application for an Individual or 
Combination vessel limited access NE multispecies permit that the vessel 
has installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum 
performance criteria specified in Sec. 648.9(b), or as modified as 
provided under Sec. 648.9(a). Vessels that are authorized to use the 
VMS in lieu of the call-in requirement for DAS notification shall be 
subject to the requirements and presumptions described under paragraphs 
(b)(2)(ii) through (vii) of this section. Those who elect to use the VMS 
do not need to call in DAS as specified in paragraph (c) of this 
section. Vessels that do call in are exempt from the prohibition 
specified in Sec. 648.14(c)(2).
    (4) Atlantic sea scallop vessel VMS notification requirements. (i) 
Less than 1 hour prior to leaving port, the owner or authorized 
representative of a scallop vessel that is required to use VMS as 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must notify the Regional 
Administrator by entering the appropriate VMS code that the vessel will 
be participating in the scallop DAS program, Area Access Program, or 
general category scallop fishery. VMS codes and instructions are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (ii) To facilitate the deployment of at-sea observers, all sea 
scallop vessels issued limited access permits fishing in open areas or 
Sea Scallop Access Areas, and general category vessels fishing under the 
Sea Scallop Access Area program specified in Sec. 648.60, are required 
to comply with the additional VMS notification requirements specified in 
paragraphs (b)(4)(iii) and (iv) of this section, except that scallop 
vessels issued Occasional scallop permits not participating in the Area 
Access Program specified in Sec. 648.60 may provide the specified 
information to NMFS by calling NMFS. All sea scallop vessels issued a 
VMS general category or Non-VMS general scallop permit that are 
participating in the Area Access Program specified in Sec. 648.60 are 
required to comply with the additional VMS notification requirements 
specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(iii) and (iv) of this section.
    (iii) Prior to the 25th day of the month preceding the month in 
which fishing is to take place, the vessel must submit a monthly report, 
through the VMS e-mail messaging system, of its intention to fish for 
scallops, along with the following information: Vessel name and permit 
number, owner and operator's name, owner and operator's phone numbers, 
and number of trips anticipated for open areas and each Sea Scallop 
Access Area in which it intends

[[Page 376]]

to fish. The Regional Administrator may waive this notification period 
if it is determined that there is insufficient time to provide such 
notification prior to a Sea Scallop Access Area opening or beginning of 
the fishing year. Notification of this waiver of a portion of the 
notification period shall be provided to the vessel through a permit 
holder letter issued by the Regional Administrator.
    (iv) In addition to the information required under paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii) of this section, and for the purpose of selecting vessels 
for observer deployment, each participating vessel owner or operator 
shall provide notice to NMFS of the time, port of departure, and open 
area or specific Sea Scallop Access Area to be fished, at least 72 hr, 
unless otherwise notified by the Regional Administrator, prior to the 
beginning of any scallop trip.
    (c) Call-in notification. Owners of vessels issued limited access NE 
multispecies, monkfish or red crab permits who are participating in a 
DAS program and who are not required to provide notification using a 
VMS, and scallop vessels qualifying for a DAS allocation under the 
Occasional category and who have not elected to fish under the VMS 
notification requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, are subject 
to the following requirements:
    (1) Less than 1 hour prior to leaving port, for vessels issued a 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permit or, for vessels issued a 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and a limited access monkfish 
permit (Category C, D, F, G, or H), unless otherwise specified in this 
paragraph (c)(1), and, prior to leaving port for vessels issued a 
limited access monkfish Category A or B permit, the vessel owner or 
authorized representative must notify the Regional Administrator that 
the vessel will be participating in the DAS program by calling the 
Regional Administrator and providing the following information: Owner 
and caller name and phone number; vessel name and permit number; type of 
trip to be taken; port of departure; and that the vessel is beginning a 
trip. A DAS begins once the call has been received and a confirmation 
number is given by the Regional Administrator, or when a vessel leaves 
port, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise specified in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section. Vessels issued a limited access monkfish 
Category C, D, F, G, or H permit that are allowed to fish as a Category 
A or B vessel in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 
648.92(b)(2)(i), are subject to the call-in notification requirements 
for limited access monkfish Category A or B vessels specified under this 
paragraph (c)(1) for those monkfish DAS where there is not a concurrent 
NE multispecies DAS.
    (2) The vessel's confirmation numbers for the current and 
immediately prior NE multispecies, monkfish or red crab fishing trip 
must be maintained on board the vessel and provided to an authorized 
officer upon request.
    (3) At the end of a vessel's trip, upon its return to port, the 
vessel owner or owner's representative must call the Regional 
Administrator and notify him/her that the trip has ended by providing 
the following information: Owner and caller name and phone number, 
vessel name, permit number, port of landing, and that the vessel has 
ended its trip. A DAS ends when the call has been received and 
confirmation has been given by the Regional Administrator, unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (4) The Regional Administrator will furnish a phone number for DAS 
notification call-ins upon request.
    (5) Any vessel that possesses or lands per trip more than 400 lb 
(181 kg) of scallops, and any vessel issued a limited access NE 
multispecies permit subject to the NE multispecies DAS program and call-
in requirement that possesses or lands regulated species, except as 
provided in Sec. Sec. 648.17 and 648.89, any vessel issued a limited 
access monkfish permit subject to the monkfish DAS program and call-in 
requirement that possesses or lands monkfish above the incidental catch 
trip limits specified in Sec. 648.94(c), and any vessel issued a 
limited access red crab permit subject to the red crab DAS program and 
call-in requirement that possesses or lands red crab above the 
incidental catch trip limits specified in Sec. 648.263(b)(1), shall be 
deemed in

[[Page 377]]

its respective DAS program for purposes of counting DAS, regardless of 
whether the vessel's owner or authorized representative provided 
adequate notification as required by paragraph (c) of this section.
    (6) Less than 1 hour prior to leaving port, for vessels issued a 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permit or, for vessels issued a 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and a limited access monkfish 
permit (Category C, D, F, G, or H), unless otherwise specified in this 
paragraph (c)(6), and, prior to leaving port for vessels issued a 
limited access monkfish Category A or B permit, the vessel owner or 
authorized representative must notify the Regional Administrator that 
the vessel will be participating in the DAS program by calling the 
Regional Administrator and providing the following information: Owner 
and caller name and phone number; vessel name and permit number; type of 
trip to be taken; port of departure; and that the vessel is beginning a 
trip. A DAS begins once the call has been received and a confirmation 
number is given by the Regional Administrator, or when a vessel leaves 
port, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise specified in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv) of this section. Vessels issued a limited access monkfish 
Category C, D, F, G, or H permit that are allowed to fish as a Category 
A or B vessel in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 
648.92(b)(2)(iv), are subject to the call-in notification requirements 
for limited access monkfish Category A or B vessels specified under this 
paragraph (c)(1) for those monkfish DAS where there is not a concurrent 
NE multispecies DAS.
    (7) At the end of a vessel's trip, upon its return to port, the 
vessel owner or owner's representative must call the Regional 
Administrator and notify him/her that the trip has ended by providing 
the following information: Owner and caller name and phone number, 
vessel name, permit number, port of landing, and that the vessel has 
ended its trip. A DAS ends when the call has been received and 
confirmation has been given by the Regional Administrator, unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section.
    (d) Temporary authorization for use of the call-in system. The 
Regional Administrator may authorize or require, on a temporary basis, 
the use of the call-in system of notification specified in paragraph (c) 
of this section, instead of use of the VMS. If use of the call-in system 
is authorized or required, the Regional Administrator shall notify 
affected permit holders through a letter, notification in the Federal 
Register, or other appropriate means. A multispecies vessel issued an 
Individual DAS or Combination Vessel (regarding the multispecies 
fishery) permit are authorized to use the call-in system of notification 
specified in paragraph (c) of this section, unless otherwise notified as 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (e) Scallop vessels fishing under exemptions. Vessels fishing under 
the exemptions provided by Sec. 648.54 (a) and/or (b)(1) must notify 
the Regional Administrator by VMS notification or by call-in 
notification as follows:
    (1) VMS notification. (i) Notify the Regional Administrator, via 
their VMS, prior to the vessel's first trip under the state waters 
exemption program, that the vessel will be fishing exclusively in state 
waters; and
    (ii) Notify the Regional Administrator, via their VMS, prior to the 
vessel's first planned trip in the EEZ, that the vessel is to resume 
fishing under the vessel's DAS allocation.
    (2) Call-in notification. (i) Notify the Regional Administrator by 
calling the Regional Administrator and providing the following 
information at least 7 days prior to fishing under the exemption: Owner 
and caller name and address, vessel name and permit number, and 
beginning and ending dates of the exemption period.
    (ii) Remain under the exemption for a minimum of 7 days.
    (iii) If, under the exemption for a minimum of 7 days and wishing to 
withdraw earlier than the designated end of the exemption period, notify 
the Regional Administrator of early withdrawal from the program by 
calling the Regional Administrator, providing the vessel's name and 
permit number and the name and phone number of the caller, and stating 
that the vessel is withdrawing from the exemption. The

[[Page 378]]

vessel may not leave port to fish in the EEZ until 48 hours after 
notification of early withdrawal is received by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator will furnish a phone number for 
call-ins upon request.
    (v) Such vessels must comply with the VMS notification requirements 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section by notifying the Regional 
Administrator by entering the appropriate VMS code that the vessel is 
fishing outside of the scallop fishery. VMS codes and instructions are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (f) Additional NE multispecies call-in requirements--(1) Spawning 
season call-in. With the exception of vessels issued a valid Small 
Vessel category permit, or the Handgear A permit category, vessels 
subject to the spawning season restriction described in Sec. 648.82 
must notify the Regional Administrator of the commencement date of their 
20-day period out of the NE multispecies fishery through either the VMS 
system or by calling and providing the following information: Vessel 
name and permit number, owner and caller name and phone number, and the 
commencement date of the 20-day period.
    (2) Gillnet call-in. Vessels subject to the gillnet restriction 
described in Sec. 648.82(j)(1)(ii) must notify the Regional 
Administrator of the commencement date of their time out of the NE 
multispecies gillnet[fxsp0]fishery using the procedure described in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (3) Gillnet call-in. Vessels subject to the gillnet restriction 
described in Sec. 648.82(s)(1)(ii) must notify the Regional 
Administrator of the commencement date of their time out of the NE 
multispecies gillnet fishery using the procedure described in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14647, Mar. 27, 1997; 62 
FR 15386, Apr. 1, 1997; 62 FR 51381, Oct. 1, 1997; 63 FR 11593, Mar. 10, 
1998; 63 FR 15329, Mar. 31, 1998; 63 FR 42592, Aug. 10, 1998; 63 FR 
58329, Oct. 30, 1998; 64 FR 24072, May 5, 1999; 64 FR 31149, June 10, 
1999; 64 FR 54745, Oct. 7, 1999; 64 FR 55825, Oct. 15, 1999; 65 FR 
21664, Apr. 24, 2000; 66 FR 24056, May 11, 2001; 67 FR 50305, Aug. 1, 
2002; 67 FR 63232, Oct. 10, 2002; 69 FR 22947, Apr. 27, 2004; 69 FR 
35214, June 23, 2004; 69 FR 63472, Nov. 2, 2004; 69 FR 67796, Nov. 19, 
2004; 70 FR 2823, Jan. 18, 2005; 70 FR 21941, Apr. 28, 2005; 70 FR 
31339, June 1, 2005; 70 FR 54306, Sept. 14, 2005; 70 FR 48867, Aug. 22, 
2005; 71 FR 33224, June 8, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19372, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.10 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (b)(1)(vii); (b)(2)(i), (iii), and 
(iv); (b)(3)(i)(A) and (C); (b)(3)(ii) and (iii); (c)(1) and (3); and 
(f)(2); and adding paragraphs (b)(1)(x); (b)(2)(v) through (vii); 
(b)(3)(i)(E) and (F); (b)(3)(iv) and (v); (c)(6) and (7); and (f)(3), 
effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.

    Editorial Note: At 71 FR 33224, June 8, 2006, Sec. 648.10 was 
amended by revising paragraph (b)(2)(i). This amendment could not be 
incorporated because paragraph (b)(2)(i) was suspended at 71 FR 19372, 
Apr. 13, 2006, effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 34844, June 16, 2006, Sec. 648.10 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) through (iv), effective June 
16, 2006 through Dec. 13, 2006.



Sec. 648.11  At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.

    (a) The Regional Administrator may request any vessel holding a 
permit for Atlantic sea scallops, NE multispecies, monkfish, skates, 
Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, 
spiny dogfish, Atlantic herring, tilefish, or Atlantic deep-sea red 
crab; or a moratorium permit for summer flounder; to carry a NMFS-
approved sea sampler/observer.
    (1) For the purpose of deploying at-sea observers, sea scallop 
vessels are required to notify NMFS of scallop trips as specified in 
Sec. 648.10(b)(4). Unless otherwise notified by the Regional 
Administrator, owners of scallop vessels shall be responsible for paying 
the cost of the observer for all scallop fishing trips on which an 
observer is carried onboard the vessel, regardless of whether the vessel 
lands or sells sea

[[Page 379]]

scallops on that trip, and regardless of the availability of set-aside 
for an increased possession limit, or reduced accrual rate of DAS.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) The Regional Administrator may request any vessel holding a 
permit for Atlantic sea scallops, NE multispecies, monkfish, skates, 
Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, 
spiny dogfish, Atlantic herring, tilefish, or Atlantic deep-sea red 
crab; or a moratorium permit for summer flounder; to carry a NMFS 
certified fisheries observer. A vessel holding a permit for Atlantic sea 
scallops is subject to the additional requirements specified in 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (b) If requested by the Regional Administrator to carry an observer 
or sea sampler, it is the responsibility of the vessel owner to arrange 
for and facilitate observer or sea sampler placement. Owners of vessels 
selected for sea sampler/observer coverage must notify the appropriate 
Regional or Science and Research Director, as specified by the Regional 
Administrator, before commencing any fishing trip that may result in the 
harvest of resources of the respective fishery. Notification procedures 
will be specified in selection letters to vessel owners.
    (c) The Regional Administrator may waive the requirement to carry a 
sea sampler or observer if the facilities on a vessel for housing the 
observer or sea sampler, or for carrying out observer or sea sampler 
functions, are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or safety of the 
observer or sea sampler, or the safe operation of the vessel, would be 
jeopardized.
    (d) An owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-approved sea 
sampler/observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the sea sampler/observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission 
and receipt of messages related to the sea sampler's/observer's duties.
    (3) Provide true vessel locations, by latitude and longitude or 
loran coordinates, as requested by the observer/sea sampler, and allow 
the sea sampler/observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position.
    (4) Notify the sea sampler/observer in a timely fashion of when 
fishing operations are to begin and end.
    (5) Allow for the embarking and debarking of the sea sampler/
observer, as specified by the Regional Administrator, ensuring that 
transfers of observers/sea samplers at sea are accomplished in a safe 
manner, via small boat or raft, during daylight hours as weather and sea 
conditions allow, and with the agreement of the sea samplers/ observers 
involved.
    (6) Allow the sea sampler/observer free and unobstructed access to 
the vessel's bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, 
and any other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (7) Allow the sea sampler/observer to inspect and copy any the 
vessel's log, communications log, and records associated with the catch 
and distribution of fish for that trip.
    (e) The owner or operator of a vessel issued a summer flounder 
moratorium permit, a scup moratorium permit, a black sea bass moratorium 
permit, a bluefish permit, a spiny dogfish permit, an Atlantic herring 
permit, an Atlantic deep-sea red crab permit, a skate permit, or a 
tilefish permit, if requested by the sea sampler/observer, also must:
    (1) Notify the sea sampler/observer of any sea turtles, marine 
mammals, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, spiny dogfish, 
Atlantic herring, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, tilefish, skates 
(including discards) or other specimens taken by the vessel.
    (2) Provide the sea sampler/observer with sea turtles, marine 
mammals, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish, spiny dogfish, 
Atlantic herring, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, skates, tilefish, or other 
specimens taken by the vessel.
    (f) NMFS may accept observer coverage funded by outside sources if:
    (1) All coverage conducted by such observers is determined by NMFS 
to be in compliance with NMFS' observer guidelines and procedures.

[[Page 380]]

    (2) The owner or operator of the vessel complies with all other 
provisions of this part.
    (3) The observer is approved by the Regional Administrator.
    (g) Atlantic sea scallop observer program--(1) General. Unless 
otherwise specified, owners, operators, and/or managers of vessels 
issued a Federal scallop permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(2), and specified 
in paragraph (b) of this section, must comply with this section and are 
jointly and severally responsible for their vessel's compliance with 
this section. To facilitate the deployment of at-sea observers, all sea 
scallop vessels issued limited access permits fishing in open areas or 
Sea Scallop Access Areas, and general category vessels fishing under the 
Sea Scallop Access Area program specified in Sec. 648.60, are required 
to comply with the additional notification requirements specified in 
paragraphs (g)(2) of this section, except that scallop vessels issued 
Occasional scallop permits not participating in the Area Access Program 
specified in Sec. 648.60 may provide the specified information to NMFS 
by calling NMFS. All sea scallop vessels issued a VMS general category 
or Non-VMS general scallop permit that are participating in the Area 
Access Program specified in Sec. 648.60 are required to comply with the 
additional VMS notification requirements specified in paragraph (g)(2) 
of this section. When NMFS notifies the vessel owner, operator, or the 
vessel manager of any requirement to carry an observer on a specified 
trip in either an Access Area or Open Area as specified in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this section, the vessel may not fish for, take, retain, 
possess, or land any scallops without carrying an observer. Vessels may 
only embark on a scallop trip in open areas or Access Areas without an 
observer if the owner, operator, or vessel manager has been notified 
that the vessel has received a waiver of the observer requirement for 
that trip pursuant to paragraphs (g)(3) and (5) of this section.
    (2) Vessel notification procedures. For the purpose of determining 
if an observer will be deployed on a vessel for a specific trip, a 
vessel issued a limited access permit fishing in open areas or in the 
Sea Scallop Area Access program specified in Sec. 648.60, or a vessel 
issued a general category scallop permit and fishing in the Sea Scallop 
Area Access program specified in Sec. 648.60, is required to comply 
with the following notification requirements:
    (i) Prior to the 25th day of the month preceding the month in which 
fishing for scallops is to take place, the vessel owner or operator must 
submit, through the VMS e-mail messaging system, notice of its intention 
to fish for scallops, along with the following information: Vessel name 
and permit number, owner and operator's name, owner and operator's phone 
numbers, and number of trips anticipated for open areas and each Sea 
Scallop Access Area or open area in which it intends to fish. General 
category vessels are required to submit this information only for Sea 
Scallop Access Area trips. The e-mail address shall be provided to 
vessels in a Small Entity Compliance Guide issued by the Regional 
Administrator. The Regional Administrator may waive this notification 
period if it is determined that there is insufficient time to provide 
such notification prior to a Sea Scallop Access Area opening or 
beginning of the fishing year. Notification of this waiver of a portion 
of the notification period shall be provided to the vessel through a 
permit holder letter issued by the Regional Administrator.
    (ii) For each scallop trip, the vessel owner, operator, or vessel 
manager shall notify NMFS by telephone, using the phone number provided 
by the Regional Administrator in the Small Entity Compliance Guide, and 
provide the following information: Vessel Name; contact name and number; 
date and time of departure; port of departure; area to be fished (either 
open areas or the specific Sea Scallop Access Area), and fishing as a 
scallop dredge, scallop trawl or general category vessel.
    (3) Selection of scallop fishing trips for observer coverage. Based 
on predetermined coverage levels for various sectors of the scallop 
fishery that are provided by NMFS in writing to all observer service 
provider approved pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, NMFS shall 
notify the vessel owner, operator, or vessel manager whether the vessel 
must carry an observer, or if

[[Page 381]]

a waiver has been granted, on the specified trip within 24 hours of the 
vessel owner's, operator's, or vessel manager's notification of the 
prospective trip as specified in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section. 
Any request to carry an observer may be waived by NMFS. With the 
exception of vessels issued a non-VMS general category scallop permit 
that are fishing in an access area, all waivers for observer coverage 
shall be issued to the vessel by VMS so as to have on-board verification 
of the waiver. Waivers for vessels issued a non-VMS general category 
scallop permit will be issued by fax, if possible, or by phone if no fax 
number is available.
    (4) Procurement of observer services by scallop vessels. (i) An 
owner of a scallop vessel required to carry an observer under paragraph 
(g)(3) of this section must arrange for carrying an observer certified 
through the observer training class operated by the Northeast Fisheries 
Observer Program (herein after NMFS/NEFOP certified) from an observer 
service provider approved by NMFS under paragraph (h) of this section. A 
list of approved observer service providers shall be posted on the NOAA/
NEFOP website at http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/femad/fsb/. The owner, 
operator, or vessel manager of a vessel selected to carry an observer 
must contact the observer service provider and must provide at least 72 
hours notice in advance of the fishing trip for the provider to arrange 
for observer deployment for the specified trip.
    (ii) An owner, operator, or vessel manager of a vessel that cannot 
procure a certified observer within 72 hours of the advance notification 
to the provider due to the unavailability of an observer, may request a 
waiver from NMFS from the requirement for observer coverage for that 
trip, but only if the owner, operator, or vessel manager has contacted 
all of the available observer service providers to secure observer 
coverage and no observer is available. NMFS shall issue such a waiver 
within 24 hours, if the conditions of this paragraph (g)(4)(ii) are met.
    (5) Unless otherwise notified by the Regional Administrator, owners 
of scallop vessels shall be responsible for paying the cost of the 
observer for all scallop fishing trips on which an observer is carried 
onboard the vessel, regardless of whether the vessel lands or sells sea 
scallops on that trip, and regardless of the availability of set-aside 
for an increased possession limit or reduced DAS accrual rate. Vessels 
that carry an observer may be compensated with a reduced DAS accrual 
rate for open area trips or additional scallop catch per day in Access 
Areas in order to help defray the cost of the observer, under the 
program specified in Sec. Sec. 648.53 and 648.60. Observer service 
providers are responsible for setting the daily rate for observer 
coverage on a vessel. NMFS shall determine the reduced DAS accrual rate 
and the amount of additional pounds of scallops per day fished in an 
access area for the applicable fishing year based on the economic 
conditions of the scallop fishery, as determined by best available 
information. Vessel owners and observer service providers shall be 
notified by Small Entity Compliance Guide of the DAS accrual rate and 
additional pounds of scallops determined by the Regional Administrator. 
The Regional Administrator may adjust the DAS accrual rate and 
additional pounds of scallops if necessary based on economic conditions 
of the scallop fishery. Vessel owners and observer providers shall by 
notified of any such adjustments through a letter.
    (6) When the available DAS or TAC set-aside for observer coverage is 
exhausted, vessels shall still be required to carry an observer as 
specified in this section and shall be responsible for paying for the 
cost of the observer, unless otherwise waived by NMFS, but shall not be 
authorized to harvest additional pounds or fish at a reduced DAS accrual 
rate.
    (h) Observer service provider approval and responsibilities--(1) 
General. An entity seeking to provide observer services to the Atlantic 
sea scallop fishery must apply for and obtain approval from NMFS 
following submission of a complete application to The Observer Program 
Branch Chief, 25 Bernard St Jean Drive, East Falmouth, MA 02536. A list 
of approved observer service providers shall be distributed to scallop 
vessel owners and shall be posted on

[[Page 382]]

NMFS's web page as specified in paragraph (g)(4) of this section.
    (2) Existing observer service providers. Observer service providers 
that currently deploy certified observers in the Northeast must submit 
an application containing the information specified in paragraph (h)(3) 
of this section, excluding any information specified in paragraph (h)(3) 
of this section that has already been submitted to NMFS.
    (3) Contents of application. An application to become an approved 
observer service provider shall contain the following:
    (i) Identification of the management, organizational structure, and 
ownership structure of the applicant's business, including 
identification by name and general function of all controlling 
management interests in the company, including but not limited to 
owners, board members, officers, authorized agents, and staff. If the 
applicant is a corporation, the articles of incorporation must be 
provided. If the applicant is a partnership, the partnership agreement 
must be provided.
    (ii) The permanent mailing address, phone and fax numbers where the 
owner(s) can be contacted for official correspondence, and the current 
physical location, business mailing address, business telephone and fax 
numbers, and business e-mail address for each office.
    (iii) A statement, signed under penalty of perjury, from each owner 
or owners, board members, and officers, if a corporation, that they are 
free from a conflict of interest as described under paragraph (h)(6) of 
this section.
    (iv) A statement, signed under penalty of perjury, from each owner 
or owners, board members, and officers, if a corporation, describing any 
criminal convictions, Federal contracts they have had, and the 
performance rating they received on the contract, and previous 
decertification action while working as an observer or observer service 
provider.
    (v) A description of any prior experience the applicant may have in 
placing individuals in remote field and/or marine work environments. 
This includes, but is not limited to, recruiting, hiring, deployment, 
and personnel administration.
    (vi) A description of the applicant's ability to carry out the 
responsibilities and duties of a scallop fishery observer services 
provider as set out under paragraph (h)(2) of this section, and the 
arrangements to be used.
    (vii) Evidence of holding adequate insurance to cover injury, 
liability, and accidental death for observers during their period of 
employment (including during training). Workers' Compensation and 
Maritime Employer's Liability insurance must be provided to cover the 
observer, vessel owner, and observer provider. The minimum coverage 
required is $5 million. Observer service providers shall provide copies 
of the insurance policies to observers to display to the vessel owner, 
operator, or vessel manager, when requested.
    (viii) Proof that its observers, either contracted or employed by 
the service provider, are compensated with salaries that meet or exceed 
the Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines for observers. Observers shall 
be compensated as a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) non-exempt 
employees. Observer providers shall provide any other benefits and 
personnel services in accordance with the terms of each observer's 
contract or employment status.
    (ix) The names of its fully equipped, NMFS/NEFOP certified observers 
on staff or a list of its training candidates (with resumes) and a 
request for a NMFS/NEFOP Sea Scallop Observer Training class (minimum 
class size of eight).
    (x) Am Emergency Action Plan (EAP) describing its response to an 'at 
sea' emergency with an observer, including, but not limited to, personal 
injury, death, harassment, or intimidation.
    (4) Application evaluation. (i) NMFS shall review and evaluate each 
application submitted under paragraphs (h)(2) and (h)(3) of this 
section. Issuance of approval as an observer provider shall be based on 
completeness of the application, and a determination of the applicant's 
ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a sea scallop 
fishery observer service provider as demonstrated in the application 
information. A decision to approve or deny

[[Page 383]]

an application shall be made by NMFS within 15 days of receipt of the 
application by NMFS.
    (ii) If NMFS approves the application, the observer service 
provider's name will be added to the list of approved observer service 
providers found on NMFS website specified in paragraph (g)(4) of this 
section and in any outreach information to the industry. Approved 
observer service providers shall be notified in writing and provided 
with any information pertinent to its participation in the sea scallop 
fishery observer program.
    (iii) An application shall be denied if NMFS determines that the 
information provided in the application is not complete or the 
evaluation criteria are not met. NMFS shall notify the applicant in 
writing of any deficiencies in the application or information submitted 
in support of the application. An applicant who receives a denial of his 
or her application may present additional information to rectify the 
deficiencies specified in the written denial, provided such information 
is submitted to NMFS within 30 days of the applicant's receipt of the 
denial notification from NMFS. In the absence of additional information, 
and after 30 days from an applicant's receipt of a denial, an observer 
provider is required to resubmit an application containing all of the 
information required under the application process specified in 
paragraph (h)(3) of this section to be re-considered for being added to 
the list of approved observer service providers.
    (5) Responsibilities of observer service providers. (i) An observer 
service provider must provide observers certified by NMFS/NEFOP pursuant 
to paragraph (i) of this section for deployment in the sea scallop 
fishery when contacted and contracted by the owner, operator, or vessel 
manager of a vessel fishing in the scallop fishery unless the observer 
service provider rufuses to deploy an observer on a requesting vessel 
for any of the reasons specified at paragraph (viii) of this section.
    (ii) An observer service provider must provide to each of its 
observers:
    (A) All necessary transportation, including arrangements and 
logistics, of observers to the initial location of deployment, to all 
subsequent vessel assignments, and to any debriefing locations, if 
necessary;
    (B) Lodging, per diem, and any other services necessary for 
observers assigned to a scallop vessel or to attend a NMFS/NEFOP Sea 
Scallop Observer Training class;
    (C) The required observer equipment, in accordance with equipment 
requirements listed on NMFS website specified in paragraph (g)(4) of 
this section under the Sea Scallop Program, prior to any deployment and/
or prior to NMFS observer certification training; and
    (D) Individually assigned communication equipment, in working order, 
such as a cell phone or pager, for all necessary communication. An 
observer service provider may alternatively compensate observers for the 
use of the observer's personal cell phone or pager for communications 
made in support of, or necessary for, the observer's duties.
    (iii) Observer deployment logistics. Each approved observer service 
provider must assign an available certified observer to a vessel upon 
request. Each approved observer service provider must provide for access 
by industry 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to enable an owner, 
operator, or manager of a vessel to secure observer coverage when 
requested. The telephone system must be monitored a minimum of four 
times daily to ensure rapid response to industry requests. Observer 
service providers approved under paragraph (h) of this section are 
required to report observer deployments to NMFS daily for the purpose of 
determining whether the predetermined coverage levels are being achieved 
in the scallop fishery.
    (iv) Observer deployment limitations. Unless alternative 
arrangements are approved by NMFS, an observer provider must not deploy 
any observer on the same vessel for two or more consecutive deployments, 
and not more than twice in any given month. A certified observer's first 
deployment shall be on a scallop closed area trip and the resulting data 
shall be immediately edited, and approved, by NMFS prior to any further 
deployments of that observer.
    (v) Communications with observers. An observer service provider must 
have an

[[Page 384]]

employee responsible for observer activities on call 24 hours a day to 
handle emergencies involving observers or problems concerning observer 
logistics, whenever observers are at sea, stationed shoreside, in 
transit, or in port awaiting vessel assignment.
    (vi) Observer training requirements. The following information must 
be submitted to NMFS to request a certified observer training class at 
least 30 days prior to the beginning of the proposed training class: 
Date of requested training; a list of observer candidates, with a 
minimum of eight individuals; observer candidate resumes; and a 
statement signed by the candidate, under penalty of perjury, that 
discloses the candidate's criminal convictions, if any. All observer 
trainees must complete a basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation/first aid 
course prior to the beginning of a NMFS/NEFOP Sea Scallop Observer 
Training class. NMFS may reject a candidate for training if the 
candidate does not meet the minimum qualification requirements as 
outlined by NMFS National Minimum Eligibility Standards for observers as 
described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section.
    (vii) Reports--(A) Observer deployment reports. The observer service 
provider must report to NMFS when, where, to whom, and to what fishery 
(open or closed area) an observer has been deployed, within 24 hours of 
their departure. The observer service provider must ensure that the 
observer reports back to NMFS its Observer Contract (OBSCON) data, as 
described in the certified observer training, within 12 hours of 
landing. OBSCON data are to be submitted electronically or by other 
means as specified by NMFS. The observer service provider shall provide 
the raw (unedited) data collected by the observer to NMFS within 72 
hours of the trip landing.
    (B) Safety refusals. The observer service provider must report to 
NMFS any trip that has been refused due to safety issues, e.g., failure 
to hold a valid USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination Decal 
or to meet the safety requirements of the observer's pre-trip vessel 
safety checklist, within 24 hours of the refusal.
    (C) Biological samples. The observer service provider must ensure 
that biological samples, including whole marine mammals, turtles and sea 
birds, are stored/handled properly and transported to NMFS within 7 days 
of landing.
    (D) Observer debriefing. The observer service provider must ensure 
that the observer remains available to NMFS, including NMFS Office for 
Law Enforcement, for debriefing for at least two weeks following any 
observed trip. An observer that is at sea during the 2-week period must 
contact NMFS upon his or her return, if requested by NMFS.
    (E) Observer availability report. The observer service provider must 
report to NMFS any occurrence of inability to respond to an industry 
request for observer coverage due to the lack of available observers on 
staff by 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time, of any day on which the provider 
is unable to respond to an industry request for observer coverage.
    (F) Other reports. The observer provider must report possible 
observer harassment, discrimination, concerns about vessel safety or 
marine casualty, observer illness or injury, and any information, 
allegations, or reports regarding observer conflict of interest or 
breach of the standards of behavior must be submitted to NMFS within 24 
hours of the event or within 24 of learning of the event.
    (viii) Refusal to deploy an observer.--(A) An observer service 
provider may refuse to deploy an observer on a requesting scallop vessel 
if the observer service provider does not have an available observer 
within 72 hours of receiving a request for an observer from a vessel.
    (B) An observer service provider may refuse to deploy an observer on 
a requesting scallop vessel if the observer service provider has 
determined that the requesting vessel is inadequate or unsafe pursuant 
to the reasons described at Sec. 600.746.
    (C) The observer service provider may refuse to deploy an observer 
on a scallop vessel that is otherwise eligible to carry an observer for 
any other reason including failure to pay for pervious observer 
deployments, provided

[[Page 385]]

the observer service provider has received prior written confirmation 
from NMFS authorizing such refusal.
    (6) Limitations on conflict of interest. An observer service 
provider:
    (i) Must not have a direct or indirect interest in a fishery managed 
under Federal regulations, including, but not limited to, a fishing 
vessel, fish dealer, fishery advocacy group, and/or fishery research;
    (ii) Must assign observers without regard to any preference by 
representatives of vessels other than when an observer will be deployed; 
and
    (iii) Must not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any 
gratuity, gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary 
value from anyone who conducts fishing or fishing related activities 
that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be 
substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the 
official duties of observer providers.
    (7) Removal of observer service provider from the list of approved 
observer service providers. An observer provider that fails to meet the 
requirements, conditions, and responsibilities specified in paragraphs 
(h)(5) and (h)(6) of this section shall be notified by NMFS, in writing, 
that it is subject to removal from the list of approved observer service 
providers. Such notification shall specify the reasons for the pending 
removal. An observer service provider that has received notification 
that it is subject to removal from the list of approved observer service 
providers may submit information to rebut the reasons for removal from 
the list. Such rebuttal must be submitted within 30 days of notification 
received by the observer service provider that the observer service 
provider is subject to removal and must be accompanied by written 
evidence that clearly disproves the reasons for removal. NMFS shall 
review information rebutting the pending removal and shall notify the 
observer service provider within 15 days of receipt of the rebuttal 
whether or not the removal is warranted. If no response to a pending 
removal is received by NMFS, the observer service provider shall be 
automatically removed from the list of approved observer service 
providers. The decision to remove the observer service provider from the 
list, either after reviewing a rebuttal, or if no rebuttal is submitted, 
shall be the final decision of NMFS and the Department of Commerce. 
Removal from the list of approved observer service providers does not 
necessarily prevent such observer service provider from obtaining an 
approval in the future if a new application is submitted that 
demonstrates that the reasons for removal are remedied. Certified 
observers under contract with an observer service provider that has been 
removed from the list of approved service providers must complete their 
assigned duties for any scallop trips on which the observers are 
deployed at the time the observer service provider is removed from the 
list of approved observer service providers. An observer service 
provider removed from the list of approved observer service providers is 
responsible for providing NMFS with the information required in 
paragraph (h)(5)(vii) of this section following completion of the trip. 
NMFS may consider, but is not limited to, the following in determining 
if an observer service provider may remain on the list of approved 
observer service providers:
    (i) Failure to meet the requirements, conditions, and 
responsibilities of observer service providers specified in paragraphs 
(h)(5) and (h)(6) of this section;
    (ii) Evidence of conflict of interest as defined under paragraph 
(h)(3) of this section;
    (iii) Evidence of criminal convictions related to:
    (A) Embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or 
destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen 
property; or
    (B) The commission of any other crimes of dishonesty, as defined by 
state law or Federal law that would seriously and directly affect the 
fitness of an applicant in providing observer services under this 
section;
    (iv) Unsatisfactory performance ratings on any Federal contracts 
held by the applicant; and
    (v) Evidence of any history of decertification as either an observer 
or observer provider.
    (i) Observer certification. (1) To be certified, employees or sub-
contractors operating as observers for observer

[[Page 386]]

service providers approved under paragraph (h) of this section must meet 
NMFS National Minimum Eligibility Standards for observers. NMFS National 
Minimum Eligibility Standards are available at the National Observer 
Program website: http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st4/nop/.
    (2) Observer training. In order to be deployed on any scallop 
vessel, a candidate observer must have passed a NMFS/NEFOP Sea Scallop 
Fisheries Observer Training course. If a candidate fails training, the 
candidate shall be notified in writing on or before the last day of 
training. The notification will indicate the reasons the candidate 
failed the training. Observer training shall include an observer 
training trip, paid for as part of the observer's training, aboard a 
scallop vessel with a trainer. A certified observer's first deployment 
shall be on a scallop closed area trip and the resulting data shall be 
immediately edited, and approved, by NMFS prior to any further 
deployments of that observer.
    (3) Observer requirements. All observers must:
    (i) Have a valid NMFS/NEFOP fisheries observer certification 
pursuant to paragraph (i)(1) of this section;
    (ii) Be physically and mentally capable of carrying out the 
responsibilities of an observer on board scallop vessels, pursuant to 
standards established by NMFS. Such standards are available from NMFS 
website specified in paragraph (g)(4) of this section and shall be 
provided to each approved observer service provider; and
    (iii) Have successfully completed all NMFS-required training and 
briefings for observers before deployment, pursuant to paragraph (i)(2) 
of this section.
    (4) Probation and decertification. NMFS has the authority to review 
observer certifications and issue observer certification probation and/
or decertification as described in NMFS policy found on the website at: 
http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/femad/fsb/.
    (5) Issuance of decertification. Upon determination that 
decertification is warranted under paragraph (i)(3) of this section, 
NMFS shall issue a written decision to decertify the observer to the 
observer and approved observer service providers via certified mail at 
the observer's most current address provided to NMFS. The decision shall 
identify whether a certification is revoked and shall identify the 
specific reasons for the action taken. Decertification is effective 
immediately as of the date of issuance, unless the decertification 
official notes a compelling reason for maintaining certification for a 
specified period and under specified conditions. Decertification is the 
final decision of NMFS and the Department of Commerce and may not be 
appealed.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43425, Aug. 23, 1996; 61 
FR 58465, Nov. 15, 1996; 65 FR 1569, Jan. 11, 2000; 65 FR 45852, July 
26, 2000; 65 FR 77466, Dec. 11, 2000; 66 FR 49144, Sept. 26, 2001; 68 FR 
49700, Aug. 19, 2003; 71 FR 33225, June 8, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 34844, June 16, 2006, Sec. 648.11 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), and adding 
paragraphs (a)(3), (g), (h), and (i), effective June 16, 2006 through 
Dec. 13, 2006.



Sec. 648.12  Experimental fishing.

    The Regional Administrator may exempt any person or vessel from the 
requirements of subparts A (General provisions), B (Atlantic mackerel, 
squid, and butterfish), D (Atlantic sea scallop), E (Atlantic surf clam 
and ocean quahog), F (NE multispecies and monkfish), G (summer 
flounder), H (scup), I (black sea bass), J (Atlantic bluefish), K 
(Atlantic herring), L (spiny dogfish), M (Atlantic deep-sea red crab), N 
(tilefish), and O (skates) of this part for the conduct of experimental 
fishing beneficial to the management of the resources or fishery managed 
under that subpart. The Regional Administrator shall consult with the 
Executive Director of the MAFMC regarding such exemptions for the 
Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, summer flounder, scup, black sea 
bass, spiny dogfish, bluefish, and tilefish fisheries.
    (a) The Regional Administrator may not grant such an exemption 
unless he/she determines that the purpose, design, and administration of 
the exemption is consistent with the management objectives of the 
respective FMP, the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other 
applicable law, and that granting the exemption will not:

[[Page 387]]

    (1) Have a detrimental effect on the respective resources and 
fishery;
    (2) Cause any quota to be exceeded; or
    (3) Create significant enforcement problems.
    (b) Each vessel participating in any exempted experimental fishing 
activity is subject to all provisions of the respective FMP, except 
those necessarily relating to the purpose and nature of the exemption. 
The exemption will be specified in a letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator to each vessel participating in the exempted activity. 
This letter must be carried on board the vessel seeking the benefit of 
such exemption.
    (c) Experimental fishing for surf clams or ocean quahogs will not 
require an allocation permit.

[61 FR 58466, Nov. 15, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 37156, July 11, 1997; 
65 FR 45852, July 26, 2000; 65 FR 77466, Dec. 11, 2000; 66 FR 49144, 
Sept. 26, 2001; 68 FR 49700, Aug. 19, 2003]



Sec. 648.13  Transfers at sea.

    (a) Only vessels issued a Loligo and butterfish moratorium or Illex 
moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(5) and vessels issued a mackerel 
or squid/butterfish incidental catch permit and authorized in writing by 
the Regional Administrator to do so, may transfer or attempt to transfer 
Loligo, Illex, or butterfish from one vessel to another vessel.
    (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
vessels issued a multispecies permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(1) or a 
scallop permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(2) are prohibited from transferring 
or attempting to transfer any fish from one vessel to another vessel, 
except that vessels issued a Federal multispecies permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(1) and specifically authorized in writing by the Regional 
Administrator to do so, may transfer species other than regulated 
species from one vessel to another vessel.
    (2) Vessels issued a Federal multispecies permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(1) may transfer from one vessel to another, for use as bait, up 
to 500 lb (226.8 kg) of silver hake and unlimited amounts of red hake, 
per trip, provided:
    (i) The transferring vessel possesses a Federal multispecies permit 
as specified under Sec. 648.4(a)(1);
    (ii) The transferring vessel has a letter of authorization issued by 
the Regional Administrator on board; and
    (iii) The receiving vessel possesses a written receipt for any 
small-mesh multispecies purchased at sea.
    (c) All persons are prohibited from transferring or attempting to 
transfer NE multispecies or scallops from one vessel to another vessel, 
except in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
    (d) All persons are prohibited from transferring or attempting to 
transfer at sea summer flounder from one vessel to another vessel.
    (e) Vessels issued a letter of authorization from the Regional 
Administrator to transfer small-mesh multispecies at sea for use as bait 
will automatically have 500 lb (226.8 kg) deducted from the vessel's 
combined silver hake and offshore hake possession limit, as specified 
under Sec. 648.86(c), for every trip during the participation period 
specified on the letter of authorization, regardless of whether a 
transfer of small-mesh multispecies at sea occurred or whether the 
actual amount that was transferred was less than 500 lb (226.8 kg). This 
deduction shall be noted on the transferring vessel's letter of 
authorization from the Regional Administrator.
    (f) Atlantic herring. Except for a person who purchases and/or 
receives Atlantic herring at sea for his own personal use as bait and 
who does not have purse seine, mid-water trawl, pelagic gillnet, sink 
gillnet, or bottom trawl gear on board, any person or vessel is 
prohibited from transferring, receiving, or attempting to transfer or 
receive any Atlantic herring taken from the EEZ, and any vessel issued 
an Atlantic herring permit is prohibited from transferring, receiving, 
or attempting to transfer or receive, Atlantic herring, unless the 
person or vessel complies with the following:
    (1) The transferring and receiving vessels have been issued valid 
Atlantic herring permits and/or other applicable authorization, such as 
a letter of authorization from the Regional Administrator, to transfer 
or receive herring.

[[Page 388]]

    (2) The vessel does not transfer to a U.S. vessel, and a U.S. vessel 
does not receive,  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of herring per day in 
or from a management area closed to directed fishing for Atlantic 
herring.
    (3) The vessel does not transfer herring in or from an area closed 
to directed fishing for Atlantic herring to an IWP or Joint Venture 
vessel.
    (4) The vessel does not transfer Atlantic herring to a Canadian 
transshipment vessel that is permitted in accordance with Pub. L. 104-
297 after the amount of herring transshipped equals the amount of the BT 
specified pursuant to Sec. 648.200.
    (g) All persons are prohibited from transferring at sea, either 
directly or indirectly, or attempting to transfer at sea to any vessel, 
any red crab or red crab parts, taken in or from the EEZ portion of the 
Red Crab Management Unit.
    (h) Skates. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) of this 
section, all persons or vessels issued a Federal skate permit are 
prohibited from transferring, or attempting to transfer, at sea any 
skates to any vessel, and all persons or vessels are prohibited from 
transferring, or attempting to transfer, at sea to any vessel any skates 
while in the EEZ, or skates taken in or from the EEZ portion of the 
Skate Management Unit.
    (2) Vessels and vessel owners or operators issued Federal skate 
permits under Sec. 648.4(a)(14) may transfer at sea skates taken in or 
from the EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit provided:
    (i) The transferring vessel possesses on board a letter of 
authorization issued by the Regional Administrator as specified under 
Sec. 648.322(b);
    (ii) The vessel and vessel owner or operator comply with the 
requirements specified at Sec. 648.322(b);
    (iii) The transferring vessel maintains a record of the quantity of 
skates transferred according to the requirements at Sec. 648.7; and
    (iv) The transferring vessel provides the receiving vessel 
documentation showing the date and the amount of skates transferred, 
whether or not a monetary exchange is involved in the transfer, and the 
transferring vessel maintains onboard, for a minimum of 1 year from the 
date of the transfer, a copy of said documentation.
    (i) Scup. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this 
section, all persons or vessels issued a Federal scup permit are 
prohibited from transferring, or attempting to transfer, at sea any scup 
to any vessel, and all persons or vessels are prohibited from 
transferring, or attempting to transfer, at sea to any vessel any scup 
while in the EEZ, or any scup taken in or from the EEZ portion of the 
Scup Management Unit.
    (2) The owner or operator of a vessel issued a Federal scup permit 
under Sec. 648.4(a)(6)(i)(A) may transfer at sea scup taken in or from 
the EEZ portion of the Scup Management Unit, provided:
    (i) The transfer occurs between two vessels with Federal scup 
permits;
    (ii) The transfer occurs seaward of a boundary line that begins at 
40[deg]50[min] N. lat., 70[deg]00[min] W. long., and runs south to 
connect points at 40[deg]15[min] N. lat., 73[deg]30[min] W. long.; 
37[deg]50[min] N. lat., 75[deg]00[min] W. long.; and 35[deg]30[min] N. 
lat., 75[deg]00[min] W. long.;
    (iii) The donating and receiving vessels possess gear that meets the 
requirements at Sec. 648.123(a)(2), (3), and (4) for commercial scup 
fishing gear;
    (iv) The transfer occurs in the Winter I or Winter II periods of the 
scup fishing year;
    (v) There is only one transfer per fishing trip for the donor 
vessel;
    (vi) The donor vessel removes only enough scup from the net to 
attain the scup possession limit;
    (vii) After removal of scup from the net by the donor vessel, the 
entire codend, with all its contents, is transferred to the receiving 
vessel;
    (viii) Only scup in an amount not to exceed the possession limit are 
retained by the receiving vessel;
    (ix) While fishing for scup, all other nets are stored in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b)(1); and

[[Page 389]]

    (x) The donating and receiving vessels report the transfer amount on 
the vessel trip report for each vessel.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 28642, May 27, 1997; 62 
FR 63875, Dec. 3, 1997; 65 FR 16774, Mar. 29, 2000; 65 FR 77466, Dec. 
11, 2000; 67 FR 63232, Oct. 10, 2002; 68 FR 22336, Apr. 28, 2003; 68 FR 
49700, Aug. 19, 2003; 69 FR 16178, Mar. 29, 2004]



Sec. 648.14  Prohibitions.

    (a) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Fail to report to the Regional Administrator within 15 days any 
change in the information contained in an applicable vessel, operator, 
or dealer/processor permit application.
    (2) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel markings as 
required by Sec. 648.8.
    (3) Make any false statement in connection with an application, 
declaration, or report under this part.
    (4) Fail to comply in an accurate and timely fashion with the log 
report, reporting, record retention, inspection, and other requirements 
of Sec. 648.7, or submit or maintain false information in records and 
reports required to be kept or filed under Sec. 648.7.
    (5) Alter, erase, or mutilate any permit issued under this part.
    (6) Alter, erase, mutilate, duplicate or cause to be duplicated, or 
steal any cage tag issued under this part.
    (7) Tamper with, damage, destroy, alter, or in any way distort, 
render useless, inoperative, ineffective, or inaccurate the VMS, VMS 
unit, or VMS signal required to be installed on or transmitted by vessel 
owners or operators required to use a VMS by this part.
    (8) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, harass, intimidate, or 
interfere with or bar by command, impediment, threat, or coercion any 
NMFS-approved observer or sea sampler aboard a vessel conducting his or 
her duties aboard a vessel, or any authorized officer conducting any 
search, inspection, investigation, or seizure in connection with 
enforcement of this part, or any official designee of the Regional 
Administrator conducting his or her duties, including those duties 
authorized in Sec. 648.7(g).
    (9) Refuse to carry an observer or sea sampler if requested to do so 
by the Regional Administrator.
    (10) To refuse reasonable assistance to either a NMFS-approved 
observer or sea sampler conducting his or her duties aboard a vessel.
    (11) Fish for surf clams or ocean quahogs in any area closed to surf 
clam or ocean quahog fishing.
    (12) Fish for, take, catch, harvest or land any species of fish 
regulated by this part in or from the EEZ, unless the vessel has a valid 
and appropriate permit issued under this part and the permit is on board 
the vessel and has not been surrendered, revoked, or suspended.
    (13) Purchase, possess or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase possess or receive for a commercial purpose, any 
species regulated under this part unless in possession of a valid dealer 
permit issued under this part, except that this prohibition does not 
apply to species that are purchased or received from a vessel not issued 
a permit under this part that fished exclusively in state waters, or 
unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (14) Produce, or cause to be produced, cage tags required under this 
part without written authorization from the Regional Administrator.
    (15) Tag a cage with a tag that has been rendered null and void or 
with a tag that has been previously used.
    (16) Tag a cage of surf clams with an ocean quahog cage tag or tag a 
cage of ocean quahogs with a surf clam cage tag.
    (17) Possess, import, export, transfer, land, have custody or 
control of any species of fish regulated pursuant to this part that do 
not meet the minimum size provisions in this part, unless such species 
were harvested exclusively within state waters by a vessel not issued a 
permit under this part or whose permit has been surrendered in 
accordance with applicable regulations.
    (18) Possess an empty cage to which a cage tag required by Sec. 
648.75 is affixed or possess any cage that does not contain surf clams 
or ocean quahogs and

[[Page 390]]

to which a cage tag required by Sec. 648.75 is affixed.
    (19) Land or possess, after offloading, any cage holding surf clams 
or ocean quahogs without a cage tag or tags required by Sec. 648.75, 
unless the person can demonstrate the inapplicability of the 
presumptions set forth in Sec. 648.75(h).
    (20) Sell null and void tags.
    (21) Shuck surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or from the EEZ 
at sea, unless permitted by the Regional Administrator under the terms 
of Sec. 648.74.
    (22) Receive for a commercial purpose other than transport, surf 
clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or from the EEZ, whether or not they 
are landed under an allocation under Sec. 648.70, unless issued a 
dealer/processor permit under this part.
    (23) Land unshucked surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or from 
the EEZ outside the Maine mahogany quahog zone in containers other than 
cages from vessels capable of carrying cages.
    (24) Land unshucked surf clams and ocean quahogs harvested in or 
from the EEZ within the Maine mahogany quahog zone in containers other 
than cages from vessels capable of carrying cages unless, with respect 
to ocean quahogs, the vessel has been issued a Maine mahogany quahog 
permit under this part and is not fishing for an individual allocation 
of quahogs under Sec. 648.70.
    (25) Fail to comply with any of the notification requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.15(b).
    (26) Fish for, retain, or land both surf clams and ocean quahogs in 
or from the EEZ on the same trip.
    (27) Fish for, retain, or land ocean quahogs in or from the EEZ on a 
trip designated as a surf clam fishing trip under Sec. 648.15(b), or 
fish for, retain, or land surf clams in or from the EEZ on a trip 
designated as an ocean quahog fishing trip under Sec. 648.15(b).
    (28) Fail to offload any surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in 
the EEZ from a trip discontinued pursuant to Sec. 648.15(b) prior to 
commencing fishing operations in waters under the jurisdiction of any 
state.
    (29) Land or possess any surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or 
from the EEZ in excess of, or without, an individual allocation.
    (30) Transfer any surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or from 
the EEZ to any person for a commercial purpose, other than transport, 
without a surf clam or ocean quahog processor or dealer permit.
    (31) Fish for, possess, or land NE multispecies, unless:
    (i) The NE multispecies are being fished for or were harvested in or 
from the EEZ by a vessel holding a valid multispecies permit under this 
part, or a letter under Sec. 648.4(a)(1), and the operator on board 
such vessel has been issued an operator's permit and has a valid permit 
on board the vessel;
    (ii) The NE multispecies were harvested by a vessel not issued a 
multispecies permit that fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state 
waters;
    (iii) The NE multispecies were harvested in or from the EEZ by a 
recreational fishing vessel; or
    (iv) Unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (32) Land, offload, remove, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to 
land, offload, remove or otherwise transfer multispecies from one vessel 
to another vessel, unless both vessels have not been issued multispecies 
permits and both fish exclusively in state waters, or unless authorized 
in writing by the Regional Administrator.
    (33) Sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer; or attempt to sell, 
barter, trade, or otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose any NE 
multispecies from a trip, unless the vessel is holding a multispecies 
permit, or a letter under Sec. 648.4(a)(1), and is not fishing under 
the charter/party vessel restrictions specified in Sec. 648.89, or 
unless the NE multispecies were harvested by a vessel without a 
multispecies permit that fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state 
waters, or unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (34) Operate or act as an operator of a vessel fishing for or 
possessing NE multispecies in or from the EEZ, or holding a multispecies 
permit without having been issued and possessing a valid operator's 
permit.
    (35) Fish with, use, or have on board, within the areas described in

[[Page 391]]

Sec. 648.80(a)(1) and (2), nets with mesh size smaller than the minimum 
mesh size specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(3) and (4), except as provided in 
Sec. 648.80(a)(5) through (8), (a)(9), (a)(10), (a)(15), (d), (e), and 
(i), unless the vessel has not been issued a NE multispecies permit and 
fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state waters, or unless 
otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (36) Fish with, use, or have available for immediate use within the 
area described in Sec. 648.80(b)(1), nets of mesh size smaller than the 
minimum size specified in Sec. 648.80(b)(2), except as provided in 
Sec. 648.80(b)(3), (b)(9), (d), (e), and (i), or unless the vessel has 
not been issued a multispecies permit and fishes for multispecies 
exclusively in state waters, or unless otherwise specified in Sec. 
648.17.
    (37) Fish with, use, or have available for immediate use within the 
area described in Sec. 648.80(c)(1), nets of mesh size smaller that the 
minimum mesh size specified in Sec. 648.80(c)(2), except as provided in 
Sec. 648.80(c)(3), (d), (e), and (i), or unless the vessel has not been 
issued a multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively 
in state waters, or unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (38) Enter or be in the area described in Sec. 648.81(a)(1) on a 
fishing vessel, except as provided in Sec. 648.81(a)(2) and (d).
    (39) Enter or be in the area described in Sec. 648.81(b)(1) on a 
fishing vessel, except as provided in Sec. 648.81(b)(2) and (b)(2)(i).
    (40) Enter or be in the area described in Sec. 648.81(c)(1) on a 
fishing vessel, except as allowed under Sec. 648.81(c)(2) and (i).
    (41) Fail to comply with the gear-marking requirements of Sec. 
648.84.
    (42) Fish within the areas described in Sec. 648.80(a)(6) with nets 
of mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(3) or 
(4).
    (43) Violate any of the provisions of Sec. 648.80, including 
paragraphs (a)(5), the small-mesh northern shrimp fishery exemption 
area; (a)(6), the Cultivator Shoal whiting fishery exemption area; 
(a)(9), Small-mesh Area 1/Small-mesh Area 2; (a)(10), the Nantucket 
Shoals dogfish fishery exemption area; (a)(11), the GOM Scallop Dredge 
Exemption Area; (a)(12), the Nantucket Shoals mussel and sea urchin 
dredge exemption area; (a)(13), the GOM/GB monkfish gillnet exemption 
area; (a)(14), the GOM/GB dogfish gillnet exemption area; (a)(15), the 
Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery; (a)(18), the Great South 
Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area; (b)(3), exemptions (small mesh); 
(b)(5); the SNE monkfish and skate trawl exemption area; (b)(6), the SNE 
monkfish and skate gillnet exemption area; (b)(8), the SNE mussel and 
sea urchin dredge exemption area; (b)(9), the SNE little tunny gillnet 
exemption area; and (b)(11), the SNE Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Each 
violation of any provision in Sec. 648.80 constitutes a separate 
violation.
    (44) Fish for, land, or possess NE multispecies harvested by means 
of pair trawling or with pair trawl gear, except under the provisions of 
Sec. 648.80(d), or unless the vessels that engaged in pair trawling 
have not been issued multispecies permits and fish for NE multispecies 
exclusively in state waters.
    (45) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land in or from the EEZ northern 
shrimp, unless such shrimp were fished for or harvested by a vessel 
meeting the requirements specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(5).
    (46) Violate any terms of a letter authorizing experimental fishing 
pursuant to Sec. 648.12 or fail to keep such letter on board the vessel 
during the period of the experiment.
    (47) Fish for the species specified in Sec. 648.80(d) or (e) with a 
net of mesh size smaller than the applicable mesh size specified in 
Sec. 648.80(a)(3) or (4), (b)(2), or (c)(2), or possess or land such 
species, unless the vessel is in compliance with the requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.80(d) or (e), or unless the vessel has not been 
issued a NE multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies 
exclusively in state waters, or unless otherwise specified in Sec. 
648.17.
    (48) Violate any provision of the open access permit restrictions as 
provided in Sec. 648.88.
    (49) Violate any of the possession or landing restrictions on 
fishing with scallop dredge gear specified in Sec. Sec. 648.80(h) and 
648.94.

[[Page 392]]

    (50) Violate any provision of the state waters winter flounder 
exemption program as provided in Sec. 648.80(i).
    (51) Obstruct or constrict a net as described in Sec. 648.80(g) (1) 
or (2).
    (52) Enter, be on a fishing vessel in, or fail to remove gear from 
the EEZ portion of the areas described in Sec. 648.81(d)(1) through 
(g)(1), except as provided in Sec. 648.81(d)(2), (e)(2), (f)(2), 
(g)(2), and (i).
    (53) Possess, land, or fish for regulated species, except winter 
flounder as provided for in accordance with Sec. 648.80(i) and from or 
within the areas described in Sec. 648.80(i), while in possession of 
scallop dredge gear on a vessel not fishing under the scallop DAS 
program as described in Sec. 648.53, or fishing under a general scallop 
permit, unless the vessel and the dredge gear conform with the stowage 
requirements of Sec. 648.51 (a)(2)(ii) and (e)(2), or unless the vessel 
has not been issued a multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies 
exclusively in state waters.
    (54) Possess or land fish caught with nets of mesh smaller than the 
minimum size specified in Sec. 648.51, or with scallop dredge gear on a 
vessel not fishing under the scallop DAS program described in Sec. 
648.54 of this chapter, or fishing under a general scallop permit, 
unless said fish are caught, possessed or landed in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 648.80 and 648.86, or unless the vessel has not been issued a 
multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state 
waters.
    (55) Purchase, possess, or receive as a dealer, or in the capacity 
of a dealer, regulated species in excess of the possession limits 
specified in Sec. 648.85 or Sec. 648.86 applicable to a vessel issued 
a NE multispecies permit, unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17, or 
unless the regulated species are purchased or received from a member of 
an approved Sector as specified at Sec. 648.87 that is exempt from such 
possession limits in accordance with an approved Sector Operations Plan.
    (56) Fish for, possess, or land per trip, scallops in excess of 40 
lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops unless:
    (i) The scallops were fished for and harvested by a vessel that has 
been issued and carries on board a VMS general scallop or limited access 
scallop permit;
    (ii) The scallops were harvested by a vessel that has not been 
issued a scallop permit and fishes for scallops exclusively in state 
waters.
    (iii) The scallops were fished for and harvested by a vessel issued 
a VMS general scallop permit with an operator on board who has been 
issued an operator's permit and the permit is on board the vessel and is 
valid.
    (57) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time prior to a 
transfer to another person for a commercial purpose, other than solely 
for transport, in excess of 400 lb (181.4 kg) shucked, or 50 bu (17.6 
hl) in-shell scallops, unless:
    (i) The scallops were harvested by a vessel that has been issued and 
carries on board a limited access scallop permit and is fishing under 
scallop DAS; or
    (ii) The scallops were harvested by a vessel that has not been 
issued a scallop permit and fishes for scallops exclusively in state 
waters.
    (iii) The scallops were harvested by a vessel that has been issued 
and carries on board a limited access or General Category scallop permit 
and the vessel is fishing under the provisions of the state waters 
exemption program specified in Sec. 648.54.
    (58) [Reserved]
    (59) Have a shucking or sorting machine on board a vessel that 
shucks scallops at sea, while in possession of more than 400 lb (181.44 
kg) of shucked scallops, unless that vessel has not been issued a 
scallop permit and fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (60) Land, offload, remove, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to 
land, offload, remove or otherwise transfer, scallops from one vessel to 
another, unless that vessel has not been issued a scallop permit and 
fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (61) Sell, barter or trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to 
sell, barter or trade, or otherwise transfer, for a commercial purpose, 
any scallops from a trip whose catch is 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked 
scallops or less, or 5 bu (176.1 L) of in-shell scallops, unless the 
vessel has been issued a valid general or limited access scallop permit, 
or the scallops were harvested by a vessel that

[[Page 393]]

has not been issued a scallop permit and fishes for scallops exclusively 
in state waters.
    (62) Purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, in 
the capacity of a dealer, scallops taken from a fishing vessel that were 
harvested in or from the EEZ, unless issued, and in possession of, a 
valid scallop dealer's permit.
    (63) Purchase, possess, or receive for commercial purposes, or 
attempt to purchase or receive for commercial purposes, scallops caught 
by a vessel other than one issued a valid limited access or general 
scallop permit unless the scallops were harvested by a vessel that has 
not been issued a scallop permit and fishes for scallops exclusively in 
state waters.
    (64) Operate or act as an operator of a vessel fishing for or 
possessing any species of fish regulated by this part in or from the 
EEZ, or issued a permit pursuant to this part, without having been 
issued and possessing a valid operator's permit.
    (65) Possess in or harvest from the EEZ summer flounder, either in 
excess of the possession limit specified in Sec. 648.105, or before or 
after the time period specified in Sec. 648.102, unless the vessel was 
issued a summer flounder moratorium permit and the moratorium permit is 
on board the vessel and has not been surrendered, revoked, or suspended.
    (66) Possess nets or netting with mesh not meeting the minimum mesh 
requirement of Sec. 648.104 if the person possesses summer flounder 
harvested in or from the EEZ in excess of the threshold limit of Sec. 
648.105(a).
    (67) Purchase or otherwise receive, except for transport, summer 
flounder from the owner or operator of a vessel issued a summer flounder 
moratorium permit, unless in possession of a valid summer flounder 
dealer permit.
    (68) Purchase or otherwise receive for commercial purposes summer 
flounder caught by other than a vessel with a summer flounder moratorium 
permit not subject to the possession limit of Sec. 648.105.
    (69) Purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose summer 
flounder landed in a state after the effective date published in the 
Federal Register notifying permit holders that commercial quota is no 
longer available in that state.
    (70) Fail to comply with any sea turtle conservation measure 
specified in Sec. 648.106, including any sea turtle conservation 
measure implemented by notification in the Federal Register in 
accordance with Sec. 648.106(d).
    (71) Use any vessel of the United States for taking, catching, 
harvesting, fishing for, or landing any Atlantic salmon taken from or in 
the EEZ.
    (72) Transfer, directly or indirectly, or attempt to transfer to any 
vessel any Atlantic salmon taken in or from the EEZ.
    (73) Take, retain, possess, or land more mackerel, squid or 
butterfish than specified under a notification issued under Sec. 
648.22.
    (74) [Reserved]
    (75) Transfer Loligo, Illex, or butterfish within the EEZ, unless 
the vessels participating in the transfer have been issued a valid 
Loligo and butterfish or Illex moratorium permit and are transferring 
the species for which the vessels are permitted or have a valid squid/
butterfish incidental catch permit and a letter of authorization from 
the Regional Administrator.
    (76) Purchase, possess or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, in 
the capacity of a dealer, except for transport on land, mackerel, squid, 
and butterfish taken from a fishing vessel unless issued, and in 
possession of a valid mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery dealer 
permit.
    (77) Purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose, 
mackerel, squid, and butterfish caught by other than a vessel issued a 
mackerel, squid, and butterfish permit, unless the vessel has not been 
issued a permit under this part and fishes exclusively within the waters 
under the jurisdiction of any state.
    (78) [Reserved]
    (79) Violate any other provision of this part, the Magnuson Act, or 
any regulation, notice, or permit issued under the Magnuson Act.
    (80) Possess scup in or harvested from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. in an

[[Page 394]]

area closed, or before or after a season established pursuant to Sec. 
648.122, or in excess of the possession limit established pursuant to 
Sec. 648.125.
    (81) To purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose scup 
harvested from the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., or from a 
vessel issued a scup moratorium permit after the effective date of the 
notification published in the Federal Register stating that the 
commercial quota has been harvested.
    (82) Land scup harvested in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the commercial quota has 
been harvested.
    (83) Possess scup harvested in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. that do not meet the minimum fish size 
specified in Sec. 648.124.
    (84) Fish for, catch, possess, or retain scup in or from the EEZ 
north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. in excess of the amount specified in 
Sec. 648.123 (500 lb (226.8 kg) or more from November 1- April 30, or 
100 lb (45.4 kg) or more from May 1-October 31), unless the vessel meets 
the gear restrictions in Sec. 648.123.
    (85) Fish for, catch, or retain scup in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. for sale, barter, or trade, after January 1, 
1997, unless the vessel has been issued a valid moratorium permit 
pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(6).
    (86) Sell or transfer scup harvested in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. after January 1, 1997, unless the vessel has 
been issued a valid moratorium permit pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(6).
    (87) Fish for, catch, or retain scup in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. on board a party or charter boat after January 
1, 1997, unless the vessel has been issued a valid party or charter boat 
permit pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(6)(ii).
    (88) Fish with or possess scup pots or traps in the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. that have a rectangular escape vent, any side 
of which is less than 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in length.
    (89) Fish for, catch, and retain, or land scup in or from the EEZ 
north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. in excess of the landing limit 
established pursuant to Sec. 648.120(b)(3) and (b)(4).
    (90) Use, set, haul back, fish with, possess on board a vessel, 
unless stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), or fail to remove, 
sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies, with the exception of single pelagic gillnets (as 
described in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)), in the areas and for the times 
specified in Sec. 648.80(g)(6)(i) and (ii), except as provided in 
Sec. Sec. 648.80(g)(6)(i) and (ii) and 648.81(f)(2)(ii), or unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the Regional Administrator.
    (91) Possess in or harvest from the EEZ from 35[deg]15.3[min] N. 
lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC, northward to the U.S.-
Canada border, black sea bass either in excess of the possession limit 
established pursuant to Sec. 648.145 or before or after the time period 
established pursuant to Sec. 648.142, unless the person is operating a 
vessel issued a moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4 and the moratorium 
permit is on board the vessel and has not been surrendered, revoked, or 
suspended;
    (92) Fish for, catch, possess, land, or retain black sea bass in or 
from the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3 N. lat. (the latitude of Cape Hatteras 
Light, NC, to the U.S.-Canadian border) in excess of the amount 
specified in Sec. 648.144(a)(1)(i) (i.e., 500 lb (226.8 kg) from 
January 1 through March 31, or 100 lb (45.4 kg) from April 1 through 
December 31), unless the vessel meets the gear restrictions of Sec. 
648.144(a).
    (93) Purchase or otherwise receive for commercial purposes black sea 
bass caught in the EEZ from 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of 
Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina, northward to the U.S.-Canada 
border, by other than a vessel with a moratorium permit not subject to 
the possession limit established pursuant to Sec. 648.145 unless the 
vessel has not been issued a permit under this part and is fishing 
exclusively within the waters under the jurisdiction of any state.
    (94) Possess or use rollers used in roller rig or rock hopper trawl 
gear that do not meet the minimum size requirement of Sec. 648.144 if 
the person possesses black sea bass harvested in or from the EEZ from 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC, 
northward to the U.S.-Canada border.
    (95) Possess or use pot and trap gear not meeting the requirements 
of

[[Page 395]]

Sec. 648.144 if the person possesses black sea bass harvested in or 
from the EEZ from 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., the latitude of Cape 
Hatteras Light, NC, northward to the U.S.-Canada border.
    (96) Purchase or otherwise receive for commercial purposes black sea 
bass landed for sale by a moratorium vessel in any state, or part 
thereof, north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., after the effective date of 
the notification published in the Federal Register stating that the 
commercial annual quota has been harvested and the EEZ is closed to the 
harvest of black sea bass.
    (97) Fail to comply with any of the provisions specified in Sec. 
648.56.
    (98) Fish, or be in the areas described in Sec. 648.81(j)(1), 
(k)(1), (l)(1), and (m)(1) on a fishing vessel with mobile gear during 
the time periods specified in Sec. 648.81(j)(2), (k)(2), (l)(2), and 
(m)(2), except as provided in Sec. 648.81(j)(2), (k)(2), (l)(2), and 
(m)(2).
    (99) Fish, or be in the areas described in Sec. 648.81(j)(1), 
(k)(1), and (l)(1) on a fishing vessel with lobster pot gear during the 
time periods specified in Sec. 648.81(j)(2), (k)(2), and (l)(2).
    (100) Deploy in or fail to remove lobster pot gear from the areas 
described in Sec. 648.81(j)(1), (k)(1), and (l)(1), during the time 
periods specified in Sec. 648.81(j)(2), (k)(2), and (l)(2).
    (101) Enter, fail to remove gear from, or be in the areas described 
in Sec. 648.81(g)(1) through (i)(1) during the time period specified, 
except as provided in Sec. 648.81(d), (g)(2), (h)(2), and (i)(2).
    (102) Enter or fish in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern 
New England Regulated Mesh Areas, except as provided in Sec. Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(vi) and (b)(2)(vi), and for purposes of transiting, 
provided that all gear (other than exempted gear) is stowed in 
accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (103) Sell, barter, trade, or transfer, or attempt to sell, barter, 
trade, or transfer, other than solely for transport, any Atlantic 
herring, multispecies, or monkfish, unless the dealer or transferee has 
a valid dealer permit issued under Sec. 648.6. A person who purchases 
and/or receives Atlantic herring at sea for his own personal use as 
bait, and does not have purse seine, mid-water trawl, pelagic gillnet, 
sink gillnet, or bottom trawl gear on board, is exempt from the 
requirement to possess an Atlantic herring dealer permit.
    (104) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land regulated species in or 
from the closed areas specified in Sec. 648.81(a) through (f), unless 
otherwise specified in Sec. 648.81(c)(2)(iii), (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(iii), 
or as authorized under Sec. 648.85.
    (105) Offload unshucked surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in or 
from the EEZ outside the Maine mahogany quahog zone from vessels not 
capable of carrying cages, other than directly into cages.
    (106) Offload unshucked surf clams harvested in or from the EEZ 
within the Maine mahogany quahog zone from vessels not capable of 
carrying cages, other than directly into cages.
    (107) Offload unshucked ocean quahogs harvested in or from the EEZ 
within the Maine mahogany quahog zone from vessels not capable of 
carrying cages, other than directly into cages, unless the vessel has 
been issued a Maine mahogany quahog permit under this part and is not 
fishing for an individual allocation of quahogs under Sec. 648.70.
    (108) Purchase, receive for a commercial purpose other than 
transport to a testing facility, or process, or attempt to purchase, 
receive for commercial purpose other than transport to a testing 
facility, or process, outside Maine, ocean quahogs harvested in or from 
the EEZ within the Maine mahogany quahog zone, except at a facility 
participating in an overall food safety program, operated by the 
official state agency having jurisdiction, that utilizes food safety-
based procedures including sampling and analyzing for PSP toxin 
consistent with procedures used by the State of Maine for such purpose.
    (109) Land or possess ocean quahogs harvested in or from the EEZ 
within the Maine mahogany quahog zone after the effective date published 
in the Federal Register notifying participants that Maine mahogany 
quahog quota is no longer available, unless the vessel is fishing for an 
individual allocation of ocean quahogs under Sec. 648.70.
    (110) Fish for sea scallops in, or possess or land sea scallops 
from, the areas specified in Sec. Sec. 648.58 and 648.61.

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    (111) Transit or be in the areas described in Sec. Sec. 648.58 and 
648.61 in possession of scallops, except when all fishing gear is 
unavailable for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.23(b), unless 
there is a compelling safety reason to be in such areas.
    (112) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land in or from the EEZ, when 
fishing with trawl gear, any of the exempted species specified in Sec. 
648.80(a)(9)(i), unless such species were fished for or harvested by a 
vessel meeting the requirements specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(5)(ii) or 
(a)(9)(ii).
    (113) Land ocean quahogs outside Maine that are harvested in or from 
the EEZ within the Maine mahogany quahog zone, except at a facility 
participating in an overall food safety program, operated by the 
official state agency having jurisdiction, that utilizes food safety-
based procedures including sampling and analyzing for PSP toxin 
consistent with procedures used by the State of Maine for such purpose.
    (114) Fish for, possess, or land species regulated under this part 
with or from a vessel that is issued a limited access permit under 
Sec. Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i), 648.4(a)(2)(i), 648.4(a)(3)(i), 
648.4(a)(4)(i), 648.4(a)(5)(i), 648.4(a)(6)(i), or Sec. 648.4(a)(7)(i), 
and that has had the horsepower of such vessel or its replacement 
upgraded or increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(E) and (F).
    (115) Fish for, possess, or land species regulated under this part 
with or from a vessel issued a limited access permit under Sec. Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i), 648.4(a)(2)(i), 648.4(a)(3)(i), 648.4(a)(4)(i), 
648.4(a)(5)(i), 648.4(a)(6)(i), or Sec. 648.4(a)(7)(i), that has had 
the length, GRT, or NT of such vessel or its replacement upgraded or 
increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(E) and (F).
    (116) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land any species of fish in or 
from the GOM/GB Inshore Restricted Roller Gear Area described in Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(vii) with trawl gear where the diameter of any part of the 
trawl footrope, including discs, rollers or rockhoppers, is greater than 
12 inches (30.5 cm).
    (117) Fish for, land, or possess NE multispecies harvested with 
brush-sweep trawl gear unless the vessel has not been issued a 
multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state 
waters.
    (118) Possess brush-sweep trawl gear while in possession of NE 
multispecies, unless the vessel has not been issued a multispecies 
permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state waters.
    (119) Purchase or otherwise receive, except for transport, spiny 
dogfish from any person on board a vessel issued a spiny dogfish permit, 
unless the purchaser/receiver is in possession of a valid spiny dogfish 
dealer permit.
    (120) Purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose spiny 
dogfish landed by a federally permitted vessel in any state, from Maine 
to Florida, after the effective date of notification published in the 
Federal Register stating that the semi-annual quota has been harvested 
and the EEZ is closed to the harvest of spiny dogfish.
    (121) Enter, be on a fishing vessel in, or fail to remove gear from, 
the EEZ portion of the areas described in Sec. 648.81(n) during the 
time periods specified, except as provided in Sec. 648.81(d) and 
(n)(2).
    (122) Fish for, catch, possess, retain or land Loligo squid, silver 
hake, or black sea bass in or from the areas and during the time periods 
described in Sec. 648.122(a) or (b) while in possession of any trawl 
nets or netting that do not meet the minimum mesh restrictions or that 
are obstructed or constricted as specified in Sec. Sec. 648.122 and 
648.123(a), unless the nets or netting are stowed in accordance with 
Sec. 648.123(b).
    (123) Fish for, land, or possess NE multispecies harvested with the 
use of de-hookers (``crucifiers'') with less than 6-inch (15.2-cm) 
spacing between the fairlead rollers unless the vessel has not been 
issued a multispecies permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively 
in state waters.
    (124) Possess or use de-hookers (``crucifiers'') with less than 6-
inch (15.2-cm) spacing between the fairlead rollers while in possession 
of NE multispecies, unless the vessel has not been issued a multispecies 
permit and fishes for NE multispecies exclusively in state waters.
    (125) For vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit, or 
those

[[Page 397]]

issued a limited access NE multispecies permit and a limited access 
monkfish permit (Category C, D, F, G, or H), but are not fishing under 
the limited access monkfish Category A or B provisions as allowed under 
Sec. 648.92(b)(2), call into the DAS program prior to 1 hour before 
leaving port.
    (126) Call in DAS in excess of that allocated, leased, or 
permanently transferred, in accordance with the restrictions and 
conditions of Sec. 648.82.
    (127) [Reserved]
    (128) Fish for, harvest, possess or land any regulated NE 
multispecies from the areas specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), unless in 
compliance with the restrictions and conditions specified in Sec. 
648.85(a)(3).
    (129) Enter or fish in the Western U.S./Canada Area or Eastern U.S./
Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), unless declared into the 
area in accordance with Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(ii).
    (130) If declared into one of the areas specified in Sec. 
648.85(a)(1), fish during that same trip outside of the declared area, 
unless in compliance with the restrictions specified under Sec. 
648.85(a)(3)(ii)(B).
    (131) If the vessel has been issued a limited access NE multispecies 
DAS permit, and is in the area specified in Sec. 648.85(a), fail to 
comply with the VMS requirements in Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(i).
    (132) If fishing with trawl gear under a NE multispecies DAS in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area defined in Sec. 648.85(a)(1)(ii), fail to fish 
with a haddock separator trawl or a flounder trawl net, as specified in 
Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iii).
    (133) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Western U.S./
Canada Area or Eastern U.S./Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), 
exceed the trip limits specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iv), unless 
further restricted under Sec. 648.85(b).
    (134) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, enter or fish in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), if the area is 
closed under the authority of the Regional Administrator as described in 
Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iv)(D) or (E), unless fishing in the Closed Area II 
Yellowtail Flounder SAP specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3) or the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8).
    (135) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Western U.S./
Canada Area or Eastern U.S./Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), 
fail to report landings in accordance with Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(v).
    (136) If fishing under the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, 
fish for, harvest, possess or land any regulated NE multispecies from 
the area specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3)(ii), unless in compliance with 
the restrictions and conditions specified in Sec. Sec. 648.85(b)(3)(i) 
through (xi).
    (137) Enter or fish in Closed Area II as specified in Sec. 
648.81(b), unless declared into the area in accordance with Sec. 
648.85(b)(3)(v).
    (138) Enter or fish in Closed Area II under the Closed Area II 
Yellowtail Flounder SAP outside of the season specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(3)(iii).
    (139) If fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3), exceed the number of trips specified 
under Sec. 648.85(b)(3)(vi) or (vii).
    (140) If fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3), exceed the trip limits specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(3)(viii).
    (141) If declared into the areas specified in Sec. 648.85(b), enter 
or exit the declared areas more than once per trip.
    (142) If the vessel has been issued a limited access NE multispecies 
DAS permit and is in the area specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(ii), fail 
to comply with the VMS requirements in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(B).
    (143) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, fish in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8), 
unless declared into the program in accordance with Sec. 
648.85(b)(8)(v)(D).
    (144) Enter or fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program outside of the season specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(iv).
    (145) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program, exceed the possession limits specified 
in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(H).
    (146) If fishing under the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program, fish for, harvest, possess or land any regulated NE 
multispecies from the area specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(ii),

[[Page 398]]

unless in compliance with the restrictions and conditions specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(A) through (G).
    (147) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1), both outside and inside of 
the areas specified for a SAP under Sec. 648.85(b)(3) and (8), fail to 
abide by the DAS and possession restrictions under Sec. 
648.85(b)(8)(v)(A)(2) through (4).
    (148) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8), in the 
area specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(ii), during the season specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(iv), fail to comply with the restrictions specified 
in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v).
    (149) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1)(ii), and not in a SAP 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b) on the same trip, fail to comply with the 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(3).
    (150) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(1)(ii), and in one of the SAPs 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3) or (8), fail to comply with the no 
discard and DAS flip provisions specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(I) or 
the minimum Category A DAS requirement specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(8)(v)(J).
    (151) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8), fail to comply with the 
reporting requirements specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(G).
    (152) If fishing under the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8), fail to comply with the 
observer notification requirements specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(8)(v)(C).
    (153) If fishing under the SNE/MA Winter Flounder SAP, described in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the restrictions and conditions 
under Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(i) through (iv).
    (154) If fishing under an approved Sector, as authorized under Sec. 
648.87, fail to abide by the restrictions specified in Sec. 
648.87(b)(1).
    (155) If fishing under an approved Sector, as authorized under Sec. 
648.87, fail to remain in the sector for the remainder of the fishing 
year as required under Sec. 648.87(b)(1).
    (156) If fishing under the Georges Bank (GB) Cod Hook Sector, as 
authorized under Sec. 648.87, fish in the NE multispecies DAS program 
in a given fishing year, unless authorized by an approved Sector 
Operations Plan, or if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, fish under 
the GB Cod Hook Sector in a given fishing year, unless as otherwise 
provided under Sec. 648.87(b)(1)(xii).
    (157) If a vessel has agreed to participate in a Sector, fail to 
remain in the Sector for the entire fishing year, as required under 
Sec. 648.87(b)(1)(xi).
    (158) If a vessel is removed from a Sector for violation of the 
Sector rules, fish under the NE Multispecies regulations for non-Sector 
vessels.
    (159) If fishing under the GB Cod Hook Sector, fish with gear other 
than jigs, demersal longline, or handgear.
    (160) Land or possess on board a vessel, more than the possession or 
landing limits specified in Sec. 648.88(a)(1), if fishing under an open 
access Handgear permit.
    (161) Possess on board gear other than that specified under Sec. 
648.88(a)(2)(i), or fish with hooks greater than the number specified 
under Sec. 648.88(a)(2)(iii), if fishing under an open access Handgear 
permit.
    (162) Fish for, possess, or land regulated multispecies from March 1 
to March 20, if issued an open access Handgear permit.
    (163) Sell or transfer to another person for a commercial purpose, 
other than solely for transport, any NE multispecies harvested from the 
EEZ by a vessel issued a Federal NE multispecies permit, unless the 
transferee has a valid NE multispecies dealer permit.
    (164) Sell or transfer to another person for a commercial purpose, 
other than solely for transport, any Atlantic sea scallops harvested 
from the EEZ by a vessel issued a Federal Atlantic sea scallop permit, 
unless the transferee has a valid Atlantic sea scallop dealer permit.
    (165) If a vessel is fishing under a Category B DAS in the Closed 
Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(3), the 
Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6), or the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(8),

[[Page 399]]

remove any fish caught with any gear, including dumping the contents of 
a net, except on board the vessel.
    (166) Sell, purchase, receive, trade, barter, or transfer haddock or 
other regulated multispecies, or attempt to sell, purchase, receive, 
trade, barter, or transfer haddock or other regulated multispecies (cod, 
witch flounder, plaice, yellowtail flounder, pollock, winter flounder, 
windowpane flounder, redfish, and white hake) for, or intended for, 
human consumption landed by a Category 1 herring vessel as defined in 
Sec. 648.2.
    (167) Fail to comply with requirements for herring processors/
dealers that handle individual fish to separate out and retain all 
haddock offloaded from a Category 1 herring vessel, and to retain such 
catch for at least 12 hr, with the vessel that landed the haddock 
clearly identified by name.
    (168) Sell, purchase, receive, trade, barter, or transfer, or 
attempt to sell, purchase, receive, trade, barter, or transfer to 
another person any haddock or other regulated multispecies (cod, witch 
flounder, plaice, yellowtail flounder, pollock, winter flounder, 
windowpane flounder, redfish, and white hake) separated out from a 
herring catch offloaded from a Category 1 herring vessel as defined in 
Sec. 648.2.
    (169) While operating an at-sea herring processor, fail to comply 
with requirements for herring processors/dealers that handle individual 
fish to separate out and retain all haddock offloaded from a Category 1 
herring vessel, and to retain such catch for at least 12 hr after 
landing, with the vessel that offloaded the haddock clearly identified 
by name.
    (170) Fish for, harvest, catch, possess or attempt to fish for, 
harvest, catch, or possess any bivalve shellfish, including Atlantic 
surfclams, ocean quahogs, and mussels with the exception of sea scallops 
harvested only for adductor muscles and shucked at sea, or a vessel 
issued and possessing on board a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the 
Regional Administrator authorizing the collection of shellfish for 
biological sampling and operating under the terms and conditions of said 
LOA, in the are of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone bound by the 
following coordinates in the order stated: (1) 43[deg] 00[min] N. lat., 
71[deg] 00[min] W. long.,; (2) 43[deg] 00[min] N. lat., 69[deg] 00[min] 
W. long.; (3) 41[deg] 39[min] N. lat., 69[deg] 00[min] W. long; (4) 
41[deg] 39[min] N. lat., 71[deg] 00[min] W. long., and then ending at 
the first point.
    (171) Fish for, harvest, catch, possess, or attempt to fish for, 
harvest, catch, or possess any sea scallops except for sea scallops 
harvested only for adductor muscles and shucked at sea, or a vessel 
issued and possessing on board a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the 
Regional Administrator authorizing collection of shellfish for 
biological sampling and operating under the terms and conditions of said 
LOA, in the area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone bound by the 
following coordinates in the order stated: (1) 41[deg] 39[min] N. lat., 
71[deg] 00[min] W. long.; (2) 41[deg] 39[min] N. lat., 69[deg] 00[min] 
W. long.; (3) 40[deg] 00[min] N. lat., 69[deg] 00[min] W. long.; (4) 
40[deg] 00[min] N. lat., 71[deg] 00[min] W. long., and then ending at 
the first point.
    (172) If, upon the end of a fishing trip as specified under Sec. 
648.10(b)(2)(iii) or (c)(3), fail to offload regulated species subject 
to a landing limit based on a DAS fished under Sec. 648.85 or Sec. 
648.86, as required by Sec. 648.86(i).
    (173) If, upon the end of a fishing trip as specified under Sec. 
648.10(b)(2)(vi) or (c)(3), fail to offload regulated species subject to 
a landing limit based on a DAS fished under Sec. 648.85 or Sec. 
648.86, as required by Sec. 648.86(i).
    (174) Fail to comply with the reporting requirements under Sec. 
648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A)(2) when fishing inside and outside of the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area on a trip.
    (175) Fail to notify NMFS via VMS prior to departing the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area, when fishing inside and outside of the area on the 
same trip, in accordance with Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A)(1).
    (176) When fishing inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area, fail to abide by the most restrictive regulations that apply as 
described in Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A).
    (177) If fishing inside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and in 
possession of fish in excess of what is allowed under more restrictive 
regulations that apply outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, fish 
within the CC/GOM or SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Areas on the

[[Page 400]]

same trip, as prohibited under Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A).
    (178) Discard legal-sized yellowtail flounder prior to declaring the 
intent to fish inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area on the 
same trip, in accordance with Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii)(A).
    (b) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any owner or operator of a vessel holding a valid 
multispecies permit, or any person issued an operator's permit or issued 
a letter under Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(M)(3), to do any of the following:
    (1) Land, or possess on board a vessel, more than the possession or 
landing limits specified in Sec. 648.86 (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), and 
(h), or to violate any of the other provisions of Sec. 648.86, unless 
otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) While fishing in the areas specified in Sec. 648.86(g)(1)(i) or 
(g)(2)(i), with a NE multispecies Handgear A permit, or under the NE 
multispecies DAS program, or under the limited access monkfish Category 
C or D permit provisions, possess yellowtail flounder in excess of the 
limits specified under Sec. 648.86(g)(1)(ii) or (g)(2)(ii), 
respectively, unless fishing under the recreational or charter/party 
regulations, or transiting in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (4) If fishing in the areas specified in Sec. 648.86(g)(1)(i) or 
(g)(2)(i), with a NE multispecies Handgear A permit, or under the NE 
multispecies DAS program, or under the limited access monkfish Category 
C or D permit provisions, fail to comply with the requirements specified 
in Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(ii) or (g)(2)(ii), respectively.
    (c) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, 
it is unlawful for any owner or operator of a vessel issued a valid 
limited access multispecies permit or a letter under Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(M)(3), unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17, to do 
any of the following:
    (1) Fish for, possess at any time during a trip, or land per trip 
more than the possession limit of NE multispecies specified in Sec. 
648.86(d) after using up the vessel's annual DAS allocation or when not 
participating in the DAS program pursuant to Sec. 648.82, unless 
otherwise exempted under Sec. 648.82(b)(5) or Sec. 648.89.
    (2) For purposes of DAS notification, if required or electing to 
have a VMS unit under Sec. 648.10:
    (i) Fail to have a certified, operational, and functioning VMS unit 
that meets the specifications of Sec. 648.9 on board the vessel at all 
times.
    (ii) Fail to comply with the notification, replacement, or any other 
requirements regarding VMS usage as specified in Sec. 648.10(b).
    (3) Combine, transfer, or consolidate DAS allocations, except as 
provided for under the DAS Leasing Program or the DAS Transfer Program, 
as specified under Sec. 648.82(k) and (l), respectively.
    (4) Fish for, possess, or land NE multispecies with or from a vessel 
that has had the horsepower of such vessel or its replacement upgraded 
or increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i) (E) and (F).
    (5) Fish for, possess, or land NE multispecies with or from a vessel 
that has had the length, GRT, or NT of such vessel or its replacement 
increased or upgraded in excess of limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i) (E) and (F).
    (6) Fail to comply with any provision of the DAS notification 
program as specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (7) Possess or land per trip more than the possession or landing 
limits specified under Sec. 648.86(a), (b), (c), (d), (g), and (h), and 
under Sec. 648.82(b)(5) or (6), if the vessel has been issued a limited 
access NE multispecies permit.
    (8) Fail to comply with the restrictions on fishing and gear 
specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(v), (a)(4)(v), (b)(2)(v), and (c)(2)(iv) 
if the vessel has been issued a limited access NE multispecies permit 
and fishes with hook-gear in areas specified in Sec. 648.80(a), (b), or 
(c), unless allowed under Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(F).
    (9) Fail to declare, and be, out of the NE multispecies DAS program 
as required by Sec. 648.82(g), using the procedure described under 
Sec. 648.82(h), as applicable.
    (10) Enter, fail to remove sink gillnet gear or gillnet gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies from, or be in the areas, and for the times, 
described in

[[Page 401]]

Sec. 648.80(g)(6)(i) and (ii), except as provided in Sec. Sec. 
648.80(g)(6)(i) and 648.81(i).
    (11) If the vessel has been issued a limited access NE multispecies 
permit and fishes under a NE multispecies DAS, fail to comply with 
gillnet requirements and restrictions specified in Sec. 648.82(j).
    (12) If the vessel has been issued a limited access Day gillnet 
category designation, fail to comply with the restriction and 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.82(j)(1).
    (13) If the vessel has been issued a limited access Trip gillnet 
category designation, fail to comply with the restrictions and 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.82(j)(2).
    (14) If the vessel has been issued a limited access NE multispecies 
permit and fishes under a NE multispecies DAS with gillnet gear, fail to 
comply with gillnet tagging requirements specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(iv)(B)(4), (a)(3)(iv)(C), (a)(4)(iv)(B)(3), 
(b)(2)(iv)(B)(3), and (c)(2)(v)(B)(3), or fail to produce, or cause to 
be produced, gillnet tags when requested by an authorized officer.
    (15) Produce, or cause to be produced, gillnet tags under Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(iv)(C), without the written confirmation from the Regional 
Administrator described in Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(iv)(C).
    (16) Tag a gillnet or use a gillnet tag that has been reported lost, 
missing, destroyed, or issued to another vessel.
    (17) Sell, transfer, or give away gillnet tags that have been 
reported lost, missing, destroyed, or issued to another vessel.
    (18) [Reserved]
    (19) Fail to comply with the exemption specifications as described 
in Sec. 648.86(b)(4).
    (20) [Reserved]
    (21) Fail to declare, and be, out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery 
as required by Sec. 648.82(j)(1)(ii), using the procedure specified in 
Sec. 648.82(h).
    (22) Fail to comply with the exemption specifications as described 
in Sec. 648.17.
    (23) [Reserved]
    (24) Enter port, while on a NE multispecies DAS trip, in possession 
of more than the allowable limit of cod specified in Sec. 
648.86(b)(1)(i), unless the vessel is fishing under the cod exemption 
specified in Sec. 648.86(b)(4).
    (25) Fail to remain in port for the appropriate time specified in 
Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(ii)(A), except for transiting purposes, provided the 
vessel complies with Sec. 648.86(b)(3).
    (26) Enter port, while on a NE multispecies DAS trip, in possession 
of more than the allowable limit of cod specified in Sec. 
648.86(b)(2)(ii) or (iii).
    (27) Possess or land per trip more than the possession or landing 
limit specified under Sec. 648.86(c).
    (28) Participate in the DAS program pursuant to Sec. 648.82 when 
carrying passengers for hire on board the vessel during any portion of a 
fishing trip.
    (29) Enter, be on a fishing vessel in, or fail to remove gear from 
the areas described in Sec. 648.81(d)(1), (e)(1), (f)(1), and (g)(1) 
during the time periods specified, except as provided in Sec. 
648.81(d)(2), (e)(2), (f)(2), (g)(2), and (i).
    (30) If fishing with bottom tending mobile gear, fish in, enter, be 
on a fishing vessel in, the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Closure Areas 
described in Sec. 648.81(h)(1)(i) through (vi).
    (31) If the vessel has been issued a Charter/party permit or is 
fishing under charter/party regulations, fail to comply with the 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(iii) when fishing in the 
areas described in Sec. 648.81(d)(1) through (f)(1) during the time 
periods specified in those sections.
    (32) [Reserved]
    (33) Fail to remain in port for the appropriate time specified in 
Sec. 648.86(b)(2)(iii)(A), except for transiting purposes, provided the 
vessel complies with Sec. 648.86(b)(3).
    (34) Lease NE multispecies DAS or use leased DAS that have not been 
approved for leasing by the Regional Administrator as specified in Sec. 
648.82(k).
    (35) Provide false information on the application for NE 
multispecies DAS leasing, as required under Sec. 648.82(k)(3).
    (36) Act as lessor or lessee of a NE multispecies Category B DAS, or 
Category C DAS.
    (37) Act as lessor or lessee of NE multispecies DAS, if the vessels 
are not in accordance with the size restrictions specified in Sec. 
648.82(k)(4)(ix).
    (38) Sub-lease NE multispecies DAS.

[[Page 402]]

    (39) Lease more than the maximum number of DAS allowable under Sec. 
648.82(k)(4)(iv).
    (40) Lease NE multispecies DAS to a vessel that does not have a 
valid limited access multispecies permit.
    (41) Lease NE multispecies DAS associated with a Confirmation of 
Permit History.
    (42) Lease NE multispecies DAS if the number of unused allocated DAS 
is less than the number of DAS requested to be leased.
    (43) Lease NE multispecies DAS in excess of the duration specified 
in Sec. 648.82(k)(4)(viii).
    (44) Transfer NE multispecies DAS or use transferred DAS that have 
not been approved for transfer by the Regional Administrator as 
specified under Sec. 648.82(l).
    (45) Provide false information on the application for NE 
multispecies DAS Transfer, as required under Sec. 648.82(l)(2).
    (46) Permanently transfer only a portion of a vessels total 
allocation of DAS.
    (47) Permanently transfer NE multispecies DAS between vessels, if 
such vessels are not in accordance with the size restrictions specified 
in Sec. 648.82(l)(1)(ii).
    (48) If permanently transferring NE multispecies DAS to another 
vessel, fail to forfeit all state and Federal fishing permits, or fish 
in any state or Federal commercial fishery indefinitely.
    (49) If fishing under the cod trip limit specified in Sec. 
648.86(b)(2)(ii), fail to obtain an annual declaration, or fish north of 
the exemption line specified in Sec. 648.86(b)(4).
    (50) Discard legal-sized regulated multispecies while fishing under 
a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, as described in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6).
    (51) If fishing under a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Pilot 
Program, fail to comply with the DAS flip requirements of Sec. 
648.85(b)(6)(iv)(E) if the vessel harvests and brings on board more than 
the landing limit for a groundfish stock of concern specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(6)(iv)(D).
    (52) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, fail to comply 
with the restriction on DAS use as specified in Sec. 
648.82(d)(2)(i)(A).
    (53) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area, 
and other portions of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, 
fail to comply with the restrictions in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(A).
    (54) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area, 
discard legal-sized cod while fishing under a Category B DAS, as 
described in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(I).
    (55) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area 
under a Category B DAS, fail to comply with the DAS flip requirements of 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(I), if the vessel possesses more than the landing 
limit for cod specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(F).
    (56) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area 
under a Category B DAS, fail to have the minimum number of Category A 
DAS available as required under Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(J).
    (57) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the requirements and 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(A) through (F), and 
(I).
    (58) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the VMS requirement specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(A).
    (59) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the observer notification 
requirement specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(B).
    (60) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the VMS declaration requirement 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(C).
    (61) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the landing limits specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(D).
    (62) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the no discard and DAS flip 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(E).
    (63) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the minimum Category A DAS and 
Category B DAS accrual requirements specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(6)(iv)(F).

[[Page 403]]

    (64) Use a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6), if the program has been closed as 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(H) or (b)(6)(vi).
    (65) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), use a Regular B DAS in a stock area that has been 
closed, as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(G).
    (66) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6), fail to comply with the reporting requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(I).
    (67) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the requirements and conditions 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv), and (b)(7)(v) or (b)(7)(vi), 
whichever is applicable.
    (68) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area specified 
in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(ii), fail to comply with the requirements and 
conditions specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv), and (b)(7)(v) or 
(b)(7)(vi), whichever is applicable.
    (69) Fish in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), outside of the season specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7)(iii).
    (70) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the DAS use restrictions specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(A), and (b)(7)(v)(A) or (b)(7)(vi)(A), whichever 
is applicable.
    (71) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the VMS requirements specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(B).
    (72) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the observer notification requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(C).
    (73) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the VMS declaration requirement 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(D).
    (74) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the gear restrictions specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(E), and (b)(7)(v)(B) or (b)(7)(vi)(B), whichever 
is applicable.
    (75) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the landing limits specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7)(iv)(H), and (b)(7)(v)(C) or (b)(7)(vi)(C), whichever is 
applicable.
    (76) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the reporting requirement specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(v)(D) or (b)(7)(vi)(D), whichever is applicable.
    (77) Fish in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(ii), if that area is closed as specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(7)(iv)(I) or (b)(7)(vi)(F).
    (78) Fish in the U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8), if the SAP Pilot Program is closed as specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(v)(K) or (L).
    (79) If fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP 
specified in Sec. 48.85(b)(3), fail to comply with the no discard and 
DAS flip provision specified under Sec. 648.85(b)(3)(xi).
    (80) Provide false information on the application to downgrade the 
DAS Leasing Program baseline, as required under Sec. 648.82(k)(4)(xi).
    (81) Fail to comply with the exemption specifications as described 
in Sec. 648.86(i)(4).
    (82) Fail to declare, and be, out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery 
as required by Sec. 648.82(s)(1)(ii), using the procedure specified in 
Sec. 648.82(q).
    (83) Enter port, while on a NE multispecies DAS trip, in possession 
of more than the allowable limit of cod specified in Sec. 
648.86(i)(1)(i), unless the vessel is fishing under the cod exemption 
specified in Sec. 648.86(i)(4).
    (84) Fail to remain in port for the appropriate time specified in 
Sec. 648.86(i)(1)(ii)(A), except for transiting purposes, provided the 
vessel complies with Sec. 648.86(i)(3).
    (85) Enter port, while on a NE multispecies DAS trip, in possession 
of more than the allowable limit of cod specified in Sec. 
648.86(i)(2)(ii) or (iii).
    (86) Fail to remain in port for the appropriate time specified in 
Sec. 648.86(i)(2)(iii)(A), except for transiting purposes, provided the 
vessel complies with Sec. 648.86(i)(3).

[[Page 404]]

    (87) Lease NE multispecies DAS or use leased DAS that have not been 
approved for leasing by the Regional Administrator as specified in Sec. 
648.82(t).
    (88) Provide false information on the application for NE 
multispecies DAS leasing, as required under Sec. 648.82(t)(3).
    (89) Act as lessor or lessee of NE multispecies DAS, if the vessels 
are not in accordance with the size restrictions specified in Sec. 
648.82(t)(4)(ix).
    (90) Lease more than the maximum number of DAS allowable under Sec. 
648.82(t)(4)(iv).
    (91) Lease NE multispecies DAS in excess of the duration specified 
in Sec. 648.82(t)(4)(viii).
    (92) If fishing under the cod trip limit specified in Sec. 
648.86(i)(2)(ii), fail to obtain an annual declaration, or fish north of 
the exemption line specified in Sec. 648.86(i)(4).
    (93) Discard legal-sized regulated multispecies while fishing under 
a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, as described in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(10).
    (94) If fishing under a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Pilot 
Program, fail to comply with the DAS flip requirements of Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(iv)(E) if the vessel harvests and brings on board more 
than the landing limit for a groundfish stock of concern specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(D).
    (95) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, fail to comply 
with the restriction on DAS use as specified in Sec. 
648.82(v)(2)(i)(A).
    (96) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area, 
discard legal-sized cod, GB winter flounder, or GB yellowtail flounder 
while fishing under a Category B DAS, as described in Sec. 
648.85(b)(8)(vii)(F).
    (97) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area 
under a Category B DAS, fail to comply with the DAS flip requirements of 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(viii)(I), if the vessel possesses more than the 
landing limit for cod, GB winter flounder, or GB yellowtail flounder 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(vii)(F).
    (98) If fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Area 
under a Category B DAS, fail to have the minimum number of Category A 
DAS available as required under Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(viii)(J).
    (99) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the requirements and restrictions 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(A) through (F), and (I).
    (100) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the VMS requirement specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(A).
    (101) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the observer notification requirement 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(B).
    (102) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the VMS declaration requirement 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(C).
    (103) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the landing limits specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(iv)(D).
    (104) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the no discard and DAS flip 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(E).
    (105) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the minimum Category A DAS and 
Category B DAS accrual requirements specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(iv)(F).
    (106) Use a Regular B DAS in the Regular B DAS Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(10), if the program has been closed as specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(H) or (b)(10)(vi).
    (107) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), use a Regular B DAS in a stock area that has been closed, 
as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(G).
    (108) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail to comply with the reporting requirements specified 
in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(I).
    (109) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), use a Regular B DAS outside the U.S./Canada Management 
Area specified under Sec. 648.85(a)(1), or after the program has 
closed, as required under Sec. 648.85(10)(iv)(G) or (H).
    (110) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), fail

[[Page 405]]

to use a haddock separator trawl as required by Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(iv)(J) and described under Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A).
    (111) Use a Regular B DAS and a monkfish DAS on the same trip, if 
issued a limited access Category C, D, or F monkfish permit and fishing 
in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10).
    (112) If issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, or F permit 
and fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), possess more than the incidental catch amounts of 
monkfish, as specified at Sec. 648.94(b)(7).
    (113) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10), discard legal-sized monkfish.
    (114) If fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(7), fail to comply with the DAS use restrictions 
specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(7)(iv)(J), and (b)(7)(v)(F) or 
(b)(7)(vi)(G), whichever is applicable.
    (115) Fish in the U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8), if the SAP Pilot Program is closed as specified in 
Sec. 648.85(b)(8)(viii)(K) or (L).
    (116) Provide false information on the application to downgrade the 
DAS Leasing Program baseline, as required under Sec. 648.82(t)(4)(xi).
    (d) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel 
issued an open access multispecies handgear permit to do any of the 
following, unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17:
    (1) Possess, at any time during a trip, or land per trip, more than 
the possession limit of NE multispecies specified in Sec. 648.88(a), 
unless the vessel is a charter or party vessel fishing under the 
charter/party restrictions specified in Sec. 648.89.
    (2) Use or possess on board, gear capable of harvesting NE 
multispecies, other than rod and reel, or handline gear, or tub-trawls, 
while in possession of, or fishing for, NE multispecies.
    (3) Possess or land NE multispecies during the time period specified 
in Sec. 648.88(a)(2).
    (4) Violate any provision of the open access handgear permit 
restrictions as provided in Sec. 648.88(a).
    (e) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel 
issued a scallop multispecies possession limit permit to possess or land 
more than the possession limit of NE multispecies specified in Sec. 
648.88(c), or to possess or land regulated species when not fishing 
under a scallop DAS, unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (f) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a limited 
access scallop permit or a general scallop permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(2) to land, or possess at or after landing, in-shell scallops 
smaller than the minimum shell height specified in Sec. 648.50(a).
    (g) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and the prohibitions specified in paragraphs (a) 
through (f) of this section, it is unlawful for the owner or operator of 
a charter or party boat issued a multispecies permit, or of a 
recreational vessel, as applicable, unless otherwise specified in Sec. 
648.17, to:
    (1) Fish with gear in violation of the restrictions specified in 
Sec. 648.89(a).
    (2) Possess cod, haddock, and Atlantic halibut in excess of the 
possession limits specified in Sec. 648.89(c).
    (3) Sell, trade, barter, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to sell, 
trade, barter or otherwise transfer, NE multispecies for a commercial 
purpose as specified in Sec. 648.89(d).
    (4) If the vessel is a private recreational fishing vessel, fail to 
comply with the seasonal cod closure described in Sec. 648.89(c)(1)(v) 
or, if the vessel has been issued a charter/party permit or is fishing 
under charter/party regulations, fail to comply with the prohibition on 
fishing described under Sec. 648.89(c)(2)(vi).
    (h) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a) and (g) of this section, 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a

[[Page 406]]

limited access scallop permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(2) to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Possess, or land per trip, more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of 
shucked, or 50 bu (17.62 hl) of in-shell scallops after using up the 
vessel's annual DAS allocation or when not participating under the DAS 
program pursuant to Sec. 648.10, unless exempted from DAS allocations 
as provided in Sec. 648.54.
    (2) Land scallops on more than one trip per calendar day after using 
up the vessel's annual DAS allocation or when not participating under 
the DAS program pursuant to Sec. 648.10, unless exempted from DAS 
allocations as provided in Sec. 648.54.
    (3) Fail to have an approved, operational, and functioning VMS unit 
that meets the specifications of Sec. 648.9 on board the vessel at all 
times, unless the vessel is not subject to the VMS requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (4) If the vessel is not subject to VMS requirements specified in 
Sec. 648.10(b), fail to comply with the requirements of the call-in 
system specified in Sec. 648.10(c).
    (5) Combine, transfer, or consolidate DAS allocations, except as 
allowed for one-for-one Access Area trip exchanges as specified in Sec. 
648.60(a)(3)(ii).
    (6) Have an ownership interest in more than 5 percent of the total 
number of vessels issued limited access scallop permits, except as 
provided in Sec. 648.4(a)(2)(i)(M).
    (7) Fish for, possess, or land scallops with or from a vessel that 
has had the horsepower of such vessel or its replacement upgraded or 
increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 648.4(a)(2)(i) 
(E) or (F).
    (8) Fish for, possess, or land scallops with or from a vessel that 
has had the length, GRT, or NT of such vessel or its replacement 
increased or upgraded in excess of limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(2)(i) (E) or (F).
    (9) Possess more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 l) 
of in-shell scallops, or participate in the DAS allocation program, 
while in the possession of trawl nets that have a maximum sweep 
exceeding 144 ft (43.9 m), as measured by the total length of the 
footrope that is directly attached to the webbing of the net, except as 
specified in Sec. 648.51(a)(1).
    (10) Fish under the DAS allocation program with, or have available 
for immediate use, trawl nets of mesh smaller than the minimum size 
specified in Sec. 648.51(a)(2).
    (11) Fish under the DAS allocation program with trawl nets that use 
chafing gear or other means or devices that do not meet the requirements 
of Sec. 648.51(a)(3).
    (12) Possess or use dredge gear that does not comply with the 
provisions and specifications in Sec. 648.51(b).
    (13) Participate in the DAS allocation program with more persons on 
board the vessel than the number specified in Sec. 648.51(c), including 
the operator, when the vessel is not docked or moored in port, unless 
otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator, or unless 
participating in the Area Access Program pursuant to the requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (14) Fish under the small dredge program specified in Sec. 
648.51(e), with, or while in possession of, a dredge that exceeds 10.5 
ft (3.2 m) in overall width, as measured at the widest point in the bail 
of the dredge.
    (15) Fish under the small dredge program specified in Sec. 
648.51(e) with more than five persons on board the vessel, including the 
operator, unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator or 
unless participating in the Area Access Program pursuant to the 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (16) Have a shucking or sorting machine on board a vessel that 
shucks scallops at sea while fishing under the DAS allocation program, 
unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (17) Fail to comply with the notification requirements specified in 
Sec. 648.10(b)(4) or refuse or fail to carry an observer after being 
requested to carry an observer by the Regional Administrator or Regional 
Administrator's designee.
    (18) Fail to provide an observer with required food, accommodations, 
access, and assistance, as specified in Sec. 648.11.
    (19) Fail to comply with any requirement for declaring in and out of 
the DAS allocation program or other notification requirements specified 
in Sec. 648.10.

[[Page 407]]

    (20) Fail to comply with any requirement for participating in the 
DAS Exemption Program specified in Sec. 648.54.
    (21) Fish with, possess on board, or land scallops while in 
possession of trawl nets, when fishing for scallops under the DAS 
allocation program, unless exempted as provided for in Sec. 648.51(f).
    (22) Fail to comply with the restriction on twine top described in 
Sec. 648.51(b)(4)(iv).
    (23) Fail to comply with any of the provisions and specifications of 
Sec. 648.60.
    (24) Possess or land more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell 
scallops, as specified in Sec. 648.52(d), once inside the VMS 
Demarcation Line by a vessel that, at any time during the trip, fished 
in or transited any area south of 42[deg]20[min] N. Lat; or fished in 
any Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified in Sec. 648.60, except as 
provided in Sec. 648.54.
    (25) Declare and initiate a trip into or fish in the areas specified 
in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notice in 
the Federal Register stating that the yellowtail flounder TAC has been 
harvested as specified in Sec. 648.85(c).
    (26) Retain yellowtail flounder in the areas specified in Sec. 
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notice in the 
Federal Register stating that the yellowtail flounder TAC has been 
harvested as specified in Sec. 648.85(c).
    (i) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a), (f), and (g) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel 
issued a general scallop permit to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time, in excess of 
400 lb (181.4 kg) of shucked or 50 bu (17.6 hl) of in-shell scallops.
    (2) Fish for, possess, or land scallops on more than one trip per 
calendar day.
    (3) Possess or use dredge gear that does not comply with any of the 
provisions or specifications in Sec. 648.51(b).
    (4) Refuse, or fail, to carry an observer after being requested to 
carry an observer by the Regional Administrator.
    (5) Fail to provide an observer with required food, accommodations, 
access, and assistance, as specified in Sec. 648.11.
    (6) Fail to comply with the VMS requirements specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.10 and 648.60.
    (7) Fail to comply with the requirements specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (8) Declare and initiate a trip into the areas specified in Sec. 
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the general category 
scallop TAC has been harvested as specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (9) Declare and initiate a trip into the areas specified in Sec. 
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the number of general 
category trips have been taken as specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (10) Declare or initiate a trip into areas specified in Sec. 
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the yellowtail flounder 
TAC has been harvested as specified in Sec. 648.85(c).
    (11) Fail to comply with any requirement for declaring in and out of 
the general category scallop fishery or other notification requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.10(b).
    (12) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time, in excess of 
40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops 
unless the vessel has been issued a VMS general scallop permit and has 
declared into the general category scallop fishery as specified in Sec. 
648.10(b)(4).
    (j) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.100(f), 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a 
summer flounder permit (including a moratorium permit) to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Possess 100 lb or more (45.4 kg or more) of summer flounder 
between May 1 and October 31, or 200 lb or more (90.7 kg or more) of 
summer flounder between November 1 and April 30, unless the vessel meets 
the minimum mesh size requirement specified in

[[Page 408]]

Sec. 648.104(a), or is fishing in the exempted area with an exemption 
permit as specified in Sec. 648.104(b)(1), or holds an exemption permit 
and is in transit from the exemption area with nets properly stowed as 
specified in Sec. 648.104(f), or is fishing with exempted gear 
specified in Sec. 648.104(b)(2).
    (2) Possess summer flounder in other than a box specified in Sec. 
648.105(d) if fishing with nets having mesh that does not meet the 
minimum mesh-size requirement specified in Sec. 648.104(a), unless the 
vessel is fishing pursuant to the exemptions specified in Sec. 
648.104(b).
    (3) Land summer flounder for sale in a state after the effective 
date of the notification in the Federal Register notifying permit 
holders that commercial quota is no longer available in that state.
    (4) Fish with or possess nets or netting that do not meet the 
minimum mesh requirement, or that are modified, obstructed or 
constricted, if subject to the minimum mesh requirement specified in 
Sec. 648.104, unless the nets or netting are stowed in accordance with 
Sec. 648.104(f).
    (5) Fish with or possess nets or netting that do not meet the 
minimum mesh requirement, or that are modified, obstructed or 
constricted, if fishing with an exempted net described in Sec. 648.104, 
unless the nets or netting are stowed in accordance with Sec. 
648.104(f).
    (6) Fish west or south, as appropriate, of the line specified in 
Sec. 648.104(b)(1) if exempted from the minimum mesh requirement 
specified in Sec. 648.104 by a summer flounder exemption permit.
    (7) Sell or transfer to another person for a commercial purpose, 
other than transport, any summer flounder, unless the transferee has a 
valid summer flounder dealer permit.
    (8) Carry passengers for hire, or carry more than three crew members 
for a charter boat or five crew members for a party boat, while fishing 
commercially pursuant to a summer flounder moratorium permit.
    (9) Offload, remove, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to offload, 
remove or otherwise transfer summer flounder from one vessel to another, 
unless that vessel has not been issued a summer flounder permit and 
fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (k) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.120(e), 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a scup 
permit (including a moratorium permit) to do any of the following:
    (1) Possess scup in excess of the threshold amount specified in 
Sec. 648.123, unless the vessel meets the minimum mesh-size 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.123.
    (2) Fail to keep scup separate from other species if fishing with 
nets having mesh that does not meet the minimum mesh-size restrictions 
specified in Sec. 648.123(a).
    (3) Land scup for sale after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the commercial quota has 
been harvested.
    (4) Possess nets or netting that do not meet the minimum mesh 
restrictions or that are modified, obstructed or constricted, if subject 
to the minimum mesh requirements specified in Sec. 648.123(a), unless 
the nets or netting are stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (5) Fish with nets or netting that do not meet the minimum mesh 
restriction or that are modified, obstructed or constricted while in 
possession of scup in excess of the threshold amount specified in Sec. 
648.123.
    (6) As of January 1, 1997, sell or transfer to another person for a 
commercial purpose, other than transport on land, any scup, unless the 
transferee has a dealer permit issued under Sec. 648.6.
    (7) Carry passengers for hire, or carry more than three crew members 
for a charter boat or five crew members for a party boat, while fishing 
for scup under the terms of a moratorium permit issued pursuant to Sec. 
648.4(a)(6).
    (8) Use a scup pot or trap that does not have the hinges and 
fasteners made of degradable materials as specified in Sec. 648.123.
    (9) Use a scup trap or pot that does not have a minimum escape vent 
of the size specified in Sec. 648.123.
    (10) Use roller rig trawl gear equipped with rollers greater than 
the size specified in Sec. 648.123.

[[Page 409]]

    (11) Possess scup in, or harvested from, the EEZ in an area closed, 
or before or after a season established pursuant to Sec. 648.122.
    (12) Use a scup trap or pot that is not marked in accordance with 
Sec. 648.123(b)(3).
    (13) Transfer scup at sea, or attempt to transfer at sea to any 
vessel, any scup taken from the EEZ, unless in compliance with the 
provisions of Sec. 648.13(i).
    (l) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.120(e), 
it is unlawful for the owner or operator of a party or charter boat 
issued a scup permit (including a moratorium permit), when the boat is 
carrying passengers for hire or carrying more than three crew members if 
a charter boat or more than five members if a party boat to:
    (1) Possess scup in excess of the possession limit established 
pursuant to Sec. 648.125.
    (2) Fish for scup other than during a season established pursuant to 
Sec. 648.122.
    (3) Sell scup or transfer scup to another person for a commercial 
purpose.
    (4) Possess scup that do not meet the minimum fish size specified in 
Sec. 648.124(b).
    (m) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.100(f), 
it is unlawful for the owner and operator of a party or charter boat 
issued a summer flounder permit (including a moratorium permit), when 
the boat is carrying passengers for hire or carrying more than three 
crew members if a charter boat or more than five members if a party 
boat, to:
    (1) Possess summer flounder in excess of the possession limit 
established pursuant to Sec. 648.105.
    (2) Fish for summer flounder other than during a season specified 
pursuant to Sec. 648.102.
    (3) Sell or transfer summer flounder to another person for a 
commercial purpose.
    (n) It is unlawful to violate any terms of a letter authorizing 
experimental fishing pursuant to Sec. 648.12 or to fail to keep such 
letter aboard the vessel during the time period of the experimental 
fishing.
    (o) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a surf clam 
and ocean quahog permit or issued a surf clam and ocean quahog 
allocation permit under Sec. 648.70, to land or possess any surf clams 
or ocean quahogs in excess of, or without, an individual allocation, or 
to transfer any surf clams or ocean quahogs to any person for a 
commercial purpose other than transport, unless that person has a surf 
clam and ocean quahog processor/dealer permit.
    (p) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.21(g), it 
is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a valid 
mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery permit, or issued an operator's 
permit, to do any of the following:
    (1) Possess more than the incidental catch allowance of Loligo or 
butterfish, unless issued a Loligo squid and butterfish fishery 
moratorium permit.
    (2) Possess more than the incidental catch allowance of Illex squid 
unless issued an Illex squid moratorium permit.
    (3) Take, retain, possess, or land mackerel, squid or butterfish in 
excess of a possession allowance specified under Sec. 648.22.
    (4) Take, retain, possess, or land mackerel, squid or butterfish 
after a total closure specified under Sec. 648.22.
    (5) [Reserved]
    (6) Transfer squid or butterfish at sea to another vessel unless 
that other vessel has been issued a valid Loligo and butterfish or Illex 
moratorium permit and are transferring the species for which the vessel 
is permitted or a valid squid/butterfish incidental catch permit and a 
letter of authorization by the Regional Administrator.
    (7) Fail to comply with any measures implemented pursuant to Sec. 
648.21.
    (8) Carry passengers for hire while fishing commercially under a 
mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery permit.

[[Page 410]]

    (9) Fail to carry on board a letter of authorization, if fishing in 
an experimental fishery pursuant to Sec. 648.12.
    (10) Fish for, retain, or possess Atlantic mackerel in or from the 
EEZ with a vessel that exceeds either 165 ft (50.3 m) in length overall 
and 750 GRT, or a shaft horsepower of 3000 shp, except for the retention 
and possession of Atlantic mackerel for processing by a vessel holding a 
valid at-sea processor permit pursuant to Sec. 648.6(a)(2).
    (q) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.21(g), it 
is unlawful for the owner and operator of a party or charter boat issued 
a mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery permit (including a moratorium 
permit), when the boat is carrying passengers for hire, to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Violate any recreational fishing measures established pursuant 
to Sec. 648.21(d).
    (2) Sell or transfer mackerel, squid, or butterfish to another 
person for a commercial purpose.
    (r) [Reserved]
    (s) Any person possessing or landing per trip, scallops in excess of 
40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.1 L) of in-shell scallops, at 
or prior to the time when those scallops are received or possessed by a 
dealer, is subject to all of the scallop prohibitions specified in this 
section, unless the scallops were harvested by a vessel without a 
scallop permit that fishes for scallops exclusively in state waters.
    (t) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this 
section, it is unlawful for any owner or operator of a vessel issued a 
valid open access multispecies permit to possess or land any regulated 
species as defined in Sec. 648.2, or to violate any applicable 
provisions of Sec. 648.88, unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.17.
    (u) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.140(e), 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a 
black sea bass permit (including a moratorium permit) to do any of the 
following:
    (1) Fish for, catch, possess, land, or retain black sea bass in 
excess of the amount specified in Sec. 648.144(a)(1)(i)(i.e. 500 lb 
(226.8 kg) from January 1 through March 31, or 100 lb (45.4 kg) from 
April 1 through December 31), unless the vessel meets the minimum mesh 
requirement specified in Sec. 648.144 (a).
    (2) Possess black sea bass in other than a box specified in Sec. 
648.145(d) if fishing with nets having mesh that does not meet the 
minimum mesh-size requirement specified in Sec. 648.144 (a).
    (3) Land black sea bass for sale in any state, or part thereof, 
north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. after the effective date of the 
notification published in the Federal Register stating that the 
commercial annual quota has been harvested and the EEZ is closed to the 
harvest of black sea bass.
    (4) Fish with or possess nets or netting that do not meet the 
minimum mesh requirement, or that are modified, obstructed or 
constricted, if subject to the minimum mesh requirement specified in 
Sec. 648.144, unless the nets or netting are stowed in accordance with 
Sec. 648.23(b).
    (5) Fish with or possess rollers used in roller rig or rock hopper 
trawl gear that do not meet the requirements specified in Sec. 
648.144(a)(5).
    (6) Fish with or possess pots or traps that do not meet the 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.144(b).
    (7) Sell or transfer to another person for a commercial purpose, 
other than transport on land, any black sea bass, unless the transferee 
has a valid black sea bass dealer permit.
    (8) Carry passengers for hire, or carry more than three crew members 
for a charter boat or five crew members for a party boat, while fishing 
commercially pursuant to a black sea bass moratorium permit.
    (9) Possess, retain, or land black sea bass harvested in or from the 
EEZ in excess of the commercial possession limit established at Sec. 
648.140.
    (10) Land black sea bass for sale in any state south of North 
Carolina.
    (11) Possess black sea bass after the effective date of the 
notification published in the Federal Register stating that the 
commercial annual quota

[[Page 411]]

has been harvested and the EEZ is closed to the harvest of black sea 
bass, unless the vessel has been issued a Southeast Region Snapper/
Grouper Permit and fishes for and possess black sea bass south of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat.
    (v) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.140(e), 
it is unlawful for the owner and operator of a party or charter boat 
issued a black sea bass permit (including a moratorium permit), when the 
boat is carrying passengers for hire or carrying more than three crew 
members if a charter boat or more than five members if a party boat, to:
    (1) Possess black sea bass in excess of the possession limit 
established pursuant to Sec. 648.145.
    (2) Fish for black sea bass other than during a season specified 
pursuant to Sec. 648.142.
    (3) Sell black sea bass or transfer black sea bass to another person 
for a commercial purpose.
    (w) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
participating in a research activity as described in Sec. 648.160(h), 
it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (1) Possess in or harvest from the EEZ, Atlantic bluefish, in excess 
of the daily possession limit found at Sec. 648.164, unless the vessel 
is issued a valid Atlantic bluefish vessel permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(8)(i) and the permit is on board the vessel and has not been 
surrendered, revoked, or suspended.
    (2) Purchase, possess or receive for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, in 
the capacity of a dealer, except solely for transport on land, Atlantic 
bluefish taken from a fishing vessel that were harvested in or from the 
EEZ unless issued, and in possession of, a valid Atlantic bluefish 
fishery dealer permit issued under Sec. 648.6(a).
    (3) Sell, barter, trade or transfer, or attempt to sell, barter, 
trade or otherwise transfer, other than for transport, Atlantic bluefish 
that were harvested in or from the EEZ, unless the vessel has been 
issued a valid bluefish permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(8)(i).
    (4) Land Atlantic bluefish for sale in a state after the effective 
date of the notification in the Federal Register , pursuant to Sec. 
648.161(b), which notifies permit holders that the commercial quota is 
no longer available in that state.
    (5) Carry passengers for hire, or carry more than three crew members 
for a charter boat or five crew members for a party boat, while fishing 
commercially pursuant to an Atlantic bluefish permit issued under Sec. 
648.4(a)(8).
    (6) Land Atlantic bluefish for sale after the effective date of the 
notification in the Federal Register pursuant to Sec. 648.161(a), which 
notifies permit holders that the Atlantic bluefish fishery is closed.
    (7) To purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose 
bluefish harvested from the EEZ after the effective date of the 
notification published in the Federal Register stating that the 
commercial quota has been harvested.
    (8) To purchase or otherwise receive for a commercial purpose 
bluefish harvested by a federally permitted vessel after the effective 
date of the notification published in the Federal Register stating that 
the commercial quota has been harvested.
    (x) For purposes of this section, the following presumptions apply:
    (1) Surf clams and ocean quahogs. (i) Possession of surf clams or 
ocean quahogs on the deck of any fishing vessel in closed areas, or the 
presence of any part of a vessel's gear in the water in closed areas, or 
the presence of any part of a vessel's gear in the water more than 12 
hours after an announcement closing the entire fishery becomes 
effective, is prima facie evidence that such vessel was fishing in 
violation of the provisions of the Magnuson Act and these regulations.
    (ii) Surf clams or ocean quahogs landed from a trip for which 
notification was provided under Sec. 648.15(b) or Sec. 648.70(b) are 
deemed to have been harvested in the EEZ and count against the 
individual's annual allocation unless the vessel has a valid Maine 
mahogany quahog permit issued pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(4)(i) and is 
not fishing for an individual allocation under Sec. 648.70.

[[Page 412]]

    (iii) Surf clams or ocean quahogs found in cages without a valid 
state tag are deemed to have been harvested in the EEZ and are deemed to 
be part of an individual's allocation, unless the vessel has a valid 
Maine mahogany quahog permit issued pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(4)(i) and 
is not fishing for an individual allocation under Sec. 648.70; or, 
unless the preponderance of available evidence demonstrates that he/she 
has surrendered his/her surf clam and ocean quahog permit issued under 
Sec. 648.4 and he/she conducted fishing operations exclusively within 
waters under the jurisdiction of any state. Surf clams and ocean quahogs 
in cages with a Federal tag or tags, issued and still valid pursuant to 
this section, affixed thereto are deemed to have been harvested by the 
individual allocation holder to whom the tags were issued or transferred 
under Sec. 648.(70) or Sec. 648.75(b).
    (2) Scallops. Scallops that are possessed or landed at or prior to 
the time when the scallops are received by a dealer, or scallops that 
are possessed by a dealer, are deemed to be harvested from the EEZ, 
unless the preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that 
such scallops were harvested by a vessel without a scallop permit and 
fishing exclusively for scallops in state waters.
    (3) Summer flounder. All summer flounder retained or possessed on a 
vessel issued a permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been 
harvested in the EEZ.
    (4) NE multispecies. (i) Regulated species possessed for sale that 
do not meet the minimum sizes specified in Sec. 648.83 for sale are 
deemed to have been taken or imported in violation of these regulations, 
unless the preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that 
such fish were harvested by a vessel not issued a permit under this part 
and fishing exclusively within state waters, or by a vessel that fished 
exclusively in the NAFO Regulatory Area. This presumption does not apply 
to fish being sorted on deck.
    (ii) Regulated species possessed for sale that do not meet the 
minimum sizes specified in Sec. 648.83 for sale are deemed taken from 
the EEZ or imported in violation of these regulations, unless the 
preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that such fish were 
harvested by a vessel not issued a permit under this part and fishing 
exclusively within state waters, or by a vessel that fished exclusively 
in the NAFO Regulatory Area. This presumption does not apply to fish 
being sorted on deck.
    (iii) All small-mesh multispecies retained or possessed on a vessel 
issued any permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been harvested 
from the EEZ.
    (5) Mackerel, squid, and butterfish. All mackerel and butterfish 
possessed on board a party or charter boat issued a mackerel, squid, and 
butterfish fishery permit are deemed to have been harvested from the 
EEZ.
    (6) Scup. All scup retained or possessed on a vessel issued a permit 
under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been harvested in the EEZ.
    (7) Black sea bass. All black sea bass retained or possessed on a 
vessel issued a permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been 
harvested in the EEZ, unless the vessel also has been issued a Southeast 
Region Snapper/Grouper permit and fishes for, retains, or possesses 
black sea bass south of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat.
    (8) Monkfish. All monkfish retained or possessed on a vessel issued 
any permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been harvested from the 
EEZ, unless the preponderance of evidence demonstrates that such fish 
were harvested by a vessel that fished exclusively in the NAFO 
Regulatory Area, as authorized under Sec. 648.17.
    (9) All bluefish possessed on board a party or charter vessel issued 
a permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(8)(ii) are deemed to have been harvested 
from the EEZ.
    (10) Atlantic herring. All Atlantic herring retained or possessed on 
a vessel issued any permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been 
harvested from the EEZ, unless the preponderance of all submitted 
evidence demonstrates that such Atlantic herring were harvested by a 
vessel fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (11) Tilefish. All tilefish retained or possessed on a vessel issued 
any permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been

[[Page 413]]

harvested in or from the tilefish management unit, unless the 
preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that such tilefish 
were harvested by a vessel fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (12) Red crab. All red crab retained or possessed on a vessel issued 
any permit under Sec. 648.4 are deemed to have been harvested in or 
from the Red Crab Management Unit, unless the preponderance of all 
submitted evidence demonstrates that such red crab were harvested by a 
vessel fishing exclusively outside of the Red Crab Management Unit or in 
state waters.
    (13) Skates. All skates retained or possessed on a vessel are deemed 
to have been harvested in or from the Skate Management Unit, unless the 
preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that such skates 
were harvested by a vessel, that has not been issued a Federal skate 
permit, fishing exclusively outside of the EEZ portion of the Skate 
Management Unit or only in state waters.
    (y) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel that engages in 
fishing for monkfish to do any of the following, unless otherwise 
fishing in accordance with, and exempted under, the provisions of Sec. 
648.17:
    (1) Fish for, possess, retain or land monkfish, unless:
    (i) The monkfish are being fished for, or were harvested, in or from 
the EEZ by a vessel issued a valid monkfish permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(9); or
    (ii) The monkfish were harvested by a vessel not issued a Federal 
monkfish permit that fishes for or possesses monkfish exclusively in 
state waters; or
    (iii) The monkfish were harvested in or from the EEZ by a vessel not 
issued a Federal monkfish permit that engaged in recreational fishing; 
or
    (iv) The monkfish were harvested from the NAFO Regulatory Area in 
accordance with the provisions specified under Sec. 648.17.
    (2) Land, offload, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to land, 
offload, or otherwise transfer, monkfish from one vessel to another 
vessel, unless each vessel has not been issued a monkfish permit and 
fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (3) Sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to sell, 
barter, trade, or otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose, any 
monkfish without having been issued a valid monkfish vessel permit, 
unless the vessel fishes for monkfish exclusively in state waters, or 
exclusively in the NAFO Regulatory Area in accordance with the 
provisions specified under Sec. 648.17.
    (4) Operate or act as an operator of a vessel fishing for, 
possessing, retaining, or landing monkfish in or from the EEZ without 
having been issued and possessing a valid operator permit pursuant to 
Sec. 648.5, and this permit is onboard the vessel.
    (5) Fish with, use, or have on board, while fishing under a monkfish 
DAS within the Northern Fishery Management Area or Southern Fishery 
Management Area as described in Sec. 648.91(a) and (b), nets with mesh 
size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in Sec. 648.91(c).
    (6) Violate any provision of the monkfish incidental catch permit 
restrictions as provided in Sec. Sec. 648.4(a)(9)(ii) or 648.94(c).
    (7) Fail to comply with the area restrictions applicable to limited 
access Category G and H vessels specified under Sec. 648.92(b)(9).
    (8) Purchase, possess, or receive as a dealer, or in the capacity of 
a dealer, monkfish in excess of the possession or trip limits specified 
in Sec. 648.94 as is applicable to a vessel issued a monkfish limited 
access or incidental catch permit.
    (9) Fail to comply with the monkfish size limit restrictions of 
Sec. 648.93 when issued a valid monkfish permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(9).
    (10) Fail to comply with the monkfish possession limits and landing 
restrictions, including liver landing restrictions, specified under 
Sec. 648.94 when issued a valid monkfish permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(9).
    (11) Fail to comply with the monkfish DAS provisions specified at 
Sec. 648.92 when issued a valid limited access monkfish permit, and 
fishing for, possessing, or landing monkfish in excess of the incidental 
catch limits specified at Sec. 648.94 (c).

[[Page 414]]

    (12) If carrying a VMS unit under Sec. 648.10:
    (i) Fail to have a certified, operational, and functioning VMS unit 
that meets the specifications of Sec. 648.9 on board the vessel at all 
times.
    (ii) Fail to comply with the notification, replacement, or any other 
requirements regarding VMS usage as specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (13) Combine, transfer, or consolidate monkfish DAS allocations.
    (14) Fish for, possess, or land monkfish with or from a vessel that 
has had the horsepower of such vessel or its replacement upgraded or 
increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(9)(i)(E) and (F).
    (15) Fish for, possess, or land monkfish with or from a vessel that 
has had the length, GRT, or NT of such vessel or its replacement 
upgraded or increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(9)(i)(E) and (F).
    (16) Fail to comply with any provision of the DAS notification 
program as specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (17) If the vessel has been issued a valid limited access monkfish 
permit, and fishes under a monkfish DAS, fail to comply with gillnet 
requirements and restrictions specified in Sec. 648.92(b)(8).
    (18) Fail to produce gillnet tags when requested by an authorized 
officer.
    (19) Tagging a gillnet with or otherwise using or possessing a 
gillnet tag that has been reported lost, missing, destroyed, or issued 
to another vessel, or using or possessing a false gillnet tag.
    (20) Selling, transferring, or giving away gillnet tags that have 
been reported lost, missing, destroyed, or issued to another vessel.
    (21) Fail to comply with the area declaration requirements specified 
at Sec. Sec. 648.93(b)(2) and 648.94(f) when fishing under a scallop, 
NE multispecies, or monkfish DAS exclusively in the NFMA under the less 
restrictive monkfish possession limits of that area.
    (22) Fish for, possess, or land monkfish with or from a vessel that 
has had the length, GRT, or NT of such vessel or its replacement 
upgraded or increased in excess of the limitations specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(9)(i)(O) and (F).
    (z) Small-mesh multispecies. (1) In addition to the general 
prohibitions specified in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph 
(a) of this section, and subject to paragraph (a)(32) of this section, 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a 
valid Federal multispecies permit to land, offload, or otherwise 
transfer, or attempt to land, offload, or otherwise transfer, small-mesh 
multispecies from one vessel to another in excess of the limits 
specified in Sec. 648.13.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (aa) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person owning or 
operating a vessel issued a valid spiny dogfish permit or issued an 
operator's permit to do any of the following:
    (1) Sell, barter, trade or transfer, or attempt to sell, barter, 
trade or otherwise transfer, other than for transport, spiny dogfish, 
unless the dealer or transferee has a dealer permit issued under Sec. 
648.6(a).
    (2) Fish for or possess spiny dogfish harvested in or from the EEZ 
after the effective date of the notification published in the Federal 
Register stating that the semi-annual quota has been harvested and that 
the EEZ is closed to the harvest of spiny dogfish.
    (3) Land spiny dogfish for a commercial purpose after the effective 
date of the notification published in the Federal Register stating that 
the semi-annual quota has been harvested and that the EEZ is closed to 
the harvest of spiny dogfish.
    (4) Violate any of the provisions prohibiting finning in Sec. Sec. 
600.1203 and 600.1204, part 600, subpart N that are applicable to the 
dogfish fishery.
    (5)-(6) [Reserved]
    (7) Possess more than the possession limit of spiny dogfish 
specified under Sec. 648.235. The possession limit is the maximum 
amount that may be landed in any 1 calendar day.
    (bb) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for, possess, retain or land Atlantic herring, unless:

[[Page 415]]

    (i) The Atlantic herring are being fished for or were harvested in 
or from the EEZ by a vessel holding a valid Atlantic herring permit 
under this part, and the operator on board such vessel has been issued 
an operator permit that is on board the vessel; or
    (ii) The Atlantic herring were harvested by a vessel not issued an 
Atlantic herring permit that was fishing exclusively in state waters; or
    (iii) The Atlantic herring were harvested in or from the EEZ by a 
vessel engaged in recreational fishing; or
    (iv) Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Sec. 648.17.
    (2) Operate, or act as an operator of, a vessel with an Atlantic 
herring permit, or a vessel fishing for or possessing Atlantic herring 
in or from the EEZ, unless the operator has been issued, and is in 
possession of, a valid operator permit.
    (3) Purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase, possess, or 
receive, as a dealer, or in the capacity of a dealer, Atlantic herring 
that were harvested in or from the EEZ, without having been issued, and 
in possession of, a valid Atlantic herring dealer permit.
    (4) Purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase, possess, or 
receive, as a processor, or in the capacity of a processor, Atlantic 
herring from a fishing vessel with an Atlantic herring permit or from a 
dealer with an Atlantic herring dealer permit, without having been 
issued, and in possession of, a valid Atlantic herring processor permit.
    (5) Sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to sell, 
barter, trade, or otherwise transfer, for a commercial purpose, any 
Atlantic herring, unless the vessel has been issued an Atlantic herring 
permit, or unless the Atlantic herring were harvested by a vessel 
without an Atlantic herring permit that fished exclusively in state 
waters.
    (6) Purchase, possess, or receive, for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess or receive, for a commercial purpose, 
Atlantic herring caught by a vessel without an Atlantic herring permit, 
unless the Atlantic herring were harvested by a vessel without an 
Atlantic herring permit that fished exclusively in state waters.
    (7) Possess, transfer, receive, or sell, or attempt to transfer, 
receive, or sell  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring per 
trip, or land, or attempt to land  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of 
Atlantic herring per day in or from an area of the EEZ subject to 
restrictions pursuant to Sec. 648.202(a).
    (8) Possess, transfer, receive, or sell, or attempt to transfer, 
receive, or sell  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring per 
trip, or land, or attempt to land  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of 
Atlantic herring per day in or from state waters subject to restrictions 
pursuant to Sec. 648.202(a), if the vessel has been issued a valid 
Atlantic herring permit.
    (9) Transfer or attempt to transfer Atlantic herring to a Canadian 
transshipment vessel that is permitted in accordance with Pub. L. 104-
297 after the amount of herring transshipped equals the amount of the BT 
specified pursuant to Sec. 648.200.
    (10) Transit an area of the EEZ that is subject to a closure to 
directed fishing for Atlantic herring or restrictions pursuant to Sec. 
648.202(a) with  2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of herring on board, 
unless all fishing gear is stowed as specified by Sec. 648.23(b).
    (11) Catch, take, or harvest Atlantic herring in or from the EEZ 
with a U.S. vessel that exceeds the size limits specified in Sec. 
648.203.
    (12) Process Atlantic herring caught in or from the EEZ in excess of 
the specification of USAP with a U.S. vessel that exceeds the size 
limits specified in Sec. 648.203(b).
    (13) Discard herring carcasses in the EEZ, or at sea if a federally-
permitted vessel, after removing the roe.
    (14) Catch, take, or harvest Atlantic herring in or from the EEZ for 
roe in excess of any allowed limit that may be established pursuant to 
Sec. 648.204(b).
    (15) Catch, take, or harvest Atlantic herring in or from the EEZ, 
unless equipped with an operable VMS unit if a vessel caught  
500 mt of Atlantic herring in the previous fishing year, or intends to 
catch  500 mt of Atlantic herring in the current fishing 
year, as required by Sec. 648.205(a).
    (16) Catch, take, or harvest  500 mt of Atlantic herring 
in or from the EEZ during the fishing year, unless

[[Page 416]]

equipped with an operable VMS unit as required by Sec. 648.205(a).
    (17) Receive Atlantic herring in or from the EEZ solely for 
transport, unless issued a letter of authorization from the Regional 
Administrator.
    (18) Fail to comply with any of the requirements of a letter of 
authorization from the Regional Administrator.
    (19) [Reserved]
    (20) If the vessel has been issued a Category 1 herring permit and 
is fishing for herring, fail to notify the NMFS Office of Law 
Enforcement of the time and date of landing via VMS at least 6 hr prior 
to landing or crossing the VMS demarcation line on its return trip to 
port.
    (21)-(23) [Reserved]
    (24) If a Category 1 herring vessel, discard haddock at sea that has 
been brought on deck or pumped into the hold.
    (25) If fishing with midwater trawl or a purse seine gear, fail to 
comply with the requirements of Sec. 648.80 (d) and (e).
    (26) Transit the GOM/GB Herring Exemption Area when that area is 
limited to the 2,000 lb (907 kg) limit specified in Sec. 
648.86(a)(3)(ii)(A)(1) with more than 2,000 lb (907 kg) of herring, 
unless all the herring on board was caught outside of that area and all 
fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as required 
by Sec. 648.23 (b).
    (cc) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter, unless participating in a research activity as 
described in Sec. 648.290(e), it is unlawful for any person owning or 
operating a vessel to do any of the following:
    (1) Fish for, possess, retain or land tilefish, unless:
    (i) The tilefish are being fished for or were harvested in or from 
the tilefish management unit by a vessel holding a valid tilefish permit 
under this part, and the operator on board such vessel has been issued 
an operator permit that is on board the vessel; or
    (ii) The tilefish were harvested by a vessel not issued a tilefish 
permit that was fishing exclusively in state waters; or
    (iii) The tilefish were harvested in or from the tilefish management 
unit by a vessel engaged in recreational fishing.
    (2) Operate, or act as an operator of, a vessel with a tilefish 
permit, or a vessel fishing for or possessing tilefish in or from the 
tilefish management unit, unless the operator has been issued, and is in 
possession of, a valid operator permit.
    (3) Purchase, possess, receive, or attempt to purchase, possess, or 
receive, as a dealer, or in the capacity of a dealer, tilefish that were 
harvested in or from the tilefish management unit, without having been 
issued, and in possession of, a valid tilefish dealer permit.
    (4) Sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer, or attempt to sell, 
barter, trade, or otherwise transfer, for a commercial purpose, any 
tilefish, unless the vessel has been issued a tilefish permit, or unless 
the tilefish were harvested by a vessel without a tilefish permit that 
fished exclusively in state waters.
    (5) Purchase, possess, or receive, for a commercial purpose, or 
attempt to purchase, possess, or receive, for a commercial purpose, 
tilefish caught by a vessel without a tilefish permit, unless the 
tilefish were harvested by a vessel without a tilefish permit that 
fished exclusively in state waters.
    (6) [Reserved]
    (7) Possess tilefish harvested in or from the tilefish management 
unit in excess of the trip limit, pursuant to Sec. 648.292, unless 
issued a limited access tilefish permit.
    (8) Land tilefish harvested in or from the tilefish management unit 
for sale after the effective date of the notification in the Federal 
Register, pursuant to Sec. 648.291, which notifies permit holders in a 
limited access category that the quota for that category is no longer 
available.
    (9) Land tilefish in or from the tilefish management unit, in excess 
of the trip limit pursuant to Sec. 648.292, unless the vessel holds a 
valid limited access tilefish permit.
    (dd) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (1) Catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, any red 
crab or

[[Page 417]]

red crab parts in or from the EEZ portion of the Red Crab Management 
Unit, unless in possession of a valid limited access red crab vessel 
permit or red crab incidental catch permit issued by the Regional 
Administrator under this subpart.
    (2) Land, or possess on board a vessel, greater than the possession 
or landing limits specified in Sec. 648.263.
    (3) Fail to comply with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
of Sec. 648.7.
    (4) Transfer at sea, either directly or indirectly, or attempt to 
transfer at sea to any vessel, any red crab or red crab parts, taken in 
or from the EEZ portion of the Red Crab Management Unit.
    (5) Purchase, possess, or receive greater than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of 
whole red crab, or its equivalent in weight as specified at Sec. 
648.263(a)(2)(i) and (ii), caught in the EEZ portion of the Red Crab 
Management Unit by a vessel that has not been issued a valid limited 
access red crab permit under this subpart.
    (6) Purchase, possess, or receive up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) of whole 
red crab, or its equivalent in weight as specified at Sec. 
648.263(a)(2)(i) and (ii), caught in the EEZ portion of the Red Crab 
Management Unit by a vessel that has not been issued a valid limited 
access red crab permit or red crab incidental catch permit under this 
subpart.
    (7) Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or 
barter, greater than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of whole red crab, or its 
equivalent in weight as specified at Sec. 648.263(a)(2)(i) and (ii), 
per fishing trip, in or from the Red Crab Management Unit, unless in 
possession of a valid limited access red crab vessel permit issued by 
the Regional Administrator under this subpart and fishing under a red 
crab DAS.
    (8) Fail to comply with the provisions of the DAS notification 
program specified in Sec. Sec. 648.262(b)(5) and 648.10, if the vessel 
has been issued a valid limited access red crab permit.
    (9) Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or 
barter, in the Red Crab Management Unit under a red crab DAS if the 
vessel has declared out of the fishery prior to the start of the fishing 
year.
    (10) Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or 
barter, red crab in excess of landing limits specified in Sec. 648.263.
    (11) Possess, deploy, fish with, haul, harvest red crab from, or 
carry on board a vessel in excess of the trap/pot and/or string limit 
specified at Sec. 648.264(a)(2) when fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (12) Retain, possess, or land female red crabs in excess of one 
standard U.S. fish tote if the vessel has been issued a valid limited 
access red crab permit and is fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (13) Retain, possess, or land red crab claws and legs separate from 
crab bodies in excess of one standard U.S. fish tote if the vessel has 
been issued a valid limited access red crab permit and is fishing under 
a red crab DAS.
    (14) Retain, possess, or land any red crab claws and legs separate 
from crab bodies if the vessel has not been issued a valid limited 
access red crab permit or has been issued a valid limited access red 
crab permit and is not fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (15) Retain, possess, or land in excess of two claws and eight legs 
per crab if the vessel has been issued a valid red crab incidental catch 
permit or has been issued a valid limited access red crab permit and is 
not fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (16) Fully process red crabs at sea, i.e., any activity that removes 
meat from any part of a red crab, unless a preponderance of the evidence 
shows that the vessel fished exclusively in state waters and has not 
been issued a valid federal permit.
    (17) Fail to comply with any gear marking requirement specified at 
Sec. 648.264(a)(5).
    (18) Possess, fish, or deploy parlor traps/pots if the vessel has 
been issued a valid limited access red crab permit and is fishing under 
a red crab DAS.
    (19) Possess, fish, or deploy red crab traps/pots larger than the 
maximum size specified at Sec. 648.263(a)(4), if the vessel has been 
issued a valid limited access red crab permit and is fishing under a red 
crab DAS.
    (ee) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any person to

[[Page 418]]

fish for, possess, or land skates in or from the EEZ portion of the 
Skate Management Unit, unless in possession of a valid Federal skate 
vessel permit or onboard a federally permitted lobster vessel (i.e., 
transfer at sea recipient) while in possession of whole skates as bait 
only less than the maximum size specified at Sec. 648.322(b)(2) and in 
accordance with Sec. 648.322(c).
    (ff) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any owner or operator of a vessel holding a valid Federal 
skate permit to do any of the following:
    (1) Fail to comply with the conditions of the skate wing possession 
and landing limits for winter skates specified at Sec. 648.322, unless 
holding a letter of authorization to fish for and land skates as bait 
only at Sec. 648.322(b).
    (2) Fail to comply with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
of Sec. 648.7(a)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(iii).
    (3) Transfer at sea or attempt to transfer at sea to any vessel, any 
skates taken in or from the EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit, 
unless in compliance with the provisions of Sec. Sec. 648.13(b) and 
648.322(b).
    (4) Purchase, possess, trade, barter or receive skates caught in the 
EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit by a vessel that has not been 
issued a valid Federal skate permit under this part.
    (5) Fail to comply with the provisions of the DAS notification 
program specified in Sec. Sec. 648.53, 648.82, and 648.92, for the 
Atlantic sea scallop, NE multispecies, and monkfish fisheries, 
respectively, when issued a valid skate permit and fishing under the 
skate wing possession limits at Sec. 648.322.
    (6) Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or 
barter whole skates and skate wings in excess of the possession limits 
specified at Sec. 648.322.
    (7) Fail to comply with the restrictions under the SNE Trawl and 
Gillnet Exemption areas for the NE skate fisheries at Sec. Sec. 
648.80(b)(5)(i)(B) and 648.80(b)(6)(i)(B).
    (gg) In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 
600.725 of this chapter and in paragraph (a) of this section, it is 
unlawful for any owner or operator of a vessel holding a valid Federal 
permit to do any of the following:
    (1) Retain, possess, or land barndoor or thorny skates taken in or 
from the EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit specified at Sec. 
648.2.
    (2) Retain, possess, or land smooth skates taken in or from the GOM 
RMA described at Sec. 648.80(a)(1)(i).

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affection Sec. 
648.14, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

    Effective Date Notes: 1. At 70 FR 60451, Oct. 18, 2005, Sec. 648.14 
was amended by adding paragraphs (a)(170) through (171), effective Oct. 
18, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2005. At 70 FR 76426, Dec. 27, 2005, 
paragraphs (a)(170) and (a)(171) were removed, effective Jan. 26, 2006. 
At 70 FR 76713, Dec. 28, 2005, the effective date was extended through 
June 30, 2006. At 71 FR 37505, June 30, 2006, the effective date was 
extended through Dec. 31, 2006.
    2. At 71 FR 19373, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.14 was amended by 
suspending paragraphs (a)(172), (c)(19), (c)(21) through (23), (c)(33) 
through (35), (c)(37), (c)(39), (c)(43), (c)(49) through (52), (c)(54) 
through (66), (c)(70), (c)(78), (c)(80), (y)(15), and (bb)(22); and 
adding paragraphs (a)(173) through (178), (c)(81) through (116), (g)(4), 
(y)(22), and (bb)(23), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006. At 
71 FR 46875, Aug. 15, 2006, paragraph (bb)(23) was removed and reserved, 
effective Aug. 15, 2006.



Sec. 648.15  Facilitation of enforcement.

    (a) General. See Sec. 600.504 of this chapter.
    (b) Special notification requirements applicable to surf clam and 
ocean quahog vessel owners and operators. (1) Vessel owners or operators 
are required to call the NMFS Office of Law Enforcement nearest to the 
point of offloading (contact the Regional Administrator for locations 
and phone numbers) and accurately provide the following information 
prior to the departure of their vessel from the dock to fish for surf 
clams or ocean quahogs in the EEZ: Name of the vessel; NMFS permit 
number assigned to the vessel; expected date and time of departure from 
port; whether the trip will be directed on surf clams or ocean quahogs; 
expected date, time, and location of landing; and name of the individual 
providing notice.

[[Page 419]]

    (2) Owners or operators that have given notification of a fishing 
trip under this paragraph (b) who decide to cancel or postpone the trip 
prior to departure must immediately provide notice of cancellation by 
telephone to the Office of Law Enforcement to which the original 
notification was provided. A separate notification shall be provided for 
the next fishing trip. Owners or operators that discontinue a fishing 
trip in the EEZ must immediately provide notice of discontinuance by 
telephone to the Office of Law Enforcement to which the original 
notification was provided. The owner or operator providing notice of 
discontinuance shall advise of any changes in landing time or port of 
landing. The owner or operator discontinuing a fishing trip in the EEZ 
must return to port and offload any surf clams or ocean quahogs prior to 
commencing fishing operations in the waters under the jurisdiction of 
any state.
    (3) The vessel permits, the vessel, its gear, and catch shall be 
subject to inspection upon request by an authorized officer.
    (4) Suspension of notification requirements. The Regional 
Administrator may suspend notification requirements for vessels fishing 
under a Maine mahogany quahog permit issued pursuant to Sec. 
648.4(a)(4)(i) if he determines that such notification is not necessary 
to enforce effectively the management measures in the Maine mahogany 
quahog zone. The Regional Administrator may rescind such suspension if 
he concludes that the original determination is no longer valid. A 
suspension or recision of suspension of the notification requirements by 
the Regional Administrator shall be published in the Federal Register.
    (c) Radio hails. Permit holders, while underway, must be alert for 
communication conveying enforcement instructions and immediately answer 
via VHF-FM radio, channel 16 when hailed by an authorized officer. 
Vessels not required to have VHF-FM radios by the Coast Guard are exempt 
from this requirement.
    (d) Retention of haddock by herring dealers and processors. (1) 
Federally permitted herring dealers and processors, including at-sea 
processors, that receive herring from Category 1 herring vessels, and 
that cull or separate out from the herring catch all fish other than 
herring in the course of normal operations, must separate out and retain 
all haddock offloaded from a Category 1 herring vessel. Such haddock may 
not be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred, and 
must be retained, after they have been separated, for at least 12 hr for 
dealers and processors on land, and for 12 hr after landing by at-sea 
processors. The dealer or processor, including at-sea processors, must 
clearly indicate the vessel that landed the retained haddock or 
transferred the retained haddock to an at-sea processor. Law enforcement 
officials must be given access to inspect the haddock.
    (2) All haddock separated out and retained is subject to reporting 
requirements specified at Sec. 648.7.
    (e) Prohibition on discarding haddock by Category 1 herring vessels. 
A Category 1 herring vessel may not discard any haddock that has been 
brought on the deck or pumped into the hold.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14648, Mar. 27, 1997; 63 
FR 27485, May 19, 1998; 71 FR 46875, Aug. 15, 2006]



Sec. 648.16  Penalties.

    See Sec. 600.735.



Sec. 648.17  Exemptions for vessels fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.

    (a) Fisheries included under exemption--(1) NE multispecies. A 
vessel issued a valid High Seas Fishing Compliance Permit under part 300 
of this title and that complies with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, is exempt from NE multispecies permit, 
mesh size, effort-control, and possession limit restrictions, specified 
in Sec. Sec. 648.4, 648.80, 648.82 and 648.86, respectively, while 
transiting the EEZ with NE multispecies on board the vessel, or landing 
NE multispecies in U.S. ports that were caught while fishing in the NAFO 
Regulatory Area.
    (2) Monkfish. A vessel issued a valid High Seas Fishing Compliance 
Permit under part 300 of this title and that complies with the 
requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section is exempt from 
monkfish permit, mesh size, effort-control, and possession

[[Page 420]]

limit restrictions, specified in Sec. Sec. 648.4, 648.91, 648.92 and 
648.94, respectively, while transiting the EEZ with monkfish on board 
the vessel, or landing monkfish in U.S. ports that were caught while 
fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.
    (b) General requirements. (1) The vessel operator has a valid letter 
of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator on board the 
vessel;
    (2) For the duration of the trip, the vessel fishes, except for 
transiting purposes, exclusively in the NAFO Regulatory Area and does 
not harvest fish in, or possess fish harvested in, or from, the EEZ;
    (3) When transiting the EEZ, all gear is properly stowed in 
accordance with one of the applicable methods specified in Sec. 
648.23(b); and
    (4) The vessel operator complies with the High Seas Fishing 
Compliance Permit and all NAFO conservation and enforcement measures 
while fishing in the NAFO Regulatory Area.

[70 FR 21942, Apr. 28, 2005]



  Subpart B_Management Measures for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
                          Butterfish Fisheries



Sec. 648.20  Maximum optimum yield (OYs).

    The OYs specified pursuant to Sec. 648.21 during a fishing year may 
not exceed the following amounts:
    (a) Mackerel--that quantity of mackerel that is less than or equal 
to the allowable biological catch (ABC) in U.S. waters specified 
pursuant to Sec. 648.21.
    (b) Loligo--the catch associated with a fishing mortality rate of 
Fmax.
    (c) Illex--catch associated with a fishing mortality rate of 
FMSY.
    (d) Butterfish--the catch associated with a fishing mortality rate 
of FMSY.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 8637, Feb. 26, 1997; 64 
FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999]



Sec. 648.21  Procedures for determining initial annual amounts.

    (a) Initial recommended annual specifications. The Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee (Monitoring 
Committee) shall meet annually to develop and recommend the following 
specifications for consideration by the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 
Committee of the MAFMC:
    (1) Initial OY (IOY), including research quota (RQ), domestic annual 
harvest (DAH), and domestic annual processing (DAP) for Illex squid;
    (2) IOY, including RQ, DAH, DAP, and bycatch level of the total 
allowable level of foreign fishing (TALFF), if any, for butterfish; and
    (3) IOY, including RQ, DAH, DAP, joint venture processing (JVP), if 
any, and TALFF, if any, for mackerel. The Monitoring Committee may also 
recommend that certain ratios of TALFF, if any, for mackerel to 
purchases of domestic harvested fish and/or domestic processed fish be 
established in relation to the initial annual amounts.
    (4) Initial OY (IOY), including research quota (RQ), domestic annual 
harvest (DAH), and domestic annual processing (DAP) for Loligo squid, 
which, subject to annual review, may be specified for a period of up to 
3 years;
    (5) Inseason adjustment, upward or downward, to the specifications 
for Loligo squid as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (b) Guidelines. As the basis for its recommendations under paragraph 
(a) of this section, the Monitoring Committee shall review available 
data pertaining to: Commercial, recreational, and research project 
landings; discards; current estimates of fishing mortality; stock 
status; the most recent estimates of recruitment; virtual population 
analysis results; levels of noncompliance by harvesters or individual 
states; impact of size/mesh regulations; results of a survey of domestic 
processors and joint venture operators of estimated mackerel processing 
capacity and intent to use that capacity; results of a survey of 
fishermen's trade associations of estimated mackerel harvesting capacity 
and intent to use that capacity; and any other relevant information. The 
specifications recommended pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section 
must be consistent with the following:
    (1) Squid. (i) The ABC for any fishing year must be either the 
maximum OY specified in Sec. 648.20, or a lower amount,

[[Page 421]]

if stock assessments indicate that the potential yield is less than the 
maximum OY.
    (ii) IOY is a modification of ABC based on social and economic 
factors. The IOY is composed of a RQ and DAH. RQ will be based on 
requests for research quota as described in paragraph (g) of this 
section. DAH will be set after deduction for RQ, if applicable.
    (2) Mackerel. (i) Mackerel ABC must be calculated using the formula 
ABC = T - C, where C is the estimated catch of mackerel in Canadian 
waters for the upcoming fishing year and T is the catch associated with 
a fishing mortality rate that is equal to Ftarget (F = 0.25) 
at an 890,000 mt spawning stock biomass (or greater) and decreases 
linearly to zero at a 450,000 mt spawning stock biomass (\1/2\ 
BMSY) or below.
    (ii) IOY is a modification of ABC, based on social and economic 
factors, and must be less than or equal to ABC.
    (iii) IOY is composed of RQ, DAH and TALFF. RQ will be based on 
requests for research quota as described in paragraph (g) of this 
section. DAH, DAP, and JVP will be set after deduction for RQ, if 
applicable, and must be projected by reviewing data from sources 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section and other relevant data, 
including past domestic landings, projected amounts of mackerel 
necessary for domestic processing and for joint ventures during the 
fishing year, projected recreational landings, and other data pertinent 
for such a projection. The JVP component of DAH is the portion of DAH 
that domestic processors either cannot or will not use. In addition, IOY 
is based on the criteria set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
specifically section 201(e), and on the following economic factors:
    (A) Total world export potential of mackerel producing countries.
    (B) Total world import demand of mackerel consuming countries.
    (C) U.S. export potential based on expected U.S. harvests, expected 
U.S. consumption, relative prices, exchange rates, and foreign trade 
barriers.
    (D) Increased/decreased revenues to the United States from foreign 
fees.
    (E) Increased/decreased revenues to U.S. harvesters (with/without 
joint ventures).
    (F) Increased/decreased revenues to U.S. processors and exporters.
    (G) Increases/decreases in U.S. harvesting productivity due to 
decreases/increases in foreign harvest.
    (H) Increases/decreases in U.S. processing productivity.
    (I) Potential impact of increased/decreased TALFF on foreign 
purchases of U.S. products and services and U.S.-caught fish, changes in 
trade barriers, technology transfer, and other considerations.
    (3) Butterfish. (i) If the Monitoring Committee's review indicates 
that the stock cannot support a level of harvest equal to the maximum 
OY, the Monitoring Committee shall recommend establishing an ABC less 
than the maximum OY for the fishing year. This level represents the 
modification of maximum OY to reflect biological and ecological factors. 
If the stock is able to support a harvest level equivalent to the 
maximum OY, the ABC must be set at that level.
    (ii) IOY is a modification of ABC based on social and economic 
factors. The IOY is composed of a RQ, DAH, and bycatch TALFF that is 
equal to 0.08 percent of the allocated portion of the mackerel TALFF. RQ 
will be based on requests for research quota as described in paragraph 
(g) of this section. DAH and bycatch TALFF will be set after deduction 
for RQ, if applicable.
    (c) Recommended measures. Based on the review of the data described 
in paragraph (a) of this section and requests for research quota as 
described in paragraph (g) of this section, the Monitoring Committee 
will recommend to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee the 
measures from the following list that it determines are necessary to 
ensure that the specifications are not exceeded:
    (1) Research quotas set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of IOY.
    (2) Commercial quotas, set after reductions for research quotas.
    (3) The amount of Loligo and butterfish that may be retained, 
possessed and landed by vessels issued the incidental catch permit 
specified in Sec. 648.4(a)(5).
    (4) Commercial minimum fish sizes.
    (5) Commercial trip limits.

[[Page 422]]

    (6) Commercial seasonal quotas/closures for Loligo and Illex.
    (7) Minimum mesh sizes.
    (8) Commercial gear restrictions.
    (9) Recreational harvest limit, set after reductions for research 
quotas.
    (10) Recreational minimum fish size.
    (11) Recreational possession limits.
    (12) Recreational season.
    (d) [Reserved]
    (e) Inseason adjustments. The specifications established pursuant to 
this section may be adjusted by the Regional Administrator, in 
consultation with the MAFMC, during the fishing year by publishing 
notification in the Federal Register stating the reasons for such an 
action and providing a 30-day public comment period.
    (f) Distribution of annual Loligo squid commercial quota. (1) 
Beginning January 1, 2001, a commercial quota will be allocated annually 
for Loligo squid into quarterly periods, based on the following 
percentages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Quarter                              Percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I--January-March.............................................      33.23
II--April-June...............................................      17.61
III--July-September..........................................      17.30
IV--October-December.........................................      31.86
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Beginning January 1, 2001, any overages of commercial quota 
landed from Quarter I will be subtracted from Quarter III and any 
overages of commercial quota landed from Quarter II will be subtracted 
from Quarter IV.
    (3) Beginning January 1, 2003, if commercial landings in Quarter I 
are determined to be less than 80 percent of the Quarter I quota 
allocation, any remaining Quarter I quota that is less than 80 percent 
will be reallocated to Quarter III (e.g., if the Quarter I quota was 
100,000 lb (220,462 kg) and 50,000 lb (110,231 kg) was landed, then the 
remaining Quarter I quota, up to 80 percent, or 30,000 lb (66,139 kg), 
would be reallocated to Quarter III. A balance of 20 percent, or 20,000 
lb (44,092 kg), would remain in Quarter I).
    (g) Research quota. Prior to the Council's quota-setting meetings:
    (1) NMFS will publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the Federal 
Register, consistent with procedures and requirements established by the 
NOAA Grants Office, to solicit proposals from industry for the upcoming 
fishing year, based on research priorities identified by the Council.
    (2) NMFS will convene a review panel including the Council's 
Comprehensive Management Committee, as well as technical experts, to 
review proposals submitted in response to the RFP.
    (i) Each panel member will recommend which research proposals should 
be authorized to utilize research quota, based on the selection criteria 
described in the RFP.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator and the NOAA Grants Office will 
consider each panel member's recommendation, provide final approval of 
the projects and exempt selected vessel(s) from regulations specified in 
each of the respective FMPs through written notification to the project 
proponent.
    (3) The grant awards approved under the RFPs will be for the 
upcoming fishing year. Proposals to fund research that would start prior 
to, or that would end after the fishing year, will not be eligible for 
consideration. All research and/or compensation trips will have to be 
completed within the fishing year for which the research grant was 
awarded.
    (4) Research projects will be conducted in accordance with 
provisions approved and provided in an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) 
issued by the Regional Administrator.
    (5) If a proposal is disapproved by the Regional Administrator or 
the NOAA Grants Office, or if the Regional Administrator determines that 
the allocated research quota cannot be utilized by a project, the 
Regional Administrator shall reallocate the unallocated or unused amount 
of research quota to the respective commercial and recreational 
fisheries by publication of a notice in the Federal Register in 
compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, provided:
    (i) The reallocation of the unallocated or unused amount of research 
quota is in accord with National Standard 1, and can be available for 
harvest before the end of the fishing year for which the research quota 
is specified; and
    (ii) Any reallocation of unallocated or unused research quota shall 
be consistent with the proportional division of quota between the 
commercial and

[[Page 423]]

recreational fisheries in the relevant FMP and allocated to the 
remaining quota periods for the fishing year proportionally.
    (6) Vessels participating in approved research projects may be 
exempted from certain management measures by the Regional Administrator, 
provided that one of the following analyses of the impacts associated 
with the exemptions is provided:
    (i) The analysis of the impacts of the requested exemptions is 
included as part of the annual quota specification packages submitted by 
the Council; or
    (ii) For proposals that require exemptions that extend beyond the 
scope of the analysis provided by the Council, applicants may be 
required to provide additional analysis of impacts of the exemptions 
before issuance of an EFP will be considered, as specified in the EFP 
regulations at Sec. 648.745(b).

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 8637, Feb. 26, 1997; 64 
FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999; 65 FR 16345, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 55927, Sept. 
15, 2000; 66 FR 13028, Mar. 2, 2001; 66 FR 35566, July 6, 2001; 66 FR 
42159, Aug. 10, 2001; 67 FR 3627, Jan. 25, 2002; 67 FR 44394, July 2, 
2002; 68 FR 60, Jan. 2, 2003; 69 FR 16178, Mar. 29, 2004]



Sec. 648.22  Closure of the fishery.

    (a) General. NMFS shall close the directed mackerel fishery in the 
EEZ when U.S. fishermen have harvested 80 percent of the DAH of that 
fishery if such closure is necessary to prevent the DAH from being 
exceeded. The closure shall remain in effect for the remainder of the 
fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in paragraph 
(c) of this section, until the entire DAH is attained. When the Regional 
Administrator projects that DAH will be attained for mackerel, NMFS will 
close the mackerel fishery in the EEZ, and the incidental catches 
specified for mackerel in paragraph (c) of this section will be 
prohibited. NMFS will close the directed fishery in the EEZ for Loligo 
when 80 percent is harvested in Quarters I, II and III, and when 95 
percent of the total annual DAH has been harvested. The closure of the 
directed fishery will be in effect for the remainder of the fishing 
year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in paragraph (c) of 
this section. NMFS will close the directed fishery in the EEZ for Illex 
or butterfish when 95 percent of the DAH has been harvested. The closure 
of the directed fishery will be in effect for the remainder of the 
fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (b) Notification. Upon determining that a closure is necessary, the 
Assistant Administrator will notify, in advance of the closure, the 
Executive Directors of the MAFMC, NEFMC, and SAFMC; mail notification of 
the closure to all holders of mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery 
permits at least 72 hours before the effective date of the closure; 
provide adequate notice of the closure to recreational participants in 
the fishery; and publish notification of closure in the Federal 
Register.
    (c) Incidental catches. During the closure of the directed fishery 
for mackerel, the possession limit for mackerel is 10 percent by weight 
of the total amount of fish on board. During a period of closure of the 
directed fishery for Loligo, Illex, or butterfish, the possession limit 
for Loligo and butterfish is 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) each, and the possession 
limit for Illex is 10,000 lb (4.54 mt). Vessels may not land more than 
these limits during any single calendar day, which is defined as the 24-
hour period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 8637, Feb. 26, 1997; 65 
FR 16345, Mar. 28, 2000; 65 FR 81765, Dec. 27, 2000; 66 FR 13028, Mar. 
2, 2001; 69 FR 4864, Feb. 2, 2004]



Sec. 648.23  Gear restrictions.

    (a) [Reserved]
    (b) Definition of ``not available for immediate use.'' Gear that is 
shown not to have been in recent use and that is stowed in conformance 
with one of the following methods is considered to be not available for 
immediate use:
    (1) Nets. (i) Below deck stowage. (A) It is stored below the main 
working deck from which it is deployed and retrieved;
    (B) The towing wires, including the leg wires, are detached from the 
net; and
    (C) It is fan-folded (flaked) and bound around its circumference.

[[Page 424]]

    (ii) On-deck stowage. (A) It is fan-folded (flaked) and bound around 
its circumference;
    (B) It is securely fastened to the deck or rail of the vessel; and
    (C) The towing wires, including the leg wires, are detached from the 
net.
    (iii) On-reel stowage. (A) The net is on a reel, its entire surface 
is covered with canvas or other similar opaque material, and the canvas 
or other material is securely bound;
    (B) The towing wires are detached from the net; and
    (C) The codend is removed and stored below deck.
    (iv) On-reel stowage for vessels transiting the Gulf of Maine 
Rolling Closure Areas, the Georges Bank Seasonal Area Closure, and the 
Conditional Gulf of Maine Rolling Closure Area. (A) The net is on a 
reel, its entire surface is covered with canvas or other similar opaque 
material, and the canvas or other material is securely bound;
    (B) The towing wires are detached from the doors; and
    (C) No containment rope, codend tripping device, or other mechanism 
to close off the codend is attached to the codend.
    (2) Scallop dredges. (i) The towing wire is detached from the 
scallop dredge, the towing wire is completely reeled up onto the winch, 
the dredge is secured and the dredge or the winch is covered so that it 
is rendered unuseable for fishing; or
    (ii) The towing wire is detached from the dredge and attached to a 
bright-colored poly ball no less than 24 inches (60.9 cm) in diameter, 
with the towing wire left in its normal operating position (through the 
various blocks) and either is wound back to the first block (in the 
gallows) or is suspended at the end of the lifting block where its 
retrieval does not present a hazard to the crew and where it is readily 
visible from above.
    (3) Hook gear (other than pelagic). All anchors and buoys are 
secured and all hook gear, including jigging machines, is covered.
    (4) Sink gillnet gear. All nets are covered with canvas or other 
similar material and lashed or otherwise securely fastened to the deck 
or rail, and all buoys larger than 6 inches (15.24 cm) in diameter, high 
flyers, and anchors are disconnected.
    (5) Other methods of stowage. Any other method of stowage authorized 
in writing by the Regional Administrator and subsequently published in 
the Federal Register.
    (c) Mesh obstruction or constriction. The owner or operator of a 
fishing vessel shall not use any mesh construction, mesh configuration 
or other means that effectively decreases the mesh size below the 
minimum mesh size, except that a liner may be used to close the opening 
created by the rings in the aftermost portion of the net, provided the 
liner extends no more than 10 meshes forward of the aftermost portion of 
the net. The inside webbing of the codend shall be the same 
circumference or less than the outside webbing (strengthener). In 
addition, the inside webbing shall not be more than 2 ft (61 cm) longer 
than the outside webbing.
    (d) Net obstruction or constriction. The owner or operator of a 
fishing vessel shall not use any device, gear, or material, including, 
but not limited to, nets, net strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing 
gear, on the top of the regulated portion of a trawl net that results in 
an effective mesh opening of less than 1\7/8\ inches (48 mm) diamond 
mesh, inside stretch measure. Net strengtheners (covers), splitting 
straps and/or bull ropes or wire may be used, provided they do not 
constrict the top of the regulated portion of the net to less than an 
effective mesh opening of 1\7/8\ inches (48 mm), diamond mesh, inside 
stretch measure. Net strengtheners (covers) may not have an effective 
mesh opening of less than 4.5 inches (11.43 cm), diamond mesh, inside 
stretch measure. ``Top of the regulated portion of the net'' means the 
50 percent of the entire regulated portion of the net that (in a 
hypothetical situation) would not be in contact with the ocean bottom 
during a tow if the regulated portion of the net were laid flat on the 
ocean floor. For the purpose of this paragraph (d), head ropes are not

[[Page 425]]

to be considered part of the top of the regulated portion of a trawl 
net.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14648, Mar. 27, 1997; 63 
FR 1774, Jan. 12, 1998; 64 FR 24073, May 5, 1999; 65 FR 16345, Mar. 28, 
2000; 65 FR 37911, June 19, 2000; 68 FR 9586, Feb. 28, 2003; 69 FR 
22951, Apr. 27, 2004]



Sec. 648.24  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    (a) Within season management action. The Council, at any time, may 
initiate action to add or adjust management measures within the Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP if it finds that action is necessary 
to meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the plan.
    (1) Adjustment process. The Council shall develop and analyze 
appropriate management actions over the span of at least two Council 
meetings. The Council must provide the public with advance notice of the 
availability of the recommendation(s), appropriate justification(s) and 
economic and biological analyses, and the opportunity to comment on the 
proposed adjustment(s) at the first meeting and prior to and at the 
second Council meeting. The Council's recommendations on adjustments or 
additions to management measures must come from one or more of the 
following categories: Minimum fish size, maximum fish size, gear 
restrictions, gear requirements or prohibitions, permitting 
restrictions, recreational possession limit, recreational seasons, 
closed areas, commercial seasons, commercial trip limits, commercial 
quota system including commercial quota allocation procedure and 
possible quota set asides to mitigate bycatch, recreational harvest 
limit, annual specification quota setting process, FMP Monitoring 
Committee composition and process, description and identification of 
essential fish habitat (and fishing gear management measures that impact 
EFH), description and identification of habitat areas of particular 
concern, overfishing definition and related thresholds and targets, 
regional gear restrictions, regional season restrictions (including 
option to split seasons), restrictions on vessel size (LOA and GRT) or 
shaft horsepower, any other management measures currently included in 
the FMP, set aside quota for scientific research, regional management, 
and process for inseason adjustment to the annual specification.
    (2) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts, and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, the Council must consider at least the following factors, 
and provide support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether the regulations would have to be in place for 
an entire harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) NMFS action. If the Council's recommendation includes 
adjustments or additions to management measures and, after reviewing the 
Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in 
the Federal Register.

[[Page 426]]

    (ii) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as 
a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional public 
comment, if NMFS concurs with the Council recommendation, the measures 
will be issued as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Council will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (4) Emergency actions. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 57593, Oct. 26, 1999]



            Subpart C_Management Measures for Atlantic Salmon



Sec. 648.40  Prohibition on possession.

    (a) Incidental catch. All Atlantic salmon caught incidental to a 
directed fishery for other species in the EEZ must be released in such a 
manner as to insure maximum probability of survival.
    (b) Presumption. The possession of Atlantic salmon is prima facie 
evidence that such Atlantic salmon were taken in violation of this 
regulation. Evidence that such fish were harvested in state waters, or 
from foreign waters, or from aquaculture enterprises, will be sufficient 
to rebut the presumption. This presumption does not apply to fish being 
sorted on deck.



Sec. 648.41  Framework specifications.

    (a) Within season management action. The New England Fishery 
Management Council (NEFMC) may, at any time, initiate action to 
implement, add to or adjust Atlantic salmon management measures to allow 
for Atlantic salmon aquaculture projects in the EEZ, provided such an 
action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic 
Salmon FMP.
    (b) Framework process. After initiation of an action to implement, 
add to or adjust an Atlantic salmon management measure to allow for an 
Atlantic salmon aquaculture project in the EEZ, the NEFMC shall develop 
and analyze Atlantic salmon management measures to allow for Atlantic 
salmon aquaculture projects in the EEZ over the span of at least two 
NEFMC meetings. The NEFMC shall provide the public with advance notice 
of the availability of both the proposals and the analysis and 
opportunity to comment on them prior to and at the second NEFMC meeting. 
The NEFMC's recommendation on aquaculture management measures must come 
from one or more of the following categories: minimum fish sizes, gear 
restrictions, minimum mesh sizes, possession limits, tagging 
requirements, monitoring requirements, reporting requirements, permit 
restrictions, area closures, establishment of special management areas 
or zones and any other management measures currently included in the 
FMP.
    (c) NEFMC recommendation. After developing Atlantic salmon 
management measures and receiving public testimony, the NEFMC shall make 
a recommendation to NMFS. The NEFMC's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts and a recommendation to NMFS on whether to issue the 
management measures as a final rule. If NMFS concurs with the NEFMC's 
recommendation to issue the management measures as a final rule, the 
NEFMC must consider at least the following factors and provide support 
and analysis for each factor considered:
    (1) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (2) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the NEFMC's recommended management measures.
    (3) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (4) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of measures 
adopted

[[Page 427]]

following their implementation as a final rule.
    (d) NMFS action. If the NEFMC's recommendation includes 
implementation of management measures and, after reviewing the NEFMC's 
recommendation and supporting information:
    (1) NMFS concurs with the NEFMC's recommended management measures 
and determines that the recommended measures should be issued as a final 
rule based on the factors specified in paragraph (c)(1) through (4) of 
this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the Federal 
Register.
    (2) NMFS concurs with the NEFMC's recommendation and determines that 
the recommended management measures should be published first as a 
proposed rule, the measures will be published as a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register. After additional public comment, if NMFS concurs with 
the NEFMC recommendation, the measures will be issued as a final rule in 
the Federal Register.
    (3) NMFS does not concur, the NEFMC will be notified in writing of 
the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (e) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[64 FR 40520, July 27, 1999]



   Subpart D_Management Measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

    Source: 69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.50  Shell-height standard.

    (a) Minimum shell height. The minimum shell height for in-shell 
scallops that may be landed, or possessed at or after landing, is 3.5 
inches (8.9 cm). Shell height is a straight line measurement from the 
hinge to the part of the shell that is farthest away from the hinge.
    (b) Compliance and sampling. Any time at landing or after, including 
when the scallops are received or possessed by a dealer or person acting 
in the capacity of a dealer, compliance with the minimum shell-height 
standard shall be determined as follows: Samples of 40 scallops each 
shall be taken at random from the total amount of scallops in 
possession. The person in possession of the scallops may request that as 
many as 10 sample groups (400 scallops) be examined. A sample group 
fails to comply with the standard if more than 10 percent of all 
scallops sampled are shorter than the shell height specified. The total 
amount of scallops in possession shall be deemed in violation of this 
subpart and subject to forfeiture, if the sample group fails to comply 
with the minimum standard.



Sec. 648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

    (a) Trawl vessel gear restrictions. Trawl vessels issued a limited 
access scallop permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(2) while fishing under or 
subject to the DAS allocation program for scallops and authorized to 
fish with or possess on board trawl nets pursuant to Sec. 648.51(f), 
any trawl vessels in possession of more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of 
shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops in or from the EEZ, and 
any trawl vessels fishing for scallops in the EEZ, must comply with the 
following:
    (1) Maximum sweep. The trawl sweep of nets shall not exceed 144 ft 
(43.9 m), as measured by the total length of the footrope that is 
directly attached to the webbing, unless the net is stowed and not 
available for immediate use, as specified in Sec. 648.23.
    (2) Net requirements--(i) Minimum mesh size. The mesh size for any 
scallop trawl net in all areas shall not be smaller than 5.5 inches 
(13.97 cm).
    (ii) Measurement of mesh size. Mesh size is measured by using a 
wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm (0.79 inches) in 8 cm (3.15 
inches) and a thickness of 2.3 mm (0.09 inches), inserted into the 
meshes under a pressure or pull of 5 kg (11.02 lb). The mesh size is the 
average of the measurements of any series of 20 consecutive meshes for 
nets having 75 or more meshes, and 10 consecutive meshes for nets having 
fewer than 75 meshes. The mesh in the regulated portion of the net shall 
be measured at least five meshes away from the lacings running parallel 
to the long axis of the net.

[[Page 428]]

    (3) Chafing gear and other gear obstructions--(i) Net obstruction or 
constriction. A fishing vessel may not use any device or material, 
including, but not limited to, nets, net strengtheners, ropes, lines, or 
chafing gear, on the top of a trawl net, except that one splitting strap 
and one bull rope (if present), consisting of line and rope no more than 
3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter, may be used if such splitting strap and/
or bull rope does not constrict in any manner the top of the trawl net. 
``The top of the trawl net'' means the 50 percent of the net that (in a 
hypothetical situation) would not be in contact with the ocean bottom 
during a tow if the net were laid flat on the ocean floor. For the 
purpose of this paragraph (a)(3), head ropes shall not be considered 
part of the top of the trawl net.
    (ii) Mesh obstruction or constriction. A fishing vessel may not use 
any mesh configuration, mesh construction, or other means on or in the 
top of the net, as defined in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, if it 
obstructs the meshes of the net in any manner.
    (iii) A fishing vessel may not use or possess a net capable of 
catching scallops in which the bars entering or exiting the knots twist 
around each other.
    (b) Dredge vessel gear restrictions. All vessels issued limited 
access and General Category scallop permits and fishing with scallop 
dredges, with the exception of hydraulic clam dredges and mahogany 
quahog dredges in possession of 400 lb (181.44 kg), or less, of 
scallops, must comply with the following restrictions, unless otherwise 
specified:
    (1) Maximum dredge width. The combined dredge width in use by or in 
possession on board such vessels shall not exceed 31 ft (9.4 m) measured 
at the widest point in the bail of the dredge, except as provided under 
paragraph (e) of this section. However, component parts may be on board 
the vessel such that they do not conform with the definition of ``dredge 
or dredge gear'' in Sec. 648.2, i.e., the metal ring bag and the mouth 
frame, or bail, of the dredge are not attached, and such that no more 
than one complete spare dredge could be made from these component's 
parts.
    (2) Minimum mesh size. The mesh size of a net, net material, or any 
other material on the top of a scallop dredge (twine top) possessed or 
used by vessels fishing with scallop dredge gear shall not be smaller 
than 10-inch (25.4-cm) square or diamond mesh.
    (3) Minimum ring size. (i) Unless otherwise required under the Sea 
Scallop Area Access program specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(6), the ring 
size used in a scallop dredge possessed or used by scallop vessels shall 
not be smaller than 4 inches (10.2 cm).
    (ii) Ring size is determined by measuring the shortest straight line 
passing through the center of the ring from one inside edge to the 
opposite inside edge of the ring. The measurement shall not include 
normal welds from ring manufacturing or links. The rings to be measured 
will be at least five rings away from the mouth, and at least two rings 
away from other rigid portions of the dredge.
    (iii) Ring size is determined by measuring the shortest straight 
line passing through the center of the ring from one inside edge to the 
opposite inside edge of the ring. The measurement shall not include 
normal welds from ring manufacturing or links. The rings to be measured 
will be at least five rings away from the mouth, and at least two rings 
away from other rigid portions of the dredge.
    (4) Chafing gear and other gear obstructions--(i) Chafing gear 
restrictions. No chafing gear or cookies shall be used on the top of a 
scallop dredge.
    (ii) Link restrictions. No more than double links between rings 
shall be used in or on all parts of the dredge bag, except the dredge 
bottom. No more than triple linking shall be used in or on the dredge 
bottom portion and the diamonds. Damaged links that are connected to 
only one ring, i.e., ``hangers,'' are allowed, unless they occur between 
two links that both couple the same two rings. Dredge rings may not be 
attached via links to more than four adjacent rings. Thus, dredge rings 
must be rigged in a configuration such that, when a series of adjacent 
rings are held horizontally, the neighboring rings form a pattern of 
horizontal rows and vertical columns. A copy of a diagram showing a 
schematic of a legal dredge ring pattern is available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request.

[[Page 429]]

    (iii) Dredge or net obstructions. No material, device, net, dredge, 
ring, or link configuration or design shall be used if it results in 
obstructing the release of scallops that would have passed through a 
legal sized and configured net and dredge, as described in this part, 
that did not have in use any such material, device, net, dredge, ring 
link configuration or design.
    (iv) Twine top restrictions. In addition to the minimum twine top 
mesh size specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, vessels issued 
limited access scallop permits that are fishing for scallops under the 
DAS Program are also subject to the following restrictions:
    (A) If a vessel is rigged with more than one dredge, or if a vessel 
is rigged with only one dredge and such dredge is greater than 8 ft (2.4 
m) in width, there must be at least seven rows of non-overlapping steel 
rings unobstructed by netting or any other material between the terminus 
of the dredge (club stick) and the net material on the top of the dredge 
(twine top).
    (B) If a vessel is rigged with only one dredge, and such dredge is 
less than 8 ft (2.4 m) in width, there must be at least four rows of 
non-overlapping steel rings unobstructed by netting or any other 
material between the club stick and the twine top of the dredge. (A copy 
of a diagram showing a schematic of a legal dredge with twine top is 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request).
    (c) Crew restrictions. Limited access vessels participating in or 
subject to the scallop DAS allocation program may have no more than 
seven people aboard, including the operator, when not docked or moored 
in port, except as follows:
    (1) There is no restriction on the number of people on board for 
vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec. 648.60;
    (2) Vessels participating in the small dredge program are restricted 
as specified in paragraph (e) of this section;
    (3) The Regional Administrator may authorize additional people to be 
on board through issuance of a letter of authorization.
    (4) A certified at-sea observer is on board, as required by Sec. 
648.11(g).
    (d) Sorting and shucking machines. (1) Shucking machines are 
prohibited on all limited access vessels fishing under the scallop DAS 
program, or any vessel in possession of more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of 
scallops, unless the vessel has not been issued a limited access scallop 
permit and fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (2) Sorting machines are prohibited on limited access vessels 
fishing under the scallop DAS program.
    (e) Small dredge program restrictions. Any vessel owner whose vessel 
is assigned to either the part-time or Occasional category may request, 
in the application for the vessel's annual permit, to be placed in one 
category higher. Vessel owners making such request may be placed in the 
appropriate higher category for the entire year, if they agree to comply 
with the following restrictions, in addition to and notwithstanding 
other restrictions of this part, when fishing under the DAS program 
described in Sec. 648.53, or in possession of more than 400 lb (181.44 
kg) of shucked, or 50 bu (17.62 hl) of in-shell scallops:
    (1) The vessel must fish exclusively with one dredge no more than 
10.5 ft (3.2 m) in width.
    (2) The vessel may not use or have more than one dredge on board.
    (3) The vessel may have no more than five people, including the 
operator, on board, except as follows:
    (i) There is no restriction on the number of people on board for 
vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec. 648.60;
    (ii) The Regional Administrator may authorize additional people to 
be on board through issuance of a letter of authorization.
    (iii) A certified at-sea observer is on board, as required by Sec. 
648.11(g).
    (f) Restrictions on the use of trawl nets. (1) A vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit fishing for scallops under the scallop DAS 
allocation program may not fish with, possess on board, or land scallops 
while in possession of a trawl net, unless such vessel has been issued a 
limited access trawl vessel permit that endorses the vessel to fish for 
scallops with a trawl net. A limited access scallop vessel issued a 
trawl vessel permit that endorses the vessel to fish for scallops with a 
trawl

[[Page 430]]

net and general category scallop vessels enrolled in the Area Access 
Program as specified in Sec. 648.60, may not fish with a trawl net in 
the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d).
    (2) Replacement vessels. A vessel that is replacing a vessel 
authorized to use trawl nets to fish for scallops under scallop DAS may 
also be authorized to use trawl nets to fish for scallops under scallop 
DAS if it meets the following criteria:
    (i) Has not fished for scallops with a scallop dredge after December 
31, 1987; or
    (ii) Has fished for scallops with a scallop dredge on no more than 
10 trips from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1994, has an engine 
horsepower no greater than 450.

[69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63473, Nov. 2, 2004; 71 
FR 33226, June 8, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 34848, June 16, 2006, Sec. 648.51 was 
amended by adding paragraphs (c)(4) and (e)(3)(iii), effective June 16, 
2006 through Dec. 13, 2006.



Sec. 648.52  Possession and landing limits.

    (a) Owners or operators of vessels with a limited access scallop 
permit that have declared out of the DAS program as specified in Sec. 
648.10 or that have used up their DAS allocations, and vessels issued a 
VMS general scallop permit, unless exempted under the state waters 
exemption program described under Sec. 648.54, are prohibited from 
possessing or landing per trip more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked, 
or 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell scallops, with no more than one scallop 
trip of 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked, or 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell 
scallops, allowable in any calendar day.
    (b) Owners or operators of vessels without a scallop permit, vessels 
issued a Non-VMS general scallop permit, and vessels issued a VMS 
general scallop permit that have declared out of the general scallop 
fishery as described in Sec. 648.10(b)(4), except vessels fishing for 
scallops exclusively in state waters, are prohibited from possessing or 
landing per trip, more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 
L) of in-shell scallops. Owners or operators of vessels without a 
scallop permit are prohibited from fishing for or possessing more than 
40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) if in-shell scallops and 
from selling, bartering, or trading scallops harvested from Federal 
waters.
    (c) Owners or operators of vessels with a limited access scallop 
permit that have declared into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
described in Sec. 648.60 are prohibited from fishing for or landing per 
trip, or possessing at any time, more than any sea scallop possession 
and landing limit specified in or specified by the Regional 
Administrator in accordance with Sec. 648.60(a)(5).
    (d) Owners or operators of vessels issued limited access or general 
category scallop permits fishing in or transiting the area south of 
42[deg]20[min] N. Latitude at any time during a trip are prohibited from 
fishing for, possessing, or landing per trip more than 50 bu (17.62 hl) 
of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line, unless when 
fishing under the state waters exemption specified under Sec. 648.54.

[69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63473, Nov. 2, 2004; 70 
FR 48867, Aug. 22, 2005; 71 FR 33226, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.53  DAS allocations.

    (a) Assignment to DAS categories. Subject to the vessel permit 
application requirements specified in Sec. 648.4, for each fishing 
year, each vessel issued a limited access scallop permit shall be 
assigned to the DAS category (full-time, part-time, or Occasional) it 
was assigned to in the preceding year, except as provided under the 
small dredge program specified in Sec. 648.51(e).
    (b) Open area DAS allocations. (1) Total DAS to be used in all areas 
other than those specified in Sec. 648.59, are specified through the 
framework process as specified in Sec. 648.55.
    (2) Each vessel qualifying for one of the three DAS categories 
specified in the table in this paragraph (b)(2) (Full-time, Part-time, 
or Occasional) shall be allocated the maximum number of DAS for each 
fishing year it may participate in the open area limited access scallop 
fishery, according to its category. A vessel whose owner/operator has 
declared out of the scallop fishery, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 
648.10, or

[[Page 431]]

that has used up its maximum allocated DAS, may leave port without being 
assessed a DAS, as long as it has made appropriate VMS declaration as 
specified in Sec. 648.10(b)(4), does not fish for or land per trip, or 
possess at any time, more than 400 lb (181.4 kg) of shucked or 50 bu 
(17.6 hL) of in-shell scallops and complies with all other requirements 
of this part. The annual open area DAS allocations for each category of 
vessel for the fishing years indicated, after deducting DAS for observer 
and research DAS set-asides, are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      DAS category                         2006    2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-time...............................................      52      51
Part-time...............................................      21      20
Occasional..............................................       4       4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Prior to setting the DAS allocations specified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, one percent of total available DAS will be set 
aside to help defray the cost of observers, as specified in paragraph 
(h)(i) of this section. Two percent of total available DAS will be set 
aside to pay for scallop related research, as outlined in paragraph 
(h)(ii) of this section.
    (4) Additional open area DAS. If a TAC for yellowtail flounder 
specified in Sec. 648.85(c) is harvested for an Access Area specified 
in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d), a scallop vessel with remaining trips in 
the affected Access Area shall be allocated additional open area DAS 
according to the calculations specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through 
(iii) of this section.
    (i) For each remaining complete trip in Closed Area I, a vessel may 
fish an additional 5.5 DAS in open areas during the same fishing year. A 
complete trip is deemed to be a trip that is not subject to a reduced 
possession limit under the broken trip provision in Sec. 648.60(c). For 
example, a full-time scallop vessel with two complete trips remaining in 
Closed Area I would be allocated 11 additional open area DAS (2 x 5.5 = 
11 DAS) if the TAC for yellowtail flounder allocated to the scallop 
fishery is harvested in that area. Vessels allocated compensation trips 
as specified in Sec. 648.60(c) that cannot be made because the 
yellowtail TAC in Closed Area I allocated to the scallop fishery is 
harvested shall be allocated 0.458 additional DAS for each unused DAS in 
the affected access area. Unused DAS shall be calculated by dividing the 
compensation trip possession limit by 1,500 lb (680 kg), (the catch rate 
per DAS). For example, a vessel with a 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) compensation 
trip remaining in Closed Area I would be allocated 3.05 additional open 
area DAS in that same fishing year (0.458 times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
1,500 lb (680 kg) per day).
    (ii) For each remaining complete trip in Closed Area II, a vessel 
may fish an additional 5.4 DAS in open areas during the same fishing 
year. A complete trip is deemed to be a trip that is not subject to a 
reduced possession limit under the broken trip provision in Sec. 
648.60(c). For example, a full-time scallop vessel with two complete 
trips remaining in Closed Area II would be allocated 10.8 additional 
open area DAS (2 x 5.4 = 10.8 DAS) if the TAC for yellowtail flounder 
allocated to the scallop fishery is harvested in that area. Vessels 
allocated compensation trips as specified in Sec. 648.60(c) that cannot 
be made because the yellowtail TAC in Closed Area II allocated to the 
scallop fishery is harvested shall be allocated 0.450 additional DAS for 
each unused DAS in the affected access area. Unused DAS shall be 
calculated by dividing the compensation trip possession limit by 1,500 
lb (680 kg), (the catch rate per DAS). For example, a vessel with a 
10,000-lb (4,536-kg) compensation trip remaining in Closed Area II would 
be allocated 3 additional open area DAS in that same fishing year (0.450 
times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/1,500 lb (680 kg) per day).
    (iii) For each remaining complete trip in the Nantucket Lightship 
Access Area, a vessel may fish an additional 4.9 DAS in open areas 
during the same fishing year. A complete trip is deemed to be a trip 
that is not subject to a reduced possession limit under the broken trip 
provision in Sec. 648.60(c). For example, a full-time scallop vessel 
with two complete trips remaining in Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
would be allocated 9.8 additional open area DAS (2 x 4.9 = 9.8 DAS) if 
the TAC for yellowtail flounder allocated to the scallop fishery is 
harvested in that area. Vessels allocated compensation trips as 
specified in Sec. 648.60(c) that cannot be made because the yellowtail

[[Page 432]]

TAC in Nantucket Lightship Access Area allocated to the scallop fishery 
is harvested shall be allocated 0.408 additional DAS for each unused DAS 
in the affected access area. Unused DAS shall be calculated by dividing 
the compensation trip possession limit by 1,500 lb (680 kg), (the catch 
rate per DAS). For example, a vessel with a 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) 
compensation trip remaining in Nantucket Lightship Access Area would be 
allocated 2.7 additional open area DAS in that same fishing year (0.458 
times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/1,500 lb (680 kg) per day).
    (5) DAS allocations and other management measures are specified for 
each scallop fishing year, which begins on March 1 and ends on February 
28 (or February 29), unless otherwise noted. For example, the 2006 
fishing year refers to the period March 1, 2006, through February 28, 
2007.
    (c) DAS used in excess of 2006 DAS allocations. Limited access 
vessels that lawfully use more open area DAS in the 2006 fishing year 
than specified in this section shall have the DAS used in excess of the 
2006 DAS allocation specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section 
deducted from their 2007 open area DAS allocation specified in paragraph 
(b)(2).
    (d) Adjustments in annual DAS allocations. Annual DAS allocations 
shall be established for 2 fishing years through biennial framework 
adjustments as specified in Sec. 648.55. If a biennial framework action 
is not undertaken by the Council and implemented by NMFS, the DAS 
allocations and Access Area trip allocations from the most recent 
fishing year shall remain in effect for the next fishing year. The 
Council may also recommend adjustments to DAS allocations through a 
framework action at any time.
    (e) End-of-year carry-over for open area DAS. With the exception of 
vessels that held a Confirmation of Permit History as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(J) for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over 
year, limited access vessels that have unused Open Area DAS on the last 
day of February of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 DAS, not to 
exceed the total Open Area DAS allocation by permit category, into the 
next year. DAS carried over into the next fishing year may only be used 
in Open Areas. DAS sanctioned vessels will be credited with unused DAS 
based on their unused DAS allocation, minus total DAS sanctioned.
    (f) Accrual of DAS. Unless the vessel is carrying an observer and is 
authorized to be charged fewer DAS in Open Areas based on the total 
available DAS set aside under paragraph (h)(1) of this section, and 
unless participating in the Area Access Program described in Sec. 
648.60, DAS shall accrue to the nearest minute.
    (g) Good Samaritan credit. Limited access vessels fishing under the 
DAS program and that spend time at sea assisting in a USCG search and 
rescue operation or assisting the USCG in towing a disabled vessel, and 
that can document the occurrence through the USCG, will not accrue DAS 
for the time documented.
    (h) DAS set-asides--(1) DAS set-aside for observer coverage. As 
specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, to help defray the cost 
of carrying an observer, 1 percent of the total DAS shall be set aside 
from the total DAS available for allocation, to be used by vessels that 
are assigned to take an at-sea observer on a trip other than an Area 
Access Program trip. The DAS set-aside for observer coverage for the 
2006 and 2007 fishing years is 165 DAS for each fishing year. Vessels 
carrying an observer shall be compensated with reduced DAS accrual rates 
for each trip on which the vessel carries an observer. For each DAS that 
a vessel fishes for scallops with an observer on board, the DAS shall 
accrue at a reduced rate based on an adjustment factor determined by the 
Regional Administrator on an annual basis, dependent on the cost of 
observers, catch rates, and amount of available DAS set-aside. The 
Regional Administrator shall notify vessel owners of the cost of 
observers and the DAS adjustment factor through a permit holder letter 
issued prior to the start of each fishing year. The number of DAS that 
are deducted from each trip based on the adjustment factor shall be 
deducted from the observer DAS set-aside amount in the applicable 
fishing year. Utilization of the DAS set-aside shall be on a first-come, 
first-served basis. When the DAS set-aside for observer coverage has 
been

[[Page 433]]

utilized, vessel owners shall be notified that no additional DAS remain 
available to offset the cost of carrying observers. The obligation to 
carry and pay for an observer shall not be waived due to the absence of 
set-aside DAS allocations.
    (2) DAS set-aside for research. As specified in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section, to help support the activities of vessels participating in 
certain research, as specified in Sec. 648.56; the DAS set-aside for 
research for the 2006 and 2007 fishing years is 330 DAS for each fishing 
year. Vessels participating in approved research shall be authorized to 
use additional DAS in the applicable fishing year. Notification of 
allocated additional DAS shall be provided through a letter of 
authorization, or Exempted Fishing Permit issued by NMFS, or shall be 
added to a participating vessel's open area DAS allocation, as 
appropriate.
    (i) End-of-year carry-over for open area DAS. With the exception of 
vessels that held a Confirmation of Permit History as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(R) for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over 
year, limited access vessels that have unused Open Area DAS on the last 
day of February of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 DAS, not to 
exceed the total Open Area DAS allocation by permit category, into the 
next year. DAS carried over into the next fishing year may only be used 
in Open Areas. DAS sanctioned vessels will be credited with unused DAS 
based on their unused DAS allocation, minus total DAS sanctioned.

[69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63473, Nov. 2, 2004; 71 
FR 33226, June 8, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19374, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.53 was 
amended by suspending paragraph (e) and adding paragraph (i), effective 
May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.



Sec. 648.54  State waters exemption.

    (a) Limited access scallop vessel exemption--(1) DAS requirements. 
Any vessel issued a limited access scallop permit is exempt from the DAS 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.53(b) while fishing exclusively 
landward of the outer boundary of a state's waters, provided the vessel 
complies with paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section, and the 
notification requirements of Sec. 648.10(e).
    (2) Gear and possession limit restrictions. Any vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit that is exempt from the DAS requirements 
of Sec. 648.53(b) under paragraph (a) of this section, and that has 
complied with the notification requirements of Sec. 648.10(e), is also 
exempt from the gear restrictions specified in Sec. 648.51(a), (b), 
(e)(1) and (e)(2), and the possession restrictions specified in Sec. 
648.52(a), while fishing exclusively landward of the outer boundary of 
the waters of a state that has been issued a state waters exemption, 
provided the vessel complies with paragraphs (d) through (g) of this 
section.
    (b) General scallop vessel gear and possession limit restrictions. 
Any vessel issued a general scallop permit is exempt from the gear 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.51(a), (b), (e)(1) and (e)(2), and 
the possession limit specified in Sec. 648.52(a), while fishing 
exclusively landward of the outer boundary of the waters of a state that 
has been issued a state waters exemption, provided the vessel complies 
with paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section. Vessels issued a VMS 
general scallop permit must be declared out of the general category 
scallop fishery as described in Sec. 648.10(e).
    (c) State eligibility for exemption. (1) A state may be eligible for 
the state waters exemption if it has a scallop fishery and a scallop 
conservation program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing 
mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP.
    (2) The Regional Administrator shall determine which states have a 
scallop fishery and which of those states have a scallop conservation 
program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing mortality/
effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP.
    (3) Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts have been determined by 
the Regional Administrator to have scallop fisheries and scallop 
conservation programs that do not jeopardize the biomass and fishing 
mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP. These states must 
immediately notify the Regional Administrator of any changes in their 
respective scallop conservation program. The Regional

[[Page 434]]

Administrator shall review these changes and, if a determination is made 
that the state's conservation program jeopardizes the biomass and 
fishing mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP, or that 
the state no longer has a scallop fishery, the Regional Administrator 
shall publish a rule in the Federal Register, in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, amending this paragraph (c)(3) to 
eliminate the exemption for that state. The Regional Administrator may 
determine that other states have scallop fisheries and scallop 
conservation programs that do not jeopardize the biomass and fishing 
mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP. In such case, the 
Regional Administrator shall publish a rule in the Federal Register, in 
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, amending this 
paragraph (c)(3) to provide the exemption for such states.
    (d) Notification requirements. Vessels fishing under the exemptions 
provided by paragraph(s) (a)(1) and/or (a)(2) of this section must 
notify the Regional Administrator in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 648.10(e).
    (e) Restriction on fishing in the EEZ. A vessel fishing under a 
state waters exemption may not fish in the EEZ during the time in which 
it is fishing under the state waters exemption, as declared under the 
notification requirements of this section.
    (f) Duration of exemption. An exemption expires upon a change in the 
vessel's name or ownership, or upon notification by the participating 
vessel's owner.
    (g) Applicability of other provisions of this part. A vessel fishing 
under the exemptions provided by paragraphs (a) and/or (b) of this 
section remains subject to all other requirements of this part.

[69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 33227, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.55  Framework adjustments to management measures

    (a) Biennially, or upon a request from the Council, the Regional 
Administrator shall provide the Council with information on the status 
of the scallop resource. Within 60 days of receipt of that information, 
the Council PDT shall assess the condition of the scallop resource to 
determine the adequacy of the management measures to achieve the stock-
rebuilding objectives. Based on this information, the PDT shall prepare 
a Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report that provides 
the information and analysis needed to evaluate potential management 
adjustments. Based on this information and analysis, the Council shall 
initiate a framework adjustment to establish or revise DAS allocations, 
rotational area management programs, TACs, scallop possession limits, or 
other measures to achieve FMP objectives and limit fishing mortality. 
The Council's development of an area rotation program shall take into 
account at least the following factors: General rotation policy; 
boundaries and distribution of rotational closures; number of closures; 
minimum closure size; maximum closure extent; enforceability of 
rotational closed and re-opened areas; monitoring through resource 
surveys; and re-opening criteria. Rotational Closures should be 
considered where projected annual change in scallop biomass is greater 
than 30 percent. Areas should be considered for Sea Scallop Access Areas 
where the projected annual change in scallop biomass is less than 15 
percent.
    (b) The preparation of the SAFE Report shall begin on or about June 
1 of the year preceding the fishing year in which measures will be 
adjusted. If the biennial framework action is not undertaken by the 
Council, or if a final rule resulting from a biennial framework is not 
published in the Federal Register with an effective date on or before 
March 1, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the 
measures from the most recent fishing year shall continue, beginning 
March 1 of each fishing year.
    (c) In the SAFE Report, the Scallop PDT shall review and evaluate 
the existing management measures to determine if the measures are 
achieving the FMP objectives and OY from the scallop resource as a 
whole. In doing so, the PDT shall consider the effects of any closed 
areas, either temporary, indefinite, or permanent, on the ability of the 
FMP to achieve OY and prevent overfishing on a continuing basis, as

[[Page 435]]

required by National Standard 1 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. If the 
existing management measures are deemed insufficient to achieve FMP 
objectives and/or are not expected to achieve OY and prevent overfishing 
on a continuing basis, the PDT shall recommend to the Council 
appropriate measures and alternatives that will meet FMP objectives, 
achieve OY, and prevent overfishing on a continuing basis. When making 
the status determination in the SAFE Report, the PDT shall calculate the 
stock biomass and fishing mortality for the entire unit stock and 
consider all sources of scallop mortality to compare with the minimum 
biomass and maximum fishing mortality thresholds.
    (d) In order to assure that OY is achieved and overfishing is 
prevented, on a continuing basis, the PDT shall recommend management 
measures necessary to achieve optimum yield-per-recruit from the 
exploitable components of the resource (e.g., those components available 
for harvest in the upcoming fishing years), taking into account at least 
the following factors:
    (1) Differential fishing mortality rates for the various spatial 
components of the resource;
    (2) Overall yields from the portions of the scallop resource 
available to the fishery;
    (3) Outlook for phasing in and out closed or controlled access areas 
under the Area Rotation Program; and
    (4) Potential adverse impacts on EFH.
    (e) After considering the PDT's findings and recommendations, or at 
any other time, if the Council determines that adjustments to, or 
additional management measures are necessary, it shall develop and 
analyze appropriate management actions over the span of at least two 
Council meetings. To address interactions between the scallop fishery 
and sea turtles and other protected species, such adjustments may 
include proactive measures including, but not limited to, the timing of 
Sea Scallop Access Area openings, seasonal closures, gear modifications, 
increased observer coverage, and additional research. The Council shall 
provide the public with advance notice of the availability of both the 
proposals and the analyses, and opportunity to comment on them prior to 
and at the second Council meeting. The Council's recommendation on 
adjustments or additions to management measures must include measures to 
prevent overfishing of the available biomass of scallops and ensure that 
OY is achieved on a continuing basis, and must come from one or more of 
the following categories:
    (1) DAS changes.
    (2) Shell height.
    (3) Offloading window reinstatement.
    (4) Effort monitoring.
    (5) Data reporting.
    (6) Trip limits.
    (7) Gear restrictions.
    (8) Permitting restrictions.
    (9) Crew limits.
    (10) Small mesh line.
    (11) Onboard observers.
    (12) Modifications to the overfishing definition.
    (13) VMS Demarcation Line for DAS monitoring.
    (14) DAS allocations by gear type.
    (15) Temporary leasing of scallop DAS requiring full public 
hearings.
    (16) Scallop size restrictions, except a minimum size or weight of 
individual scallop meats in the catch.
    (17) Aquaculture enhancement measures and closures.
    (18) Closed areas to increase the size of scallops caught.
    (19) Modifications to the opening dates of closed areas.
    (20) Size and configuration of rotation management areas.
    (21) Controlled access seasons to minimize bycatch and maximize 
yield.
    (22) Area-specific DAS or trip allocations.
    (23) TAC specifications and seasons following re-opening.
    (24) Limits on number of area closures.
    (25) TAC or DAS set-asides for funding research.
    (26) Priorities for scallop-related research that is funded by a TAC 
or DAS set-aside.
    (27) Finfish TACs for controlled access areas.
    (28) Finfish possession limits.
    (29) Sea sampling frequency.

[[Page 436]]

    (30) Area-specific gear limits and specifications.
    (31) Any other management measures currently included in the FMP.
    (f) The Council must select an alternative that will achieve OY and 
prevent overfishing on a continuing basis, and which is consistent with 
other applicable law. If the Council fails to act or does not recommend 
an approvable alternative, the Regional Administrator may select one of 
the alternatives developed and recommended by the PDT, which would 
achieve OY and prevent overfishing on a continuing basis and is 
consistent with applicable law, and shall implement such alternative 
pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (g) The Council may make recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator to implement measures in accordance with the procedures 
described in this subpart to address gear conflict as defined under 
Sec. 600.10 of this chapter. In developing such recommendation, the 
Council shall define gear management areas, each not to exceed 2,700 
mi\2\ (6,993 km\2\), and seek industry comments by referring the matter 
to its standing industry advisory committee for gear conflict, or to any 
ad hoc industry advisory committee that may be formed. The standing 
industry advisory committee or ad hoc committee on gear conflict shall 
hold public meetings seeking comments from affected fishers and develop 
findings and recommendations on addressing the gear conflict. After 
receiving the industry advisory committee findings and recommendations, 
or at any other time, the Council shall determine whether it is 
necessary to adjust or add management measures to address gear conflicts 
and which FMPs must be modified to address such conflicts. If the 
Council determines that adjustments or additional measures are 
necessary, it shall develop and analyze appropriate management actions 
for the relevant FMPs over the span of at least two Council meetings. 
The Council shall provide the public with advance notice of the 
availability of the recommendation, the appropriate justification and 
economic and biological analyses, and opportunity to comment on them 
prior to and at the second or final Council meeting before submission to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation on adjustments 
or additions to management measures for gear conflicts must come from 
one or more of the following categories:
    (1) Monitoring of a radio channel by fishing vessels.
    (2) Fixed gear location reporting and plotting requirements.
    (3) Standards of operation when gear conflict occurs.
    (4) Fixed gear marking and setting practices.
    (5) Gear restrictions for specific areas (including time and area 
closures).
    (6) VMS.
    (7) Restrictions on the maximum number of fishing vessels or amount 
of gear.
    (8) Special permitting conditions.
    (h) The measures shall be evaluated and approved by the relevant 
committees with oversight authority for the affected FMPs. If there is 
disagreement between committees, the Council may return the proposed 
framework adjustment to the standing or ad hoc gear conflict committee 
for further review and discussion.
    (i) Unless otherwise specified, after developing a framework 
adjustment and receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator. The Council's 
recommendation must include supporting rationale and, if management 
measures are recommended, an analysis of impacts and a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator on whether to publish the framework 
adjustment as a final rule. If the Council recommends that the framework 
adjustment should be published as a final rule, the Council must 
consider at least the following factors and provide support and analysis 
for each factor considered:
    (1) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (2) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the

[[Page 437]]

affected industry, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, in 
the development of the Council's recommended management measures.
    (3) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or to 
impose management measures to resolve gear conflicts.
    (4) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their promulgation as a final rule.
    (j) If the Council's recommendation includes adjustments or 
additions to management measures, and if, after reviewing the Council's 
recommendation and supporting information:
    (1) The Regional Administrator approves the Council's recommended 
management measures, the Secretary may, for good cause found pursuant to 
the Administrative Procedure Act, waive the requirement for a proposed 
rule and opportunity for public comment in the Federal Register. The 
Secretary, in doing so, shall publish only the final rule. Submission of 
a recommendation by the Council for a final rule does not effect the 
Secretary's responsibility to comply with the Administrative Procedure 
Act; or
    (2) The Regional Administrator approves the Council's recommendation 
and determines that the recommended management measures should be 
published first as a proposed rule, the action shall be published as a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional public comment, 
if the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council recommendation, 
the action shall be published as a final rule in the Federal Register; 
or
    (3) The Regional Administrator does not concur, the Council shall be 
notified, in writing, of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (k) Nothing in this section is meant to derogate from the authority 
of the Secretary to take emergency action under Sec. 305(c) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[69 FR 35215, June 23, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63474, Nov. 2, 2004; 71 
FR 33228, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.56  Scallop research.

    (a) Annually, the Council and NMFS shall prepare and issue a Request 
for Proposals (RFP) that identifies research priorities for projects to 
be conducted by vessels using research set-aside as specified in 
Sec. Sec. 648.53(b)(3) and 648.60(e).
    (b) Proposals submitted in response to the RFP must include the 
following information, as well as any other specific information 
required within the RFP: A project summary that includes the project 
goals and objectives; the relationship of the proposed research to 
scallop research priorities and/or management needs; project design; 
participants other than the applicant, funding needs, breakdown of 
costs, and the vessel(s) for which authorization is requested to conduct 
research activities.
    (c) NMFS shall make the final determination as to what proposals are 
approved and which vessels are authorized to take scallops in excess of 
possession limits, utilize DAS set-aside for research, or take 
additional trips into Access Areas. NMFS shall provide authorization of 
such activities to specific vessels by letter of acknowledgement, letter 
of authorization, or Exempted Fishing Permit issued by the Regional 
Administrator, which must be kept on board the vessel.
    (d) Upon completion of scallop research projects approved under this 
part, researchers must provide the Council and NMFS with a report of 
research findings, which must include: A detailed description of methods 
of data collection and analysis; a discussion of results and any 
relevant conclusions presented in a format that is understandable to a 
non-technical audience; and a detailed final accounting of all funds 
used to conduct the sea scallop research.



Sec. 648.57  Sea scallop area rotation program.

    (a) An area rotation program is established for the scallop fishery, 
which may include areas closed to scallop fishing defined in Sec. 
648.58, and/or Sea Scallop Access Areas defined in Sec. 648.59, subject 
to the Sea Scallop Area Access program requirements specified in Sec. 
648.60. Areas not defined as Rotational Closed Areas, Sea Scallop Access 
Areas, EFH Closed Areas, or areas closed to scallop fishing under other 
FMPs, are open to scallop fishing as

[[Page 438]]

governed by the other management measures and restrictions in this part. 
The Council's development of area rotation programs is subject to the 
framework adjustment process specified in Sec. 648.55, including the 
Area Rotation Program factors included in Sec. 648.55(a).



Sec. 648.58  Rotational Closed Areas.

    (a) Elephant Trunk Closed Area. Through December 31, 2006, no vessel 
may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area 
known as the Elephant Trunk Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops 
in the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, unless such vessel is only transiting 
the area as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. The Elephant 
Trunk Closed Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ET1..............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
ET2..............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
ET3..............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
ET4..............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
ET1..............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Delmarva Closed Area. From January 1, 2007, through February 28, 
2010, no vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops 
from, the area known as the Delmarva Closed Area. No vessel may possess 
scallops in the Delmarva Closed Area, unless such vessel is only 
transiting the area as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. The 
Delmarva Closed Area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DMV1.............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   74[deg]50[min] W.
DMV2.............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   74[deg]00[min] W.
DMV3.............................  37[deg]15[min] N.   74[deg]00[min] W.
DMV4.............................  37[deg]15[min] N.   74[deg]50[min] W.
DMV1.............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   74[deg]50[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Transiting. No vessel possessing scallops may enter or be in the 
area(s) specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section unless the 
vessel is transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is 
unavailable for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.23(b), or there is 
a compelling safety reason to be in such areas.
    (d) Vessels fishing for species other than scallops. A vessel may 
fish for species other than scallops within the closed areas specified 
in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section as allowed in this part, 
provided the vessel does not fish for, catch, or retain scallops or 
intend to fish for, catch, or retain scallops. Declaration through VMS 
that the vessel is fishing in the general category scallop fishery is 
deemed to be an intent to fish for, catch, or retain scallops.

[71 FR 33228, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.59  Sea Scallop Access Areas.

    (a) Hudson Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area. (1) Through February 29, 
2008, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish for, 
possess, and land scallops in or from, the area known as the Hudson 
Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, only if the vessel is participating in, and complies with the 
requirements of, the area access program described in Sec. 648.60, and 
provided the vessel did not complete all of its allocated trips during 
the 2005 fishing year, as described in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i)(E). A 
vessel issued a general scallop permit may fish in the Hudson Canyon Sea 
Scallop Access Area in 2006 and 2007 provided it complies with the trip 
declaration requirements specified in Sec. 648.10(b)(4) and possession 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.52.
    (2) The Hudson Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a 
chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H1...............................  39[deg]30[min] N.   73[deg]10[min] W.
H2...............................  39[deg]30[min] N.   72[deg]30[min] W.
H3...............................  38[deg]30[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
H4/ET4...........................  38[deg]50[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
H5...............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   73[deg]42[min] W.
H1...............................  39[deg]30[min] N.   73[deg]10[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Number of trips. Based on its permit category, a vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit may fish any remaining Hudson Canyon 
Access Area trips allocated for the 2005 fishing year

[[Page 439]]

in the Hudson Canyon Access Area, as specified in Sec. 
648.60(a)(3)(i)(C), plus any additional Hudson Canyon Access Area trips 
acquired through an authorized one-for-one exchange as specified in 
Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(ii). A vessel with unutilized compensation trips for 
Sea Scallop Access Area trips terminated early during the 2005 fishing 
year, pursuant to Sec. 648.60(c), may take such compensation trips in 
the 2006 and/or 2007 fishing year in the Hudson Canyon Access Area. A 
vessel owner may exchange complete unutilized trips carried forward to 
the 2006 and 2007 fishing years with another vessel owner as specified 
in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(ii). Compensation trips for prior trips terminated 
early that are carried forward from the 2005 fishing year, as specified 
in this paragraph (a)(3), may not be exchanged.
    (b) Closed Area I Access Area. This area shall be managed on a 3-
year cycle, with a 1-year closure, followed by a 2-year Area Access 
Program, as follows:
    (1) Through February 28, 2007, and every third fishing year 
thereafter (i.e., March 1, 2009, through February 28, 2010, etc.) 
vessels issued scallop permits, except vessels issued a NE Multispecies 
permit and a general category scallop permit and fishing in an approved 
SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area 
I Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, unless 
transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) Beginning March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, and for 
every 2-year period, based on the fishing year, after the year-long 
closure described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section (i.e., March 1, 
2010 through February 29, 2012, etc.), and subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, and land scallops in or 
from, the area known as the Closed Area I Access Area, described in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, only if the vessel is participating 
in, and complies with the requirements of, the area access program 
described in Sec. 648.60.
    (3) The Closed Area I Access Area is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart 
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1............................  41[deg]26[min] N.   68[deg]30[min] W.
CAIA2............................  41[deg]09[min] N.   68[deg]30[min] W.
CAIA3............................  41[deg]4.54[min]    69[deg]0.9[min]
                                    N.                  W.
CAIA1............................  41[deg]26[min] N.   68[deg]30[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area 
I Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of each 
year the Closed Area I Sea Scallop Access Area is open to scallop 
vessels, unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its permit 
category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish no 
more than the maximum number of trips in 2007 in the Closed Area I 
Access Area as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i), unless the vessel 
owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner whereby the vessel 
gains a Closed Area I Access Area trip and gives up a trip into another 
Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(ii), or 
unless the vessel is taking a compensation trip for a prior Closed Area 
I Access Area trip that was terminated early, as specified in Sec. 
648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(b)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limit specified 
in Sec. Sec. 648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), and subject to the 
seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, a 
vessel issued a general category scallop permit, may not enter in, or 
fish for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Closed Area I 
Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided notification in 
the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec. 648.60(g)(4), that 216 
trips in the 2007 fishing year have been taken, in total, by all general 
category scallop vessels, unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of 
this section. The Regional Administrator shall notify all general 
category scallop vessels of the date when the maximum number of allowed

[[Page 440]]

trips have been, or are projected to be, taken for the 2007 fishing 
year.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 
under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop Access Areas without 
being subject to the restrictions of paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section, provided that it has not enrolled in the Scallop Area Access 
program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing scallops.
    (c) Closed Area II Access Area. This area shall be managed on a 3-
year cycle, based on fishing years, with a 1-year closure, followed by a 
2-year Area Access Program as follows:
    (1) From March 1, 2007, through February 29, 2008, and every third 
fishing year thereafter, (i.e., March 1, 2010, through February 28, 
2011, etc.) vessels issued scallop permits, except vessels issued a NE 
Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit and fishing in 
an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may not 
fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the 
Closed Area II Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) Through February 28, 2007, and for every 2-year period after the 
year-long closure described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section (i.e., 
March 1, 2008, through February 28, 2010, etc.) and subject to the 
seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, a 
vessel issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops 
in or from, the area known as the Closed Area II Sea Scallop Access 
Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, only if the vessel 
is participating in, and complies with the requirements of, the area 
access program described in Sec. 648.60.
    (3) The Closed Area II Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1...........................  41[deg]00[min] N.   67[deg]20[min] W.
CAIIA2...........................  41[deg]00[min] N.   66[deg]35.8[min]
                                                        W.
CAIIA3...........................  41[deg]18.6[min]    66[deg]24.8[min]
                                    N.                  W.
CAIIA4...........................  41[deg]30[min] N.   66[deg]34.8[min]
                                                        W.
CAIIA5...........................  41[deg]30[min] N.   67[deg]20[min] W.
CAIIA1...........................  41[deg]00[min] N.   67[deg]20[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Closed Area 
II Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of each 
year the Closed Area II Access Area is open to scallop vessels, unless 
transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its permit 
category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish no 
more than the maximum number of trips in 2006 in the Closed Area II 
Access Area as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i), unless the vessel 
owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner whereby the vessel 
gains a Closed Area II Access Area trip and gives up a trip into another 
Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(ii), or 
unless the vessel is taking a compensation trip for a prior Closed Area 
II Access Area trip that was terminated early, as specified in Sec. 
648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.52(a) and (b), and 648.60(g), and subject to 
the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, 
a vessel issued a general category scallop permit may not enter in, or 
fish for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Closed Area II 
Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided notification in 
the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec. 648.60(g)(4), that 865 
trips in the 2006 fishing year have been taken, in total, by all general 
category scallop vessels, unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of 
this section. The Regional Administrator shall notify all general 
category scallop vessels of the date when the maximum number of allowed 
trips have been, or are projected to be, taken for the 2006 fishing 
year.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved

[[Page 441]]

SAP under Sec. 648.85 under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop 
Access Areas without being subject to the restrictions of paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii)(A) of this section provided that it has not enrolled in the 
Scallop Area Access program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing 
scallops.
    (d) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. (1) From March 1, 2008, through 
February 28, 2009, and every third fishing year thereafter (i.e., March 
1, 2011, through February 29, 2012, 2014, etc.) vessels issued scallop 
permits, except vessels issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general 
category scallop permit and fishing in an approved SAP under Sec. 
648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may not fish for, possess, or land 
scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket Lightship Access 
Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, unless transiting 
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (2) Through February 29, 2008, and for every 2-year period, based on 
fishing years, after each the year-long closure described in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section (i.e., March 1, 2009, through February 28, 2011, 
etc.) and subject to the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph 
(d)(4) of this section, a vessel issued a scallop permit may fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Nantucket 
Lightship Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, only if the vessel is participating in, and complies with the 
requirements of, the area access program described in Sec. 648.60.
    (3) The Nantucket Lightship Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSA1............................  40[deg]50[min] N.   69[deg]00[min] W.
NLSA2............................  40[deg]30[min] N.   69[deg]00[min] W.
NLSA3............................  40[deg]30[min] N.   69[deg]14.5[min]
                                                        W.
NLSA4............................  40[deg]50[min] N.   69[deg]29.5[min]
                                                        W.
NLAA1............................  40[deg]50[min] N.   69[deg]00[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket 
Lightship Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of each 
year the Nantucket Lightship Access Area is open to scallop fishing, 
unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its permit 
category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish no 
more than the maximum number of trips in 2006 and 2007 in the Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i), unless the 
vessel owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner whereby the 
vessel gains a Nantucket Lightship Access Area trip and gives up a trip 
into another Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec. 
648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless the vessel is taking a compensation trip for 
a prior Nantucket Lightship Closed Area Access Area trip that was 
terminated early, as specified in Sec. 648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.52(a) and (b), and 648.60(g), a vessel 
issued a general category scallop permit, may not enter in, or fish for, 
possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Nantucket Lightship Access 
Area once the Regional Administrator has provided notification in the 
Federal Register, in accordance with Sec. 648.60(g)(4), that 577 trips 
in the 2006 fishing year, and 394 trips in the 2007 fishing year, have 
been taken, in total, by all general category scallop vessels, unless 
transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The Regional 
Administrator shall notify all general category scallop vessels of the 
date when the maximum number of allowed trips have been, or are 
projected to be, taken for the 2006 and 2007 fishing years.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 
under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop Access Areas without 
being subject to the restrictions of paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section provided that it has not enrolled in the Scallop Area Access

[[Page 442]]

program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing scallops.
    (e) Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area. (1) From January 1, 
2007, through February 29, 2012, and subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops in or 
from the area known as the Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area, 
described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, only if the vessel is 
participating in, and complies with the requirements of, the area access 
program described in Sec. 648.60.
    (2) The Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                     Latitude           Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETAA1............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
ETAA2............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
ETAA3............................  38[deg]10[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
ETAA4............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   73[deg]30[min] W.
ETAA1............................  38[deg]50[min] N.   74[deg]20[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Elephant 
Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, from September 1 through October 31 of each year the Elephant 
Trunk Access Area is open to scallop fishing as a Sea Scallop Access 
Area, unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
    (4) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its permit 
category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish no 
more than the maximum number of trips in the Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop 
Access Area between January 1, 2007, and February 29, 2008, as specified 
in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i), or as adjusted as specified in Sec. 
648.60(a)(3)(i)(F), unless the vessel owner has made an exchange with 
another vessel owner whereby the vessel gains an Elephant Trunk Sea 
Scallop Access Area trip and gives up a trip into another Sea Scallop 
Access Area, as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless the 
vessel is taking a compensation trip for a prior Elephant Trunk Access 
Area trip that was terminated early, as specified in Sec. 648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. Subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), a vessel issued 
a general category scallop permit may not enter in, or fish for, 
possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop 
Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided notification in 
the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec. 648.60(g)(4), that 1,360 
trips allocated for the period January 1, 2007, through February 29, 
2008, unless adjusted as specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i)(F), have 
been taken, in total, by all general category scallop vessels, unless 
transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The Regional 
Administrator shall notify all general category scallop vessels of the 
date when the maximum number of allowed trips have been, or are 
projected to be, taken for the period January 1, 2007, through February 
29, 2008.
    (f) Transiting. A sea scallop vessel that has not declared a trip 
into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program may enter the Sea Scallop 
Access Areas described in paragraphs (a), (b), (d), and (e), of this 
section, and possess scallops not caught in the Sea Scallop Access 
Areas, for transiting purposes only, provided the vessel's fishing gear 
is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b). A scallop vessel that has 
declared a trip into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program may transit a 
Scallop Access Area while steaming to or from another Scallop Access 
Area, provided the vessel's fishing gear is stowed in accordance with 
Sec. 648.23(b), or there is a compelling safety reason to be in such 
areas without such gear being stowed. A vessel may only transit the 
Closed Area II Access Area, as described in paragraph (c) of this 
section, if there is a compelling safety reason for transiting the area 
and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b).

[71 FR 33228, June 8, 2006]



Sec. 648.60  Sea scallop area access program requirements.

    (a) A vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may only fish in 
the Sea Scallop Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59, subject to the 
seasonal restrictions specified in Sec. 648.59, when fishing

[[Page 443]]

under a scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(9), and (b) through (f) of 
this section. A general category scallop vessel may fish in the Sea 
Scallop Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59, subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.59, provided the vessel complies 
with the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) of this section.
    (1) VMS. Each vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Access Area 
Program must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets 
the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 
648.10, and paragraph (e) of this section.
    (2) Declaration. (i) Each vessel participating in the Sea Scallop 
Access Area Program must comply with the trip declaration requirements 
specified in Sec. 648.10(b)(4).
    (ii) To fish in a Sea Scallop Access Area, each participating vessel 
owner or operator shall declare a Sea Scallop Access Area trip via VMS 
less than 1 hour prior to the vessel leaving port, in accordance with 
instructions to be provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (iii) Vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Access Area Program 
must comply with the trip declaration requirements specified in Sec. 
648.11(g), and each participating vessel owner or operator shall declare 
a Sea Scallop Access Area trip via VMS less than one hour prior to the 
vessel leaving port, in accordance with instructions provided by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (3) Number of Sea Scallop Access Area trips.--(i) Limited Access 
Vessel trips. (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, 
and unless the number of trips is adjusted for the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section, paragraphs 
(a)(3)(i)(B) through (E) specify the total number of trips that a 
limited access scallop vessel may take into Sea Scallop Access Areas 
during applicable seasons specified in Sec. 648.59. The number of trips 
per vessel in any one Sea Scallop Access Area may not exceed the maximum 
number of trips allocated for such Sea Scallop Access Area as specified 
in Sec. 648.59, unless the vessel owner has exchanged a trip with 
another vessel owner for an additional Sea Scallop Access Area trip, as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, been allocated a 
compensation trip pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, or unless 
the Elephant Trunk Access Area trip allocations are adjusted as 
specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(3)(i)(F).
    (B) Full-time scallop vessels. In the 2006 fishing year, a full-time 
scallop vessel may take three trips in the Closed Area II Access Area, 
and two trips in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area. In the 2007 
fishing year, a full-time scallop vessel may take one trip in the Closed 
Area I Access Area, one trip in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area, and 
five trips in the Elephant Trunk Access Area, unless adjusted as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (C) Part-time scallop vessels. In the 2006 fishing year, a part-time 
scallop vessel may take one trip in the Closed Area II Access Area and 
one trip in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area; or two trips in the 
Closed Area II Access Area; or two trips in the Nantucket Lightship 
Access Area. In the 2007 fishing year, a part-time scallop vessel may 
take one trip in the Closed Area I Access Area, one trip in the 
Nantucket Lightship Access Area, and one trip in the Elephant Trunk 
Access Area; or one trip in the Closed Area I Access Area and two trips 
in the Elephant Trunk Access Area; or one trip in the Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area and two trips in the Elephant Trunk Access Area; 
or three trips in the Elephant Trunk Access Area, unless adjusted as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (D) Occasional scallop vessels. An occasional scallop vessel may 
take one trip in the 2006 fishing year and one trip in the 2007 fishing 
year into any of the Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59 that is open 
during the specified fishing years.
    (E) Hudson Canyon Access Area trips. In addition to the number of 
trips specified in paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(B) through (C) of this section, 
vessels may fish remaining Hudson Canyon Access Area trips allocated for 
the 2005 fishing year in the Hudson Canyon Access Area in the 2006 and/
or 2007 fishing year, as specified in Sec. 648.59(a)(3). The maximum 
number of trips that a vessel could

[[Page 444]]

take in the Hudson Canyon Access Area in the 2005 fishing year was three 
trips, unless a vessel acquired additional trips through an authorized 
one-for-one exchange as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this 
section. Full-time scallop vessels were allocated three trips into the 
Hudson Canyon Access Area. Part-time vessels were allocated two trips 
that could be distributed among Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and the 
Hudson Canyon Access Areas, not to exceed one trip in the Closed Area I 
or Closed Area II Access Areas. Occasional vessels were allocated one 
trip that could be taken in any Access Area that was open in the 2005 
fishing year.
    (F) Procedure for adjusting the number of 2007 fishing year trips in 
the Elephant Trunk Access Area. (1) The Regional Administrator shall 
reduce the number of Elephant Trunk Access Area trips using the table in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F)(2) of this section, provided that an updated 
biomass projection is available with sufficient time to announce such an 
adjustment through publication of a final rule in the Federal Register, 
pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, on or about December 1, 
2006. If information is not available in time for NMFS to publish a 
final rule on or about December 1, 2006, no adjustment may be made. The 
adjustment of the 2007 Elephant Trunk Access Area trip allocations shall 
be based on all available scientific surveys of scallops within the 
Elephant Trunk Access Area. Survey data must be available with 
sufficient time for review and incorporation in the biomass estimate. If 
NMFS determines that a survey is not scientifically sound and unbiased, 
those results shall not be used to estimate biomass. If no other surveys 
are available, the annual NOAA scallop resource survey shall be used 
alone to estimate exploitable scallop biomass for the Elephant Trunk 
Access Area.
    (2) Table of total allowable catch and trip allocation adjustments 
based on exploitable biomass estimates and revised target total 
allowable catch levels. The following table specifies the adjustments 
that would be made through the procedure specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i)(F)(1) of this section under various biomass estimates and 
adjusted 2007 target total allowable catch (TAC) estimates:

                             Updated Estimates of Elephant Trunk Access Area Biomass
                               [In metric tons (mt) and millions of pounds (mlb)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Below 22,920 mt    22,920-28,650 mt    28,651-34,380 mt    Above 34,381 mt
                                       (50.5 mlb)        (50.5-63.1 mlb)     (63.2-75.7 mlb)       (75.8 mlb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted 2007 Target Total         5,234 mt            7,851 mt            10,468 mt           13,085 mt
 Allowable Catch.                  (11.5 mlb)          (17.3 mlb)          (23.08 mlb)         (28.8 mlb)
Adjusted 2007 TAC for Research     103 mt              157 mt              209 mt              262 mt
 and General Category Fishery.     0.228 mlb           0.346 mlb           0.461 mlb           0.578 mlb
Adjusted 2007 Observer TAC.......  52 mt               78 mt               105 mt              131 mt
                                   0.114 mlb           0.173 mlb           0.231 mlb           0.289 mlb
Maximum Number of Limited Access   2                   3                   4                   No adjustment
 Trips per Vessel.
General Category Trips...........  570                 865                 1,154               No adjustment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) One-for-one area access trip exchanges. (A) If the total number 
of trips allocated to a vessel into all Sea Scallop Access Areas 
combined is more than one, the owner of a vessel issued a limited access 
scallop permit may exchange, on a one-for-one basis, unutilized trips 
into one access area for another vessel's unutilized trips into another 
Sea Scallop Access Area. One-for-one exchanges may be made only between 
vessels with the same permit category. For example, a full-time vessel 
may not exchange trips with a part-time vessel and vice versa. Vessel 
owners must request the exchange of trips by submitting a completed Trip 
Exchange Form at least 15 days before the date on which the applicant 
desires the exchange to be effective. Trip exchange forms are available 
by request from the Regional Administrator. Each vessel

[[Page 445]]

owner involved in an exchange is required to submit a completed Trip 
Exchange Form. The Regional Administrator shall review the records for 
each vessel to confirm that each vessel has unutilized trips remaining 
to exchange. The exchange is not effective until the vessel owner(s) 
receive a confirmation in writing from the Regional Administrator that 
the trip exchange has been made effective. A vessel owner may exchange 
trips between two or more vessels under his/her ownership. A vessel 
owner holding a Confirmation of Permit History is not eligible to 
exchange trips between another vessel and the vessel for which a 
Confirmation of Permit History has been issued.
    (B) The owner of a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may 
exchange, on a one-for-one basis, unutilized Closed Area I and Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area trips allocated for the 2006 fishing year as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section for Elephant Trunk 
Access Area trips allocated for the 2007 fishing year as specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. If Elephant Trunk Access Area 
allocations are reduced as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this 
section, vessels that have exchanged 2006 Closed Area I and/or Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area trips for 2007 Elephant Trunk Access Area trips 
shall have excess Elephant Trunk Access Area trips acquired through the 
exchange deducted from their available 2007 Elephant Trunk Access Area 
trip allocation.
    (4) Area fished. While on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip, a vessel 
may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from areas outside the 
Sea Scallop Access Area in which the vessel operator has declared the 
vessel will fish during that trip, and may not enter or exit the 
specific declared Sea Scallop Access Area more than once per trip. A 
vessel on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip may not enter or be in another 
Sea Scallop Access Area on the same trip except such vessel may transit 
another Sea Scallop Access Area provided its gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (i) Reallocation of trips into open areas. If the yellowtail 
flounder TAC allocated for a Scallop Access Area specified in Sec. 
648.59(b) through (d) has been harvested and such area has been closed, 
a vessel with trips remaining to be taken in such Access Areas may fish 
the remaining DAS associated with the unused trip(s) in Open Areas, up 
to the maximum DAS specified in Sec. 648.53(b)(4)(i) through (iii).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) Possession and landing limits--(i) Scallop possession limits. 
Unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in 
paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, after declaring a trip into a 
Sea Scallop Access Area, a vessel owner or operator of a limited access 
scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and land, per trip, scallops, up 
to the maximum amounts specified in the table in this paragraph (a)(5). 
No vessel fishing in the Sea Scallop Access Area may possess shoreward 
of the VMS demarcation line, or land, more than 50 bu (17.6 hl) of in-
shell scallops.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Possession limit
            Fishing year                   Access area      ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                Full-time        Part-time         Occasional
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006................................  Closed Area II         18,000 lb        18,000 lb        7,500 lb
                                      Nantucket Lightship    (8,165 kg)       (8,165 kg)        (3,402 kg)
2007................................  Closed Area I          18,000 lb        16,800 lb        7,500 lb
                                      Nantucket Lightship    (8,165 kg)       (7,620 kg)       (3,402 kg)
                                      Elephant Truck
2006 and 2007.......................  Hudson Canyon          18,000 lb        18,000 lb        7,500 lb
                                                             (8,165 kg)       (8,165 kg)       (3,402 kg)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) NE multispecies possession limits and yellowtail flounder TAC. 
Subject to the seasonal restriction established under the Sea Scallop 
Area Access Program and specified in Sec. 648.59(b)(4),

[[Page 446]]

(c)(4), and (d)(4), and provided the vessel has been issued a scallop 
multispecies possession limit permit as specified in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(ii), after declaring a trip into a Sea Scallop Access Area 
and fishing within the Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59(b) through 
(d), a vessel owner or operator of a limited access scallop vessel may 
fish for, possess, and land, per trip, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb 
(453.6 kg) of all NE multispecies combined, subject to the minimum 
commercial fish size restrictions specified in Sec. 648.83(a)(2), and 
the additional restrictions for Atlantic cod, haddock, and yellowtail 
flounder specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(ii)(A) through (C) of this 
section.
    (A) Atlantic cod. Such vessel may bring onboard and possess only up 
to 100 lb (45.4 kg) of Atlantic cod per trip, provided such fish is 
intended for personal use only and cannot be not sold, traded, or 
bartered.
    (B) Haddock. Such vessels may possess and land haddock up to the 
overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined, as specified 
in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, except that such vessels are 
prohibited from possessing or landing haddock from January 1 through 
June 30.
    (C) Yellowtail flounder--(1) Yellowtail flounder TACs. Such vessel 
may catch yellowtail flounder provided the Regional Administrator has 
not issued a notice that the scallop fishery portion of the TACs 
specified in Sec. 648.85(c) for the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and 
Nantucket Lightship Access Scallop Areas have been harvested. The 
Regional Administrator shall publish notification in the Federal 
Register, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to notify 
scallop vessel owners that the scallop fishery portion of the TAC for a 
yellowtail flounder stock has been or is projected to be harvested by 
scallop vessels in any Access Area. Upon notification in the Federal 
Register that a TAC has been or is projected to be harvested, scallop 
vessels are prohibited from declaring and initiating a trip within the 
Access Area(s), where the TAC applies, for the remainder of the fishing 
year. The yellowtail flounder TACs allocated to scallop vessels may be 
increased by the Regional Administrator after December 1 of each year 
pursuant to Sec. 648.85(c)(2).
    (2) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder possession limit. Such vessels 
fishing within the Nantucket Lightship Access Area described in Sec. 
648.59(d) may fish for, possess, and land yellowtail flounder up to the 
overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined, as specified 
in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, except that such vessels may 
not fish for, possess, or land more than 250 lb (113.6 kg) per trip of 
yellowtail flounder between June 15 and June 30, provided the Regional 
Administrator has not issued a notice that the scallop fishery portion 
of the yellowtail flounder TAC as specified in Sec. 648.85(c)(i) has 
been harvested.
    (3) GB yellowtail flounder possession limit. After declaring a trip 
into and fishing within the Closed Area I or Closed Area II Access Area 
described in Sec. 648.59(b) and (c), the vessel owner or operator of a 
limited access scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and land up to 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg) per trip of yellowtail flounder subject to the 
amount of other NE multispecies onboard, provided that the Regional 
Administrator has not issued a notice that the yellowtail flounder TAC 
specified in Sec. 648.85(c) has been harvested. If the yellowtail 
flounder TAC established for the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to 
Sec. 648.85(a)(2) has been or is projected to be harvested, as 
described in Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iv)(C)(3), scallop vessels are 
prohibited from harvesting, possessing, or landing yellowtail flounder 
in or from the Closed Area I and Closed Area II Access Areas.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (6) Gear restrictions. (i) The minimum ring size for dredge gear 
used by a vessel fishing on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip is 4 inches 
(10.2 cm) in diameter. Dredge or trawl gear used by a vessel fishing on 
a Sea Scallop Access Area trip must be in accordance with the 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.51(a) and (b).
    (ii) Vessels fishing in the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area Sea Scallop Access Areas described in 
Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) are prohibited from fishing with trawl gear 
as specified in Sec. 648.51(f)(1).

[[Page 447]]

    (7) Transiting. While outside a Sea Scallop Access Area on a Sea 
Scallop Access Area trip, the vessel must have all fishing gear stowed 
in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), unless there is a compelling safety 
reason to be transiting the area without gear stowed.
    (8) Off-loading restrictions. The vessel may not offload its catch 
from a Sea Scallop Access Area trip at more than one location per trip.
    (9) Reporting. The owner or operator must submit reports through the 
VMS, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional 
Administrator, for each day fished when declared in the Sea Scallop Area 
Access Program, including trips accompanied by a NMFS-approved observer. 
The reports must be submitted in 24-hour intervals, for each day 
beginning at 0000 hours and ending at 2400 hours. The reports must be 
submitted by 0900 hours of the following day and must include the 
following information:
    (i) Total pounds of scallop meats kept, total number of tows, and 
the Fishing Vessel Trip Report log page number.
    (ii) Total pounds of yellowtail flounder kept and total pounds of 
yellowtail flounder discarded.
    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Compensation for Sea Scallop Access Area trips terminated early. 
If a Sea Scallop Access Area trip is terminated before catching the 
allowed possession limit, the vessel may be authorized to fish an 
additional trip in the same Sea Scallop Access Area based on the 
following conditions and requirements.
    (1) The vessel owner/operator has determined that the Sea Scallop 
Access Area trip should be terminated early for reasons deemed 
appropriate by the operator of the vessel;
    (2) The amount of scallops landed by the vessel for the trip must be 
less than the maximum possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of 
this section;
    (3) The vessel owner/operator must report the termination of the 
trip prior to leaving the Sea Scallop Access Area by VMS email 
messaging, with the following information: Vessel name, vessel owner, 
vessel operator, time of trip termination, reason for terminating the 
trip (for NMFS recordkeeping purposes), expected date and time of return 
to port, and amount of scallops on board in pounds;
    (4) The vessel owners/operator must request that the Regional 
Administrator authorize an additional trip as compensation for the 
terminated trip by submitting a written request to the Regional 
Administrator within 30 days of the vessel's return to port from the 
terminated trip; and
    (5) The Regional Administrator shall authorize the vessel to take an 
additional trip and shall specify the amount of scallops that the vessel 
may land on such trip pursuant to the calculation specified in paragraph 
(c)(5)(i) of this section. Such authorization shall be made within 10 
days of receipt of the formal written request for compensation.
    (i) The amount of scallops that can be landed on an authorized 
additional compensation Sea Scallop Access Area trip shall equal the 
possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section minus the 
amount of scallops landed on the terminated trip. For example, if the 
possession limit for a full-time vessel is 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) per 
trip, and the vessel lands 6,500 lb (2,948.4 kg) of scallops and 
requests compensation for the terminated trip, the possession limit for 
the additional trip is 11,500 lb (5,216.3 kg) or 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) 
minus 6,500 lb (2,948.4 kg)).
    (ii) If a vessel is authorized more than one additional compensation 
trip into any Sea Scallop Access Area as the result of more than one 
terminated trip in the same Access Area, the possession limits for the 
authorized trips may be combined, provided the total possession limit on 
a combined additional compensation trip does not exceed the possession 
limit for a trip as specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section. For 
example, a vessel that has two broken trips with corresponding 
additional compensation trip authorizations of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) and 
8,000 lb (3,629 kg) may combine the authorizations to allow one 
compensation trip with a possession limit of 18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
    (iii) A vessel operator must comply with all notification 
requirements prior to taking an additional compensation trip, and for 
each such trip,

[[Page 448]]

must enter a trip identification number by entering the number in the 
VMS for each such trip. The trip identification number will be included 
in the Regional Administrator's authorization for each additional 
compensation trip. If a vessel operator is combining additional 
compensation trips, the trip identification numbers from each 
authorization must be entered into VMS.
    (iv) Unutilized 2005 Hudson Canyon compensation trips. A vessel that 
terminated a 2005 Hudson Canyon Access Area trip shall be issued 
authorization to take an additional trip as compensation for the trip 
terminated early pursuant to paragraph (c)(5) of this section. Such 
additional trips may be taken at any time during the 2006 or 2007 
fishing years, as specified in Sec. 648.59(a)(3).
    (v) Additional compensation trip carryover. If an Access Area trip 
conducted during the last 60 days of the open period or season for the 
Access Area is terminated before catching the allowed possession limit, 
and the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section are met, the 
vessel operator shall be authorized to fish an additional trip as 
compensation for the terminated trip in the following fishing year. The 
vessel owner/operator must take such additional compensation trips, 
complying with the trip notification procedures specified in paragraph 
(a)(2)(iii) of this section, within the first 60 days of that fishing 
year the Access Area first opens in the subsequent fishing year. For 
example, a vessel that terminates a Nantucket Lightship Access Area trip 
on December 10, 2006, must declare that it is beginning its additional 
compensation trip during the first 60 days that the Access Area is open 
(June 15, 2007, through August 15, 2007). If an Access Area is not open 
in the subsequent fishing year, then the additional compensation trip 
authorization would expire at the end of the Access Area Season in which 
the trip was broken. For example, a vessel that terminates a Closed Area 
II trip on December 10, 2006, may not carry its additional compensation 
trip into the 2007 fishing year because Closed Area II is not open 
during the 2007 fishing year, and must complete any compensation trip by 
January 31, 2007.
    (d) Possession limit to defray costs of observers--(1) Observer set-
aside limits by area--(i) Hudson Canyon Access Area. For 2006 and 2007 
combined, the observer set-aside for the Hudson Canyon Access Area is 
149,562 lb (67.8 mt).
    (ii) Closed Area I Access Area. For the 2007 fishing year, the 
observer set-aside for the Closed Area I Access Area is 43,207 lb (20 
mt).
    (iii) Closed Area II Access Area. For the 2006 fishing year, the 
observer set-aside for the Closed Area II Access Area is 173,085 lb (79 
mt).
    (iv) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years, the observer set-asides for the Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
are 115,390 lb (52 mt) and 78,727 lb (36 mt), respectively.
    (v) Elephant Trunk Access Area. From January 1, 2007, through 
February 29, 2008, the observer set-aside for the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area is 272,000 lb (123 mt), unless adjusted as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (2) Increase in the possession limit to defray the costs of 
observers. The Regional Administrator may increase the sea scallop 
possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section to defray 
costs of at-sea observers deployed on area access trips subject to the 
limits specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. An owner of a 
scallop vessel shall be notified of the increase in the possession limit 
through a permit holder letter issued by the Regional Administrator. If 
the observer set-aside is fully utilized prior to the end of the fishing 
year, the Regional Administrator shall notify owners of scallop vessels 
that, effective on a specified date, the increase in the possession 
limit is no longer available to offset the cost of observers. Unless 
otherwise notified by the Regional Administrator, vessel owners shall be 
responsible for paying the cost of the observer, regardless of whether 
the vessel lands or sells sea scallops on that trip, and regardless of 
the availability of set-aside for an increased possession limit.
    (e) Possession limits and/or number of trips to defray the costs of 
sea scallop research--(1) Research set-aside limits and number of trips 
by area--(i) Hudson Canyon Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years combined, the research

[[Page 449]]

set-aside for the Hudson Canyon Access Area is 299,123 (135.7 mt).
    (ii) Closed Area I Access Area. For the 2007 fishing year, the 
research set-aside for the Closed Area I Access Area is 84,414 lb (38 
mt).
    (iii) Closed Area II Access Area. For the 2006 fishing year, the 
research set-aside for the Closed Area II Access Area is 346,170 lb (157 
mt).
    (iv) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years, the research set-asides for the Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
are 230,780 lb (105 mt) and 157,454 lb (71 mt), respectively.
    (v) Elephant Trunk Access Area. From January 1, 2007, through 
February 29, 2008, the research set-aside for the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area is 544,000 lb (247 mt), unless adjusted as specified in 
(a)(3)(i)(E) of this section.
    (2) Increase of possession limit to defray the costs of sea scallop 
research. The Regional Administrator may increase the sea scallop 
possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section or allow 
additional trips into a Sea Scallop Access Area to defray costs for 
approved sea scallop research up to the amount specified in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section.
    (3) Yellowtail flounder research TAC set-aside. Vessels conducting 
research approved under the process described in Sec. 648.56, and in 
the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) may harvest 
cumulative yellowtail flounder up to a total amount that equals 0.2 
percent of the yellowtail flounder TACs established annually, according 
to the specification procedure described in Sec. 648.85(a)(2), and 
subject to the possession limits specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(C) of 
this section. Once 0.2 percent of the yellowtail flounder TACs 
established according to the specification procedure described in Sec. 
648.85(a)(2) has been harvested by research vessels, research may no 
longer be authorized in the applicable Access Area.
    (f) VMS polling. For the duration of the Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program, as described in this section, all sea scallop vessels equipped 
with a VMS unit shall be polled at a minimum of twice per hour, 
regardless of whether the vessel is enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area 
Access Program. Vessel owners shall be responsible for paying the costs 
of polling twice per hour.
    (g) General category scallop vessels. (1) A vessel issued a general 
category scallop permit, except a vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit 
and a general category scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP 
under Sec. 648.85 under multispecies DAS that has not enrolled in the 
general category Access Area fishery, may only fish in the Closed Area 
I, Closed Area II, and Nantucket Lightship Sea Scallop Access Areas 
specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d), subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.59(b)(4), (c)(4), and (d)(4), and 
subject to the possession limit specified in Sec. 648.52(a), and 
provided the vessel complies with the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(6) through (a)(9), (d), (e), (f), and (g) 
of this section, and Sec. 648.85(c)(3)(ii). A vessel issued a NE 
Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit that is 
fishing in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 under multispecies DAS 
that has not enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area Access program as 
specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is not subject to the 
restrictions and requirements specified in Sec. 648.59(b)(5)(ii), 
(c)(5)(ii), (d)(5)(ii), and this paragraph (g), and is prohibited from 
retaining scallops on such trips.
    (2) Gear restrictions. A general category vessel authorized to fish 
in the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) must fish 
with dredge gear only. The combined dredge width in use by, or in 
possession on board, general category scallop vessels fishing in the 
Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) may not exceed 
10.5 ft (3.2 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge.
    (3) Scallop TAC. A general category vessel authorized to fish in the 
Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) may land scallops, 
subject to the possession limit specified in Sec. 648.52(a), unless the 
Regional Administrator has issued a notice that the scallop TAC in the 
Access Area has been or is projected to be harvested. Upon a 
determination from the Regional Administrator that the scallop TAC for a 
specified Access Area, as specified in this paragraph (g)(3), has been, 
or is projected to be harvested, the Regional

[[Page 450]]

Administrator shall publish notification of this determination in the 
Federal Register, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (i) Closed Area I Access Area. 86,414 (38 mt) in 2007.
    (ii) Closed Area II Access Area. 346,170 (157 mt) in 2006.
    (iii) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. 230,780 lb (105 mt) in 2006, 
and 157,454 lb (71 mt) in 2007.
    (iv) Elephant Trunk Access Area. 544,000 lb (247 mt) from January 1, 
2007, through February 29, 2008, unless adjusted as specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i)(E) of this section.
    (v) Possession Limits--(A) Scallops. A vessel issued a NE 
Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit that is 
fishing in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 under multispecies DAS 
that has not enrolled in the general category Access Area fishery is 
prohibited from possessing scallops. A general category scallop vessel 
authorized to fish in the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) 
through (e) may possess scallops up to the possession limit specified in 
Sec. 648.52(b), subject to a limit on the total number of trips that 
can be taken by all such vessels into the Access Areas, as specified in 
Sec. 648.59(b)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(ii), (d)(5)(ii), and (e)(4)(ii). Upon a 
determination by the Regional Administrator that the total number of 
trips allowed for general category vessels have been or are projected to 
be taken, the Regional Administrator shall publish notification of this 
determination in the Federal Register, in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, and general category vessels may no longer 
fish within the specified Access Area.
    (B) Other species. Except for vessels issued a general category 
scallop permit and fishing under an approved NE multispecies SAP under 
NE multispecies DAS, general category vessels fishing in the Access 
Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) are prohibited from 
possessing any species of fish other than scallops.
    (4) Number of trips. A general category scallop vessel may not fish 
for, possess, or land scallops in or from the Access Areas specified in 
Sec. 648.59(b) through (e) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register, stating that the total number of 
trips specified in Sec. 648.59(b)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(ii), (d)(5)(ii), and 
(e)(4)(ii) have been, or are projected to be, taken by general category 
scallop vessels.

[71 FR 33231, June 8, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 34848, June 16, 2006, Sec. 648.60 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii), and adding 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii), effective June 16, 2006 through Dec. 13, 2006.



Sec. 648.61  EFH closed areas.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the following 
areas identified in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section are 
closed to scallop fishing to protect EFH from adverse effects of scallop 
fishing (copies of charts depicting these areas are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request):
    (a) Closed Area I EFH Closure. No vessel may fish for scallops in, 
or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area I 
EFH Closure. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area I EFH 
Closure, unless such vessel is only transiting the area as provided in 
paragraph (e) of this section. The Closed Area I EFH Closure consists of 
two sections, defined by straight lines connecting the points in the 
order stated in the following table:

                                Section 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  CAIE1                         41[deg]30[m  69[deg]23[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIE2                         41[deg]30[m  68[deg]35[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIE3                         41[deg]08[m  69[deg]4.2[
                                                     in] N.      min] W.
                  CAIE4                         41[deg]30[m  69[deg]23[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Section 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  CAIE5                         41[deg]04.5  69[deg]1.2[
                                                   [min] N.      min] W.
                  CAIE6                         41[deg]09[m  68[deg]30[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIE7                         40[deg]45[m  68[deg]30[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIE8                         40[deg]45[m  68[deg]45[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIE5                         41[deg]04.5  69[deg]1.2[
                                                   [min] N.      min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Closed Area II EFH Closure. No vessel may fish for scallops in, 
or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area II 
EFH Closure. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area II EFH 
Closure, unless such vessel is only transiting the area

[[Page 451]]

as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The Closed Area II EFH 
Closure is defined by straight lines connecting the points in the order 
stated in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  CAIIE1                        42[deg]22[m  67[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.    in] W.\1\
                  CAIIE2                        41[deg]30[m  66[deg]34.8
                                                     in] N.  [min] W.\1\
                  CAIIE3                        41[deg]30[m  67[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  CAIIE1                        42[deg]22[m  67[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.    in] W.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S/Canada Maritime Boundary

    (c) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area EFH Closure. No vessel may fish 
for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area EFH Closure. No vessel may possess 
scallops in the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area EFH Closure, unless such 
vessel is only transiting the area as provided in paragraph (e) of this 
section. The Nantucket Lightship Closed Area EFH Closure is defined by 
straight lines connecting the points in the order stated in the 
following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NLSE1                         40[deg]50[m  70[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  NLSE2                         40[deg]50[m  69[deg]29.5
                                                     in] N.     [min] W.
                  NLSE3                         40[deg]30[m  69[deg]14.5
                                                     in] N.     [min] W.
                  NLSE4                         40[deg]30[m  69[deg]00[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  NLSE5                         40[deg]20[m  69[deg]00[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  NLSE6                         40[deg]20[m  70[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  NLSE1                         40[deg]50[m  70[deg]20[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Western Gulf of Maine EFH Closure. No vessel may fish for 
scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the 
Western Gulf of Maine EFH Closure. No vessel may possess scallops in the 
Western Gulf of Maine EFH Closure, unless such vessel is only transiting 
the area as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The Western Gulf 
of Maine EFH Closure is defined by straight lines connecting the points 
in the order stated in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  WGOM1                         43[deg]15[m  70[deg]15[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  WGOM2                         43[deg]15[m  69[deg]55[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  WGOM3                         42[deg]15[m  69[deg]55[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  WGOM4                         42[deg]15[m  70[deg]15[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
                  WGOM1                         43[deg]15[m  70[deg]15[m
                                                     in] N.       in] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Transiting. A vessel may transit the area(s) specified in 
paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of this section, provided that its gear is 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b). A vessel 
may transit the area specified in paragraph (b) of this section, in 
accordance with Sec. 648.81(b)(2)(iv).

[70 FR 66798, Nov. 3, 2005]



   Subpart E_Management Measures for the Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean 
                            Quahog Fisheries



Sec. 648.70  Annual individual allocations.

    (a) General. (1) Each fishing year, the Regional Administrator shall 
determine the initial allocation of surfclams and ocean quahogs for the 
next fishing year for each allocation holder owning an allocation 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section. For each species, the 
initial allocation for the next fishing year is calculated by 
multiplying the allocation percentage owned by each allocation owner as 
of the last day of the previous fishing year in which allocation owners 
are permitted to permanently transfer allocation percentage pursuant to 
paragraph (b) of this section (i.e., October 15 of every year), by the 
quota specified by the Regional Administrator pursuant to Sec. 648.71. 
The total number of bushels of allocation shall be divided by 32 to 
determine the appropriate number of cage tags to be issued or acquired 
under Sec. 648.75. Amounts of allocation 0.5 or smaller created by this 
division shall be rounded downward to the nearest whole number, and 
amounts of allocation greater than 0.5 created by this division shall be 
rounded upward to the nearest whole number, so that allocations are 
specified in whole cages. These allocations shall be made in the form of 
an allocation permit specifying the allocation percentage and the 
allocation in bushels and cage tags for each species. An allocation 
permit is only valid for the entity for which it is issued. Such permits 
shall be issued on or before December 15, to allow allocation owners to 
purchase cage tags from a vendor specified by the Regional Administrator 
pursuant to Sec. 648.75(b).
    (2) The Regional Administrator may, after publication of a fee 
notification in the Federal Register, charge a permit fee before 
issuance of the permit to

[[Page 452]]

recover administrative expenses. Failure to pay the fee will preclude 
issuance of the permit.
    (b) Transfers--(1) Allocation percentage. Subject to the approval of 
the Regional Administrator, part or all of an allocation percentage may 
be transferred in the year in which the transfer is made, to any person 
or entity eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 
U.S.C. 12102(a). Approval of a transfer by the Regional Administrator 
and for a new allocation permit reflecting that transfer may be 
requested by submitting a written application for approval of the 
transfer and for issuance of a new allocation permit to the Regional 
Administrator at least 10 days before the date on which the applicant 
desires the transfer to be effective, in the form of a completed 
transfer log supplied by the Regional Administrator. The transfer is not 
effective until the new holder receives a new or revised annual 
allocation permit from the Regional Administrator. An application for 
transfer may not be made between October 15 and December 31 of each 
year.
    (2) Cage tags. Cage tags issued pursuant to Sec. 648.75 may be 
transferred at any time, and in any amount subject to the restrictions 
and procedure specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; provided 
that application for such cage tag transfers may be made at any time 
before December 10 of each year. The transfer is effective upon the 
receipt by the transferee of written authorization from the Regional 
Administrator.
    (3) Review. If the Regional Administrator determines that the 
applicant has been issued a Notice of Permit Sanction for a violation of 
the Magnuson Act that has not been resolved, he/she may decline to 
approve such transfer pending resolution of the matter.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 69973, Dec. 16, 2003; 70 
FR 2026, Jan. 12, 2005]



Sec. 648.71  Catch quotas.

    (a) Establishing quotas. Beginning in 2005, the amount of surfclams 
or ocean quahogs that may be caught annually by fishing vessels subject 
to these regulations will be specified for a 3-year period by the 
Regional Administrator. The initial 3-year specification will be based 
on the most recent available survey and stock assessments for Atlantic 
surfclams and ocean quahogs. Subsequent 3-year specifications of the 
annual quotas will be accomplished in the third year of the quota 
period, unless the quotas are modified in the interim pursuant to Sec. 
648.71(b). The amount of surfclams available for harvest annually must 
be specified within the range of 1.85 to 3.4 m bu (98.5 to 181 m L) per 
year. The amount of ocean quahogs available for harvest annually must be 
specified within the range of 4 to 6 m bu (213 to 319.4 m L).
    (1) Quota reports. On an annual basis, MAFMC staff will produce an 
Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog annual quota recommendation paper to 
the MAFMC based on the latest available stock assessment report prepared 
by NMFS, data reported by harvesters and processors, and other relevant 
data, as well as the information contained in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) 
through (vi) of this section. Based on that report, and at least once 
prior to August 15 of the year in which a 3-year annual quota 
specification expires, the MAFMC, following an opportunity for public 
comment, will recommend to the Regional Administrator annual quotas and 
estimates of DAH and DAP within the ranges specified for a 3-year 
period. In selecting the annual quotas, the MAFMC shall consider the 
current stock assessments, catch reports, and other relevant information 
concerning:
    (i) Exploitable and spawning biomass relative to the OY.
    (ii) Fishing mortality rates relative to the OY.
    (iii) Magnitude of incoming recruitment.
    (iv) Projected effort and corresponding catches.
    (v) Geographical distribution of the catch relative to the 
geographical distribution of the resource.
    (vi) Status of areas previously closed to surfclam fishing that are 
to be opened during the year and areas likely to be closed to fishing 
during the year.
    (2) Public review. Based on the recommendation of the MAFMC, the 
Regional Administrator shall publish proposed surfclam and ocean quahog 
quotas in the Federal Register. Comments on the proposed annual quotas

[[Page 453]]

may be submitted to the Regional Administrator within 30 days after 
publication. The Assistant Administrator shall consider all comments, 
determine the appropriate annual quotas, and publish the annual quotas 
in the Federal Register each year. The quota shall be set at that amount 
that is most consistent with the objectives of the Atlantic Surfclam and 
Ocean Quahog FMP. The Regional Administrator may set quotas at 
quantities different from the MAFMC's recommendations only if he/she can 
demonstrate that the MAFMC's recommendations violate the national 
standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the objectives of the Atlantic 
Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP and other applicable law.
    (b) Interim quota modifications. Based upon information presented in 
the quota reports described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the 
MAFMC may recommend to the Regional Administrator a modification to the 
annual quotas that have been specified for a 3-year period and any 
estimate of DAH or DAP made in conjunction with such specifications 
within the ranges specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Based 
upon the Council's recommendation, the Regional Administrator may 
propose surfclam and or ocean quahog quotas that differ from the annual 
quotas specified for the current 3-year period. Such modification shall 
be in effect for a period of 3 years from the year in which it is first 
implemented, unless further modified. Any interim modification shall 
follow the same procedures for establishing the annual quotas that are 
specified for a 3-year period.
    (c) Annual quotas. The annual quotas for surfclams and ocean quahogs 
will remain effective unless revised pursuant to this section. NMFS will 
issue notification in the Federal Register if the previous year's 
specifications will not be changed.

[68 FR 69973, Dec. 16, 2003, as amended at 70 FR 2026, Jan. 12, 2005]



Sec. 648.72  Minimum surf clam size.

    (a) Minimum length. The minimum length for surf clams is 4.75 inches 
(12.065 cm).
    (b) Determination of compliance. No more than 50 surf clams in any 
cage may be less than 4.75 inches (12.065 cm) in length. If more than 50 
surf clams in any inspected cage of surf clams are less than 4.75 inches 
(12.065 cm) in length, all cages landed by the same vessel from the same 
trip are deemed to be in violation of the minimum size restriction.
    (c) Suspension. Upon the recommendation of the MAFMC, the Regional 
Administrator may suspend annually, by publication in the Federal 
Register, the minimum shell-height standard, unless discard, catch, and 
survey data indicate that 30 percent of the surf clams are smaller than 
4.75 inches (12.065 cm) and the overall reduced shell height is not 
attributable to beds where the growth of individual surf clams has been 
reduced because of density dependent factors.
    (d) Measurement. Length is measured at the longest dimension of the 
surf clam shell.



Sec. 648.73  Closed areas.

    (a) Areas closed because of environmental degradation. Certain areas 
are closed to all surf clam and ocean quahog fishing because of adverse 
environmental conditions. These areas will remain closed until the 
Assistant Administrator determines that the adverse environmental 
conditions no longer exist. If additional areas are identified by the 
Assistant Administrator as being contaminated by the introduction or 
presence of hazardous materials or pollutants, they may be closed by the 
Assistant Administrator in accordance with paragraph (c) of this 
section. The areas closed are:
    (1) Boston Foul Ground. The waste disposal site known as the 
``Boston Foul Ground'' and located at 42[deg]25[min]36[sec] N. lat., 
70[deg]35[min]00[sec] W. long., with a radius of 1 nautical mile in 
every direction from that point.
    (2) New York Bight. The polluted area and waste disposal site known 
as the ``New York Bight'' and located at 40[deg]25[min]04[sec] N. lat., 
73[deg]42[min]38[sec] W. long., and with a radius of 6 nm in every 
direction from that point, extending further northwestward, westward and 
southwestward between a line from a point on the arc at 
40[deg]31[min]00[sec] N. lat., 73[deg]43[min]38[sec] W. long., directly 
northward toward Atlantic Beach Light in New York to

[[Page 454]]

the limit of the state territorial waters of New York; and a line from 
the point on the arc at 40[deg]19[min]48[sec] N. lat., 
73[deg]45[min]42[sec] W. long., to a point at the limit of the state 
territorial waters of New Jersey at 40[deg]14[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
73[deg]55[min]42[sec] W. long.
    (3) 106 Dumpsite. The toxic industrial site known as the ``106 
Dumpsite[sec] and located between 38[deg]40[min]00[sec] and 
39[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. lat., and between 72[deg]00[min]00[sec] and 
72[deg]30[min]00[sec] W. long.
    (4) Georges Bank. The paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) 
contaminated area, which is located in Georges Bank, and is located east 
of 69[deg] W. longitude, and south of 42[deg]20[min] N. latitude.
    (b) Areas closed because of small surf clams. Areas may be closed 
because they contain small surf clams.
    (1) Closure. The Assistant Administrator may close an area to surf 
clams and ocean quahog fishing if he/she determines, based on logbook 
entries, processors' reports, survey cruises, or other information, that 
the area contains surf clams of which:
    (i) Sixty percent or more are smaller than the minimum size (4.5 
inches (11.43 cm)); and
    (ii) Not more than 15 percent are larger than 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) 
in size.
    (2) Reopening. The Assistant Administrator may reopen areas or parts 
of areas closed under paragraph (b)(1) of this section if he/she 
determines, based on survey cruises or other information, that:
    (i) The average length of the dominant (in terms of weight) size 
class in the area to be reopened is equal to or greater than 4.75 inches 
(12.065 cm); or
    (ii) The yield or rate of growth of the dominant shell-height class 
in the area to be reopened would be significantly enhanced through 
selective, controlled, or limited harvest of surf clams in the area.
    (c) Procedure. (1) The Regional Administrator may hold a public 
hearing on the proposed closure or reopening of any area under paragraph 
(a) or (b) of this section. The Assistant Administrator shall publish 
notification in the Federal Register of any proposed area closure or 
reopening, including any restrictions on harvest in a reopened area. 
Comments on the proposed closure or reopening may be submitted to the 
Regional Administrator within 30 days after publication. The Assistant 
Administrator shall consider all comments and publish the final 
notification of closure or reopening, and any restrictions on harvest, 
in the Federal Register. Any adjustment to harvest restrictions in a 
reopened area shall be made by notification in the Federal Register. The 
Regional Administrator shall send notice of any action under this 
paragraph (c)(1) to each surf clam and ocean quahog processor and to 
each surf clam and ocean quahog permit holder.
    (2) If the Regional Administrator determines, as the result of 
testing by state, Federal, or private entities, that a closure of an 
area under paragraph (a) of this section is necessary to prevent any 
adverse effects fishing may have on the public health, he/she may close 
the area for 60 days by publication of notification in the Federal 
Register, without prior comment or public hearing. If an extension of 
the 60-day closure period is necessary to protect the public health, the 
hearing and notice requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
shall be followed.
    (d) Areas closed due to the presence of paralytic shellfish 
poisoning toxin--(1) Maine mahogany quahog zone. The Maine mahogany 
quahog zone is closed to fishing for ocean quahogs except in those areas 
of the zone that are tested by the State of Maine and deemed to be 
within the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program and 
adopted by the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference as acceptable 
limits for the toxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning. 
Harvesting is allowed in such areas during the periods specified by the 
Maine Department of Marine Resources during which quahogs are safe for 
human consumption. For information regarding these areas contact the 
State of Maine Division of Marine Resources at (207-624-6550).
    (2) [Reserved]

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 14649, Mar. 27, 1997; 62 
FR 37156, July 11, 1997; 63 FR 27485, May 19, 1998; 64 FR 57594, Oct. 
26, 1999; 70 FR 2026, Jan. 12, 2005]



Sec. 648.74  Shucking at sea.

    (a) Observers. (1) The Regional Administrator may allow the shucking 
of

[[Page 455]]

surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea if he/she determines that an observer 
carried aboard the vessel can measure accurately the total amount of 
surf clams and ocean quahogs harvested in the shell prior to shucking.
    (2) Any vessel owner may apply in writing to the Regional 
Administrator to shuck surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea. The 
application shall specify: Name and address of the applicant, permit 
number of the vessel, method of calculating the amount of surf clams or 
ocean quahogs harvested in the shell, vessel dimensions and 
accommodations, and length of fishing trip.
    (3) The Regional Administrator shall provide an observer to any 
vessel owner whose application is approved. The owner shall pay all 
reasonable expenses of carrying the observer on board the vessel.
    (4) Any observer shall certify at the end of each trip the amount of 
surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell by the vessel. Such 
certification shall be made by the observer's signature on the daily 
fishing log required by Sec. 648.7.
    (b) Conversion factor. (1) Based on the recommendation of the MAFMC, 
the Regional Administrator may allow shucking at sea of surf clams or 
ocean quahogs, with or without an observer, if he/she determines a 
conversion factor for shucked meats to calculate accurately the amount 
of surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell.
    (2) The Regional Administrator shall publish notification in the 
Federal Register specifying a conversion factor together with the data 
used in its calculation for a 30-day comment period. After consideration 
of the public comments and any other relevant data, the Regional 
Administrator may publish final notification in the Federal Register 
specifying the conversion factor.
    (3) If the Regional Administrator makes the determination specified 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, he/she may authorize the vessel 
owner to shuck surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea. Such authorization 
shall be in writing and be carried aboard the vessel.



Sec. 648.75  Cage identification.

    Except as provided in Sec. 648.76, the following cage 
identification requirements apply to all vessels issued a Federal 
fishing permit for surf clams and ocean quahogs:
    (a) Tagging. Before offloading, all cages that contain surf clams or 
ocean quahogs must be tagged with tags acquired annually under paragraph 
(b) of this section. A tag must be fixed on or as near as possible to 
the upper crossbar of the cage for every 60 ft \3\ (1,700 L), or portion 
thereof, of the cage. A tag or tags must not be removed until the cage 
is emptied by the processor, at which time the processor must promptly 
remove and retain the tag(s) for collection or disposal as specified by 
the Regional Administrator.
    (b) Issuance. The Regional Administrator will issue a supply of tags 
to each individual allocation owner qualifying for an allocation under 
Sec. 648.70 prior to the beginning of each fishing year, or he/she may 
specify, in the Federal Register, a vendor from whom the tags shall be 
purchased. The number of tags will be based on the owner's initial 
allocation as specified in Sec. 648.70(a). Each tag represents 32 bu 
(1,700 L) of allocation.
    (c) Expiration. Tags will expire at the end of the fishing year for 
which they are issued, or if rendered null and void in accordance with 
15 CFR part 904.
    (d) Return. Tags that have been rendered null and void must be 
returned to the Regional Administrator, if possible.
    (e) Loss. Loss or theft of tags must be reported by the owner, 
numerically identifying the tags to the Regional Administrator by 
telephone as soon as the loss or theft is discovered and in writing 
within 24 hours. Thereafter, the reported tags shall no longer be valid 
for use under this part.
    (f) Replacement. Lost or stolen tags may be replaced by the Regional 
Administrator if proper notice of the loss is provided by the person to 
whom the tags were issued. Replacement tags may be purchased from the 
Regional Administrator or a vendor with a written authorization from the 
Regional Administrator.
    (g) Transfer. See Sec. 648.70(b)(2).

[[Page 456]]

    (h) Presumptions. Surf clams and ocean quahogs found in cages 
without a valid state tag are deemed to have been harvested in the EEZ 
and to be part of an individual's allocation, unless the individual 
demonstrates that he/she has surrendered his/her Federal vessel permit 
issued under Sec. 648.4(a)(4) and conducted fishing operations 
exclusively within waters under the jurisdiction of any state. Surf 
clams and ocean quahogs in cages with a Federal tag or tags, issued and 
still valid pursuant to this section, affixed thereto are deemed to have 
been harvested by the individual allocation holder to whom the tags were 
issued under Sec. 648.75(b) or transferred under Sec. 648.70(b).

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 27485, May 19, 1998; 68 
FR 69974, Dec. 16, 2003]



Sec. 648.76  Maine mahogany quahog zone.

    (a) Landing requirements. (1) A vessel issued a valid Maine mahogany 
quahog permit pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(4)(i), and fishing for or 
possessing ocean quahogs within the Maine mahogany quahog zone, must 
land its catch in the State of Maine.
    (2) A vessel fishing under an individual allocation permit, 
regardless of whether it has a Maine mahogany quahog permit, fishing for 
or possessing ocean quahogs within the zone, may land its catch in the 
State of Maine, or, consistent with applicable state law in any other 
state that utilizes food safety-based procedures including sampling and 
analyzing for PSP toxin consistent with those food safety-based 
procedures used by the State of Maine for such purpose, and must comply 
with all requirements in Sec. Sec. 648.70 and 648.75. Documentation 
required by the state and other laws and regulations applicable to food 
safety-based procedures must be made available by federally-permitted 
dealers for inspection by NMFS .
    (b) Quota monitoring and closures--(1) Catch quota. (i) The annual 
quota for harvest of mahogany quahogs from within the Maine mahogany 
quahog zone is 100,000 Maine bushels (35,150 hL). The quota may be 
revised annually within the range of 17,000 and 100,000 Maine bushels 
(5,975 and 35,150 hL) following the procedures set forth in Sec. 
648.71.
    (ii) All mahogany quahogs landed for sale in Maine by vessels issued 
a Maine mahogany quahog permit and not fishing for an individual 
allocation of ocean quahogs under Sec. 648.70 shall be applied against 
the Maine mahogany quahog quota, regardless of where the mahogany 
quahogs are harvested.
    (iii) All mahogany quahogs landed by vessels fishing in the Maine 
mahogany quahog zone for an individual allocation of quahogs under Sec. 
648.70 will be counted against the ocean quahog allocation for which the 
vessel is fishing.
    (iv) The Regional Administrator will monitor the quota based on 
dealer reports and other available information and shall determine the 
date when the quota will be harvested. NMFS shall publish notification 
in the Federal Register advising the public that, effective upon a 
specific date, the Maine mahogany quahog quota has been harvested and 
notifying vessel and dealer permit holders that no Maine mahogany quahog 
quota is available for the remainder of the year.
    (2) Maine Mahogany Quahog Advisory Panel. The Council shall 
establish a Maine Mahogany Quahog Advisory Panel consisting of 
representatives of harvesters, dealers, and the Maine Department of 
Marine Resources. The Advisory Panel shall make recommendations, through 
the Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Committee of the Council, regarding 
revisions to the annual quota and other management measures.

[63 FR 27485, May 19, 1998]



Sec. 648.77  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    (a) Within season management action. The Council, at any time, may 
initiate action to add or adjust management measures within the Atlantic 
Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog FMP if it finds that action is necessary to 
meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the plan.
    (1) Adjustment process. The Council shall develop and analyze 
appropriate management actions over the span of at least two Council 
meetings. The Council must provide the public with advance notice of the 
availability of

[[Page 457]]

the recommendation(s), appropriate justification(s) and economic and 
biological analyses, and the opportunity to comment on the proposed 
adjustment(s) at the first meeting, and prior to and at the second 
Council meeting. The Council's recommendations on adjustments or 
additions to management measures must come from one or more of the 
following categories: The overfishing definition (both the threshold and 
target levels), description and identification of EFH (and fishing gear 
management measures that impact EFH), habitat areas of particular 
concern, set-aside quota for scientific research, VMS, OY range, and 
suspension or adjustment of the surfclam minimum size limit.
    (2) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts, and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, it must consider at least the following factors, and provide 
support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether the regulations would have to be in place for 
an entire harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) NMFS action. If the Council's recommendation includes 
adjustments or additions to management measures and, after reviewing the 
Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in 
the Federal Register.
    (ii) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as 
a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional public 
comment, if NMFS concurs with the Council recommendation, the measures 
will be issued as a final rule and published in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Council will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (4) Emergency actions. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 57594, Oct. 26, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 69974, Dec. 16, 2003]



   Subpart F_Management Measures for the NE Multispecies and Monkfish 
                                Fisheries



Sec. 648.80  NE Multispecies regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and methods of fishing.

    Except as provided in Sec. 648.17, all vessels must comply with the 
following minimum mesh size, gear and methods of fishing requirements, 
unless otherwise exempted or prohibited.
    (a) Gulf of Maine (GOM) and GB Regulated Mesh Areas--(1) GOM 
Regulated Mesh Area. The GOM Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a map 
depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request) is that area:
    (i) Bounded on the east by the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

[[Page 458]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G1...............................  (\1\)               (\1\)
G2...............................  43[deg]58[min]      67[deg]22[min]
G3...............................  42[deg]53.1[min]    67[deg]44.4[min]
G4...............................  42[deg]31[min]      67[deg]28.1[min]
CII3.............................  42[deg]22[min]      67[deg]20[min]
                                                        \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of the shoreline and the U.S.-Canada Maritime
  Boundary.
\2\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

    (ii) Bounded on the south by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CII3.............................  42[deg]22[min]      67[deg]20[min]
                                                        \1\
G6...............................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]20[min]
G7...............................  42[deg]20[min]      69[deg]30[min]
G8...............................  42[deg]00[min]      69[deg]30[min]
G9...............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\2\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\2\ The intersection of the Cape Cod, MA, coastline and 42[deg]00[min]
  N. lat.

    (2) GB Regulated Mesh Area. The GB Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a 
map depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request) is that area:
    (i) Bounded on the north by the southern boundary of the GOM 
Regulated Mesh Area as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section; 
and
    (ii) Bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Approximate loran C
                Point                          N. lat.                W. long.                  bearings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CII3.................................  42[deg]22[min]          67[deg]20[min]          (\1\)
SNE1.................................  40[deg]24[min]          65[deg]43[min]          (\2\)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\2\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary as it intersects with the EEZ.

    (iii) Bounded on the west by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G12..............................  (\1\)               70[deg]00[min]
G11..............................  40[deg]50[min]      70[deg]00[min]
NL1..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]40[min]
NL2..............................  40[deg]18.7[min]    69[deg]40[min]
NL3..............................  40[deg]22.7[min]    69[deg]00[min]
                                   (\2\)               69[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod.
\2\ Southward to its intersection with the EEZ.

    (3) GOM Regulated Mesh Area minimum mesh size and gear 
restrictions--(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(i) and (vi) of this section, and unless otherwise restricted 
under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for 
any trawl net, except midwater trawl, on a vessel or used by a vessel 
fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GOM 
Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-
cm) square mesh, applied throughout the body and extension of the net, 
or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh or 
square mesh applied to the codend of the net as defined in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, provided the vessel complies with 
the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (A) For vessels greater than 45 ft (13.7 m) in length overall, a 
diamond mesh codend is defined as the first 50 meshes counting from the 
terminus of the net, and a square mesh codend is defined as the first 
100 bars counting from the terminus of the net.
    (B) For vessels 45 ft (13.7 m) or less in length overall, a diamond 
mesh codend is defined as the first 25 meshes counting from the terminus 
of the net, and a square mesh codend is defined as the first 50 bars 
counting from the terminus of the net.
    (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (vi) of this section, 
and unless otherwise restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this 
section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, 
or purse seine on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under

[[Page 459]]

a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area 
is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh 
applied throughout the net, or any combination thereof, provided the 
vessel complies with the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this 
section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets 
smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to 
vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are 
fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, 
on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the Large-mesh 
DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(4), is 8.5-inch (21.6-cm) 
diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
    (iv) Gillnet vessels--(A) Trip gillnet vessels--(1) Mesh size. 
Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(iv) and (vi) of this section, 
and unless otherwise restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this 
section, for vessels that obtain an annual designation as a Trip gillnet 
vessel, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet when fishing under a 
DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 
6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
    (2) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 
m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length.
    (B) Day gillnet vessels--(1) Mesh size. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (a)(3)(iv) and (vi) of this section, and unless otherwise 
restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, for vessels that 
obtain an annual designation as a Day gillnet vessel, the minimum mesh 
size for any sink gillnet when fishing under a DAS in the NE 
multispecies DAS program in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches 
(16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to 
nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq 
ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE 
multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (2) Number of nets. A day gillnet vessel fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS and fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area may not fish 
with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 50 roundfish sink gillnets or 
100 flatfish (tie-down) sink gillnets, each of which must be tagged 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section, except as provided 
in Sec. 648.92(b)(8)(i). Vessels may fish any combination of roundfish 
and flatfish gillnets up to 100 nets, and may stow additional nets not 
to exceed 160 nets, counting deployed nets.
    (3) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 
m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length.
    (4) Tags. Roundfish nets must be tagged with two tags per net, with 
one tag secured to each bridle of every net, within a string of nets, 
and flatfish nets must have one tag per net, with one tag secured to 
every other bridle of every net within a string of nets. Gillnet vessels 
must also abide by the tagging requirements in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) 
of this section.
    (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. Tags must be obtained as described 
in Sec. 648.4(c)(2)(iii), and vessels must have on board written 
confirmation issued by the Regional Administrator, indicating that the 
vessel is a Day gillnet vessel or a Trip gillnet vessel. The vessel 
operator must produce all net tags upon request by an authorized 
officer. A vessel may have tags on board in excess of the number of tags 
corresponding to the allowable number of nets, provided such tags are 
onboard the vessel and can be made available for inspection.
    (1) Lost tags. Vessel owners or operators are required to report 
lost, destroyed, and missing tag numbers as soon as feasible after tags 
have been discovered lost, destroyed or missing, by letter or fax to the 
Regional Administrator.

[[Page 460]]

    (2) Replacement tags. Vessel owners or operators seeking replacement 
of lost, destroyed, or missing tags must request replacement of tags by 
letter or fax to the Regional Administrator. A check for the cost of the 
replacement tags must be received by the Regional Administrator before 
tags will be re-issued.
    (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(v) of this section, vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies 
limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and 
vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Vessel 
permit, in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are 
prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or 
possessing on board the vessel, more than 2,000 rigged hooks. All 
longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An 
unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line 
of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement hook and is 
not counted toward the 2,000-hook limit. A ``snap-on'' hook is deemed to 
be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. The use of de-
hookers (``crucifer'') with less than 6-inch (15.2-cm) spacing between 
the fairlead rollers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE 
multispecies limited access Hook Gear permit and fishing under a 
multispecies DAS in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such 
vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on 
board the vessel. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited 
access Handgear A permit are prohibited from fishing, or possessing on 
board the vessel, gear other than handgear. Vessels fishing with tub-
trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per 
day, or possessing on board the vessel more than 250 hooks.
    (vi) Other restrictions and exemptions. Vessels are prohibited from 
fishing in the GOM or GB Exemption Area as defined in paragraph (a)(17) 
of this section, except if fishing with exempted gear (as defined under 
this part) or under the exemptions specified in paragraphs (a)(5) 
through (7), (a)(9) through (14), (d), (e), (h), and (i) of this 
section; or if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS; or if fishing under 
the Small Vessel or Handgear A exemptions specified in Sec. 
648.82(b)(5) and (6), respectively; or if fishing under the scallop 
state waters exemptions specified in Sec. 648.54 and paragraph (a)(11) 
of this section; or if fishing under a scallop DAS in accordance with 
paragraph (h) of this section; or if fishing pursuant to a NE 
multispecies open access Charter/Party or Handgear permit, or if fishing 
as a charter/party or private recreational vessel in compliance with the 
regulations specified in Sec. 648.89. Any gear on a vessel, or used by 
a vessel, in this area must be authorized under one of these exemptions 
or must be stowed as specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (vii) Rockhopper and roller gear restrictions. For all trawl vessels 
fishing in the GOM/GB Inshore Restricted Roller Gear Area, the diameter 
of any part of the trawl footrope, including discs, rollers, or 
rockhoppers, must not exceed 12 inches (30.5 cm). The GOM/GB Inshore 
Restricted Roller Gear Area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                   Inshore Restricted Roller Gear Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GM2..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\2\)
GM3..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\3\)
GM23.............................  42[deg]00[min]      69[deg]50[min]
GM24.............................  43[deg]00[min]      69[deg]50[min]
GM11.............................  43[deg]00[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM17.............................  43[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM18.............................  43[deg]30[min]      (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ Maine shoreline.

    (viii) Other restrictions and exemptions. Vessels are prohibited 
from fishing in the GOM/GB Exemption Area as defined in paragraph 
(a)(17) of this section, except if fishing with exempted gear (as 
defined under this part) or under the exemptions specified in paragraphs 
(a)(5) through (7), (a)(9) through (16), (a)(18), (d), (e), (h), and (i) 
of this section; or if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS; or if 
fishing under the Small Vessel or Handgear A exemptions specified in 
Sec. 648.82(u)(5) and (6), respectively; or if fishing under a scallop 
DAS in accordance with paragraph

[[Page 461]]

(h) of this section; or if fishing pursuant to a NE multispecies open 
access Charter/Party or Handgear permit, or if fishing as a charter/
party or private recreational vessel in compliance with the regulations 
specified in Sec. 648.89. Any gear on a vessel, or used by a vessel, in 
this area must be authorized under one of these exemptions or must be 
stowed as specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (4) GB regulated mesh area minimum mesh size and gear restrictions--
(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of 
this section, and this paragraph (a)(4)(i), and unless otherwise 
restricted under paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh 
size for any trawl net, except midwater trawl, and the minimum mesh size 
for any trawl net when fishing in that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh 
Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as described in paragraph 
(b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for immediate 
use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel 
fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GB 
Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-
cm) square mesh applied throughout the body and extension of the net, or 
any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh or square 
mesh applied to the codend of the net as defined under paragraph 
(a)(3)(i) of this section, provided the vessel complies with the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This restriction 
does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 
ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been 
issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in 
state waters.
    (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of this section, and this 
paragraph (a)(4)(ii), and unless otherwise restricted under paragraph 
(a)(4)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish 
seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, and the minimum mesh size for any 
Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, when fishing in that 
portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption 
Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not 
stowed and available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE 
multispecies DAS program in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-
cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout 
the net, or any combination thereof, provided the vessel complies with 
the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, and the 
minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, when fishing in 
that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE 
Exemption Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that 
is not stowed and available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(5), is 8.5-inch 
(21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (iv) Gillnet vessels. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of 
this section and this paragraph (a)(4)(iv), for Day and Trip gillnet 
vessels, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet, and the minimum 
mesh size for any roundfish or flatfish gillnet when fishing in that 
portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption 
Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not 
stowed and available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), when fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program 
in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the 
entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of

[[Page 462]]

nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or 
to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that 
are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS and fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh Area may not fish 
with nets longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length.
    (B) Day gillnet vessels--(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS and fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh 
Area may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 50 nets, 
except as provided in Sec. 648.92(b)(8)(i).
    (2) Net size requirements. Vessels may fish any combination of 
roundfish and flatfish gillnets, up to 50 nets. Such vessels, in 
accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), may stow additional nets not to exceed 
150, counting the deployed net. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 
m).
    (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish nets must be tagged with two tags 
per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a 
string of nets.
    (4) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of 
this section.
    (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless otherwise specified in this 
paragraph (a)(4)(v), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies 
limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and 
vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Vessel 
permit, in the GB Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are 
prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel 
and prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or 
possessing on board the vessel, more than 3,600 rigged hooks. All 
longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An 
unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line 
of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement hook and is 
not counted toward the 3,600-hook limit. A ``snap-on'' hook is deemed to 
be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. The use of de-
hookers (``crucifer'') with less than 6-inch (15.2-cm) spacing between 
the fairlead rollers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE 
multispecies limited access Hook gear permit and fishing under a 
multispecies DAS in the GB Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such 
vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on 
board the vessel. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited 
access Handgear A permit are prohibited from fishing or possessing on 
board the vessel, gear other than hand gear. Vessels fishing with tub-
trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per 
day, or possessing on board the vessel more than 250 hooks.
    (vi) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraph 
(a)(3)(viii) of this section, and this paragraph (a)(4)(vi), and unless 
otherwise restricted under paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, the 
minimum mesh size for any trawl net, except midwater trawl, and the 
minimum mesh size for any trawl net when fishing in that portion of the 
GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as 
described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and 
available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), on a 
vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies 
DAS program in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond 
mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout the body and 
extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) 
diamond mesh or square mesh applied to the codend of the net as defined 
under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, provided the vessel complies 
with the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (vii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(viii) of this section, and this 
paragraph (a)(4)(vii), and unless otherwise restricted under paragraph 
(a)(4)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish 
seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, and the minimum mesh size for any 
Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, when fishing in that 
portion of the GB Regulated Mesh

[[Page 463]]

Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as described in paragraph 
(b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for immediate 
use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel 
fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GB 
Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-
cm) square mesh applied throughout the net, or any combination thereof, 
provided the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(3)(vii) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or 
pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 
sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit 
and that are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (viii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, and the 
minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, when fishing in 
that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE 
Exemption Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that 
is not stowed and available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(u)(5), is 8.5-inch 
(21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (ix) Gillnet vessels. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(viii) 
of this section and this paragraph (a)(4)(iv), for Day and Trip gillnet 
vessels, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet, and the minimum 
mesh size for any roundfish or flatfish gillnet when fishing in that 
portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption 
Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not 
stowed and available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), when fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program 
in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the 
entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets 
smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to 
vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are 
fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (5) Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption. Vessels subject to 
the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in this paragraph (a) may 
fish for, harvest, possess, or land northern shrimp in the GOM, GB, SNE, 
and MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as described under paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), (b)(1), and (c)(1) of this section, respectively, with nets with 
a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, if the vessel 
complies with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(5)(i) through (iii) of 
this section.
    (i) Restrictions on fishing for, possessing, or landing fish other 
than shrimp. An owner or operator of a vessel fishing in the northern 
shrimp fishery under the exemption described in this paragraph (a)(5) 
may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other 
than shrimp, except for the following, with the restrictions noted, as 
allowable incidental species: Longhorn sculpin; combined silver hake and 
offshore hake--up to an amount equal to the total weight of shrimp 
possessed on board or landed, not to exceed 3,500 lb (1,588 kg); and 
American lobster--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on 
board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less, unless otherwise restricted by 
landing limits specified in Sec. 697.17 of this chapter. Silver hake 
and offshore hake on board a vessel subject to this possession limit 
must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be 
readily available for inspection.
    (ii) Requirement to use a finfish excluder device (FED). A vessel 
must have a rigid or semi-rigid grate consisting of parallel bars of not 
more than 1-inch (2.54-cm) spacing that excludes all fish and other 
objects, except those that are small enough to pass between its bars 
into the codend of the trawl, secured in the trawl, forward of the 
codend, in such a manner that it precludes the passage of fish or other 
objects into the codend without the fish or objects having to first pass 
between

[[Page 464]]

the bars of the grate, in any net with mesh smaller than the minimum 
size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section. The net 
must have an outlet or hole to allow fish or other objects that are too 
large to pass between the bars of the grate to exit the net. The 
aftermost edge of this outlet or hole must be at least as wide as the 
grate at the point of attachment. The outlet or hole must extend forward 
from the grate toward the mouth of the net. A funnel of net material is 
allowed in the lengthening piece of the net forward of the grate to 
direct catch towards the grate. (Copies of a schematic example of a 
properly configured and installed FED are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request.)
    (iii) Time restrictions. A vessel may only fish under this exemption 
during the northern shrimp season, as established by the Commission and 
announced in the Commission's letter to participants.
    (6) Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area. Vessels subject 
to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) and 
(4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets in the 
Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area with a mesh size smaller 
than the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the 
requirements specified in paragraph (a)(6)(i) of this section. The 
Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area (copies of a map 
depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

             Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C1...............................  42[deg]10[min]      68[deg]10[min]
C2...............................  41[deg]30[min]      68[deg]41[min]
CI4..............................  41[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
C3...............................  41[deg]12.8[min]    68[deg]30[min]
C4...............................  41[deg]05[min]      68[deg]20[min]
C5...............................  41[deg]55[min]      67[deg]40[min]
C1...............................  42[deg]10[min]      68[deg]10[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Cultivator Shoal 
Whiting Fishery Exemption Area under this exemption must have on board a 
valid letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator.
    (B) An owner or operator of a vessel fishing in this area may not 
fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
whiting and offshore hake combined--up to a maximum of 30,000 lb (13,608 
kg), except for the following, with the restrictions noted, as allowable 
incidental species: Herring; longhorn sculpin; squid; butterfish; 
Atlantic mackerel; dogfish; red hake; monkfish and monkfish parts--up to 
10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or up to 50 lb (23 
kg) tail-weight/166 lb (75 kg) whole-weight of monkfish per trip, as 
specified in Sec. 648.94(c)(4), whichever is less; and American 
lobster--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 
200 lobsters, whichever is less, unless otherwise restricted by landing 
limits specified in Sec. 697.17 of this chapter.
    (C) Counting from the terminus of the net, all nets must have a 
minimum mesh size of 3-inch (7.6-cm) square or diamond mesh applied to 
the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels 
greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and applied to the first 50 meshes 
(100 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels less than or equal to 
60 ft (18.3 m) in length.
    (D) Fishing is confined to a season of June 15 through October 31, 
unless otherwise specified by notification in the Federal Register.
    (E) When a vessel is transiting through the GOM or GB Regulated Mesh 
Areas specified under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, any 
nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh specified in 
paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section must be stowed in accordance 
with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b), unless the vessel 
is fishing for small-mesh multispecies under another exempted fishery 
specified in this paragraph (a).
    (F) A vessel fishing in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery 
Exemption Area may fish for small-mesh multispecies in exempted 
fisheries outside of the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption 
Area, provided that the vessel complies with the more restrictive gear, 
possession limit, and other requirements specified in the regulations of 
that exempted fishery for the entire

[[Page 465]]

participation period specified on the vessel's letter of authorization 
and consistent with paragraph (a)(15)(i)(G) of this section.
    (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Administrator shall conduct periodic 
sea sampling to determine if there is a need to change the area or 
season designation, and to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species, 
especially haddock.
    (iii) Annual review. The NEFMC shall conduct an annual review of 
data to determine if there are any changes in area or season designation 
necessary, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator following the procedures specified in Sec. 648.90.
    (7) Transiting. (i) Vessels fishing in the Small Mesh Area 1/Small 
Mesh Area 2 fishery, as specified in paragraph (a)(9) of this section, 
may transit through the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area as 
specified in paragraph (a)(11) of this section with nets of mesh size 
smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) 
of this section, provided that the nets are stowed and not available for 
immediate use in accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 
648.23(b). Vessels fishing in the Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery, as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, may transit through the 
GOM, GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as described in paragraphs 
(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and (c)(1) of this section, respectively, with 
nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in 
paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (c)(2) of this section, provided 
the nets are stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance 
with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (ii) Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified 
in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may transit through the 
Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Areas defined in paragraphs (a)(11) and 
(18) of this section with nets on board with a mesh size smaller than 
the minimum size specified, provided that the nets are stowed in 
accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b), and 
provided the vessel has no fish on board.
    (iii) Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may transit 
through the GOM and GB Regulated Mesh Areas defined in paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (2) of this section with nets on board with a mesh size smaller than 
the minimum mesh size specified and with small mesh exempted species on 
board, provided that the following conditions are met:
    (A) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size 
specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section are stowed in 
accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (B) A letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator 
is on board.
    (C) Vessels do not fish for, possess on board, or land any fish, 
except when fishing in the areas specified in paragraphs (a)(6), 
(a)(10), (a)(15), (b), and (c) of this section. Vessels may retain 
exempted small-mesh species as provided in paragraphs (a)(6)(i), 
(a)(10)(i), (a)(15)(i), (b)(3), and (c)(3) of this section.
    (8) Addition or deletion of exemptions--(i) Exemption allowing no 
incidental catch of regulated multispecies. An exemption may be added in 
an existing fishery for which there are sufficient data or information 
to ascertain the amount of incidental catch of regulated species, if the 
Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, determines 
that the percentage of regulated species caught as incidental catch is, 
or can be reduced to, less than 5 percent, by weight, of total catch, 
unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(8)(i), and that such 
exemption will not jeopardize fishing mortality objectives. The 5-
percent regulated species incidental catch standard could be modified 
for a stock that is not in an overfished condition, or if overfishing is 
not occurring on that stock. When considering modifications of the 
standard, it must be shown that the change will not delay a rebuilding 
program, or result in overfishing or an overfished condition. In 
determining whether exempting a fishery may jeopardize meeting fishing 
mortality objectives, the Regional Administrator may take into 
consideration various factors including, but not

[[Page 466]]

limited to, juvenile mortality, sacrifices in yield that will result 
from that mortality, the ratio of target species to regulated species, 
status of stock rebuilding, and recent recruitment of regulated species. 
A fishery can be defined, restricted, or allowed by area, gear, season, 
or other means determined to be appropriate to reduce incidental catch 
of regulated species. Notification of additions, deletions, or 
modifications will be made through issuance of a rule in the Federal 
Register.
    (ii) Exemption allowing incidental catch of regulated species. An 
exemption may be added in an existing fishery that would allow vessels 
to retain and land regulated multispecies, under the restrictions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(8)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section, if 
the Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, considers 
the status of the regulated species stock or stocks caught in the 
fishery, the risk that this exemption would result in a targeted 
regulated species fishery, the extent of the fishery in terms of time 
and area, and the possibility of expansion in the fishery. Incidental 
catch in exempted fisheries under this paragraph (a)(8)(ii) are subject, 
at a minimum, to the following restrictions:
    (A) A prohibition on the possession of regulated multispecies that 
are overfished or where overfishing is occurring;
    (B) A prohibition on the possession of regulated species in NE 
multispecies closure areas; and
    (C) A prohibition on allowing an exempted fishery to occur that 
would allow retention of a regulated multispecies stock under an ongoing 
rebuilding program, unless it can be determined that the catch of the 
stock in the exempted fishery is not likely to result in exceeding the 
rebuilding mortality rate.
    (iii) For exemptions allowing no incidental catch of regulated 
species, as defined under paragraph (a)(8)(i) of this section, the NEFMC 
may recommend to the Regional Administrator, through the framework 
procedure specified in Sec. 648.90(b), additions or deletions to 
exemptions for fisheries, either existing or proposed, for which there 
may be insufficient data or information for the Regional Administrator 
to determine, without public comment, percentage catch of regulated 
species. For exemptions allowing incidental catch of regulated species, 
as defined under paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this section, the NEFMC may 
recommend to the Regional Administrator, through the framework procedure 
specified in Sec. 648.90(b), additions or deletions to exemptions for 
fisheries, either existing or proposed, for which there may be 
insufficient data or information for the Regional Administrator to 
determine, without public comment, the risk that this exemption would 
result in a targeted regulated species fishery, the extent of the 
fishery in terms of time and area, and the possibility of expansion in 
the fishery.
    (iv) Incidental catch in exempted fisheries authorized under this 
paragraph (a)(8) are subject, at a minimum, to the following 
restrictions:
    (A) With the exception of fisheries authorized under paragraph 
(a)(8)(ii) of this section, a prohibition on the possession of regulated 
species;
    (B) A limit on the possession of monkfish or monkfish parts of 10 
percent, by weight, of all other species on board or as specified by 
Sec. 648.94(c)(3), (4), (5) or (6), as applicable, whichever is less;
    (C) A limit on the possession of lobsters of 10 percent, by weight, 
of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less; and
    (D) A limit on the possession of skate or skate parts in the SNE 
Exemption Area described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section of 10 
percent, by weight, of all other species on board.
    (9) Small Mesh Area 1/Small Mesh Area 2--(i) Description. (A) Unless 
otherwise prohibited in Sec. 648.81, a vessel subject to the minimum 
mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this 
section may fish with or possess nets with a mesh size smaller than the 
minimum size, provided the vessel complies with the requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) or (a)(9)(ii) of this section, and Sec. 
648.86(d), from July 15 through November 15, when fishing in Small Mesh 
Area 1; and from January 1 through June 30, when fishing in

[[Page 467]]

Small Mesh Area 2. While lawfully fishing in these areas with mesh 
smaller than the minimum size, an owner or operator of any vessel may 
not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than: 
Silver hake and offshore hake--up to the amounts specified in Sec. 
648.86(d), butterfish, dogfish, herring, Atlantic mackerel, scup, squid, 
and red hake.
    (B) Small-mesh Areas 1 and 2 are defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart 
depicting these areas are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request):

                            Small Mesh Area I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM1..............................  43[deg]03[min]      70[deg]27[min]
SM2..............................  42[deg]57[min]      70[deg]22[min]
SM3..............................  42[deg]47[min]      70[deg]32[min]
SM4..............................  42[deg]45[min]      70[deg]29[min]
SM5..............................  42[deg]43[min]      70[deg]32[min]
SM6..............................  42[deg]44[min]      70[deg]39[min]
SM7..............................  42[deg]49[min]      70[deg]43[min]
SM8..............................  42[deg]50[min]      70[deg]41[min]
SM9..............................  42[deg]53[min]      70[deg]43[min]
SM10.............................  42[deg]55[min]      70[deg]40[min]
SM11.............................  42[deg]59[min]      70[deg]32[min]
SM1..............................  43[deg]03[min]      70[deg]27[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Small Mesh Area II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM13.............................  43[deg]05.6[min]    69[deg]55[min]
SM14.............................  43[deg]10.1[min]    69[deg]43.3[min]
SM15.............................  42[deg]49.5[min]    69[deg]40[min]
SM16.............................  42[deg]41.5[min]    69[deg]40[min]
SM17.............................  42[deg]36.6[min]    69[deg]55[min]
SM13.............................  43[deg]05.6[min]    69[deg]55[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Raised footrope trawl. Vessels fishing with trawl gear must 
configure it in such a way that, when towed, the gear is not in contact 
with the ocean bottom. Vessels are presumed to be fishing in such a 
manner if their trawl gear is designed as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(9)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section and is towed so that it does 
not come into contact with the ocean bottom.
    (A) Eight-inch (20.3-cm) diameter floats must be attached to the 
entire length of the headrope, with a maximum spacing of 4 ft (122.0 cm) 
between floats.
    (B) The ground gear must all be bare wire not larger than \1/2\-inch 
(1.2-cm) for the top leg, not larger than \5/8\-inch (1.6-cm) for the 
bottom leg, and not larger than \3/4\-inch (1.9-cm) for the ground 
cables. The top and bottom legs must be equal in length, with no 
extensions. The total length of ground cables and legs must not be 
greater than 40 fathoms (73 m) from the doors to wingends.
    (C) The footrope must be longer than the length of the headrope, but 
not more than 20 ft (6.1 m) longer than the length of the headrope. The 
footrope must be rigged so that it does not contact the ocean bottom 
while fishing.
    (D) The raised footrope trawl may be used with or without a chain 
sweep. If used without a chain sweep, the drop chains must be a maximum 
of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) diameter bare chain and must be hung from the 
center of the footrope and each corner (the quarter, or the junction of 
the bottom wing to the belly at the footrope). Drop chains must be hung 
at intervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) along the footrope from the corners to the 
wing ends. If used with a chain sweep, the sweep must be rigged so it is 
behind and below the footrope, and the footrope is off the bottom. This 
is accomplished by having the sweep longer than the footrope and having 
long drop chains attaching the sweep to the footrope at regular 
intervals. The forward end of the sweep and footrope must be connected 
to the bottom leg at the same point. This attachment, in conjunction 
with the headrope flotation, keeps the footrope off the bottom. The 
sweep and its rigging, including drop chains, must be made entirely of 
bare chain with a maximum diameter of \5/16\ inches (0.8 cm). No 
wrapping or cookies are allowed on the drop chains or sweep. The total 
length of the sweep must be at least 7 ft (2.1 m) longer than the total 
length of the footrope, or 3.5 ft (1.1 m) longer on each side. Drop 
chains must connect the footrope to the sweep chain, and the length of 
each drop chain must be at least 42 inches (106.7 cm). One drop chain 
must be hung from the center of the footrope to the center of the sweep, 
and one drop chain must be hung from each corner. The attachment points 
of each drop chain on the sweep and the footrope must be the same 
distance from the center drop chain attachments. Drop chains must be 
hung at intervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) from the corners toward the wing ends. 
The distance of the drop

[[Page 468]]

chain that is nearest the wing end to the end of the footrope may differ 
from net to net. However, the sweep must be at least 3.5 ft (1.1 m) 
longer than the footrope between the drop chain closest to the wing ends 
and the end of the sweep that attaches to the wing end.
    (10) Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area. Vessels 
subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraph 
(a)(3) or paragraph (a)(4) of this section may fish with, use, or 
possess nets of mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in the 
Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area, if the vessel complies 
with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(10)(i) of this section. 
The Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area (copies of a map 
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

                 Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NS1..............................  41[deg]45[min]      70[deg]00[min]
NS2..............................  41[deg]45[min]      69[deg]20[min]
NS3..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]20[min]
Cl1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
NS5..............................  41[deg]26.5[min]    69[deg]20[min]
NS6..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]20[min]
NS7..............................  40[deg]50[min]      70[deg]00[min]
NS1..............................  41[deg]45[min]      70[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Shoals 
Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area, under the exemption, must have on board 
a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator and may 
not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
dogfish, except as provided under paragraph (a)(10)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (B) Fishing is confined to June 1 through October 15.
    (C) When transiting the GOM or GB Regulated Mesh Areas, specified 
under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, any nets with a mesh 
size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) 
and (4) of this section must be stowed and unavailable for immediate use 
in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (D) Incidental species provisions. The following species may be 
possessed and landed, with the restrictions noted, as allowable 
incidental species in the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption 
Area: Longhorn sculpin; silver hake--up to 200 lb (90.7 kg); monkfish 
and monkfish parts--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on 
board or up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail-weight/166 lb (75 kg) whole-weight of 
monkfish per trip, as specified in Sec. 648.94(c)(4), whichever is 
less; American lobster--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other 
species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less, unless otherwise 
restricted by landing limits specified in Sec. 697.17 of this chapter; 
and skate or skate parts--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other 
species on board.
    (E) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery 
Exemption Area, under the exemption, must comply with any additional 
gear restrictions specified in the letter of authorization issued by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Administrator may conduct periodic 
sea sampling to determine if there is a need to change the area or 
season designation, and to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species.
    (11) GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited 
in Sec. 648.81, vessels with a limited access scallop permit that have 
declared out of the DAS program as specified in Sec. 648.10, or that 
have used up their DAS allocations, and vessels issued a General 
Category scallop permit, may fish in the GOM Scallop Dredge Fishery 
Exemption Area when not under a NE multispecies DAS, providing the 
vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(11)(i) 
of this section. The GOM Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area is 
defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request):

                    GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM1..............................  41[deg]35[min]      70[deg]00[min]
SM2..............................  41[deg]35[min]      69[deg]40[min]
SM3..............................  42[deg]49.5[min]    69[deg]40[min]
SM4..............................  43[deg]12[min]      69[deg]00[min]
SM5..............................  43[deg]41[min]      68[deg]00[min]
G2...............................  43[deg]58[min]      67[deg]22[min]

[[Page 469]]

 
G1...............................  (\1\)               (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Northward along the irregular U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to the
  shoreline.

    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the GOM Scallop Dredge 
Fishery Exemption Area specified in this paragraph (a)(11) may not fish 
for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than Atlantic 
sea scallops.
    (B) The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board, 
vessels fishing in the GOM Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area may not 
exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the 
dredge.
    (C) The exemption does not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Area or 
the Western GOM Area Closure specified in Sec. 648.81(d) and (e).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (12) Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemption Area. A 
vessel may fish with a dredge in the Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea 
Urchin Dredge Exemption Area, provided that any dredge on board the 
vessel does not exceed 8 ft (2.4 m), measured at the widest point in the 
bail of the dredge, and the vessel does not fish for, harvest, possess, 
or land any species of fish other than mussels and sea urchins. The area 
coordinates of the Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge 
Exemption Area are the same coordinates as those of the Nantucket Shoals 
Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area specified in paragraph (a)(10) of this 
section.
    (13) GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area. 
Unless otherwise prohibited in Sec. 648.81, a vessel may fish with 
gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption 
Area when not under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with 
the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(13)(i) of this section. The 
GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  N. lat.                             W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41[deg]35[min]............................  70[deg]00[min]
42[deg]49.5[min]..........................  70[deg]00[min]
42[deg]49.5[min]..........................  69[deg]40[min]
43[deg]12[min]............................  69[deg]00[min]
(\1\).....................................  69[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Due north to Maine shoreline.

    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may not 
fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
monkfish, or lobsters in an amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of 
the total catch on board, or 200 lobsters, whichever is less.
    (B) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 10-inch (25.4-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net.
    (C) Fishing is confined to July 1 through September 14.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (14) GOM/GB Dogfish Gillnet Exemption. Unless otherwise prohibited 
in Sec. 648.81, a vessel may fish with gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish 
and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not under a NE 
multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with the requirements specified 
in paragraph (a)(14)(i) of this section. The area coordinates of the 
GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area are specified 
in paragraph (a)(13) of this section.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may not 
fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
dogfish, or lobsters in an amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of 
the total catch on board, or 200 lobsters, whichever is less.
    (B) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net.
    (C) Fishing is confined to July 1 through August 31.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (15) Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. Vessels subject 
to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or 
(4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets in the Raised 
Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area with a mesh size smaller than the 
minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraph (a)(15)(i) of this section. This exemption does 
not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Areas or the Western GOM Area 
Closure specified in Sec. 648.81(d) and (e). The Raised Footrope Trawl 
Whiting Fishery Area (copies of

[[Page 470]]

a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

          Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area
                    [September 1 through November 20]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RF 1.............................  42[deg]14.05[min]   70[deg]08.8[min]
RF 2.............................  42[deg]09.2[min]    69[deg]47.8[min]
RF 3.............................  41[deg]54.85[min]   69[deg]35.2[min]
RF 4.............................  41[deg]41.5[min]    69[deg]32.85[min]
RF 5.............................  41[deg]39[min]      69[deg]44.3[min]
RF 6.............................  41[deg]45.6[min]    69[deg]51.8[min]
RF 7.............................  41[deg]52.3[min]    69[deg]52.55[min]
RF 8.............................  41[deg]55.5[min]    69[deg]53.45[min]
RF 9.............................  42[deg]08.35[min]   70[deg]04.05[min]
RF 10............................  42[deg]04.75[min]   70[deg]16.95[min]
RF 11............................  42[deg]00[min]      70[deg]13.2[min]
RF 12............................  42[deg]00[min]      70[deg]24.1[min]
RF 13............................  42[deg]07.85[min]   70[deg]30.1[min]
RF 1.............................  42[deg]14.05[min]   70[deg]08.8[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area
                    [November 21 through December 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RF 1.............................  42[deg]14.05[min]   70[deg]08.8[min]
RF 2.............................  42[deg]09.2[min]    69[deg]47.8[min]
RF 3.............................  41[deg]54.85[min]   69[deg]35.2[min]
RF 4.............................  41[deg]41.5[min]    69[deg]32.85[min]
RF 5.............................  41[deg]39[min]      69[deg]44.3[min]
RF 6.............................  41[deg]45.6[min]    69[deg]51.8[min]
RF 7.............................  41[deg]52.3[min]    69[deg]52.55[min]
RF 8.............................  41[deg]55.5[min]    69[deg]53.45[min]
RF 9.............................  42[deg]08.35[min]   70[deg]04.05[min]
RF 1.............................  42[deg]14.05[min]   70[deg]08.8[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl 
Whiting Fishery under this exemption must have on board a valid letter 
of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator. To obtain a 
letter of authorization, vessel owners must write to or call during 
normal business hours the Northeast Region Permit Office and provide the 
vessel name, owner name, permit number, and the desired period of time 
that the vessel will be enrolled. Since letters of authorization are 
effective the day after they are requested, vessel owners should allow 
appropriate processing and mailing time. To withdraw from a category, 
vessel owners must write to or call the Northeast Region Permit Office. 
Withdrawals are effective the day after the date of request. Withdrawals 
may occur after a minimum of 7 days of enrollment.
    (B) All nets must be no smaller than a minimum mesh size of 2.5-inch 
(6.35-cm) square or diamond mesh, subject to the restrictions as 
specified in paragraph (a)(15)(i)(D) of this section. An owner or 
operator of a vessel enrolled in the raised footrope whiting fishery may 
not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
whiting and offshore hake, subject to the applicable possession limits 
as specified in Sec. 648.86, except for the following allowable 
incidental species: Red hake, butterfish, dogfish, herring, mackerel, 
scup, and squid.
    (C) [Reserved]
    (D) All nets must comply with the minimum mesh sizes specified in 
paragraphs (a)(15)(i)(B) of this section. Counting from the terminus of 
the net, the minimum mesh size is applied to the first 100 meshes (200 
bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus of the net for 
vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and is applied to the 
first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus 
of the net for vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) in length.
    (E) Raised footrope trawl gear is required and must be configured as 
specified in paragraphs (a)(9)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section.
    (F) Fishing may only occur from September 1 through November 20 of 
each fishing year, except that it may occur in the eastern portion only 
of the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area from 
November 21 through December 31 of each fishing year.
    (G) A vessel enrolled in the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery 
may fish for small-mesh multispecies in exempted fisheries outside of 
the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery exemption area, provided that 
the vessel complies with the more restrictive gear, possession limit and 
other requirements specified in the regulations of that exempted fishery 
for the entire participation period specified on the vessel's letter of 
authorization. For example, a vessel may fish in both the Raised 
Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery and the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery 
Exemption Area, and would be restricted to a minimum mesh size of 3

[[Page 471]]

inches (7.6 cm), as required in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery 
Exemption Area; the use of the raised footrope trawl; and the catch and 
bycatch restrictions of the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery, 
except for scup.
    (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Administrator shall conduct periodic 
sea sampling to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species.
    (16) GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. 
Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with, use, and possess 
in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area from July 1 
through November 30 of each year, nets with a mesh size smaller than the 
minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraphs (a)(16)(i) and (ii) of this section. The GOM 
Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Area (copies of a chart 
depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

     GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area
                      [July 1 through November 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRF1.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]35.4[min]
GRF2.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GRF3.............................  43[deg]25.2[min]    70[deg]00[min]
GRF4.............................  43[deg]41.8[min]    69[deg]20[min]
GRF5.............................  43[deg]58.8[min]    69[deg]20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Mesh requirements and possession restrictions. (A) All nets must 
comply with a minimum mesh size of 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) square or diamond 
mesh, subject to the restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(B) 
of this section. An owner or operator of a vessel participating in the 
GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery may not fish 
for, possess on board, or land any species of fish, other than whiting 
and offshore hake, subject to the applicable possession limits as 
specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(C) of this section, except for the 
following allowable incidental species: Red hake, butterfish, herring, 
mackerel, squid, and alewife.
    (B) All nets must comply with the minimum mesh size specified in 
paragraph (a)(16)(i)(A) of this section. Counting from the terminus of 
the net, the minimum mesh size is applied to the first 100 meshes (200 
bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus of the net for 
vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and is applied to the 
first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus 
of the net for vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) in length.
    (C) An owner or operator of a vessel participating in the GOM Grate 
Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery may fish for, possess, 
and land combined silver hake and offshore hake only up to 7,500 lb 
(3,402 kg). An owner or operator fishing with mesh larger than the 
minimum mesh size specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(A) of this section 
may not fish for, possess, or land silver hake or offshore hake in 
quantities larger than 7,500 lb (3,402 kg).
    (ii) Gear specifications. In addition to the requirements specified 
in paragraph (a)(16)(i) of this section, an owner or operator of a 
vessel fishing in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting 
Fishery must configure the vessel's trawl gear as specified in 
paragraphs (a)(16)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section.
    (A) An owner or operator of a vessel fishing in the GOM Grate Raised 
Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery must configure the vessel's 
trawl gear with a raised footrope trawl as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(9)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. In addition, the restrictions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(16)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section apply to 
vessels fishing in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting 
Fishery.
    (B) The raised footrope trawl must be used without a sweep of any 
kind (chain, roller frame, or rockhopper). The drop chains must be a 
maximum of \3/8\-inch (0.95 cm) diameter bare chain and must be hung 
from the center of the footrope and each corner (the quarter, or the 
junction of the bottom wing to the belly at the footrope). Drop chains 
must be at least 42 inches (106.7

[[Page 472]]

cm) in length and must be hung at intervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) along the 
footrope from the corners to the wing ends.
    (C) The raised footrope trawl net must have a rigid or semi-rigid 
grate consisting of parallel bars of not more than 50 mm (1.97 inches) 
spacing that excludes all fish and other objects, except those that are 
small enough to pass between its bars into the codend of the trawl. The 
grate must be secured in the trawl, forward of the codend, in such a 
manner that it precludes the passage of fish or other objects into the 
codend without the fish or objects having to first pass between the bars 
of the grate. The net must have an outlet or hole to allow fish or other 
objects that are too large to pass between the bars of the grate to exit 
the net. The aftermost edge of this outlet or hole must be at least as 
wide as the grate at the point of attachment. The outlet or hole must 
extend forward from the grate toward the mouth of the net. A funnel of 
net material is allowed in the lengthening piece of the net forward of 
the grate to direct catch towards the grate.
    (iii) Annual review. On an annual basis, the Groundfish PDT will 
review data from this fishery, including sea sampling data, to determine 
whether adjustments are necessary to ensure that regulated species 
bycatch remains at a minimum. If the Groundfish PDT recommends 
adjustments to ensure that regulated species bycatch remains at a 
minimum, the Council may take action prior to the next fishing year 
through the framework adjustment process specified in Sec. 648.90(b), 
and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (17) GOM/GB Exemption Area--Area definition. The GOM/GB Exemption 
Area (copies of a map depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request) is that area:
    (i) Bounded on the east by the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                Gulf of Maine Georges Bank Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G1...............................  (\1\)               (\1\)
G2...............................  43[deg]58[min]      67[deg]22[min]
G3...............................  42[deg]53.1[min]    67[deg]44.4[min]
G4...............................  42[deg]31[min]      67[deg]28.1[min]
G5...............................  41[deg]18.6[min]    66[deg]24.8[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The intersection of the shoreline and the U.S.-Canada Maritime
  Boundary

    (ii) Bounded on the south by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. lat.         W. long.               Approximate loran C bearings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G6............................  40[deg]55.5[min  66[deg]38[min]  5930-Y-30750 and 9960-Y-43500.
                                 ]
G7............................  40[deg]45.5[min  68[deg]00[min]  9960-Y-43500 and 68[deg]00[min] W. lat.
                                 ]
G8............................  40[deg]37[min]   68[deg]00[min]  9960-Y-43450 and 68[deg]00[min] W. lat.
G9............................  40[deg]30[min]   69[deg]00[min]
NL3...........................  40[deg]22.7[min  69[deg]00[min]
                                 ]
NL2...........................  40[deg]18.7[min  69[deg]40[min]
                                 ]
NL1...........................  40[deg]50[min]   69[deg]40[min]
G11...........................  40[deg]50[min]   70[deg]00[min]
G12...........................  ...............  70[deg]00[min]
                                                  \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of mainland Massachusetts.

    (18) Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Vessels 
issued a limited access scallop permit that have declared out of the DAS 
program as specified in Sec. 648.10, or that have used up their DAS 
allocations, and vessels issued a General Category scallop permit, may 
fish in the Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area as defined 
under paragraph (a)(18)(i) of this section, when not under a NE 
multispecies or scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the 
requirements specified in paragraph (a)(18)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Area Definition. The Great South Channel Scallop Dredge 
Exemption Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting the area are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

[[Page 473]]



            Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                       N. lat.         W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSC 1..................................  42[deg]06 [min]       69[deg]40
                                                                   [min]
GSC 2..................................  41[deg]30 [min]       69[deg]10
                                                                   [min]
GSC 3..................................  41[deg]30 [min]       69[deg]23
                                                                   [min]
GSC 4..................................  40[deg]50 [min]     68[deg]49.2
                                                                   [min]
GSC 5..................................  40[deg]50 [min]    69[deg]29.46
                                                                   [min]
GSC 6..................................  41[deg]10 [min]       69[deg]50
                                                                   [min]
GSC 7..................................  41[deg]10 [min]       70[deg]00
                                                                   [min]
GSC 8..................................  41[deg]35 [min]       70[deg]00
                                                                   [min]
GSC 9..................................  41[deg]35 [min]       69[deg]40
                                                                   [min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Great South Channel 
Scallop Dredge Exemption Area specified in this paragraph (a)(18) may 
not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than 
Atlantic sea scallops.
    (B) The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board, 
vessels fishing in the Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area 
may not exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m), measured at the widest point in the bail 
of the dredge.
    (C) GSC SNE/GB Yellowtail Flounder Peak Spawning Closure. No vessel 
that qualifies under this exemption, as defined in this paragraph 
(a)(18), may fish for or possess Atlantic sea scallops in the part of 
the Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area that lies within 
the SNE and GB yellowtail flounder stock areas (statistical areas 525 
and 526) between April 1 and June 30, as defined by the straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated below.

             GSC SNE/GB Yellowtail Flounder Spawning Closure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                      N. lat.          W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
YTA 1................................  41[deg]20         70[deg]00 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 2................................  41[deg]20         69[deg]50 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 3................................  41[deg]10         69[deg]50 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 4................................  41[deg]10         69[deg]30 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 5................................  41[deg]00         69[deg]30 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 6................................  41[deg]00            68[deg]57.58
                                        [min]                      [min]
YTA 7................................  40[deg]50            68[deg]49.20
                                        [min]                      [min]
YTA 8................................  40[deg]50            69[deg]29.46
                                        [min]                      [min]
YTA 9................................  41[deg]10         69[deg]50 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 10...............................  41[deg]10         70[deg]00 [min]
                                        [min]
YTA 11...............................  \(1)\             70[deg]00 [min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of south-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and
  70[deg]00 [min] W. Long.

    (D) GSC CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Peak Spawning Closure. No vessel 
that qualifies under this exemption, as defined in this paragraph 
(a)(18), may fish for or possess Atlantic sea scallops in the part of 
the Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area that lies within 
the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area (statistical area 521) between 
June 1 and June 30 of each year, as defined by the straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated below.

             GSC CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Spawning Closure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                       N. lat.         W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
YTB 1..................................  41[deg]33.05          70[deg]00
                                          [min]                    [min]
YTB 2..................................  41[deg]20 [min]       70[deg]00
                                                                   [min]
YTB 3..................................  41[deg]20 [min]       69[deg]50
                                                                   [min]
YTB 4..................................  41[deg]10 [min]       69[deg]50
                                                                   [min]
YTB 5..................................  41[deg]10 [min]       69[deg]30
                                                                   [min]
YTB 6..................................  41[deg]00 [min]       69[deg]30
                                                                   [min]
YTB 7..................................  41[deg]00 [min]    68[deg]57.58
                                                                   [min]
YTB 8..................................  41[deg]30 [min]       69[deg]23
                                                                   [min]
YTB 9..................................  41[deg]30 [min]       69[deg]10
                                                                   [min]
YTB 10.................................  42[deg]06 [min]       69[deg]40
                                                                   [min]
YTB 11.................................  41[deg]35 [min]       69[deg]40
                                                                   [min]
YTB 12.................................  41[deg]35 [min]       70[deg]00
                                                                   [min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Southern New England (SNE) Regulated Mesh Area--(1) Area 
definition. The SNE Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a map depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request) is that 
area:
    (i) Bounded on the east by the western boundary of the GB Regulated 
Mesh Area described under paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section; and
    (ii) Bounded on the west by a line beginning at the intersection of 
74[deg]00[min] W. long. and the south facing shoreline of Long Island, 
NY, and then running southward along the 74[deg]00[min] W. long. line.
    (2) Gear restrictions--(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided 
in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (vi) of this section, and unless otherwise 
restricted under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh 
size for any trawl net, not stowed and not available for immediate use 
in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), except midwater trawl, on a vessel 
or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS 
program in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh 
or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh, applied throughout the body and 
extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) 
square mesh or, 7-inch (17.8-cm) diamond mesh applied to the codend of 
the net, as defined under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. This

[[Page 474]]

restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (vi) of this section, 
the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse 
seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with 
Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in 
the NE multispecies DAS program in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch 
(15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied 
throughout the net, or any combination thereof. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
    (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, 
not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b) on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(4), is 8.5-inch 
(21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (iv) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet not stowed and not available for 
immediate use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), when fishing under a 
DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, 
is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters. Day gillnet vessels must also abide by the tagging requirements 
in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section.
    (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS and fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area may not fish 
with nets longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length.
    (B) Day gillnet vessels--(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS and fishing in the SNE Regulated 
Mesh Area may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 75 nets, 
except as provided in Sec. 648.92(b)(8)(i). Such vessels, in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b), may stow additional nets not to exceed 160, 
counting deployed nets.
    (2) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 
m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m), in length.
    (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish gillnets must be tagged with two 
tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a 
string of nets.
    (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of 
this section.
    (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless otherwise specified in this 
paragraph (b)(2)(v), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies 
limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and 
vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Vessel 
permit, in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are 
prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or 
possessing on board the vessel, more than 2,000 rigged hooks. All 
longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An 
unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line 
of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement hook and is 
not counted toward the 2,000-hook limit. A ``snap-on'' hook is deemed to 
be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. The use of de-
hookers (``crucifer'') with less than 6-inch (15.2-cm) spacing between 
the fairlead rollers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE 
multispecies limited access Hook Gear permit and fishing under a 
multispecies DAS in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such 
vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on 
board the vessel. Vessels fishing with a valid NE

[[Page 475]]

multispecies limited access Handgear A permit are prohibited from 
fishing, or possessing on board the vessel, gears other than handgear. 
Vessels fishing with tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, 
setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel 
more than 250 hooks.
    (vi) Other restrictions and exemptions. Vessels are prohibited from 
fishing in the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10) of 
this section, except if fishing with exempted gear (as defined under 
this part) or under the exemptions specified in paragraphs (b)(3), 
(b)(5) through (9), (b)(11), (c), (e), (h) and (i) of this section, or 
if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, if fishing under the Small 
Vessel or Handgear A exemptions specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(5) and 
(b)(6), respectively, or if fishing under a scallop state waters 
exemption specified in Sec. 648.54, or if fishing under a scallop DAS 
in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section, or if fishing under a 
General Category scallop permit in accordance with paragraphs 
(a)(11)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, or if fishing pursuant to a NE 
multispecies open access Charter/Party or Handgear permit, or if fishing 
as a charter/party or private recreational vessel in compliance with the 
regulations specified in Sec. 648.89. Any gear on a vessel, or used by 
a vessel, in this area must be authorized under one of these exemptions 
or must be stowed as specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (vii) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(i) and (x) of this section, and unless otherwise restricted under 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any 
trawl net, not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b), except midwater trawl, on a vessel or used by a 
vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the SNE 
Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-
cm) square mesh, applied throughout the body and extension of the net, 
or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh or 7-inch 
(17.8-cm) diamond mesh applied to the codend of the net, as defined 
under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. This restriction does not 
apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 
m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE 
multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (viii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse 
seine. Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (x) of this 
section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, 
or purse seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use in 
accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing 
under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the SNE Regulated Mesh 
Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh 
applied throughout the net, or any combination thereof. This restriction 
does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 
ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been 
issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in 
state waters.
    (ix) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, 
not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b) on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(u)(4), is 8.5-inch 
(21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have 
not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing 
exclusively in state waters.
    (x) Other restrictions and exemptions. Vessels are prohibited from 
fishing in the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10) of 
this section, except if fishing with exempted gear (as defined under 
this part) or under the exemptions specified in paragraphs (b)(3), 
(b)(5) through (9), (b)(11), (c), (e), (h), and (i) of this section, or 
if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, if fishing under the Small 
Vessel or Handgear A exemptions specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(u)(5) and 
(u)(6), respectively, or if fishing under a scallop state waters 
exemption specified in Sec. 648.54, or if fishing under a scallop DAS 
in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section,

[[Page 476]]

or if fishing under a General Category scallop permit in accordance with 
paragraphs (a)(11)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, or if fishing pursuant 
to a NE multispecies open access Charter/Party or Handgear permit, or if 
fishing as a charter/party or private recreational vessel in compliance 
with the regulations specified in Sec. 648.89. Any gear on a vessel, or 
used by a vessel, in this area must be authorized under one of these 
exemptions or must be stowed as specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (3) Exemptions--(i) Species exemptions. Owners and operators of 
vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section, may fish for, harvest, 
possess, or land butterfish, dogfish (trawl only), herring, Atlantic 
mackerel, ocean pout, scup, shrimp, squid, summer flounder, silver hake 
and offshore hake, and weakfish with nets of a mesh size smaller than 
the minimum size specified in the GB and SNE Regulated Mesh Areas when 
fishing in the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this 
section, provided such vessels comply with requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section and with the mesh size and 
possession limit restrictions specified under Sec. 648.86(d).
    (ii) Possession and net stowage requirements. Vessels may possess 
regulated species while in possession of nets with mesh smaller than the 
minimum size specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section 
when fishing in the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of 
this section, provided that such nets are stowed and are not available 
for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), and provided that 
regulated species were not harvested by nets of mesh size smaller than 
the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this 
section. Vessels fishing for the exempted species identified in 
paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section may also possess and retain the 
following species, with the restrictions noted, as incidental take to 
these exempted fisheries: Conger eels; sea robins; black sea bass; red 
hake; tautog (blackfish); blowfish; cunner; John Dory; mullet; bluefish; 
tilefish; longhorn sculpin; fourspot flounder; alewife; hickory shad; 
American shad; blueback herring; sea raven; Atlantic croaker; spot; 
swordfish; monkfish and monkfish parts--up to 10 percent, by weight, of 
all other species on board or up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail-weight/166 lb (75 
kg) whole weight of monkfish per trip, as specified in Sec. 
648.94(c)(4), whichever is less; American lobster--up to 10 percent, by 
weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is 
less; and skate and skate parts--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all 
other species on board.
    (4) Addition or deletion of exemptions. Same as in paragraph (a)(8) 
of this section.
    (5) SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl Exemption Area. Unless otherwise 
required or prohibited by monkfish or skate regulations under this part, 
a vessel may fish with trawl gear in the SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl 
Fishery Exemption Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS if 
the vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraph 
(b)(5)(i) of this section, and the monkfish and skate regulations, as 
applicable, under this part. The SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl Fishery 
Exemption Area is defined as the area bounded on the north by a line 
extending eastward along 40[deg]10[min] N. lat., and bounded on the west 
by the western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area as defined in 
paragraph (b)(10)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may only 
fish for, possess on board, or land monkfish and incidentally caught 
species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (B) All trawl nets must comply with the minimum mesh size specified 
under Sec. 648.91(c)(1)(i).
    (C) A vessel not operating under a multispecies DAS may fish for, 
possess on board, or land skates, provided:
    (1) The vessel is called into the monkfish DAS program (Sec. 
648.92) and complies with the skate possession limit restrictions at 
Sec. 648.322;
    (2) The vessel has an LOA on board to fish for skates as bait only, 
and complies with the requirements specified at Sec. 648.322(b); or
    (3) The vessel possesses and/or lands skates or skate parts in an 
amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of all

[[Page 477]]

other species on board as specified at paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (6) SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Exemption Area. Unless otherwise 
required by monkfish regulations under this part, a vessel may fish with 
gillnet gear in the SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Fishery Exemption 
Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel 
complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this 
section; the monkfish regulations, as applicable, under Sec. Sec. 
648.91 through 648.94; and the skate regulations, as applicable, under 
Sec. Sec. 648.4 and 648.322. The SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Fishery 
Exemption Area is defined by a line running from the Massachusetts 
shoreline at 41[deg]35[min] N. lat. and 70[deg]00[min] W. long., south 
to its intersection with the outer boundary of the EEZ, southwesterly 
along the outer boundary of the EEZ, and bounded on the west by the 
western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph 
(b)(10)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may only 
fish for, possess on board, or land monkfish and incidentally caught 
species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (B) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 10-inch (25.4-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net.
    (C) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size 
specified in paragraph (b)(6)(i)(B) of this section must be stowed as 
specified in Sec. 648.23(b).
    (D) A vessel not operating under a NE multispecies DAS may fish for, 
possess on board, or land skates, provided:
    (1) The vessel is called into the monkfish DAS program (Sec. 
648.92) and complies with the skate possession limit restrictions at 
Sec. 648.322;
    (2) The vessel has an Letter of Authorization on board to fish for 
skates as bait only, and complies with the requirements specified at 
Sec. 648.322(b); or
    (3) The vessel possesses and/or lands skates or skate parts in an 
amount not to exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on 
board as specified at paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (7) SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemption Area. Unless otherwise required by 
monkfish regulations under this part, a gillnet vessel may fish in the 
SNE Dogfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not operating under a NE 
multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with the requirements specified 
in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section and the applicable dogfish 
regulations under subpart L of this part. The SNE Dogfish Gillnet 
Fishery Exemption Area is defined by a line running from the 
Massachusetts shoreline at 41[deg]35[min] N. lat. and 70[deg]00[min] W. 
long., south to its intersection with the outer boundary of the EEZ, 
southwesterly along the outer boundary of the EEZ, and bounded on the 
west by the western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area as defined in 
paragraph (b)(10)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may only 
fish for, possess on board, or land dogfish and the bycatch species and 
amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (B) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 6-inch (15.2-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net.
    (C) Fishing is confined to May 1 through October 31.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (8) SNE Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemption. A vessel may fish 
with a dredge in the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10) 
of this section, provided that any dredge on board the vessel does not 
exceed 8 ft (2.4 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the 
dredge, and the vessel does not fish for, harvest, possess, or land any 
species of fish other than mussels and sea urchins.
    (9) SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area. A vessel may fish with 
gillnet gear in the SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area when not 
operating under a NE multispecies DAS with mesh size smaller than the 
minimum required in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, if the vessel complies 
with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(9)(i) of this section. 
The SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area is defined by a line running 
from the Rhode Island shoreline at 41[deg]18.2[min] N. lat. and 
71[deg]51.5[min] W. long. (Watch Hill, RI), southwesterly through 
Fishers Island, NY, to

[[Page 478]]

Race Point, Fishers Island, NY; and from Race Point, Fishers Island, NY, 
southeasterly to 41[deg]06.5[min] N. lat. and 71[deg]50.2[min] W. long.; 
east-northeastly through Block Island, RI, to 41[deg]15[min] N. lat. and 
71[deg]07[min] W. long.; then due north to the intersection of the RI-MA 
shoreline.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may fish 
only for, possess on board, or land little tunny and the allowable 
incidental species and amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section and, if applicable, paragraph (b)(9)(i)(B) of this section. 
Vessels fishing under this exemption may not possess regulated species.
    (B) A vessel may possess bonito as an allowable incidental species.
    (C) The vessel must have a letter of authorization issued by the 
Regional Administrator on board.
    (D) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 5.5-inch (14.0-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net.
    (E) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size 
specified in paragraph (b)(9)(i)(D) of this section must be stowed in 
accordance with one of the methods described under Sec. 648.23(b) while 
fishing under this exemption.
    (F) Fishing is confined to September 1 through October 31.
    (ii) The Regional Administrator shall conduct periodic sea sampling 
to evaluate the likelihood of gear interactions with protected 
resources.
    (10) SNE Exemption Area--Area definition. The SNE Exemption Area 
(copies of a map depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request) is that area:
    (i) Bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

                   Southern New England Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G5...............................  41[deg]18.6[min]    66[deg]24.8[min]
G6...............................  40[deg]55.5[min]    66[deg]38[min]
G7...............................  40[deg]45.5[min]    68[deg]00[min]
G8...............................  40[deg]37[min]      68[deg]00[min]
G9...............................  40[deg]30.5[min]    69[deg]00[min]
NL3..............................  40[deg]22.7[min]    69[deg]00[min]
NL2..............................  40[deg]18.7[min]    69[deg]40[min]
NL1..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]40[min]
G11..............................  40[deg]50[min]      70[deg]00[min]
G12..............................  ..................  70[deg]00[min]
                                                        \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of mainland
  Massachusetts.

    (ii) Bounded on the west by a line running from the Rhode Island 
shoreline at 41[deg]18.2[min] N. lat. and 71[deg]51.5[min] W. long. 
(Watch Hill, RI), southwesterly through Fishers Island, NY, to Race 
Point, Fishers Island, NY; and from Race Point, Fishers Island, NY; 
southeasterly to the intersection of the 3-nautical mile line east of 
Montauk Point; southwesterly along the 3-nautical mile line to the 
intersection of 72[deg]30[min] W. long.; and south along that line to 
the intersection of the outer boundary of the EEZ.
    (11) SNE Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited 
in Sec. 648.81, or 50 CFR part 648, subpart D, vessels with a limited 
access scallop permit that have declared out of the DAS program as 
specified in Sec. 648.10, or that have used up their DAS allocation, 
and vessels issued a General Category scallop permit, may fish in the 
SNE Scallop Dredge Exemption Area when not under a NE multispecies DAS, 
provided the vessel complies with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(11)(ii) of this section.
    (i) The SNE Scallop Dredge Exemption Area is that area (copies of a 
chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request):
    (A) Bounded on the west, south, and east by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sc1..............................  (\1\)               73[deg]00[min]
Sc2..............................  40[deg]00[min]      73[deg]00[min]
Sc3..............................  40[deg]00[min]      71[deg]40[min]
Sc4..............................  39[deg]50[min]      71[deg]40[min]
Sc5..............................  39[deg]50[min]      70[deg]00[min]
Sc6..............................  (\2\)               70[deg]00[min]
Sc7..............................  (\3\)               70[deg]00[min]
Sc8..............................  (\4\)               70[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ South facing shoreline of Long Island, NY.
\2\ South facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA.
\3\ North facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA.
\4\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.

    (B) Bounded on the northwest by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sc9..............................  41[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
Sc10.............................  41[deg]00[min]      71[deg]40[min]
Sc11.............................  (\2\)               71[deg]40[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ East facing shoreline of the south fork of Long Island, NY.
\2\ South facing shoreline of RI.


[[Page 479]]

    (ii) Exemption program requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the 
Scallop Dredge Exemption Area may not fish for, posses on board, or land 
any species of fish other than Atlantic sea scallops.
    (B) The combined dredge width in use by or in possession on board 
vessels fishing in the SNE Scallop Dredge Exemption Area shall not 
exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the 
dredge.
    (C) The minimum mesh size used in the twine top of scallop dredges 
must be 10 in (25.4 cm).
    (D) The exemption does not apply to the Nantucket Lightship Closed 
Area specified under Sec. 648.81(c).
    (c) Mid-Atlantic (MA) Regulated Mesh Area--(1) Area definition. The 
MA Regulated Mesh Area is that area bounded on the east by the western 
boundary of the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, described under paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (2) Gear restrictions--(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided 
in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any 
trawl net not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a 
DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the MA Regulated Mesh Area 
shall be that specified by Sec. 648.104(a), applied throughout the body 
and extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch 
(16.5-cm) diamond or square mesh applied to the codend of the net, as 
defined in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
    (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet, Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse 
seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with 
Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in 
the NE multispecies DAS program in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, shall be 
that specified in Sec. 648.104(a). This restriction does not apply to 
nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq 
ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE 
multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, 
not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(b)(4), is 7.5-inch 
(19.0-cm) diamond mesh or 8.0-inch (20.3-cm) square mesh, throughout the 
entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets 
smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to 
vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are 
fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (iv) Hook gear restrictions. Unless otherwise specified in this 
paragraph (c)(2)(iv), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies 
limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and 
vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small Vessel 
permit, in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are 
prohibited from using de-hookers (``crucifer'') with less than 6-inch 
(15.2-cm) spacing between the fairlead rollers. Vessels fishing with a 
valid NE multispecies limited access Hook gear permit and fishing under 
a NE multispecies DAS in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such 
vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on 
board the vessel and are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling 
back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 4,500 rigged 
hooks. An unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the 
ground line of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement 
hook and is not counted toward the 4,500-hook limit. A ``snap-on'' hook 
is deemed to be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. 
Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Handgear 
permit are prohibited from fishing, or possessing on board the vessel 
gears other than handgear. Vessels fishing with

[[Page 480]]

tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, 
per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 250 hooks.
    (v) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet, not stowed and not available for 
immediate use in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), when fishing under a 
DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, is 
6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does 
not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued 
a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
    (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS and fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh Area may not fish 
with nets longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length.
    (B) Day gillnet vessels--(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS and fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh 
Area, may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 75 nets, 
except as provided in Sec. 648.92(b)(8)(i). Such vessels, in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b), may stow additional nets not to exceed 160, 
counting deployed nets.
    (2) Net size requirement. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 
m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m), in length.
    (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish gillnets must be tagged with two 
tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a 
string of nets.
    (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of 
this section.
    (vi) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(vii) of this section, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet, Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse 
seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with 
Sec. 648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in 
the NE multispecies DAS program in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, shall be 
that specified in Sec. 648.104(a). This restriction does not apply to 
nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq 
ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE 
multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (vii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh 
Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, 
not stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b), on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the 
Large-mesh DAS program, specified in Sec. 648.82(u)(4), is 7.5-inch 
(19.0-cm) diamond mesh or 8.0-inch (20.3-cm) square mesh, throughout the 
entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets 
smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to 
vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are 
fishing exclusively in state waters.
    (3) Net stowage exemption. Vessels may possess regulated species 
while in possession of nets with mesh smaller than the minimum size 
specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, provided that such 
nets are stowed and are not available for immediate use in accordance 
with Sec. 648.23(b), and provided that regulated species were not 
harvested by nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size 
specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.
    (4) Addition or deletion of exemptions. See paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of 
this section.
    (5) MA Exemption Area. The MA Exemption Area is that area that lies 
west of the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this 
section.
    (d) Midwater trawl gear exempted fishery. Fishing may take place 
throughout the fishing year with midwater trawl gear of mesh size less 
than the applicable minimum size specified in this section, provided 
that:
    (1) Midwater trawl gear is used exclusively;
    (2) When fishing under this exemption in the GOM/GB Exemption Area, 
as defined in paragraph (a)(17) of this section, and in the area 
described in Sec. 648.81(c)(1), the vessel has on board a letter of 
authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, and complies with 
the following restrictions:
    (i) The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic 
herring, blueback herring, or mackerel in areas north of 42[deg]20[min] 
N. lat. and in the areas

[[Page 481]]

described in Sec. 648.81(a)(1), (b)(1), and (c)(1); and Atlantic 
herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or squid in all other areas south 
of 42[deg]20[min] N. lat.; and
    (ii) The vessel is issued a letter of authorization for a minimum of 
7 days.
    (3) The vessel carries a NMFS-approved sea sampler/observer, if 
requested by the Regional Administrator;
    (4) The vessel does not fish for, possess or land NE multispecies, 
except that Category 1 herring vessels may possess and land haddock or 
other regulated NE multispecies (cod, witch flounder, plaice, yellowtail 
flounder, pollock, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, redfish, and 
white hake) consistent with the incidental catch allowance and bycatch 
caps specified in Sec. 648.86(a)(3). Such haddock or other regulated NE 
multispecies may not be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or 
transferred, or attempted to be sold, purchased, received, traded, 
bartered, or transferred for, or intended for, human consumption. 
Haddock or other regulated NE multispecies that is separated out from 
the herring catch pursuant to Sec. 648.15(d) may not be sold, 
purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred, or attempted to 
be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for any 
purpose. Category 1 vessels may not discard haddock that has been 
brought on the deck or pumped into the hold.
    (5) To fish for herring under this exemption, vessels issued a 
Category 1 herring permit defined in Sec. 648.2 must provide notice to 
NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer 
deployment; telephone number for contact; and the date, time, and port 
of departure, at least 72 hr prior to beginning any trip into these 
areas for the purposes of observer deployment; and
    (6) All Category 1 herring vessels on a declared herring trip must 
notify NMFS Office of Law Enforcement through VMS of the time and place 
of offloading at least 6 hr prior to crossing the VMS demarcation line 
on their return trip to port or, for vessels that have not fished 
seaward of the VMS demarcation line, at least 6 hr prior to landing. The 
Regional Administrator may adjust the prior notification minimum time 
through publication of a notice in the Federal Register consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (e) Purse seine gear exempted fishery. Fishing may take place 
throughout the fishing year with purse seine gear of mesh size smaller 
than the applicable minimum size specified in this section, provided 
that:
    (1) The vessel uses purse seine gear exclusively;
    (2) When fishing under this exemption in the GOM/GB Exemption Area, 
as defined in paragraph (a)(17) of this section, the vessel has on board 
a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator and 
complies with the following:
    (i) The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic 
herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or menhaden; and
    (ii) The vessel must carry a NMFS-approved sea sampler/observer, if 
requested to do so by the Regional Administrator;
    (3) The vessel is issued a letter of authorization for a minimum of 
7 days, and cancels it only as instructed by the Regional Administrator; 
and
    (4) The vessel does not fish for, possess or land NE multispecies, 
except that Category 1 herring vessels may possess and land haddock or 
other regulated multispecies (cod, witch flounder, plaice, yellowtail 
flounder, pollock, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, redfish, and 
white hake) consistent with the incidental catch allowance and bycatch 
caps specified in Sec. 648.86(a)(3). Such haddock or other regulated 
multispecies may not be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or 
transferred, or attempted to be sold, purchased, received, traded, 
bartered, or transferred for, or intended for, human consumption. 
Haddock or other regulated multispecies that is separated out from the 
herring catch pursuant to Sec. 648.15(d) may not be sold, purchased, 
received, traded, bartered, or transferred, or attempted to be sold, 
purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for any purpose. 
Category 1 vessels may not discard haddock that has been brought on the 
deck or pumped into the hold.

[[Page 482]]

    (5) To fish for herring under this exemption, vessels issued a 
Category 1 herring permit as defined in Sec. 648.2 must provide notice 
to NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer 
deployment; telephone number for contact; and the date, time, and port 
of departure, at least 72 hr prior to beginning any trip into these 
areas for the purposes of observer deployment; and
    (6) All Category 1 herring vessels must notify NMFS Office of Law 
Enforcement through VMS of the time and place of offloading at least 6 
hr prior to crossing the VMS demarcation line on their return trip to 
port, or, for vessels that have not fished seaward of the VMS 
demarcation line, at least 6 hr prior to landing. The Regional 
Administrator may adjust the prior notification minimum time through 
publication of a notice in the Federal Register consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act.
    (f) Mesh measurements--(1) Gillnets. Mesh size of gillnet gear shall 
be measured by lining up 5 consecutive knots perpendicular to the float 
line and, with a ruler or tape measure, measuring 10 consecutive 
measures on the diamond, inside knot to inside knot. The mesh shall be 
the average of the measurements of 10 consecutive measures.
    (2) All other nets. With the exception of gillnets, mesh size shall 
be measured by a wedged-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm in 8 cm, and 
a thickness of 2.3 mm, inserted into the meshes under a pressure or pull 
of 5 kg.
    (i) Square-mesh measurement. Square mesh in the regulated portion of 
the net is measured by placing the net gauge along the diagonal line 
that connects the largest opening between opposite corners of the 
square. The square-mesh size is the average of the measurements of 20 
consecutive adjacent meshes from the terminus forward along the long 
axis of the net. The square mesh is measured at least five meshes away 
from the lacings of the net.
    (ii) Diamond-mesh measurement. Diamond mesh in the regulated portion 
of the net is measured running parallel to the long axis of the net. The 
diamond-mesh size is the average of the measurements of any series of 20 
consecutive meshes. The mesh is measured at least five meshes away from 
the lacings of the net.
    (g) Restrictions on gear and methods of fishing--(1) Net obstruction 
or constriction. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(5) of this section, 
a fishing vessel subject to minimum mesh size restrictions shall not use 
any device or material, including, but not limited to, nets, net 
strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing gear, on the top of a trawl net, 
except that one splitting strap and one bull rope (if present), 
consisting of line and rope no more than 3 in (7.6 cm) in diameter, may 
be used if such splitting strap and/or bull rope does not constrict, in 
any manner, the top of the trawl net. ``The top of the trawl net'' means 
the 50 percent of the net that (in a hypothetical situation) would not 
be in contact with the ocean bottom during a tow if the net were laid 
flat on the ocean floor. For the purpose of this paragraph, head ropes 
are not considered part of the top of the trawl net.
    (2) Net obstruction or constriction. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraph (g)(5) of this section, a fishing vessel may not use any mesh 
configuration, mesh construction, or other means on or in the top of the 
net subject to minimum mesh size restrictions, as defined in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this section, if it obstructs the meshes of the net in any 
manner.
    (ii) A fishing vessel may not use a net capable of catching NE 
multispecies if the bars entering or exiting the knots twist around each 
other.
    (3) Pair trawl prohibition. No vessel may fish for NE multispecies 
while pair trawling, or possess or land NE multispecies that have been 
harvested by means of pair trawling, except as authorized under 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (4) Brush-sweep trawl prohibition. No vessel may fish for, possess, 
or land NE multispecies while fishing with, or while in possession of, 
brush-sweep trawl gear.
    (5) Net strengthener restrictions when fishing for or possessing 
small-mesh multispecies--(i) Nets of mesh size less than 2.5 inches (6.4 
cm). A vessel lawfully fishing for small-mesh multispecies in the GOM/
GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh

[[Page 483]]

Areas, as defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, with 
nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.4-cm), as measured by 
methods specified in paragraph (f) of this section, may use net 
strengtheners (covers, as described at Sec. 648.23(d)), provided that 
the net strengthener for nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.4 
cm) complies with the provisions specified under Sec. 648.23(d).
    (ii) Nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) 
but less than 3 inches (7.6 cm). A vessel lawfully fishing for small-
mesh multispecies in the GOM/GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as 
defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, with nets with 
mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) but less than 3 
inches (7.6 cm) (as measured by methods specified in paragraph (f) of 
this section, and as applied to the part of the net specified in 
paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section) may use a net strengthener (i.e., 
outside net), provided the net strengthener does not have an effective 
mesh opening of less than 6 inches (15.2 cm), diamond or square mesh, as 
measured by methods specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The 
inside net (as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph 
(d)(1)(iv) of this section) must not be more than 2 ft (61 cm) longer 
than the outside net, must be the same circumference or smaller than the 
smallest circumference of the outside net, and must be the same mesh 
configuration (i.e., both square or both diamond mesh) as the outside 
net.
    (6) Gillnet requirements to reduce or prevent marine mammal takes--
(i) Requirements for gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies to 
reduce harbor porpoise takes. In addition to the requirements for 
gillnet fishing identified in this section, all persons owning or 
operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink gillnet gear and other 
gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, with the exception of 
single pelagic gillnets (as described in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)), must 
comply with the applicable provisions of the Harbor Porpoise Take 
Reduction Plan found in Sec. 229.33 of this title.
    (ii) Requirements for gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies to prevent large whale takes. In addition to the 
requirements for gillnet fishing identified in this section, all persons 
owning or operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink gillnet gear 
and other gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, with the 
exception of single pelagic gillnets (as described in Sec. 
648.81(f)(2)(ii)), must comply with the applicable provisions of the 
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan found in Sec. 229.32 of this 
title.
    (h) Scallop vessels. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) of 
this section, a scallop vessel that possesses a limited access scallop 
permit and either a NE multispecies Combination vessel permit or a 
scallop/multispecies possession limit permit, and that is fishing under 
a scallop DAS allocated under Sec. 648.53, may possess and land up to 
300 lb (136.1 kg) of regulated species per trip, provided that the 
amount of regulated species on board the vessel does not exceed the trip 
limits specified in Sec. 648.86, and provided the vessel has at least 
one standard tote on board, unless otherwise restricted by Sec. 
648.86(a)(2).
    (2) Combination vessels fishing under a NE multispecies DAS are 
subject to the gear restrictions specified in this section and may 
possess and land unlimited amounts of regulated species, unless 
otherwise restricted by Sec. 648.86. Such vessels may simultaneously 
fish under a scallop DAS.
    (i) State waters winter flounder exemption. Any vessel issued a NE 
multispecies permit may fish for, possess, or land winter flounder while 
fishing with nets of mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in 
paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c)(2) of this section, provided that:
    (1) The vessel has on board a certificate approved by the Regional 
Administrator and issued by the state agency authorizing the vessel's 
participation in the state's winter flounder fishing program and is in 
compliance with the applicable state laws pertaining to minimum mesh 
size for winter flounder.
    (2) Fishing is conducted exclusively in the waters of the state from 
which the certificate was obtained.
    (3) The state's winter flounder plan has been approved by the 
Commission

[[Page 484]]

as being in compliance with the Commission's winter flounder fishery 
management plan.
    (4) The state elects, by a letter to the Regional Administrator, to 
participate in the exemption program described by this section (for a 
particular fishing year).
    (5) The vessel does not enter or transit the EEZ.
    (6) The vessel does not enter or transit the waters of another 
state, unless such other state is participating in the exemption program 
described by this section and the vessel is enrolled in that state's 
program.
    (7) The vessel, when not fishing under the DAS program, does not 
fish for, possess, or land more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of winter 
flounder, and has at least one standard tote on board.
    (8) The vessel does not fish for, possess, or land any species of 
fish other than winter flounder and the exempted small-mesh species 
specified under paragraphs (a)(5)(i), (a)(9)(i), (b)(3), and (c)(4) of 
this section when fishing in the areas specified under paragraphs 
(a)(5), (a)(9), (b)(10), and (c)(5) of this section, respectively. 
Vessels fishing under this exemption in New York and Connecticut state 
waters and permitted to fish for skates may also possess and land skates 
in amounts not to exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on 
board.

[69 FR 22951, Apr. 27, 2004]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
648.80, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19374, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.80 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(3)(vi), (a)(4)(i) through (iv), 
(b)(2)(i) through (iii) and (vi), and (c)(2)(ii) and (iii); and adding 
paragraphs (a)(3)(viii), (a)(4)(vi) through (ix), (b)(2)(vii) through 
(x), and (c)(2)(vi) and (vii), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 
2006.



Sec. 648.81  NE multispecies closed areas and measures to protect EFH.

    (a) Closed Area I. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a fishing 
vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Closed Area I (copies 
of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(2) and (i) of this section:

                              Closed Area I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CI1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
CI2..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]45[min]
CI3..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CI4..............................  41[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CI1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Unless otherwise restricted under the EFH Closure(s) specified 
in paragraph (h) of this section, paragraph (a)(1) of this section does 
not apply to persons on fishing vessels or fishing vessels:
    (i) Fishing with or using pot gear designed and used to take 
lobsters, or pot gear designed and used to take hagfish, provided that 
there is no retention of regulated species and no other gear on board 
capable of catching NE multispecies;
    (ii) Fishing with or using pelagic longline gear or pelagic hook-
and-line gear, or harpoon gear, provided that there is no retention of 
regulated species, and provided that there is no other gear on board 
capable of catching NE multispecies;
    (iii) Fishing with pelagic midwater trawl gear, consistent with 
Sec. 648.80(d), provided that the Regional Administrator shall review 
information pertaining to the bycatch of regulated NE multispecies and, 
if the Regional Administrator determines, on the basis of sea sampling 
data or other credible information for this fishery, that the bycatch of 
regulated multispecies exceeds, or is likely to exceed, 1 percent of 
herring and mackerel harvested, by weight, in the fishery or by any 
individual fishing operation, the Regional Administrator may place 
restrictions and conditions in the letter of authorization for any or 
all individual fishing operations or, after consulting with the Council, 
suspend or prohibit any or all midwater trawl activities in the closed 
areas;
    (iv) Fishing with tuna purse seine gear, provided that there is no 
retention of NE multispecies, and provided there is no other gear on 
board gear capable of catching NE multispecies. If

[[Page 485]]

the Regional Administrator determines through credible information, that 
tuna purse seine vessels are adversely affecting habitat or NE 
multispecies stocks, the Regional Administrator may, through notice 
action, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, prohibit 
individual purse seine vessels or all purse seine vessels from the area; 
or
    (v) Fishing in a SAP, in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 
648.85(b).
    (vi) Fishing for scallops within the Closed Area I Access Area 
defined in Sec. 648.59(b)(3) during the season specified in Sec. 
648.59(b)(4), and pursuant to the provisions specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (b) Closed Area II. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a fishing 
vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Closed Area II 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section:

                             Closed Area II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C1I1.............................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]20[min]
C1I2.............................  41[deg]00[min]      66[deg]35.8[min]
G5...............................  41[deg]18.6[min]    66[deg]24.8[min]
                                                        \1\
C1I3.............................  42[deg]22[min]      67[deg]20[min]
                                                        \1\
C1I1.............................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]20[min]
                                                        \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

    (2) Unless otherwise restricted under the EFH Closure(s) specified 
in paragraph (h) of this section, paragraph (b)(1) of this section does 
not apply to persons on fishing vessels or fishing vessels--
    (i) Fishing with gears as described in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) through 
(iii), and (a)(2)(v) of this section;
    (ii) Fishing with tuna purse seine gear outside of the portion of CA 
II known as the Habitat Area of Particular Concern, as described in 
paragraph (h)(1)(v) of this section;
    (iii) Fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP or the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program as specified at Sec. 
648.85(b)(3)(ii) or (b)(8)(ii), respectively; or
    (iv) Transiting the area, provided the vessel's fishing gear is 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b); and
    (A) The operator has determined, and a preponderance of available 
evidence indicates, that there is a compelling safety reason; or
    (B) The vessel has declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as 
specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(ii) and is transiting CA II in 
accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(vii).
    (v) Fishing for scallops within the Closed Area II Access Area 
defined in Sec. 648.59(c)(3), during the season specified in Sec. 
648.59(c)(4), and pursuant to the provisions specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (c) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. (1) No fishing vessel or person 
on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as the 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area 
are available from the Regional Administrator upon request), as defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated, 
except as specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (i) of this section:

                     Nantucket Lightship Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G10..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]00[min]
CN1..............................  40[deg]20[min]      69[deg]00[min]
CN2..............................  40[deg]20[min]      70[deg]20[min]
CN3..............................  40[deg]5O[min]      70[deg]20[min]
G10..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Unless otherwise restricted under the EFH Closure(s) specified 
in paragraph (h) of this section, paragraph (c)(1) of this section does 
not apply to persons on fishing vessels or fishing vessels:
    (i) Fishing with gears as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section; or
    (ii) Classified as charter, party or recreational vessel, provided 
that:
    (A) If the vessel is a party or charter vessel, it has a letter of 
authorization issued by the Regional Administrator on board, which is 
valid from the date of issuance through a minimum duration of 7 days;
    (B) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the 
vessel are not sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of 
where the regulated species are caught; and
    (C) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline gear 
on board.
    (D) The vessel does not fish outside the Nantucket Lightship Closed 
Area

[[Page 486]]

during the period specified by the letter of authorization; or
    (iii) Fishing with or using dredge gear designed and used to take 
surfclams or ocean quahogs, provided that there is no retention of 
regulated species and no other gear on board capable of catching NE 
multispecies.
    (iv) Fishing for scallops within the Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
defined in Sec. 648.59(d)(3), during the season specified in Sec. 
648.59(d)(4), and pursuant to the provisions specified in Sec. 648.60.
    (d) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a 
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may 
be in, or on board a vessel in the area known as the Cashes Ledge 
Closure Area, as defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs (d)(2) and 
(i) of this section (a chart depicting this area is available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request):

                        Cashes Ledge Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL1..............................  43[deg]07[min]      69[deg]02[min]
CL2..............................  42[deg]49.5[min]    68[deg]46[min]
CL3..............................  42[deg]46.5[min]    68[deg]50.5[min]
CL4..............................  42[deg]43.5[min]    68[deg]58.5[min]
CL5..............................  42[deg]42.5[min]    69[deg]17.5[min]
CL6..............................  42[deg]49.5[min]    69[deg]26[min]
CL1..............................  43[deg]07[min]      69[deg]02[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Unless otherwise restricted under the EFH Closure(s) specified 
in paragraph (h) of this section, paragraph (d)(1) of this section does 
not apply to persons on fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the 
criteria in paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (e) Western GOM Closure Area. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a 
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may 
be in, or on board a vessel in, the area known as the Western GOM 
Closure Area, as defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs (e)(2) and 
(i) of this section:

                      Western GOM Closure Area \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM1.............................  42[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
WGM2.............................  42[deg]15[min]      69[deg]55[min]
WGM3.............................  43[deg]15[min]      69[deg]55[min]
WGM4.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
WGM1.............................  42[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A chart depicting this area is available from the Regional
  Administrator upon request.

    (2) Unless otherwise restricted under paragraph (h) of this section, 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on fishing 
vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraphs 
(f)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section consistent with the requirements 
specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(5).
    (f) GOM Rolling Closure Areas. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a 
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in; and no fishing gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may 
be in, or on board a vessel in GOM Rolling Closure Areas I through V, as 
described in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, for the 
times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, 
except as specified in paragraphs (f)(2) and (i) of this section. A 
chart depicting these areas is available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request.
    (i) Rolling Closure Area I. From March 1 through March 31, the 
restrictions specified in this paragraph (f)(1) apply to Rolling Closure 
Area I, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                         Rolling Closure Area I
                           [March 1-March 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM3..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GM5..............................  42[deg]00[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM6..............................  42[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM23.............................  42[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.

    (ii) Rolling Closure Area II. From April 1 through April 30, the 
restrictions specified in this paragraph (f)(1)(ii) apply to Rolling 
Closure Area II, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting 
the following points in the order stated:

[[Page 487]]



                         Rolling Closure Area II
                           [April 1-April 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1                                42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GM2                                42[deg]00[min]      (\2\)
GM3                                42[deg]00[min]      (\3\)
GM5                                42[deg]00[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM13                               43[deg]00[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM10                               43[deg]00[min]      (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ New Hampshire shoreline.

    (iii) Rolling Closure Area III. From May 1 through May 31, the 
restrictions specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section apply to 
Rolling Closure Area III, which is the area bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                        Rolling Closure Area III
                             [May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1                                42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GM2                                42[deg]00[min]      (\2\)
GM3                                42[deg]00[min]      (\3\)
GM4                                42[deg]00[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM23                               42[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM6                                42[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM14                               43[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GM18                               43[deg]30[min]      (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ Maine shoreline.

    (iv) Rolling Closure Area IV. From June 1 through June 30, the 
restrictions specified in this paragraph (f)(1) apply to Rolling Closure 
Area IV, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                         Rolling Closure Area IV
                            [June 1-June 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM9..............................  42[deg]30[min]      (\1\)
GM23.............................  42[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM17.............................  43[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM19.............................  43[deg]30[min]      67[deg]32[min] or
                                                        (\2\)
GM20.............................  44[deg]00[min]      67[deg]21[min] or
                                                        (\2\)
GM21.............................  44[deg]00[min]      69[deg]00[min]
GM22.............................  (\3\)               69[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ U.S.-Canada maritime boundary.
\3\ Maine shoreline.

    (v) Rolling Closure Area V. From October 1 through November 30, the 
restrictions specified in this paragraph (f)(1) apply to Rolling Closure 
Area V, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                         Rolling Closure Area V
                         [October 1-November 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GM2..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\2\)
GM3..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\3\)
GM4..............................  42[deg]00[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM8..............................  42[deg]30[min]      70[deg]00[min]
GM9..............................  42[deg]30[min]      (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.

    (2) Paragraph (f)(1) of this section does not apply to persons 
aboard fishing vessels or fishing vessels:
    (i) That have not been issued a multispecies permit and that are 
fishing exclusively in state waters;
    (ii) That are fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under 
this part, subject to the restrictions on midwater trawl gear in 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, and excluding pelagic gillnet 
gear capable of catching multispecies, except for vessels fishing with a 
single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater 
than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), 
provided:
    (A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
    (B) The net is marked with the owner's name and vessel 
identification number;
    (C) There is no retention of regulated species; and
    (D) There is no other gear on board capable of catching NE 
multispecies;
    (iii) That are fishing under charter/party or recreational 
regulations, provided that:
    (A) For vessels fishing under charter/party regulations in a Rolling 
Closure Area described under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, it has on 
board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, 
which is valid from the date of enrollment through the duration of the 
closure or 3 months duration, whichever is greater; for vessels fishing 
under charter/party regulations in the Cashes Ledge Closure Area or 
Western GOM Area Closure, as described under paragraph (d) and (e) of 
this section, respectively, it has on

[[Page 488]]

board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, 
which is valid from the date of enrollment until the end of the fishing 
year;
    (B) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the 
vessel are not sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of 
where the regulated species are caught;
    (C) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline on 
board; and
    (D) The vessel does not use any NE multispecies DAS during the 
entire period for which the letter of authorization is valid;
    (iv) That are fishing with or using scallop dredge gear when fishing 
under a scallop DAS or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop Dredge 
Fishery Exemption Area as described in Sec. 648.80(a)(11), provided the 
vessel does not retain any regulated NE multispecies during a trip, or 
on any part of a trip; or
    (v) That are fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting 
Fishery, as specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(15), and in the GOM Rolling 
Closure Area V, as specified in paragraph (f)(1)(v) of this section.
    (g) GB Seasonal Closure Area. (1) From May 1 through May 31, no 
fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be 
in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless 
otherwise allowed in this part, may be in the area known as the GB 
Seasonal Closure Area, as defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs 
(g)(2) and (i) of this section:

                   Georges Bank Seasonal Closure Area
                             [May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB1..............................  42[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
GB2..............................  42[deg]00[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GB3..............................  42[deg]20[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GB4..............................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]20[min]
GB5..............................  41[deg]30[min]      67[deg]20[min]
CI1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
CI2..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]45[min]
CI3..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GB6..............................  40[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
GB7..............................  40[deg]30[min]      69[deg]00[min]
G10..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]00[min]
GB8..............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]30[min]
GB9..............................  41[deg]00[min]      69[deg]30[min]
GB10.............................  41[deg]00[min]      70[deg]00[min]
G12..............................  (\1\)               70[deg] 00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of mainland MA.

    (2) Paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on 
fishing vessels or to fishing vessels:
    (i) That meet the criteria in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) or (ii) of this 
section;
    (ii) That are fishing as charter/party or recreational vessels;
    (iii) That are fishing with or using scallop dredge gear when 
fishing under a scallop DAS, and provided that the vessel complies with 
the NE multispecies possession restrictions for scallop vessels 
specified at Sec. 648.80(h); or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop 
Dredge Fishery Exemption Areas, as described in paragraphs (a)(11) and 
(18) of this section.
    (iv) That are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program as defined at Sec. 648.85(b)(8).
    (h) Essential Fish Habitat Closure Areas. (1) In addition to the 
restrictions under paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, no 
fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel with bottom tending mobile 
gear on board the vessel may enter, fish in, or be in the EFH Closure 
Areas described in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section, 
unless otherwise specified. A chart depicting these areas is available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (i) Western GOM Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Western GOM Habitat 
Closure Area, which is the area bound by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                    Western GOM Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM4.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
WGM1.............................  42[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
WGM5.............................  42[deg]15[min]      70[deg]00[min]
WGM6.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]00[min]
WGM4.............................  43[deg]15[min]      70[deg]15[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified 
in paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Cashes Ledge Habitat 
Closure Area, which is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

[[Page 489]]



                    Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLH1.............................  43[deg]01[min]      69[deg]03[min]
CLH2.............................  43[deg]01[min]      68[deg]52[min]
CLH3.............................  42[deg]45[min]      68[deg]52[min]
CLH4.............................  42[deg]45[min]      69[deg]03[min]
CLH1.............................  43[deg]01[min]      69[deg]03[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Jeffrey's Bank Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions 
specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Jeffrey's 
Bank Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bound by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                   Jeffrey's Bank Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JB1..............................  43[deg]40[min]      68[deg]50[min]
JB2..............................  43[deg]40[min]      68[deg]40[min]
JB3..............................  43[deg]20[min]      68[deg]40[min]
JB4..............................  43[deg]20[min]      68[deg]50[min]
JB1..............................  43[deg]40[min]      68[deg]50[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) Closed Area I Habitat Closure Areas. The restrictions specified 
in paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Closed Area I Habitat 
Closure Areas, Closed Area I-North and Closed Area I-South, which are 
the areas bound by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                Closed Area I--North Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CI1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
CI4..............................  41[deg]30[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CIH1.............................  41[deg]26[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CIH2.............................  41[deg]04[min]      69[deg]01[min]
CI1..............................  41[deg]30[min]      69[deg]23[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                Closed Area I--South Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIH3.............................  40[deg]55[min]      68[deg]53[min]
CIH4.............................  40[deg]58[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CI3..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]30[min]
CI2..............................  40[deg]45[min]      68[deg]45[min]
CIH3.............................  40[deg]55[min]      68[deg]53[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (v) Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified 
in this paragraph (h)(1) apply to the Closed Area II Habitat Closure 
Area (also referred to as the Habitat Area of Particular Concern), which 
is the area bound by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

                   Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIIH1                              42[deg]10[min]      67[deg]20[min]
CIIH2                              42[deg]10[min]      67[deg]9.3[min]
CIIH3                              42[deg]00[min]      67[deg]0.5[min]
CIIH4                              42[deg]00[min]      67[deg]10[min]
CIIH5                              41[deg]50[min]      67[deg]10[min]
CIIH6                              41[deg]50[min]      67[deg]20[min]
CIIH1                              42[deg]10[min]      67[deg]20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (vi) Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions 
specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Nantucket 
Lightship Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bound by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                 Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLH1.............................  41[deg]10[min]      70[deg]00[min]
NLH2.............................  41[deg]10[min]      69[deg]50[min]
NLH3.............................  40[deg]50[min]      69[deg]30[min]
NLH4.............................  40[deg]20[min]      69[deg]30[min]
NLH5.............................  40[deg]20[min]      70[deg]00[min]
NLH1.............................  41[deg]10[min]      70[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) [Reserved]
    (i) Transiting. A vessel may transit CA I, the Nantucket Lightship 
Closed Area, the Cashes Ledge Closed Area, the Western GOM Closure Area, 
the GOM Rolling Closure Areas, the GB Seasonal Closure Area, and the EFH 
Closure Areas, as defined in paragraphs (a)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), 
(f)(1), (g)(1), and (h)(1), respectively, of this section, unless 
otherwise restricted, provided that its gear is stowed in accordance 
with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b). A vessel may transit CA II, as 
defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (j) Restricted Gear Area I. (1) Restricted Gear Area I is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                     Latitude            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 120
   69..........................  40[deg]07.9[min] N.  68[deg]36.0[min]
                                                       W.
   70..........................  40[deg]07.2[min] N.  68[deg]38.4[min]
                                                       W.
   71..........................  40[deg]06.9[min] N.  68[deg]46.5[min]
                                                       W.
   73..........................  40[deg]08.1[min] N.  68[deg]51.0[min]
                                                       W.
   74..........................  40[deg]05.7[min] N.  68[deg]52.4[min]
                                                       W.
   75..........................  40[deg]03.6[min] N.  68[deg]57.2[min]
                                                       W.
   76..........................  40[deg]03.65[min]    69[deg]00.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   77..........................  40[deg]04.35[min]    69[deg]00.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   78..........................  40[deg]05.2[min] N.  69[deg]00.5[min]
                                                       W.
   79..........................  40[deg]05.3[min] N.  69[deg]01.1[min]
                                                       W.

[[Page 490]]

 
   80..........................  40[deg]08.9[min] N.  69[deg]01.75[min]
                                                       W.
   81..........................  40[deg]11.0[min] N.  69[deg]03.8[min]
                                                       W.
   82..........................  40[deg]11.6[min] N.  69[deg]05.4[min]
                                                       W.
   83..........................  40[deg]10.25[min]    69[deg]04.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   84..........................  40[deg]09.75[min]    69[deg]04.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   85..........................  40[deg]08.45[min]    69[deg]03.6[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   86..........................  40[deg]05.65[min]    69[deg]03.55[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   87..........................  40[deg]04.1[min] N.  69[deg]03.9[min]
                                                       W.
   88..........................  40[deg]02.65[min]    69[deg]05.6[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   89..........................  40[deg]02.00[min]    69[deg]08.35[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   90..........................  40[deg]02.65[min]    69[deg]11.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   91..........................  40[deg]00.05[min]    69[deg]14.6[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   92..........................  39[deg]57.8[min] N.  69[deg]20.35[min]
                                                       W.
   93..........................  39[deg]56.65[min]    69[deg]24.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   94..........................  39[deg]56.1[min] N.  69[deg]26.35[min]
                                                       W.
   95..........................  39[deg]56.55[min]    69[deg]34.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   96..........................  39[deg]57.85[min]    69[deg]35.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   97..........................  40[deg]00.65[min]    69[deg]36.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   98..........................  40[deg]00.9[min] N.  69[deg]37.3[min]
                                                       W.
   99..........................  39[deg]59.15[min]    69[deg]37.3[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   100.........................  39[deg]58.8[min] N.  69[deg]38.45[min]
                                                       W.
   102.........................  39[deg]56.2[min] N.  69[deg]40.2[min]
                                                       W.
   103.........................  39[deg]55.75[min]    69[deg]41.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   104.........................  39[deg]56.7[min] N.  69[deg]53.6[min]
                                                       W.
   105.........................  39[deg]57.55[min]    69[deg]54.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   106.........................  39[deg]57.4[min] N.  69[deg]55.9[min]
                                                       W.
   107.........................  39[deg]56.9[min] N.  69[deg]57.45[min]
                                                       W.
   108.........................  39[deg]58.25[min]    70[deg]03.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   110.........................  39[deg]59.2[min] N.  70[deg]04.9[min]
                                                       W.
   111.........................  40[deg]00.7[min] N.  70[deg]08.7[min]
                                                       W.
   112.........................  40[deg]03.75[min]    70[deg]10.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   115.........................  40[deg]05.2[min] N.  70[deg]10.9[min]
                                                       W.
   116.........................  40[deg]02.45[min]    70[deg]14.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   119.........................  40[deg]02.75[min]    70[deg]16.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 181
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 69
   120.........................  40[deg]06.4[min] N.  68[deg]35.8[min]
                                                       W.
   121.........................  40[deg]05.25[min]    68[deg]39.3[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   122.........................  40[deg]05.4[min] N.  68[deg]44.5[min]
                                                       W.
   123.........................  40[deg]06.0[min] N.  68[deg]46.5[min]
                                                       W.
   124.........................  40[deg]07.4[min] N.  68[deg]49.6[min]
                                                       W.
   125.........................  40[deg]05.55[min]    68[deg]49.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   126.........................  40[deg]03.9[min] N.  68[deg]51.7[min]
                                                       W.
   127.........................  40[deg]02.25[min]    68[deg]55.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   128.........................  40[deg]02.6[min] N.  69[deg]00.0[min]
                                                       W.
   129.........................  40[deg]02.75[min]    69[deg]00.75[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   130.........................  40[deg]04.2[min] N.  69[deg]01.75[min]
                                                       W.
   131.........................  40[deg]06.15[min]    69[deg]01.95[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   132.........................  40[deg]07.25[min]    69[deg]02.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   133.........................  40[deg]08.5[min] N.  69[deg]02.25[min]
                                                       W.
   134.........................  40[deg]09.2[min] N.  69[deg]02.95[min]
                                                       W.
   135.........................  40[deg]09.75[min]    69[deg]03.3[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   136.........................  40[deg]09.55[min]    69[deg]03.85[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   137.........................  40[deg]08.4[min] N.  69[deg]03.4[min]
                                                       W.
   138.........................  40[deg]07.2[min] N.  69[deg]03.3[min]
                                                       W.
   139.........................  40[deg]06.0[min] N.  69[deg]03.1[min]
                                                       W.
   140.........................  40[deg]05.4[min] N.  69[deg]03.05[min]
                                                       W.
   141.........................  40[deg]04.8[min] N.  69[deg]03.05[min]
                                                       W.
   142.........................  40[deg]03.55[min]    69[deg]03.55[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   143.........................  40[deg]01.9[min] N.  69[deg]03.95[min]
                                                       W.
   144.........................  40[deg]01.0[min] N.  69[deg]04.4[min]
                                                       W.
   146.........................  39[deg]59.9[min] N.  69[deg]06.25[min]
                                                       W.
   147.........................  40[deg]00.6[min] N.  69[deg]10.05[min]
                                                       W.
   148.........................  39[deg]59.25[min]    69[deg]11.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   149.........................  39[deg]57.45[min]    69[deg]16.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   150.........................  39[deg]56.1[min] N.  69[deg]20.1[min]
                                                       W.
   151.........................  39[deg]54.6[min] N.  69[deg]25.65[min]
                                                       W.
   152.........................  39[deg]54.65[min]    69[deg]26.9[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   153.........................  39[deg]54.8[min] W.  69[deg]30.95[min]
                                                       W.
   154.........................  39[deg]54.35[min]    69[deg]33.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   155.........................  39[deg]55.0[min] N.  69[deg]34.9[min]
                                                       W.
   156.........................  39[deg]56.55[min]    69[deg]36.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   157.........................  39[deg]57.95[min]    69[deg]36.45[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   158.........................  39[deg]58.75[min]    69[deg]36.3[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   159.........................  39[deg]58.8[min] N.  69[deg]36.95[min]
                                                       W.
   160.........................  39[deg]57.95[min]    69[deg]38.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   161.........................  39[deg]54.5[min] N.  69[deg]38.25[min]
                                                       W.
   162.........................  39[deg]53.6[min] N.  69[deg]46.5[min]
                                                       W.
   163.........................  39[deg]54.7[min] N.  69[deg]50.0[min]
                                                       W.
   164.........................  39[deg]55.25[min]    69[deg]51.4[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   165.........................  39[deg]55.2[min] N.  69[deg]53.1[min]
                                                       W.
   166.........................  39[deg]54.85[min]    69[deg]53.9[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   167.........................  39[deg]55.7[min] N.  69[deg]54.9[min]
                                                       W.
   168.........................  39[deg]56.15[min]    69[deg]55.35[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   169.........................  39[deg]56.05[min]    69[deg]56.25[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   170.........................  39[deg]55.3[min] N.  69[deg]57.1[min]
                                                       W.
   171.........................  39[deg]54.8[min] N.  69[deg]58.6[min]
                                                       W.
   172.........................  39[deg]56.05[min]    70[deg]00.65[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   173.........................  39[deg]55.3[min] N.  70[deg]02.95[min]
                                                       W.
   174.........................  39[deg]56.9[min] N.  70[deg]11.3[min]
                                                       W.
   175.........................  39[deg]58.9[min] N.  70[deg]11.5[min]
                                                       W.
   176.........................  39[deg]59.6[min] N.  70[deg]11.1[min]
                                                       W.
   177.........................  40[deg]01.35[min]    70[deg]11.2[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   178.........................  40[deg]02.6[min] N.  70[deg]12.0[min]
                                                       W.
   179.........................  40[deg]00.4[min] N.  70[deg]12.3[min]
                                                       W.
   180.........................  39[deg]59.75[min]    70[deg]13.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   181.........................  39[deg]59.3[min] N.  70[deg]14.0[min]
                                                       W.
to 119
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Restricted Period--(i) Mobile gear. From October 1 through June 
15, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel 
with mobile gear may fish or be in Restricted Gear Area I, unless 
transiting. Vessels may transit this area provided that mobile gear is 
on board the vessel while inside the area, provided that its gear is 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (ii) Lobster pot gear. From June 16 through September 30, no fishing 
vessel with lobster pot gear aboard, or person on a fishing vessel with 
lobster pot gear aboard may fish in, and no lobster pot gear may be 
deployed or remain in, Restricted Gear Area I.
    (k) Restricted Gear Area II. (1) Restricted Gear Area II is defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                     Latitude            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 1
   49..........................  40[deg]02.75[min]    70[deg]16.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   50..........................  40[deg]00.7[min] N.  70[deg]18.6[min]
                                                       W.
   51..........................  39[deg]59.8[min] N.  70[deg]21.75[min]
                                                       W.
   52..........................  39[deg]59.75[min]    70[deg]25.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   53..........................  40[deg]03.85[min]    70[deg]28.75[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   54..........................  40[deg]00.55[min]    70[deg]32.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   55..........................  39[deg]59.15[min]    70[deg]34.45[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   56..........................  39[deg]58.9[min] N.  70[deg]38.65[min]
                                                       W.
   57..........................  40[deg]00.1[min] N.  70[deg]45.1[min]
                                                       W.
   58..........................  40[deg]00.5[min] N.  70[deg]57.6[min]
                                                       W.
   59..........................  40[deg]02.0[min] N.  71[deg]01.3[min]
                                                       W.
   60..........................  39[deg]59.3[min] N.  71[deg]18.4[min]
                                                       W.

[[Page 491]]

 
   61..........................  40[deg]00.7[min] N.  71[deg]19.8[min]
                                                       W.
   62..........................  39[deg]57.5[min] N.  71[deg]20.6[min]
                                                       W.
   63..........................  39[deg]53.1[min] N.  71[deg]36.1[min]
                                                       W.
   64..........................  39[deg]52.6[min] N.  71[deg]40.35[min]
                                                       W.
   65..........................  39[deg]53.1[min] N.  71[deg]42.7[min]
                                                       W.
   66..........................  39[deg]46.95[min]    71[deg]49.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   67..........................  39[deg]41.15[min]    71[deg]57.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   68..........................  39[deg]35.45[min]    72[deg]02.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   69..........................  39[deg]32.65[min]    72[deg]06.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   70..........................  39[deg]29.75[min]    72[deg]09.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 48
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
   1...........................  39[deg]59.3[min] N.  70[deg]14.0[min]
                                                       W.
   2...........................  39[deg]58.85[min]    70[deg]15.2[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   3...........................  39[deg]59.3[min] N.  70[deg]18.4[min]
                                                       W.
   4...........................  39[deg]58.1[min] N.  70[deg]19.4[min]
                                                       W.
   5...........................  39[deg]57.0[min] N.  70[deg]19.85[min]
                                                       W.
   6...........................  39[deg]57.55[min]    70[deg]21.25[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   7...........................  39[deg]57.5[min] N.  70[deg]22.8[min]
                                                       W.
   8...........................  39[deg]57.1[min] N.  70[deg]25.4[min]
                                                       W.
   9...........................  39[deg]57.65[min]    70[deg]27.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   10..........................  39[deg]58.58[min]    70[deg]27.7[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   11..........................  40[deg]00.65[min]    70[deg]28.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   12..........................  40[deg]02.2[min] N.  70[deg]29.15[min]
                                                       W.
   13..........................  40[deg]01.0[min] N.  70[deg]30.2[min]
                                                       W.
   14..........................  39[deg]58.58[min]    70[deg]31.85[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   15..........................  39[deg]57.05[min]    70[deg]34.35[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   16..........................  39[deg]56.42[min]    70[deg]36.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   21..........................  39[deg]58.15[min]    70[deg]48.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   24..........................  39[deg]58.3[min] N.  70[deg]51.1[min]
                                                       W.
   25..........................  39[deg]58.1[min] N.  70[deg]52.25[min]
                                                       W.
   26..........................  39[deg]58.05[min]    70[deg]53.55[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   27..........................  39[deg]58.4[min] N.  70[deg]59.6[min]
                                                       W.
   28..........................  39[deg]59.8[min] N.  71[deg]01.05[min]
                                                       W.
   29..........................  39[deg]58.2[min] N.  71[deg]05.85[min]
                                                       W.
   30..........................  39[deg]57.45[min]    71[deg]12.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   31..........................  39[deg]57.2[min] N.  71[deg]15.0[min]
                                                       W.
   32..........................  39[deg]56.3[min] N.  71[deg]18.95[min]
                                                       W.
   33..........................  39[deg]51.4[min] N.  71[deg]36.1[min]
                                                       W.
   34..........................  39[deg]51.75[min]    71[deg]41.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   35..........................  39[deg]50.05[min]    71[deg]42.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   36..........................  39[deg]50.0[min] N.  71[deg]45.0[min]
                                                       W.
   37..........................  39[deg]48.95[min]    71[deg]46.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   38..........................  39[deg]46.6[min] N.  71[deg]46.1[min]
                                                       W.
   39..........................  39[deg]43.5[min] N.  71[deg]49.4[min]
                                                       W.
   40..........................  39[deg]41.3[min] N.  71[deg]55.0[min]
                                                       W.
   41..........................  39[deg]39.0[min] N.  71[deg]55.6[min]
                                                       W.
   42..........................  39[deg]36.72[min]    71[deg]58.25[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   43..........................  39[deg]35.15[min]    71[deg]58.55[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   44..........................  39[deg]34.5[min] N.  72[deg]00.75[min]
                                                       W.
   45..........................  39[deg]32.2[min] N.  72[deg]02.25[min]
                                                       W.
   46..........................  39[deg]32.15[min]    72[deg]04.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   47..........................  39[deg]28.5[min] N.  72[deg]06.5[min]
                                                       W.
   48..........................  39[deg]29.0[min] N.  72[deg]09.25[min]
                                                       W.
to 70
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Restricted period--(i) Mobile gear. From November 27 through 
June 15, no fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard, or person on a 
fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard, may fish or be in Restricted 
Gear Area II, unless transiting. Vessels may transit this area, provided 
that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area, and 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (ii) Lobster pot gear. From June 16 through November 26, no fishing 
vessel with lobster pot gear aboard, or person on a fishing vessel with 
lobster pot gear aboard, may fish in, and no lobster pot gear may be 
deployed or remain in, Restricted Gear Area II.
    (l) Restricted Gear Area III. (1) Restricted Gear Area III is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                     Latitude            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
   182.........................  40[deg]05.6[min] N.  70[deg]17.7[min]
                                                       W.
   183.........................  40[deg]06.5[min] N.  70[deg]40.05[min]
                                                       W.
   184.........................  40[deg]11.05[min]    70[deg]45.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   185.........................  40[deg]12.75[min]    70[deg]55.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   186.........................  40[deg]10.7[min] N.  71[deg]10.25[min]
                                                       W.
   187.........................  39[deg]57.9[min] N.  71[deg]28.7[min]
                                                       W.
   188.........................  39[deg]55.6[min] N.  71[deg]41.2[min]
                                                       W.
   189.........................  39[deg]55.85[min]    71[deg]45.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   190.........................  39[deg]53.75[min]    71[deg]52.25[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   191.........................  39[deg]47.2[min] N.  72[deg]01.6[min]
                                                       W.
   192.........................  39[deg]33.65[min]    72[deg]15.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 182
   49..........................  40[deg]02.75[min]    70[deg]16.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   50..........................  40[deg]00.7[min] N.  70[deg]18.6[min]
                                                       W.
   51..........................  39[deg]59.8[min] N.  70[deg]21.75[min]
                                                       W.
   52..........................  39[deg]59.75[min]    70[deg]25.5[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   53..........................  40[deg]03.85[min]    70[deg]28.75[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   54..........................  40[deg]00.55[min]    70[deg]32.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   55..........................  39[deg]59.15[min]    70[deg]34.45[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   56..........................  39[deg]58.9[min] N.  70[deg]38.65[min]
                                                       W.
   57..........................  40[deg]00.1[min] N.  70[deg]45.1[min]
                                                       W.
   58..........................  40[deg]00.5[min] N.  70[deg]57.6[min]
                                                       W.
   59..........................  40[deg]02.0[min] N.  71[deg]01.3[min]
                                                       W.
   60..........................  39[deg]59.3[min] N.  71[deg]18.4[min]
                                                       W.
   61..........................  40[deg]00.7[min] N.  71[deg]19.8[min]
                                                       W.
   62..........................  39[deg]57.5[min] N.  71[deg]20.6[min]
                                                       W.
   63..........................  39[deg]53.1[min] N.  71[deg]36.1[min]
                                                       W.
   64..........................  39[deg]52.6[min] N.  71[deg]40.35[min]
                                                       W.
   65..........................  39[deg]53.1[min] N.  71[deg]42.7[min]
                                                       W.
   66..........................  39[deg]46.95[min]    71[deg]49.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   67..........................  39[deg]41.15[min]    71[deg]57.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   68..........................  39[deg]35.45[min]    72[deg]02.0[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   69..........................  39[deg]32.65[min]    72[deg]06.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
   70..........................  39[deg]29.75[min]    72[deg]09.8[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 192
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Restricted period--(i) Mobile gear. From June 16 through 
November 26, no fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard, or person on a 
fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard, may fish or be in Restricted 
Gear Area III, unless transiting. Vessels may transit this area provided 
that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area, and 
is stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (ii) Lobster pot gear. From January 1 through April 30, no fishing 
vessel with

[[Page 492]]

lobster pot gear aboard, or person on a fishing vessel with lobster pot 
gear aboard, may fish in, and no lobster pot gear may be deployed or 
remain in, Restricted Gear Area III.
    (m) Restricted Gear Area IV. (1) Restricted Gear Area IV is defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                     Latitude            Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193............................  40[deg]13.60[min]    68[deg]40.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  194..........................  40[deg]11.60[min]    68[deg]53.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  195..........................  40[deg]14.00[min]    69[deg]04.70[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  196..........................  40[deg]14.30[min]    69[deg]05.80[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  197..........................  40[deg]05.50[min]    69[deg]09.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  198..........................  39[deg]57.30[min]    69[deg]25.10[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  199..........................  40[deg]00.40[min]    69[deg]35.20[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  200..........................  40[deg]01.70[min]    69[deg]35.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  201..........................  40[deg]01.70[min]    69[deg]37.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  202..........................  40[deg]00.50[min]    69[deg]38.80[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  203..........................  40[deg]01.30[min]    69[deg]45.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  204..........................  40[deg]02.10[min]    69[deg]45.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  205..........................  40[deg]07.60[min]    70[deg]04.50[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  206..........................  40[deg]07.80[min]    70[deg]09.20[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 119
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  69...........................  40[deg]07.90[min]    68[deg]36.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  70...........................  40[deg]07.20[min]    68[deg]38.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  71...........................  40[deg]06.90[min]    68[deg]46.50[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  72...........................  40[deg]08.70[min]    68[deg]49.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  73...........................  40[deg]08.10[min]    68[deg]51.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  74...........................  40[deg]05.70[min]    68[deg]52.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  75...........................  40[deg]03.60[min]    68[deg]57.20[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  76...........................  40[deg]03.65[min]    69[deg]00.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  77...........................  40[deg]04.35[min]    69[deg]00.50[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  78...........................  40[deg]05.20[min]    69[deg]00.50[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  79...........................  40[deg]05.30[min]    69[deg]01.10[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  80...........................  40[deg]08.90[min]    69[deg]01.75[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  81...........................  40[deg]11.00[min]    69[deg]03.80[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  82...........................  40[deg]11.60[min]    69[deg]05.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  83...........................  40[deg]10.25[min]    69[deg]04.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  84...........................  40[deg]09.75[min]    69[deg]04.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  85...........................  40[deg]08.45[min]    69[deg]03.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  86...........................  40[deg]05.65[min]    69[deg]03.55[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  87...........................  40[deg]04.10[min]    69[deg]03.90[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  88...........................  40[deg]02.65[min]    69[deg]05.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  89...........................  40[deg]02.00[min]    69[deg]08.35[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  90...........................  40[deg]02.65[min]    69[deg]11.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  91...........................  40[deg]00.05[min]    69[deg]14.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  92...........................  39[deg]57.8[min] N.  69[deg]20.35[min]
                                                       W.
  93...........................  39[deg]56.75[min]    69[deg]24.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  94...........................  39[deg]56.50[min]    69[deg]26.35[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  95...........................  39[deg]56.80[min]    69[deg]34.10[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  96...........................  39[deg]57.85[min]    69[deg]35.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  97...........................  40[deg]00.65[min]    69[deg]36.50[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  98...........................  40[deg]00.90[min]    69[deg]37.30[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  99...........................  39[deg]59.15[min]    69[deg]37.30[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  100..........................  39[deg]58.80[min]    69[deg]38.45[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  102..........................  39[deg]56.20[min]    69[deg]40.20[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  103..........................  39[deg]55.75[min]    69[deg]41.40[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  104..........................  39[deg]56.70[min]    69[deg]53.60[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  105..........................  39[deg]57.55[min]    69[deg]54.05[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  106..........................  39[deg]57.40[min]    69[deg]55.90[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  107..........................  39[deg]56.90[min]    69[deg]57.45[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  108..........................  39[deg]58.25[min]    70[deg]03.00[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  110..........................  39[deg]59.20[min]    70[deg]04.90[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  111..........................  40[deg]00.70[min]    70[deg]08.70[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  112..........................  40[deg]03.75[min]    70[deg]10.15[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  115..........................  40[deg]05.20[min]    70[deg]10.90[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  116..........................  40[deg]02.45[min]    70[deg]14.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
  119..........................  40[deg]02.75[min]    70[deg]16.1[min]
                                  N.                   W.
to 206
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Restricted period--(i) Mobile gear. From June 16 through 
September 30, no fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard, or person on a 
fishing vessel with mobile gear aboard may fish or be in Restricted Gear 
Area IV, unless transiting. Vessels may transit this area, provided that 
all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area, and is 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (ii) [Reserved]

[69 FR 22964, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 35223, June 23, 2004; 
69 FR 63480, Nov. 2, 2004; 69 FR 67798, Nov. 19, 2004; 70 FR 76426, Dec. 
27, 2005; 71 FR 51784, Aug. 31, 2006]



Sec. 648.82  Effort-control program for NE multispecies limited access vessels.

    (a) Except as provided in Sec. Sec. 648.17 and 648.82(a)(2), a 
vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land regulated species, except during a DAS, as allocated 
under, and in accordance with, the applicable DAS program described in 
this section, unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this part.
    (1) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History, as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(J), for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over 
year, limited access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of 
April of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 DAS into the next year. 
Unused leased DAS may not be carried over. Vessels that have been 
sanctioned through enforcement proceedings will be credited with unused 
DAS based on their DAS allocation minus any total DAS that have been 
sanctioned through enforcement proceedings. For the 2004 fishing year 
only, DAS carried over from the 2003 fishing year will be classified as 
Regular B DAS, as specified under paragraph (d)(2) of this section. 
Beginning with the 2005 fishing year, for vessels with a balance of both 
unused Category A DAS and unused Category B DAS at the end of the 
previous fishing year (e.g., for the 2005

[[Page 493]]

fishing year, carry-over DAS from the 2004 fishing year), Category A DAS 
will be carried over first, than Regular B DAS, than Reserve B DAS. 
Category C DAS cannot be carried over.
    (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, any vessel 
issued a NE multispecies limited access permit may not call into the DAS 
program or fish under a DAS, if such vessel carries passengers for hire 
for any portion of a fishing trip.
    (3) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History, as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(Q), for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over 
year, limited access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of 
April of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 DAS into the next year. 
Unused leased DAS may not be carried over. Vessels that have been 
sanctioned through enforcement proceedings will be credited with unused 
DAS based on their DAS allocation minus any total DAS that have been 
sanctioned through enforcement proceedings. For vessels with a balance 
of both unused Category A DAS and unused Category B DAS at the end of 
the previous fishing year (e.g., for the 2005 fishing year, carry-over 
DAS from the 2004 fishing year), Category A DAS will be carried over 
first, than Regular B DAS, than Reserve B DAS. Category C DAS cannot be 
carried over.
    (b) Permit categories. All limited access NE multispecies permit 
holders shall be assigned to one of the following permit categories, 
according to the criteria specified. Permit holders may request a change 
in permit category, as specified in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2). Each 
fishing year shall begin on May 1 and extend through April 30 of the 
following year. Beginning May 1, 2004, with the exception of the limited 
access Small Vessel and Handgear A vessel categories described in 
paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) of this section, respectively, NE multispecies 
DAS available for use will be calculated pursuant to paragraphs (c) and 
(d) of this section.
    (1) Individual DAS category. This category is for vessels allocated 
individual DAS that are not fishing under the Hook Gear, Combination, or 
Large-mesh individual categories. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel 
fishing under the Individual DAS category, the baseline for determining 
the number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated 
based upon the fishing history associated with the vessel's permit, as 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The number and categories 
of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified 
in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) Hook Gear category. To be eligible for a Hook Gear category 
permit, the vessel must have been issued a limited access multispecies 
permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a 
Hook Gear category permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a Hook Gear category permit that was issued a 
Confirmation of Permit History. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel 
fishing under the Hook Gear category, the baseline for determining the 
number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated 
based upon the fishing history associated with the vessel's permit, as 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The number and categories 
of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified 
in paragraph (d) of this section. A vessel fishing under this category 
in the DAS program must meet or comply with the gear restrictions 
specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(v), (a)(4)(v), (b)(2)(v) and 
(c)(2)(iv) when fishing in the respective regulated mesh areas.
    (3) Combination vessel category. To be eligible for a Combination 
vessel category permit, a vessel must have been issued a Combination 
vessel category permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel 
that was issued a Combination vessel category permit for the preceding 
year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued a Combination vessel 
category permit that was also issued a Confirmation of Permit History. 
Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Combination vessel 
category, the baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS 
available for use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history 
associated with the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section. The number

[[Page 494]]

and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year 
are specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (4) Large Mesh Individual DAS category. This category is for vessels 
allocated individual DAS that area not fishing under the Hook Gear, 
Combination, or Individual DAS categories. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a 
vessel fishing under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, the 
baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for 
use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associated with 
the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. 
The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given 
fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this section. The number 
of Category A DAS shall be increased by 36 percent. To be eligible to 
fish under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, a vessel, while 
fishing under this category, must fish under the specific regulated mesh 
area minimum mesh size restrictions, as specified in Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(iii), (a)(4)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), and (c)(2)(ii).
    (5) Small Vessel category--(i) DAS allocation. A vessel qualified 
and electing to fish under the Small Vessel category may retain up to 
300 lb (136.1 kg) of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, combined, 
and one Atlantic halibut per trip, without being subject to DAS 
restrictions, provided the vessel does not exceed the yellowtail 
flounder possession restrictions specified under Sec. 648.86(g). Such 
vessel is not subject to a possession limit for other NE multispecies. 
Any vessel may elect to switch into this category, as provided in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2), if the vessel meets or complies with the 
following:
    (A) The vessel is 30 ft (9.1 m) or less in length overall, as 
determined by measuring along a horizontal line drawn from a 
perpendicular raised from the outside of the most forward portion of the 
stem of the vessel to a perpendicular raised from the after most portion 
of the stern.
    (B) If construction of the vessel was begun after May 1, 1994, the 
vessel must be constructed such that the quotient of the length overall 
divided by the beam is not less than 2.5.
    (C) Acceptable verification for vessels 20 ft (6.1 m) or less in 
length shall be USCG documentation or state registration papers. For 
vessels over 20 ft (6.1 m) in length overall, the measurement of length 
must be verified in writing by a qualified marine surveyor, or the 
builder, based on the vessel's construction plans, or by other means 
determined acceptable by the Regional Administrator. A copy of the 
verification must accompany an application for a NE multispecies permit.
    (D) Adjustments to the Small Vessel category requirements, including 
changes to the length requirement, if required to meet fishing mortality 
goals, may be made by the Regional Administrator following framework 
procedures of Sec. 648.90.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (6) Handgear A category. A vessel qualified and electing to fish 
under the Handgear A category, as described in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(A), 
may retain, per trip, up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of cod, one Atlantic 
halibut, and the daily possession limit for other regulated species as 
specified under Sec. 648.86. The cod trip limit will be adjusted 
proportionally to the trip limit for GOM cod (rounded up to the nearest 
50 lb (22.7 kg)), as specified in Sec. 648.86(b)). For example if the 
GOM cod trip limit specified at Sec. 648.86(b) doubled, then the cod 
trip limit for the Handgear A category would double. Qualified vessels 
electing to fish under the Handgear A category are subject to the 
following restrictions:
    (i) The vessel must not use or possess on board gear other than 
handgear while in possession of, fishing for, or landing NE 
multispecies, and must have at least one standard tote on board.
    (ii) A vessel may not fish for, possess, or land regulated species 
from March 1 through March 20 of each year.
    (iii) Tub-trawls must be hand-hauled only, with a maximum of 250 
hooks.
    (c) Used DAS baseline--(1) Calculation of used DAS baseline. For all 
valid limited access NE multispecies DAS vessels, vessels issued a valid 
small vessel category permit, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit 
Histories, beginning with the 2004 fishing year, a vessel's used DAS 
baseline shall be

[[Page 495]]

based on the fishing history associated with its permit and shall be 
determined by the highest number of reported DAS fished during a single 
qualifying fishing year, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through 
(iv) of this section, during the 6-year period from May 1, 1996, through 
April 30, 2002, not to exceed the vessel's annual allocation prior to 
August 1, 2002. A qualifying year is one in which a vessel landed 5,000 
lb (2,268 kg) or more of regulated multispecies, based upon landings 
reported through dealer reports (based on live weights of landings 
submitted to NMFS prior to April 30, 2003). If a vessel that was 
originally issued a limited access NE multispecies permit was lawfully 
replaced in accordance with the replacement restrictions specified in 
Sec. 648.4(a), then the used DAS baseline shall be defined based upon 
the DAS used by the original vessel and by subsequent vessel(s) 
associated with the permit during the qualification period specified in 
this paragraph (c)(1). The used DAS baseline shall be used to calculate 
the number and category of DAS that are allocated for use in a given 
fishing year, as specified in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this 
section, the vessel's used DAS baseline shall be determined by 
calculating DAS use reported under the DAS notification requirements in 
Sec. 648.10.
    (ii) For a vessel exempt from, or not subject to, the DAS 
notification system specified in Sec. 648.10 during the period May 1996 
through June 1996, the vessel's used DAS baseline for that period will 
be determined by calculating DAS use from vessel trip reports submitted 
to NMFS prior to April 9, 2003.
    (iii) For a vessel enrolled in a Large Mesh DAS category, as 
specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the calculation of the 
vessel's used DAS baseline may not include any DAS allocated or used by 
the vessel pursuant to the provisions of the Large Mesh DAS category.
    (iv) For vessels fishing under the Day gillnet designation, as 
specified under paragraph (j)(1) of this section, used DAS, for trips of 
more than 3 hours, but less than or equal to 15 hours, will be counted 
as 15 hours. Trips less than or equal to 3 hours, or more than 15 hours, 
will be counted as actual time.
    (2) Correction of used DAS baseline. (i) A vessel's used DAS 
baseline, as determined under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, may be 
corrected by submitting a written request to correct the DAS baseline. 
The request to correct must be received by the Regional Administrator no 
later than August 31, 2004. The request to correct must be in writing 
and provide credible evidence that the information used by the Regional 
Administrator in making the determination of the vessel's DAS baseline 
was based on incorrect data. The decision on whether to correct the DAS 
baseline shall be determined solely on the basis of written information 
submitted, unless the Regional Administrator specifies otherwise. The 
Regional Administrator's decision on whether to correct the DAS baseline 
is the final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (ii) Status of vessel's pending request for a correction of used DAS 
baseline. While a vessel's request for a correction is under 
consideration by the Regional Administrator, the vessel is limited to 
fishing the number of DAS allocated in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (3) Calculation of used DAS baseline. For all valid limited access 
NE multispecies DAS vessels, vessels issued a valid Small Vessel 
category permit, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit Histories, a 
vessel's used DAS baseline shall be based on the fishing history 
associated with its permit and shall be determined by the highest number 
of reported DAS fished during a single qualifying fishing year, as 
specified in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section, during 
the 6-year period from May 1, 1996, through April 30, 2002, not to 
exceed the vessel's annual allocation prior to August 1, 2002. A 
qualifying year is one in which a vessel landed 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) or 
more of regulated multispecies, based upon landings reported through 
dealer reports (based on live weights of landings submitted to NMFS 
prior to April 30, 2003). If a vessel that was originally issued a 
limited access NE multispecies permit was lawfully replaced in 
accordance with the replacement restrictions

[[Page 496]]

specified in Sec. 648.4(a), then the used DAS baseline shall be defined 
based upon the DAS used by the original vessel and by subsequent 
vessel(s) associated with the permit during the qualification period 
specified in this paragraph (c)(3). The used DAS baseline shall be used 
to calculate the number and category of DAS that are allocated for use 
in a given fishing year, as specified in paragraph (v) of this section.
    (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) through (iv) of this 
section, the vessel's used DAS baseline shall be determined by 
calculating DAS use reported under the DAS notification requirements in 
Sec. 648.10.
    (ii) For a vessel exempt from, or not subject to, the DAS 
notification system specified in Sec. 648.10 during the period May 1996 
through June 1996, the vessel's used DAS baseline for that period will 
be determined by calculating DAS use from vessel trip reports submitted 
to NMFS prior to April 9, 2003.
    (iii) For a vessel enrolled in a Large Mesh DAS category, as 
specified in paragraph (u)(4) of this section, the calculation of the 
vessel's used DAS baseline may not include any DAS allocated or used by 
the vessel pursuant to the provisions of the Large Mesh DAS category.
    (iv) Used DAS will be counted as described under paragraph (n) of 
this section.
    (4) Correction of used DAS baseline. (i) A vessel's used DAS 
baseline, as determined under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, may be 
corrected by submitting a written request to correct the DAS baseline. 
The request to correct must be received by the Regional Administrator no 
later than August 31, 2004. The request to correct must be in writing 
and provide credible evidence that the information used by the Regional 
Administrator in making the determination of the vessel's DAS baseline 
was based on incorrect data. The decision on whether to correct the DAS 
baseline shall be determined solely on the basis of written information 
submitted, unless the Regional Administrator specifies otherwise. The 
Regional Administrator's decision on whether to correct the DAS baseline 
is the final decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (ii) Status of vessel's pending request for a correction of used DAS 
baseline. While a vessel's request for a correction is under 
consideration by the Regional Administrator, the vessel is limited to 
fishing the number of DAS allocated in accordance with paragraph (v) of 
this section.
    (d) DAS categories and allocations. For all valid limited access NE 
multispecies DAS permits, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit 
Histories, beginning with the 2004 fishing year, DAS shall be allocated 
and available for use for a given fishing year according to the 
following DAS Categories (unless otherwise specified, ``NE multispecies 
DAS'' refers to any authorized category of DAS):
    (1) Category A DAS. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section, calculation of Category A DAS for each 
fishing year is specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 
section. An additional 36 percent of Category A DAS will be added and 
available for use for participants in the Large Mesh Individual DAS 
permit category, as described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, 
provided the participants comply with the applicable gear restrictions. 
Category A DAS may be used in the NE multispecies fishery to harvest and 
land regulated multispecies stocks, in accordance with all of the 
conditions and restrictions of this part.
    (i) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Category A DAS are defined 
as 60 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (ii) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Category A DAS are 
defined as 55 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Starting in fishing year 2009, Category A DAS are defined as 
45 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section.
    (2) Category B DAS. Category B DAS are divided into Regular B DAS 
and Reserve B DAS. Calculation of Category B DAS for each fishing year, 
and restrictions on use of Category B DAS, are specified in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.

[[Page 497]]

    (i) Regular B DAS--(A) Restrictions on use. Regular B DAS can only 
be used by NE multispecies vessels in an approved SAP or in the Regular 
B DAS Pilot Program as specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(6). Unless otherwise 
restricted under the Regular B DAS Pilot Program as described in Sec. 
648.85(b)(6)(i), vessels may fish under both a Regular B DAS and a 
Reserve B DAS on the same trip (i.e., when fishing in an approved SAP as 
described in Sec. 648.85(b) of this section). Vessels that are required 
by another fishery management plan (i.e., not the NE multispecies FMP) 
to utilize a NE multispecies DAS, e.g., as specified under Sec. 
648.92(b)(2), may elect to use a NE multispecies Category B DAS to 
satisfy that requirement.
    (B) Calculation. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section, Regular B DAS are calculated as 
follows:
    (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Regular B DAS are defined 
as 20 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section.
    (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Regular B DAS are 
defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) Starting in fishing year 2009, and thereafter, Regular B DAS are 
defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Reserve B DAS--(A) Restrictions on use. Reserve B DAS can only 
be used in an approved SAP, as specified in Sec. 648.85.
    (B) Calculation. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section, Reserve B DAS are calculated as 
follows:
    (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are defined 
as 20 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section.
    (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are 
defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) Starting in fishing year 2009, and thereafter, Reserve B DAS are 
defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) Category C DAS--(i) Restriction on use. Category C DAS are 
reserved and may not be fished.
    (ii) Calculation. Category C DAS are defined as the difference 
between a vessel's used DAS baseline, as described in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, and the number of DAS allocated to the vessel as of May 
1, 2001.
    (4) Criteria and procedure for not reducing DAS allocations and 
modifying DAS accrual. The schedule of reductions in NE multispecies 
DAS, and the modification of DAS accrual specified under paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section, shall not occur if the Regional Administrator:
    (i) Determines that one of the following criteria has been met:
    (A) That the Amendment 13 projected target biomass levels for stocks 
targeted by the default measures, based on the 2005 and 2008 stock 
assessments, have been or are projected to be attained with at least a 
50-percent probability in the 2006 and 2009 fishing years, respectively, 
and overfishing is not occurring on those stocks (i.e., current 
information indicates that the stocks are rebuilt and overfishing is not 
occurring); or
    (B) That biomass projections, based on the 2005 and 2008 stock 
assessments, show that rebuilding will occur by the end of the 
rebuilding period with at least a 50-percent probability, and the best 
available estimate of the fishing mortality rate for the stocks targeted 
by the default measures indicates that overfishing is not occurring 
(i.e., current information indicates that rebuilding will occur by the 
end of the rebuilding period and the fishing mortality rate is at or 
below Fmsy).
    (ii) Determines that all other stocks meet the fishing mortality 
rates specified in Amendment 13; and
    (iii) Publishes such determination in the Federal Register, 
consistent with Administrative Procedure Act requirements for proposed 
and final rulemaking.
    (e) Accrual of DAS. (1) DAS shall accrue to the nearest minute and, 
with the exceptions described under this paragraph (e) and paragraph 
(j)(1)(iii)

[[Page 498]]

of this section, will be counted as actual time called into the DAS 
program.
    (2) Starting in fishing year 2006, unless otherwise determined in 
accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this section, for NE multispecies 
vessels fishing under a DAS in the SNE or MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as 
described in Sec. 648.80(b)(1) and (c)(1), respectively, the ratio of 
DAS used to time called into the DAS program will be 1.5 to 1.0.
    (3) For vessels electing to fish in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, 
as specified at Sec. 648.85(a)(6), and that remain fishing under a 
Regular B DAS for the entire fishing trip (without a DAS flip), DAS used 
will accrue at the rate of 1 full DAS for each calendar day, or part of 
a calendar day, fished. For example, a vessel that fished on one 
calendar day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. would be charged 24 hours of Regular 
B DAS, not 16 hours; a vessel that left on a trip at 11 p.m. on the 
first calendar day and returned at 10 p.m. on the second calendar day 
would be charged 48 hours of Regular B DAS instead of 23 hours, because 
the fishing trip would have spanned 2 calendar days. For the purpose of 
calculating trip limits specified under Sec. 648.86, the amount of DAS 
deducted from a vessel's DAS allocation will determine the amount of 
fish the vessel could legally land.
    (f) Good Samaritan credit. See Sec. 648.53(g).
    (g) Spawning season restrictions. A vessel issued a valid Small 
Vessel or Handgear A category permit specified under paragraphs (b)(5) 
or (b)(6), respectively, of this section may not fish for, possess, or 
land regulated species from March 1 through March 20 of each year. Any 
other vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit must declare 
out and be out of the NE multispecies DAS program for a 20-day period 
between March 1 and May 31 of each calendar year, using the notification 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.10. A vessel fishing under a Day 
gillnet category designation is prohibited from fishing with gillnet 
gear capable of catching NE multispecies during its declared 20-day 
spawning block, unless the vessel is fishing in an exempted fishery, as 
described in Sec. 648.80. If a vessel owner has not declared and been 
out of the fishery for a 20-day period between March 1 and May 31 of 
each calendar year on or before May 12 of each year, the vessel is 
prohibited from fishing for, possessing or landing any regulated species 
or non-exempt species during the period May 12 through May 31, 
inclusive.
    (h) Declaring DAS and blocks of time out. A vessel's owner or 
authorized representative shall notify the Regional Administrator of a 
vessel's participation in the DAS program, declaration of its 120 days 
out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery, if designated as a Day gillnet 
category vessel, as specified in paragraph (j)(1)(iii) of this section, 
and declaration of its 20-day period out of the NE multispecies DAS 
program, using the notification requirements specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Gillnet restrictions. Vessels issued a limited access NE 
multispecies permit may fish under a NE multispecies DAS with gillnet 
gear, provided the owner of the vessel obtains an annual designation as 
either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel, as described in Sec. 
648.4(c)(2)(iii), and provided the vessel complies with the gillnet 
vessel gear requirements and restrictions specified in Sec. 648.80.
    (1) Day gillnet vessels. A Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet 
gear under a NE multispecies DAS is not required to remove gear from the 
water upon returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, 
provided the vessel complies with the restrictions specified in 
paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. Vessels electing to 
fish under the Day gillnet designation must have on board written 
confirmation, issued by the Regional Administrator, that the vessel is a 
Day gillnet vessel.
    (i) Removal of gear. All gillnet gear must be brought to port prior 
to the vessel fishing in an exempted fishery.
    (ii) Declaration of time out of the gillnet fishery. (A) During each 
fishing year, vessels must declare, and take, a total of 120 days out of 
the non-exempt gillnet fishery. Each period of time declared and taken 
must be a minimum of 7 consecutive days. At least 21 days of this time 
must be taken between June 1 and September 30 of each fishing year. The 
spawning season time out period required by paragraph (g) of this 
section will be credited toward the 120

[[Page 499]]

days time out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery. If a vessel owner has 
not declared and taken any or all of the remaining periods of time 
required to be out of the fishery by the last possible date to meet 
these requirements, the vessel is prohibited from fishing for, 
possessing, or landing regulated multispecies or non-exempt species 
harvested with gillnet gear, and from having gillnet gear on board the 
vessel that is not stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), while 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, from that date through the end of 
the period between June 1 and September 30, or through the end of the 
fishing year, as applicable.
    (B) Vessels shall declare their periods of required time through the 
notification procedures specified in Sec. 648.10(f)(2).
    (C) During each period of time declared out, a vessel is prohibited 
from fishing with non-exempted gillnet gear and must remove such gear 
from the water. However, the vessel may fish in an exempted fishery, as 
described in Sec. 648.80, or it may fish under a NE multispecies DAS, 
provided it fishes with gear other than non-exempted gillnet gear.
    (iii) Method of counting DAS. Unless electing to fish in the Regular 
B DAS Pilot Program specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(6), and therefore 
subject to the DAS accrual provisions of Sec. 648.82(e)(3), Day gillnet 
vessels fishing with gillnet gear under a NE multispecies DAS will 
accrue 15 hours of DAS for each trip of more than 3 hours, but less than 
or equal to 15 hours. Such vessels will accrue actual DAS time at sea 
for trips less than or equal to 3 hours, or more than 15 hours.
    (2) Trip gillnet vessels. When fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, 
a Trip gillnet vessel is required to remove all gillnet gear from the 
water before calling out of a NE multispecies DAS under Sec. 
648.10(c)(3). When not fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, Trip gillnet 
vessels may fish in an exempted fishery with gillnet gear, as authorized 
under the exemptions in Sec. 648.80. Vessels electing to fish under the 
Trip gillnet designation must have on board written confirmation issued 
by the Regional Administrator that the vessel is a Trip gillnet vessel.
    (k) NE Multispecies DAS Leasing Program--(1) Program description. 
For fishing years 2004 and 2005, eligible vessels, as specified in 
paragraph (k)(2) of this section, may lease Category A DAS to and from 
other eligible vessels, in accordance with the restrictions and 
conditions of this section. The Regional Administrator has final 
approval authority for all NE multispecies DAS leasing requests.
    (2) Eligible vessels. (i) A vessel issued a valid limited access NE 
multispecies permit is eligible to lease Category A DAS to or from 
another such vessel, subject to the conditions and requirements of this 
part, unless the vessel was issued a valid Small Vessel or Handgear A 
permit specified under paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) of this section, 
respectively, or is a valid participant in an approved Sector, as 
described in Sec. 648.87(a). Any NE multispecies vessel that does not 
require use of DAS to fish for regulated multispecies may not lease any 
NE multispecies DAS.
    (ii) DAS associated with a Confirmation of Permit History may not be 
leased.
    (3) Application to lease NE multispecies DAS. To lease Category A 
DAS, the eligible Lessor and Lessee vessel must submit a completed 
application form obtained from the Regional Administrator. The 
application must be signed by both Lessor and Lessee and be submitted to 
the Regional Office at least 45 days before the date on which the 
applicants desire to have the leased DAS effective. The Regional 
Administrator will notify the applicants of any deficiency in the 
application pursuant to this section. Applications may be submitted at 
any time prior to the start of the fishing year or throughout the 
fishing year in question, up until March 1. Eligible vessel owners may 
submit any number of lease applications throughout the application 
period, but any DAS may only be leased once during a fishing year.
    (i) Application information requirements. An application to lease 
Category A DAS must contain the following information: Lessor's owner 
name, vessel

[[Page 500]]

name, permit number and official number or state registration number; 
Lessee's owner name, vessel name, permit number and official number or 
state registration number; number of NE multispecies DAS to be leased; 
total priced paid for leased DAS; signatures of Lessor and Lessee; and 
date form was completed. Information obtained from the lease application 
will be held confidential, according to applicable Federal law. 
Aggregate data may be used in the analysis of the DAS Leasing Program.
    (ii) Approval of lease application. Unless an application to lease 
Category A DAS is denied according to paragraph (k)(3)(iii) of this 
section, the Regional Administrator shall issue confirmation of 
application approval to both Lessor and Lessee within 45 days of receipt 
of an application.
    (iii) Denial of lease application. The Regional Administrator may 
deny an application to lease Category A DAS for any of the following 
reasons, including, but not limited to: The application is incomplete or 
submitted past the March 1 deadline; the Lessor or Lessee has not been 
issued a valid limited access NE multispecies permit or is otherwise not 
eligible; the Lessor's or Lessee's DAS are under sanction pursuant to an 
enforcement proceeding; the Lessor's or Lessee's vessel is prohibited 
from fishing; the Lessor's or Lessee's limited access NE multispecies 
permit is sanctioned pursuant to an enforcement proceeding; the Lessor 
or Lessee vessel is determined not in compliance with the conditions and 
restrictions of this part; or the Lessor has an insufficient number of 
allocated or unused DAS available to lease. Upon denial of an 
application to lease NE multispecies DAS, the Regional Administrator 
shall send a letter to the applicants describing the reason(s) for 
application rejection. The decision by the Regional Administrator is the 
final agency decision.
    (4) Conditions and restrictions on leased DAS--(i) Confirmation of 
Permit History. DAS associated with a confirmation of permit history may 
not be leased.
    (ii) Sub-leasing. In a fishing year, a Lessor or Lessee vessel may 
not sub-lease DAS that have already been leased to another vessel. Any 
portion of a vessel's DAS may not be leased more than one time during a 
fishing year.
    (iii) Carry-over of leased DAS. Leased DAS that remain unused at the 
end of the fishing year may not be carried over to the subsequent 
fishing year by the Lessor or Lessee vessel.
    (iv) Maximum number of DAS that can be leased. A Lessee may lease 
Category A DAS in an amount up to such vessel's 2001 fishing year 
allocation (excluding carry-over DAS from the previous year, or 
additional DAS associated with obtaining a Large Mesh permit). For 
example, if a vessel was allocated 88 DAS in the 2001 fishing year, that 
vessel may lease up to 88 Category A DAS. The total number of Category A 
DAS that the vessel could fish would be the sum of the 88 leased DAS and 
the vessel's 2004 allocation of Category A DAS.
    (v) History of leased DAS use and landings. Unless otherwise 
specified in this paragraph (k)(4)(v), history of leased DAS use will be 
presumed to remain with the Lessor vessel. Landings resulting from a 
leased DAS will be presumed to remain with the Lessee vessel. For the 
purpose of accounting for leased DAS use, leased DAS will be accounted 
for (subtracted from available DAS) prior to allocated DAS. In the case 
of multiple leases to one vessel, history of leased DAS use will be 
presumed to remain with the Lessor in the order in which such leases 
were approved by NMFS.
    (vi) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G and H vessels. A vessel that 
possesses a valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and a valid 
limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H permit and leases NE 
multispecies DAS to or from another vessel is subject to the 
restrictions specified in Sec. 648.92(b)(2).
    (vii) DAS Category restriction. A vessel may lease only Category A 
DAS, as described under paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (viii) Duration of lease. A vessel leasing DAS may only fish those 
leased DAS during the fishing year in which they were leased.
    (ix) Size restriction of Lessee vessel. A Lessor vessel only may 
lease DAS to a Lessee vessel with a baseline main engine horsepower 
rating that is no more

[[Page 501]]

than 20 percent greater than the baseline engine horsepower of the 
Lessor vessel. A Lessor vessel may only lease DAS to a Lessee vessel 
with a baseline length overall that is no more than 10 percent greater 
than the baseline length overall of the Lessor vessel. For the purposes 
of this program, the baseline horsepower and length overall 
specifications of vessels are those associated with the permit as of 
January 29, 2004, unless otherwise modified according to paragraph 
(k)(4)(xi) of this section.
    (x) Leasing by vessels fishing under a Sector allocation. A vessel 
fishing under the restrictions and conditions of an approved Sector 
allocation, as specified in Sec. 648.87(b), may not lease DAS to or 
from vessels that are not participating in such Sector during the 
fishing year in which the vessel is a member of that Sector.
    (xi) One-time downgrade of DAS Leasing Program baseline. For the 
purposes of determining eligibility for leasing DAS only, a vessel owner 
may elect to make a one-time downgrade to the vessel's DAS Leasing 
Program baseline length and horsepower as specified in paragraph 
(k)(4)(ix) of this section to match the length overall and horsepower 
specifications of the vessel that is currently issued the permit.
    (A) Application for a one-time DAS Leasing Program baseline 
downgrade. To downgrade the DAS Leasing Program baseline, eligible NE 
multispecies vessels must submit a completed application form obtained 
from the Regional Administrator. An application to downgrade a vessel's 
DAS Leasing Program baseline must contain at least the following 
information: Vessel owner's name, vessel name, permit number, official 
number or state registration number, current vessel length overall and 
horsepower specifications, an indication whether additional information 
is included to document the vessel's current specifications, and the 
signature of the vessel owner.
    (B) Duration and applicability of one-time DAS Leasing Program 
baseline downgrade. The downgraded DAS Leasing Program baseline remains 
in effect until the DAS Leasing Program expires or the permit is 
transferred to another vessel via a vessel replacement. Once the permit 
is transferred to another vessel, the DAS Leasing Program baseline 
reverts to the baseline horsepower and length overall specifications 
associated with the permit prior to the one-time downgrade. Once the DAS 
Leasing Program baseline is downgraded for a particular permit, no 
further downgrades may be authorized for that permit. The downgraded DAS 
Leasing Program baseline may only be used to determine eligibility for 
the DAS Leasing Program and does not affect or change the baseline 
associated with the DAS Transfer Program specified in paragraph 
(l)(1)(ii) of this section, or the vessel replacement or upgrade 
restrictions specified at Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(E) and (F), or any other 
provision, respectively.
    (l) DAS Transfer Program. Except for vessels fishing under a Sector 
allocation, as specified in Sec. 648.87, a vessel issued a valid 
limited access NE multispecies permit may transfer all of its NE 
multispecies DAS for an indefinite time to another vessel with a valid 
NE multispecies permit, in accordance with the conditions and 
restrictions described under this section. The Regional Administrator 
has final approval authority for all NE multispecies DAS transfer 
requests.
    (1) DAS transfer conditions and restrictions. (i) The transferor 
vessel must transfer all of its DAS.
    (ii) NE multispecies DAS may be transferred only to a vessel with a 
baseline main engine horsepower rating that is no more than 20 percent 
greater than the baseline engine horsepower of the transferor vessel. NE 
multispecies DAS may be transferred only to a vessel with a baseline 
length overall that is no more than 10 percent greater than the baseline 
length overall of the transferor vessel. For the purposes of this 
program, the baseline horsepower and length overall are those associated 
with the permit as of January 29, 2004.
    (iii) The transferor vessel must forfeit all of its state and 
Federal fishing permits, and may not fish in any state or Federal 
commercial fishery.
    (iv) NE multispecies Category A and Category B DAS, as defined under 
paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section,

[[Page 502]]

shall be reduced by 20 percent upon transfer.
    (v) Category C DAS, as defined under paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, will be reduced by 90 percent upon transfer.
    (vi) NE multispecies DAS associated with a Confirmation of Permit 
History may not be transferred.
    (vii) Transfer by vessels fishing under a Sector allocation. A 
vessel fishing under the restrictions and conditions of an approved 
Sector allocation as specified under Sec. 648.87(b), may not transfer 
DAS to another vessel that is not participating in such Sector during 
the fishing year in which the vessel is a member of that Sector.
    (viii) NE multispecies Category A and Category B DAS, as defined 
under paragraphs (v)(1) and (2) of this section, shall be reduced by 20 
percent upon transfer.
    (ix) Category C DAS, as defined under paragraph (v)(3) of this 
section, will be reduced by 90 percent upon transfer.
    (2) Application to transfer DAS. Owners of the vessels applying to 
transfer and receive DAS must submit a completed application form 
obtained from the Regional Administrator. The application must be signed 
by both seller/transferor and buyer/transferee of the DAS, and submitted 
to the Regional Office at least 45 days before the date on which the 
applicant desires to have the DAS effective on the buying vessel. The 
Regional Administrator will notify the applicants of any deficiency in 
the application pursuant to this section. Applications may be submitted 
at any time during the fishing year, up until March 1.
    (i) Application information requirements. An application to transfer 
NE multispecies DAS must contain the following information: Seller's/
transferor's name, vessel name, permit number and official number or 
state registration number; buyer's/transferee's name, vessel name, 
permit number and official number or state registration number; total 
price paid for purchased DAS; signatures of seller and buyer; and date 
the form was completed. Information obtained from the transfer 
application will be held confidential, and will be used only in 
summarized form for management of the fishery. The application must be 
accompanied by verification, in writing, that the seller/transferor has 
requested cancellation of all state and Federal fishing permits from the 
appropriate agency or agencies.
    (ii) Approval of transfer application. Unless an application to 
transfer NE multispecies DAS is denied according to paragraph 
(l)(2)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall issue 
confirmation of application approval to both seller/transferor and 
buyer/transferee within 45 days of receipt of an application.
    (iii) Denial of transfer application. The Regional Administrator may 
reject an application to transfer NE multispecies DAS for the following 
reasons: The application is incomplete or submitted past the March 1 
deadline; the seller/transferor or buyer/transferee does not possess a 
valid limited access NE multispecies permit; the seller's/transferor's 
or buyer's/transferee's DAS is sanctioned, pursuant to an enforcement 
proceeding; the seller's/transferor's or buyer/transferee's vessel is 
prohibited from fishing; the seller's/transferor's or buyer's/
transferee's limited access NE multispecies permit is sanctioned 
pursuant to enforcement proceedings; or the seller/transferor has a DAS 
baseline of zero. Upon denial of an application to transfer NE 
multispecies DAS, the Regional Administrator shall send a letter to the 
applicants describing the reason(s) for application rejection. The 
decision by the Regional Administrator is the final agency decision and 
there is no opportunity to appeal the Regional Administrator's decision.
    (m) DAS credit for standing by entangled whales. Limited access 
vessels fishing under the DAS program that report and stand by an 
entangled whale may request a DAS credit for the time spent standing by 
the whale. The following conditions and requirements must be met to 
receive this credit:
    (1) At the time the vessel begins standing by the entangled whale, 
the vessel operator must notify the USCG and the Center for Coastal 
Studies, or another organization authorized by the Regional 
Administrator, of the location of the entangled whale and that

[[Page 503]]

the vessel is going to stand by the entangled whale until the arrival of 
an authorized response team;
    (2) Only one vessel at a time may receive credit for standing by an 
entangled whale. A vessel standing by an entangled whale may transfer 
its stand-by status to another vessel while waiting for an authorized 
response team to arrive, provided it notifies the USCG and the Center 
for Coastal Studies, or another organization authorized by the Regional 
Administrator, of the transfer. The vessel to which stand-by status is 
transferred must also notify the USCG and the Center for Coastal Studies 
or another organization authorized by the Regional Administrator of this 
transfer and comply with the conditions and restrictions of this part;
    (3) The stand-by vessel must be available to answer questions on the 
condition of the animal, possible species identification, severity of 
entanglement, etc., and take photographs of the whale, if possible, 
regardless of the species of whale or whether the whale is alive or 
dead, during its stand-by status and after terminating its stand-by 
status. The stand-by vessel must remain on scene until the USCG or an 
authorized response team arrives, or the vessel is informed that an 
authorized response team will not arrive. If the vessel receives notice 
that a response team is not available, the vessel may discontinue 
standing-by the entangled whale and continue fishing operations; and
    (4) To receive credit for standing by an entangled whale, a vessel 
must submit a written request to the Regional Administrator. This 
request must include at least the following information: Date and time 
when the vessel began its stand-by status, date of first communication 
with the USCG, and date and time when the vessel terminated its stand-by 
status. DAS credit shall not be granted for the time a vessel fishes 
when standing by an entangled whale. Upon a review of the request, NMFS 
shall consider granting the DAS credit based on information available at 
the time of the request, regardless of whether an authorized response 
team arrives on scene or a rescue is attempted. NMFS shall notify the 
permit holder of any DAS adjustment that is made or explain the reasons 
why an adjustment will not be made.
    (n) Accrual of DAS. (1) Actual time. Unless otherwise specified 
under this paragraph (n) and paragraph (s)(1)(iii) of this section, DAS 
shall accrue to the nearest minute and will be counted as actual time 
called, or logged into the DAS program.
    (2) Differential Category A DAS counting. (i) Vessels fishing 
outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area. For any fishing trip, or 
part of a fishing trip, in which a NE multispecies declares vessel 
declares, pursuant to Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii), that it intends to fish 
some or all of its trip, or fishes, some or all of its trip other than 
for transiting purposes, under a Category A DAS outside of the U.S./
Canada Management Area defined at Sec. 648.85(a), unless otherwise 
specified in paragraph (s)(1)(iii) of this section, each Category A DAS, 
or part thereof, shall be counted at the ratio of 1.4 to 1.0. For 
example, if a vessel fishes on a Category A DAS for 24 hr (1 DAS) 
outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area, 33.6 hr (24 hr x 1.4) will 
be deducted from that vessel's NE multispecies Category A DAS 
allocation. If a fishing trip in which a vessel fishes Category A DAS in 
the GOM and inside the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip lasts 
120 hr (5 DAS), 168 hr (7 DAS) (120 hr x 1.4) will be deducted from that 
vessel's NE multispecies Category A DAS allocation.
    (ii) Vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area. For any 
fishing trip in which a NE multispecies vessel declares, pursuant to 
Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(viii), that it intends to fish, and fishes, under a 
Category A DAS exclusively within, other than for transiting to and 
from, the U.S./Canada Management Area defined at Sec. 648.85(a), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (s)(1)(iii) of this section, each 
Category A DAS, or part thereof, shall be counted at the ratio of 1:1. 
For example, if a vessel declares its intent to fish exclusively within 
the Western U.S./Canada Area and the trip lasts for 120 hr (5 DAS) 
including transiting time, 120 hr (5 DAS), will be deducted from that 
vessel's NE multispecies Category A DAS allocation. A fishing vessel 
that declares its

[[Page 504]]

intent to fish exclusively in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and fishes a 
total of 24 hr exclusively in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and, 
therefore, is not subject to differential DAS counting for the part of 
the trip used to a transit to and from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, 
shall be charged NE multispecies Category A DAS at a 1:1 ratio only for 
that part of the trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area (i.e., 24 hours, 
or 1 DAS).
    (3) Regular B DAS Program 24-hr clock. For any fishing trip which a 
NE multispecies vessel elects to fish in the Regular B DAS Program, as 
specified at Sec. 648.85(b)(10), and remains fishing under a Regular B 
DAS for the entire fishing trip (without a DAS flip), DAS used will 
accrue at the rate of 1 full DAS for each calendar day, or part of a 
calendar day, fished. For example, a vessel that fishes on one calendar 
day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. would be charged 24 hours of Regular B DAS, 
not 16 hours; a vessel that leaves on a trip at 11 p.m. on the first 
calendar day and returns at 10 p.m. on the next calendar day would be 
charged 48 hours of Regular B DAS instead of 23 hours, because the 
fishing trip would have spanned 2 calendar days. For the purpose of 
calculating trip limits specified under Sec. 648.86, the amount of DAS 
deducted from a vessel's DAS allocation will determine the amount of 
fish the vessel may legally land.
    (o) Good Samaritan credit. See Sec. 648.53(f).
    (p) Spawning season restrictions. A vessel issued a valid Small 
Vessel or Handgear A category permit specified under paragraphs (u)(5) 
or (6), respectively, of this section may not fish for, possess, or land 
regulated species from March 1 through March 20 of each year. Any other 
vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit must declare out 
and be out of the NE multispecies DAS program for a 20-day period 
between March 1 and May 31 of each calendar year, using the notification 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.10. A vessel fishing under a Day 
gillnet category designation is prohibited from fishing with gillnet 
gear capable of catching NE multispecies during its declared 20-day 
spawning block, unless the vessel is fishing in an exempted fishery, as 
described in Sec. 648.80. If a vessel owner has not declared and been 
out of the fishery for a 20-day period between March 1 and May 31 of 
each calendar year on or before May 12 of each year, the vessel is 
prohibited from fishing for, possessing or landing any regulated species 
or non-exempt species during the period May 12 through May 31, 
inclusive.
    (q) Declaring DAS and blocks of time out. A vessel's owner or 
authorized representative shall notify the Regional Administrator of a 
vessel's participation in the DAS program, declaration of its 120 days 
out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery, if designated as a Day gillnet 
category vessel, as specified in paragraph (s)(1)(iii) of this section, 
and declaration of its 20-day period out of the NE multispecies DAS 
program, using the notification requirements specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (r) [Reserved]
    (s) Gillnet restrictions. A vessel issued a limited access NE 
multispecies permit may fish under a NE multispecies DAS with gillnet 
gear, provided the owner of the vessel obtains an annual designation as 
either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel, as described in Sec. 
648.4(c)(2)(iii), and provided the vessel complies with the gillnet 
vessel gear requirements and restrictions specified in Sec. 648.80.
    (1) Day gillnet vessels. A Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet 
gear under a NE multispecies DAS is not required to remove gear from the 
water upon returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, 
provided the vessel complies with the restrictions specified in 
paragraphs (s)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. A vessel electing to 
fish under the Day gillnet designation must have on board written 
confirmation, issued by the Regional Administrator, that the vessel is a 
Day gillnet vessel.
    (i) Removal of gear. All gillnet gear must be brought to port prior 
to the vessel fishing in an exempted fishery.
    (ii) Declaration of time out of the gillnet fishery.--(A) During 
each fishing year, a vessel must declare, and take, a total of 120 days 
out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery. Each period of time declared and 
taken must be a minimum of 7 consecutive days. At least 21 days of this 
time must be taken between

[[Page 505]]

June 1 and September 30 of each fishing year. The spawning season time 
out period required by paragraph (p) of this section will be credited 
toward the 120 days time out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery. If a 
vessel owner has not declared and taken any or all of the remaining 
periods of time required to be out of the fishery by the last possible 
date to meet these requirements, the vessel is prohibited from fishing 
for, possessing, or landing regulated multispecies or non-exempt species 
harvested with gillnet gear, and from having gillnet gear on board the 
vessel that is not stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b), while 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, from that date through the end of 
the period between June 1 and September 30, or through the end of the 
fishing year, as applicable.
    (B) A vessel shall declare its periods of required time through the 
notification procedures specified in Sec. 648.10(f)(3).
    (C) During each period of time declared out, a vessel is prohibited 
from fishing with non-exempted gillnet gear and must remove such gear 
from the water. However, the vessel may fish in an exempted fishery, as 
described in Sec. 648.80, or it may fish under a NE multispecies DAS, 
provided it fishes with gear other than non-exempted gillnet gear.
    (iii) Method of counting DAS. Unless electing to fish in the Regular 
B DAS Program specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10), and therefore subject to 
the DAS accrual provisions of paragraph (n)(3) of this section, or 
fishing under a Category A DAS exclusively within the U.S./Canada 
Management Area specified at Sec. 648.85(a)(1), a Day gillnet vessel 
fishing with gillnet gear under a NE multispecies Category A DAS shall 
accrue 15 hours of DAS for each trip of more than 3 hours, but less than 
or equal to 11 hours. For a trip less than or equal to 3 hours, or more 
than 11 hours, the ratio of Category A DAS used to time called into the 
DAS program will be 1.4 to 1.0. A Day gillnet vessel fishing exclusively 
within the U.S./Canada Management Area shall accrue 15 hours of DAS for 
each trip of more than 3 hours, but less than or equal to 15 hours. For 
a trip less than or equal to 3 hours, or more than 15 hours, the ratio 
of Category A DAS used to time called into the DAS program will be 1.0 
to 1.0.
    (2) Trip gillnet vessels. When fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, 
a Trip gillnet vessel is required to remove all gillnet gear from the 
water before calling out of a NE multispecies DAS under Sec. 
648.10(c)(7). When not fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, a Trip 
gillnet vessel may fish in an exempted fishery with gillnet gear, as 
authorized under the exemptions in Sec. 648.80. A vessel electing to 
fish under the Trip gillnet designation must have on board written 
confirmation issued by the Regional Administrator that the vessel is a 
Trip gillnet vessel.
    (t) NE Multispecies DAS Leasing Program--(1) Program description. 
Eligible vessels, as specified in paragraph (t)(2) of this section, may 
lease Category A DAS to and from other eligible vessels, in accordance 
with the restrictions and conditions of this section. The Regional 
Administrator has final approval authority for all NE multispecies DAS 
leasing requests.
    (2) Eligible vessels.--(i) A vessel issued a valid limited access NE 
multispecies permit is eligible to lease Category A DAS to or from 
another such vessel, subject to the conditions and requirements of this 
part, unless the vessel was issued a valid Small Vessel or Handgear A 
permit specified under paragraphs (u)(5) and (6) of this section, 
respectively, or is a valid participant in an approved Sector, as 
described in Sec. 648.87(a). Any NE multispecies vessel that does not 
require use of DAS to fish for regulated multispecies may not lease any 
NE multispecies DAS.
    (ii) DAS associated with a Confirmation of Permit History may not be 
leased.
    (3) Application to lease NE multispecies DAS. To lease Category A 
DAS, the eligible Lessor and Lessee vessel must submit a completed 
application form obtained from the Regional Administrator. The 
application must be signed by both Lessor and Lessee and be submitted to 
the Regional Office at least 45 days before the date on which the 
applicants desire to have the leased DAS effective. The Regional 
Administrator will notify the applicants of any deficiency in the 
application pursuant

[[Page 506]]

to this section. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to the 
start of the fishing year or throughout the fishing year in question, up 
until March 1. Eligible vessel owners may submit any number of lease 
applications throughout the application period, but any DAS may only be 
leased once during a fishing year.
    (i) Application information requirements. An application to lease 
Category A DAS must contain the following information: Lessor's owner 
name, vessel name, permit number and official number or state 
registration number; Lessee's owner name, vessel name, permit number and 
official number or state registration number; number of NE multispecies 
DAS to be leased; total priced paid for leased DAS; signatures of Lessor 
and Lessee; and date form was completed. Information obtained from the 
lease application will be held confidential, according to applicable 
Federal law. Aggregate data may be used in the analysis of the DAS 
Leasing Program.
    (ii) Approval of lease application. Unless an application to lease 
Category A DAS is denied according to paragraph (t)(3)(iii) of this 
section, the Regional Administrator shall issue confirmation of 
application approval to both Lessor and Lessee within 45 days of receipt 
of an application.
    (iii) Denial of lease application. The Regional Administrator may 
deny an application to lease Category A DAS for any of the following 
reasons, including, but not limited to: The application is incomplete or 
submitted past the March 1 deadline; the Lessor or Lessee has not been 
issued a valid limited access NE multispecies permit or is otherwise not 
eligible; the Lessor's or Lessee's DAS are under sanction pursuant to an 
enforcement proceeding; the Lessor's or Lessee's vessel is prohibited 
from fishing; the Lessor's or Lessee's limited access NE multispecies 
permit is sanctioned pursuant to an enforcement proceeding; the Lessor 
or Lessee vessel is determined not in compliance with the conditions and 
restrictions of this part; or the Lessor has an insufficient number of 
allocated or unused DAS available to lease. Upon denial of an 
application to lease NE multispecies DAS, the Regional Administrator 
shall send a letter to the applicants describing the reason(s) for 
application rejection. The decision by the Regional Administrator is the 
final agency decision.
    (4) Conditions and restrictions on leased DAS--(i) Confirmation of 
Permit History. DAS associated with a confirmation of permit history may 
not be leased.
    (ii) Sub-leasing. In a fishing year, a Lessor or Lessee vessel may 
not sub-lease DAS that have already been leased to another vessel. Any 
portion of a vessel's DAS may not be leased more than one time during a 
fishing year.
    (iii) Carry-over of leased DAS. Leased DAS that remain unused at the 
end of the fishing year may not be carried over to the subsequent 
fishing year by the Lessor or Lessee vessel.
    (iv) Maximum number of DAS that can be leased. A Lessee may lease 
Category A DAS in an amount up to such vessel's 2001 fishing year 
allocation (excluding carry-over DAS from the previous year, or 
additional DAS associated with obtaining a Large Mesh permit). For 
example, if a vessel was allocated 88 DAS in the 2001 fishing year, that 
vessel may lease up to 88 Category A DAS. The total number of Category A 
DAS that the vessel could fish would be the sum of the 88 leased DAS and 
the vessel's 2004 allocation of Category A DAS. Any leased DAS used are 
subject to differential DAS accounting as described under paragraphs (n) 
and (t) of this section.
    (v) History of leased DAS use and landings. Unless otherwise 
specified in this paragraph (t)(4)(v), history of leased DAS use will be 
presumed to remain with the Lessor vessel. Landings resulting from a 
leased DAS will be presumed to remain with the Lessee vessel. For the 
purpose of accounting for leased DAS use, leased DAS will be accounted 
for (subtracted from available DAS) prior to allocated DAS. In the case 
of multiple leases to one vessel, history of leased DAS use will be 
presumed to remain with the Lessor in the order in which such leases 
were approved by NMFS.
    (vi) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G and H vessels. A vessel that 
possesses a valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and a valid 
limited access

[[Page 507]]

monkfish Category C, D, F, G or H permit and leases NE multispecies DAS 
to or from another vessel is subject to the restrictions specified in 
Sec. 648.92(b)(2).
    (vii) DAS Category restriction. A vessel may lease only Category A 
DAS, as described under paragraph (v)(1) of this section.
    (viii) Duration of lease. A vessel leasing DAS may only fish those 
leased DAS during the fishing year in which they were leased.
    (ix) Size restriction of Lessee vessel. A Lessor vessel only may 
lease DAS to a Lessee vessel with a baseline main engine horsepower 
rating that is no more than 20 percent greater than the baseline engine 
horsepower of the Lessor vessel. A Lessor vessel may only lease DAS to a 
Lessee vessel with a baseline length overall that is no more than 10 
percent greater than the baseline length overall of the Lessor vessel. 
For the purposes of this program, the baseline horsepower and length 
overall specifications of vessels are those associated with the permit 
as of January 29, 2004, unless otherwise modified according to paragraph 
(t)(4)(xi) of this section.
    (x) Leasing by vessels fishing under a Sector allocation. A vessel 
fishing under the restrictions and conditions of an approved Sector 
allocation, as specified in Sec. 648.87(b), may not lease DAS to or 
from vessels that are not participating in such Sector during the 
fishing year in which the vessel is a member of that Sector.
    (xi) One-time downgrade of DAS Leasing Program baseline. For the 
purposes of determining eligibility for leasing DAS only, a vessel owner 
may elect to make a one-time downgrade to the vessel's DAS Leasing 
Program baseline length and horsepower as specified in paragraph 
(t)(4)(ix) of this section to match the length overall and horsepower 
specifications of the vessel that is currently issued the permit.
    (A) Application for a one-time DAS Leasing Program baseline 
downgrade. To downgrade the DAS Leasing Program baseline, eligible NE 
multispecies vessels must submit a completed application form obtained 
from the Regional Administrator. An application to downgrade a vessel's 
DAS Leasing Program baseline must contain at least the following 
information: Vessel owner's name, vessel name, permit number, official 
number or state registration number, current vessel length overall and 
horsepower specifications, an indication whether additional information 
is included to document the vessel's current specifications, and the 
signature of the vessel owner.
    (B) Duration and applicability of one-time DAS Leasing Program 
baseline downgrade. The downgraded DAS Leasing Program baseline remains 
in effect until the DAS Leasing Program expires or the permit is 
transferred to another vessel via a vessel replacement. Once the permit 
is transferred to another vessel, the DAS Leasing Program baseline 
reverts to the baseline horsepower and length overall specifications 
associated with the permit prior to the one-time downgrade. Once the DAS 
Leasing Program baseline is downgraded for a particular permit, no 
further downgrades may be authorized for that permit. The downgraded DAS 
Leasing Program baseline may only be used to determine eligibility for 
the DAS Leasing Program and does not affect or change the baseline 
associated with the DAS Transfer Program specified in paragraph 
(l)(1)(ii) of this section, or the vessel replacement or upgrade 
restrictions specified at Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(P) and (F), or any other 
provision, respectively.
    (u) Permit categories. All limited access NE multispecies permit 
holders shall be assigned to one of the following permit categories, 
according to the criteria specified. Permit holders may request a change 
in permit category, as specified in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2). Each 
fishing year shall begin on May 1 and extend through April 30 of the 
following year. Beginning May 1, 2004, with the exception of the limited 
access Small Vessel and Handgear A vessel categories described in 
paragraphs (u)(5) and (6) of this section, respectively, NE multispecies 
DAS available for use will be calculated pursuant to paragraphs (c) and 
(v) of this section.
    (1) Individual DAS category. This category is for vessels allocated 
individual DAS that are not fishing under the Hook Gear, Combination, or 
Large-mesh individual categories. Beginning

[[Page 508]]

May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Individual DAS category, the 
baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for 
use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associated with 
the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. 
The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given 
fishing year are specified in paragraph (v) of this section.
    (2) Hook Gear category. To be eligible for a Hook Gear category 
permit, the vessel must have been issued a limited access multispecies 
permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a 
Hook Gear category permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a Hook Gear category permit that was issued a 
Confirmation of Permit History. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel 
fishing under the Hook Gear category, the baseline for determining the 
number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated 
based upon the fishing history associated with the vessel's permit, as 
specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. The number and categories 
of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified 
in paragraph (v) of this section. A vessel fishing under this category 
in the DAS program must meet or comply with the gear restrictions 
specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(v), (a)(4)(v), (b)(2)(v) and 
(c)(2)(iv) when fishing in the respective regulated mesh areas.
    (3) Combination vessel category. To be eligible for a Combination 
vessel category permit, a vessel must have been issued a Combination 
vessel category permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel 
that was issued a Combination vessel category permit for the preceding 
year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued a Combination vessel 
category permit that was also issued a Confirmation of Permit History. 
Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Combination vessel 
category, the baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS 
available for use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history 
associated with the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section. The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for 
use in a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (v) of this 
section.
    (4) Large Mesh Individual DAS category. This category is for vessels 
allocated individual DAS that area not fishing under the Hook Gear, 
Combination, or Individual DAS categories. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a 
vessel fishing under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, the 
baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for 
use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associated with 
the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section. 
The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given 
fishing year are specified in paragraph (v) of this section. The number 
of Category A DAS shall be increased by 36 percent. To be eligible to 
fish under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, a vessel, while 
fishing under this category, must fish under the specific regulated mesh 
area minimum mesh size restrictions, as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(iii), (a)(4)(iii), (u)(2)(iii), and (c)(4)(ii) of Sec. 648.80.
    (5) Small Vessel category--(i) DAS allocation. A vessel qualified 
and electing to fish under the Small Vessel category may retain up to 
300 lb (136.1 kg) of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, combined, 
and one Atlantic halibut per trip, without being subject to DAS 
restrictions, provided the vessel does not exceed the yellowtail 
flounder possession restrictions specified under Sec. 648.86(g). Such 
vessel is not subject to a possession limit for other NE multispecies. 
Any vessel may elect to switch into this category, as provided in Sec. 
648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2), if the vessel meets or complies with the 
following:
    (A) The vessel is 30 ft (9.1 m) or less in length overall, as 
determined by measuring along a horizontal line drawn from a 
perpendicular raised from the outside of the most forward portion of the 
stem of the vessel to a perpendicular raised from the after most portion 
of the stern.
    (B) If construction of the vessel was begun after May 1, 1994, the 
vessel must be constructed such that the quotient of the length overall 
divided by the beam is not less than 2.5.
    (C) Acceptable verification for vessels 20 ft (6.1 m) or less in 
length shall

[[Page 509]]

be USCG documentation or state registration papers. For vessels over 20 
ft (6.1 m) in length overall, the measurement of length must be verified 
in writing by a qualified marine surveyor, or the builder, based on the 
vessel's construction plans, or by other means determined acceptable by 
the Regional Administrator. A copy of the verification must accompany an 
application for a NE multispecies permit.
    (D) Adjustments to the Small Vessel category requirements, including 
changes to the length requirement, if required to meet fishing mortality 
goals, may be made by the Regional Administrator following framework 
procedures of Sec. 648.90.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (6) Handgear A category. A vessel qualified and electing to fish 
under the Handgear A category, as described in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(N), 
may retain, per trip, up to 250 lb (113.4 kg) of cod, one Atlantic 
halibut, and the daily limit for other regulated species as specified 
under Sec. 648.86. The cod trip limit will be adjusted proportionally 
to the trip limit for GOM cod (rounded up to the nearest 50 lb (22.7 
kg)), as specified in Sec. 648.86(i)). For example if the GOM cod trip 
limit specified at Sec. 648.86(i) doubled, then the cod trip limit for 
the Handgear A category would double. Qualified vessels electing to fish 
under the Handgear A category are subject to the following restrictions:
    (i) The vessel must not use or possess on board gear other than 
handgear while in possession of, fishing for, or landing NE 
multispecies, and must have at least one standard tote on board.
    (ii) A vessel may not fish for, possess, or land regulated species 
from March 1 through March 20 of each year.
    (iii) Tub-trawls must be hand-hauled only, with a maximum of 250 
hooks.
    (v) DAS categories and allocations. For all valid limited access NE 
multispecies DAS permits, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit 
Histories, beginning with the 2004 fishing year, DAS shall be allocated 
and available for use for a given fishing year according to the 
following DAS Categories (unless otherwise specified, ``NE multispecies 
DAS'' refers to any authorized category of DAS):
    (1) Category A DAS. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (v)(4) of this section, calculation of Category A DAS for each 
fishing year is specified in paragraphs (v)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 
section. An additional 36 percent of Category A DAS will be added and 
available for use for participants in the Large Mesh Individual DAS 
permit category, as described in paragraph (u)(4) of this section, 
provided the participants comply with the applicable gear restrictions. 
Category A DAS may be used in the NE multispecies fishery to harvest and 
land regulated multispecies stocks, in accordance with all of the 
conditions and restrictions of this part.
    (i) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Category A DAS are defined 
as 60 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (ii) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Category A DAS are 
defined as 55 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Starting in fishing year 2009, Category A DAS are defined as 
45 percent of the vessel's used DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section.
    (2) Category B DAS. Category B DAS are divided into Regular B DAS 
and Reserve B DAS. Calculation of Category B DAS for each fishing year, 
and restrictions on use of Category B DAS, are specified in paragraphs 
(v)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.
    (i) Regular B DAS--(A) Restrictions on use. Regular B DAS can only 
be used by NE multispecies vessels in an approved SAP or in the Regular 
B DAS Program as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10). Unless otherwise 
restricted under the Regular B DAS Program as described in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(i), vessels may fish under both a Regular B DAS and a 
Reserve B DAS on the same trip (i.e., when fishing in an approved SAP as 
described in Sec. 648.85(b)).
    (B) Calculation. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (v)(4) of this section, Regular B DAS are calculated as 
follows:

[[Page 510]]

    (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Regular B DAS are defined 
as 20 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section.
    (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Regular B DAS are 
defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (3) Starting in fishing year 2009, and thereafter, Regular B DAS are 
defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Reserve B DAS--(A) Restrictions on use. Reserve B DAS can only 
be used in an approved SAP, as specified in Sec. 648.85.
    (B) Calculation. Unless determined otherwise, as specified under 
paragraph (v)(4) of this section, Reserve B DAS are calculated as 
follows:
    (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are defined 
as 20 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section.
    (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are 
defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (3) Starting in fishing year 2009, and thereafter, Reserve B DAS are 
defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel's DAS baseline specified under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (3) Category C DAS--(i) Restriction on use. Category C DAS are 
reserved and may not be fished.
    (ii) Calculation. Category C DAS are defined as the difference 
between a vessel's used DAS baseline, as described in paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section, and the number of DAS allocated to the vessel as of May 
1, 2001.
    (4) Criteria and procedure for not reducing DAS allocations and 
modifying DAS accrual. The schedule of reductions in NE multispecies 
DAS, and the modification of DAS accrual specified under paragraph 
(n)(2) of this section, shall not occur if the Regional Administrator:
    (i) Determines that one of the following criteria has been met:
    (A) That the Amendment 13 projected target biomass levels for stocks 
targeted by the default measures, based on the 2005 and 2008 stock 
assessments, have been or are projected to be attained with at least a 
50-percent probability in the 2006 and 2009 fishing years, respectively, 
and overfishing is not occurring on those stocks (i.e., current 
information indicates that the stocks are rebuilt and overfishing is not 
occurring); or
    (B) That biomass projections, based on the 2005 and 2008 stock 
assessments, show that rebuilding will occur by the end of the 
rebuilding period with at least a 50-percent probability, and the best 
available estimate of the fishing mortality rate for the stocks targeted 
by the default measures indicates that overfishing is not occurring 
(i.e., current information indicates that rebuilding will occur by the 
end of the rebuilding period and the fishing mortality rate is at or 
below Fmsy).
    (ii) Determines that all other stocks meet the fishing mortality 
rates specified in Amendment 13; and
    (iii) Publishes such determination in the Federal Register, 
consistent with Administrative Procedure Act requirements for proposed 
and final rulemaking.
    (w) DAS credit for standing by entangled whales. Limited access 
vessels fishing under the DAS program that report and stand by an 
entangled whale may request a DAS credit for the time spent standing by 
the whale. The following conditions and requirements must be met to 
receive this credit:
    (1) At the time the vessel begins standing by the entangled whale, 
the vessel operator must notify the USCG and the Center for Coastal 
Studies, or another organization authorized by the Regional 
Administrator, of the location of the entangled whale and that the 
vessel is going to stand by the entangled whale until the arrival of an 
authorized response team;
    (2) Only one vessel at a time may receive credit for standing by an 
entangled whale. A vessel standing by an entangled whale may transfer 
its stand-by status to another vessel while waiting for an authorized 
response team to arrive, provided it notifies the USCG and the Center 
for Coastal Studies, or another organization authorized by the

[[Page 511]]

Regional Administrator, of the transfer. The vessel to which stand-by 
status is transferred must also notify the USCG and the Center for 
Coastal Studies or another organization authorized by the Regional 
Administrator of this transfer and comply with the conditions and 
restrictions of this part;
    (3) The stand-by vessel must be available to answer questions on the 
condition of the animal, possible species identification, severity of 
entanglement, etc., and take photographs of the whale, if possible, 
regardless of the species of whale or whether the whale is alive or 
dead, during its stand-by status and after terminating its stand-by 
status. The stand-by vessel must remain on scene until the USCG or an 
authorized response team arrives, or the vessel is informed that an 
authorized response team will not arrive. If the vessel receives notice 
that a response team is not available, the vessel may discontinue 
standing-by the entangled whale and continue fishing operations; and
    (4) To receive credit for standing by an entangled whale, a vessel 
must submit a written request to the Regional Administrator. This 
request must include at least the following information: Date and time 
when the vessel began its stand-by status, date of first communication 
with the USCG, and date and time when the vessel terminated its stand-by 
status. DAS credit shall not be granted for the time a vessel fishes 
when standing by an entangled whale. Upon a review of the request, NMFS 
shall consider granting the DAS credit based on information available at 
the time of the request, regardless of whether an authorized response 
team arrives on scene or a rescue is attempted. NMFS shall notify the 
permit holder of any DAS adjustment that is made or explain the reasons 
why an adjustment will not be made.

[69 FR 22969, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 67798, Nov. 19, 2004; 
69 FR 70923, Dec. 8, 2004; 70 FR 21942, Apr. 28, 2005; 70 FR 31340, June 
1, 2005; 70 FR 76427, Dec. 27, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19376, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.82 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(1), (b), (c)(1) and (2), (d) 
through (k), (l)(1)(iv) and (v), and (m); and adding paragraphs (a)(3), 
(c)(3) and (4), (l)(1)(viii) and (ix), and (n) through (w); and, 
paragraph (s)(1)(iii) was corrected at 71 FR 25094, Apr. 28, 2006, 
effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.



Sec. 648.83  Multispecies minimum fish sizes.

    (a) Minimum fish sizes. (1) Minimum fish sizes for recreational 
vessels and charter/party vessels that are not fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS are specified in Sec. 648.89. Except as provided in 
Sec. 648.17, all other vessels are subject to the following minimum 
fish sizes, determined by total length (TL):

             Minimum Fish Sizes (TL) for Commercial Vessels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Species                          Sizes  (inches)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cod......................................  22 (55.9 cm)
Haddock..................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Pollock..................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Witch flounder (gray sole)...............  14 (35.6 cm)
Yellowtail flounder......................  13 (33.0 cm)
American plaice (dab)....................  14 (35.6 cm)
Atlantic halibut.........................  36 (91.4 cm)
Winter flounder (blackback)..............  12 (30.5 cm)
Redfish..................................  9 (22.9 cm)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The minimum fish size applies to whole fish or to any part of a 
fish while possessed on board a vessel, except as provided in paragraph 
(b) of this section, and to whole, whole-gutted or gilled fish only, 
after landing. For purposes of determining compliance with the 
possession limits in Sec. 648.86, the weight of fillets and parts of 
fish, other than whole-gutted or gilled fish, will be multiplied by 3. 
Fish fillets, or parts of fish, must have skin on while possessed on 
board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet minimum size 
requirements. ``Skin on'' means the entire portion of the skin normally 
attached to the portion of the fish or to fish parts possessed is still 
attached.
    (b) Exceptions. (1) Each person aboard a vessel issued a NE 
multispecies limited access permit and fishing under the DAS program may 
possess up to 25 lb (11.3 kg) of fillets that measure less than the 
minimum size, if such fillets are from legal-sized fish and are not 
offered or intended for sale, trade, or barter. For purposes of 
determining compliance with the possession limits specified in Sec. 
648.86, the weight of fillets and parts of fish, other than whole-gutted 
or gilled fish, will be multiplied by 3.

[[Page 512]]

    (2) Recreational, party, and charter vessels may possess fillets 
less than the minimum size specified, if the fillets are taken from 
legal-sized fish and are not offered or intended for sale, trade or 
barter.
    (3) Vessels fishing exclusively with pot gear may possess NE 
multispecies frames used, or to be used, as bait, that measure less than 
the minimum fish size, if there is a receipt for purchase of those 
frames on board the vessel.
    (4) Category 1 herring vessels may possess and land haddock and 
other regulated multispecies (cod, witch flounder, plaice, yellowtail 
flounder, pollock, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, redfish, and 
white hake) that are smaller than the minimum size specified under Sec. 
648.83, consistent with the bycatch caps specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.86(a)(3) and 648.86 (j). Such fish may not be sold for human 
consumption.
    (c) Adjustments. (1) At any time when information is available, the 
NEFMC will review the best available mesh selectivity information to 
determine the appropriate minimum size for the species listed in 
paragraph (a) of this section, except winter flounder, according to the 
length at which 25 percent of the regulated species would be retained by 
the applicable minimum mesh size.
    (2) Upon determination of the appropriate minimum sizes, the NEFMC 
shall propose the minimum fish sizes to be implemented following the 
procedures specified in Sec. 648.90.
    (3) Additional adjustments or changes to the minimum fish sizes 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section, and exemptions specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, may be made at any time after 
implementation of the final rule as specified under Sec. 648.90.

[69 FR 22974, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 46876, Aug. 15, 2006]



Sec. 648.84  Gear-marking requirements and gear restrictions.

    (a) Bottom-tending fixed gear, including, but not limited to, 
gillnets and longlines designed for, capable of, or fishing for NE 
multispecies or monkfish, must have the name of the owner or vessel or 
the official number of that vessel permanently affixed to any buoys, 
gillnets, longlines, or other appropriate gear so that the name of the 
owner or vessel or the official number of the vessel is visible on the 
surface of the water.
    (b) Bottom-tending fixed gear, including, but not limited to 
gillnets or longline gear, must be marked so that the westernmost end 
(measuring the half compass circle from magnetic south through west to, 
and including, north) of the gear displays a standard 12-inch (30.5-cm) 
tetrahedral corner radar reflector and a pennant positioned on a staff 
at least 6 ft (1.8 m) above the buoy. The easternmost end (meaning the 
half compass circle from magnetic north through east to, and including, 
south) of the gear need display only the standard 12-inch (30.5-cm) 
tetrahedral radar reflector positioned in the same way.
    (c) Continuous gillnets must not exceed 6,600 ft (2,011.7 m) between 
the end buoys.
    (d) In the GOM and GB regulated mesh area specified in Sec. 
648.80(a), gillnet gear set in an irregular pattern or in any way that 
deviates more than 30[deg] from the original course of the set must be 
marked at the extremity of the deviation with an additional marker, 
which must display two or more visible streamers and may either be 
attached to or independent of the gear.

[69 FR 22974, Apr. 27, 2004]



Sec. 648.85  Special management programs.

    (a) U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding. No NE multispecies 
fishing vessel, or person on such vessel, may enter, fish in, or be in 
the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding Management Areas (U.S./
Canada Management Areas), as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, unless the vessel is fishing in accordance with the 
restrictions and conditions of this section. These restrictions do not 
preclude fishing under an approved Special Access Program specified 
under paragraph (b) of this section.
    (1) U.S./Canada Management Areas. A NE multispecies DAS vessel that 
meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, may fish in 
the U.S./Canada Management Areas described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 
(ii) of this section.

[[Page 513]]

    (i) Western U.S./Canada Area. The Western U.S./Canada Area is the 
area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated (a chart depicting this area is available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

                        Western U.S./Canada Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USCA 1...........................  42[deg]20[min]      68[deg]50[min]
USCA 2...........................  39[deg]50[min]      68[deg]50[min]
USCA 3...........................  39[deg]50[min]      66[deg]40[min]
USCA 4...........................  40[deg]40[min]      66[deg]40[min]
USCA 5...........................  40[deg]40[min]      66[deg]50[min]
USCA 6...........................  40[deg]50[min]      66[deg]50[min]
USCA 7...........................  40[deg]50[min]      67[deg]00[min]
USCA 8...........................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]00[min]
USCA 9...........................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]20[min]
USCA 10..........................  41[deg]10[min]      67[deg]20[min]
USCA 11..........................  41[deg]10[min]      67[deg]40[min]
USCA 12..........................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]40[min]
USCA 1...........................  42[deg]20[min]      68[deg]50[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Eastern U.S./Canada Area. The Eastern U.S./Canada Area is the 
area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated (a chart depicting this area is available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

                        Eastern U.S./Canada Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USCA 12..........................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]40[min]
USCA 11..........................  41[deg]10[min]      67[deg]40[min]
USCA 10..........................  41[deg]10[min]      67[deg]20[min]
USCA 9...........................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]20[min]
USCA 8...........................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]00[min]
USCA 7...........................  41[deg]50[min]      67[deg]00[min]
USCA 6...........................  41[deg]50[min]      66[deg]50[min]
USCA 5...........................  41[deg]40[min]      66[deg]50[min]
USCA 4...........................  41[deg]40[min]      66[deg]40[min]
USCA 15..........................  40[deg]30[min]      66[deg]40[min]
USCA 14..........................  40[deg]30[min]      65[deg]44.3[min]
USCA 13..........................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]18.4[min]
USCA 12..........................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]40[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) TAC allocation. (i) Except for the 2004 fishing year, the amount 
of GB cod and haddock TAC that may be harvested from the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, and the 
amount of GB yellowtail flounder TAC that may be harvested from the 
Western U.S./Canada Area and the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as described 
in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, combined, shall be 
determined by the process specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through 
(E) of this section.
    (A) By June 30 of each year, the Terms of Reference for the U.S./
Canada shared resources for GB cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder 
shall be established by the Steering Committee and the Transboundary 
Management Guidance Committee (TMGC).
    (B) By July 31 of each year, a Transboundary Resource Assessment 
Committee (TRAC) joint assessment of the U.S./Canada shared resources 
for GB cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder shall occur.
    (C) By August 31 of each year, the TMGC shall recommend TACs for the 
U.S./Canada shared resources for GB cod, haddock and yellowtail 
flounder. Prior to October 31 of each year, the Council may refer any or 
all recommended TACs back to the TMGC and request changes to any or all 
TACs. The TMGC shall consider such recommendations and respond to the 
Council prior to October 31.
    (D) By October 31 of each year, the Council shall review the TMGC 
recommended TACs for the U.S. portion of the U.S./Canada Management Area 
resources for GB cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder. Based on the 
TMGC recommendations, the Council shall recommend to the Regional 
Administrator the U.S. TACs for the shared stocks for the subsequent 
fishing year. NMFS shall review the Council's recommendations and shall 
publish in the Federal Register the proposed TACs and provide a 30-day 
public comment period. NMFS shall make a final determination concerning 
the TACs and publish notification of the approved TACs and responses to 
public comments in the Federal Register. The Council, at this time, may 
also consider modification of management measures in order to ensure 
compliance with the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding. Any 
changes to management measures will be modified pursuant to Sec. 
648.90.
    (E) For fishing year 2004, the amount of GB cod, haddock and 
yellowtail flounder TAC that may be harvested under this section will be 
published in the preamble of the proposed and final rules for Amendment 
13.
    (ii) Adjustments to TACs. Any overages of the GB cod, haddock, or 
yellowtail flounder TACs that occur in

[[Page 514]]

a given fishing year will be subtracted from the respective TAC in the 
following fishing year.
    (3) Requirements for vessels in U.S./Canada Management Areas. Any NE 
multispecies vessel may fish in the U.S./Canada Management Areas, 
provided it complies with conditions and restrictions of this section. 
Vessels other than NE multispecies vessels may fish in the U.S./Canada 
Management Area, subject to the restrictions specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section and all other applicable regulations for 
such vessels.
    (i) VMS requirement. A NE multispecies DAS vessel in the U.S./Canada 
Management Areas described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must have 
installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum 
performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10. The VMS 
unit will be polled at least twice per hour in the U.S./Canada 
Management Areas, when the vessel has declared into the U.S./Canada 
Management Areas under a groundfish DAS, as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Declaration. To fish in the U.S./Canada Management Area under a 
groundfish DAS, a NE multispecies DAS vessel, prior to leaving the dock, 
must declare through the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be 
provided by the Regional Administrator, which specific U.S./Canada 
Management Area described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this 
section, or which specific SAP, described in paragraph (b) of this 
section, within the U.S./Canada Management Area the vessel will fish in, 
and comply with the restrictions and conditions in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. Vessels other than NE 
multispecies DAS vessels are not required to declare into the U.S./
Canada Areas.
    (A) A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area may not fish, during the same trip, outside of the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area, and may not enter or exit the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area more than once on any trip.
    (B) A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Western 
U.S./Canada Area may fish inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada 
Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the more restrictive 
regulations applicable to the area fished for the entire trip (e.g., the 
possession restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(4) of this 
section), and the reporting requirements specified in Sec. 
648.85(a)(3)(v).
    (C) For the purposes of selecting vessels for observer deployment, a 
vessel fishing in either of the U.S./Canada Management Areas specified 
in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must provide notice to NMFS of the 
vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; 
telephone number for contact; and the date, time, and port of departure, 
at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip that it declares 
into the U.S./Canada Management Area as required under this paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii).
    (iii) NE multispecies vessels fishing with trawl gear in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section must 
fish with a haddock separator trawl or a flounder trawl net, as 
described in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of this section (both 
nets may be onboard the fishing vessel simultaneously). Other types of 
fishing gear may be on the vessel during a trip to the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area, provided the gear is stowed according to the regulations at 
Sec. 648.23(b). The description of the haddock separator trawl and 
flounder trawl net in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section may be 
further specified by the Regional Administrator through publication of 
such specifications in the Federal Register, consistent with the 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (A) Haddock Separator Trawl. A haddock separator trawl is defined as 
a groundfish trawl modified to a vertically oriented trouser trawl 
configuration, with two extensions arranged one over the other, where a 
codend shall be attached only to the upper extension, and the bottom 
extension shall be left open and have no codend attached. A horizontal 
large mesh separating panel constructed with a minimum of 6.0 inch (15.2 
cm) diamond mesh must be installed between the selvedges joining the 
upper

[[Page 515]]

and lower panels, as described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of 
this section, extending forward from the front of the trouser junction 
to the aft edge of the first belly behind the fishing circle.
    (1) Two-seam bottom trawl nets--For two seam nets, the separator 
panel will be constructed such that the width of the forward edge of the 
panel is 80-85 percent of the width of the after edge of the first belly 
of the net where the panel is attached. For example, if the belly is 200 
meshes wide (from selvedge to selvedge), the separator panel must be no 
wider than 160-170 meshes wide.
    (2) Four-seam bottom trawl nets--For four seam nets, the separator 
panel will be constructed such that the width of the forward edge of the 
panel is 90-95 percent of the width of the after edge of the first belly 
of the net where the panel is attached. For example, if the belly is 200 
meshes wide (from selvedge to selvedge), the separator panel must be no 
wider than 180-190 meshes wide. The separator panel will be attached to 
both of the side panels of the net along the midpoint of the side 
panels. For example, if the side panel is 100 meshes tall, the separator 
panel must be attached at the 50th mesh.
    (B) Flounder Trawl Net. A flounder trawl net is defined as bottom 
trawl gear meeting one of the following two net descriptions:
    (1) A two-seam, low-rise net constructed with mesh size in 
compliance with Sec. 648.80(a)(4), where the maximum footrope length is 
not greater than 105 ft (32.0 m) and the headrope is at least 30 percent 
longer than the footrope. The footrope and headrope lengths shall be 
measured from the forward wing end.
    (2) A two-seam, low-rise net constructed with mesh size in 
compliance with Sec. 648.80(a)(4), with the exception that the top 
panel of the net contains a section of mesh at least 10 ft (3.05 m) long 
and stretching from selvedge to selvedge, composed of at least 12-in 
(30.5-cm) mesh that is inserted no farther than 4.5 meshes behind the 
headrope.
    (iv) Harvest controls. Vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management 
Areas are subject to the following restrictions, in addition to any 
other possession or landing limits applicable to vessels not fishing in 
the U.S./Canada Management Areas.
    (A) Cod landing limit restrictions. Notwithstanding other applicable 
possession and landing restrictions under this part, a NE multispecies 
vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section may not land more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of 
cod per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) per trip, 
not to exceed 5 percent of the total catch on board, whichever is less, 
unless otherwise restricted under this part. A vessel fishing in both 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and either the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program on the same 
trip must comply with the cod possession restrictions for those programs 
for the entire trip, as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (8) of this 
section, respectively.
    (B) Haddock landing limit--(1) Initial haddock landing limit. The 
initial haddock landing limit is specified in Sec. 648.86(a), unless 
adjusted pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(B)(2) and (3) of this section.
    (2) Implementation of haddock landing limit for Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area. When the Regional Administrator projects that 70 percent of the 
TAC allocation for haddock specified under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section will be harvested, NMFS shall implement, through rulemaking 
consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, a haddock trip limit 
for vessels fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area of 1,500 lb (680.4 
kg) per day, and 15,000 lb (6,804.1 kg) per trip.
    (3) Possession restriction when 100 percent of TAC is harvested. 
When the Regional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the TAC 
allocation for haddock specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section 
will be harvested, NMFS shall, through rulemaking consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, close the Eastern U.S./Canada Area to 
groundfish DAS vessels as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this 
section and prohibit all vessels from harvesting, possessing, or landing 
haddock in or from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area.

[[Page 516]]

    (C) Yellowtail flounder landing limit--(1) Initial yellowtail 
flounder landing limit. The initial yellowtail flounder possession limit 
is specific to the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP as specified in 
paragraph (b)(3)(viii) if this section, unless adjusted pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(2) and (3) of this section.
    (2) Implementation of yellowtail flounder landing limit for Western 
and Eastern U.S./Canada Areas. When the Regional Administrator projects 
that 70 percent of the TAC allocation for yellowtail flounder specified 
under paragraph (a)(2) of this section will be harvested, NMFS shall 
impose and/or adjust, through rulemaking consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, the yellowtail flounder trip limit for 
vessels fishing in both the Western U.S./Canada Area and the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area to 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) per day, and 15,000 lb (6,804.1 
kg) per trip.
    (3) Possession restriction when 100 percent of TAC is harvested. 
When the Regional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the TAC 
allocation for yellowtail flounder specified under paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section will be harvested, NMFS shall, through rulemaking 
consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, close the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area to groundfish DAS vessels as specified under paragraph 
(a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section and prohibit all vessels from harvesting, 
possessing, or landing yellowtail flounder from the U.S./Canada 
Management Area.
    (4) Yellowtail flounder landing limit for vessels fishing both 
inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip. A 
vessel fishing both inside and outside of the Western U.S./Canada Area 
on the same trip, as allowed under paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this 
section, is subject to the most restrictive landing limits that apply to 
any of the areas fished, for the entire trip.
    (5) Initial yellowtail flounder landing limit. The initial 
yellowtail flounder possession limit for the U.S./Canada Area is 10,000 
lb (4,536 kg) per trip. A separate yellowtail flounder trip limit for 
the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP is specified under paragraph 
(b)(3)(viii) of this section. The trip limits specified under this 
paragraph, or paragraph (b)(3)(viii) of this section, may be adjusted by 
the Regional Administrator pursuant to paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(C)(3) and 
(6) of this section.
    (6) Authority to further restrict yellowtail flounder landing 
limits. Unless further restricted by the initial yellowtail flounder 
landing limit as specified by paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(5) of this 
section, when the Regional Administrator projects that 70 percent of the 
TAC allocation for yellowtail flounder specified under paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section will be harvested, NMFS shall implement and/or adjust, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, the 
yellowtail flounder trip limit for vessels fishing in both the Western 
and Eastern U.S./Canada Area to 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) per day, and 15,000 
lb (6,804.1 kg) per trip.
    (7) Yellowtail flounder landing limit for vessels fishing both 
inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip. A 
vessel fishing both inside and outside of the Western U.S./Canada Area 
on the same trip, as allowed under paragraph (a)(3)(viii)(B) of this 
section, must comply with the most restrictive landing limits that apply 
to any of the areas fished, for the entire trip.
    (D) Other restrictions or in-season adjustments. In addition to the 
possession restrictions specified in this paragraph (a)(3)(iv), when 30 
percent and/or 60 percent of the TAC allocations specified under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section are projected to be, or have been, 
harvested, the Regional Administrator, through rulemaking consistent 
with the Administrative Procedure Act, may modify the gear requirements, 
modify or close access to the U.S./Canada Management Areas, increase or 
decrease the trip limits specified under paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(A) 
through (C) of this section, or modify the total number of trips into 
the U.S./Canada Management Area, to prevent over-harvesting or under-
harvesting the TAC allocations.
    (E) Closure of Eastern U.S./Canada Area. When the Regional 
Administrator projects that the TAC allocations specified under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section will be caught, NMFS shall close, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, the

[[Page 517]]

Eastern U.S./Canada Area to all groundfish DAS vessels, unless otherwise 
allowed under this paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E). Should the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area close as described in this paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E), 
groundfish DAS vessels may continue to fish in a SAP within the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area, provided that the TAC for the target stock identified 
for that particular SAP has not been fully harvested. For example, 
should the TAC allocation for GB cod specified under paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section be attained, and the Eastern U.S./Canada Area closure 
implemented, vessels could continue to fish for yellowtail flounder 
within the SAP identified as the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, 
described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, in accordance with the 
requirements of that program. Upon closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area, vessels may transit through this area as described in paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section, provided that its gear is stowed in 
accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b), unless otherwise 
restricted under this part.
    (v) Reporting. The owner or operator of a NE multispecies DAS vessel 
must submit reports via the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be 
provided by the Regional Administrator, for each day fished when 
declared into either of the U.S./Canada Management Areas. The reports 
must include at least the information specified in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(v)(A) and (B) of this section, depending on area fished. The 
reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, beginning at 
0000 hr and ending at 2400 hr, and must be submitted by 0900 hr of the 
following day.
    (A) Eastern U.S./Canada Area. For a vessel declared into the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this 
section, the reports must include at least the following information: 
Total pounds of cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder kept; and total 
pounds of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder discarded.
    (B) Western U.S./Canada Area. For a vessel declared into the Western 
U.S./Canada Area in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this 
section, the reports must include at least the following information: 
Total pounds of yellowtail flounder kept and total pounds of yellowtail 
flounder discarded. In addition to these reporting requirements, a 
vessel that has declared that it intends to fish both inside and outside 
of the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, must report via VMS the following 
information when crossing the boundary into or out of the Western U.S./
Canada Area: Total pounds of yellowtail flounder kept, by statistical 
area, and total pounds of yellowtail flounder discarded, by statistical 
area, since the last daily catch report.
    (vi) Withdrawal from U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding. At 
any time, the Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, 
may withdraw from the provisions of the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing 
Understanding described in this section, if the Understanding is 
determined to be inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP, 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, or other applicable law. If the United States 
withdraws from the Understanding, the implementing measures, including 
TACs, remain in place until changed through the framework or FMP 
amendment process.
    (vii) Transiting. A multispecies DAS vessel declared into the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
section, and not fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP described 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, may transit the CA II Yellowtail 
Flounder SAP as described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, 
provided all fishing gear is stowed in accordance with the regulations 
at Sec. 648.23(b).
    (viii) Declaration. To fish in the U.S./Canada Management Area under 
a groundfish DAS, a NE multispecies DAS vessel, prior to leaving the 
dock, must declare through the VMS, in accordance with instructions to 
be provided by the Regional Administrator, which specific U.S./Canada 
Management Area described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this 
section, or which specific SAP, described in paragraph (b) of this 
section, within the U.S./Canada Management Area the vessel will fish in, 
and comply with the restrictions and conditions in paragraphs

[[Page 518]]

(a)(3)(viii)(A) through (C) of this section. Vessels other than NE 
multispecies DAS vessels are not required to declare into the U.S./
Canada Management Area.
    (A) A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area may fish both inside and outside the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the most 
restrictive regulations applicable to the area fished for the entire 
trip and the requirements of paragraphs (a)(3)(viii)(A)(1) and (2) of 
this section and does not discard legal-sized yellowtail flounder. If a 
vessel is fishing inside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, and possesses 
yellowtail flounder in excess of what is allowed in either the CC/GOM 
Yellowtail Flounder Area or the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area, as 
defined in Sec. 648.86(g), it may not fish outside of the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area on the same trip. On trips when the vessel operator elects 
to fish both inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, all 
cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder caught on the trip will count 
toward the applicable hard TAC specified for the U.S./Canada Management 
Area.
    (1) The vessel operator must notify NMFS via VMS that it is electing 
to fish outside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area either prior to leaving the 
dock, or prior to leaving the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. Category A DAS 
shall accrue for the entire duration of the trip, regardless of whether 
the vessel began its trip under a Category A or Category B DAS. If a 
vessel fishing within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area declares its intent 
to fish exclusively within the Eastern and Western U.S./Canada Areas on 
the same trip, pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(viii) of this section, 
Category A DAS shall accrue in accordance with Sec. Sec. 
648.10(b)(2)(v) and 648.82(n)(2)(ii). If a vessel fishing within the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area declares its intent to fish within the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area and outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area on the 
same trip, Category A DAS shall accrue in accordance with Sec. Sec. 
648.10(b)(2)(v) and 648.82(n)(2)(i).
    (2) The vessel must comply with the reporting requirements of the 
U.S./Canada Management Area specified under Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(ix) for 
the duration of the trip.
    (B) A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Western 
U.S./Canada Area may fish inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada 
Area on the same trip, provided it declares its intent to do so via VMS 
prior to leaving the dock in accordance with instructions to be provided 
by the Regional Administrator, and complies with the most restrictive 
regulations applicable to the area fished for the entire trip (e.g., the 
possession restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(4) of this 
section), and the reporting requirements specified in Sec. 
648.85(a)(3)(ix). Category A DAS shall accrue in accordance with the 
regulations at Sec. 648.82(n)(2)(ii) if the vessel fishes outside of 
the U.S./Canada Management Area on the same trip.
    (C) For the purposes of selecting vessels for observer deployment, a 
vessel fishing in either of the U.S./Canada Management Areas specified 
in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must provide notice to NMFS of the 
vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; 
telephone number for contact; and the date, time, and port of departure, 
at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip that it declares 
into the U.S./Canada Management Area as required under this paragraph 
(a)(3)(viii).
    (ix) Reporting. The owner or operator of a NE multispecies DAS 
vessel must submit reports via the VMS, in accordance with instructions 
to be provided by the Regional Administrator, for each day fished when 
declared into either of the U.S./Canada Management Areas. The reports 
must include at least the information specified in paragraphs 
(a)(3)(ix)(A) and (B) of this section, depending on area fished. The 
reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, beginning at 
0000 hr and ending at 2400 hr, and must be submitted by 0900 hr of the 
following day.
    (A) Eastern U.S./Canada Area. For a vessel declared into the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(viii) of this 
section, the reports must include at least the following information: 
Total pounds of cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder

[[Page 519]]

kept; and total pounds of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder 
discarded.
    (B) Western U.S./Canada Area. For a vessel declared into the Western 
U.S./Canada Area in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(viii) of this 
section, the reports must include at least the following information: 
Total pounds of yellowtail flounder kept and total pounds of yellowtail 
flounder discarded. In addition to these reporting requirements, a 
vessel that has declared that it intends to fish both inside and outside 
of the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(3)(viii) of this section, must report via VMS the 
following information when crossing the boundary into or out of the 
Western U.S./Canada Area: Total pounds of yellowtail flounder kept, by 
statistical area, and total pounds of yellowtail flounder discarded, by 
statistical area, since the last daily catch report.
    (b) Special Access Programs. A SAP is a narrowly defined fishery 
that results in increased access to a stock that, in the absence of such 
authorization, would not be allowed due to broadly applied regulations. 
A SAP authorizes specific fisheries targeting either NE multispecies 
stocks or non-multispecies stocks in order to allow an increased yield 
of the target stock(s) without undermining the achievement of the goals 
of the NE Multispecies FMP. A SAP should result in a harvest level that 
more closely approaches OY, without compromising efforts to rebuild 
overfished stocks, end overfishing, minimize bycatch, or minimize impact 
on EFH. Development of a SAP requires a relatively high level of fishery 
dependent and fishery independent information in order to be consistent 
with this rationale.
    (1) SAPs harvesting NE multispecies. A SAP to harvest NE 
multispecies may be proposed by the Council and approved by NMFS through 
the framework process described under Sec. 648.90.
    (2) SAPs harvesting stocks other than NE multispecies. A SAP to 
harvest stocks of fish other than NE multispecies (non-multispecies SAP) 
may be proposed by the Council and approved by NMFS through the 
framework process described under Sec. 648.90.
    (3) Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP--(i) Eligibility. Vessels 
issued a valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit are eligible to 
participate in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, and may fish 
in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area, as described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, for the period specified in 
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, when fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS, provided such vessels comply with the requirements of 
this section, and provided the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) is not closed according to the provisions specified 
under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section. Vessels are required to 
comply with the no discarding and DAS flip requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(3)(xi) of this section, and the DAS balance requirements 
specified in paragraph (b)(3)(xii) of this section.
    (ii) Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area. The Closed Area 
II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area is the area defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

             Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ytail 1..........................  41[deg]30[min]      67[deg]20[min]
Ytail 2..........................  41[deg]30[min]      66[deg]34.8[min]
G5...............................  41[deg]18.6[min]    66[deg]24.8[min]
                                                        \1\
CII 2............................  41[deg]00[min]      66[deg]35.8[min]
CII 1............................  41[deg]00[min]      67[deg]20[min]
Ytail 1..........................  41[deg]30[min]      67[deg]20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

    (iii) Season. Eligible vessels may fish in the Closed Area II 
Yellowtail Flounder SAP during the period July 1 through December 31.
    (iv) VMS requirement. All NE multispecies DAS vessels in the U.S./
Canada Management Areas described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the 
minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10.
    (v) Declaration. For the purposes of selecting vessels for observer 
deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel name; 
contact

[[Page 520]]

name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone number for 
contact; date, time and port of departure; and special access program to 
be fished, at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip which it 
declares into the Special Access Program as required under this 
paragraph (b)(3)(v). Prior to departure from port, a vessel intending to 
participate in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP must declare 
into this area through the VMS, in accordance with instructions provided 
by the Regional Administrator. In addition to fishing in the Closed Area 
II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, a vessel, on the same trip, may also declare 
its intent to fish in the area outside of Closed Area II that resides 
within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section, provided the vessel fishes in these areas under the 
most restrictive provisions of either the Closed Area II Yellowtail 
Flounder SAP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Area.
    (vi) Number of trips per vessel. Unless otherwise authorized by the 
Regional Administrator as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this 
section, eligible vessels are restricted to one trip per calendar month, 
during the season described in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (vii) Maximum number of trips per fishing year. Unless otherwise 
authorized by the Regional Administrator as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, the total number of allowed trips by all 
vessels combined that may be declared into the Closed Area II Yellowtail 
Flounder SAP shall be as announced by the Regional Administrator, after 
consultation with the Council, for each fishing year, prior to June 1, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. The 
total number of trips by all vessels combined that may be declared into 
this SAP shall not exceed 320 trips per year. When determining the total 
number of trips, the Regional Administrator shall consider the available 
yellowtail flounder TAC under the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing 
Understanding, the potential catch of GB yellowtail flounder by all 
vessels fishing outside of the SAP, recent discard estimates in all 
fisheries that catch yellowtail flounder, and the expected number of SAP 
participants. If the Regional Administrator determines that the 
available catch, as determined by subtracting the potential catch of GB 
yellowtail flounder by all vessels outside of the SAP from the GB 
yellowtail flounder TAC allocation specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, is insufficient to allow for at least 150 trips with a 
possession limit of 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) of yellowtail flounder per 
trip, the Regional Administrator may choose not to authorize any trips 
into the SAP during a fishing year.
    (viii) Trip limits--(A) Yellowtail flounder trip limit. Unless 
otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator as specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, a vessel fishing in the CA II 
Yellowtail Flounder SAP may fish for, possess, and land up to 10,000 lb 
(4,536 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip. The Regional Administrator 
may adjust this limit to a maximum of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per trip 
after considering the factors listed in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this 
section for the maximum number of trips.
    (B) Cod and haddock trip limit. Unless otherwise restricted, a NE 
multispecies vessel fishing any portion of a trip in the Closed Area II 
Yellowtail Flounder SAP may not fish for, possess, or land more than 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod per trip, regardless of trip length. A NE 
multispecies vessel fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP is subject to the haddock requirements described under Sec. 
648.86(a), unless further restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this 
section.
    (ix) Area fished. Eligible vessels that have declared a trip into 
the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, and other areas as specified 
under paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this section, may not fish, during the same 
trip, outside of the declared area, and may not enter or exit the area 
more than once per trip.
    (x) Gear requirements. NE multispecies vessels fishing with trawl 
gear under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada Areas 
defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must fish with a haddock 
separator trawl or a flounder trawl net, as described in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iii) of this section (both nets may

[[Page 521]]

be onboard the fishing vessel simultaneously). Gear other than the 
haddock separator trawl or the flounder trawl net as described in 
paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section may be on board the vessel during 
a trip to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, provided the gear is stowed 
according to the regulations at Sec. 648.23(b).
    (xi) No-discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the 
Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, under a B DAS (Regular or 
Reserve) may not discard legal-sized cod. If such a vessel harvests and 
brings on board more legal sized cod than the applicable maximum landing 
limit per trip specified under paragraph (b)(3)(viii) of this section, 
the vessel operator must notify NMFS prior to crossing the demarcation 
line via VMS on its return trip to port to initiate a DAS flip. Once 
this notification has been received by NMFS, the vessel will 
automatically be switched by NMFS to fishing under a Category A DAS. For 
a vessel that notified NMFS of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have 
accrued between the time the vessel started accruing Category B DAS at 
the beginning of the trip (i.e., at the time the vessel crossed into the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area) and the time the vessel declared its DAS flip 
will be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Category B DAS. Once such 
vessel has initiated the DAS flip and is fishing under a Category A DAS, 
the prohibition on discarding legal-sized cod no longer applies.
    (xii) Minimum Category A DAS. For vessels fishing under a Category B 
DAS, the number of Category B DAS that can be used on a trip cannot 
exceed the number of available Category A DAS the vessel has at the 
start of the trip.
    (4) SNE/MA Winter Flounder SAP. A limited access NE multispecies 
vessel fishing for summer flounder west of 72[deg]30[min] W. lat., using 
mesh required under Sec. 648.104(a), may retain and land up to 200 lb 
(90.7 kg) of winter flounder while not under an NE multispecies DAS, 
provided the vessel complies with the following restrictions:
    (i) The vessel must possess a valid summer flounder permit as 
required under Sec. 648.4(a)(3), and be in compliance with the 
restrictions of subpart G of this part;
    (ii) The total amount of winter flounder on board must not exceed 
the amount of summer flounder on board;
    (iii) The vessel must not be fishing under an NE multispecies DAS; 
and
    (iv) Fishing for, retention, and possession of regulated species 
other than winter flounder is prohibited.
    (5) Incidental TACs. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph 
(b)(5), incidental TACs will be specified through the periodic 
adjustment process described in Sec. 648.90, and allocated as described 
in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, for each of the following stocks: 
GOM cod, GB cod, CC/GOM yellowtail flounder, American plaice, white 
hake, SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, SNE/MA winter flounder, and witch 
flounder. NMFS will send letters to limited access NE multispecies 
permit holders notifying them of such TACs.
    (i) Stocks other than GB cod. With the exception of GB cod, the 
incidental TACs specified under this paragraph (b)(5) shall be allocated 
to the Regular B DAS Pilot Program described in paragraph (b)(6) of this 
section.
    (ii) GB cod. The incidental TAC for GB cod specified in this 
paragraph (b)(5), shall be subdivided as follows: 50 percent to the 
Regular B DAS Pilot Program, described in paragraph (b)(6) of this 
section; 16 percent to the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, described in 
paragraph (b)(7) of this section; and 34 percent to the Eastern U.S./
Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program, described in paragraph (b)(8) of this 
section.
    (6) Regular B DAS Pilot Program--(i) Eligibility. Vessels issued a 
valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and allocated Regular B 
DAS are eligible to participate in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program for 
the period specified in paragraph (b)(6)(ii) of this section, and may 
elect to fish under a Regular B DAS, provided they comply with the 
requirements and restrictions of this paragraph (b)(6), and provided the 
use of Regular B DAS is not restricted according to paragraphs 
(b)(6)(iv)(G) or (H), or paragraph (b)(6)(vi) of this section. Vessels 
are required to comply with the no discarding and DAS flip requirements 
specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(E) of

[[Page 522]]

this section, and the DAS balance and accrual requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(F) of this section. Vessels may fish under the B 
Regular DAS Pilot Program and in the U.S./Canada Management Area on the 
same trip, but may not fish under the Regular B DAS Pilot Program and in 
a SAP on the same trip.
    (ii) Duration of program. Fishing under this program may only occur 
from November 19, 2004 through October 31, 2005.
    (iii) Quarterly incidental catch TACs. The incidental catch TACs 
specified in accordance with paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be 
divided into quarterly catch TACs. NMFS will send letters to limited 
access multispecies permit holders notifying them of such TACs.
    (iv) Program requirements--(A) VMS requirement. A NE multispecies 
DAS vessel fishing in the Regular B DAS Pilot Program described in 
paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section must have installed on board an 
operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10.
    (B) Observer notification. For the purposes of selecting vessels for 
observer deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel 
name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone 
number for contact; the date, time, and port of departure; and the 
planned fishing area or areas (GOM, GB, or SNE/MA) at least 72 hr prior 
to the beginning of any trip that it declares into the Regular B DAS 
Pilot Program as required under paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(C) of this section, 
and in accordance with instructions provided by the Regional 
Administrator. Providing notice of the area that the vessel intends to 
fish does not restrict the vessel's activity to only that area on that 
trip (i.e., the vessel operator may change his/her plans regarding 
planned fishing area).
    (C) VMS declaration. To participate in the Regular B DAS Pilot 
Program under a Regular B DAS, a vessel must declare into the Program 
via the VMS, prior to departure from port, in accordance with 
instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. A vessel declared 
into the Regular B DAS Pilot Program cannot fish in an approved SAP 
described under this section on the same trip.
    (D) Landing limits. A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the Regular 
B DAS Pilot Program described in this paragraph (b)(6), and fishing 
under a Regular B DAS, may not land more than 100 lb (45.5 kg) per DAS, 
or any part of a DAS, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip, of 
any of the following species: Cod, American plaice, white hake, witch 
flounder, ocean pout, winter flounder and windowpane flounder. Such 
vessels may not land more than 25 lb (11.3 kg) per DAS, or any part of a 
DAS, up to a maximum of 250 lb (113 kg) per trip of yellowtail flounder, 
unless fishing the entire trip in the U.S./Canada Management Area as 
specified under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (E) No-discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the 
Regular B DAS Pilot Program under a Regular B DAS may not discard legal-
sized regulated groundfish. This prohibition on discarding does not 
apply in areas or times where the possession or landing of such 
groundfish is prohibited. If such a vessel harvests and brings on board 
more legal sized regulated groundfish than the applicable maximum 
landing limit per trip specified under paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(D) of this 
section, the vessel operator must notify NMFS prior to crossing the 
demarcation line via VMS on its return trip to port to initiate a DAS 
flip. Once this notification has been received by NMFS, the vessel will 
automatically be switched by NMFS to fishing under a Category A DAS. For 
a vessel that notifies NMFS of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have 
accrued between the time the vessel started accruing Regular B DAS at 
the beginning of the trip (i.e., at the time the vessel crossed the 
demarcation line at the beginning of the trip) and the time the vessel 
declared its DAS flip will be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Regular 
B DAS. Once such vessel has initiated the DAS flip and is fishing under 
a Category A DAS, the prohibition on discarding legal-sized regulated 
groundfish no longer applies. A vessel that has declared a DAS flip will 
be subject to the landing restrictions specified under Sec. 648.86.

[[Page 523]]

    (F) Minimum Category A DAS and B DAS accrual. For a vessel fishing 
under the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, the number of Regular B DAS that 
can be used on a trip cannot exceed the number of Category A DAS the 
vessel has available at the start of the trip. The vessel will accrue 
DAS in accordance with Sec. 648.82(e)(3).
    (G) Restrictions when 100 percent of the incidental catch TAC is 
harvested. With the exception of white hake, when the Regional 
Administrator provides notification through rulemaking consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act, that 100 percent of one or more of 
quarterly incidental TACs specified under paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this 
section has projected to have been harvested, the use of Regular B DAS 
shall be prohibited in the pertinent stock area(s) as defined under 
paragraph (b)(6)(v) of this section for the duration of the calendar 
quarter. The closure of a stock area to all Regular B DAS use will occur 
even if the quarterly incidental catch TACs for other stocks in that 
stock area have not been completely harvested. When the Regional 
Administrator projects that 100 percent of the quarterly white hake 
incidental catch TAC specified under paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this 
section has been harvested, vessels fishing under a Regular B DAS, or 
that complete a trip under a Regular B DAS, will be prohibited from 
retaining white hake.
    (H) Closure of Regular B DAS program and quarterly DAS limit. Unless 
otherwise closed as a result of the harvest of all incidental TACs as 
described in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(G) of this section, or as result of an 
action by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (b)(6)(vi) of this 
section, the use of Regular B DAS shall, through rulemaking consistent 
with the Administrative Procedure Act, be prohibited when 1,000 Regular 
B DAS have been used during the calendar quarter, in accordance with 
Sec. 648.82(e)(3).
    (I) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a NE 
multispecies DAS vessel must submit catch reports via VMS in accordance 
with instructions provided by the Regional Administrator, for each day 
fished when declared into the Regular B DAS Pilot Program. The reports 
must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, beginning at 0000 hr 
and ending at 2400 hr. The reports must be submitted by 0900 hr of the 
following day. For vessels that have declared into the Regular B DAS 
Pilot Program in accordance with paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(C) of this 
section, the reports must include at least the following information: 
Statistical area fished, total weight (lb/kg) of cod, yellowtail 
flounder, American plaice, white hake, winter flounder, and witch 
flounder kept; and total weight (lb/kg) of cod, yellowtail flounder, 
American plaice, white hake, winter flounder, and witch flounder 
discarded. All NE multispecies permit holders will be sent a letter 
informing them of the statistical areas.
    (v) Definition of incidental TAC stock areas. For the purposes of 
the Regular B DAS Pilot Program, the species stock areas associated with 
the incidental TACs are defined below. Copies of a chart depicting these 
areas are available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (A) GOM cod stock area. The GOM cod stock area is the area defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                      Gulf of Maine Cod Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM1..................................           \(1)\      70[deg] 00'
GOM2..................................  42[deg] 20[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
GOM3..................................  42[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
GOM4..................................  43[deg] 50[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
GOM5..................................  43[deg] 50[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
GOM6..................................  44[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
GOM7..................................  44[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 00[min]
GOM8..................................           \(2)\   67[deg] 00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(2)\ Intersection of the south-facing Maine coastline and 67[deg]
  00[min] W. Long.

    (B) GB cod stock area. The GB cod stock area is the area defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                       Georges Bank Cod Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB1...................................           \(1)\   70[deg] 00[min]
GB2...................................  42[deg] 20[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
GB3...................................  42[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
GB4...................................  42[deg] 10[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
GB5...................................  42[deg] 10[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
GB6...................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
GB7...................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
GB8...................................  40[deg] 30[min]  65[deg] 40[min]

[[Page 524]]

 
GB9...................................  39[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
GB10..................................  39[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
GB11..................................  35[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 0[min]
GB12..................................  35[deg] 00[min]           \(2)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(2)\ Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and
  35[deg] 00[min] N. Lat.

    (C) CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area. The CC/GOM yellowtail 
flounder stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

          Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCGOM1................................           \(1)\   70[deg] 00[min]
CCGOM2................................  41[deg] 20[min]           \(2)\
CCGOM3................................  41[deg] 20[min]  69[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM4................................  41[deg] 10[min]  69[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM5................................  41[deg] 10[min]  69[deg] 30[min]
CCGOM6................................  41[deg] 00[min]  69[deg] 30[min]
CCGOM7................................  41[deg] 00[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM8................................  42[deg] 20[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM9................................  42[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
CCGOM10...............................  43[deg] 50[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
CCGOM11...............................  43[deg] 50[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM12...............................  44[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
CCGOM13...............................  44[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 00[min]
CCGOM14...............................           \(3)\   67[deg] 00[min]
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70[deg]
  00[min] W. Long.
(2) Intersection of east-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 41[deg]
  20[min] N. Lat.
(3) Intersection of south-facing Maine coastline and 67[deg] 00[min] W.
  Long.

    (D) American plaice stock area. The American plaice stock area is 
the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

                       American Plaice Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMP1..................................           \(1)\   67[deg] 00[min]
AMP2..................................  44[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 00[min]
AMP3..................................  44[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
AMP4..................................  43[deg] 50[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
AMP5..................................  43[deg] 50[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
AMP6..................................  42[deg] 30[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
AMP7..................................  42[deg] 30[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
AMP8..................................  42[deg] 10[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
AMP9..................................  42[deg] 10[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
AMP10.................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
AMP11.................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
AMP12.................................  40[deg] 30[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
AMP13.................................  39[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
AMP14.................................  39[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
AMP15.................................  35[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
AMP16.................................  35[deg] 00[min]          \(2)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of south-facing Maine coastline and 67[deg] 00[min]
  W. Long.
\(2)\ Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and
  35[deg] 00[min] N. Lat.

    (E) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock area. The SNE/MA yellowtail 
flounder stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

    Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNE1..................................  35[deg] 00[min]           \(1)\
SNE2..................................  35[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
SNE3..................................  39[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
SNE4..................................  39[deg] 00[min]  71[deg] 40[min]
SNE5..................................  39[deg] 50[min]  71[deg] 40[min]
SNE6..................................  39[deg] 50[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
SNE7..................................  41[deg] 00[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
SNE8..................................  41[deg] 00[min]  69[deg] 30[min]
SNE9..................................  41[deg] 10[min]  69[deg] 30[min]
SNE10.................................  41[deg] 10[min]  69[deg] 50[min]
SNE11.................................  41[deg] 20[min]  69[deg] 50[min]
SNE12.................................           \(2)\   70[deg] 00[min]
SNE13.................................           \(3)\   70[deg] 00[min]
SNE14.................................           \(4)\   70[deg] 00[min]
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and
  35[deg] 00[min] N. Lat.
\(2)\ Intersection of south-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(3)\ Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(4)\Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70[deg]
  00[min] W. Long.

    (F) SNE/MA winter flounder stock area. The SNE/MA winter flounder 
stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

      Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Winter Flounder Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNEW1.................................           \(1)\   70[deg] 00[min]
SNEW2.................................  42[deg] 20[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
SNEW3.................................  42[deg] 20[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
SNEW4.................................  39[deg] 50[min]  68[deg] 50[min]
SNEW5.................................  39[deg] 50[min]  71[deg] 40[min]
SNEW6.................................  39[deg] 50[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
SNEW7.................................  35[deg] 00[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
SNEW8.................................  35[deg] 00[min]          \(2)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(2)\ Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and
  35[deg] 00[min] N. Lat.

    (G) Witch flounder stock area. The witch flounder stock area is the 
area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                        Witch Flounder Stock Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WF1...................................           \(1)\   67[deg] 00[min]

[[Page 525]]

 
WF2...................................  44[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 00[min]
WF3...................................  44[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
WF4...................................  43[deg] 50[min]  66[deg] 50[min]
WF5...................................  43[deg] 50[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
WF6...................................  42[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
WF7...................................  42[deg] 20[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
WF8...................................  42[deg] 10[min]  66[deg] 00[min]
WF9...................................  42[deg] 10[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
WF10..................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 50[min]
WF11..................................  42[deg] 00[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
WF12..................................  40[deg] 30[min]  65[deg] 40[min]
WF13..................................  40[deg] 30[min]  66[deg] 40[min]
WF14..................................  39[deg] 50[min]  66[deg] 40[min]
WF15..................................  39[deg] 50[min]  70[deg] 00[min]
WF16..................................           \(2)\   70[deg] 00[min]
WF17..................................           \(3)\   70[deg] 00[min]
WF18..................................           \(4)\   70[deg] 00[min]
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ Intersection of south-facing Maine coastline and 67[deg] 00[min]
  W. Long.
\(2)\ Intersection of south-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(3)\ Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and
  70[deg] 00[min] W. Long.
\(4)\Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70[deg]
  00[min] W. Long.

    (vi) Closure of the Regular B DAS Pilot Program. The Regional 
Administrator, based upon information required under Sec. Sec. 648.7, 
648.9, 648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information, may, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, 
prohibit the use of Regular B DAS for the duration of a quarter or 
fishing year, if it is projected that continuation of the Regular B DAS 
Pilot Program would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the 
FMP or Regular B DAS Pilot Program.
    (7) CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP--(i) Eligibility. Vessels issued a 
valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit are eligible to 
participate in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, and may fish in the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock Access Area, as described in paragraph (b)(7)(ii) of 
this section, for the season specified in paragraph (b)(7)(iii) of this 
section, provided such vessels comply with the requirements of this 
section, and provided the SAP is not closed according to the provisions 
specified under paragraph (b)(7)(iv)(I) or (b)(7)(vi)(F) of this 
section. Copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request.
    (ii) CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area. The CA I Hook Gear Haddock 
Access Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

               Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook 1................................         41[deg]          69[deg]
                                             25.6[min]        20.2[min]
Hook 2................................         41[deg]          69[deg]
                                             29.2[min]        08.1[min]
Hook 3................................         41[deg]          68[deg]
                                             08.5[min]        50.2[min]
Hook 4................................         41[deg]          69[deg]
                                             06.4[min]        03.3[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Season. The overall season for the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP 
is October 1 through December 31, which is divided into two 
participation periods, one for Sector and one for non-Sector vessels. 
For the 2005 fishing year, the only participation period in which 
eligible Sector vessels may fish in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP is 
from October 1 through November 15. For the 2005 fishing year, the only 
participation period in which eligible non-Sector vessels may fish in 
the SAP is from November 16 through December 31. For the 2006 fishing 
year and beyond, these participation periods shall alternate between 
Sector and non-Sector vessels such that, in fishing year 2006, the 
participation period for non-Sector vessels is October 1 through 
November 15, and the participation period for Sector vessels is November 
16 through December 31. The Regional Administrator may adjust the start 
date of the second participation period prior to November 16 if the 
haddock TAC for the first participation period specified in paragraph 
(b)(7)(iv)(G) of this section is harvested prior to November 15.
    (iv) General program restrictions. General program restrictions 
specified in this paragraph (b)(7)(iv) apply to all eligible vessels as 
specified in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section. Further program 
restrictions specific to Sector and non-Sector vessels are specified in 
paragraphs (b)(7)(iii), (v), and (vi) of this section.
    (A) DAS use restrictions. A vessel fishing in the CA I Hook Gear 
Haddock SAP may not initiate a DAS flip. A vessel is prohibited from 
fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP while making a trip under the 
Regular B DAS Pilot Program described under paragraph (b)(6) of this 
section.
    (B) VMS requirement. An eligible NE multispecies DAS vessel fishing 
in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP specified in this paragraph (b)(7) 
must have installed on board an operational VMS

[[Page 526]]

unit that meets the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.9 and 648.10.
    (C) Observer notifications. Starting in the 2006 fishing year, to be 
eligible to participate in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, a vessel must 
notify the NMFS Observer Program by September 1 of its intent to 
participate in that year. For the 2005 fishing year, for non-Sector 
vessels to be eligible to participate, non-Sector vessels must notify 
the NMFS Observer Program by October 24. This notification need not 
include specific information about the date of the trip. For the purpose 
of selecting vessels for observer deployment, a vessel must provide 
notice to NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of 
observer deployment; telephone number for contact; and date, time, and 
port of departure at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip 
that it declares into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, as required in 
paragraph (b)(7)(iv)(D) of this section, and in accordance with 
instructions provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (D) VMS declaration. Prior to departure from port, a vessel 
intending to participate in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP must declare 
into the SAP via VMS, and indicate the type of DAS that it intends to 
fish. A vessel declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP may fish 
only on a declared trip in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access 
Area described under paragraph (b)(7)(ii) of this section.
    (E) Gear restrictions. A vessel declared into and fishing in the CA 
I Hook Gear Haddock SAP may fish with and possess on board demersal 
longline gear or tub trawl gear only, unless further restricted as 
specified under paragraph (b)(7)(v)(B) of this section.
    (F) Haddock TAC. The maximum total amount of haddock that may be 
caught (landings and discards) in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP Area in 
any fishing year is 1,000 mt. The maximum amount of haddock that may be 
caught is divided between the two participation periods as follows: 500 
mt for the October 1 - November 15 participation period, and 500 mt for 
the November 16 - December 31 participation period, as specified in 
paragraph (b)(7)(iii) of this section. The Regional Administrator may 
adjust the 500-mt quota for the second participation period to account 
for under- or over-harvest of the 500-mt haddock quota (landings and 
discards) that occurred in the first participation period, not to exceed 
the overall haddock TAC specified in this paragraph (b)(7)(iv)(F).
    (G) Trip restrictions. A vessel is prohibited from deploying fishing 
gear outside of the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP Area on the same fishing 
trip on which it is declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP.
    (H) Landing limits. For all eligible vessels declared into the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock SAP described in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section, 
landing limits for NE multispecies other than cod, which are specified 
at paragraphs (b)(7)(v)(C) and (b)(7)(vi)(C) of this section, are as 
specified at Sec. 648.86.
    (I) Mandatory closure of CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area. When 
the Regional Administrator determines that the haddock TAC specified in 
paragraph (b)(7)(iv)(F) of this section has been caught, NMFS shall 
close, through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure 
Act, the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP Area as specified in paragraph 
(b)(7)(ii) of this section, to all eligible vessels.
    (J) DAS use restrictions. A vessel fishing in the CA I Hook Gear 
Haddock SAP may not initiate a DAS flip. A vessel is prohibited from 
fishing in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP while making a trip under the 
Regular B DAS Program described under paragraph (b)(10) of this section.
    (v) Sector vessel program restrictions. In addition to the general 
program restrictions specified at paragraph (b)(7)(iv) of this section, 
the restrictions specified in this paragraph (b)(7)(v) apply only to 
Sector vessels declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP.
    (A) DAS use restrictions. Sector vessels fishing in the CA I Hook 
Gear Haddock SAP may use Category A, Regular B, or Reserve B DAS, in 
accordance with Sec. 648.82(d).
    (B) Gear restrictions. A vessel enrolled in the Sector is subject to 
the gear requirements of the Sector Operations Plan as approved under 
Sec. 648.87(d).

[[Page 527]]

    (C) Landing limits. A Sector vessel declared into the CA I Hook Gear 
Haddock SAP described in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section is subject 
to the cod landing limit in effect under the Sector's Operations Plan as 
approved under Sec. 648.87(d).
    (D) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a Sector vessel 
declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP must submit reports to the 
Sector Manager, with instructions to be provided by the Sector Manager, 
for each day fished in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP Area. The Sector 
Manager will provide daily reports to NMFS, including at least the 
following information: Total weight (lb/kg) of cod and haddock kept, and 
total weight (lb/kg) of cod and haddock discarded.
    (E) GB cod incidental catch TAC. There is no GB cod incidental catch 
TAC specified for Sector vessels declared into the CA I Hook Gear 
Haddock SAP. All cod caught by Sector vessels fishing in the SAP count 
toward the Sector's annual GB cod TAC, specified in Sec. 
648.87(d)(1)(iii).
    (F) DAS use restrictions. A Sector vessel fishing in the CA I Hook 
Gear Haddock SAP may use Category A, Regular B, or Reserve B DAS, in 
accordance with Sec. 648.82(v).
    (vi) Non-Sector vessel program restrictions. In addition to the 
general program restrictions specified in paragraph (b)(7)(iv) of this 
section, the restrictions specified in this paragraph (b)(7)(vi) apply 
only to non-Sector vessels declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP.
    (A) DAS use restrictions. Non-Sector vessels fishing in the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock SAP may use Regular B or Reserve B DAS, in accordance 
with Sec. 648.82(d)(2)(i)(A) and (d)(2)(ii)(A). A non-Sector vessel is 
prohibited from using A DAS when declared into the SAP.
    (B) Gear restrictions. A non-Sector vessel declared into the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock SAP is exempt from the maximum number of hooks 
restriction specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(4)(v).
    (C) Landing limits. A non-Sector vessel declared into the CA I Hook 
Gear Haddock SAP described in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section may 
not land, fish for, or possess on board more than 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of 
cod per trip. A non-Sector vessel is not permitted to discard legal-
sized cod prior to reaching the landing limit, and is required to end 
its trip if the cod trip limit is achieved or exceeded.
    (D) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a non-Sector 
vessel declared into the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP must submit reports 
via VMS, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional 
Administrator, for each day fished in the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP 
Area. The reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day 
fished, beginning at 0000 hr and ending at 2400 hr. The reports must be 
submitted by 0900 hr of the day following fishing. The reports must 
include at least the following information: Total weight (lb/kg) of cod 
and haddock kept, and total weight (lb/kg) of cod and haddock discarded.
    (E) GB cod incidental catch TAC. The maximum amount of GB cod 
(landings and discards) that may be cumulatively caught by non-Sector 
vessels from the CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area in a fishing year is 
the amount specified under paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (F) Mandatory closure of CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area due to 
catch of GB cod incidental catch TAC. When the Regional Administrator 
determines that the GB cod incidental catch TAC specified in paragraph 
(b)(7)(vi)(E) of this section has been caught, NMFS shall close, through 
rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock Access Area to all non-Sector fishing vessels.
    (G) DAS use restrictions. A non-Sector vessel fishing in the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock SAP may use Regular B or Reserve B DAS, in accordance 
with Sec. 648.82(v)(2)(i)(C) and (v)(2)(ii)(A). A non-Sector vessel is 
prohibited from using A DAS when declared into the SAP.
    (H) GB cod incidental catch TAC. The maximum amount of GB cod 
(landings and discards) that may be cumulatively caught by a non-Sector 
vessel from the CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area in a fishing year is 
the amount specified under paragraph (b)(9)(ii) of this section.

[[Page 528]]

    (I) Mandatory closure of CA I Hook Gear Haddock Access Area due to 
catch of GB cod incidental catch TAC. When the Regional Administrator 
determines that the GB cod incidental catch TAC specified in paragraph 
(b)(7)(vi)(H) of this section has been caught, NMFS shall close, through 
rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, the CA I 
Hook Gear Haddock Access Area to all non-Sector fishing vessels.
    (8) Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program--(i) Eligibility. 
Vessels issued a valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit, and 
fishing with trawl gear as specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(E) of this 
section, are eligible to participate in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program, and may fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP 
Area, as described in paragraph (b)(8)(ii) of this section, during the 
program duration and season specified in paragraphs (b)(8)(iii) and (iv) 
of this section, provided such vessels comply with the requirements of 
this section, and provided the SAP is not closed according to the 
provisions specified in paragraphs (b)(8)(v)(K) or (L) of this section. 
Copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request.
    (ii) Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area. The Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                  Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. Lat.          W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAII3.................................  42[deg] 22[min]  67[deg] 20[min]
                                                                  \(1)\
SAP1..................................  42[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 20[min]
SAP2..................................  42[deg] 20[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
SAP3..................................  41[deg] 10[min]  67[deg] 40[min]
SAP4..................................  41[deg] 10[min]  67[deg] 20[min]
SAP5..................................  42[deg] 10[min]  67[deg] 20[min]
SAP6..................................  42[deg] 10[min]  67[deg] 10[min]
CAII3.................................  42[deg] 22[min]  67[deg] 20[min]
                                                                 \(1)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(1)\ U.S./Canada maritime boundary.

    (iii) Duration of program. The Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program is in effect from November 19, 2004 through November 20, 2006.
    (iv) Season. Eligible vessels may fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program from May 1 through December 31.
    (v) Program restrictions--(A) DAS use restrictions. A vessel fishing 
in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program may elect to fish 
under a Category A, or Category B DAS, in accordance with Sec. 
648.82(d)(2)(i)(A) and the restrictions of this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A).
    (1) If fishing under a Category B DAS, a vessel is required to 
comply with the no discarding and DAS flip requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(8)(v)(I) of this section, and the minimum Category A DAS 
requirements of paragraph (b)(8)(v)(J) of this section.
    (2) A vessel that is declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program, described in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section, may 
fish, on the same trip, in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area and 
in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area, described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section, under either a Category A DAS or a Category 
B DAS.
    (3) A vessel may choose, on the same trip, to fish in either/both 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program and the CA II Yellowtail 
Flounder Access Area, and in that portion of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section that lies outside 
of these two SAPs, provided the vessel fishes under a Category A DAS and 
abides by the VMS restrictions of paragraph (b)(8)(v)(D) of this 
section.
    (4) Vessels that elect to fish in multiple areas, as described in 
this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A), must fish under the most restrictive trip 
provisions of any of the areas fished for the entire trip.
    (B) VMS requirement. A NE multispecies DAS vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program specified under paragraph 
(b)(8)(i) of this section, must have installed on board an operational 
VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria specified in 
Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10.
    (C) Observer notifications. For the purpose of selecting vessels for 
observer deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel 
name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone 
number for contact; areas to be fished; and date, time, and port of 
departure at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip that

[[Page 529]]

it declares into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program specified 
in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section, as required under paragraph 
(b)(8)(v)(D) of this section, and in accordance with instructions 
provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (D) VMS declaration. Prior to departure from port, a vessel 
intending to participate in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must 
declare into the SAP via VMS and provide information on the type of DAS 
(Category A, Regular B, or Reserve B) that it intends to fish, and on 
the areas within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area that it intends to fish, 
in accordance with paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A) of this section and 
instructions provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (E) Gear restrictions. A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program must use one of the 
haddock separator trawl nets authorized for the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section. No other 
type of fishing gear may be on the vessel when participating on a trip 
in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program, with the exception of a 
flounder net as described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, 
provided the flounder net is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (F) Landing limits. Unless otherwise restricted, NE multispecies 
vessel fishing any portion of a trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program may not fish for, possess, or land more than 1,000 lb 
(453.6 kg) of cod per trip, regardless of trip length. A NE multispecies 
vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program is 
subject to the haddock requirements described under Sec. 648.86(a), 
unless further restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (G) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a vessel 
declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, as described in 
paragraph (b)(8) of this section, must submit reports in accordance with 
the reporting requirements described in paragraph (a)(3)(v) of this 
section.
    (H) Incidental cod TAC. The maximum amount of GB cod (landings and 
discards) that may be caught when fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Program in a fishing year, by vessels fishing under a 
Category B DAS, as authorized in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A) of this section, 
is the amount specified in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (I) No discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program under a Category B DAS may 
not discard legal-sized cod. If a vessel fishing under a Category B DAS 
harvests and brings on board more legal-sized cod than the landing limit 
specified under paragraph (b)(8)(v)(F) of this section, the vessel 
operator must notify NMFS prior to crossing the demarcation line via VMS 
on its return trip to port to initiate a DAS flip to Category A DAS. 
Once this notification has been received by NMFS, the vessel will 
automatically be switched to fishing under a Category A DAS. For a 
vessel that notifies NMFS of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have 
accrued between the time the vessel started accruing Category B DAS at 
the beginning of the trip (i.e., at the time the vessel crossed into the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area at the beginning of the trip) and the time the 
vessel declared its DAS flip will be accrued as Category A DAS, and not 
Category B DAS. Once such vessel has initiated the DAS flip and is 
fishing under a Category A DAS, the prohibition on discarding legal-
sized cod no longer applies.
    (J) Minimum Category A DAS. To fish under a Category B DAS, the 
number of Category B DAS that can be used on a trip cannot exceed the 
number of available Category A DAS the vessel has at the start of the 
trip.
    (K) Mandatory closure of Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program. When the Regional Administrator projects that the TAC 
allocation specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(H) of this section has been 
caught by vessels fishing under Category B DAS, NMFS shall prohibit the 
use of Category B DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program, through notice in the Federal Register, consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. In addition, the closure regulations 
described in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section shall apply to the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program.

[[Page 530]]

    (L) General closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area. The 
Regional Administrator, based upon information required under Sec. 
648.7, 648.9, 648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information may, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, 
close the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program for the duration 
of the season, if it is determined that continuation of the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program would undermine the achievement of 
the objectives of the FMP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program.
    (vi) Eligibility. A vessel issued a valid limited access NE 
multispecies DAS permit, and fishing with trawl gear as specified in 
paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(E) of this section, is eligible to participate in 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program, and may fish in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area, as described in paragraph 
(b)(8)(ii) of this section, during the program duration and season 
specified in paragraphs (b)(8)(iii) and (vii) of this section, provided 
such vessel complies with the requirements of this section, and provided 
the SAP is not closed according to the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (b)(8)(viii)(K) or (L) of this section. Copies of a chart 
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request.
    (vii) Season. Eligible vessels may fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program only from August 1 through December 31.
    (viii) Program restrictions--(A) DAS use restrictions. A vessel 
fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program may elect 
to fish under a Category A, or Category B DAS, in accordance with Sec. 
648.82(v)(2)(i)(A) and the restrictions of this paragraph 
(b)(8)(viii)(A).
    (1) If fishing under a Category B DAS, a vessel is required to 
comply with the no discarding and DAS flip requirements specified in 
paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(I) of this section, and the minimum Category A 
DAS requirements of paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(J) of this section.
    (2) A vessel that is declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program, described in paragraph (b)(8)(vi) of this section, 
may fish, on the same trip, in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area 
and in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder Access Area, described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section, under either a Category A DAS or a Category 
B DAS.
    (3) A vessel may choose, on the same trip, to fish in either/both 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program and the CA II Yellowtail 
Flounder Access Area, and in that portion of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section that lies outside 
of these two SAPs, provided the vessel fishes under a Category A DAS and 
abides by the VMS restrictions of paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(D) of this 
section.
    (4) A vessel that elects to fish in multiple areas, as described in 
this paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(A), must fish under the most restrictive 
trip provisions of any of the areas fished for the entire trip.
    (B) VMS requirement. A NE multispecies DAS vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program specified under paragraph 
(b)(8)(vi) of this section, must have installed on board an operational 
VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria specified in 
Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10.
    (C) Observer notifications. For the purpose of selecting vessels for 
observer deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel 
name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone 
number for contact; areas to be fished; and date, time, and port of 
departure at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any trip that it 
declares into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program specified in 
paragraph (b)(8)(vi) of this section, as required under paragraph 
(b)(8)(viii)(D) of this section, and in accordance with instructions 
provided by the Regional Administrator.
    (D) VMS declaration. Prior to departure from port, a vessel 
intending to participate in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must 
declare into the SAP via VMS and provide information on the type of DAS 
(Category A, Regular B, or Reserve B) that it intends to fish, and on 
the areas within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area that it intends to fish, 
in accordance with paragraph

[[Page 531]]

(b)(8)(viii)(A) of this section and instructions provided by the 
Regional Administrator.
    (E) Gear restrictions. A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program must use one of the 
haddock separator trawl nets authorized for the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section. Other 
types of fishing gear may be on the vessel when participating on a trip 
in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program, provided the other gear 
is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (F) Landing limits. Unless otherwise restricted, a NE multispecies 
vessel fishing any portion of a trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program may not fish for, possess, or land more than 1,000 lb 
(453.6 kg) of cod, per trip, regardless of trip length. A NE 
multispecies vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program is subject to the haddock requirements described under Sec. 
648.86(a), unless further restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this 
section. A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program, and fishing under a Category B DAS, may not 
land more than 100 lb (45.5 kg) per DAS, or any part of a DAS, of GB 
yellowtail flounder or GB winter flounder, and no more than 500 lb (227 
kg) of all flounder species, combined. Possession of monkfish (whole 
weight), and skates is limited to 500 lb (227 kg) each and possession of 
lobsters is prohibited.
    (G) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a vessel 
declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, as described in 
paragraph (b)(8) of this section, must submit reports in accordance with 
the reporting requirements described in paragraph (a)(3)(ix) of this 
section.
    (H) Incidental TACs. The maximum amount of GB cod, GB yellowtail 
flounder, and GB winter flounder (landings and discards) that may be 
caught when fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program in a 
fishing year, by a vessel fishing under a Category B DAS, as authorized 
in paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(A) is the amount specified in paragraph 
(b)(9)(ii) and (iii), respectively.
    (I) No discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program under a Category B DAS may 
not discard legal-sized cod, yellowtail flounder, or winter flounder. If 
a vessel fishing under a Category B DAS harvests and brings on board 
more legal-sized cod, yellowtail flounder, or winter flounder than the 
landing limits specified under paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(F) of this 
section, the vessel operator must notify NMFS immediately via VMS to 
initiate a DAS flip to Category A DAS. For a vessel that notifies NMFS 
of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have accrued between the time the 
vessel started accruing Category B DAS at the beginning of the trip 
(i.e., at the time the vessel crossed into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area 
at the beginning of the trip) and the time the vessel declared its DAS 
flip will be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Category B DAS, 
according to the regulations at Sec. 648.82(n)(2). Once such vessel has 
initiated the DAS flip and is fishing under a Category A DAS, the 
prohibition on discarding legal-sized cod, yellowtail flounder, and 
winter flounder no longer applies.
    (J) Minimum Category A DAS. To fish under a Category B DAS, the 
number of Category B DAS that can be used on a trip cannot exceed the 
number of available Category A DAS that the vessel has at the start of 
the trip divided by 1.4.
    (K) Mandatory closure of Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program. When the Regional Administrator projects that one or more of 
the TAC allocations specified in paragraph (b)(8)(viii)(H) of this 
section has been caught by vessels fishing under Category B DAS, NMFS 
shall prohibit the use of Category B DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program, through notice in the Federal Register, 
consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. In addition, the 
closure regulations described in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section 
shall apply to the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program.
    (L) General closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area. The 
Regional Administrator, based upon information required under Sec. 
648.7, 648.9,

[[Page 532]]

648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information may, through 
rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, close the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program for the duration of the 
season, if it is determined that continuation of the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program would undermine the achievement of the 
objectives of the FMP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program.
    (9) Incidental TACs. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph 
(b)(9), incidental TACs shall be specified through the periodic 
adjustment process described in Sec. 648.90, and allocated as described 
in paragraph (b)(9) of this section, for each of the following stocks: 
GOM cod, GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder, GB winter flounder, CC/GOM 
yellowtail flounder, American plaice, white hake, SNE/MA yellowtail 
flounder, SNE/MA winter flounder, and witch flounder. NMFS shall send 
letters to limited access NE multispecies permit holders notifying them 
of such TACs.
    (i) Stocks other than GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder and GB winter 
flounder. With the exception of GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder and GB 
winter flounder, the incidental TACs specified under this paragraph 
(b)(9) shall be allocated to the Regular B DAS Program described in 
paragraph (b)(10) of this section.
    (ii) GB cod. The incidental TAC for GB cod specified in this 
paragraph (b)(9), shall be subdivided as follows: 50 percent to the 
Regular B DAS Program, described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section; 
16 percent to the CA I Hook Gear Haddock SAP, described in paragraph 
(b)(7) of this section; and 34 percent to the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program, described in paragraph (b)(8) of this 
section.
    (iii) GB yellowtail flounder and GB winter flounder. The incidental 
TACs for GB yellowtail flounder and GB winter flounder specified under 
this paragraph (b)(9) shall be subdivided as follows: 50 percent to the 
Regular B DAS Program, described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section; 
and 50 percent to the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program, 
described in paragraph (b)(8) of this section.
    (10) Regular B DAS Program--(i) Eligibility. A vessel issued a valid 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and allocated Regular B DAS is 
eligible to participate in the Regular B DAS Program in the area 
specified in paragraph (b)(10)(ii) of this section, and may elect to 
fish under a Regular B DAS, provided it complies with the requirements 
and restrictions of this paragraph (b)(10), and provided the use of 
Regular B DAS is not restricted according to paragraphs (b)(10)(iv)(G) 
or (H), or paragraph (b)(10)(vi) of this section. An eligible vessel is 
required to comply with the no discarding and DAS flip requirements 
specified in paragraph (b)(10)(iv)(E) of this section, and the DAS 
balance and accrual requirements specified in paragraph (b)(10)(iv)(F) 
of this section. An eligible vessel may fish under the Regular B DAS 
Program and in the U.S./Canada Management Area on the same trip, but may 
not fish under the Regular B DAS Program and in a SAP on the same trip. 
A Category C, D, or F monkfish vessel may only participate in this 
program if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS only (i.e., a Category C, 
D, or F monkfish vessel may not use a Regular B DAS and a monkfish DAS 
on the same trip under the Regular B DAS Program).
    (ii) Scope of the program. Fishing under this program may occur only 
in the geographic area defined for the U.S./Canada Management Areas, 
described under paragraph (a)(1), of this section.
    (iii) Quarterly incidental catch TACs. The incidental catch TACs 
specified in accordance with paragraph (b)(9) of this section shall be 
divided into quarterly catch TACs, as follows: The first quarter shall 
receive 13 percent of the incidental TACs and the remaining quarters 
shall receive 29 percent of the quarterly TACs each. NMFS shall send 
letters to limited access NE multispecies permit holders notifying them 
of such TACs.
    (iv) Program requirements--(A) VMS requirement. A NE multispecies 
DAS vessel fishing in the Regular B DAS Program described in paragraph 
(b)(10)(i) of this section must have installed on board an operational 
VMS unit that

[[Page 533]]

meets the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 
648.10.
    (B) Observer notification. For the purposes of selecting a vessel 
for observer deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the 
vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; 
telephone number for contact; the date, time, and port of departure; at 
least 72 hr prior to the beginning of any trip that it declares into the 
Regular B DAS Program as required under paragraph (b)(10)(iv)(C) of this 
section, and in accordance with instructions provided by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (C) VMS declaration. To participate in the Regular B DAS Program 
under a Regular B DAS, a vessel must declare into the Program via the 
VMS prior to departure from port, in accordance with instructions 
provided by the Regional Administrator. A vessel declared into the 
Regular B DAS Program cannot fish in an approved SAP described under 
this section on the same trip.
    (D) Landing limits. A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the Regular 
B DAS Program described in this paragraph (b)(10), and fishing under a 
Regular B DAS, may not land more than 100 lb (45.5 kg) per DAS, or any 
part of a DAS, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip, of any of 
the following species: Cod, American plaice, white hake, witch flounder, 
ocean pout, winter flounder, yellowtail flounder and windowpane 
flounder, with a maximum limit of 500 lb (227 kg) of all flatfish 
species (American plaice, witch flounder, winter flounder, windowpane 
flounder and yellowtail flounder), combined. If fishing with trawl gear, 
possession of monkfish (whole weight) and skates is limited to 500 lb 
(227 kg) per trip each and possession of lobsters is prohibited. For 
vessels fishing with gear other than trawl gear, possession of monkfish 
is restricted by the regulations at Sec. 648.94(b)(7).
    (E) No-discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the 
Regular B DAS Program under a Regular B DAS may not discard legal-sized 
regulated groundfish or monkfish. This prohibition on discarding does 
not apply in areas or times where the possession or landing of such 
groundfish or monkfish is prohibited. If such a vessel harvests and 
brings on board more legal-sized regulated groundfish or monkfish than 
the applicable maximum landing limit per trip specified under paragraph 
(b)(10)(iv)(D) of this section, the vessel operator must notify NMFS 
immediately via VMS to initiate a DAS flip. Once this notification has 
been received by NMFS, the vessel will automatically be switched by NMFS 
to fishing under a Category A DAS. For a vessel that notifies NMFS of a 
DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have accrued between the time the 
vessel started accruing Regular B DAS at the beginning of the trip 
(i.e., at the time the vessel crossed the demarcation line at the 
beginning of the trip) and the time the vessel declared it DAS flip will 
be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Regular B DAS. Once such vessel 
has initiated the DAS flip and is fishing under a Category A DAS, the 
prohibition on discarding legal-sized regulated groundfish and monkfish 
no longer applies. A vessel that has declared a DAS flip will be subject 
to the most restrictive landing restrictions specified under paragraph 
(a)(3)(iv) of this section and paragraph Sec. 648.86. Category C, D, or 
F monkfish vessels that have declared a DAS flip will be subject to the 
monkfish possession limits at Sec. 648.94(b)(3).
    (F) Minimum Category A DAS and B DAS accrual. For a vessel fishing 
under the Regular B DAS Program, the number of Regular B DAS that can be 
used on a trip cannot exceed the number of Category A DAS divided by 1.4 
that the vessel has available at the start of the trip. The vessel will 
accrue DAS in accordance with Sec. 648.82(n)(3).
    (G) Restrictions when 100 percent of the incidental catch TAC is 
harvested. When the Regional Administrator determines, and provides 
notification through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative 
Procedure Act, that 100 percent of one or more of the quarterly 
incidental TACs specified under paragraph (b)(10)(iii) of this section 
is projected to have been harvested, Regular B DAS may not be used in 
the Regular B DAS Program for the duration of the calendar quarter. The 
closure of the Regular B DAS Program

[[Page 534]]

will occur even if the quarterly incidental TACs for other stocks have 
not been completely harvested.
    (H) Closure of Regular B DAS program and quarterly DAS limits. 
Unless otherwise closed as a result of the harvest of an incidental TAC 
as described in paragraph (b)(10)(iv)(G) of this section, or as a result 
of an action by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (b)(10)(v) of 
this section, when the Regional Administrator determines, and provides 
notification through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative 
Procedure Act, that 500 Regular B DAS have been used during the May-July 
quarter, or when 1,000 Regular B DAS have been used during any other 
calendar quarter of the fishing year, in accordance with Sec. 
648.82(n)(3), Regular B DAS may not be used for the duration of the 
calendar quarter.
    (I) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a NE 
multispecies DAS vessel must submit catch reports via VMS in accordance 
with instructions provided by the Regional Administrator, for each day 
fished when declared into the Regular B DAS Program. The reports must be 
submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, beginning at 0000 hr and 
ending at 2400 hr. The reports must be submitted by 0900 hr of the 
following day. For vessels that have declared into the Regular B DAS 
Program in accordance with paragraph (b)(10)(iv)(c) of this section, the 
reports must include at least the following information: Statistical 
area fished, total weight (lb/kg) of cod, yellowtail flounder, American 
plaice, white hake, winter flounder, and witch flounder kept; and total 
weight (lb/kg) of cod, yellowtail flounder, American plaice, white hake, 
winter flounder, and witch flounder discarded. All NE multispecies 
permit holders will be sent a letter informing them of the statistical 
areas.
    (J) Trawl Gear Requirement. Vessels fishing with trawl gear in the 
Regular B DAS Program must use a haddock separator trawl as described 
under paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (v) Closure of the Regular B DAS Program. The Regional 
Administrator, based upon information required under Sec. Sec. 648.7, 
648.9, 648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information, may, 
through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, 
prohibit the use of Regular B DAS for the duration of a quarter or 
fishing year, if it is projected that continuation of the Regular B DAS 
Program would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the FMP or 
Regular B DAS Program.
    (c) Scallop fishery closed area access program. Limited access 
scallop vessels operating under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program, as 
defined in Sec. 648.59, and fishing in accordance with the regulations 
at Sec. 648.60 may possess and land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of all NE 
multispecies combined, as provided in Sec. 648.60(a)(5)(ii), unless 
otherwise restricted in this section.
    (1) Yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC allocation. An amount of 
yellowtail flounder equal to 10 percent of the total yellowtail flounder 
TAC for each of the stock area specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section may be harvested by scallop vessels subject 
to the restrictions of this paragraph. Limited access scallop vessels 
enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program and fishing within the 
Area Access areas defined at Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) may harvest 
yellowtail flounder up to 9.8 percent of the applicable yellowtail 
flounder TAC. Scallop vessels participating in approved research under 
the process described in Sec. 648.56, and fishing in the Access Areas 
specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d), may harvest 0.2 percent of the 
applicable yellowtail flounder TAC. The amount of yellowtail flounder 
that may be harvested in each fishing year under this section shall be 
specified in a small entity compliance guide.
    (i) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder. Limited access scallop vessels may 
harvest an amount of yellowtail flounder equal to 9.8 percent of the 
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder TAC from the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area 
Sea Scallop Access Area for each fishing year, unless otherwise 
prohibited under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. An amount of 
yellowtail flounder equal to 0.2 percent of the SNE/MA yellowtail 
flounder bycatch TAC, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
is set aside to allow for the harvest of yellowtail flounder during 
research approved

[[Page 535]]

under the scallop research program specified in Sec. 648.56 and 
conducted in the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d).
    (ii) GB yellowtail flounder. Limited access scallop vessels may 
harvest an amount of yellowtail flounder up to 9.8 percent of the GB 
yellowtail flounder TAC from the Closed Area I and Closed Area II Sea 
Scallop Access Areas, combined, for each fishing year, unless otherwise 
prohibited under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. An amount of 
yellowtail flounder equal to 0.2 percent of the GB yellowtail flounder 
TAC, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, is set aside to 
allow for the harvest of yellowtail flounder during research approved 
under the scallop research program specified in Sec. 648.56.
    (2) Adjustments to the yellowtail flounder TAC allocation. If, on or 
after December 1 of each year, information is available to make an 
accurate projection of yellowtail catch through the end of the fishing 
year, and if the Regional Administrator projects that the total GB 
yellowtail flounder TAC for the NE multispecies fishery specified at 
Sec. 648.85(a)(2) will not be harvested by the end of the fishing year, 
and if the catch of yellowtail flounder in the Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program is below 10 percent of the GB yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Regional 
Administrator may, through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative 
Procedure Act, increase the yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC allocated to 
vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program above 10 
percent, provided that such increase will not result in exceeding the 
total GB yellowtail flounder TAC specified in Sec. 648.85(a)(2).
    (3) Possession restriction and closure when yellowtail flounder TAC 
has been harvested. (i) If the Regional Administrator determines that 
the GB yellowtail flounder TAC specified for the U.S./Canada Management 
Area under paragraph (a)(2) of this section has been harvested or is 
projected to be harvested, and notification has been published in the 
Federal Register, pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(3) of this 
section, but the yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC allocation for the GB 
stock specified under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section has not been 
harvested, scallop vessels may continue to fish in the Sea Scallop Area 
Access Program, but may not retain or land yellowtail flounder, until 
the yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC is caught, as specified in paragraph 
(c)(3)(ii) of this section. All catch of yellowtail flounder must 
continue to be reported by scallop vessels fishing in Access Areas as 
required under Sec. 648.60.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator determines that the yellowtail 
flounder bycatch TAC allocation specified under paragraph (c)(1)(i) or 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section has been, or is projected to be harvested, 
scallop vessels may not fish within the applicable Access Area for the 
remainder of the fishing year. The Regional Administrator shall publish 
notification in the Federal Register, in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, to notify vessels that they may no longer 
fish within the applicable Access Area for the remainder of the fishing 
year.
    (d) Incidental catch allowance for Category 1 herring vessels. The 
incidental catch allowance for Category 1 herring vessels is defined as 
0.2 percent of the combined target TAC for Gulf of Maine haddock and 
Georges Bank haddock (U.S. landings only) specified according to `` 
648.90(a) for a particular multispecies fishing year.

[69 FR 22975, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 32900, June 14, 2004; 
69 FR 41026, July 7, 2004; 69 FR 63480, Nov. 2, 2004; 69 FR 67798, Nov. 
19, 2004; 70 FR 31341, June 1, 2005; 70 FR 54307, Sept. 14, 2005; 70 FR 
76427, Dec. 27, 2005; 71 FR 33235, June 8, 2006; 71 FR 46876, Aug. 15, 
2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19381, Apr. 13, 2006, and corrected at 
71 FR 25094, Apr. 28, 2006, Sec. 648.85 was amended by suspending 
paragraphs (a)(3)(ii); (a)(3)(iv)(C)(1), (2) and (4); (a)(3)(v); (b)(5) 
and (6); (b)(7)(iv)(A); (b)(7)(v)(A); (b)(7)(vi)(A); and (b)(8)(i), 
(iv), and (v); the introductory text of paragraph (a)(3)(iii) was 
revised; and paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(C)(5) through (7), (a)(3)(viii) and 
(ix), (b)(7)(iv)(J), (b)(7)(v)(F), (b)(7)(vi)(G), (b)(8)(vi), (vii) and 
(viii), and (b)(9) and (10) were added, effective May 1, 2006, through 
Oct. 10, 2006.

[[Page 536]]



Sec. 648.86  Multispecies possession restrictions.

    Except as provided in Sec. 648.17, the following possession 
restrictions apply:
    (a) Haddock--(1) NE multispecies DAS vessels. (i) From May 1 through 
September 30, except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this 
section, or unless otherwise restricted under Sec. 648.85, a vessel 
that fishes under an NE multispecies DAS may land up to 3,000 lb 
(1,360.8 kg) of haddock per DAS fished, or any part of a DAS fished, up 
to 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per trip, provided it has at least one standard 
tote on board. Haddock on board a vessel subject to this landing limit 
must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be 
readily available for inspection.
    (ii) From October 1 through April 30, except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section, or unless otherwise restricted 
under Sec. 648.85, a vessel that fishes under an NE multispecies DAS 
may land up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of haddock per DAS fished, or any 
part of a DAS fished, up to 50,000 lb (22,680 kg) per trip, provided it 
has at least one standard tote on board. Haddock on board a vessel 
subject to this landing limit must be separated from other species of 
fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
    (iii) Adjustments--(A) Adjustment to the haddock trip limit to 
prevent exceeding the target TAC. At any time during the fishing year, 
if the Regional Administrator projects that the target TAC for haddock 
will be exceeded, NMFS may adjust, through publication of a notification 
in the Federal Register, the trip limit per DAS and/or the maximum trip 
limit to an amount that the Regional Administrator determines will 
prevent exceeding the target TAC.
    (B) Adjustment of the haddock trip limit to allow harvesting of up 
to 75 percent of the target TAC. At any time during the fishing year, if 
the Regional Administrator projects that less than 75 percent of the 
target TAC for haddock will be harvested by the end of the fishing year, 
NMFS may adjust or eliminate, through publication of a notification in 
the Federal Register, the trip limit per DAS and/or the maximum trip 
limit to an amount, including elimination of the per day and/or per trip 
limit, that is determined to be sufficient to allow harvesting of at 
least 75 percent of the target TAC, but not to exceed the target TAC.
    (2) Scallop dredge vessels. (i) No person owning or operating a 
scallop dredge vessel issued a NE multispecies permit may land haddock 
from, or possess haddock on board, a scallop dredge vessel from January 
1 through June 30.
    (ii) No person owning or operating a scallop dredge vessel without 
an NE multispecies permit may possess haddock in, or harvested from, the 
EEZ from January 1 through June 30.
    (iii) Unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator as 
specified in paragraph (f) of this section, scallop dredge vessels or 
persons owning or operating a scallop dredge vessel that is fishing 
under a scallop DAS allocated under Sec. 648.53 may land or possess on 
board up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of haddock, except as specified in Sec. 
648.88(c), provided that the vessel has at least one standard tote on 
board. This restriction does not apply to vessels issued NE multispecies 
Combination Vessel permits that are fishing under a multispecies DAS. 
Haddock on board a vessel subject to this possession limit must be 
separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily 
available for inspection.
    (3)(i) Incidental catch allowance for herring Category 1 vessels. 
Category 1 herring vessels defined in Sec. 648.2 may possess and land 
haddock on all trips that do not use a NE multispecies DAS, subject to 
the requirements specified in Sec. 648.80(d) and (e).
    (ii) Haddock incidental catch cap. (A)(1) When the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the incidental catch allowance in 
Sec. 648.85(d) has been caught, all vessels issued a herring permit or 
fishing in the Federal portion of the GOM/GB Herring Exemption Area, as 
defined below, are prohibited from fishing for, possessing, or landing 
herring in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg) per trip in or from the GOM/GB 
Herring Exemption Area, unless all herring possessed and landed by the 
vessel were caught outside the GOM/GB Herring Exemption Area and the 
vessel complies with the gear stowage provisions specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii)(A)(3) of this section while

[[Page 537]]

transiting the Exemption Area. Upon this determination, the haddock 
possession limit is reduced to 0 lb (0 kg) for all Category 1 herring 
vessels regardless of where they were fishing. In making this 
determination, the Regional Administrator shall use haddock landings 
observed by NMFS-approved observers and law enforcement officials, and 
reports of haddock catch submitted by vessels and dealers pursuant to 
the reporting requirements of this part. The GOM/GB Herring Exemption 
Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated (copies of a map depicting the area are available from 
the Regional Administrator upon request):

                      GB/GOM Herring Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                       N. lat.        W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.......................................  41[deg]33.05[m  70[deg]00[min]
                                                     in]
2.......................................  41[deg]20[min]  70[deg]00[min]
3.......................................  41[deg]20[min]  69[deg]50[min]
4.......................................  41[deg]10[min]  69[deg]50[min]
5.......................................  41[deg]10[min]  69[deg]30[min]
6.......................................  41[deg]00[min]  69[deg]30[min]
7.......................................  41[deg]00[min]  68[deg]50[min]
8.......................................  39[deg]50[min]  68[deg]50[min]
9.......................................  39[deg]50[min]  66[deg]40[min]
10......................................  40[deg]30[min]  66[deg]40[min]
11......................................  40[deg]30[min]  64[deg]44.34[m
                                                                     in]
12......................................  41[deg]50[min]  66[deg]51.94[m
                                                                     in]
13......................................  41[deg]50[min]  67[deg]40[min]
14......................................  44[deg]00[min]  67[deg]40[min]
15......................................  44[deg]00[min]  67[deg]50[min]
16......................................  44[deg]10[min]  67[deg]50[min]
17......................................  44[deg]27[min]  67[deg]59.18[m
                                                                     in]
18......................................           (\1\)           (\1\)
19......................................  41[deg]33.05[m  70[deg]00[min]
                                                     in]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ME, NH, MA Coastlines.

    (2) The haddock incidental catch cap specified is for the NE 
multispecies fishing year (May 1--April 30), which differs from the 
herring fishing year (January 1--December 31). If the haddock catch cap 
is attained by the Category 1 herring fishery, the 2,000-lb (907-kg) 
limit on herring possession and landings in the GOM/GB Herring Exemption 
Area will be in effect until the end of the NE multispecies fishing 
year. For example, the 2006 haddock catch cap is specified for the 
period May 1, 2006--April 30, 2007, and the 2007 haddock catch cap 
applies to the period May 1, 2007--April 30, 2008. If the catch of 
haddock by Category 1 vessels reaches the 2006 catch cap at any time 
prior to the end of the NE multispecies fishing year (April 30, 2007), 
the 2,000-lb (907-kg) limit on possession or landing herring in the GOM/
GB Herring Exemption Area extends through April 30, 2007, at which time 
the 2007 catch cap will go into effect.
    (3) A vessel may transit the GOM/GB Herring Exemption Area with more 
than 2,000 lb (907 kg) of herring when the haddock catch cap in Sec. 
648.86 (a)(3)(ii)(A)(1) has been caught, providing that all of the 
herring possessed or landed by the vessel was caught outside of the GOM/
GB Herring Exemption Area and all fishing gear is stowed and not 
available for immediate use as required by Sec. 648.23(b).
    (B) [Reserved]
    (b) Cod--(1) GOM cod landing limit. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (b)(4) of this section, or unless otherwise 
restricted under Sec. 648.85, a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies 
DAS may land only up to 800 lb (362.9 kg) of cod during the first 24-hr 
period after the vessel has started a trip on which cod were landed 
(e.g., a vessel that starts a trip at 6 a.m. may call out of the DAS 
program at 11 a.m. and land up to 800 lb (362.9 kg), but the vessel 
cannot land any more cod on a subsequent trip until at least 6 a.m. on 
the following day). For each trip longer than 24 hr, a vessel may land 
up to an additional 800 lb (362.9 kg) for each additional 24-hr block of 
DAS fished, or part of an additional 24-hr block of DAS fished, up to a 
maximum of 4,000 lb (1,818.2 kg) per trip (e.g., a vessel that has been 
called into the DAS program for more than 24 hr, but less than 48 hr, 
may land up to, but no more than, 1,600 lb (725.7 kg) of cod). A vessel 
that has been called into only part of an additional 24-hr block of a 
DAS (e.g., a vessel that has been called into the DAS program for more 
than 24 hr, but less than 48 hr) may land up to an additional 800 lb 
(362.9 kg) of cod for that trip, provided the vessel complies with the 
provisions of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. Cod on board a 
vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from other 
species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
    (ii) A vessel that has been called into only part of an additional 
24-hr block may come into port with and offload cod up to an additional 
800 lb (362.9 kg), provided that the vessel operator does

[[Page 538]]

not call out of the DAS program as described under Sec. 648.10(c)(3) 
and does not depart from a dock or mooring in port, unless transiting, 
as allowed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, until the rest of the 
additional 24-hr block of the DAS has elapsed, regardless of whether all 
of the cod on board is offloaded (e.g., a vessel that has been called 
into the DAS program for 25 hr, at the time of landing, may land only up 
to 1,600 lb (725.6 kg) of cod, provided the vessel does not call out of 
the DAS program or leave port until 48 hr have elapsed from the 
beginning of the trip).
    (2) GB cod landing and maximum possession limits. (i) Unless as 
provided under Sec. 648.85, or under the provisions of paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section for vessels fishing with hook gear, for each 
fishing year, a vessel that is exempt from the landing limit described 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and fishing under a NE multispecies 
DAS may land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod during the first 24-hr 
period after the vessel has started a trip on which cod were landed 
(e.g., a vessel that starts a trip at 6 a.m. may call out of the DAS 
program at 11 a.m. and land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg)), but the vessel 
cannot land any more cod on a subsequent trip until at least 6 a.m. on 
the following day). For each trip longer than 24 hr, a vessel may land 
up to an additional 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) for each additional 24-hr block 
of DAS fished, or part of an additional 24-hr block of DAS fished, up to 
a maximum of 10,000 lb (4536 kg) per trip (e.g., a vessel that has been 
called into the DAS program for 48 hr or less, but more than 24 hr, may 
land up to, but no more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of cod). A vessel that 
has called into only part of an additional 24-hr block of a DAS (e.g., a 
vessel that has called into the DAS program for more than 24 hr, but 
less than 48 hr) may land up to an additional 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod 
for that trip of cod for that trip provided the vessel complies with 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section. Cod on board a vessel subject to 
this landing limit must be separated from other species of fish and 
stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
    (ii) A vessel that has been called into only part of an additional 
24 hr block, may come into port with and offload cod up to an additional 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg), provided that the vessel operator does not call-out 
of the DAS program as described under Sec. 648.10(c)(3) and does not 
depart from a dock or mooring in port, unless transiting as allowed in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section, until the rest of the additional 24-hr 
block of the DAS has elapsed regardless of whether all of the cod on 
board is offloaded (e.g., a vessel that has been called into the DAS 
program for 25 hr, at the time of landing, may land only up to 2,000 lb 
(907.2 kg) of cod, provided the vessel does not call out of the DAS 
program or leave port until 48 hr have elapsed from the beginning of the 
trip).
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (3) Transiting. A vessel that has exceeded the cod landing limit as 
specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section, and that is, 
therefore, subject to the requirement to remain in port for the period 
of time described in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A) and (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section, may transit to another port during this time, provided that the 
vessel operator notifies the Regional Administrator, either at the time 
the vessel reports its hailed weight of cod, or at a later time prior to 
transiting, and provides the following information: Vessel name and 
permit number, destination port, time of departure, and estimated time 
of arrival. A vessel transiting under this provision must stow its gear 
in accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b) and 
may not have any fish on board the vessel.
    (4) Exemption. A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS is 
exempt from the landing limit described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section when fishing south of a line beginning at the Cape Cod, MA, 
coastline at 42[deg]00[min] N. lat. and running eastward along 
42[deg]00[min] N. lat. until it intersects with 69[deg]30[min] W. long., 
then northward along 69[deg]30[min] W. long. until it intersects with 
42[deg]20[min] N. lat., then eastward along 42[deg]20[min] N. lat. until 
it intersects with 67[deg]20[min] W. long., then northward along 
67[deg]20[min] W. long. until it intersects with the U.S.-Canada 
maritime boundary, provided that it does not fish north of this 
exemption area for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing under 
the multispecies

[[Page 539]]

DAS program), and has on board an authorization letter issued by the 
Regional Administrator. Vessels exempt from the landing limit 
requirement may transit the GOM/GB Regulated Mesh Area north of this 
exemption area, provided that their gear is stowed in accordance with 
one of the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (c) Atlantic halibut. A vessel issued a NE multispecies permit under 
Sec. 648.4(a)(1) may land or possess on board no more than one Atlantic 
halibut per trip, provided the vessel complies with other applicable 
provisions of this part.
    (d) Small-mesh multispecies. (1) Vessels issued a valid Federal NE 
multispecies permit specified under Sec. 648.4(a)(1) are subject to the 
following possession limits for small-mesh multispecies, which are based 
on the mesh size used by, or on board vessels fishing for, in possession 
of, or landing small-mesh multispecies.
    (i) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size smaller 
than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel may possess 
and land not more than 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) of combined silver hake and 
offshore hake if either of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), as applied to the 
part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as 
measured in accordance with Sec. 648.80(f); or
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is smaller than 2.5 inches 
(6.35 cm), as measured by methods specified in Sec. 648.80(f). 
``Incorporated into a fully constructed net'' means that any mesh 
smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) that is incorporated into a fully 
constructed net may occur only in the part of the net not subject to the 
mesh size restrictions specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this 
section, and the net into which the mesh is incorporated must be 
available for immediate use.
    (ii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal to 
or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.62 cm). 
Owners or operators of a vessel that is not subject to the possession 
limit specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section may possess and 
land not more than 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) of combined silver hake and 
offshore hake if either of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but 
smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net 
specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured by 
methods specified in Sec. 648.80(f); or
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater 
than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as 
measured by methods specified in Sec. 648.80(f). ``Incorporated into a 
fully constructed net'' means that any mesh smaller than 2.5 inches 
(6.35 cm) that is incorporated into a fully constructed net may occur 
only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size restrictions as 
specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, and the net into 
which the mesh is incorporated must be available for immediate use.
    (iii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal 
to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm). An owner or operator of a vessel 
that is not subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs 
(d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section may possess and land not more than 
30,000 lb (13,608 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake if both 
of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as 
applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this 
section, as measured by methods specified in Sec. 648.80(f); and
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater 
than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as measured by methods specified in Sec. 
648.80(f). ``Incorporated into a fully constructed net'' means that any 
mesh smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm) that is incorporated into a fully 
constructed net may occur only in the part of the net not subject to the 
mesh size restrictions as specified in paragraph

[[Page 540]]

(d)(1)(iv) of this section, and the net into which the mesh is 
incorporated must be available for immediate use.
    (iv) Application of mesh size. Counting from the terminus of the 
net, the mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
through (iii) of this section are only applicable to the first 100 
meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels greater than 60 
ft (18.3 m) in length, and to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case 
of square mesh) for vessels 60 ft (18.3 m) or less in length. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the restrictions 
and conditions pertaining to mesh size do not apply to nets or pieces of 
net smaller than 3 ft by 3 ft (0.9 m by 0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)).
    (2) Possession limit for vessels participating in the northern 
shrimp fishery. Owners and operators of vessels participating in the 
Small-Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption Area, as described in Sec. 
648.80(a)(3), with a vessel issued a valid Federal NE multispecies 
permit specified under Sec. 648.4(a)(1), may possess and land silver 
hake and offshore hake, combined, up to an amount equal to the weight of 
shrimp on board, not to exceed 3,500 lb (1,588 kg). Silver hake and 
offshore hake on board a vessel subject to this possession limit must be 
separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily 
available for inspection.
    (3) Possession restriction for vessels electing to transfer small-
mesh NE multispecies at sea. Owners and operators of vessels issued a 
valid Federal NE multispecies permit and issued a letter of 
authorization to transfer small-mesh NE multispecies at sea according to 
the provisions specified in Sec. 648.13(b) are subject to a combined 
silver hake and offshore hake possession limit that is 500 lb (226.8 kg) 
less than the possession limit the vessel otherwise receives. This 
deduction shall be noted on the transferring vessel's letter of 
authorization from the Regional Administrator.
    (e) White hake. Except when fishing under the recreational and 
charter/party restrictions specified under Sec. 648.89, or unless 
otherwise restricted as specified in Sec. Sec. 648.82(u)(5), and 
648.88(c), a qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies permit and 
fishing with an open access Handgear B permit, or a limited access 
Handgear A permit, or a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, or a 
vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS when fishing under the limited 
access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions may land or possess on 
board only up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up 
to a maximum possession limit of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) per trip of white 
hake.
    (f) Calculation of weight of fillets or parts of fish. The 
possession limits described under this part are based on the weight of 
whole, whole-gutted, or gilled fish. For purposes of determining 
compliance with the possession limits specified in paragraphs (a), (b), 
or (c) of this section, the weight of fillets and parts of fish, other 
than whole-gutted or gilled fish, as allowed under Sec. 648.83(a) and 
(b), will be multiplied by 3.
    (g) Yellowtail flounder--(1) Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder 
possession limit restrictions. Except when fishing under the 
recreational and charter/party restrictions specified under Sec. 
648.89, unless otherwise restricted as specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.82(b)(5), and 648.88(c), a qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies 
permit and fishing with a limited access Handgear A permit, under a NE 
multispecies DAS, or under a monkfish DAS when fishing under the limited 
access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, may fish for, possess 
and land yellowtail flounder in or from the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail 
Flounder Area described in paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section, subject 
to the requirements and trip limits specified in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of 
this section.
    (i) Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area. The Cape Cod/GOM 
Yellowtail Flounder Area (copies of a chart depicting the area is 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request), is the area 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                  Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYT13............................  (\1\)               70[deg]00[min]
SYT12............................  41[deg]20[min]      70[deg]00[min]
SYT11............................  41[deg]20[min]      69[deg]50[min]
SYT10............................  41[deg]10[min]      69[deg]50[min]
SYT9.............................  41[deg]10[min]      69[deg]30[min]
SYT8.............................  41[deg]00[min]      69[deg]30[min]

[[Page 541]]

 
SYT7.............................  41[deg]00[min]      68[deg]50[min]
USCA1............................  42[deg]20[min]      68[deg]50[min]
USCA12...........................  42[deg]20[min]      67[deg]40[min]
NYT1.............................  43[deg]50[min]      67[deg]40[min]
NYT2.............................  43[deg]50[min]      66[deg]50[min]
NYT3.............................  44[deg]20[min]      66[deg]50[min]
NYT4.............................  44[deg]20[min]      67[deg]00[min]
NYT5.............................  (\2\)               67[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.
\2\ East facing shoreline of Maine.

    (ii) Requirements. Vessels fishing in the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail 
Flounder Area are bound by the following requirements:
    (A) The vessel must possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter the vessel owner must 
make a request in writing to the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel may not fish inside the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing with a limited 
access Handgear A permit, under the NE multispecies DAS program, or 
under the monkfish DAS program if the vessels is fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. Vessels subject 
to these restrictions may fish any portion of a trip in the portion of 
the GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas outside of the SNE/MA 
Yellowtail Flounder Area, provided the vessel complies with the 
possession restrictions specified under this paragraph (g), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(4) of this section. Vessels subject 
to these restrictions may transit the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area, 
provided the gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (C) During the periods April through May, and October through 
November, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 250 lb 
(113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip.
    (D) During the periods June through September, and December through 
March, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 750 lb (340.2 
kg) of yellowtail flounder per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a 
maximum possession limit of 3,000 lb (1,364.0 kg) per trip.
    (2) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder possession limit restrictions. Except 
when fishing under the recreational and charter/party restrictions 
specified in Sec. 648.89, unless otherwise restricted as specified in 
Sec. 648.82(b)(3) and (b)(5), and Sec. 648.88(c), a vessel issued a NE 
multispecies permit and fishing with a limited access Handgear A permit, 
under a NE multispecies DAS, or under a monkfish DAS when fishing under 
the limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, in the 
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area, described in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of 
this section, is subject to the requirements and trip limits specified 
in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section, in order to fish for, possess, 
or land yellowtail flounder.
    (i) SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area. The SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area (copies of a chart depicting the area is available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request), is the area defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                SNE/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYT1.............................  38[deg]00[min]      (\1\)
SY2..............................  38[deg]00[min]      72[deg]00[min]
SY3..............................  39[deg]00[min]      72[deg]00[min]
SY4..............................  39[deg]00[min]      71[deg]40[min]
SY5..............................  39[deg]50[min]      71[deg]40[min]
USCA2............................  39[deg]50[min]      68[deg]50[min]
SYT7.............................  41[deg]00[min]      68[deg]50[min]
SYT8.............................  41[deg]00[min]      69[deg]30[min]
SYT9.............................  41[deg]10[min]      69[deg]30[min]
SYT10............................  41[deg]10[min]      69[deg]50[min]
SYT11............................  41[deg]20[min]      69[deg]50[min]
SYT12............................  41[deg]20[min]      70[deg]00[min]
SYT13............................  (\2\)               70[deg]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ East facing shoreline of Virginia.
\2\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.

    (ii) Requirements. Vessels fishing in the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area are bound by the following requirements:
    (A) The vessel must possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter the vessel owner must 
make a request in writing to the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel may not fish in the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area for a minimum of 7 consecutive

[[Page 542]]

days (when fishing with a limited access Handgear A permit, under the NE 
multispecies DAS program, or under the monkfish DAS program if the 
vessel is fishing under the limited access monkfish Category C or D 
permit provisions), unless otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(3) of 
this section. Vessels subject to these restrictions may fish any portion 
of the GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas outside of the Cape Cod/GOM 
Yellowtail Flounder Area, provided the vessel complies with the 
possession restrictions specified under this paragraph (g), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(4) of this section. Vessels subject 
to these restrictions may transit the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, provided gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (C) During the period March through June, vessels may land or 
possess on board only up to 250 lb (113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per 
trip.
    (D) During the period July through February, vessels may land or 
possess on board only up to 750 lb (340.2 kg) of yellowtail flounder per 
DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a maximum possession limit of 3,000 lb 
(1,364.0 kg) per trip.
    (3) During the months of January, February, April, May, July through 
September, and December, when the yellowtail flounder trip limit 
requirements for the Cape Cod/GOM and SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Areas 
are the same, vessels that obtain a yellowtail flounder possession/
landing letter of authorization as specified under paragraphs 
(g)(1)(ii)(A) and (g)(2)(ii)(A) of this section are not subject to the 
requirements specified under paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(B) and (g)(2)(ii)(B) 
of this section.
    (4) Vessels that obtain a yellowtail flounder possession/landing 
letter of authorization as specified under paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(A) and 
(g)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, and that fish on a separate trip in the 
U.S./Canada Management Area according to the regulations at Sec. 
648.85(a), including a trip into an approved SAP as specified at Sec. 
648.85(b)(3), are exempt from the possession limits and restrictions 
specified under paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(A) and (g)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section during the authorized time period.
    (5) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder possession limit restrictions. Except 
when fishing under the recreational and charter/party restrictions 
specified under Sec. 648.89, or unless otherwise restricted as 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.82(u)(3) and (u)(5), and 648.88(c), a 
qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies permit and fishing with an 
open access Handgear B permit, or a vessel fishing under a limited 
access Handgear A permit, or a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies 
DAS, or a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS when fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, may fish for, 
possess and land yellowtail flounder in or from the SNE/MA Yellowtail 
Flounder Area described in paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section, only as 
provided for and allowed under the requirements and trip limits 
specified in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (i) SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area. The SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area (copies of a chart depicting the area is available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request), is the area defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                SNE/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N. Latitude    W. Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYT1....................................         38[deg]           (\1\)
                                                 00[min]
SY2.....................................         38[deg]         72[deg]
                                                 00[min]         00[min]
SY3.....................................         39[deg]         72[deg]
                                                 00[min]         00[min]
SY4.....................................         39[deg]         71[deg]
                                                 00[min]         40[min]
SY5.....................................         39[deg]         71[deg]
                                                 50[min]         40[min]
USCA2...................................         39[deg]         68[deg]
                                                 50[min]         50[min]
SYT7....................................         41[deg]         68[deg]
                                                 00[min]         50[min]
SYT8....................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 00[min]         30[min]
SYT9....................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 10[min]         30[min]
SYT10...................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 10[min]         50[min]
SYT11...................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 20[min]         50[min]
SYT12...................................         41[deg]         70[deg]
                                                 20[min]         00[min]
SYT13...................................           (\2\)         70[deg]
                                                                00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ East facing shoreline of Virginia.
\2\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.

    (ii) Requirements. A vessel fishing in the SNE/MA Yellowtail 
Flounder Area must comply with the following requirements:
    (A) The vessel must possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter the vessel owner must

[[Page 543]]

make a request in writing to the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel may not fish in the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing with a limited 
access Handgear A permit, under the NE multispecies DAS program, or 
under the monkfish DAS program if the vessel is fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. A vessel 
subject to these restrictions may fish any portion of the GB, SNE, and 
MA Regulated Mesh Areas outside of the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, provided the vessel complies with the possession restrictions 
specified under this paragraph (g). A vessel subject to these 
restrictions may transit the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area, 
provided its fishing gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (C) During the periods May through June, and October through 
November, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 250 lb 
(113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip.
    (D) During the periods July through September, and December through 
April, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 500 lb (226.8 
kg) of yellowtail flounder per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a 
maximum possession limit of 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) per trip.
    (h) Other possession restrictions. Vessels are subject to any other 
applicable possession limit restrictions of this part.
    (i) Offloading requirement for vessels possessing species regulated 
by a daily possession limit. Vessels that have ended a trip as specified 
in Sec. 648.10(b)(2)(iii) or (c)(3) that possess on board species 
regulated by a daily possession limit (i.e., pounds per DAS) as 
specified at Sec. 648.85(a)(3)(iv), Sec. 648.85(a)(6)(iv)(D), or Sec. 
648.86 must offload these species prior to leaving port on a subsequent 
trip. Other species regulated by an overall trip limit may be retained 
on board for a subsequent trip. For example, a vessel ending a trip in 
October that possesses cod and yellowtail flounder harvested from the 
Gulf of Maine is subject to a daily possession limit for cod of 800 lb 
(363 kg)/DAS and an overall trip limit of 250 lb (113 kg)/trip for 
yellowtail flounder. This vessel would be required to offload any cod 
harvested, but may retain any yellowtail flounder on board prior to 
leaving port on a subsequent trip.
    (j) GB winter flounder. Except when fishing under the recreational 
and charter/party restrictions specified under Sec. 648.89, or unless 
otherwise restricted as specified in Sec. Sec. 648.82(u)(5), and 
648.88(c), a qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies permit and 
fishing with an open access Handgear B permit, a vessel fishing under a 
limited access Handgear A permit, a vessel fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS, or a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS when fishing 
under the limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions may 
not possess or land more than 5,000 lb (2,268.1 kg) per trip of GB 
winter flounder.
    (k) Other regulated NE multispecies possession restrictions for 
herring vessels. Incidental catch allowance for herring Category 1 
vessels. Category 1 herring vessels defined in Sec. 648.2 may possess 
and land up to 100 lb (45 kg) of other regulated NE multispecies (cod, 
witch flounder, plaice, yellowtail flounder, pollock, winter flounder, 
windowpane flounder, redfish, and white hake) on all trips that do not 
use a multispecies DAS, subject to the requirements specified in Sec. 
648.80(d) and (e). Such fish may not be sold for human consumption.

[69 FR 22978, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 76428, Dec. 27, 2005; 
71 FR 46876, Aug. 15, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19385, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.86 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (b) and (g)(1) and (2), revising 
paragraph (e), and adding paragraphs (g)(4) and (5), (i), and (j), 
effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006. At 71 FR 25094, Apr. 28, 
2006, paragraph (e) was corrected. The text for paragraphs (g)(4) and 
(i), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006, which already exist 
in Sec. 648.86 is set forth below.



Sec. 648.86  Multispecies possession restrictions.

                                * * * * *

    (g) * * *
    (4) Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder possession limit restrictions. 
Except when fishing

[[Page 544]]

under the recreational and charter/party restrictions specified under 
Sec. 648.89, or unless otherwise restricted as specified in Sec. Sec. 
648.82(u)(5), and 648.88(c), a qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies 
permit and fishing with an open access Handgear B permit, or a vessel 
fishing under a limited access Handgear A permit, or a vessel fishing 
under a NE multispecies DAS, or a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS 
when fishing under the limited access monkfish Category C or D permit 
provisions, may fish for, possess and land yellowtail flounder in or 
from the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area described in paragraph 
(g)(4)(i) of this section, only as provided for and allowed under the 
requirements and trip limits specified in paragraph (g)(4)(ii) of this 
section.
    (i) Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area. The Cape Cod/GOM 
Yellowtail Flounder Area (copies of a chart depicting the area is 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request), is the area 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                                      Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Point                                  N. Latitude    W. Longitude
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYT13.............................................................           (\1\)         70[deg]
                                                                                           00[min]
SYT12.............................................................         41[deg]         70[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         00[min]
SYT11.............................................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         50[min]
SYT10.............................................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                                           10[min]         50[min]
SYT9..............................................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                                           10[min]         30[min]
SYT8..............................................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                                           00[min]         30[min]
SYT7..............................................................         41[deg]         68[deg]
                                                                           00[min]         50[min]
USCA1.............................................................         42[deg]         68[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         50[min]
USCA12............................................................         42[deg]         67[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         40[min]
NYT1..............................................................         43[deg]         67[deg]
                                                                           50[min]         40[min]
NYT2..............................................................         43[deg]         66[deg]
                                                                           50[min]         50[min]
NYT3..............................................................         44[deg]         66[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         50[min]
NYT4..............................................................         44[deg]         67[deg]
                                                                           20[min]         00[min]
NYT5..............................................................           (\2\)         67[deg]
                                                                                          00[min]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.
\2\ East facing shoreline of Maine.

    (ii) Requirements. A vessel fishing in the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail 
Flounder Area must comply with the following requirements:
    (A) The vessel must possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter the vessel owner must 
make a request in writing to the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel may not fish inside the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing with a limited 
access Handgear A permit, under the NE multispecies DAS program, or 
under the monkfish DAS program if the vessels is fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. A vessel 
subject to these restrictions may fish any portion of a trip in the 
portion of the GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas outside of the SNE/
MA Yellowtail Flounder Area, provided the vessel complies with the 
possession restrictions specified under this paragraph (g). A vessel 
subject to these restrictions may transit the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, provided its fishing gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 
648.23(b).
    (C) During the periods May through June, and October through 
November, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 250 lb 
(113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip.
    (D) During the periods July through September, and December through 
April, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 500 lb (226.8 
kg) of yellowtail flounder per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a 
maximum possession limit of 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) per trip.
    (5) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder possession limit restrictions. Except 
when fishing under the recreational and charter/party restrictions 
specified under Sec. 648.89, or unless otherwise restricted as 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.82(u)(3) and (u)(5), and 648.88(c), a 
qualified vessel issued a NE multispecies permit and fishing with an 
open access Handgear B permit, or a vessel fishing under a limited 
access Handgear A permit, or a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies 
DAS, or a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS when fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, may fish for, 
possess and land yellowtail flounder in or from the SNE/MA Yellowtail 
Flounder Area described in paragraph (g)(5)(i) of this section, only as 
provided for and allowed under the requirements and trip limits 
specified in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section.
    (i) SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Area. The SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder 
Area (copies of a chart depicting the area is available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request), is the area defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

                SNE/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N. Latitude    W. Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYT1....................................         38[deg]           (\1\)
                                                 00[min]
SY2.....................................         38[deg]         72[deg]
                                                 00[min]         00[min]
SY3.....................................         39[deg]         72[deg]
                                                 00[min]         00[min]
SY4.....................................         39[deg]         71[deg]
                                                 00[min]         40[min]
SY5.....................................         39[deg]         71[deg]
                                                 50[min]         40[min]
USCA2...................................         39[deg]         68[deg]
                                                 50[min]         50[min]
SYT7....................................         41[deg]         68[deg]
                                                 00[min]         50[min]
SYT8....................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 00[min]         30[min]
SYT9....................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 10[min]         30[min]
SYT10...................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 10[min]         50[min]
SYT11...................................         41[deg]         69[deg]
                                                 20[min]         50[min]
SYT12...................................         41[deg]         70[deg]
                                                 20[min]         00[min]
SYT13...................................           (\2\)         70[deg]
                                                                00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ East facing shoreline of Virginia.
\2\ South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.

    (ii) Requirements. A vessel fishing in the SNE/MA Yellowtail 
Flounder Area must comply with the following requirements:

[[Page 545]]

    (A) The vessel must possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. To obtain this exemption letter the vessel owner must 
make a request in writing to the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel may not fish in the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing with a limited 
access Handgear A permit, under the NE multispecies DAS program, or 
under the monkfish DAS program if the vessel is fishing under the 
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit provisions), unless 
otherwise specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. A vessel 
subject to these restrictions may fish any portion of the GB, SNE, and 
MA Regulated Mesh Areas outside of the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder 
Area, provided the vessel complies with the possession restrictions 
specified under this paragraph (g). A vessel subject to these 
restrictions may transit the Cape Cod/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Area, 
provided its fishing gear is stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b).
    (C) During the periods May through June, and October through 
November, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 250 lb 
(113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip.
    (D) During the periods July through September, and December through 
April, the vessel may land or possess on board only up to 500 lb (226.8 
kg) of yellowtail flounder per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a 
maximum possession limit of 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) per trip.

                                * * * * *

    (i) Cod--(1) GOM cod landing limit. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (i)(1)(ii) and (i)(4) of this section, or unless otherwise 
restricted under Sec. 648.85, a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies 
DAS may land only up to 600 lb (272.2 kg) of cod during the first 24-hr 
period after the vessel has started a trip on which cod were landed 
(e.g., a vessel that starts a trip at 6 a.m. may call out of the DAS 
program at 11 a.m. and land up to 600 lb (272.2 kg), but the vessel 
cannot land any more cod on a subsequent trip until at least 6 a.m. on 
the following day). For each trip longer than 24-hr, a vessel may land 
up to an additional 600 lb (272.2 kg) for each additional 24-hr block of 
DAS fished, or part of an additional 24-hr block of DAS fished, up to a 
maximum of 4,000 lb (1,818.2 kg) per trip (e.g., a vessel that has been 
called into the DAS program for more than 24 hr, but less than 48 hr, 
may land up to, but no more than 1,200 lb (544.4 kg) of cod). A vessel 
that has been called into only part of an additional 24-hr block of a 
DAS (e.g., a vessel that has been called into the DAS program for more 
than 24 hr, but less than 48 hr) may land up to an additional 600 lb 
(272.2 kg) of cod for that trip, provided the vessel complies with the 
provisions of paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section. Cod on board a 
vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from other 
species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
    (ii) A vessel that has accrued only part of an additional 24 hr 
block on a fishing trip, may come into port with and offload cod up to 
an additional 600 lb (272.2 kg), provided that the vessel notifies NMFS 
that it has an additional day's worth of cod on board as instructed by 
the Regional Administrator, and, if the vessel is not using a VMS, calls 
out of the DAS program as described under Sec. 648.10(c)(7). Any such 
vessel shall be charged DAS rounded up to the next whole DAS, based upon 
the beginning of the trip. Any vessel subject to differential DAS 
counting and returning to port on a trip greater than 34 hours in 
duration with an additional day's worth of cod on board shall be charged 
DAS pursuant to the differential DAS counting provisions specified at 
Sec. 648.82(n)(2). For example, a vessel that has been called into the 
DAS program for 25 hr, at the time of landing, may land up to 1,200 lb 
(544.4 kg) of cod and would be charged 48 hours of DAS use. A vessel 
subject to differential DAS counting due to fishing outside of the U.S./
Canada Management Area that has been called into the DAS program for 35 
hr, at the time of landing, may land only up to 1,200 lb (544.4 kg) of 
cod and would be charged 49 hr of DAS use (35 hours x 1.4).
    (2) GB cod landing and maximum possession limits. (i) Unless as 
provided under Sec. 648.85, or under the provisions of paragraph 
(i)(2)(iii) of this section for vessels fishing with hook gear, for each 
fishing year, a vessel that is exempt, pursuant to paragraph (i)(4) of 
this section, from the landing limit described in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section, and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS may land up to 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod during the first 24-hr period after the 
vessel has started a trip on which cod were landed (e.g., a vessel that 
starts a trip at 6 a.m. may call out of the DAS program at 11 a.m. and 
land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg)), but the vessel cannot land any more cod 
on a subsequent trip until at least 6 a.m. on the following day). For 
each trip longer than 24 hr, a vessel may land up to an additional 1,000 
lb (453.6 kg) for each additional 24-hr block of DAS fished, or part of 
an additional 24-hr block of DAS fished, up to a maximum of 10,000 lb 
(4536 kg) per trip (e.g., a vessel that has been called into the DAS 
program for 48 hr or less, but more than 24 hr, may land up to, but no 
more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of cod). A vessel that has called into 
only part of an additional 24-hr block of a DAS (e.g., a vessel that has 
called into the DAS program for more than 24 hr, but less than 48 hr) 
may land up to an additional 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod for that trip of 
cod for that trip provided the vessel complies with paragraph (i)(2)(ii) 
of this section. Cod on

[[Page 546]]

board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from 
other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for 
inspection.
    (ii) A vessel that has accrued only part of an additional 24 hr 
block on a fishing trip, may come into port with and offload cod up to 
an additional 1,000 lb (453.6 kg), provided that the vessel notifies 
NMFS that it has an additional day's worth of cod on board as instructed 
by the Regional Administrator, and, if the vessel is not using a VMS, 
calls out of the DAS program as described under Sec. 648.10(c)(7). Any 
such vessel shall be charged DAS rounded up to the next whole DAS, based 
upon the beginning of the trip. Any vessel subject to differential DAS 
counting and returning to port on a trip greater than 34 hours in 
duration with an additional day's worth of cod on board shall be charged 
DAS pursuant to the differential DAS counting provisions specified at 
Sec. 648.82(n)(2). For example, a vessel that has been called into the 
DAS program for 25 hr, at the time of landing, may land up to 2,000 lb 
(907.2 kg) of cod and would be charged 48 hours of DAS use. A vessel 
subject to differential DAS counting due to fishing outside of the U.S./
Canada Management Area that has been called into the DAS program for 35 
hr, at the time of landing, may land only up to 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of 
cod and would be charged 49 hr of DAS use (35 hours x 1.4).
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (3) Transiting. A vessel that has exceeded the cod landing limit as 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this section, and that is, 
therefore, subject to the requirement to remain in port for the period 
of time described in paragraphs (i)(1)(ii)(A) and (i)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section, may transit to another port during this time, provided that the 
vessel operator notifies the Regional Administrator, either at the time 
the vessel reports its hailed weight of cod, or at a later time prior to 
transiting, and provides the following information: Vessel name and 
permit number, destination port, time of departure, and estimated time 
of arrival. A vessel transiting under this provision must stow its gear 
in accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b) and 
may not have any fish on board the vessel.
    (4) Exemption. A vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS is 
exempt from the landing limit described in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section when fishing south of a line beginning at the Cape Cod, MA, 
coastline at 42[deg]00[min] N. lat. and running eastward along 
42[deg]00[min] N. lat. until it intersects with 69[deg]30[min] W. long., 
then northward along 69[deg]30[min] W. long. until it intersects with 
42[deg]0[min] N. lat., then eastward along 42[deg]20[min] N. lat. until 
it intersects with 67[deg]20[min] W. long., then northward along 
67[deg]20[min] W. long. until it intersects with the U.S.-Canada 
maritime boundary, provided that it does not fish north of this 
exemption area for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing under 
the NE multispecies DAS program), and has on board an authorization 
letter issued by the Regional Administrator. Vessels exempt from the 
landing limit requirement may transit the GOM/GB Regulated Mesh Area 
north of this exemption area, provided that their gear is stowed in 
accordance with one of the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).

                                * * * * *



Sec. 648.87  Sector allocation.

    (a) Procedure for implementing Sector allocation proposal. (1) Any 
person may submit a Sector allocation proposal for a group of limited 
access NE multispecies vessels to the Council, at least 1 year in 
advance of the start of a sector, and request that the Sector be 
implemented through a framework procedure specified at Sec. 
648.90(a)(2), in accordance with the conditions and restrictions of this 
section.
    (2) Upon receipt of a Sector allocation proposal, the Council must 
decide whether to initiate such framework. Should a framework adjustment 
to authorize a Sector allocation proposal be initiated, the Council 
should follow the framework adjustment provisions of Sec. 648.90(a)(2). 
Any framework adjustment developed to implement a Sector allocation 
proposal must be in compliance with the general requirements specified 
in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. Vessels that do not join a 
Sector would remain subject to the NE multispecies regulations for non-
Sector vessels specified under this part.
    (b) General requirements applicable to all Sector allocations. (1) 
All Sectors approved under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this 
section must submit the documents specified under paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(b)(2) of this section, and comply with the conditions and restrictions 
of this paragraph (b)(1).
    (i) The sector allocation must be based on either a TAC limit (hard 
TAC), or a maximum DAS usage limit for all vessels with a target TAC.
    (ii) A Sector shall be allocated no more than 20 percent of a 
stock's TAC, unless otherwise authorized by the Council.

[[Page 547]]

    (iii) Allocation of catch or effort shall be based upon documented 
accumulated catch histories of the harvested stock(s) for each vessel 
electing to fish in a Sector, for the 5-year period prior to submission 
of a Sector allocation proposal to the Council. Documented catch shall 
be based on dealer landings reported to NMFS.
    (iv) Landings histories for Sectors formed to harvest GB cod during 
the period 2004 through 2007 shall be based on fishing years 1996 
through 2001.
    (v) The Sector allocation proposal must contain an appropriate 
analysis that assesses the impact of the proposed Sector, in compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act.
    (vi) Once a hard TAC allocated to a Sector is projected to be 
exceeded, Sector operations will be terminated for the remainder of the 
fishing year.
    (vii) Should a hard TAC allocated to a Sector be exceeded in a given 
fishing year, the Sector's allocation will be reduced by the overage in 
the following fishing year, and the Sector, each vessel, and vessel 
operator and/or vessel owner participating in the Sector may be charged 
jointly and severally for civil penalties and permit sanctions pursuant 
to 15 CFR part 904. If the Sector exceeds its TAC in more than 1 fishing 
year, the Sector's share may be permanently reduced, or the Sector's 
authorization to operate may be withdrawn.
    (viii) If a hard or target TAC allocated to a Sector is not exceeded 
in a given fishing year, the Sector's allocation of TAC or DAS will not 
be reduced for the following fishing year as a result of an overage of a 
hard or target TAC by non-compliant Sectors or by non-Sector vessels.
    (ix) Unless exempted through a Letter of Authorization specified in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, each vessel operator and/or vessel 
owner fishing under an approved Sector must comply with all NE 
multispecies management measures of this part and other applicable law. 
Each vessel and vessel operator and/or vessel owner participating in a 
Sector must also comply with all applicable requirements and conditions 
of the Operating Plan specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section and 
the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section. It shall be unlawful to violate any such conditions and 
requirements and each Sector, vessel, and vessel operator and/or vessel 
owner participating in the Sector may be charged jointly and severally 
for civil penalties and permit sanctions pursuant 15 CFR part 904.
    (x) Approved Sectors must submit an annual year-end report to NMFS 
and the Council, within 60 days of the end of the fishing year, that 
summarizes the fishing activities of its members, including harvest 
levels of all federally managed species by Sector vessels, enforcement 
actions, and other relevant information required to evaluate the 
performance of the Sector.
    (xi) Once a vessel operator and/or vessel owner signs a binding 
contract to participate in a Sector, that vessel must remain in the 
Sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (xii) Vessels that fish under the DAS program outside the Sector 
allocation in a given fishing year may not participate in a Sector 
during that same fishing year, unless the Operations Plan provides an 
acceptable method for accounting for DAS used prior to implementation of 
the Sector.
    (xiii) Once a vessel operator and/or vessel owner has agreed to 
participate in a Sector as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(xi) of this 
section, that vessel must remain in the Sector for the entire fishing 
year. If a permit is transferred by a Sector participant during the 
fishing year, the new owner must also comply with the Sector regulations 
for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (xiv) Vessels and vessel operators and/or vessel owners removed from 
a Sector for violation of the Sector rules will not be eligible to fish 
under the NE multispecies regulations for non-Sector vessels specified 
under this part.
    (xv) All vessel operators and/or vessel owners fishing in an 
approved Sector must be issued and have on board the vessel, a Letter of 
Authorization (LOA) issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (xvi) The Regional Administrator may exempt participants in the 
Sector,

[[Page 548]]

pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, from any Federal fishing 
regulations necessary to allow such participants to fish in accordance 
with the Operations Plan, with the exception of regulations addressing 
the following measures for Sectors based on a hard TAC: Year-round 
closure areas, permitting restrictions (e.g., vessel upgrades, etc.), 
gear restrictions designed to minimize habitat impacts (e.g., roller 
gear restrictions, etc.), and reporting requirements (not including DAS 
reporting requirements). A framework adjustment, as specified in Sec. 
648.90, may be submitted to exempt Sector participants from regulations 
not authorized to be exempted pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (2) Operations Plan and Sector Contract. Each Sector must submit an 
Operations Plan and Sector Contract to the Regional Administrator at 
least 3 months prior to the beginning of each fishing year. The 
following elements must be contained in either the Operations Plan or 
Sector Contract:
    (i) A list of all parties, vessels, and vessel owners who will 
participate in the Sector;
    (ii) A contract signed by all Sector participants indicating their 
agreement to abide by the Operations Plan;
    (iii) The name of a designated representative or agent for service 
of process;
    (iv) If applicable, a plan for consolidation or redistribution of 
catch or effort, detailing the quantity and duration of such 
consolidation or redistribution of catch or effort within the Sector;
    (v) Historic information on the catch or effort history of the 
Sector participants, consistent with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, and any additional historic information 
specified in the framework adjustment;
    (vi) A plan and analysis of the specific management rules the Sector 
participants will agree to abide by in order to avoid exceeding the 
allocated TAC (or target TAC under a DAS allocation), including detailed 
plans for enforcement of the Sector rules, as well as detailed plans for 
the monitoring and reporting of landings and discards;
    (vii) A plan that defines the procedures by which members of the 
Sector that do not abide by the rules of the Sector will be disciplined 
or removed from the Sector, and a procedure for notifying NMFS of such 
expulsions from the Sector;
    (viii) If applicable, a plan of how the TAC or DAS allocated to the 
Sector is assigned to each vessel;
    (ix) If the Operations Plan is inconsistent with, or outside the 
scope of the NEPA analysis associated with the Sector proposal/framework 
adjustment as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this section, a 
supplemental NEPA analysis may be required with the Operations Plan.
    (x) Each vessel and vessel operator and/or vessel owner 
participating in a Sector must comply with all applicable requirements 
and conditions of the Operations Plan specified in this paragraph (b)(2) 
and the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section. It shall be unlawful to violate any such conditions and 
requirements unless such conditions or restrictions are identified as 
administrative only in an approved Operations Plan. Each Sector, vessel, 
and vessel operator and/or vessel owner participating in the Sector may 
be charged jointly and severally for civil penalties and permit 
sanctions pursuant to 15 CFR part 904.
    (c) Approval of a Sector and granting of exemptions by the Regional 
Administrator. (1) Once the submission documents specified under 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(2) of this section have been determined to 
comply with the requirements of this section, NMFS may consult with the 
Council and will solicit public comment on the Operations Plan for at 
least 15 days, through notification of a proposed rulemaking in the 
Federal Register.
    (2) Upon review of the public comments, the Regional Administrator 
may approve or disapprove Sector operations, through a final 
determination consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (3) If a Sector is approved, the Regional Administrator shall issue 
a Letter of Authorization to each vessel operator and/or vessel owner 
belonging to

[[Page 549]]

the Sector. The Letter of Authorization shall authorize participation in 
the Sector operations and may exempt participating vessels from any 
Federal fishing regulation, except those specified in paragraph 
(b)(1)(xvi) of this section, in order to allow vessels to fish in 
accordance with an approved Operations Plan, provided such exemptions 
are consistent with the goals and objectives of the NE multispecies FMP. 
The Letter of Authorization may also include requirements and conditions 
deemed necessary to ensure effective administration of an compliance 
with the Operations Plan and the Sector allocation. Solicitation of 
public comment on, and NMFS final determination on such exemptions shall 
be consistent with paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (4) The Regional Administrator may withdraw approval of a Sector, 
after consultation with the Council, at anytime if it is determined that 
Sector participants are not complying with the requirements of an 
approved Operations Plan or that the continuation of the Operations Plan 
will undermine achievement of fishing mortality objectives of the NE 
Multispecies FMP. Withdrawal of approval of a Sector may only be done 
after notice and comment rulemaking as prescribed by the Administrative 
Procedure Act.
    (d) Approved Sector allocation proposals--(1) GB Cod Hook Sector. 
Eligible NE multispecies DAS vessels, as specified in paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii) of this section, may participate in the GB Cod Hook Sector 
within the GB Cod Hook Sector Area, under the Sector's Operations Plan, 
provided the Operations Plan is approved by the Regional Administrator 
in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, and provided that each 
participating vessel and vessel operator and/or vessel owner comply with 
the requirements of the Operations Plan, the requirements and conditions 
specified in the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to paragraph 
(c) of this section, and all other requirements specified in this 
section.
    (i) GB Cod Hook Sector Area (GBCHSA). The GBCHSA is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

                    Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Point                      N. Lat.            W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HS1                                (\1\)               70[deg]00[min]
HS2                                42[deg]20[min]      70[deg]00[min]
HS3                                42[deg]20[min]      \3\
                                                        67[deg]18.4[min]
 
Follow the U.S. EEZ boundary south to HS4
 
HS4                                39[deg]00[min]      66[deg]45.5[min]
HS5                                39[deg]00[min]      71[deg]40[min]
HS6                                (\2\)               71[deg]40[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The east facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA.
\2\ The south facing shoreline of Rhode Island.
\3\ The U.S. Canada Maritime Boundary.

    (ii) Eligibility. All vessels issued a valid limited access NE 
multispecies DAS permit are eligible to participate in the GB Cod Hook 
Sector, provided they have documented landings through valid dealer 
reports submitted to NMFS of GB cod during the fishing years 1996 to 
2001, regardless of gear fished.
    (iii) TAC allocation. For each fishing year, the Sector's allocation 
of that fishing year's GB cod TAC, up to a maximum of 20 percent of the 
GB cod TAC, will be determined as follows:
    (A) Sum of the total accumulated landings of GB cod by vessels 
identified in the Sector's Operation Plan specified under paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, for the fishing years 1996 through 2001, 
regardless of gear used, as reported in the NMFS dealer database.
    (B) Sum of total accumulated landings of GB cod made by all NE 
multispecies vessels for the fishing years 1996 through 2001, as 
reported in the NMFS dealer database.
    (C) Divide the sum of total landings of Sector participants 
calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(A) of this section by the sum of 
total landings by all vessels calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(B) of 
this section. The resulting number represents the percentage of the 
total GB cod TAC allocated to the GB Cod Hook Sector for the fishing 
year in question.
    (iv) Requirements. A vessel fishing under the GB Cod Hook Sector may 
not fish with gear other than jigs, demersal longline, or handgear.
    (2) [Reserved]

[69 FR 22981, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 31342, June 1, 2005; 70 
FR 76429, Dec. 27, 2005]

[[Page 550]]



Sec. 648.88  Multispecies open access permit restrictions.

    (a) Handgear permit. A vessel issued a valid open access NE 
multispecies Handgear permit is subject to the following restrictions:
    (1) The vessel may possess and land up to 75 lb (34 kg) of cod and 
up to the landing and possession limit restrictions for other NE 
multispecies specified in Sec. 648.86, provided the vessel complies 
with the restrictions specified under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. 
Should the GOM cod trip limit specified under Sec. 648.86(b)(1) be 
adjusted in the future, the cod trip limit specified under this 
paragraph (a)(1) will be adjusted proportionally (rounded up to the 
nearest 25 lb (11.3 kg)).
    (2) Restrictions: (i) The vessel may not use or possess on board 
gear other than handgear while in possession of, fishing for, or landing 
NE multispecies, and must have at least one standard tote on board;
    (ii) The vessel may not fish for, possess, or land regulated species 
from March 1 through March 20 of each year; and
    (iii) The vessel, if fishing with tub-trawl gear, may not fish with 
more than a maximum of 250 hooks.
    (b) Charter/party permit. A vessel that has been issued a valid open 
access NE multispecies charter/party permit is subject to the additional 
restrictions on gear, recreational minimum fish sizes, possession 
limits, and prohibitions on sale specified in Sec. 648.89, and any 
other applicable provisions of this part.
    (c) Scallop NE multispecies possession limit permit. With the 
exception of vessels fishing in the Sea Scallop Access Areas as 
specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d), a vessel that has been issued 
a valid open access scallop NE multispecies possession limit permit may 
possess and land up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of regulated species when 
fishing under a scallop DAS allocated under Sec. 648.53, provided the 
vessel does not fish for, possess, or land haddock from January 1 
through June 30, as specified under Sec. 648.86(a)(2)(i), and provided 
that the amount of yellowtail flounder on board the vessel does not 
exceed the trip limitations specified in Sec. 648.86(g), and provided 
the vessel has at least one standard tote on board. A vessel fishing in 
the Sea Scallop Access Areas as specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (d) 
is subject to the possession limits specified in Sec. 648.60(a)(5)(ii).
    (d) Non-regulated NE multispecies permit. A vessel issued a valid 
open access non-regulated NE multispecies permit may possess and land 
one Atlantic halibut and unlimited amounts of the other non-regulated NE 
multispecies. The vessel is subject to restrictions on gear, area, and 
time of fishing specified in Sec. 648.80 and any other applicable 
provisions of this part.

[69 FR 22983, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63481, Nov. 2, 2004]



Sec. 648.89  Recreational and charter/party vessel restrictions.

    (a) Recreational gear restrictions. Persons aboard charter or party 
vessels permitted under this part and not fishing under the DAS program, 
and recreational fishing vessels in the EEZ, are prohibited from fishing 
with more than two hooks per line, and one line per angler, and must 
stow all other fishing gear on board the vessel as specified under Sec. 
648.23(b).
    (b) Recreational minimum fish sizes--(1) Minimum fish sizes. Persons 
aboard charter or party vessels permitted under this part and not 
fishing under the NE multispecies DAS program, and recreational fishing 
vessels in or possessing fish from the EEZ, may not possess fish smaller 
than the minimum fish sizes, measured in total length (TL) as follows:

  Minimum Fish Sizes (TL) for Charter, Party, and Private Recreational
                                 Vessels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Species                          Sizes  (inches)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cod......................................  22 (58.4 cm)
Haddock..................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Pollock..................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Witch flounder (gray sole)...............  14 (35.6 cm)
Yellowtail flounder......................  13 (33.0 cm)
Atlantic halibut.........................  36 (91.4 cm)
American plaice (dab)....................  14 (35.6 cm)
Winter flounder (blackback)..............  12 (30.5 cm)
Redfish..................................  9 (22.9 cm)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Exception. Vessels may possess fillets less than the minimum 
size specified, if the fillets are taken from legal-sized fish and are 
not offered or intended for sale, trade or barter.

[[Page 551]]

    (3) Minimum fish sizes. Unless further restricted under paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section, persons aboard charter or party vessels 
permitted under this part and not fishing under the NE multispecies DAS 
program, and recreational fishing vessels in or possessing fish from the 
EEZ, may not possess fish smaller than the minimum fish sizes, measured 
in total length (TL) as follows:

  Minimum Fish Sizes (TL) for Charter, Party, and Private Recreational
                                 Vessels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Species                               Sizes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cod.......................................  22 (58.4 cm)
Haddock...................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Pollock...................................  19 (48.3 cm)
Witch flounder (gray sole)................  14 (35.6 cm)
Yellowtail flounder.......................  13 (33.0 cm)
Atlantic halibut..........................  36 (91.4 cm)
American plaice (dab).....................  14 (35.6 cm)
Winter flounder (blackback)...............  12 (30.5 cm)
Redfish...................................  9 (22.9 cm)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) GOM cod. Private recreational vessels and charter party vessels 
described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, may not possess cod 
smaller than 24 inches (63.7 cm) in total length when fishing in the GOM 
Regulated Mesh Area specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(1).
    (c) Cod possession restrictions--(1) Recreational fishing vessels. 
(i) Each person on a private recreational vessel may possess no more 
than 10 cod per day, in, or harvested from, the EEZ.
    (ii) For purposes of counting fish, fillets will be converted to 
whole fish at the place of landing by dividing the number of fillets by 
two. If fish are filleted into a single (butterfly) fillet, such fillet 
shall be deemed to be from one whole fish.
    (iii) Cod harvested by recreational fishing vessels in or from the 
EEZ with more than one person aboard may be pooled in one or more 
containers. Compliance with the possession limit will be determined by 
dividing the number of fish on board by the number of persons on board. 
If there is a violation of the possession limit on board a vessel 
carrying more than one person, the violation shall be deemed to have 
been committed by the owner or operator of the vessel.
    (iv) Cod must be stored so as to be readily available for 
inspection.
    (v) Unless further restricted by the Seasonal GOM Cod Possession 
Prohibition specified under paragraph (c)(1)(vi) of this section, each 
person on a private recreational vessel may possess up to 10 cod per 
day, in, or harvested from the EEZ.
    (vi) Seasonal GOM Cod Possession Prohibition. Persons on board 
private recreational fishing vessels may not fish for or possess any cod 
in or from the GOM Regulated Mesh Area from November 1 through March 31. 
Private recreational vessels in possession of cod caught outside the GOM 
Regulated Mesh Area may transit this area, provided all bait and hooks 
are removed from fishing rods and the cod has been gutted and stored.
    (2) Charter/party vessels. Charter/party vessels fishing any part of 
a trip in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, as defined in Sec. 648.80(a)(1), 
are subject to the following possession limit restrictions:
    (i) Each person on the vessel may possess no more than 10 cod per 
day.
    (ii) For purposes of counting fish, fillets will be converted to 
whole fish at the place of landing by dividing the number of fillets by 
two. If fish are filleted into a single (butterfly) fillet, such fillet 
shall be deemed to be from one whole fish.
    (iii) Cod harvested by charter/party vessels with more than one 
person aboard may be pooled in one or more containers. Compliance with 
the possession limits will be determined by dividing the number of fish 
on board by the number of persons on board. If there is a violation of 
the possession limits on board a vessel carrying more than one person, 
the violation shall be deemed to have been committed by the owner or 
operator of the vessel.
    (iv) Cod must be stored so as to be readily available for 
inspection.
    (v) Unless further restricted under paragraph (c)(2)(vi) of this 
section, each person on the vessel may possess up to 10 cod per day.
    (vi) Seasonal GOM Cod Possession Prohibition. Persons on board 
charter/party fishing vessels may not fish for or possess any cod in the 
GOM Regulated Mesh Area from November 1 through March 31. Charter/party 
vessels in or from possession of cod caught outside the GOM Regulated 
Mesh Area may

[[Page 552]]

transit this area, provided all bait and hooks are removed from fishing 
rods and the cod has been gutted and stored.
    (3) Atlantic halibut. Charter and party vessels permitted under this 
part, and recreational fishing vessels fishing in the EEZ, may not 
possess, on board, more than one Atlantic halibut.
    (4) Accounting of daily trip limit. For the purposes of determining 
the per day trip limit for cod for recreational fishing vessels and 
party/charter vessels, any trip in excess of 15 hours and covering 2 
consecutive calendar days will be considered more than 1 day. Similarly, 
any trip in excess of 39 hours and covering 3 consecutive calendar days 
will be considered more than 2 days and, so on, in a similar fashion.
    (d) Restrictions on sale. It is unlawful to sell, barter, trade, or 
otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose, or to attempt to sell, 
barter, trade, or otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose, NE 
multispecies caught or landed by charter or party vessels permitted 
under this part not fishing under a DAS or recreational fishing vessels 
fishing in the EEZ.
    (e) Charter/party vessel restrictions on fishing in GOM closed areas 
and the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area--(1) GOM Closed Areas. A vessel 
fishing under charter/party regulations may not fish in the GOM closed 
areas specified in Sec. 648.81(d)(1) through (f)(1) during the time 
periods specified in those paragraphs, unless the vessel has on board a 
letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator pursuant to 
Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(iii) and paragraph (e)(3) of this section. The letter 
of authorization is required for a minimum of 3 months, if the vessel 
intends to fish in the seasonal GOM closure areas, or is required for 
the rest of the fishing year, beginning with the start of the 
participation period of the letter of authorization, if the vessel 
intends to fish in the year-round GOM closure areas.
    (2) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. A vessel fishing under charter/
party regulations may not fish in the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area 
specified in Sec. 648.81(c)(1) unless the vessel has on board a letter 
of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator pursuant to Sec. 
648.81(c)(2)(iii) and paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (3) Letters of authorization. To obtain either of the letters of 
authorization specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this section, a 
vessel owner must request a letter from the Northeast Regional Office of 
NMFS, either in writing or by phone (see Table 1 to 50 CFR 600.502). As 
a condition of these letters of authorization, the vessel owner must 
agree to the following:
    (i) The letter of authorization must be carried on board the vessel 
during the period of participation;
    (ii) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the 
vessel may not be sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless 
of where the regulated species are caught;
    (iii) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline 
gear on board; and
    (iv) For the GOM charter/party closed area exemption only, the 
vessel may not use any NE multispecies DAS during the period of 
participation.

[69 FR 22984, Apr. 27, 2004]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19388, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.89 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (b)(1), (c)(1)(i) and (c)(2)(i), and 
adding paragraphs (b)(3) and (4), (c)(1)(v) and (vi), and (c)(2)(v) and 
(vi), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006.



Sec. 648.90  NE multispecies assessment, framework procedures and specifications, and flexible area action system.

    For the NE multispecies framework specification process described in 
this section, starting in fishing year 2004, the large-mesh species, 
halibut and ocean pout biennial review (referred to as NE multispecies) 
is considered a separate process from the small-mesh species annual 
review, as described under paragraphs (a)(2) and (b), respectively, of 
this section.
    (a) NE multispecies--(1) NE Multispecies annual SAFE Report. The NE 
Multispecies Plan Development Team (PDT) shall prepare an annual Stock 
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the NE multispecies 
fishery. The SAFE Report shall be the primary

[[Page 553]]

vehicle for the presentation of all updated biological and socio-
economic information regarding the NE multispecies complex and its 
associated fisheries. The SAFE report shall provide source data for any 
adjustments to the management measures that may be needed to continue to 
meet the goals and objectives of the FMP.
    (2) Biennial review. (i) Beginning in 2005, the NE Multispecies PDT 
shall meet on or before September 30 every other year, unless otherwise 
specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, under the conditions 
specified in that paragraph, to perform a review of the fishery, using 
the most current scientific information available provided primarily 
from the NEFSC. Data provided by states, ASMFC, the USCG, and other 
sources may also be considered by the PDT. Based on this review, the PDT 
will develop target TACs for the upcoming fishing year(s) and develop 
options for Council consideration, if necessary, on any changes, 
adjustments, or additions to DAS allocations, closed areas, or on other 
measures necessary to achieve the FMP goals and objectives. For the 2005 
biennial review, an updated groundfish assessment, peer-reviewed by 
independent scientists, will be conducted to facilitate the PDT review 
for the biennial adjustment, if needed, for the 2006 fishing year. 
Amendment 13 biomass and fishing mortality targets may not be modified 
by the 2006 biennial adjustment unless review of all valid pertinent 
scientific work during the 2005 review process justifies consideration.
    (ii) The PDT shall review available data pertaining to: Catch and 
landings, discards, DAS, DAS use, and other measures of fishing effort, 
survey results, stock status, current estimates of fishing mortality, 
social and economic impacts, enforcement issues, and any other relevant 
information.
    (iii) Based on this review, the PDT shall recommend target TACs and 
develop options necessary to achieve the FMP goals and objectives, which 
may include a preferred option. The PDT must demonstrate through 
analyses and documentation that the options they develop are expected to 
meet the FMP goals and objectives. The PDT may review the performance of 
different user groups or fleet Sectors in developing options. The range 
of options developed by the PDT may include any of the management 
measures in the FMP, including, but not limited to: Target TACs, which 
must be based on the projected fishing mortality levels required to meet 
the goals and objectives outlined in the FMP for the 10 regulated 
species, Atlantic halibut (if able to be determined), and ocean pout; 
DAS changes; possession limits; gear restrictions; closed areas; 
permitting restrictions; minimum fish sizes; recreational fishing 
measures; description and identification of EFH; fishing gear management 
measures to protect EFH; and designation of habitat areas of particular 
concern within EFH. In addition, the following conditions and measures 
may be adjusted through future framework adjustments: Revisions to 
status determination criteria, including, but not limited to, changes in 
the target fishing mortality rates, minimum biomass thresholds, 
numerical estimates of parameter values, and the use of a proxy for 
biomass; DAS allocations (such as the category of DAS under the DAS 
reserve program, etc.) and DAS baselines, etc.; modifications to 
capacity measures, such as changes to the DAS transfer or DAS leasing 
measures; calculation of area-specific TACs, area management boundaries, 
and adoption of area-specific management measures; Sector allocation 
requirements and specifications, including establishment of a new 
Sector; measures to implement the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing 
Understanding, including any specified TACs (hard or target); changes to 
administrative measures; additional uses for Regular B DAS; future uses 
for C DAS; reporting requirements; the GOM Inshore Conservation and 
Management Stewardship Plan; GB Cod Gillnet Sector allocation; allowable 
percent of TAC available to a Sector through a Sector allocation; 
categorization of DAS; DAS leasing provisions; adjustments for steaming 
time; adjustments to the Handgear A permit; gear requirements to improve 
selectivity, reduce bycatch, and/or reduce impacts of the fishery on 
EFH; SAP modifications; and any other measures currently included in the 
FMP.

[[Page 554]]

    (iv) The Council shall review the target TACs recommended by the PDT 
and all of the options developed by the PDT and other relevant 
information; consider public comment; and develop a recommendation to 
meet the FMP objective pertaining to regulated species, Atlantic 
halibut, and ocean pout that is consistent with other applicable law. If 
the Council does not submit a recommendation that meets the FMP 
objectives and is consistent with other applicable law, the Regional 
Administrator may adopt any option developed by the PDT, unless rejected 
by the Council, as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section, 
provided the option meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with 
other applicable law.
    (v) Based on this review, the Council shall submit a recommendation 
to the Regional Administrator of any changes, adjustments or additions 
to DAS allocations, closed areas or other measures necessary to achieve 
the FMP's goals and objectives. The Council shall include in its 
recommendation supporting documents, as appropriate, concerning the 
environmental and economic impacts of the proposed action and the other 
options considered by the Council.
    (vi) If the Council submits, on or before December 1, a 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator after one Council meeting, 
and the Regional Administrator concurs with the recommendation, the 
Regional Administrator shall publish the Council's recommendation in the 
Federal Register as a proposed rule with a 30-day public comment period. 
The Council may instead submit its recommendation on or before February 
1, if it chooses to follow the framework process outlined in paragraph 
(c) of this section, and requests that the Regional Administrator 
publish the recommendation as a final rule, consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Administrator concurs that 
the Council's recommendation meets the FMP objectives and is consistent 
with other applicable law, and determines that the recommended 
management measures should be published as a final rule, the action will 
be published as a final rule in the Federal Register, consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Administrator concurs 
that the recommendation meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with 
other applicable law and determines that a proposed rule is warranted, 
and, as a result, the effective date of a final rule falls after the 
start of the fishing year on May 1, fishing may continue. However, DAS 
used by a vessel on or after May 1 will be counted against any DAS 
allocation the vessel ultimately receives for that year.
    (vii) If the Regional Administrator concurs in the Council's 
recommendation, a final rule shall be published in the Federal Register 
on or about April 1 of each year, with the exception noted in paragraph 
(a)(2)(vi) of this section. If the Council fails to submit a 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator by February 1 that meets 
the FMP goals and objectives, the Regional Administrator may publish as 
a proposed rule one of the options reviewed and not rejected by the 
Council, provided that the option meets the FMP objectives and is 
consistent with other applicable law. If, after considering public 
comment, the Regional Administrator decides to approve the option 
published as a proposed rule, the action will be published as a final 
rule in the Federal Register.
    (3) Review in 2008 for the 2009 fishing year. In addition to the 
biennial review specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the PDT 
shall meet to conduct a review of the groundfish fishery by September 
2008 for the purposes of determining the need for a framework action for 
the 2009 fishing year. For the 2008 review, a benchmark assessment, 
peer-reviewed by independent scientists, will be completed for each of 
the regulated multispecies stocks and for Atlantic halibut and ocean 
pout. The interim biomass targets specified in the FMP will be evaluated 
during this benchmark assessment to evaluate the efficacy of the 
rebuilding program. Based on findings from the benchmark assessment, a 
determination will be made as to whether the FMP biomass targets appear 
to be appropriate, or whether they should be increased or decreased, in 
conformance with the best scientific information available.

[[Page 555]]

    (b) Small mesh species--(1) Annual review. The Whiting Monitoring 
Committee (WMC) shall meet separately on or before November 15 of each 
year to develop options for Council consideration on any changes, 
adjustments, closed areas, or other measures necessary to achieve the NE 
Multispecies FMP goals and objectives.
    (i) The WMC shall review available data pertaining to: Catch and 
landings, discards, and other measures of fishing effort, survey 
results, stock status, current estimates of fishing mortality, and any 
other relevant information.
    (ii) The WMC shall recommend management options necessary to achieve 
FMP goals and objectives pertaining to small-mesh multispecies, which 
may include a preferred option. The WMC must demonstrate through 
analyses and documentation that the options it develops are expected to 
meet the FMP goals and objectives. The WMC may review the performance of 
different user groups or fleet Sectors in developing options. The range 
of options developed by the WMC may include any of the management 
measures in the FMP, including, but not limited to: Annual target TACs, 
which must be based on the projected fishing mortality levels required 
to meet the goals and objectives outlined in the FMP for the small-mesh 
multispecies; possession limits; gear restrictions; closed areas; 
permitting restrictions; minimum fish sizes; recreational fishing 
measures; description and identification of EFH; fishing gear management 
measures to protect EFH; designation of habitat areas of particular 
concern within EFH; and any other management measures currently included 
in the FMP.
    (iii) The Council shall review the recommended target TACs 
recommended by the PDT and all of the options developed by the WMC, and 
other relevant information, consider public comment, and develop a 
recommendation to meet the FMP objectives pertaining to small-mesh 
multispecies that is consistent with other applicable law. If the 
Council does not submit a recommendation that meets the FMP objectives 
and that is consistent with other applicable law, the Regional 
Administrator may adopt any option developed by the WMC, unless rejected 
by the Council, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section, 
provided the option meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with 
other applicable law.
    (iv) Based on this review, the Council shall submit a recommendation 
to the Regional Administrator of any changes, adjustments or additions 
to closed areas or other measures necessary to achieve the FMP's goals 
and objectives. The Council shall include in its recommendation 
supporting documents, as appropriate, concerning the environmental and 
economic impacts of the proposed action and the other options considered 
by the Council.
    (v) If the Council submits, on or before January 7, a recommendation 
to the Regional Administrator after one Council meeting, and the 
Regional Administrator concurs with the recommendation, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish the Council's recommendation in the Federal 
Register as a proposed rule with a 30-day public comment period. The 
Council may instead submit its recommendation on or before February 1, 
if it chooses to follow the framework process outlined in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section and requests that the Regional Administrator 
publish the recommendation as a final rule, consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Administrator concurs that 
the Council's recommendation meets the FMP objective and is consistent 
with other applicable law, and determines that the recommended 
management measures should be published as a final rule, the action will 
be published as a final rule in the Federal Register, consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Administrator concurs 
that the recommendation meets the FMP objective and is consistent with 
other applicable law and determines that a proposed rule is warranted, 
and, as a result, the effective date of a final rule falls after the 
start of the fishing year on May 1, fishing may continue.
    (vi) If the Regional Administrator concurs in the Council's 
recommendation, a final rule shall be published in the Federal Register 
on or about April 1 of each year, with the exception

[[Page 556]]

noted in paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. If the Council fails to 
submit a recommendation to the Regional Administrator by February 1 that 
meets the FMP goals and objectives, the Regional Administrator may 
publish as a proposed rule one of the options reviewed and not rejected 
by the Council, provided that the option meets the FMP objectives and is 
consistent with other applicable law. If, after considering public 
comment, the Regional Administrator decides to approve the option 
published as a proposed rule, the action will be published as a final 
rule in the Federal Register.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Within season management action for NE multispecies, including 
small-mesh NE multispecies. The Council may, at any time, initiate 
action to add or adjust management measures if it finds that action is 
necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
NE Multispecies FMP, to address gear conflicts, or to facilitate the 
development of aquaculture projects in the EEZ. This procedure may also 
be used to modify FMP overfishing definitions and fishing mortality 
targets that form the basis for selecting specific management measures.
    (1) Adjustment process. (i) After a management action has been 
initiated, the Council shall develop and analyze appropriate management 
actions over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Council 
shall provide the public with advance notice of the availability of both 
the proposals and the analyses and opportunity to comment on them prior 
to and at the second Council meeting. The Council's recommendation on 
adjustments or additions to management measures, other than to address 
gear conflicts, must come from one or more of the following categories: 
DAS changes, effort monitoring, data reporting, possession limits, gear 
restrictions, closed areas, permitting restrictions, crew limits, 
minimum fish sizes, onboard observers, minimum hook size and hook style, 
the use of crucifer in the hook-gear fishery, fleet Sector shares, 
recreational fishing measures, area closures and other appropriate 
measures to mitigate marine mammal entanglements and interactions, 
description and identification of EFH, fishing gear management measures 
to protect EFH, designation of habitat areas of particular concern 
within EFH, and any other management measures currently included in the 
FMP. In addition, the Council's recommendation on adjustments or 
additions to management measures pertaining to small-mesh NE 
multispecies, other than to address gear conflicts, must come from one 
or more of the following categories: Quotas and appropriate seasonal 
adjustments for vessels fishing in experimental or exempted fisheries 
that use small mesh in combination with a separator trawl/grate (if 
applicable), modifications to separator grate (if applicable) and mesh 
configurations for fishing for small-mesh NE multispecies, adjustments 
to whiting stock boundaries for management purposes, adjustments for 
fisheries exempted from minimum mesh requirements to fish for small-mesh 
NE multispecies (if applicable), season adjustments, declarations, and 
participation requirements for the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery 
Exemption Area.
    (ii) Adjustment process for whiting TACs and DAS. The Council may 
develop recommendations for a whiting DAS effort reduction program or a 
whiting TAC through the framework process outlined in paragraph (c) of 
this section only if these options are accompanied by a full set of 
public hearings that span the area affected by the proposed measures in 
order to provide adequate opportunity for public comment.
    (2) Adjustment process for gear conflicts. The Council may develop a 
recommendation on measures to address gear conflicts as defined under 50 
CFR 600.10, in accordance with the procedures specified in Sec. 648.55 
(d) and (e).
    (3) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management

[[Page 557]]

measures as a final rule, consistent with the Administrative Procedure 
Act. If the Council recommends that the management measures should be 
issued as a final rule, the Council must consider at least the following 
factors and provide support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (4) Regional Administrator action. If the Council's recommendation 
includes adjustments or additions to management measures, after 
reviewing the Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommended management measures and determines that the recommended 
management measures should be issued as a final rule, based on the 
factors specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the measures will 
be issued as a final rule in the Federal Register, consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation and determines that the recommended management measures 
should be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be 
published as a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional 
public comment, if the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the 
Federal Register.
    (iii) If the Regional Administrator does not concur, the Council 
will be notified in writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (d) Flexible Area Action System. (1) The Chair of the Multispecies 
Oversight Committee, upon learning of the presence of discard problems 
associated with large concentrations of juvenile, sublegal, or spawning 
multispecies, shall determine if the situation warrants further 
investigation and possible action. In making this determination, the 
Committee Chair shall consider the amount of discard of regulated 
species, the species targeted, the number and types of vessels operating 
in the area, the location and size of the area, and the resource 
condition of the impacted species. If he/she determines it is necessary, 
the Committee Chair will request the Regional Administrator to initiate 
a fact finding investigation to verify the situation and publish 
notification in the Federal Register requesting public comments in 
accordance with the procedures therefore in Amendment 3 to the NE 
Multispecies FMP.
    (2) After examining the facts, the Regional Administrator shall, 
within the deadlines specified in Amendment 3, provide the technical 
analysis required by Amendment 3.
    (3) The NEFMC shall prepare an economic impact analysis of the 
potential management options under consideration within the deadlines 
specified in Amendment 3.
    (4) Copies of the analysis and reports prepared by the Regional 
Administrator and the NEFMC shall be made available for public review at 
the NEFMC's office and the Committee shall hold a meeting/public 
hearing, at which time it shall review the analysis and reports and 
request public comments. Upon review of all available sources of 
information, the Committee shall determine what course of action is 
warranted by the facts and make a recommendation, consistent with the 
provisions of Amendment 3 to the Regional Administrator.
    (5) By the deadline set in Amendment 3 the Regional Administrator 
shall either accept or reject the Committee's recommendation. If the 
recommended action is consistent with the record established by the 
fact-finding report,

[[Page 558]]

impact analysis, and comments received at the public hearing, he/she 
shall accept the Committee's recommendation and implement it through 
notification in the Federal Register and by notice sent to all vessel 
owners holding multispecies permits. The Regional Administrator shall 
also use other appropriate media, including, but not limited to, 
mailings to the news media, fishing industry associations and radio 
broadcasts, to disseminate information on the action to be implemented.
    (6) Once implemented, the Regional Administrator shall monitor the 
affected area to determine if the action is still warranted. If the 
Regional Administrator determines that the circumstances under which the 
action was taken, based on the Regional Administrator's report, the 
NEFMC's report, and the public comments, are no longer in existence, he/
she shall terminate the action by notification in the Federal Register.
    (7) Actions taken under this section will ordinarily become 
effective upon the date of filing with the Office of the Federal 
Register. The Regional Administrator may determine that facts warrant a 
delayed effective date.
    (e) Nothing in this section is meant to derogate from the authority 
of the Secretary to take emergency action and interim measures under 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[69 FR 22984, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 76429, Dec. 27, 2005]



Sec. 648.91  Monkfish regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and methods of fishing.

    All vessels fishing for, possessing or landing monkfish must comply 
with the following minimum mesh size, gear, and methods of fishing 
requirements, unless otherwise exempted or prohibited:
    (a) Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA)--Area definition. The 
NFMA (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request) is that area defined by a line 
beginning at the intersection of 70[deg] W. longitude and the south-
facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA (point A), then southward along 70[deg] 
W. longitude to 41[deg] N. latitude, then eastward to the U.S.-Canada 
maritime boundary, then in a northerly direction along the U.S.-Canada 
maritime boundary until it intersects the Maine shoreline, and then 
following the coastline in a southerly direction until it intersects 
with point A.
    (b) Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA)--Area definition. The 
SFMA (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request) is that area defined by a line 
beginning at point A, then in a southerly direction to the NC-SC border, 
then due east to the 200-mile limit, then in a northerly direction along 
the 200-mile limit to the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, then in a 
northwesterly direction along the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to 
41[deg] N. latitude, and then westward to 70[deg] W. longitude, and 
finally north to the shoreline at Cape Cod, MA (point A).
    (c) Gear restrictions--(1) Minimum mesh size--(i) Trawl nets while 
on a monkfish DAS. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, including beam trawl 
nets, used by a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS is 10-inch (25.4-cm) 
square or 12-inch (30.5-cm) diamond mesh throughout the codend for at 
least 45 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The 
minimum mesh size for the remainder of the trawl net is the regulated 
mesh size specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2)(i), or 
(c)(2)(i) of the Northeast multispecies regulations, depending upon and 
consistent with the NE multispecies regulated mesh area being fished.
    (ii) Trawl nets while on a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS. Vessels 
issued a Category C, D, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and 
fishing with trawl gear under both a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS 
are subject to the minimum mesh size allowed under regulations governing 
mesh size at Sec. 648.80(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2)(i), or (c)(2)(i), 
depending upon, and consistent with, the NE multispecies regulated mesh 
area being fished, unless otherwise specified in this paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii). Trawl vessels participating in the Offshore Fishery Program, 
as described in Sec. 648.95, and that have been issued a Category F 
monkfish limited access

[[Page 559]]

permit, are subject to the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Gillnets while on a monkfish DAS. The minimum mesh size for 
any gillnets used by a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS is 10-inches 
(25.4 cm) diamond mesh.
    (iv) Authorized gear while on a monkfish and scallop DAS. Vessels 
issued a Category C, D, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and 
fishing under a monkfish and scallop DAS may only fish with and use a 
trawl net with a mesh size no smaller than that specified in paragraph 
(c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (v) Trawl nets while on a monkfish DAS. Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(1)(vi) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any 
trawl net, including beam trawl nets, used by a vessel fishing under a 
monkfish DAS is 10-inch (25.4-cm) square or 12-inch (30.5-cm) diamond 
mesh throughout the codend for at least 45 continuous meshes forward of 
the terminus of the net. The minimum mesh size for the remainder of the 
trawl net is the regulated mesh size specified under Sec. 648.80(a)(3), 
(a)(4), (b)(2)(vii), or (c)(2)(I) of the Northeast multispecies 
regulations, depending upon, and consistent with, the NE multispecies 
regulated mesh area being fished.
    (vi) Trawl nets while on a monkfish and NE Multispecies DAS. Vessels 
issued a Category C, D, F, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and 
fishing with trawl gear under both a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS 
are subject to the minimum mesh size allowed under regulations governing 
mesh size at Sec. 648.80(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2)(vii), or (c)(2)(I) of 
the Northeast multispecies regulations, depending upon, and consistent 
with, the NE multispecies regulated mesh area being fished, unless 
otherwise specified in this paragraph (c)(1)(vi). Trawl vessels 
participating in the Offshore Fishery Program, as described in Sec. 
648.95, and that have been issued a Category F monkfish limited access 
permit, are subject to the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph 
(c)(1)(v) of this section.
    (vii) Authorized gear while on a monkfish and scallop DAS. Vessels 
issued a Category C, D, F, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and 
fishing under a monkfish and scallop DAS may only fish with and use a 
trawl net with a mesh size no smaller than that specified in paragraph 
(c)(1)(v) of this section.
    (2) Other gear restrictions. (i) A vessel may not fish with dredges 
or have dredges on board while fishing under a monkfish DAS.
    (ii) All other non-conforming gear must be stowed as specified in 
Sec. 648.23(b).
    (iii) The mesh size restrictions in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
do not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft 
(0.9 m), (9 ft\2\ (0.81 m\2\)).
    (3) SFMA trawl roller gear restriction. The roller gear diameter on 
any vessel on a monkfish DAS in the SFMA may not exceed 6 inches (15.2 
cm) in diameter.

[64 FR 54747, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 37917, June 19, 2000; 67 
FR 50323, Aug. 1, 2002; 70 FR 21942, Apr. 28, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19388, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.91 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv), and adding 
paragraphs (c)(1)(v) through (vii), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 
10, 2006.



Sec. 648.92  Effort-control program for monkfish limited access vessels.

    (a) General. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit may 
not fish for, possess, retain, or land monkfish, except during a DAS as 
allocated under and in accordance with the applicable DAS program 
described in this section, except as otherwise provided in this part.
    (1) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History as described in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(J) 
for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over year, limited 
access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of April of any year 
may carry over a maximum of 10 unused DAS into the next fishing year. 
Any DAS that have been forfeited due to an enforcement proceeding will 
be deducted from all other unused DAS in determining how many DAS may be 
carried over.
    (2) [Reserved]

[[Page 560]]

    (3) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History as described in Sec. 648.4(a)(1)(i)(R) 
for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over year, limited 
access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of April of any year 
may carry over a maximum of 10 unused DAS into the next fishing year. 
Any DAS that have been forfeited due to an enforcement proceeding will 
be deducted from all other unused DAS in determining how many DAS may be 
carried over.
    (b) Monkfish DAS program--permit categories and allocations--(1) 
Limited access monkfish permit holders-- (i) General provision. All 
limited access monkfish permit holders shall be allocated monkfish DAS 
each fishing year to be used in accordance with the restrictions of this 
paragraph (b), unless modified by paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section 
according to the provisions specified at Sec. 648.96(b)(3). The number 
of monkfish DAS to be allocated, before accounting for any such 
modification, is 40 DAS minus the amount calculated in paragraph 
(b)(1)(iv) of this section, unless the vessel is enrolled in the 
Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA, as specified in paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii) of this section. Limited access NE multispecies and limited 
access sea scallop DAS permit holders who also possess a valid limited 
access monkfish permit must use a NE multispecies or sea scallop DAS 
concurrently with their monkfish DAS, except as provided in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, unless otherwise specified under this subpart F.
    (ii) FY 2006 DAS restrictions for vessels fishing in the SFMA. For 
the 2006 fishing year, limited access monkfish vessels are restricted to 
utilizing only 12 of their 40 monkfish DAS allocation in the SFMA. If a 
vessel does not possess a valid letter of authorization from the 
Regional Administrator to fish in the NFMA as described in Sec. 
648.94(f), NMFS will presume that any monkfish DAS used was fished in 
the SFMA.
    (iii) Offshore Fishery Program DAS allocation. A vessel issued a 
Category F permit, as described in Sec. 648.95, shall be allocated a 
prorated number of DAS as specified at Sec. 648.95(g)(2).
    (iv) Research DAS set-aside. A total of 500 DAS will be set aside 
and made available for cooperative research programs as described in 
paragraph (c) of this section. These DAS will be deducted from the total 
number of DAS allocated to all monkfish limited access permit holders, 
as specified under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section. A per vessel 
deduction will be determined as follows: Allocated DAS minus the 
quotient of 500 DAS divided by the total number of limited access 
permits issued in the previous fishing year. For example, if the DAS 
allocation equals 40 DAS and if there are 750 limited access permits 
issued in FY 2004, the number of DAS allocated to each vessel in FY 2005 
will be 40 DAS minus (500 DAS divided by 750 permits), or 40 DAS minus 
0.7 DAS, or 39.3 DAS.
    (2) Category C, D, F, G, or H limited access monkfish permit 
holders. (i) Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section, each monkfish DAS used by a limited access NE multispecies or 
scallop DAS vessel holding a Category C, D, F, G, or H limited access 
monkfish permit shall also be counted as a NE multispecies or scallop 
DAS, as applicable, except when a Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel with 
a limited access NE multispecies DAS permit has an allocation of NE 
multispecies Category A DAS, specified under Sec. 648.82(d)(1), that is 
less than the number of monkfish DAS allocated for the fishing year May 
1 through April 30. Under this circumstance, the vessel may fish under 
the monkfish limited access Category A or B provisions, as applicable, 
for the number of DAS that equal the difference between the number of 
its allocated monkfish DAS and the number of its allocated NE 
multispecies Category A DAS. For such vessels, when the total allocation 
of NE multispecies Category A DAS has been used, a monkfish DAS may be 
used without concurrent use of a NE multispecies DAS. For example, if a 
monkfish Category D vessel's NE multispecies Category A DAS allocation 
is 30, and the vessel fished 30 monkfish DAS, 30 NE multispecies 
Category A DAS would also be used, unless otherwise authorized under 
Sec. 648.85(b)(6). However, after all 30 NE multispecies Category A DAS 
are used,

[[Page 561]]

the vessel may utilize its remaining 10 monkfish DAS to fish on 
monkfish, without a NE multispecies DAS being used, provided that the 
vessel fishes under the regulations pertaining to a Category B vessel 
and does not retain any regulated NE multispecies.
    (ii) Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels that lease NE multispecies 
DAS. (A) A monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel that has 
``monkfish-only'' DAS, as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
section, and that leases NE multispecies DAS from another vessel 
pursuant to Sec. 648.82(k), is required to fish its available 
``monkfish-only'' DAS in conjunction with its leased NE multispecies 
DAS, to the extent that the vessel has NE multispecies DAS available.
    (B) A monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel that leases DAS to 
another vessel(s), pursuant to Sec. 648.82(k), is required to forfeit a 
monkfish DAS for each NE multispecies DAS that the vessel leases, equal 
in number to the difference between the number of remaining NE 
multispecies DAS and the number of unused monkfish DAS at the time of 
the lease. For example, if a lessor vessel, which had 40 unused monkfish 
DAS and 47 allocated NE multispecies DAS, leased 10 of its NE 
multispecies DAS, the lessor would forfeit 3 of its monkfish DAS (40 
monkfish DAS - 37 NE multispecies DAS = 3) because it would have 3 fewer 
multispecies DAS than monkfish DAS after the lease.
    (iii) Category C and D vessels that lease NE multispecies DAS. (A) A 
monkfish Category C or D vessel that has ``monkfish-only'' DAS, as 
specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, and that leases NE 
multispecies DAS from another vessel pursuant to Sec. 648.82(k), is 
required to fish its available ``monkfish-only'' DAS in conjunction with 
its leased NE multispecies DAS, to the extent that the vessel has NE 
multispecies DAS available.
    (B) A monkfish Category C or D vessel which leases DAS to another 
vessel(s), pursuant to Sec. 648.82(k), is required to forfeit a 
monkfish DAS for each NE multispecies DAS that the vessel leases, equal 
in number to the difference between the number of remaining multispecies 
DAS and the number of unused monkfish DAS at the time of the lease. For 
example, if a lessor vessel, which had 40 unused monkfish DAS and 47 
allocated multispecies DAS, leased 10 of its multispecies DAS, the 
lessor would forfeit 3 of its monkfish DAS (40 monkfish DAS--37 
multispecies DAS = 3) because it would have 3 fewer multispecies DAS 
than monkfish DAS after the lease.
    (iv) Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this 
section, each monkfish DAS used by a limited access NE multispecies or 
scallop DAS vessel holding a Category C, D, F, G, or H limited access 
monkfish permit shall also be counted as a NE multispecies or scallop 
DAS, as applicable, except when a Category C, D, F, G, or H monkfish 
vessel with a limited access NE multispecies DAS permit has a net annual 
allocation of NE multispecies Category A DAS, specified under Sec. 
648.82(d)(1), that is less than its net annual allocation of monkfish 
DAS. Under this circumstance, the number of monkfish-only DAS is equal 
to the difference between its net allocated monkfish DAS and its net 
allocated NE multispecies Category A DAS, unless modified by paragraphs 
(b)(2)(iv)(A), (B), and (C) of this section to account for differential 
DAS counting of NE multispecies DAS. When the total number of NE 
multispecies Category A DAS has been used, the vessel may utilize its 
monkfish-only DAS without concurrent use of a NE multispecies DAS, 
provided the vessel fishes under the provisions applicable to limited 
access monkfish Category A and B vessels. For the purposes of paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv) of this section, net allocated monkfish DAS is defined as the 
sum of the vessel's allocated monkfish DAS, plus its monkfish carry-over 
DAS, minus any monkfish DAS deducted from that vessel due to a DAS 
sanction, minus any forfeited monkfish DAS due to leasing of NE 
multispecies Category A DAS, pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this 
section. For the purposes of paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section, net 
allocated NE multispecies Category A DAS is defined as the sum of the 
vessel's NE multispecies DAS allocated, pursuant to Sec. 648.82, plus 
NE multispecies carry-over DAS, minus any NE multispecies DAS deducted

[[Page 562]]

from that vessel due to a DAS sanction, minus DAS leased to another 
vessel, pursuant to Sec. 648.82(t), plus any NE multispecies DAS leased 
from another vessel, pursuant to Sec. 648.82(t).
    (A) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels fishing exclusively 
outside the U.S./Canada Management Area. To adjust for differential DAS 
counting of NE multispecies DAS charged when fishing outside of the 
U.S./Canada Management Area, as specified at Sec. 648.82(n)(2)(i), the 
number of monkfish-only DAS that may be used by a monkfish Category C, 
D, F, G, or H vessel that fishes all of its allocated NE multispecies 
DAS exclusively outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area, as defined 
at Sec. 648.85(a), is calculated using the following formula: Monkfish-
only DAS = Net Allocated Monkfish DAS Allocation - (Net Allocated NE 
Multispecies Category A DAS / 1.4). For example, if a limited access 
monkfish Category D vessel has net allocations of 40 monkfish DAS and 30 
NE multispecies Category A DAS and fishes all of its allocated NE 
multispecies Category A DAS exclusively outside of the U.S./Canada 
Management Area, the number of monkfish-only DAS that may be used by 
this vessel is equal to 18.57 DAS (40 monkfish DAS-(30 NE multispecies 
Category A DAS / 1.4)).
    (B) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels fishing both inside 
and outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area. To adjust for 
differential DAS counting of NE multispecies DAS on a trip in which a 
vessel fishes inside and outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area on 
the same trip, for each NE multispecies DAS charged when fishing outside 
of the U.S./Canada Management Area, as specified at Sec. 
648.82(n)(2)(i), limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H 
vessels shall be allocated an additional 0.286 monkfish-only DAS for 
every NE multispecies Category A DAS charged at the differential DAS 
counting rate of 1.4:1 when fishing outside of the U.S./Canada 
Management Area. For example, if a vessel has an annual allocation of 40 
monkfish DAS and 30 NE multispecies Category A DAS, the vessel has an 
annual allocation of 10 monkfish-only DAS. If this vessel uses 2 NE 
multispecies Category A DAS outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area, 
the vessel would actually be charged 2.8 NE multispecies Category A DAS 
(2 x 1.4 = 2.8 DAS), and its monkfish-only DAS would be adjusted upward 
by 0.8 DAS (2.8 x 0.286 = 0.80 DAS). If this same vessel fishes the 
remainder of its NE multispecies Category A DAS (i.e., 31 DAS) 
exclusively within the U.S./Canada Management Area, the vessel would not 
accrue any additional monkfish-only DAS. Therefore, this vessel's total 
allocation of monkfish-only DAS for the fishing year would be 10.80 DAS 
(10 DAS + 0.80 DAS). This adjustment factor is equal to the rate at 
which monkfish-only DAS increase for each additional NE multispecies 
Category A DAS used outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area at a rate 
of 1.4:1, using the formula: Monkfish-only DAS = Net Monkfish DAS 
Allocation-(Net Groundfish DAS Allocation / 1.4).
    (C) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels fishing exclusively 
within the U.S./Canada Management Area. No adjustment of monkfish-only 
DAS is required for a vessel fishing exclusively within the U.S./Canada 
Management Area throughout the fishing year because such a vessel is not 
charged at a differential rate for any NE multispecies Category A DAS 
used. For example, if a limited access monkfish Category D vessel has 
net allocations of 40 monkfish DAS and 30 NE multispecies Category A DAS 
and fishes all of its allocated NE multispecies Category A DAS 
exclusively within the U.S./Canada Management Area, the number of 
monkfish-only DAS that could be used by this vessel is equal to 10 DAS 
(40 Allocated Monkfish DAS--30 Allocated NE Multispecies Category A 
DAS).
    (v) Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels that lease NE multispecies 
DAS. (A) A monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel that has 
``monkfish-only'' DAS, as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this 
section, and that leases NE multispecies DAS from another vessel 
pursuant to Sec. 648.82(t), is required to fish its available 
``monkfish-only'' DAS in conjunction with its leased NE multispecies 
DAS, to the extent that the vessel has NE multispecies DAS available.
    (B) A monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel that leases DAS to 
another

[[Page 563]]

vessel(s), pursuant to Sec. 648.82(t), is required to forfeit a 
monkfish DAS for each NE multispecies DAS that the vessel leases, equal 
in number to the difference between the number of remaining NE 
multispecies DAS and the number of unused monkfish DAS at the time of 
the lease. For example, if a lessor vessel, which had 40 unused monkfish 
DAS and 47 allocated NE multispecies DAS, lease 10 of its NE 
multispecies DAS, the lessor would forfeit 3 of its monkfish DAS (40 
monkfish DAS--37 NE multispecies DAS = 3) because it would have 3 fewer 
multispecies DAS than monkfish DAS after the lease.
    (3) Accrual of DAS. Same as Sec. 648.53(e).
    (4) Good Samaritan credit. Same as Sec. 648.53(f).
    (5) [Reserved]
    (6) Declaring monkfish DAS. A vessel's owner or authorized 
representative shall notify the Regional Administrator of a vessel's 
participation in the monkfish DAS program using the notification 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (7) Adjustments in annual monkfish DAS allocations. Adjustments in 
annual monkfish DAS allocations, if required to meet fishing mortality 
goals, may be implemented pursuant to the framework adjustment 
procedures of Sec. 648.96.
    (8) Gillnet restrictions--
    (i) Number and size of nets. (A) Category A and B vessels. A vessel 
issued a monkfish limited access Category A or B permit and fishing 
under a monkfish DAS may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more 
than 160 gillnets. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.44 m), or 50 
fathoms, in length.
    (B) Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels that possess a limited access 
NE multispecies permit. A vessel issued a valid monkfish limited access 
Category C, D, F, G, or H permit that possesses a valid limited access 
NE multispecies permit and fishing under a monkfish DAS may not fish 
with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 150 gillnets. A vessel issued a 
NE multispecies limited access permit and a limited access monkfish 
permit, and fishing under a monkfish DAS, may fish any combination of 
monkfish, roundfish, and flatfish gillnets, up to 150 nets total, 
provided that the number of monkfish, roundfish, and flatfish gillnets 
is consistent with the limitations of Sec. 648.82. Nets may not be 
longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms, in length.
    (ii) Tagging requirements. Beginning May 1, 2000, all gillnets 
fished, hauled, possessed, or deployed by a vessel fishing for monkfish 
under a monkfish DAS must have one monkfish tag per net, with one tag 
secured to every other bridle of every net within a string of nets. Tags 
must be obtained as described in Sec. 648.4. A vessel operator must 
account for all net tags upon request by an authorized officer.
    (iii) Lost tags. A vessel owner or operator must report lost, 
destroyed, or missing tag numbers by letter or fax to the Regional 
Administrator within 24 hours after tags have been discovered lost, 
destroyed, or missing.
    (iv) Replacement tags. A vessel owner or operator seeking 
replacement of lost, destroyed, or missing tags must request replacement 
tags by letter or fax to the Regional Administrator. A check for the 
cost of the replacement tags must be received before the tags will be 
re-issued.
    (v) Method of counting DAS. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear under 
a monkfish DAS will accrue 15 hours monkfish DAS for each trip greater 
than 3 hours but less than or equal to 15 hours. Such vessel will accrue 
actual monkfish DAS time at sea for trips less than or equal to 3 hours 
or greater than 15 hours. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear under only 
a monkfish DAS is not required to remove gillnet gear from the water 
upon returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, provided 
that the vessel complies with the requirements and conditions of 
paragraphs (b)(8)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this section.
    (9) Category G and H limited access permit holders. (i) Vessels 
issued limited access Category G and H permits shall be restricted to 
fishing on a monkfish DAS in the area south of 38[deg]20[min] N. lat.
    (ii) Vessels issued valid limited access monkfish Category G or H 
permit that also possess a limited access NE multispecies or limited 
access scallop permit are subject to the same provisions as Category C 
or D vessels, respectively, unless otherwise stated under this subpart 
F.

[[Page 564]]

    (c) Monkfish Research--(1) DAS Set-Aside Program. (i) NMFS will 
publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the Federal Register at least 3 
months prior to the start of the upcoming fishing year, consistent with 
procedures and requirements established by the NOAA Grants Office, to 
solicit proposals from industry for the upcoming fishing year, based on 
research priorities identified by the Councils.
    (ii) NMFS shall convene a review panel that may include members of 
the Councils' Monkfish Oversight Committee, the Council's Research 
Steering Committee, and other technical experts, to review proposals 
submitted in response to the RFP.
    (A) Each panel member shall recommend which research proposals 
should be authorized to utilize the research DAS set aside in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, based on the selection 
criteria described in the RFP.
    (B) The Regional Administrator shall consider each panel member's 
recommendation, provide final approval of the projects, and notify 
applicants of the grant award through written notification to the 
project proponent. The Regional Administrator may exempt selected 
vessel(s) from regulations specified in each of the respective FMPs 
throughthe exempted fishing permit (EFP) process specified under Sec. 
600.745(b)(2).
    (iii) The grant awards approved under the RFPs shall be for the 
upcoming fishing year. Proposals to fund research that would start prior 
to the fishing year are not eligible for consideration. Multi-year grant 
awards may be approved under an RFP for an upcoming fishing year, so 
long as the research DAS available under subsequent RFPs are adjusted to 
account for the approval of multi-year awards. All research trips shall 
be completed within the fishing year(s) for which the research grant was 
awarded.
    (iv) Research projects shall be conducted in accordance with 
provisions approved and provided in an EFP issued by the Regional 
Administrator, as authorized under Sec. 600.745(b)(2).
    (v) If the Regional Administrator determines that the annual 
allocation of research DAS will not be used in its entirety once all of 
the grant awards have been approved, the Regional Administrator shall 
reallocate the unallocated research DAS as exempted DAS to be authorized 
as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and provide notice of 
the reallocation of DAS in the Federal Register. Any unused research DAS 
may not be carried over into the next fishing year.
    (vi) For proposals that require other regulatory exemptions that 
extend beyond the scope of the analysis contained in the Monkfish FMP, 
subsequent amendments, or framework adjustments, applicants may be 
required to provide additional analysis of the impacts of the requested 
exemptions before issuance of an EFP will be considered.
    (2) DAS Exemption Program. (i) Vessels that seek to conduct monkfish 
research within the current fishing year, and that were not selected in 
the RFP process during the previous fishing year, may seek exemptions 
from monkfish DAS for the purpose of conducting exempted fishing 
activities, as authorized at Sec. 600.745(b), under the following 
conditions and restrictions:
    (A) The request for a monkfish DAS exemption must be submitted along 
with a complete application for an EFP to the Regional Administrator. 
The requirements for submitting a complete EFP application are provided 
in Sec. 600.745(b)(2);
    (B) Exempted DAS must be available for usage. Exempted DAS shall 
only be made available by the Regional Administrator if it is determined 
that the annual set-aside of research DAS will not be used in its 
entirety, as described in paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section. If 
exempted DAS are not available for usage, the applicant may continue to 
seek an exemption from monkfish DAS, but may be required to conduct an 
analysis of the impacts associated with the monkfish DAS exemption 
request before issuance of the EFP application will be considered; and
    (C) For EFP applications that require other regulatory exemptions 
that extend beyond the scope of the analysis contained in the Monkfish 
FMP, subsequent amendments, or framework adjustments, applicants may be 
required to provide additional analysis of the

[[Page 565]]

impacts of the requested exemptions before issuance of an EFP will be 
considered.
    (ii) Monkfish DAS exemption requests shall be reviewed and approved 
by the Regional Administrator in the order in which they are received.

[64 FR 54748, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 50323, Aug. 1, 2002; 68 
FR 4114, Jan. 28, 2003; 68 FR 22329, Apr. 28, 2003; 69 FR 18293, Apr. 7, 
2004; 69 FR 22988, Apr. 27, 2004; 70 FR 21942, 22244, Apr. 28, 2005; 70 
FR 76429, Dec. 27, 2005; 71 FR 23874, Apr. 25, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19388, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.92 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (a)(1), and (b)(2)(i), and adding 
paragraphs (a)(3), (b)(2)(iv) and (v), and paragraph (b)(2)(iv(B) was 
corrected at 71 FR 25094, Apr. 28, 2006, effective May 1, 2006, through 
Oct. 10, 2006.



Sec. 648.93  Monkfish minimum fish sizes.

    (a) General provisions. (1) All monkfish caught by vessels issued a 
valid Federal monkfish permit must meet the minimum fish size 
requirements established in this section.

                           Minimum Fish Sizes
                       (Total Length/Tail Length)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total Length                         Tail Length
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 inches (43.2 cm)                                  11 inches (27.9 cm)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The minimum fish size applies to the whole fish (total length) 
or to the tail of a fish (tail length) at the time of landing. Fish or 
parts of fish, with the exception of cheeks and livers, must have skin 
on while possessed on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order 
to meet minimum size requirements. ``Skin on'' means the entire portion 
of the skin normally attached to the portion of the fish or fish parts 
possessed. Monkfish tails are measured from the anterior portion of the 
fourth cephalic dorsal spine to the end of the caudal fin. Any tissue 
anterior to the fourth dorsal spine is ignored. If the fourth dorsal 
spine or the tail is not intact, the minimum size is measured between 
the most anterior vertebra and the most posterior portion of the tail.
    (b) Minimum fish size. The minimum fish size for all vessels is 17 
inches (43.2 cm) total length or 11 inches (27.9 cm) tail length.

[64 FR 54749, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 22329, Apr. 28, 2003; 70 
FR 21944, Apr. 28, 2005]



Sec. 648.94  Monkfish possession and landing restrictions.

    (a) General. Monkfish may be possessed or landed either as tails 
only, or in whole form, or any combination of the two. When both tails 
and whole fish are possessed or landed, the possession or landing limit 
for monkfish tails shall be the difference between the whole weight 
limit minus the landing of whole monkfish, divided by 3.32. A 996 lb 
(452 kg) whole weight trip limit and a 600 lb (272 kg) landing of whole 
fish shall, for example, allow for a maximum landing of tails of 119.3 
lb (54.1 kg).
    (b) Vessels issued limited access monkfish permits--(1) Vessels 
fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the NFMA. There is no monkfish 
trip limit for vessels issued a limited access Category A, B, C, or D 
permit that are fishing under a monkfish DAS exclusively in the NFMA.
    (2) Vessels fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA-- (i) 
Category A, C, and G vessels. Category A, C, and G vessels fishing under 
the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA may land up to 550 lb (249 kg) tail 
weight or 1,826 lb (828 kg) whole weight of monkfish per monkfish DAS 
(or any prorated combination of tail-weight and whole weight based on 
the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 3.32), unless 
modified pursuant to Sec. 648.96(b)(2)(ii).
    (ii) Category B, D, and H vessels. Category B, D, and H vessels 
fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA may land up to 450 lb 
(204 kg) tail weight or 1,494 lb (678 kg) whole weight of monkfish per 
monkfish DAS (or any prorated combination of tail-weight and whole 
weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 
3.32), unless modified pursuant to Sec. 648.96(b)(2)(ii).
    (iii) Category F vessels. Vessels issued a Category F permit are 
subject to the possession and landing restrictions specified at Sec. 
648.95(g)(1).

[[Page 566]]

    (iv) Administration of landing limits. A vessel owner or operator 
may not exceed the monkfish trip limits as specified in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section per monkfish DAS fished, or any 
part of a monkfish DAS fished.
    (3) Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels fishing under the 
multispecies DAS program--(i) NFMA--(A) Category C and D vessels. There 
is no monkfish trip limit for a Category C or D vessel that is fishing 
under a NE multispecies DAS exclusively in the NFMA.
    (B) Category F, G, and H vessels. Vessels issued a Category F, G, or 
H permit that are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the NFMA are 
subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
of this section.
    (ii) SFMA--(A) Category C, D, and F vessels. If any portion of a 
trip is fished only under a NE multispecies DAS, and not under a 
monkfish DAS, in the SFMA, a Category C, D, or F vessel may land up to 
300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 996 lb (452 kg) whole weight of monkfish 
per DAS if trawl gear is used exclusively during the trip, or 50 lb (23 
kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight per DAS if gear other 
than trawl gear is used at any time during the trip.
    (B) Category G and H vessels. Vessels issued a Category G or H 
permit that are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the SFMA are 
subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) 
of this section.
    (iii) Transiting. A vessel that harvested monkfish in the NFMA may 
transit the SFMA and possess monkfish in excess of the SFMA landing 
limit provided such vessel complies with the provisions of Sec. 
648.94(e).
    (4) Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels fishing under the scallop DAS 
program. A Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel fishing under a scallop DAS 
may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 996 lb (452 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole 
weight of 3.32).
    (5) Category C, D, F, G, or H scallop vessels declared into the 
monkfish DAS program without a dredge on board, or not under the net 
exemption provision. Category C, D, G, or H vessels that have declared 
into the monkfish DAS program and that do not fish with or have a dredge 
on board, or that are not fishing with a net under the net exemption 
provision specified in Sec. 648.51(f), are subject to the same landing 
limits as specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, or 
the landing limit specified in Sec. 648.95(g)(1), if issued a Category 
F permit. Such vessels are also subject to provisions applicable to 
Category A and B vessels fishing only under a monkfish DAS, consistent 
with the provisions of this part.
    (6) Vessels not fishing under a NE multispecies, scallop, or 
monkfish DAS. The possession limits for all limited access monkfish 
vessels when not fishing under a multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS 
are the same as the possession limits for a vessel issued a monkfish 
incidental catch permit specified under paragraphs (c)(3) through (c)(6) 
of this section.
    (7) Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels fishing under the 
multispecies DAS program--(i) NFMA--(A) Category C and D vessels. There 
is no monkfish trip limit for a Category C or D vessel that is fishing 
under a NE multispecies DAS exclusively in the NFMA, except for vessels 
participating in the Regular B DAS Program, as specified in Sec. 
648.85(b)(10)(iv)(D). Category C and D vessels participating in the 
Regular B DAS Program are subject to the incidental catch limit 
specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (B) Category F, G, and H vessels. Vessels issued a Category F, G, or 
H permit that are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the NFMA are 
subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
of this section.
    (ii) SFMA--(A) Category C, D, and F vessels. If any portion of a 
trip is fished only under a NE multispecies DAS, and not under a 
monkfish DAS, in the SFMA, a Category C, D, or F vessel may land up to 
300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 996 lb (452 kg) whole weight of monkfish 
per DAS if trawl gear is used exclusively during the trip, or 50 lb (23 
kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight per DAS if gear other 
than trawl gear is used at any time

[[Page 567]]

during the trip, except for vessels participating in the Regular B DAS 
Program, as specified in Sec. 648.85(b)(10)(iv)(D). Category C and D 
vessels participating in the Regular B DAS Program are subject to the 
incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this 
section.
    (B) Category G and H vessels. Vessels issued a Category G or H 
permit that are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the SFMA are 
subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) 
of this section. Category G and H vessels participating in the Regular B 
DAS Program are subject to the incidental catch limit specified in 
paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (iii) Transiting. A vessel that harvested monkfish in the NFMA may 
transit the SFMA and possess monkfish in excess of the SFMA landing 
limit provided such vessel complies with the provisions of Sec. 
648.94(e).
    (c) Vessels issued a monkfish incidental catch permit--(1) Vessels 
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS--(i) NFMA. Vessels issued a monkfish 
incidental catch (Category E) permit, or issued a valid limited access 
Category F, G, or H permit, fishing under a NE multispecies DAS 
exclusively in the NFMA, may land up to 400 lb (181 kg) tail weight or 
1,328 lb (602 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS, or 50 percent (where 
the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total 
weight of fish on board, whichever is less. For the purpose of 
converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight 
possessed or landed is divided by 3.32.
    (ii) SFMA. If any portion of the trip is fished by a vessel issued a 
monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit, or issued a valid limited 
access Category G or H permit, under a NE multispecies DAS in the SFMA, 
the vessel may land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) 
whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail 
weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor).
    (2) Scallop vessels fishing under a scallop DAS. A scallop vessel 
issued a monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit fishing under a 
scallop DAS, may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 996 lb (452 
kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of 
tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor).
    (3) Vessels fishing with large mesh and not fishing under a DAS--(i) 
A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or 
a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) 
fishing in the GOM or GB RMAs, or the SNE RMA east of the MA Exemption 
Area boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at Sec. Sec. 
648.80(a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i), and (b)(2)(i), respectively, while not on a 
monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land 
monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all 
monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on 
board. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the 
amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 3.32.
    (ii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) 
permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, 
or H) fishing in the SNE or MA RMAs west of the MA Exemption Area 
boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at Sec. 648.104(a)(1) 
while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, 
retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where 
the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total 
weight of fish on board, but not to exceed 450 lb (204 kg) tail weight 
or 1,494 lb (678 kg) whole weight of monkfish. For the purpose of 
converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight 
possessed or landed is divided by 3.32.
    (iii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) 
permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, 
or H) fishing in the GOM or GB RMAs, or the SNE RMA east of the MA 
Exemption Area boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at 
Sec. Sec. 648.80(a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(vi), and (b)(2)(vii), respectively, 
while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, 
retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where 
the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total 
weight of fish on board. For the purpose of converting whole

[[Page 568]]

weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is 
divided by 3.32.
    (4) Vessels fishing with small mesh and not fishing under a DAS. A 
vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a 
limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing 
with mesh smaller than the mesh size specified by area in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or 
scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land only up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail 
weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial 
day, not to exceed 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole 
weight per trip.
    (5) Small vessels. A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies 
small vessel category permit and a valid monkfish incidental catch 
(Category E) permit that is less than 30 ft (9.1 m) in length and that 
elects not to fish under the NE multispecies DAS program, may possess, 
retain, and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per day or partial day, not to exceed 150 lb (68 kg) 
tail weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole weight per trip.
    (6) Vessels fishing with handgear. A vessel issued a valid monkfish 
incidental catch (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit 
(Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) and fishing exclusively with rod and 
reel or handlines with no other fishing gear on board, while not on a 
monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land 
up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish per day or partial day, not to exceed 150 lb (68 kg) tail 
weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole weight per trip.
    (7) Vessels fishing with surfclam or ocean quahog dredge gear. A 
vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit and 
a valid surfclam or ocean quahog permit, while fishing exclusively with 
a hydraulic clam dredge or mahogany quahog dredge, may possess, retain, 
and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight 
of monkfish per day or partial day, not to exceed 150 lb (68 kg) tail 
weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole weight per trip.
    (8) Scallop vessels not fishing under a scallop DAS with dredge 
gear. A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) 
permit and a valid General Category scallop permit or a limited access 
scallop vessel not fishing under a scallop DAS, while fishing 
exclusively with scallop dredge as specified in Sec. 648.51(b), may 
possess, retain, and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 
kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, not to exceed 150 
lb (68 kg) tail weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole weight per trip.
    (d) Monkfish liver landing restrictions. (1) A vessel authorized to 
land monkfish under this part may possess or land monkfish livers up to 
25 percent of the tail-weight of monkfish, or up to 10 percent of the 
whole weight of monkfish, per trip, except as provided under paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section.
    (2) If a vessel possesses or lands both monkfish tails and whole 
monkfish, the vessel may land monkfish livers up to 10 percent of the 
whole weight of monkfish per trip using the following weight ratio:

(0.10) x [(tail weight x 3.32) + (whole fish x 1)]

    Note to paragraph (d)(2): The value 3.32 is the live weight 
conversion for tails and the value of 1 is the live weight conversion 
for fish landed in a whole condition.

    (e) Transiting. A vessel that has declared into the NFMA for the 
purpose of fishing for monkfish under the less restrictive measures of 
the NFMA, may transit the SFMA provided that the vessel does not harvest 
or possess monkfish, or any other fish, from the SFMA, and the vessel's 
gear is properly stowed and not available for immediate use in 
accordance with the regulations specified under Sec. 648.23(b).
    (f) Area declaration requirement for vessels fishing exclusively in 
the NFMA. Vessels fishing under a multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS 
under the less restrictive management measures of the NFMA, must fish 
for monkfish exclusively in the NFMA and declare into the NFMA for a 
period of not less than 7 days by obtaining a letter of authorization 
from the Regional Administrator. A vessel that has not declared into the 
NFMA under this paragraph (f) shall be presumed to have fished in the

[[Page 569]]

SFMA and shall be subject to the more restrictive requirements of that 
area. A vessel that has declared into the NFMA may transit the SFMA, 
providing that it complies with the transiting and gear storage 
provision described in paragraph (e) of this section, and provided that 
it does not fish for or catch monkfish, or any other fish, in the SFMA.
    (g) Other landing restrictions. Vessels are subject to any other 
applicable landing restrictions of this part.

[64 FR 54749, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 11480, Mar. 3, 2000; 65 
FR 37917, June 19, 2000; 68 FR 22330, Apr. 28, 2003; 69 FR 18293, Apr. 
7, 2004; 69 FR 22988, Apr. 27, 2004; 70 FR 21944, 22244, Apr. 28, 2005; 
71 FR 23874, Apr. 25, 2006]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19389, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.94 was 
amended by suspending paragraphs (b)(3) and (c)(3)(I), and adding 
paragraphs (b)(7) and (c)(3)(iii), effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 
10, 2006



Sec. 648.95  Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA.

    (a) General. Any vessel issued a valid monkfish limited access 
permit is eligible to apply for a Category F permit in order to fish in 
the Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA.
    (1) A vessel issued a Category F permit is subject to the specific 
provisions and conditions of this section while fishing on a monkfish 
DAS.
    (2) When not fishing on a monkfish DAS, a Category F vessel may fish 
under the regulations applicable to the monkfish incidental catch 
(Category E) permit, specified under paragraph Sec. 648.94(c). When 
fishing on a NE multispecies DAS in the NFMA, a Category F vessel that 
also possesses a NE multispecies limited access permit is subject to the 
possession limits applicable to vessels issued an incidental catch 
permit as described in Sec. 648.94(c)(1)(i).
    (3) Limited access Category C or D vessels that apply for and are 
issued a Category F permit remain subject to the provisions specific to 
Category C and D vessels, unless otherwise specified under this subpart 
F.
    (b) Declaration. To fish in the Offshore Fishery Program, a vessel 
must obtain a monkfish limited access Category F permit and fish under 
this permit for the entire fishing year, subject to the conditions and 
restrictions specified under this part. The owner of a vessel, or 
authorized representative, may change the vessel's limited access 
monkfish permit category within 45 days of the effective date of the 
vessel's permit, provided the vessel has not fished under the monkfish 
DAS program during that fishing year. If such a request is not received 
within 45 days, the vessel owner may not request a change in permit 
category and the vessel's permit category will remain unchanged for the 
duration of the fishing year.
    (c) Offshore Fishery Program Area. The Offshore Fishery Program Area 
is bounded on the south by 38[deg]00[min] N. lat., and on the north, 
west, and east by the area coordinates specified in Sec. 648.23(a).
    (d) Season. October 1 through April 30 each year.
    (e) Restrictions. (1) Except for the transit provisions provided for 
in paragraph (f) of this section, a vessel issued a valid Category F 
permit may only fish for, possess, and land monkfish in or from the 
Offshore Fishery Program Area while on a monkfish DAS.
    (2) A vessel enrolled in the Offshore Fishery Program is restricted 
to fishing under its monkfish DAS during the season in paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (3) A vessel issued a Category F permit that is fishing on a 
monkfish DAS is subject to the minimum mesh size requirements applicable 
to limited access monkfish Category A and B vessels, as specified under 
Sec. 648.91(c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(iii), as well as the other gear 
requirements specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3).
    (4) A vessel issued a Category F permit must have installed on board 
an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.9 and 648.10 during the entire season 
established under paragraph (d) of this section. Unless otherwise 
required to maintain an operational VMS unit under the VMS notification 
requirements specified at Sec. 648.10(b)(1), a vessel issued a Category 
F permit may turn off its VMS unit outside of this season.
    (5) A vessel issued a Category F permit that is fishing on a 
monkfish DAS is subject to the minimum mesh size

[[Page 570]]

requirements applicable to limited access monkfish Category A and B 
vessels, as specified under Sec. 648.91(c)(1)(v) and (c)(1)(iii), as 
well as the other gear requirements specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and 
(c)(3).
    (f) Transiting. A vessel issued a Category F permit and fishing 
under a monkfish DAS that is transiting to or from the Offshore Fishery 
Program Area, described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, shall have 
all gear stowed and not available for immediate use in accordance with 
the gear stowage provisions specified under Sec. 648.23(b).
    (g) Monkfish possession limits and DAS allocations. (1) A vessel 
issued a Category F permit may land up to 1,600 lb (726 kg) tail weight 
or 5,312 lb (2,409 kg) whole weight of monkfish per monkfish DAS (or any 
prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the 
conversion factor of 3.32).
    (2) The monkfish DAS allocation for vessels issued a Category F 
permit shall be equal to the trip limit applicable to the vessel's 
monkfish limited access permit category divided by the fixed daily 
possession limit specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and then 
multiplied by the DAS allocation for limited access monkfish vessels not 
issued Category F permits, specified under Sec. 648.92(b)(1). For 
example, if a vessel has a limited access monkfish Category C permit, 
and the applicable trip limit is 800 lb (363 kg) for this category, and 
the vessel has an annual allocation of 40 monkfish DAS, then the 
monkfish DAS allocated to that vessel when issued a Category F permit 
would be 20 monkfish DAS (800 lb divided by 1,600 lb, multiplied by 40 
monkfish DAS equals 20 DAS). Any carryover monkfish DAS will be included 
in the calculation of monkfish DAS for Category F vessels.
    (3) Vessels issued a Category F permit that are fishing under a NE 
multispecies DAS in the NFMA are subject to the incidental catch limit 
specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (h) DAS usage by NE multispecies or sea scallop limited access 
permit holders. A vessel issued a Category F permit that also has been 
issued either a NE multispecies or sea scallop limited access permit, 
and is fishing on a monkfish DAS, is subject to the DAS usage 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.92(b)(2).

[70 FR 21945, Apr. 28, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 19390, Apr. 13, 2006, Sec. 648.95 was 
amended by suspending paragraph (e)(3) and adding paragraph (e)(5), 
effective May 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2006



Sec. 648.96  Monkfish annual adjustment process and framework specifications.

    (a) General. The Monkfish Monitoring Committee (MFMC) shall meet on 
or before November 15 of each year to develop target TACs for the 
upcoming fishing year in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, and options for NEFMC and MAFMC consideration on any changes, 
adjustment, or additions to DAS allocations, trip limits, size limits, 
or other measures necessary to achieve the Monkfish FMP's goals and 
objectives. The MFMC shall review available data pertaining to discards 
and landings, DAS, and other measures of fishing effort; stock status 
and fishing mortality rates; enforcement of and compliance with 
management measures; and any other relevant information.
    (b) Annual Adjustment Procedures--(1) Setting annual target TACs. 
(i) The MFMC shall submit to the Councils and Regional Administrator the 
target monkfish TACs for the upcoming fishing year as soon as possible 
after the availability of the NMFS fall trawl survey indices, but no 
later than January 7, based on the control rule formula described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. The Regional Administrator shall 
then promulgate any changes to existing management measures, pursuant to 
the methods specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section, 
resulting from the updated target TAC through rulemaking consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act. If the annual target TAC generated 
through the control rule formula described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of 
this section does not require any changes to existing management 
measures, then no action shall be required by the Regional 
Administrator. If the action is submitted after January 7, then the 
target TACs and associated management measures for the prior fishing

[[Page 571]]

year shall remain in place until new target TACs are implemented.
    (ii) Control rule method for setting annual target TACs. The current 
3-year running average of the NMFS fall trawl survey index of monkfish 
biomass shall be compared to the established annual biomass index 
target, and target annual TACs will be set in accordance with paragraphs 
(b)(1)(ii)(A) - (F) of this section. The annual biomass index targets 
established Frammework Adjustment 2 to the FMP are provided in the 
following table (kg/tow).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          FY 2002  FY 2003  FY 2004  FY 2005  FY 2006  FY 2007  FY 2008  FY 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFMA....................................     1.33     1.49     1.66     1.83     2.00     2.16     2.33     2.50
SFMA....................................     0.88     1.02     1.15     1.29     1.43     1.57     1.71     1.85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (A) Unless the provisions of paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(C) or (D) of this 
section apply, if the current 3-year running average of the NMFS fall 
trawl survey biomass index is below the annual index target, the target 
TAC for the subsequent fishing year shall be set equivalent to the 
monkfish landings for the previous fishing year, minus the percentage 
difference between the 3-year average biomass index and the annual index 
target.
    (B) If the 3-year running average of the NMFS fall trawl survey 
biomass index is above the annual index target, and the current estimate 
of F is below Fthreshold=Fmax, the target TAC for 
the subsequent fishing year shall be set equivalent to the previous 
year's landings, plus one-half the percentage difference between the 3-
year average biomass index and the annual index target, but not to 
exceed an amount calculated to generate an F in excess of 
Fthreshold. If current F cannot be determined, the target TAC 
shall be set at not more than 20 percent above the previous year's 
landings.
    (C) If the current estimate of F exceeds Fthreshold, the 
target TAC shall be reduced proportionally to stop overfishing, even if 
a reduction is not called for based on biomass index status as described 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section. For example, if F=0.24, and 
Fthreshold=0.2, then the target TAC shall be reduced to 20 
percent below the previous year's landings.
    (D) If the 3-year average biomass index is below the annual index 
target, and F is above Fthreshold, the method (F-based or 
biomass index based) that results in the greater reduction from the 
previous year's landings shall determine the target TAC for the 
subsequent fishing year.
    (E) If the observed index is above the 2009 index targets, the 
target TAC for the subsequent fishing year shall be based on the ratio 
of current F to F=0.2, applied to the previous year's landings. If 
current F cannot be determined, the target TAC shall be set at not more 
than 20 percent above previous year's landings.
    (F) If landings decline from the previous year and the current 3-
year average biomass index is above the annual index target, whether or 
not F can be determined, the MFMC shall include in its report, prepared 
under paragraph (a) of this section, after taking into account 
circumstances surrounding the landings decline, a recommendation to the 
Councils on whether the target TAC should be set at the previous year's 
landings or previous year's target TAC. The Councils shall consider the 
MFMC recommendation, and then recommend to the Regional Administrator 
whether the target TAC should be set at the previous year's landings or 
previous year's target TAC. If such a recommendation is made, the 
Regional Administrator must decide whether to promulgate measures 
consistent with the recommendation as provided for in paragraph (b)(4) 
of this section.
    (2) Setting trip limits for the SFMA. (i) Under the method described 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if the SFMA target TAC is set 
at 8,000 mt or higher, the Regional Administrator shall adjust the trip 
limits according to the method described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Trip limit analysis procedures. Trip limits shall be determined 
annually by the process specified in Appendix II of

[[Page 572]]

Framework Adjustment 2 to the Monkfish FMP, using information from the 
mandatory fishing vessel trip reports (FVTR). This process is summarized 
in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) (A) through (C) of this section.
    (A) The 1999 fishing year shall be used as the baseline year for 
this analysis, since it represents monkfish landings under relatively 
unconstrained conditions. The first step shall be to calculate the 
expected distribution of monkfish landings from the SFMA by permit 
category group (A and C, and B and D) under the proposed target TAC for 
the SFMA for the upcoming fishing year. This calculation shall be based 
on the distribution of monkfish landings for the most recent fishing 
year for which there is complete FVTR information (most recent fishing 
year). For example, for each permit category group, the distribution of 
landings under the proposed target SFMA TAC for the 2004 fishing year 
would be based on the distribution of landings from the SFMA for the 
2002 fishing year, the most recent fishing year for which complete FVTR 
would be available.
    (B) The second step shall be to compare the monkfish landings for 
the SFMA from the baseline year, assuming a trip limit was in place that 
is identical to the trip limit in the most recent fishing year, to the 
monkfish landings for the most recent fishing year, and to calculate a 
ratio estimator for each permit category group. This ratio shall then be 
multiplied by the trip level monkfish landings from the SFMA for the 
baseline year for each permit category group to simulate the monkfish 
landings that would have occurred during the most recent fishing year 
under an unconstrained landings-per-DAS limit. For example, the ratio 
calculated by comparing the SFMA monkfish landings by permit category 
group for the1999 fishing year to the most recent fishing year, fishing 
year 2002, would be applied to the SFMA trip level monkfish landings for 
the 1999 fishing year to produce estimated trip level monkfish landings 
for the 2002 fishing year under an unconstrained landings-per-DAS limit.
    (C) Using the estimated trip level monkfish landings for the most 
recent fishing year, expected monkfish landings under a range of 
potential trip limits shall be calculated for each permit category group 
for the upcoming fishing year as follows: Trips that landed monkfish 
from the SFMA in excess of a particular potential trip limit shall have 
monkfish landings reduced to that trip limit, and trips that landed 
monkfish from the SFMA in an amount equal to or lower than that 
particular trip limit shall remain at the actual amount of monkfish 
landed. Expected monkfish landings under each potential trip limit shall 
then be calculated for each permit category group by summing the 
adjusted monkfish landings of all trips that exceeded the potential trip 
limit and the monkfish landings of all trips that did not exceed the 
potential trip limit. The resulting data shall then be used to determine 
a functional relationship between potential trip limits and expected 
monkfish landings for each permit category group. These empirical 
functions shall then be used to calculate a landing-per-DAS limit for 
each permit category group for the upcoming fishing year, based on the 
expected distribution of monkfish landings by permit category group for 
the upcoming fishing year, as calculated under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) 
of this section.
    (3) Setting DAS allocations for the SFMA. Under the method described 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if the SFMA target TAC is set 
below 8,000 mt, the Regional Administrator shall set the trip limits as 
specified in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, and adjust 
the DAS allocations according to the method described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (i) Category A and C vessels. Category A and C vessels fishing under 
the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA may land up to 550 lb (249 kg) 
tail-weight or 1,826 lb (828 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or 
any prorated combination of tail-weight and whole weight based on the 
conversion factor for tail-weight to whole weight of 3.32).
    (ii) Category B and D vessels. Category B and D vessels fishing 
under the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA may land up to 450 lb (204 
kg) tail-weight or 1,494 lb (678 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS 
(or any prorated combination of tail-weight and whole

[[Page 573]]

weight based on the conversion factor for tail-weight to whole weight of 
3.32).
    (iii) DAS analysis. This procedure involves setting a maximum DAS 
usage for all permit holders of 40 DAS; proportionally adjusting the 
landings to a given DAS value based on the trip limits specified under 
paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section; and adjusting the 
landings according to the same methodology used in the trip limit 
analysis described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (A) Because limited access monkfish permit holders are allowed to 
carry over up to 10 DAS from the previous fishing year to the current 
fishing year, adjustments to DAS usage shall be made by first reducing 
the landings for all permit holders who used more than 40 DAS by the 
proportion of DAS exceeding 40, and then resetting the upperlimit of DAS 
usage to 40.
    (B) The expected landings at the adjusted DAS shall be calculated by 
adding the landings of all permit holders who used less than the 
proposed DAS limit to the landings of those who used more than the 
proposed DAS limit, where landings are reduced by the proportion of the 
proposed DAS limit to the actual DAS used by vessels during the baseline 
fishing year, 1999.
    (C) Landings shall be prorated between permit categories in the same 
manner used in the trip limit analysis procedures described under 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (4) Council TAC recommendations. As described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii)(F) of this section, if the Councils recommend a target TAC to 
the Regional Administrator, and the Regional Administrator concurs with 
this recommendation, the Regional Administrator shall promulgate the 
target TAC and associated management measures through rulemaking 
consistent with the APA. If the Regional Administrator does not concur 
with the Councils' recommendation, then the Councils shall be notified 
in writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (c) Annual and in-season framework adjustments to management 
measures--(1) Annual framework process. (i) Based on their annual 
review, the MFMC may develop and recommend, in addition to the target 
TACs and management measures established under paragraph (b) of this 
section, other options necessary to achieve the Monkfish FMP's goals and 
objectives, which may include a preferred option. The MFMC must 
demonstrate through analysis and documentation that the options it 
develops are expected to meet the Monkfish FMP goals and objectives. The 
MFMC may review the performance of different user groups or fleet 
sectors in developing options. The range of options developed by the 
MFMC may include any of the management measures in the Monkfish FMP, 
including, but not limited to: Closed seasons or closed areas; minimum 
size limits; mesh size limits; net limits; liver-to-monkfish landings 
ratios; annual monkfish DAS allocations and monitoring; trip or 
possession limits; blocks of time out of the fishery; gear restrictions; 
transferability of permits and permit rights or administration of vessel 
upgrades, vessel replacement, or permit assignment; measures to minimize 
the impact of the monkfish fishery on protected species; gear 
requirements or restrictions that minimize bycatch or bycatch mortality; 
transferable DAS programs; and other frameworkable measures included in 
Sec. Sec. 648.55 and 648.90.
    (ii) The Councils shall review the options developed by the MFMC and 
other relevant information, consider public comment, and submit a 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator that meets the Monkfish 
FMP's objectives, consistent with other applicable law. The Councils' 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator shall include supporting 
documents, as appropriate, concerning the environmental and economic 
impacts of the proposed action and the other options considered by the 
Councils. Management adjustments made to the Monkfish FMP require 
majority approval of each Council for submission to the Secretary.
    (A) The Councils may delegate authority to the Joint Monkfish 
Oversight Committee to conduct an initial review of the options 
developed by the MFMC. The oversight committee would review the options 
developed by the MFMC and any other relevant information, consider 
public comment,

[[Page 574]]

and make a recommendation to the Councils.
    (B) If the Councils do not submit a recommendation that meets the 
Monkfish FMP's goals and objectives, and that is consistent with other 
applicable law, the Regional Administrator may adopt any option 
developed by the MFMC, unless rejected by either Council, provided such 
option meets the Monkfish FMP's goals and objectives, and is consistent 
with other applicable law. If either the NEFMC or MAFMC has rejected all 
options, then the Regional Administrator may select any measure that has 
not been rejected by both Councils.
    (iii) If the Councils submit, on or before January 7 of each year, a 
recommendation to the Regional Administrator after one framework 
meeting, and the Regional Administrator concurs with the recommendation, 
the recommendation shall be published in the Federal Register as a 
proposed rule. The Federal Register notification of the proposed action 
shall provide a public comment period in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. The Councils may instead submit their 
recommendation on or before February 1, if they choose to follow the 
framework process outlined in paragraph (c)(3) of this section and 
request that the Regional Administrator publish the recommendation as a 
final rule. If the Regional Administrator concurs that the Councils' 
recommendation meets the Monkfish FMP's goals and objectives, and is 
consistent with other applicable law, and determines that the 
recommended management measures should be published as a final rule, the 
action shall be published as a final rule in the Federal Register. If 
the Regional Administrator concurs that the recommendation meets the 
Monkfish FMP's goals and objectives, is consistent with other applicable 
law, and determines that a proposed rule is warranted, and, as a result, 
the effective date of a final rule falls after the start of the fishing 
year, fishing may continue. However, DAS used by a vessel on or after 
the start of a fishing year shall be counted against any DAS allocation 
the vessel ultimately receives for that year.
    (iv) Following publication of a proposed rule and after receiving 
public comment, if the Regional Administrator concurs in the Councils' 
recommendation, a final rule will be published in the Federal Register 
prior to the start of the next fishing year. If the Councils fail to 
submit a recommendation to the Regional Administrator by February 1 that 
meets the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP, the Regional 
Administrator may publish as a proposed rule one of the MFMC options 
reviewed and not rejected by either Council, provided the option meets 
the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP, and is consistent with 
other applicable law.
    (2) In-season Action. At any time, the Councils or the Joint 
Monkfish Oversight Committee (subject to the approval of the Councils' 
Chairmen) may initiate action to add or adjust management measures, if 
it is determined that action is necessary to meet or be consistent with 
the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP. Recommended adjustments to 
management measures must come from the categories specified under 
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. In addition, the procedures for 
framework adjustments specified under paragraph (c)(3) of this section 
must be followed.
    (3) Framework Adjustment Procedures. Framework adjustments shall 
require at least one initial meeting of the Monkfish Oversight Committee 
or one of the Councils (the agenda must include notification of the 
framework adjustment proposal) and at least two Council meetings, one at 
each Council. The Councils shall provide the public with advance notice 
of the availability of both the proposals and the analysis, and 
opportunity to comment on them prior to the first of the two final 
Council meetings. Framework adjustments and amendments to the Monkfish 
FMP require majority approval of each Council for submission to the 
Secretary.
    (i) Councils' recommendation. After developing management actions 
and receiving public testimony, the Councils shall make a recommendation 
to the Regional Administrator. The Councils' recommendation must include 
supporting rationale and, if management

[[Page 575]]

measures are recommended, an analysis of impacts and a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator on whether to issue the management measures 
as a final rule. If the Councils recommend that the management measures 
should be issued as a final rule, the Councils must consider at least 
the following four factors and provide support and analysis for each 
factor considered:
    (A) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season;
    (B) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Councils' recommended management measures;
    (C) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or to 
impose management measures to resolve gear conflicts; and
    (D) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (ii) Action by NMFS. (A) If the Regional Administrator approves the 
Councils' recommended management measures and determines that the 
recommended management measures should be issued as a final rule based 
on the factors specified in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, the 
Secretary may, for good cause found under the standard of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, waive the requirement for a proposed rule 
and opportunity for public comment in the Federal Register. The 
Secretary, in so doing, shall publish only the final rule. Submission of 
the recommendations does not preclude the Secretary from deciding to 
provide additional opportunity for prior notice and comment in the 
Federal Register.
    (B) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Councils' 
recommendation and determines that the recommended management measures 
should be published first as a proposed rule, then the measures shall be 
published as a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional 
public comment, if NMFS concurs with the Councils' recommendation, then 
the measures shall be issued as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (C) If the Regional Administrator does not concur, then the Councils 
shall be notified in writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (iii) Adjustments for gear conflicts. The Councils may develop a 
recommendation on measures to address gear conflict as defined under 
Sec. 600.10 of this chapter, in accordance with the procedure specified 
in Sec. 648.55(d) and (e).
    (d) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

[64 FR 54751, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 22330, Apr. 28, 2003; 68 
FR 36947, June 20, 2003; 70 FR 21946, Apr. 28, 2005]



Sec. 648.97  Closed areas.

    (a) Oceanographer Canyon Closed Area. No fishing vessel or person on 
a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as 
Oceanographer Canyon Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area 
are available from the Regional Administrator upon request), as defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated, 
while on a monkfish DAS:

                    Oceanographer Canyon Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        N. Lat.      W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) OC1                                         40[deg]10[m  68[deg]12[m
                                                        in]          in]
(2) OC2                                         40[deg]24[m  68[deg]09[m
                                                        in]          in]
(3) OC3                                         40[deg]24[m  68[deg]08[m
                                                        in]          in]
(4) OC4                                         40[deg]10[m  67[deg]59[m
                                                        in]          in]
(5) OC1                                         40[deg]10[m  68[deg]12[m
                                                        in]          in]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Lydonia Canyon Closed Area. No fishing vessel or person on a 
fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Lydonia 
Canyon Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area are available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request), as defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated, while on a 
monkfish DAS:

                       Lyndonia Canyon Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        N. Lat.      W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) LC1                                         40[deg]16[m  67[deg]34[m
                                                        in]          in]

[[Page 576]]

 
(2) LC2                                         40[deg]16[m  67[deg]42[m
                                                        in]          in]
(3) LC3                                         40[deg]20[m  67[deg]43[m
                                                        in]          in]
(4) LC4                                         40[deg]27[m  67[deg]40[m
                                                        in]          in]
(5) LC5                                             40[deg]  67[deg]38[m
                                                    27[min]          in]
(6) LC1                                         40[deg]16[m  67[deg]34[m
                                                        in]          in]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[70 FR 21946, Apr. 28, 2005]



     Subpart G_Management Measures for the Summer Flounder Fisheries



Sec. 648.100  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    (a) Review. The Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee shall review 
each year the following data, subject to availability, unless a TAL has 
already been established for the upcoming calendar year as part of a 
multiple-year specification process, provided that new information does 
not require a modification to the multiple-year quotas, to determine the 
annual allowable levels of fishing and other restrictions necessary to 
achieve, with at least a 50-percent probability of success, a fishing 
mortality rate (F) that produces the maximum yield per recruit 
(Fmax): Commercial, recreational, and research catch data; 
current estimates of fishing mortality; stock status; recent estimates 
of recruitment; virtual population analysis results; levels of 
noncompliance by fishermen or individual states; impact of size/mesh 
regulations; sea sampling and winter trawl survey data or, if sea 
sampling data are unavailable, length frequency information from the 
winter trawl survey and mesh selectivity analyses; impact of gear other 
than otter trawls on the mortality of summer flounder; and any other 
relevant information.
    (b) Recommended measures on an annual basis. Based on this review 
and requests for research quota as described in paragraph (f) of this 
section, the Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee shall recommend to the 
Demersal Species Committee of the MAFMC and the Commission the following 
measures to ensure, with at least a 50-percent probability of success, 
that the F specified in paragraph (a) of this section will not be 
exceeded:
    (1) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of the maximum 
allowed to achieve the specified F.
    (2) Commercial quota set from a range of 0 to the maximum allowed to 
achieve the specified F, set after reductions for research quota.
    (3) Commercial minimum fish size.
    (4) Minimum mesh size.
    (5) Recreational possession limit set from a range of 0 to 15 summer 
flounder to achieve the specified F, set after reductions for research 
quota.
    (6) Recreational minimum fish size.
    (7) Recreational season.
    (8) Recreational state conservation equivalent and precautionary 
default measures utilizing possession limits, minimum fish sizes, and/or 
seasons set after reductions for research quota.
    (9) Restrictions on gear other than otter trawls.
    (10) Adjustments to the exempted area boundary and season specified 
in Sec. 648.104(b)(1) by 30-minute intervals of latitude and longitude 
and 2-week intervals, respectively, based on data specified in paragraph 
(a) of this section, to prevent discarding of sublegal sized summer 
flounder in excess of 10 percent, by weight.
    (11) Total allowable landings on an annual basis for a period not to 
exceed 3 years.
    (c) Fishing measures. The Demersal Species Committee shall review 
the recommendations of the Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee. Based 
on these recommendations and any public comment, the Demersal Species 
Committee shall recommend to the MAFMC measures necessary to ensure, 
with at least a 50-percent probability of success, that the applicable 
specified F will not be exceeded. The MAFMC shall review these 
recommendations and, based on the recommendations and any public 
comment, recommend to the Regional Administrator measures necessary to 
ensure, with at least a 50-percent probability of success, that the 
applicable specified F will not be exceeded. The MAFMC's recommendations 
must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, concerning the 
environmental and economic impacts of the

[[Page 577]]

recommendations. The Regional Administrator shall review these 
recommendations and any recommendations of the Commission.
    (d) Commercial measures. After such review, the Regional 
Administrator will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register to 
implement a coastwide commercial quota, a recreational harvest limit, 
and additional management measures for the commercial fishery. After 
considering public comment, NMFS will publish a final rule in the 
Federal Register to implement the measures necessary to ensure, with at 
least a 50-percent probability of success, that the applicable specified 
F will not be exceeded.
    (1) Distribution of annual quota. (i) The annual commercial quota 
will be distributed to the states, based upon the following percentages:

                     Annual Commercial Quota Shares
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        State                           Share (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine................................................            0.04756
New Hampshire........................................            0.00046
Massachusetts........................................            6.82046
Rhode Island.........................................           15.68298
Connecticut..........................................            2.25708
New York.............................................            7.64699
New Jersey...........................................           16.72499
Delaware.............................................            0.01779
Maryland.............................................            2.03910
Virginia.............................................           21.31676
North Carolina.......................................           27.44584
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) All summer flounder landed for sale in a state shall be applied 
against that state's annual commercial quota, regardless of where the 
summer flounder were harvested. Any landings in excess of the commercial 
quota in any state will be deducted from that state's annual quota for 
the following year in the final rule that establishes the annual state-
by-state quotas. The overage deduction will be based on landings for the 
current year through October 31, and on landings for the previous 
calendar year that were not included when the overage deduction was made 
in the final rule that established the annual quota for the current 
year. If the Regional Administrator determines during the fishing year 
that any part of an overage deduction was based on erroneous landings 
data that were in excess of actual landings for the period concerned, 
he/she will restore the overage that was deducted in error to the 
appropriate quota allocation. The Regional Administrator will publish a 
notice in the Federal Register announcing such restoration.
    (2) Quota transfers and combinations. Any state implementing a state 
commercial quota for summer flounder may request approval from the 
Regional Administrator to transfer part or all of its annual quota to 
one or more states. Two or more states implementing a state commercial 
quota for summer flounder may request approval from the Regional 
Administrator to combine their quotas, or part of their quotas, into an 
overall regional quota. Requests for transfer or combination of 
commercial quotas for summer flounder must be made by individual or 
joint letter(s) signed by the principal state official with marine 
fishery management responsibility and expertise, or his/her previously 
named designee, for each state involved. The letter(s) must certify that 
all pertinent state requirements have been met and identify the states 
involved and the amount of quota to be transferred or combined.
    (3) Within 10 working days following the receipt of the letter(s) 
from the states involved, the Regional Administrator shall notify the 
appropriate state officials of the disposition of the request. In 
evaluating requests to transfer a quota or combine quotas, the Regional 
Administrator shall consider whether:
    (i) The transfer or combination would preclude the overall annual 
quota from being fully harvested.
    (ii) The transfer addresses an unforeseen variation or contingency 
in the fishery.
    (iii) The transfer is consistent with the objectives of the Summer 
Flounder FMP and Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (4) The transfer of quota or the combination of quotas will be valid 
only for the calendar year for which the request was made.
    (5) A state may not submit a request to transfer quota or combine 
quotas if a request to which it is party is pending before the Regional 
Administrator. A state may submit a new request when it receives notice 
that the Regional Administrator has disapproved the previous request or 
when notice of

[[Page 578]]

the approval of the transfer or combination has been filed at the Office 
of the Federal Register.
    (6) If there is a quota overage among states involved in the 
combination of quotas at the end of the fishing year, the overage will 
be deducted from the following year's quota for each of the states 
involved in the combined quota. The deduction will be proportional, 
based on each state's relative share of the combined quota for the 
previous year. A transfer of quota or combination of quotas does not 
alter any state's percentage share of the overall quota specified in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (e) Recreational measures. The Demersal Species Committee shall 
review the recommendations of the Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee. 
Based on these recommendations and any public comment, the Demersal 
Species Committee shall recommend to the MAFMC and Commission measures 
necessary to ensure, with at least a 50-percent probability of success, 
that the applicable specified F will not be exceeded. The MAFMC shall 
review these recommendations and, based on the recommendations and any 
public comment, recommend to the Regional Administrator measures 
necessary to ensure, with at least a 50-percent probability of success, 
that the applicable specified F will not be exceeded. The MAFMC's 
recommendations must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, 
concerning the environmental and economic impacts of the 
recommendations. The Council and the Commission will recommend that the 
Regional Administrator implement either:
    (1) Coastwide measures. Annual coastwide management measures that 
constrain the recreational summer flounder fishery to the recreational 
harvest limit, or
    (2) Conservation equivalent measures. Individual states or regions 
formed voluntarily by adjacent states (i.e., multi-state conservation 
equivalency regions) may implement different combinations of minimum 
fish sizes, possession limits, and closed seasons that achieve 
equivalent conservation as the coastwide measures established under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Each state or multi-state conservation 
equivalency region may implement measures by mode or area only if the 
proportional standard error of Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics 
Survey (MRFSS) landings estimates by mode or area for that state are 
less than 30 percent.
    (i) After review of the recommendations, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on or about March 1 
to implement the overall percent adjustment in recreational landings 
required for the fishing year, the Council and Commission's 
recommendation concerning conservation equivalency, the precautionary 
default measures, and coastwide measures.
    (ii) During the public comment period on the proposed rule, the 
Commission will review conservation equivalency proposals and determine 
whether or not they achieve the necessary adjustment to recreational 
landings. The Commission will provide the Regional Administrator with 
the individual state and/or multi-state region conservation measures for 
the approved state and/or multi-state region proposals and, in the case 
of disapproved state and/or multi-state region proposals, the 
precautionary default measures.
    (iii) The Commission may allow states assigned the precautionary 
default measures to resubmit revised management measures. The Commission 
will detail the procedures by which the state can develop alternate 
measures. The Commission will notify the Regional Administrator of any 
resubmitted state proposals approved subsequent to publication of the 
final rule and the Regional Administrator will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register to notify the public.
    (iv) After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement either 
the state specific conservation equivalency measures or coastwide 
measures to ensure that the applicable specified target is not exceeded.

[[Page 579]]

    (f) Research quota. See Sec. 648.21(g).

[66 FR 36211, July 11, 2001, as amended at 66 FR 42160, Aug. 10, 2001; 
67 FR 6880, Feb. 14, 2002; 67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 2002; 69 FR 62821, Oct. 
28, 2004; 70 FR 310, Jan. 4, 2005; 70 FR 53970, Sept. 13, 2005; 71 FR 
42317, July 26, 2006]



Sec. 648.101  Closures.

    (a) EEZ closure. The Regional Administrator shall close the EEZ to 
fishing for summer flounder by commercial vessels for the remainder of 
the calendar year by publishing notification in the Federal Register if 
he/she determines that the inaction of one or more states will cause the 
applicable F specified in Sec. 648.100(a) to be exceeded, or if the 
commercial fisheries in all states have been closed. The Regional 
Administrator may reopen the EEZ if earlier inaction by a state has been 
remedied by that state, or if commercial fisheries in one or more states 
have been reopened without causing the applicable specified F to be 
exceeded.
    (b) State quotas. The Regional Administrator will monitor state 
commercial quotas based on dealer reports and other available 
information and shall determine the date when a state commercial quota 
will be harvested. The Regional Administrator shall publish notification 
in the Federal Register advising a state that, effective upon a specific 
date, its commercial quota has been harvested and notifying vessel and 
dealer permit holders that no commercial quota is available for landing 
summer flounder in that state.



Sec. 648.102  Time restrictions.

    Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Sec. 648.107, vessels that 
are not eligible for a moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(3) and 
fishermen subject to the possession limit may fish for summer flounder 
from January 1 through December 31. This time period may be adjusted 
pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.100.

[67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 2002]



Sec. 648.103  Minimum fish sizes.

    (a) The minimum size for summer flounder is 14 inches (35.6 cm) TL 
for all vessels issued a moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4 (a)(3), 
except on board party and charter boats carrying passengers for hire or 
carrying more than three crew members, if a charter boat, or more than 
five crew members, if a party boat;
    (b) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Sec. 648.107, the 
minimum size for summer flounder is 17 inches (43.2 cm) TL for all 
vessels that do not qualify for a moratorium permit, and charter boats 
holding a moratorium permit if fishing with more than three crew 
members, or party boats holding a moratorium permit if fishing with 
passengers for hire or carrying more than five crew members.
    (c) The minimum sizes in this section apply to whole fish or to any 
part of a fish found in possession, e.g., fillets, except that party and 
charter vessels possessing valid state permits authorizing filleting at 
sea may possess fillets smaller that the size specified if all state 
requirements are met.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 10478, Mar. 7, 1997; 62 
FR 37157, July 11, 1997; 62 FR 63875, Dec. 3, 1997; 63 FR 27868, May 21, 
1998; 66 FR 39291, July 30, 2001; 67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 2002]



Sec. 648.104  Gear restrictions.

    (a) General. (1) Otter trawlers whose owners are issued a summer 
flounder permit and that land or possess 100 or more lb (45.4 or more 
kg) of summer flounder from May 1 through October 31, or 200 lb or more 
(90.8 kg or more) of summer flounder from November 1 through April 30, 
per trip, must fish with nets that have a minimum mesh size of 5.5-inch 
(14.0-cm) diamond or 6.0-inch (15.2-cm) square mesh applied throughout 
the body, extension(s), and codend portion of the net.
    (2) Mesh sizes are measured by a wedge-shaped gauge having a taper 
of 2 cm in 8 cm and a thickness of 2.3 mm inserted into the meshes under 
a pressure or pull of 5 kg. The mesh size is the average of the 
measurement of any series of 20 consecutive meshes for nets having 75 or 
more meshes, and 10 consecutive meshes for nets having fewer than 75 
meshes. The mesh in the regulated portion of the net is measured at 
least five meshes away from the lacings, running parallel to the long 
axis of the net.

[[Page 580]]

    (b) Exemptions. Unless otherwise restricted by this part, the 
minimum mesh-size requirements specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section do not apply to:
    (1) Vessels issued a summer flounder moratorium permit, a summer 
flounder small-mesh exemption area letter of authorization (LOA), 
required under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, and fishing from 
November 1 through April 30 in the exemption area, which is east of the 
line that follows 72[deg]30.0[min] W. long. until it intersects the 
outer boundary of the EEZ (copies of a map depicting the area are 
available upon request from the Regional Administrator). Vessels fishing 
under the LOA shall not fish west of the line. Vessels issued a permit 
under Sec. 648.4(a)(3)(iii) may transit the area west or south of the 
line, if the vessel's fishing gear is stowed in a manner prescribed 
under Sec. 648.104(e), so that it is not ``available for immediate 
use'' outside the exempted area. The Regional Administrator may 
terminate this exemption if he/she determines, after a review of sea 
sampling data, that vessels fishing under the exemption are discarding 
more than 10 percent, by weight, of their entire catch of summer 
flounder per trip. If the Regional Administrator makes such a 
determination, he/she shall publish notification in the Federal Register 
terminating the exemption for the remainder of the exemption season.
    (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Summer Flounder Small-
Mesh Exemption Area under this exemption must have on board a valid LOA 
issued by the Regional Administrator.
    (B) The vessel must be in enrolled in the exemption program for a 
minimum of 7 days.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) Vessels fishing with a two-seam otter trawl fly net with the 
following configuration, provided that no other nets or netting with 
mesh smaller than 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) are on board:
    (i) The net has large mesh in the wings that measures 8 inches (20.3 
cm) to 64 inches (162.6 cm).
    (ii) The first body section (belly) of the net has 35 or more meshes 
that are at least 8 inches (20.3 cm).
    (iii) The mesh decreases in size throughout the body of the net to 2 
inches (5 cm) or smaller towards the terminus of the net.
    (3) The Regional Administrator may terminate this exemption if he/
she determines, after a review of sea sampling data, that vessels 
fishing under the exemption, on average, are discarding more than 1 
percent of their entire catch of summer flounder per trip. If the 
Regional Administrator makes such a determination, he/she shall publish 
a notice in the Federal Register terminating the exemption for the 
remainder of the calendar year.
    (c) Net modifications. No vessel subject to this part shall use any 
device, gear, or material, including, but not limited to nets, net 
strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing gear, on the top of the 
regulated portion of a trawl net; except that, one splitting strap and 
one bull rope (if present) consisting of line or rope no more than 3 
inches (7.2 cm) in diameter may be used if such splitting strap and/or 
bull rope does not constrict, in any manner, the top of the regulated 
portion of the net, and one rope no greater than 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) in 
diameter extending the length of the net from the belly to the terminus 
of the codend along the top, bottom, and each side of the net. ``Top of 
the regulated portion of the net'' means the 50 percent of the entire 
regulated portion of the net that (in a hypothetical situation) will not 
be in contact with the ocean bottom during a tow if the regulated 
portion of the net were laid flat on the ocean floor. For the purpose of 
this paragraph (c), head ropes shall not be considered part of the top 
of the regulated portion of a trawl net. A vessel shall not use any 
means or mesh configuration on the top of the regulated portion of the 
net, as defined in Sec. 648.104(e), if it obstructs the meshes of the 
net or otherwise causes the size of the meshes of the net while in use 
to diminish to a size smaller than the minimum specified in Sec. 
648.100(a).
    (d) Mesh obstruction or constriction. (1) A fishing vessel may not 
use any mesh configuration, mesh construction, or other means on or in 
the top of the net, as defined in paragraph (c) of this section, that 
obstructs the meshes of the net in any manner.

[[Page 581]]

    (2) No person on any vessel may possess or fish with a net capable 
of catching summer flounder in which the bars entering or exiting the 
knots twist around each other.
    (e) Stowage of nets. Otter trawl vessels retaining 100 lb (45.3 kg) 
or more of summer flounder from May 1 through October 31, or 200 lb 
(90.6 kg) or more of summer flounder from November 1 through April 30, 
and subject to the minimum mesh size requirement of paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section may not have ``available for immediate use'' any net or any 
piece of net that does not meet the minimum mesh size requirement, or 
any net, or any piece of net, with mesh that is rigged in a manner that 
is inconsistent with the minimum mesh size requirement. A net that is 
stowed in conformance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 
648.23(b) and that can be shown not to have been in recent use is 
considered to be not ``available for immediate use.''
    (f) The minimum net mesh requirement may apply to any portion of the 
net. The minimum mesh size and the portion of the net regulated by the 
minimum mesh size may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 
648.100.

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 63876, Dec. 3, 1997; 69 
FR 62821, Oct. 28, 2004; 70 FR 35046, June 16, 2005; 71 FR 42318, July 
26, 2006]



Sec. 648.105  Possession restrictions.

    (a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Sec. 648.107, no person 
shall possess more than four summer flounder in, or harvested from, the 
EEZ, unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing vessel 
issued a summer flounder moratorium permit, or is issued a summer 
flounder dealer permit. Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is not 
eligible for a summer flounder moratorium permit are subject to this 
possession limit. The owner, operator, and crew of a charter or party 
boat issued a summer flounder moratorium permit are subject to the 
possession limit when carrying passengers for hire or when carrying more 
than five crew members for a party boat, or more than three crew members 
for a charter boat. This possession limit may be adjusted pursuant to 
the procedures in Sec. 648.100.
    (b) If whole summer flounder are processed into fillets, the number 
of fillets will be converted to whole summer flounder at the place of 
landing by dividing the fillet number by two. If summer flounder are 
filleted into single (butterfly) fillets, each fillet is deemed to be 
from one whole summer flounder.
    (c) Summer flounder harvested by vessels subject to the possession 
limit with more than one person on board may be pooled in one or more 
containers. Compliance with the daily possession limit will be 
determined by dividing the number of summer flounder on board by the 
number of persons on board, other than the captain and the crew. If 
there is a violation of the possession limit on board a vessel carrying 
more than one person, the violation shall be deemed to have been 
committed by the owner and operator.
    (d) Owners and operators of otter trawl vessels issued a permit 
under Sec. 648.4(a)(3) that fish with or possess nets or pieces of net 
on board that do not meet the minimum mesh requirements and that are not 
stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.104(e), may not retain 100 lb (45.3 
kg) or more of summer flounder from May 1 through October 31, or 200 lb 
(90.6 kg) or more of summer flounder from November 1 through April 30, 
unless the vessel possesses a valid summer flounder small-mesh exemption 
LOA and is fishing in the exemption area as specified in Sec. 
648.104(b). Summer flounder on board these vessels must be stored so as 
to be readily available for inspection in standard 100-lb (45.3-kg) 
totes or fish boxes having a liquid capacity of 18.2 gal (70 L), or a 
volume of not more than 4,320 in \3\ (2.5 ft \3\ or 70.79 cm \3\).

[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 37157, July 11, 1997; 63 
FR 27868, May 21, 1998; 66 FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 
2002; 68 FR 44236, July 28, 2003; 69 FR 62822, Oct. 28, 2004]



Sec. 648.106  Sea Turtle conservation.

    Sea turtle regulations are found at 50 CFR parts 222 and 223.

[64 FR 57595, Oct. 26, 1999]

[[Page 582]]



Sec. 648.107  Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder fishery.

    (a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational 
fishing measures proposed to be implemented by Massachusetts through 
North Carolina for 2006 are the conservation equivalent of the season, 
minimum fish size, and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec. 
648.102, 648.103, and 648.105(a), respectively. This determination is 
based on a recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic 
States Marine Fisheries Commission.
    (1) Federally permitted vessels subject to the recreational fishing 
measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting 
summer flounder in or from the EEZ and subject to the recreational 
fishing measures of this part, landing summer flounder in a state whose 
fishery management measures are determined by the Regional Administrator 
to be conservation equivalent shall not be subject to the more 
restrictive Federal measures, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 
648.4(b). Those vessels shall be subject to the recreational fishing 
measures implemented by the state in which they land.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Federally permitted vessels subject to the recreational fishing 
measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels subject to 
the recreational fishing measures of this part and registered in states 
whose fishery management measures are not determined by the Regional 
Administrator to be the conservation equivalent of the season, minimum 
size and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec. 648.102, 648.103(b) 
and 648.105(a), respectively, due to the lack of, or the reversal of, a 
conservation equivalent recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of 
the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, shall be subject to the 
following precautionary default measures: Season - January 1 through 
December 31; minimum size - 18 inches (45.7 cm); and possession limit - 
one fish.

[67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 44236, July 28, 2003; 69 
FR 53840, Sept. 3, 2004; 70 FR 35046, June 16, 2005; 71 FR 29256, May 
22, 2006; 71 FR 42318, July 26, 2006]



Sec. 648.108  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    (a) Within season management action. The Council, at any time, may 
initiate action to add or adjust management measures within the Summer 
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP if it finds that action is 
necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
plan.
    (1) Adjustment process. The Council shall develop and analyze 
appropriate management actions over the span of at least two Council 
meetings. The Council must provide the public with advance notice of the 
availability of the recommendation(s), appropriate justification(s) and 
economic and biological analyses, and the opportunity to comment on the 
proposed adjustment(s) at the first meeting and prior to and at the 
second Council meeting. The Council's recommendations on adjustments or 
additions to management measures must come from one or more of the 
following categories: Minimum fish size, maximum fish size, gear 
restrictions, gear requirements or prohibitions, permitting 
restrictions, recreational possession limit, recreational seasons, 
closed areas, commercial seasons, commercial trip limits, commercial 
quota system including commercial quota allocation procedure and 
possible quota set asides to mitigate bycatch, recreational harvest 
limit, annual specification quota setting process, FMP Monitoring 
Committee composition and process, description and identification of 
essential fish habitat (and fishing gear management measures that impact 
EFH), description and identification of habitat areas of particular 
concern, overfishing definition and related thresholds and targets, 
regional gear restrictions, regional season restrictions (including 
option to split seasons), restrictions on vessel size (LOA and GRT) or 
shaft horsepower, operator permits, any other commercial or recreational 
management measures, any other management measures currently included in 
the FMP, and set aside quota for scientific research.
    (2) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to 
the

[[Page 583]]

Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts, and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, it must consider at least the following factors and provide 
support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether the regulations would have to be in place for 
an entire harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) NMFS action. If the Council's recommendation includes 
adjustments or additions to management measures and, if after reviewing 
the Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management measures 
and determines that the recommended management measures should be issued 
as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the Federal 
Register.
    (ii) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as 
a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional public 
comment, if NMFS concurs with the Council recommendation, the measures 
will be issued as a final rule and published in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Council will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (4) Emergency actions. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 57595, Oct. 26, 1999]



           Subpart H_Management Measures for the Scup Fishery

    Source: 61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.120  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    (a) Review. The Scup Monitoring Committee shall review each year the 
following data, subject to availability, unless a TAL already has been 
established for the upcoming calendar year as part of a multiple-year 
specification process, provided that new information does not require a 
modification to the multiple-year quotas: Commercial, recreational, and 
research data; current estimates of fishing mortality; stock status; 
recent estimates of recruitment; virtual population analysis results; 
levels of noncompliance by fishermen or individual states; impact of 
size/mesh regulations; impact of gear on the mortality of scup; and any 
other relevant information. This review will be conducted to determine 
the allowable levels of fishing and other restrictions necessary to 
achieve the F that produces the maximum yield per recruit 
(Fmax).
    (b) Recommended measures. Based on this review and requests for 
research quota as described in paragraph (e) of this section, the Scup 
Monitoring Committee shall recommend the following measures to the 
Demersal Species Committee of the MAFMC and the Commission to ensure 
that the exploitation rate specified in paragraph (a) of this section 
will not be exceeded:
    (1) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of the maximum 
allowed to achieve the specified exploitation rate.
    (2) The commercial quota for each of the three periods specified in 
paragraph

[[Page 584]]

(d)(1) of this section, to be set from a range of 0 to the maximum 
allowed to achieve the specified exploitation rate, set after the 
deduction for research quota. The commercial quota will be established 
by estimating the annual total allowable catch (TAC), allocating it into 
the three periods, and deducting the discard estimates for each period.
    (3) Possession limits for the Winter I and Winter II periods, 
including possession limits that result from potential rollover of quota 
from Winter I to Winter II. The possession limit is the maximum quantity 
of scup that is allowed to be landed within a 24-hour period (calendar 
day).
    (4) Percent of landings attained at which the landing limit for the 
Winter I period will be reduced.
    (5) All scup landed for sale in any state during a quota period 
shall be applied against the coastwide commercial quota for that period, 
regardless of where the scup were harvested, except as provided in 
paragraph (d)(5) of this section.
    (6) Minimum mesh size.
    (7) Recreational possession limit set from a range of 0 to 50 scup 
to achieve the specified exploitation rate, set after the reduction for 
research quota.
    (8) Recreational minimum fish size set from a range of 7 inches 
(17.8 cm) TL to 10 inches (25.4 cm) TL.
    (9) Recreational season.
    (10) Restrictions on gear.
    (11) Season and area closures in the commercial fishery.
    (12) Total allowable landings on an annual basis for a period not to 
exceed 3 years.
    (c) Fishing measures. The Demersal Species Committee shall review 
the recommendations of the Scup Monitoring Committee. Based on these 
recommendations and any public comment, the Demersal Species Committee 
shall recommend to the MAFMC measures necessary to assure that the 
specified exploitation rate will not be exceeded. The MAFMC's 
recommendation must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, 
concerning the environmental and economic impacts of the 
recommendations. The Regional Administrator shall review these 
recommendations and any recommendations of the Commission. After such 
review, NMFS will publish a proposed rule to implement a commercial 
quota in the Federal Register, specifying the amount of quota allocated 
to each of the three periods, possession limits for the Winter I and 
Winter II periods, including possession limits that result from 
potential rollover of quota from Winter I to Winter II, the percentage 
of landings attained during the Winter I fishery at which the possession 
limits will be reduced, a recreational harvest limit, and additional 
management measures for the commercial fishery. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that additional recreational measures are 
necessary to assure that the specified exploitation rate will not be 
exceeded, he or she will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register 
to implement additional management measures for the recreational 
fishery. After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement annual 
measures.
    (d) Distribution of Commercial Quota. (1) The annual commercial 
quota will be allocated into three periods, based on the following 
percentages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Period                              Percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter I--January-April......................................      45.11
Summer--May-October..........................................      38.95
Winter II--November-December.................................      15.94
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The commercial quotas for each period will each be distributed 
to the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina on a coastwide 
basis.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will monitor the harvest of 
commercial quota for the Winter I period based on dealer reports, state 
data, and other available information and shall determine the total 
amount of scup landed during the Winter I period. In any year that the 
Regional Administrator determines that the landings of scup during 
Winter I are less than the Winter I quota for that year, he/she shall 
increase, through publication of a notification in the Federal Register, 
provided such rule complies with the requirements of the Administrative 
Procedure Act, the Winter II quota for that year by the amount of the 
Winter I underharvest. The Regional Administrator shall also adjust, 
through publication of a notification in the Federal

[[Page 585]]

Register, the Winter II possession limits consistent with the amount of 
the quota increase, based on the possession limits established through 
the annual specifications-setting process.
    (4) All scup landed for sale in any state during a quota period 
shall be applied against the coastwide commercial quota for that period, 
regardless of where the scup were harvested, except as provided in 
paragraph (d)(5) of this section. Any current year landings in excess of 
the commercial quota in any quota period will be deducted from that 
quota period's annual quota in the following year as prescribed below:
    (i) For the Winter I and Summer quota periods, landings in excess of 
the allocation will be deducted from the appropriate quota period for 
the following year in the final rule that establishes the annual quota. 
The overage deduction will be based on landings for the current year 
through October 31, and on landings for the previous calendar year that 
were not included when the overage deduction was made in the final rule 
that established the period quotas for the current year. If the Regional 
Administrator determines during the fishing year that any part of an 
overage deduction was based on erroneous landings data that were in 
excess of actual landings for the period concerned, he/she will restore 
the overage that was deducted in error to the appropriate quota 
allocation. The Regional Administrator will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register announcing the restoration.
    (ii) For the Winter II quota period, landings in excess of the 
allocation will be deducted from the Winter II period for the following 
year in a notice published in the Federal Register during July of the 
following year. The overage deduction will be based on landings 
information available for the Winter II period as of June 30 of the 
following year. If the Regional Administrator determines during the 
fishing year that any part of an overage deduction was based on 
erroneous landings data that were in excess of actual landings for the 
period concerned, he/she will restore the overage that was deducted in 
error to the appropriate quota allocation. The Regional Administrator 
will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the 
restoration.
    (5) During a fishing year in which the Winter I quota period is 
closed prior to April 15, a state may apply to the Regional 
Administrator for authorization to count scup landed for sale in that 
state from April 15 through April 30 by state-only permitted vessels 
fishing exclusively in waters under the jurisdiction of that state 
against the Summer period quota. Requests to the Regional Administrator 
to count scup landings in a state from April 15 through April 30 against 
the Summer period quota must be made by letter signed by the principal 
state official with marine fishery management responsibility and 
expertise, or his/her designee, and must be received by the Regional 
Administrator no later than April 15. Within 10 working days following 
receipt of the letter, the Regional Administrator shall notify the 
appropriate state official of the disposition of the request.
    (e) Research quota. See Sec. 648.21(g).

[61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 27984, May 22, 1997; 65 
FR 33497, May 24, 2000; 66 FR 12911, Mar. 1, 2001; 66 FR 42161, Aug. 10, 
2001; 66 FR 45187, Aug. 28, 2001; 67 FR 6880, Feb. 14, 2002; 68 FR 
62253, Nov. 3, 2003; 69 FR 62822, Oct. 28, 2004; 70 FR 310, Jan. 4, 
2005]



Sec. 648.121  Closures.

    (a) Period closures. The Regional Administrator will monitor the 
harvest of commercial quota for each quota period based on dealer 
reports, state data, and other available information and shall determine 
the date when the commercial quota for a period will be harvested. NMFS 
shall close the EEZ to fishing for scup by commercial vessels for the 
remainder of the indicated period by publishing notification in the 
Federal Register advising that, effective upon a specific date, the 
commercial quota for that period has been harvested, and notifying 
vessel and dealer permit holders that no commercial quota is available 
for landing scup for the remainder of the period.
    (b) [Reserved]

[62 FR 27985, May 22, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 33497, May 24, 2000]



Sec. 648.122  Season and area restrictions.

    (a) Southern Gear Restricted Area--(1) Restrictions. From January 1 
through

[[Page 586]]

March 15, all trawl vessels in the Southern Gear Restricted Area that 
fish for or possess non-exempt species as specified in paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section must fish with nets that have a minimum mesh size of 
5.0-inch (12.7-cm) diamond mesh, applied throughout the codend for at 
least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. For trawl 
nets with codends (including an extension) of fewer than 75 meshes, the 
entire trawl net must have a minimum mesh size of 5.0 inches (12.7 cm) 
throughout the net. The Southern Gear Restricted Area is an area bounded 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

                      Southern Gear Restricted Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Point                     N. lat.            W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SGA1..............................  39[deg]20[min]     72[deg]53[min]
SGA2..............................  39[deg]20[min]     72[deg]28[min]
SGA3..............................  38[deg]00[min]     73[deg]58[min]
SGA4..............................  37[deg]00[min]     74[deg]43[min]
SGA5..............................  36[deg]30[min]     74[deg]43[min]
SGA6..............................  36[deg]30[min]     75[deg]03[min]
SGA7..............................  37[deg]00[min]     75[deg]03[min]
SGA8..............................  38[deg]00[min]     74[deg]23[min]
SGA1..............................  39[deg]20[min]     72[deg]53[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Non-exempt species. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (d) 
of this section, the restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section apply only to vessels in the Southern Gear Restricted Area that 
are fishing for or in possession of the following non-exempt species: 
Loligo squid, black sea bass and silver hake (whiting).
    (b) Northern Gear Restricted Area I--(1) Restrictions. From November 
1 through December 31, all trawl vessels in the Northern Gear Restricted 
Area I that fish for or possess non-exempt species as specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 5.0-inch (12.7 cm) diamond mesh, 
applied throughout the codend for at least 75 continuous meshes forward 
of the terminus of the net. For trawl nets with codends (including an 
extension) of fewer than 75 meshes, the entire trawl net must have a 
minimum mesh size of 5.0 inches (12.7 cm) throughout the net. The 
Northern Gear Restricted Area I is an area bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart 
depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request):

                     Northern Gear Restricted Area I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                        N. lat.       W. long
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NGA1........................................  41[deg]00[mi  71[deg]00[mi
                                                        n]            n]
NGA2........................................  41[deg]00[mi  71[deg]30[mi
                                                        n]            n]
NGA3........................................  40[deg]00[mi  72[deg]40[mi
                                                        n]            n]
NGA4........................................  40[deg]00[mi  72[deg]05[mi
                                                        n]            n]
NGA1........................................  41[deg]00[mi  71[deg]00[mi
                                                        n]            n]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Non-exempt species. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (d) 
of this section, the restrictions specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section apply only to vessels in the Northern Gear Restricted Area I 
that are fishing for, or in possession of, the following non-exempt 
species: Loligo squid, black sea bass and silver hake (whiting).
    (c) Transiting. Vessels that are subject to the provisions of the 
Southern and Northern GRAs, as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section, respectively, may transit these areas provided that trawl 
net codends on board of mesh size less than that specified in paragraphs 
(a) and (b) of this section are not available for immediate use and are 
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
    (d) [Reserved]
    (e) Addition or deletion of exemptions. The MAFMC may recommend to 
the Regional Administrator, through the framework procedure specified in 
Sec. 648.108(a), additions or deletions to exemptions for fisheries 
other than scup. A fishery may be restricted or exempted by area, gear, 
season, or other means determined to be appropriate to reduce bycatch of 
scup.
    (f) Exempted experimental fishing. The Regional Administrator may 
issue an exempted experimental fishing permit (EFP) under the provisions 
of Sec. 600.745(b), consistent with paragraph (d)(2) of this section, 
to allow any vessel participating in a scup discard mitigation research 
project to engage in any of the following activities: Fish in the 
applicable gear restriction area, use fishing gear that does not conform 
to the regulations, possess non-exempt species specified in paragraphs 
(a)(2) and (b)(2) of this section, or engage in any other activity 
necessary to project operations for which an exemption

[[Page 587]]

from regulatory provision is required. Vessels issued an EFP must comply 
with all conditions and restrictions specified in the EFP.
    (1) A vessel participating in an exempted experimental fishery in 
the Scup Gear Restriction Area(s) must carry an EFP authorizing the 
activity and any required Federal fishery permit on board.
    (2) The Regional Administrator may not issue an EFP unless s/he 
determines that issuance is consistent with the objectives of the FMP, 
the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law and 
will not:
    (i) Have a detrimental effect on the scup resource and fishery;
    (ii) Cause the quotas for any species of fish for any quota period 
to be exceeded;
    (iii) Create significant enforcement problems; or
    (iv) Have a detrimental effect on the scup discard mitigation 
research project.
    (g) Time restrictions. Vessels that are not eligible for a 
moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(6), and fishermen subject to the 
possession limit, may not possess scup, except from January 1 through 
the last day of February, and from September 18 through November 30. 
This time period may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 
648.120.

[65 FR 33497, May 24, 2000, as amended at 65 FR 81765, Dec. 27, 2000; 66 
FR 12911, Mar. 1, 2001; 66 FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 67 FR 50372, Aug. 2, 
2002; 68 FR 68, Jan. 2, 2003; 68 FR 12814, Mar. 18, 2003; 68 FR 44236, 
July 28, 2003; 69 FR 41983, July 13, 2004; 70 FR 311, Jan. 4, 2005; 70 
FR 35046, June 16, 2005]



Sec. 648.123  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Trawl vessel gear restrictions--(1) Minimum mesh size. No owner 
or operator of an otter trawl vessel that is issued a scup moratorium 
permit may possess 500 lb (226.8 kg) or more of scup from November 1 
through April 30, or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from May 1 through 
October 31, unless fishing with nets that have a minimum mesh size of 
5.0-inch (12.7-cm) diamond mesh, applied throughout the codend for at 
least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net, and all 
other nets are stowed in accordance with Sec. 648.23(b)(1). For trawl 
nets with codends (including an extension) of fewer than 75 meshes, the 
entire trawl net must have a minimum mesh size of 5.0 inches (12.7 cm) 
throughout the net. Scup on board these vessels must be stowed 
separately and kept readily available for inspection. Measurement of 
nets will be in conformity with Sec. 648.80(f)(2)(ii).
    (2) Mesh-size measurement. Mesh sizes will be measured according to 
the procedure specified in Sec. 648.104(a)(2).
    (3) Net modification. The owner or operator of a fishing vessel 
subject to the minimum mesh requirements in Sec. 648.122 and paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section shall not use any device, gear, or material, 
including, but not limited to, nets, net strengtheners, ropes, lines, or 
chafing gear, on the top of the regulated portion of a trawl net. 
However, one splitting strap and one bull rope (if present), consisting 
of line or rope no more than 3 inches (7.2 cm) in diameter, may be used 
if such splitting strap and/or bull rope does not constrict in any 
manner the top of the regulated portion of the net, and one rope no 
greater that 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) in diameter extending the length of 
the net from the belly to the terminus of the codend along the top, 
bottom, and each side of the net. ``Top of the regulated portion of the 
net'' means the 50 percent of the entire regulated portion of the net 
that (in a hypothetical situation) will not be in contact with the ocean 
bottom during a tow if the regulated portion of the net were laid flat 
on the ocean floor. For the purpose of this paragraph (a)(3), head ropes 
are not considered part of the top of the regulated portion of a trawl 
net.
    (4) Mesh obstruction or constriction. (i) The owner or operator of a 
fishing vessel subject to the minimum mesh restrictions in Sec. 648.122 
and in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not use any mesh 
construction, mesh configuration, or other means on, in, or attached to 
the top of the regulated portion of the net, as defined in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section, if it obstructs or constricts the meshes of the 
net in any manner.
    (ii) The owner or operator of a fishing vessel subject to the 
minimum mesh requirements in Sec. 648.122 and in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section may not use

[[Page 588]]

a net capable of catching scup if the bars entering or exiting the knots 
twist around each other.
    (5) Stowage of nets. The owner or operator of an otter trawl vessel 
retaining 500 lb (226.8 kg) or more of scup from November 1 through 
April 30, or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from May 1 through October 
31, and subject to the minimum mesh requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, and the owner or operator of a midwater trawl or other 
trawl vessel subject to the minimum size requirement in Sec. 648.122, 
may not have available for immediate use any net, or any piece of net, 
not meeting the minimum mesh size requirement, or mesh that is rigged in 
a manner that is inconsistent with the minimum mesh size. A net that is 
stowed in conformance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23 
(b), and that can be shown not to have been in recent use, is considered 
to be not available for immediate use.
    (6) Roller gear. The owner or operator of an otter trawl vessel 
issued a moratorium permit pursuant to Sec. 648.4(a)(6) shall not use 
roller rig trawl gear equipped with rollers greater than 18 inches (45.7 
cm) in diameter.
    (7) Procedures for changes. The minimum net mesh and the threshold 
catch level at which it is required set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, and the maximum roller diameter set forth in paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section, may be changed following the procedures in Sec. 
648.120.
    (b) Pot and trap gear restrictions. Owners or operators of vessels 
subject to this part must fish with scup pots or traps that comply with 
the following:
    (1) Degradable hinges. A scup pot or trap must have degradable 
hinges and fasteners made of one of the following degradable materials:
    (i) Untreated hemp, jute, or cotton string of \3/16\ inches (4.8 mm) 
diameter or smaller;
    (ii) Magnesium alloy, timed float releases (pop-up devices) or 
similar magnesium alloy fasteners; or
    (iii) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire of 0.094 inches (2.4 mm) 
diameter or smaller.
    (2) Escape vents. (i) All scup pots or traps that have a circular 
escape vent with a minimum of 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) in diameter, or a 
square escape vent with a minimum of 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) for each side, 
or an equivalent rectangular escape vent.
    (ii) The minimum escape vent size set forth in paragraph (b)(2)(i) 
of this section may be revised following the procedures in Sec. 
648.120.
    (3) Pot and trap identification. Pots or traps used in fishing for 
scup must be marked with a code of identification that may be the number 
assigned by the Regional Administrator and/or the identification marking 
as required by the vessel's home port state.

[61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 56126, Oct. 31, 1996; 
62 FR 12107, Mar. 14, 1997; 63 FR 72215, Dec. 31, 1998; 65 FR 33498, May 
24, 2000; 66 FR 12911, Mar. 1, 2001; 66 FR 66357, Dec. 26, 2001; 69 FR 
16179, Mar. 29, 2004; 70 FR 311, Jan. 4, 2005; 70 FR 35046, June 16, 
2005]



Sec. 648.124  Minimum fish sizes.

    (a) The minimum size for scup is 9 inches (22.9 cm) TL for all 
vessels issued a moratorium permit under Sec. 648.4(a)(6). If such a 
vessel is also issued a charter and party boat permit and is carrying 
passengers for hire, or carrying more than three crew members if a 
charter boat, or more than five crew members if a party boat, then the 
minimum size specified in paragraph (b) of this section applies.
    (b) The minimum size for scup is 10 inches (25.4 cm) TL for all 
vessels that do not have a moratorium permit, or for party and charter 
vessels that are issued a moratorium permit but are fishing with 
passengers for hire, or carrying more than three crew members if a 
charter boat, or more than five crew members if a party boat.
    (c) The minimum size applies to whole fish or any part of a fish 
found in possession, e.g., fillets. These minimum sizes may be adjusted 
pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.120.

[61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 
67 FR 50373, Aug. 2, 2002]



Sec. 648.125  Possession limit.

    (a) No person shall possess more than 50 scup in, or harvested from, 
the EEZ unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing vessel 
issued a scup moratorium permit, or is issued a scup

[[Page 589]]

dealer permit. Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible 
for a scup moratorium permit are subject to this possession limit. The 
owner, operator, and crew of a charter or party boat issued a scup 
moratorium permit are subject to the possession limit when carrying 
passengers for hire or when carrying more than five crew members for a 
party boat, or more than three crew members for a charter boat. This 
possession limit may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 
648.120.
    (b) If whole scup are processed into fillets, an authorized officer 
will convert the number of fillets to whole scup at the place of landing 
by dividing fillet number by 2. If scup are filleted into a single 
(butterfly) fillet, such fillet shall be deemed to be from one whole 
scup.
    (c) Scup harvested by vessels subject to the possession limit with 
more than one person aboard may be pooled in one or more containers. 
Compliance with the daily possession limit will be determined by 
dividing the number of scup on board by the number of persons aboard 
other than the captain and crew. If there is a violation of the 
possession limit on board a vessel carrying more than one person, the 
violation shall be deemed to have been committed by the owner and 
operator.
    (d) Scup and scup parts harvested by a vessel with a moratorium or 
charter or party boat scup permit, or in or from the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., may not be landed with the skin removed.

[61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 
67 FR 50373, Aug. 2, 2002; 68 FR 44236, July 28, 2003]



Sec. 648.126  Protection of threatened and endangered sea turtles.

    This section supplements existing regulations issued to regulate 
incidental take of sea turtles under authority of the Endangered Species 
Act under 50 CFR parts 222 and 223. In addition to the measures required 
under those parts, NMFS will investigate the extent of take in flynet 
gear and if deemed appropriate, may develop and certify a Turtle 
Excluder Device for that gear.

[61 FR 43426, Aug. 23, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 14077, Mar. 23, 1999]



Sec. 648.127  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    (a) Within season management action. See Sec. 648.108(a).
    (1) Adjustment process. See Sec. 648.108(a)(1).
    (2) Council recommendation. See Sec. 648.108(a)(2)(i) through (iv).
    (3) NMFS action. See Sec. 648.108(a)(i) through (iii).
    (4) Emergency actions. See Sec. 648.108(a)(4).
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 57595, Oct. 26, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 66587, Nov. 29, 1999]



      Subpart I_Management Measures for the Black Sea Bass Fishery

    Source: 61 FR 58467, Nov. 15, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.140  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    (a) Review. The Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee shall review 
each year the following data, subject to availability, unless a TAL 
already has been established for the upcoming calendar year as part of a 
multiple-year specification process, provided that new information does 
not require a modification to the multiple-year quotas, to determine the 
allowable levels of fishing and other restrictions necessary to result 
in a target exploitation rate of 23 percent (based on Fmax) 
in 2003 and subsequent years: Commercial, recreational, and research 
catch data; current estimates of fishing mortality; stock status; recent 
estimates of recruitment; virtual population analysis results; levels of 
noncompliance by fishermen or individual states; impact of size/mesh 
regulations; sea sampling and winter trawl survey data, or if sea 
sampling data are unavailable, length frequency information from the 
winter trawl survey and mesh selectivity analyses; impact of gear other 
than otter trawls, pots and traps on the

[[Page 590]]

mortality of black sea bass; and any other relevant information.
    (b) Recommended measures. Based on this review and requests for 
research quota as described in paragraph (e) of this section, the Black 
Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will recommend to the Demersal Species 
Committee of the Council and the Commission the following measures to 
ensure that the target exploitation rate specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section is not exceeded:
    (1) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of the maximum 
allowed to achieve the specified exploitation rate.
    (2) A commercial quota allocated annually, set from a range of zero 
to the maximum allowed to achieve the specified target exploitation 
rate, set after the deduction for research quota.
    (3) A commercial possession limit for all moratorium vessels may be 
set from a range of zero to the maximum allowed to assure that the 
annual coastwide quota is not exceeded, with the provision that these 
quantities be the maximum allowed to be landed within a 24-hour period 
(calendar day).
    (4) Commercial minimum fish size.
    (5) Minimum mesh size in the codend or throughout the net and the 
catch threshold that will require compliance with the minimum mesh 
requirement.
    (6) Escape vent size.
    (7) A recreational possession limit set from a range of 0 to the 
maximum allowed to achieve the target exploitation rate, set after the 
reduction for research quota.
    (8) Recreational minimum fish size.
    (9) Recreational season. This measure may be adjusted beginning in 
1998.
    (10) Restrictions on gear other than otter trawls and pots or traps.
    (11) Total allowable landings on an annual basis for a period not to 
exceed 3 years.
    (c) Fishing measures. The Demersal Species Committee shall review 
the recommendations of the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee. Based on 
these recommendations and any public comment, the Demersal Species 
Committee shall make its recommendations to the Council with respect to 
the measures necessary to assure that the target exploitation rate 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section is not exceeded. The Council 
shall review these recommendations and, based on the recommendations and 
public comment, make recommendations to the Regional Administrator with 
respect to the measures necessary to assure that the target exploitation 
rate specified in paragraph (a) of this section is not exceeded. 
Included in the recommendation will be supporting documents, as 
appropriate, concerning the environmental and economic impacts of the 
final rule. The Regional Administrator will review these recommendations 
and any recommendations of the Commission. After such review, the 
Regional Administrator will publish a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register to implement a commercial quota, a recreational harvest limit, 
and additional management measures for the commercial fishery. If the 
Regional Administrator determines that additional recreational measures 
are necessary to assure that the target exploitation rate specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section will not be exceeded, he or she will 
publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register to implement additional 
management measures for the recreational fishery. After considering 
public comment, the Regional Administrator will publish a final rule in 
the Federal Register to implement the measures necessary to assure that 
the target exploitation rate specified in paragraph (a) of this section 
is not exceeded.
    (d) Distribution of annual quota. (1) Beginning on March 31, 2003, a 
commercial annual coastwide quota will be allocated to the commercial 
black sea bass fishery.
    (2) All black sea bass landed for sale in the states from North 
Carolina through Maine by a vessel with a moratorium permit issued under 
Sec. 648.4(a)(7) shall be applied against the commercial annual 
coastwide quota, regardless of where the black sea bass were harvested. 
All black sea bass harvested north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat., and 
landed for sale in the states from North Carolina through Maine by any 
vessel without a moratorium permit and fishing exclusively in state 
waters will be counted against the quota by the state in which it is 
landed, pursuant to the Fishery

[[Page 591]]

Management Plan for the Black Sea Bass Fishery adopted by the 
Commission. The Regional Administrator will determine the date on which 
the annual coastwide quota will have been harvested; beginning on that 
date and through the end of the calendar year, the EEZ north of 
35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. will be closed to the possession of black sea 
bass. The Regional Administrator will publish notification in the 
Federal Register advising that, upon, and after, that date, no vessel 
may possess black sea bass in the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3[min] N. lat. 
during a closure, nor may vessels issued a moratorium permit land black 
sea bass during the closure. Individual states will have the 
responsibility to close their ports to landings of black sea bass during 
a closure, pursuant to the Fishery Management Plan for the Black Sea 
Bass Fishery adopted by the Commission.
    (3) Landings in excess of the annual coastwide quota will be 
deducted from the quota allocation for the following year in the final 
rule that establishes the annual quota. The overage deduction will be 
based on landings for the current year through September 30, and 
landings for the previous calendar year that were not included when the 
overage deduction was made in the final rule that established the annual 
coastwide quota for the current year. If the Regional Administrator 
determines during the fishing year that any part of an overage deduction 
was based on erroneous landings data that were in excess of actual 
landings for the period concerned, he/she will restore the overage that 
was deducted in error to the appropriate quota allocation. The Regional 
Administrator will publish notification in the Federal Register 
announcing the restoration.
    (e) Research quota. See Sec. 648.21(g).

[61 FR 58467, Nov. 15, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 12911, Mar. 1, 2001; 66 
FR 42161, Aug. 10, 2001; 67 FR 6881, Feb. 14, 2002; 68 FR 10183, Mar. 4, 
2003; 69 FR 62822, Oct. 28, 2004; 70 FR 311, Jan. 4, 2005]



Sec. 648.141  Closure.

    EEZ closure. The Regional Administrator shall close the EEZ to 
fishing for black sea bass by commercial vessels issued a moratorium 
permit for the remainder of the calendar year by publishing notification 
in the Federal Register if he or she determines that the action or 
inaction of one or more states will cause the applicable target 
exploitation rate specified in Sec. 648.140(a) to be exceeded. The 
Regional Administrator may reopen the EEZ if earlier action or inaction 
by a state has been remedied by that state without causing the 
applicable specified target exploitation rate to be exceeded.



Sec. 648.142  Time restrictions.

    Vessels that are not eligible for a moratorium permit under Sec. 
648.4(a)(7), and fishermen subject to the possession limit may possess 
black sea bass from January 1 through December 31, unless this time 
period is adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.140.

[70 FR 35046, June 16, 2005]



Sec. 648.143  Minimum sizes.

    (a) The minimum size for black sea bass is 11 inches (27.94 cm) 
total length for all vessels issued a moratorium permit under Sec. 
648.4 (a)(7) that fish for, possess, land or retain black sea bass in or 
from U.S. waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from 35[min] 15.3 N. 
Lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina, northward to 
the U.S.-Canadian border. The minimum size may be adjusted for 
commercial vessels pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.140.
    (b) The minimum size for black sea bass is 12 inches (30.5 cm) TL 
for all vessels that do not qualify for a moratorium permit, and for 
party boats holding a moratorium permit, if fishing with passengers for 
hire or carrying more than five crew members, and for charter boats 
holding a moratorium permit, if fishing with more than three crew 
members. The minimum size may be adjusted for recreational vessels 
pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.140.
    (c) The minimum size in this section applies to the whole fish or 
any part of a fish found in possession (e.g., fillets), except that 
party or charter vessels possessing valid state permits authorizing 
filleting at sea may possess fillets smaller than the size specified if 
skin

[[Page 592]]

remains on the fillet and all other state requirements are met.

[61 FR 58467, Nov. 15, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 27868, May 21, 1998; 66 
FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 66 FR 66357, Dec. 26, 2001; 67 FR 50373, Aug. 
2, 2002; 68 FR 44236, July 28, 2003]



Sec. 648.144  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Trawl gear restrictions--(1) General. (i) Otter trawlers whose 
owners are issued a black sea bass moratorium permit and that land or 
possess 500 lb (226.8 kg) or more of black sea bass from January 1 
through March 31, or 100 lb (45.4 kg) or more of black sea bass from 
April 1 through December 31, must fish with nets that have a minimum 
mesh size of 4.5 inch (11.43-cm) diamond mesh applied throughout the 
codend for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the 
net, or for codends with less than 75 meshes, the entire net must have a 
minimum mesh size of 4.5 inch (11.43-cm) diamond mesh throughout.
    (ii) Mesh sizes shall be measured pursuant to the procedure 
specified in Sec. 648.104(a)(2).
    (2) Net modifications. No vessel subject to this part shall use any 
device, gear, or material, including, but not limited to nets, net 
strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing gear, on the top of the 
regulated portion of a trawl net; except that, one splitting strap and 
one bull rope (if present) consisting of line or rope no more than 3 
inches (7.6 cm) in diameter may be used if such splitting strap and/or 
bull rope does not constrict, in any manner, the top of the regulated 
portion of the net, and one rope no greater than 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) in 
diameter extending the length of the net from the belly to the terminus 
of the codend along the top, bottom, and each side of the net. ``Top of 
the regulated portion of the net'' means the 50 percent of the entire 
regulated portion of the net that (in a hypothetical situation) will not 
be in contact with the ocean bottom during a tow if the regulated 
portion of the net were laid flat on the ocean floor. For the purpose of 
this paragraph, head ropes shall not be considered part of the top of 
the regulated portion of a trawl net.
    (3) Mesh obstruction or constriction. (i) A fishing vessel may not 
use any mesh configuration, mesh construction, or other means on or in 
the top of the net, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, that 
obstructs the meshes of the net in any manner, or otherwise causes the 
size of the meshes of the net while in use to diminish to a size smaller 
than the minimum established pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (ii) No person on any vessel may possess or fish with a net capable 
of catching black sea bass in which the bars entering or exiting the 
knots twist around each other.
    (4) Stowage of nets. Otter trawl vessels subject to the minimum 
mesh-size requirement of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section may not 
have ``available for immediate use'' any net or any piece of net that 
does not meet the minimum mesh size requirement, or any net, or any 
piece of net, with mesh that is rigged in a manner that is inconsistent 
with the minimum mesh size requirement. A net that is stowed in 
conformance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.23(b) and 
that can be shown not to have been in recent use, is considered to be 
not ``available for immediate use.''
    (5) Roller gear. Rollers used in roller rig or rock hopper trawl 
gear shall be no larger than 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter.
    (b) Pot and trap gear restrictions--(1) Gear marking. The owner of a 
vessel issued a black sea bass moratorium permit must mark all black sea 
bass pots or traps with the vessel's USCG documentation number or state 
registration number.
    (2) All black sea bass traps or pots must have an escape vent placed 
in a lower corner of the parlor portion of the pot or trap that complies 
with one of the following minimum sizes: 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) by 5.75 
inches (14.61 cm); or a circular vent 2.375 inches (6.03 cm) in 
diameter; or a square vent with sides of 2 inches (5.08 cm), inside 
measure; however, black sea bass traps constructed of wooden lathes may 
have instead an escape vent constructed by leaving a space of at least 
1.375 inches (3.49 cm) between one set of lathes in the parlor portion 
of the trap. These dimensions for escape vents and lathe

[[Page 593]]

spacing may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.140.
    (3) Ghost panel. Black sea bass traps or pots must contain a ghost 
panel affixed to the trap or pot with degradable fasteners and hinges. 
The opening to be covered by the ghost panel must measure at least 3.0 
inches (7.62 cm) by 6.0 inches (15.24 cm). The ghost panel must be 
affixed to the pot or trap with hinges and fasteners made of one of the 
following degradable materials:
    (i) Untreated hemp, jute, or cotton string of 3/16 inches (4.8 mm) 
diameter or smaller; or
    (ii) Magnesium alloy, timed float releases (pop-up devices) or 
similar magnesium alloy fasteners; or
    (iii) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire of 0.094 inches (2.4 mm) 
diameter or smaller.

[61 FR 58467, Nov. 15, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 25138, May 8, 1997; 62 
FR 66310, Dec. 18, 1997; 66 FR 66357, Dec. 26, 2001]

    Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 77067, Dec. 29, 2005, Sec. 648.144 
was amended by revising paragraph (b)(2), effective Jan. 1, 2007. For 
the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec. 648.144  Gear restrictions.

                                * * * * *

    (b) * * *
    (2) All black sea bass traps or pots must have two escape vents 
placed in lower corners of the parlor portion of the pot or trap that 
each comply with one of the following minimum size requirements: 1.375 
inches by 5.75 inches (3.49 cm by 14.61 cm); a circular vent of 2.5 
inches (6.4 cm) in diameter; or a square vent with sides of 2 inches 
(5.1 cm), inside measure; however, black sea bass traps constructed of 
wooden laths may have instead escape vents constructed by leaving spaces 
of at least 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) between two sets of laths in the 
parlor portion of the trap. These dimensions for escape vents and lath 
spacing may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.140.

                                * * * * *



Sec. 648.145  Possession limit.

    (a) No person shall possess more than 25 black sea bass in, or 
harvested from the EEZ unless that person is the owner or operator of a 
fishing vessel issued a black sea bass moratorium permit, or is issued a 
black sea bass dealer permit. Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is 
not eligible for a black sea bass moratorium permit are subject to this 
possession limit. The owner, operator, and crew of a charter or party 
boat issued a black sea bass moratorium permit are subject to the 
possession limit when carrying passengers for hire or when carrying more 
than five crew members for a party boat, or more than three crew members 
for a charter boat. This possession limit may be adjusted pursuant to 
the procedures in Sec. 648.140.
    (b) If whole black sea bass are processed into fillets, an 
authorized officer will convert the number of fillets to whole black sea 
bass at the place of landing by dividing fillet number by two. If black 
sea bass are filleted into a single (butterfly) fillet, such fillet 
shall be deemed to be from one whole black sea bass.
    (c) Black sea bass harvested by vessels subject to the possession 
limit with more than one person aboard may be pooled in one or more 
containers. Compliance with the daily possession limit will be 
determined by dividing the number of black sea bass on board by the 
number of persons aboard, other than the captain and the crew. If there 
is a violation of the possession limit on board a vessel carrying more 
than one person, the violation shall be deemed to have been committed by 
the owner and operator.
    (d) Owners or operators of otter trawl vessels issued a moratorium 
permit under Sec. 648.4 (a)(7) and fishing with, or possessing on 
board, nets or pieces of net that do not meet the minimum mesh 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.144(a) and that are not stowed in 
accordance with Sec. 648.144 (a)(4), may not retain more than 500 lb 
(226.8 kg) of black sea bass from January 1 through March 31, or more 
than 100 lb (45.4 kg) of black sea bass from April 1 through December 
31. Black sea bass on board these vessels shall be stored so as to be 
readily available for inspection in a standard 100-lb (45.4 kg) tote.

[61 FR 58467, Nov. 15, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 11160, Mar. 6, 1998; 66 
FR 39292, July 30, 2001; 66 FR 66358, Dec. 26, 2001]

[[Page 594]]



Sec. 648.146  Special management zones.

    The recipient of a 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 Council as a special management zone (SMZ). The SMZ 
will prohibit or restrain the use of specific types of fishing gear that 
are not compatible with the intent of the artificial reef or fish 
attraction device or other habitat modification. The establishment of an 
SMZ will be effected by a regulatory amendment pursuant to the following 
procedure:
    (a) A SMZ monitoring team comprised of members of staff from the 
Mid-Atlantic FMC, NMFS Northeast Region, and NMFS Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center will evaluate the request in the form of 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 Fishery 
Management Plan for the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass 
fisheries, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    (5) The natural bottom in and surrounding potential SMZs.
    (6) Impacts on historical uses.
    (b) The Council Chairman may schedule meetings of Industry Advisors 
and/or the Scientific and Statistical Committee to review the report and 
associated documents and to advise the Council. The Council Chairman may 
also schedule public hearings.
    (c) The Council, following review of the SMZ monitoring teams's 
report, supporting data, public comments, and other relevant 
information, may recommend to the Regional Administrator that a SMZ be 
approved. Such a recommendation will be accompanied by all relevant 
background information.
    (d) The Regional Administrator will review the Council's 
recommendation. If the Regional Administrator concurs in the 
recommendation, he or she will publish a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register in accordance with the recommendations. If the Regional 
Administrator rejects the Council's recommendation, he or she shall 
advise the Council in writing of the basis for the rejection.
    (e) The proposed rule shall afford a reasonable period for public 
comment. Following a review of public comments and any information or 
data not previously available, the Regional Administrator will publish a 
final rule if he or she determines that the establishment of the SMZ is 
supported by the substantial weight of evidence in the administrative 
record and consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable 
law.



Sec. 648.147  Framework adjustments to management measures.

    (a) Within season management action. See Sec. 648.108(a).
    (1) Adjustment process. See Sec. 648.108(a)(1).
    (2) Council recommendation. See Sec. 648.108(a)(2)(i) through (iv).
    (3) Regional Administrator action. See Sec. 648.108(a)(i) through 
(iii).
    (4) Emergency actions. See Sec. 648.108(a)(4).
    (b) [Reserved]

[64 FR 57595, Oct. 26, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 66587, Nov. 29, 1999]



     Subpart J_Management Measures for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery

    Source: 65 FR 45852, July 26, 2000, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.160  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    The fishing year is from January 1 through December 31.
    (a) Annual review. On or before August 15 of each year, the Bluefish 
Monitoring Committee will meet to determine the total allowable level of 
landings (TAL) and other restrictions necessary to achieve the target 
fishing mortality rate (F) specified in the Fishery Management Plan for 
Atlantic Bluefish for the upcoming fishing year or the estimated F for 
the fishing year preceding the Council submission of the recommended 
specifications, whichever F is lower. In determining the TAL and other 
restrictions necessary to achieve the specified F, the

[[Page 595]]

Bluefish Monitoring Committee will review the following data, subject to 
availability: Commercial, recreational, and research catch data; current 
estimates of fishing mortality; stock status; recent estimates of 
recruitment; virtual population analysis results; levels of 
noncompliance by fishermen or individual states; impact of size/mesh 
regulations; sea sampling data; impact of gear other than otter trawls 
and gill nets on the mortality of bluefish; and any other relevant 
information.
    (b) Recommended measures. Based on the annual review and requests 
for research quota as described in paragraph (h) of this section, the 
Bluefish Monitoring Committee shall recommend to the Coastal Migratory 
Committee of the Council and the Commission the following measures to 
ensure that the F specified in paragraph (a) of this section will not be 
exceeded:
    (1) A TAL set from a range of 0 to the maximum allowed to achieve 
the specified F.
    (2) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of TAL.
    (3) Commercial minimum fish size.
    (4) Minimum mesh size.
    (5) Recreational possession limit set from a range of 0 to 20 
bluefish to achieve the specified F.
    (6) Recreational minimum fish size.
    (7) Recreational season.
    (8) Restrictions on gear other than otter trawls and gill nets.
    (c) Allocation of TAL--(1) Recreational harvest limit. A total of 83 
percent of the TAL will be allocated to the recreational fishery as a 
harvest limit. If research quota is specified as described in paragraph 
(h) of this section, the recreational harvest limit will be based on the 
TAL remaining after the deduction of the research quota.
    (2) Commercial quota. A total of 17 percent of the TAL will be 
allocated to the commercial fishery as a quota. If 17 percent of the TAL 
is less than 10.5 million lb (4.8 million kg) and the recreational 
fishery is not projected to land its harvest limit for the upcoming 
year, the commercial fishery may be allocated up to 10.5 million lb (4.8 
million kg) as its quota, provided that the combination of the projected 
recreational landings and the commercial quota does not exceed the TAL. 
If research quota is specified as described in paragraph (h) of this 
section, the commercial quota will be based on the TAL remaining after 
the deduction of the research quota.
    (d) Annual fishing measures. The Council's Coastal Migratory 
Committee shall review the recommendations of the Bluefish Monitoring 
Committee. Based on these recommendations and any public comment, the 
Coastal Migratory Committee shall recommend to the Council measures 
necessary to ensure that the applicable specified F will not be 
exceeded. The Council shall review these recommendations and, based on 
the recommendations and any public comment, recommend to the Regional 
Administrator by September 1 measures necessary to ensure that the 
applicable specified F will not be exceeded. The Council's 
recommendations must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, 
concerning the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the 
recommendations. The Regional Administrator shall review these 
recommendations and any recommendations of the Commission. After such 
review, NMFS will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on or 
about October 15, to implement a research quota, a coastwide commercial 
quota, a recreational harvest limit, and additional management measures 
for the commercial and recreational fisheries to ensure that the 
applicable specified F will not be exceeded. After considering public 
comment, NMFS will publish a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (e) Distribution of annual commercial quota. (1) The annual 
commercial quota will be distributed to the states, based upon the 
following percentages:

                     Annual Commercial Quota Shares
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        State                              Percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ME...................................................             0.6685
NH...................................................             0.4145
MA...................................................             6.7167
RI...................................................             6.8081
CT...................................................             1.2663
NY...................................................            10.3851
NJ...................................................            14.8162
DE...................................................             1.8782
MD...................................................             3.0018
VA...................................................            11.8795
NC...................................................            32.0608
SC...................................................             0.0352

[[Page 596]]

 
GA...................................................             0.0095
FL...................................................            10.0597
TOTAL................................................          100.0000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The ``Total'' does not actually add up to 100.0000 because of
  rounding error.

    (2) All bluefish landed for sale in a state shall be applied against 
that state's annual commercial quota, regardless of where the bluefish 
were harvested. Any overages of the commercial quota landed in any state 
will be deducted from that state's annual quota for the following year.
    (f) Quota transfers and combinations. Any state implementing a state 
commercial quota for bluefish may request approval from the Regional 
Administrator to transfer part or all of its annual quota to one or more 
states. Two or more states implementing a state commercial quota for 
bluefish may request approval from the Regional Administrator to combine 
their quotas, or part of their quotas, into an overall regional quota. 
Requests for transfer or combination of commercial quotas for bluefish 
must be made by individual or joint letter(s) signed by the principal 
state official with marine fishery management responsibility and 
expertise, or his/her previously named designee, for each state 
involved. The letter(s) must certify that all pertinent state 
requirements have been met and identify the states involved and the 
amount of quota to be transferred or combined.
    (1) Within 10 working days following the receipt of the letter(s) 
from the states involved, the Regional Administrator shall notify the 
appropriate state officials of the disposition of the request. In 
evaluating requests to transfer a quota or combine quotas, the Regional 
Administrator shall consider whether:
    (i) The transfer or combination would preclude the overall annual 
quota from being fully harvested.
    (ii) The transfer addresses an unforeseen variation or contingency 
in the fishery.
    (iii) The transfer is consistent with the objectives of the Bluefish 
FMP and Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (2) The transfer of quota or the combination of quotas will be valid 
only for the calendar year for which the request was made.
    (3) A state may not submit a request to transfer quota or combine 
quotas if a request to which it is party is pending before the Regional 
Administrator. A state may submit a new request when it receives 
notification that the Regional Administrator has disapproved the 
previous request or when notification of the approval of the transfer or 
combination has been published in the Federal Register.
    (4) If there is a quota overage among states involved in the 
combination of quotas at the end of the fishing year, the overage will 
be deducted from the following year's quota for each of the states 
involved in the combined quota. The deduction will be proportional, 
based on each state's relative share of the combined quota for the 
previous year. A transfer of quota or combination of quotas does not 
alter any state's percentage share of the overall quota specified in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    (g) Based upon any changes in the landings data available from the 
states for the base years 1981-89, the Commission and the Council may 
recommend to the Regional Administrator that the states' shares 
specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section be revised. The Council's 
and the Commission's recommendation must include supporting 
documentation, as appropriate, concerning the environmental and economic 
impacts of the recommendation. The Regional Administrator shall review 
the recommendation of the Commission and the Council. After such review, 
NMFS will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register to implement a 
revision in the state shares. After considering public comment, NMFS 
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement the 
changes in allocation.
    (h) Research quota. See Sec. 648.21(g).

[65 FR 45852, July 26, 2000, as amended at 66 FR 42162, Aug. 10, 2001; 
70 FR 53970, Sept. 13, 2005]

[[Page 597]]



Sec. 648.161  Closures.

    (a) EEZ closure. NMFS shall close the EEZ to fishing for bluefish by 
commercial vessels for the remainder of the calendar year by publishing 
notification in the Federal Register if the Regional Administrator 
determines that the inaction of one or more states will cause the 
applicable F specified in Sec. 648.160(a) to be exceeded, or if the 
commercial fisheries in all states have been closed. NMFS may reopen the 
EEZ if earlier inaction by a state has been remedied by that state, or 
if commercial fisheries in one or more states have been reopened without 
causing the applicable specified F to be exceeded.
    (b) State quotas. The Regional Administrator will monitor state 
commercial quotas based on dealer reports and other available 
information and shall determine the date when a state commercial quota 
will be harvested. NMFS shall publish notification in the Federal 
Register advising a state that, effective upon a specific date, its 
commercial quota has been harvested and notifying vessel and dealer 
permit holders that no commercial quota is available for landing 
bluefish in that state.



Sec. 648.162  Minimum fish sizes.

    If the Council determines through its annual review or framework 
adjustment process that minimum fish sizes are necessary to assure that 
the fishing mortality rate is not exceeded, or to attain other FMP 
objective, such measures will be enacted through the procedure specified 
in Sec. 648.160(d) or 648.165.



Sec. 648.163  Gear restrictions.

    If the Council determines through its annual review or framework 
adjustment process that gear restrictions are necessary to assure that 
the fishing mortality rate is not exceeded, or to attain other FMP 
objectives, such measures will be enacted through the procedure 
specified in Sec. Sec. 648.160(d) or 648.165.



Sec. 648.164  Possession restrictions.

    (a) No person shall possess more than 15 bluefish in, or harvested 
from, the EEZ unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing 
vessel issued a bluefish commercial permit or is issued a bluefish 
dealer permit. Persons aboard a vessel that is not issued a bluefish 
commercial permit are subject to this possession limit. The owner, 
operator, and crew of a charter or party boat issued a bluefish 
commercial permit are not subject to the possession limit when not 
carrying passengers for hire and when the crew size does not exceed five 
for a party boat and three for a charter boat.
    (b) Bluefish harvested by vessels subject to the possession limit 
with more than one person on board may be pooled in one or more 
containers. Compliance with the daily possession limit will be 
determined by dividing the number of bluefish on board by the number of 
persons on board, other than the captain and the crew. If there is a 
violation of the possession limit on board a vessel carrying more than 
one person, the violation shall be deemed to have been committed by the 
owner and operator.

[65 FR 45852, July 26, 2000, as amended at 66 FR 23627, May 9, 2001]



Sec. 648.165  Framework specifications.

    (a) Within season management action. The Council may, at any time, 
initiate action to add or adjust management measures if it finds that 
action is necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and 
objectives of the Bluefish FMP.
    (1) Adjustment process. After a management action has been 
initiated, the Council shall develop and analyze appropriate management 
actions over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Council 
shall provide the public with advance notice of the availability of both 
the proposals and the analysis and the opportunity to comment on them 
prior to and at the second Council meeting. The Council's recommendation 
on adjustments or additions to management measures must come from one or 
more of the following categories: Minimum fish size, maximum fish size, 
gear restrictions, gear requirements or prohibitions, permitting 
restrictions, recreational possession limit, recreational season, closed 
areas, commercial season, description and identification of essential 
fish

[[Page 598]]

habitat (EFH), fishing gear management measures to protect EFH, 
designation of habitat areas of particular concern within EFH, and any 
other management measures currently included in the FMP.
    (2) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, the Council must consider at least the following factors and 
provide support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season;
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures;
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource; 
and
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) Action by NMFS. If the Council's recommendation includes 
adjustments or additions to management measures and, after reviewing the 
Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in 
the Federal Register.
    (ii) If NMFS concurs with the Council's recommendation and 
determines that the recommended management measures should be published 
first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register. After additional public comment, if NMFS 
concurs with the Council's recommendation, the measures will be issued 
as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Council will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (b) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.



     Subpart K_Management Measures for the Atlantic Herring Fishery

    Source: 65 FR 77467, Dec. 11, 2000, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.200  Specifications.

    (a) The Atlantic Herring Plan Development Team (PDT) shall meet at 
least annually, but no later than July, with the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Atlantic Herring Plan Review Team 
(PRT) to develop and recommend the following specifications for 
consideration by the New England Fishery Management Council's Atlantic 
Herring Oversight Committee: Optimum yield (OY), domestic annual harvest 
(DAH), domestic annual processing (DAP), total foreign processing 
(JVPt), joint venture processing (JVP), internal waters processing 
(IWP), U.S. at-sea processing (USAP), border transfer (BT), total 
allowable level of foreign fishing (TALFF), and reserve (if any). The 
PDT and PRT shall also recommend the total allowable catch (TAC) for 
each management area and sub-area, including seasonal quotas as 
specified at Sec. 648.202(f). Recommended specifications shall be 
presented to the New England Fishery Management Council (Council).
    (b) Guidelines. As the basis for its recommendations under paragraph 
(a) of this section, the PDT shall review

[[Page 599]]

available data pertaining to: commercial and recreational catch data; 
current estimates of fishing mortality; stock status; recent estimates 
of recruitment; virtual population analysis results and other estimates 
of stock size; sea sampling and trawl survey data or, if sea sampling 
data are unavailable, length frequency information from trawl surveys; 
impact of other fisheries on herring mortality; and any other relevant 
information. The specifications recommended pursuant to paragraph (a) of 
this section must be consistent with the following:
    (1) OY must be equal to or less than the allowable biological catch 
(ABC) minus an estimate of the expected Canadian NB fixed gear and GB 
herring catch, which shall not exceed 20,000 mt for the NB fixed gear 
harvest and 10,000 mt for the Canadian GB harvest.
    (2) OY shall not exceed maximum sustainable yield (MSY), unless an 
OY that exceeds MSY in a specific year is consistent with a control rule 
that ensures the achievement of MSY and OY on a continuing basis; 
however, OY shall not exceed MSY prior to the 2001 fishing year.
    (3) Factors to be considered in assigning an amount, if any, to the 
reserve shall include:
    (i) Uncertainty and variability in the estimates of stock size and 
ABC;
    (ii) Uncertainty in the estimates of Canadian harvest from the 
coastal stock complex;
    (iii) The requirement to insure the availability of herring to 
provide controlled opportunities for vessels in other fisheries in the 
Mid-Atlantic and New England;
    (iv) Excess U.S. harvesting capacity available to enter the herring 
fishery;
    (v) Total world export potential by herring producer countries;
    (vi) Total world import demand by herring consuming countries;
    (vii) U.S. export potential based on expected U.S. harvests, 
expected U.S. consumption, relative prices, exchange rates, and foreign 
trade barriers;
    (viii) Increased/decreased revenues to U.S. harvesters (with/without 
joint ventures);
    (ix) Increased/decreased revenues to U.S. processors and exporters; 
and
    (x) Increased/decreased U.S. processing productivity.
    (4) Adjustments to TALFF, if any, will be made based on updated 
information relating to status of stocks, estimated and actual 
performance of domestic and foreign fleets, and other relevant factors.
    (c) The Atlantic Herring Oversight Committee shall review the 
recommendations of the PDT and shall consult with the Commission's 
Herring Section. Based on these recommendations and any public comment 
received, the Herring Oversight Committee shall recommend to the Council 
appropriate specifications. The Council shall review these 
recommendations and, after considering public comment, shall recommend 
appropriate specifications to NMFS. NMFS shall review the 
recommendations, consider any comments received from the Commission, and 
shall publish notification in the Federal Register proposing 
specifications and providing a 30-day public comment period. If the 
proposed specifications differ from those recommended by the Council, 
the reasons for any differences shall be clearly stated and the revised 
specifications must satisfy the criteria set forth in this section.
    (d) NMFS shall make a final determination concerning the 
specifications for Atlantic herring. Notification of the final 
specifications and responses to public comments shall be published in 
the Federal Register. If the final specification amounts differ from 
those recommended by the Council, the reason(s) for the difference(s) 
must be clearly stated and the revised specifications must be consistent 
with the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. The 
previous year's specifications shall remain effective unless revised 
through the specification process. NMFS shall issue notification in the 
Federal Register if the previous year's specifications will not be 
changed.
    (e) In-season adjustments. (1) The specifications and TACs 
established pursuant to this section may be adjusted by NMFS, after 
consulting with the Council, during the fishing year by publishing 
notification in the Federal Register stating the reasons for such

[[Page 600]]

action and providing an opportunity for prior public comment. Any 
adjustments must be consistent with the Atlantic Herring FMP objectives 
and other FMP provisions.
    (2) If a total allowable catch reserve (TAC reserve) is specified 
for an area, NMFS may make any or all of that TAC reserve available to 
fishers after consulting with the Council. NMFS shall propose any 
release of the TAC reserve in the Federal Register and provide an 
opportunity for public comment. After considering any comments received, 
any release of the TAC reserve shall be announced through notification 
in the Federal Register.

[65 FR 77467, Dec. 11, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 3446, Jan. 24, 2002; 70 
FR 21976, Apr. 28, 2005]

    Effective Date Note: At 70 FR 21976, Apr. 28, 2005, paragraphs (c) 
and (d) were revised, effective May 31, 2005 through December 31, 2006.



Sec. 648.201  Management areas.

    Three management areas, which may have different management 
measures, are established for the Atlantic herring fishery. Management 
Area 1 is subdivided into inshore and offshore sub-areas. The management 
areas are defined as follows:
    (a) Management Area 1 (Gulf of Maine): All U.S. waters of the Gulf 
of Maine (GOM) north of a line extending from the eastern shore of 
Monomoy Island at 41[deg]35[min] N. lat., eastward to a point at 
41[deg]35[min] N. lat., 69[deg]00[min] W. long., thence northeasterly to 
a point along the Hague Line at 42[deg]53[min]14[sec] N. lat., 
67[deg]44[min]35[sec] W. long., thence northerly along the Hague Line to 
the U.S.-Canadian border, to include state and Federal waters adjacent 
to the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Management 
Area 1 is divided into Area 1A (inshore) and Area 1B (offshore). The 
line dividing these areas is described by the following coordinates:

                                 Area 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                N. Latitude                         W. Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
41[deg]58[min]............................  70[deg]00[min] at Cape Cod
                                             shoreline
42[deg]38.4[min]..........................  70[deg]00[min]
42[deg]53[min]............................  69[deg]40[min]
43[deg]12[min]............................  69[deg]00[min]
43[deg]40[min]............................  68[deg]00[min]
43[deg]58[min]............................  67[deg]22[min] (the U.S.-
                                             Canada Maritime Boundary)
\(1)\.....................................  \(1)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Northward along the irregular U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to the
  shoreline.

    (b) Management Area 2 (South Coastal Area): All waters west of 
69[deg]00[min] W. long. and south of 41[deg]35[min] N. lat., to include 
state and Federal waters adjacent to the States of Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 
and North Carolina.
    (c) Management Area 3 (Georges Bank): All U.S. waters east of 
69[deg]00[min] W. long. and southeast of the line that runs from a point 
at 69[deg]00[min] W. long. and 41[deg]35[min] N. lat., northeasterly to 
the Hague Line at 67[deg]44[min]35[sec] W. long. and 
42[deg]53[min]14[sec] N. lat.



Sec. 648.202  Total allowable catch (TAC) controls.

    (a) If NMFS determines that catch will reach or exceed 95 percent of 
the annual TAC allocated to a management area before the end of the 
fishing year, or 95 percent of the Area 1A TAC allocated to the first 
seasonal period as set forth in paragraph (f) of this section, NMFS 
shall prohibit a vessel, beginning the date the catch is projected to 
reach 95 percent of the TAC, from fishing for, possessing, catching, 
transferring, or landing 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic 
herring per trip and/or 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic 
herring per day in such area pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, 
except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. These 
limits shall be enforced based on a calendar day, without regard to the 
length of the trip.
    (b) NMFS may raise the percent of the TAC that triggers imposition 
of the 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) limit specified in paragraph (a) of this 
section through the annual specification process described in Sec. 
648.200. Any lowering of the percent of the TAC that triggers the 2,000-
lb (907.2-kg) limit specified in paragraph (a) of this section must be 
accomplished through the framework adjustment or amendment processes.
    (c) A vessel may transit an area that is limited to the 2,000-lb 
(907.2-kg) limit

[[Page 601]]

specified in paragraph (a) of this section with  2,000 lb 
(907.2 kg) of herring on board, providing all fishing gear is stowed and 
not available for immediate use as required by Sec. 648.23(b).
    (d) A vessel may land in an area that is limited to the 2,000-lb 
(907.2-kg) limit specified in paragraph (a) of this section with 
 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of herring on board, providing such 
herring were caught in an area or areas not subject to the 2,000-lb 
(907.2-kg) limit specified in paragraph (a) of this section and 
providing all fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use 
as required by Sec. 648.23(b).
    (e) NMFS shall implement fishing restrictions as specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section by publication of a notification in the 
Federal Register, without further opportunity for public comment.
    (f) The TAC for Management Area 1A is divided into two seasonal 
periods. The first season extends from January 1 through May 31, and the 
second season extends from June 1 through December 31. Seasonal TACs for 
Area 1A shall be set through the annual specification process described 
in Sec. 648.200.

[65 FR 77467, Dec. 11, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 3446, Jan. 24, 2002]



Sec. 648.203  Vessel size/horsepower limits.

    (a) To catch, take, or harvest Atlantic herring, a U.S. vessel 
issued an Atlantic herring permit must not exceed the specifications 
contained in Sec. 648.4(a)(10)(i)(B). If any such vessel exceeds such 
specifications, its permit automatically becomes invalid and the vessel 
may not catch, take, or harvest Atlantic herring, as applicable, in or 
from the EEZ.
    (b) A U.S. vessel issued an Atlantic herring processor permit may 
receive and process herring, providing such vessel is <= 165 feet (50.3 
m) in length overall, and <= 750 GRT (680.4 mt). A U.S. vessel that is 
 165 feet (50.3 m) in length overall, or  750 GRT 
(680.4 mt), may only receive and process herring provided that the 
vessel is issued an ``Atlantic herring processor permit'' described in 
Sec. 648.4(a)(10)(ii) and that the total amount of herring received or 
processed by such vessel does not exceed the USAP established in 
accordance with Sec. 648.200.



Sec. 648.204  Herring roe restrictions.

    (a) Retention of herring roe. Herring may be processed for roe, 
provided that the carcasses of the herring are not discarded at sea.
    (b) Limits on the harvest of herring for roe. The Council may 
recommend to NMFS a limit on the amount of herring that may be harvested 
for roe to be implemented by framework adjustment in accordance with 
Sec. 648.206.



Sec. 648.205  VMS requirements.

    (a) Except for Atlantic herring carrier vessels, the owner or 
operator of any vessel issued an Atlantic herring permit that caught or 
landed  500 mt of Atlantic herring in the previous fishing 
year, or intends to catch or land, or catches or lands  500 
mt of Atlantic herring in the current fishing year, must have an 
operable VMS unit installed on board that meets the requirements of 
Sec. 648.9. The VMS unit must be certified, installed on board, and 
operable before the vessel may begin fishing.
    (b) A vessel owner or operator, except an owner or operator of an 
Atlantic herring carrier vessel, who intends to catch and land 
 500 mt of Atlantic herring must declare such intention to 
the Regional Administrator prior to obtaining an Atlantic herring 
fishing permit for the fishing year.
    (c) Except for Atlantic herring carrier vessels, the owner or 
operator of a vessel is prohibited from landing  500 mt of 
Atlantic herring caught in or from the EEZ during a fishing year, unless 
in compliance with Sec. 648.205(b).



Sec. 648.206  Framework provisions.

    (a) Annual review. The Herring PDT, in consultation with the 
Commission's PRT, shall review the status of the stock and the fishery. 
The PDT shall review available data pertaining to commercial and 
recreational catches, current estimates of fishing mortality, stock 
status, estimates of recruitment, virtual population analysis, and other 
estimates of stock size, sea sampling and trawl survey data or, if sea 
sampling data are unavailable, length frequency information from trawl 
surveys, the impact of other fisheries on

[[Page 602]]

herring mortality, and any other relevant information. Based on this 
review, the PDT shall report to the Council's Herring Oversight 
Committee no later than July, any necessary adjustments to the 
management measures and recommendations for the Atlantic herring annual 
specifications. The PDT, in consultation with the PRT, shall recommend 
the specifications, as well as an estimated TAC, as required by Sec. 
648.200, for the following fishing year.
    (b) Based on these recommendations, the Herring Oversight Committee 
shall further recommend to the Council any measures necessary to insure 
that the annual specifications shall not be exceeded. The Council shall 
review these recommendations and any public comment received and, after 
consulting with the Commission, shall recommend appropriate 
specifications to NMFS, as described in Sec. 648.200. Any suggested 
revisions to management measures may be implemented through the 
framework process or through an amendment to the FMP.
    (c) Framework adjustment process. In response to the annual review, 
or at any other time, the Council may initiate action to add or adjust 
management measures if it finds that action is necessary to meet or be 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic herring FMP, or 
to address gear conflicts as defined under Sec. 600.10 of this chapter.
    (1) Adjustment process. After a management action has been 
initiated, the Council shall develop and analyze appropriate management 
actions over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Council may 
delegate authority to the Herring Oversight Committee to conduct an 
initial review of the options being considered. The oversight committee 
shall review the options and relevant information, consider public 
comment, and make a recommendation to the Council.
    (2) After the first framework meeting, the Council may refer the 
issue back to the Herring Oversight Committee for further consideration, 
make adjustments to the measures that were proposed, or approve of the 
measures and begin developing the necessary documents to support the 
framework adjustments. If the Council approves the proposed framework 
adjustments, the Council shall identify, at this meeting, a preferred 
alternative and/or identify the possible alternatives.
    (3) A framework document shall be prepared that discusses and shows 
the impacts of the alternatives. It shall be available to the public 
prior to the second or final framework meeting.
    (4) After developing management actions and receiving public 
testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to NMFS. The 
Council's recommendation must include supporting rationale and, if 
changes to the management measures are recommended, an analysis of 
impacts and a recommendation to NMFS on whether to issue the management 
measures as a final rule. If the Council recommends that the management 
measures should be issued as a final rule, the Council must consider at 
least the following factors and provide support and analysis for each 
factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or 
to impose management measures to resolve gear conflicts.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (5) If the Council's recommendation to NMFS includes adjustments or 
additions to management measures, after reviewing the Council's 
recommendation and supporting information NMFS may:
    (i) Concur with the Council's recommended management measures and 
determine that the recommended management measures should be published 
as a final rule in the Federal Register based on the factors specified 
in

[[Page 603]]

paragraphs (c)(4)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this section.
    (ii) Concur with the Council's recommendation and determine that the 
recommended management measures should be first published as a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register. After additional public comment, if NMFS 
concurs with the Council's recommendation, the measures shall be issued 
as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Council shall be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (d) Possible framework adjustment measures. Measures that may be 
changed or implemented through framework action include:
    (1) Management area boundaries or additional management areas;
    (2) Size, timing, or location of new or existing spawning area 
closures;
    (3) Closed areas other than spawning closures;
    (4) Restrictions in the amount of fishing time;
    (5) A days-at-sea system;
    (6) Adjustments to specifications;
    (7) Adjustments to the Canadian catch deducted when determining 
specifications;
    (8) Distribution of the TAC;
    (9) Gear restrictions (such as mesh size, etc.) or requirements 
(such as bycatch-reduction devices, etc.);
    (10) Vessel size or horsepower restrictions;
    (11) Closed seasons;
    (12) Minimum fish size;
    (13) Trip limits;
    (14) Seasonal, area, or industry sector quotas;
    (15) Measures to describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH), 
fishing gear management measures to protect EFH, and designation of 
habitat areas of particular concern within EFH;
    (16) Measures to facilitate aquaculture, such as minimum fish sizes, 
gear restrictions, minimum mesh sizes, possession limits, tagging 
requirements, monitoring requirements, reporting requirements, permit 
restrictions, area closures, establishment of special management areas 
or zones, and any other measures included in the FMP;
    (17) Changes to the overfishing definition;
    (18) Vessel monitoring system requirements;
    (19) Limits or restrictions on the harvest of herring for specific 
uses;
    (20) Quota monitoring tools, such as vessel, operator, or dealer 
reporting requirements;
    (21) Permit and vessel upgrading restrictions;
    (22) Implementation of measures to reduce gear conflicts, such as 
mandatory monitoring of a radio channel by fishing vessels, gear 
location reporting by fixed gear fishermen, mandatory plotting of gear 
by mobile fishermen, standards of operation when conflict occurs, fixed 
gear marking or setting practices; gear restrictions for certain areas, 
vessel monitoring systems, restrictions on the maximum number of fishing 
vessels, and special permitting conditions;
    (23) Limited entry or controlled access system;
    (24) Specification of the amount of herring to be used for roe; and
    (25) Any other measure currently included in the FMP.
    (e) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.



       Subpart L_Management Measures for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery

    Source: 65 FR 1570, Jan. 11, 2000, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.230  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    (a) Process for setting specifications. The Spiny Dogfish Monitoring 
Committee will review the following data at least every 5 years, subject 
to availability, to determine the total allowable level of landings 
(TAL) and other restrictions necessary to assure that a target fishing 
mortality rate specified in the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan 
will not be exceeded in each year for which TAL and any other

[[Page 604]]

measures are recommended: Commercial and recreational catch data; 
current estimates of F; stock status; recent estimates of recruitment; 
virtual population analysis results; levels of noncompliance by 
fishermen or individual states; impact of size/mesh regulations; sea 
sampling data; impact of gear other than otter trawls and gill nets on 
the mortality of spiny dogfish; and any other relevant information.
    (b) Recommended measures. Based on this review, the Spiny Dogfish 
Monitoring Committee shall recommend to the Joint Spiny Dogfish 
Committee a commercial quota and any other measures including those in 
paragraphs (b)(1)-(b)(5) of this section that are necessary to assure 
that the F specified in paragraph (a) of this section will not be 
exceeded in any fishing year (May 1-April 30), for a period of 1-5 
fishing years. The quota may be set within the range of zero to the 
maximum allowed. The measures that may be recommended include, but are 
not limited to:
    (1) Minimum or maximum fish sizes;
    (2) Seasons;
    (3) Mesh size restrictions;
    (4) Trip limits; or
    (5) Other gear restrictions.
    (c) Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee recommendation. The Councils' 
Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee shall review the recommendations of the 
Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee. Based on these recommendations and 
any public comments, the Joint Spiny Dogfish Committee shall recommend 
to the Councils a commercial quota and, possibly, other measures, 
including those specified in paragraph (b) of this section, necessary to 
assure that the F specified in paragraph (a) of this section will not be 
exceeded in any fishing year (May 1-April 30), for a period of 1-5 
fishing years. The commercial quota may be set within the range of zero 
to the maximum allowed.
    (d) Council recommendations. The Councils shall review these 
recommendations and, based on the recommendations and any public 
comments, recommend to the Regional Administrator a commercial quota and 
other measures necessary to assure that the F specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section will not be exceeded in any fishing year (May 1-April 
30), for a period of 1-5 fishing years. The Councils' recommendations 
must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, concerning the 
environmental, economic, and other impacts of the recommendations. The 
Regional Administrator shall initiate a review of these recommendations 
and may modify the recommended quota and other management measures to 
assure that the target F specified in paragraph (a) of this section will 
not be exceeded in any fishing year (May 1-April 30), for a period of 1-
5 fishing years. The Regional Administrator may modify the Councils' 
recommendations using any of the measures that were not rejected by both 
Councils. After such review, NMFS shall publish a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register specifying a coastwide commercial quota and other 
measures necessary to assure that the F specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section will not be exceeded in any fishing year (May 1-April 30), 
for a period of 1-5 fishing years. After considering public comments, 
NMFS shall publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement 
such a quota and other measures.
    (e) [Reserved]
    (f) Distribution of annual quota. (1) The annual quota specified 
according to the process outlined in paragraph (a) of this section shall 
be allocated between two semi-annual quota periods as follows: May 1 
through October 31 (57.9 percent) and November 1 through April 30 (42.1 
percent).
    (2) All spiny dogfish landed for a commercial purpose in the states 
from Maine through Florida shall be applied against the applicable semi-
annual commercial quota, regardless of where the spiny dogfish were 
harvested.

[71 FR 3017, Jan. 19, 2006]



Sec. 648.231  Closures.

    The Regional Administrator shall determine the date by which the 
quota for each semi-annual period described in Sec. 648.230(d)(1) will 
be harvested and shall close the EEZ to fishing for spiny dogfish on 
that date for the remainder of that semi-annual period by publishing a 
notification in the Federal Register. Upon the closure date and for the 
remainder of the semi-annual

[[Page 605]]

quota period, no vessel may fish for or possess spiny dogfish in the 
EEZ, nor may vessels issued a spiny dogfish permit under this part land 
spiny dogfish, nor may dealers issued a Federal permit purchase spiny 
dogfish from vessels issued a spiny dogfish permit under this part.



Sec. 648.232  Time Restrictions. [Reserved]



Sec. 648.233  Minimum Fish Sizes. [Reserved]



Sec. 648.234  Gear restrictions. [Reserved]



Sec. 648.235  Possession and landing restrictions.

    (a) Quota Period 1. From May through October 31, vessels issued a 
valid Federal spiny dogfish permit specified under Sec. 648.4(a)(11) 
may:
    (1) Possess up to 600 lb (272 kg) of spiny dogfish per trip; and
    (2) Land only one trip of spiny dogfish per calendar day.
    (b) Quota Period 2. From November 1 through April 30, vessels issued 
a valid Federal spiny dogfish permit specified under Sec. 648.4(a)(11) 
may:
    (1) Possess up to 600 lb (272 kg) of spiny dogfish per trip; and
    (2) Land only one trip of spiny dogfish per calendar day.
    (c) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, 
purchase, and sale of shark fins are found at part 600, subpart N, of 
this chapter.

[66 FR 22476, May 4, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 69 
FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004; 71 FR 40438, July 17, 2006]



Sec. 648.236  Special Management Zones. [Reserved]



Sec. 648.237  Framework provisions.

    (a) Within season management action. The Councils may, at any time, 
initiate action to add or adjust management measures if they find that 
action is necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and 
objectives of the Spiny Dogfish FMP.
    (1) Adjustment process. After the Councils initiate a management 
action, they shall develop and analyze appropriate management actions 
over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Councils shall 
provide the public with advance notice of the availability of both the 
proposals and the analysis for comment prior to, and at, the second 
Council meeting. The Councils' recommendation on adjustments or 
additions to management measures must come from one or more of the 
following categories: Minimum fish size; maximum fish size; gear 
requirements, restrictions or prohibitions (including, but not limited 
to, mesh size restrictions and net limits); regional gear restrictions; 
permitting restrictions and reporting requirements; recreational fishery 
measures (including possession and size limits and season and area 
restrictions); commercial season and area restrictions; commercial trip 
or possession limits; fin weight to spiny dogfish landing weight 
restrictions; onboard observer requirements; commercial quota system 
(including commercial quota allocation procedures and possible quota 
set-asides to mitigate bycatch, conduct scientific research, or for 
other purposes); recreational harvest limit; annual quota specification 
process; FMP Monitoring Committee composition and process; description 
and identification of essential fish habitat; description and 
identification of habitat areas of particular concern; overfishing 
definition and related thresholds and targets; regional season 
restrictions (including option to split seasons); restrictions on vessel 
size (length and GRT) or shaft horsepower; target quotas; measures to 
mitigate marine mammal entanglements and interactions; regional 
management; any other management measures currently included in the 
Spiny Dogfish FMP; and measures to regulate aquaculture projects.
    (2) Councils' recommendation. After developing management actions 
and receiving public testimony, the Councils shall make a recommendation 
approved by a majority of each Council's members, present and voting, to 
the Regional Administrator. The Councils' recommendation must include 
supporting rationale, an analysis of impacts and, if management measures 
are recommended, a recommendation to the Regional Administrator on 
whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Councils recommend that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, they must

[[Page 606]]

consider at least the following factors and provide support and analysis 
for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Councils' recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) NMFS action. If the Councils' recommendation includes 
adjustments or additions to management measures and:
    (i) If NMFS concurs with the Councils' recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, then the measures will be issued as a final rule 
in the Federal Register.
    (ii) If NMFS concurs with the Councils' recommendation and 
determines that the recommended management measures should be published 
first as a proposed rule, then the measures will be published as a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional public comment, 
if NMFS concurs with the Councils' recommendation, then the measures 
will be issued as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the Councils will be notified in 
writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (iv) Framework actions can be taken only in the case where both 
Councils approve the proposed measure.
    (b) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.



Subpart M_Management Measures for the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery

    Source: 67 FR 63233, Oct. 10, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.260  Specifications.

    (a) Process for setting specifications. The Council's Red Crab Plan 
Development Team (PDT) shall prepare a Stock Evaluation and Assessment 
(SAFE) Report at least every 3 years. Based on the SAFE Report, the PDT 
shall develop and present to the Council recommended specifications as 
defined in this paragraph (a) for up to 3 fishing years. The PDT shall 
meet at least once annually during the intervening years between SAFE 
Reports to review the status of the stock and the fishery. Based on such 
review, the PDT shall provide a report to the Council on any changes or 
new information about the red crab stock and/or fishery, and it shall 
recommend whether the specifications for the upcoming years need to be 
modified. The annual review shall be limited in scope and shall 
concentrate on the most recent fishery-dependent information including, 
but not limited to, days-at-sea (DAS) used and red crab landings. In the 
event that the PDT recommends an adjustment to the specifications, the 
PDT shall prepare a supplemental specifications package for a specific 
time duration up to 3 years. Specifications include the specification of 
OY, the setting of any target TACs, allocation of DAS, and/or 
adjustments to trip/possession limits.
    (1) Target total allowable catch. The target TAC for each fishing 
year will be 5.928 million lb (2,688.9 mt), unless modified pursuant to 
this paragraph.
    (2) Adjustments to DAS allocation based on target TAC. For purposes 
of determining the appropriate DAS allocation, any overage of the target 
TAC that occurs in a given fishing year will be subtracted from the 
target TAC in the following fishing year and, conversely, any underage 
of the target TAC that occurs in a given fishing year will be added to 
the target TAC in the following fishing year.
    (3) In-season adjustments. The specifications established pursuant 
to this section may be adjusted by NMFS,

[[Page 607]]

after consulting with the Council, during the fishing year by publishing 
notification in the Federal Register stating the reasons for such action 
and providing an opportunity for prior public comment. Any adjustments 
must be consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab FMP objectives 
and other FMP provisions.
    (b) Development of specifications. In developing the management 
measures and specifications, the PDT shall review at least the following 
data, if available: Commercial catch data; current estimates of fishing 
mortality and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE); stock status; recent 
estimates of recruitment; virtual population analysis results and other 
estimates of stock size; sea sampling, port sampling, and survey data 
or, if sea sampling data are unavailable, length frequency information 
from port sampling and/or surveys; impact of other fisheries on the 
mortality of red crabs; and any other relevant information.
    (1) The PDT, after its review of the available information on the 
status of the stock and the fishery, may recommend to the Council any 
measures necessary to assure that the specifications will not be 
exceeded, as well as changes to the appropriate specifications.
    (2) The Council shall review these recommendations and any public 
comment received and shall submit its recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator after at least one Council meeting. If the Council submits 
a recommendation to the Regional Administrator after one Council meeting 
and the Regional Administrator concurs with the recommendation, the 
Regional Administrator shall publish the Council's recommendation in the 
Federal Register as a proposed rule unless there is adequate 
justification to waive prior notice and comment . The Council may 
instead choose to follow the framework adjustment process specified at 
Sec. 648.261 and request that the Regional Administrator publish the 
recommendation as a proposed or final rule. If the Regional 
Administrator concurs that the Council's recommendation meets the Red 
Crab FMP objectives and is consistent with other applicable law, and 
determines that the recommended management measures should be published 
as a final rule, the action will be published as a final rule in the 
Federal Register. If the Regional Administrator concurs that the 
recommendation meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with other 
applicable law, and determines that a proposed rule is warranted, and, 
as a result, the effective date of a final rule falls after the start of 
the fishing year on March 1, fishing may continue under the 
specifications for the previous year. However, DAS used by a vessel on 
or after March 1 will be counted against any DAS allocation the vessel 
ultimately receives for that year.

[67 FR 63233, Oct. 10, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 44069, Aug. 1, 2005]



Sec. 648.261  Framework adjustment process.

    (a) To implement a framework adjustment for the Red Crab FMP, the 
Council shall develop and analyze proposed actions over the span of at 
least two Council meetings and provide advance public notice of the 
availability of both the proposals and the analyses. Opportunity to 
provide written and oral comments shall be provided throughout the 
process before the Council submits its recommendations to the Regional 
Administrator.
    (1) In response to an annual review of the status of the fishery or 
the resource by the Red Crab PDT, or at any other time, the Council may 
recommend adjustments to any of the measures proposed by the Red Crab 
FMP. The Red Crab Oversight Committee may request that the Council 
initiate a framework adjustment. Framework adjustments shall require one 
initial meeting (the agenda must include notification of the impending 
proposal for a framework adjustment) and one final Council meeting. 
After a management action has been initiated, the Council shall develop 
and analyze appropriate management actions within the scope identified 
below. The Council may refer the proposed adjustments to the Red Crab 
Committee for further deliberation and review. Upon receiving the 
recommendations of the Oversight Committee, the Council shall publish 
notice of its intent to

[[Page 608]]

take action and provide the public with any relevant analyses and 
opportunity to comment on any possible actions. After receiving public 
comment, the Council must take action (to approve, modify, disapprove, 
or table) on the recommendation at the Council meeting following the 
meeting at which it first received the recommendations. Documentation 
and analyses for the framework adjustment shall be available at least 2 
weeks before the final meeting.
    (2) After developing management actions and receiving public 
testimony, the Council may make a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator. The Council's recommendation shall include supporting 
rationale, an analysis of impacts required under paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator on 
whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the Council 
recommends that the management measures should be issued directly as a 
final rule, the Council shall consider at least the following factors 
and provide support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season;
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures;
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or 
to impose management measures to resolve gear conflicts;
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommended management measures, they shall be published in the Federal 
Register. If the Council's recommendation is first published as a 
proposed rule and the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation after receiving additional public comment, the measures 
shall then be published as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (4) If the Regional Administrator approves the Council's 
recommendations, the Secretary may, for good cause found under the 
standard of the Administrative Procedure Act, waive the requirement for 
a proposed rule and opportunity for public comment in the Federal 
Register. The Secretary, in so doing, shall publish only the final rule. 
Submission of recommendations does not preclude the Secretary from 
deciding to provide additional opportunity for prior notice and comment 
in the Federal Register.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may approve, disapprove, or partially 
disapprove the Council's recommendation. If the Regional Administrator 
does not approve the Council's specific recommendation, the Regional 
Administrator must notify the Council in writing of the reasons for the 
action prior to the first Council meeting following publication of such 
decision.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 648.262  Effort-control program for red crab limited access vessels.

    (a) General. A vessel issued a limited access red crab permit may 
not fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, 
greater than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of red crab, or its equivalent in weight 
as specified at Sec. 648.263(a)(2)(i) and (ii), per fishing trip in or 
from the Red Crab Management Unit, except during a DAS as allocated 
under and in accordance with the applicable DAS program described in 
this section, unless otherwise provided in this part.
    (1) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History as described in Sec. 
648.4(a)(13)(i)(J) for the entire fishing year preceding the carry-over 
year, limited access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of 
February of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 unused DAS, or 10 
percent of the total allocated DAS, whichever is less, into the next 
fishing year. Any DAS that have been forfeited due to an enforcement 
proceeding will be deducted from all other unused DAS in

[[Page 609]]

determining how many DAS may be carried over.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) DAS program--(1) For fishing year 2002. For the fishing year 
beginning March 1, 2002, each limited access permit holder's allocation 
of DAS shall be based on a baseline of 130 DAS per vessel and, if 
necessary, adjusted as specified in this paragraph (b). Based upon the 
best available information, the Regional Administrator shall estimate 
the landings from May 15, 2002, which is the first day following the 
expiration of the red crab Secretarial interim rule, up to the 
implementation date of the red crab limited access program. These 
estimated total landings shall be deducted from the target TAC and the 
percentage of the TAC that remains available shall be used to reduce the 
initial baseline of DAS (i.e., a percentage of 130 DAS to an equivalent 
percentage). For example, if estimated landings equal 20 percent of the 
target TAC, thereby leaving 80 percent of the target TAC, the DAS 
allocation shall be reduced by 20 percent to 104 DAS. Each vessel shall 
be allocated the adjusted DAS for the remainder of the fishing year. The 
Regional Administrator shall notify permit holders by letter of the 
newly calculated DAS allocation.
    (2) For fishing years 2003 and thereafter. Each limited access 
permit holder shall be allocated 156 DAS unless one or more vessels 
declares out of the fishery consistent with Sec. 648.4(a)(13)(B)(2) or 
the TAC is adjusted consistent with Sec. 648.260.
    (3) Accrual of DAS. Any portion of a day in which a vessel is out of 
port, after having declared into the DAS fishery, shall count as a full 
DAS. For example, if a vessel calls into the fishery at 11 p.m. on 
Thursday and calls out of the fishery at 10 p.m. on Friday, the next 
day, that vessel shall be assessed 2 full DAS (48 hours) for the fishing 
trip, even though the trip lasted only 23 hours.
    (4) Good Samaritan credit. Same as Sec. 648.53(f).
    (5) Declaring red crab DAS. A vessel's owner or authorized 
representative shall notify the Regional Administrator of a vessel's 
participation in the red crab DAS program using the notification 
requirements specified in Sec. 648.10.
    (6) Adjustments in annual red crab DAS allocations. Adjustments to 
the annual red crab DAS allocation, if required to meet fishing 
mortality goals, may be implemented pursuant to Sec. 648.260.

[67 FR 63233, Oct. 10, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 10177, Mar. 4, 2004]



Sec. 648.263  Red crab possession and landing restrictions.

    (a) Vessels issued limited access red crab permits--(1) Possession 
and landing restrictions. (i) A vessel or operator of a vessel that has 
been issued a valid limited access red crab permit under this subpart 
may fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, 
up to 75,000 lb (34,019.4 kg) per trip, unless adjusted consistent with 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, of whole red crab, or its 
equivalent in weight as specified at paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of 
this section, when fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (ii) A vessel owner or operator who shows credible proof of landings 
on at least one trip higher than 75,000 lb (34,019.4 kg) during the 
limited access qualification period shall qualify for a larger trip 
limit, rounded to the nearest 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of the higher trip 
landed. Such proof must be in writing and received by NMFS within 30 
days after receipt of a vessel owner's application for an initial 
limited access red crab vessel permit. A vessel owner shall fish 
consistent with the provisions and trip limit specified at paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section until credible proof of a trip higher than 
75,000 lb (34,019.4 kg) is approved by NMFS.
    (2) Conversion to whole crab weight. (i) For red crab that is landed 
in half sections, with all gills and other detritus still intact, the 
recovery rate is 64 percent of a whole red crab, which is equal to the 
weight of red crab half sections multiplied by 1.56.
    (ii) For red crab that is landed in half sections, with all gills 
and other detritus removed, the recovery rate is 58 percent of a whole 
red crab, which is equal to the weight of red crab half sections 
multiplied by 1.72.

[[Page 610]]

    (3) Female red crab restriction. A vessel may not fish for, catch, 
possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, female red crabs in 
excess of one standard U.S. fish tote of incidentally caught female red 
crabs per trip when fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (4) Full-processing prohibition. No person may fully process at sea, 
possess, or land, fully-processed red crab.
    (5) Mutilation restriction. A vessel may not retain, possess, or 
land red crab claws and legs separate from crab bodies in excess of one 
standard U.S. fish tote per trip when fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (b) Vessels issued red crab incidental catch permits--(1) Possession 
and landing restrictions. A vessel or operator of a vessel that has been 
issued a red crab incidental catch permit may catch, possess, transport, 
land, sell, trade, or barter, up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) of red crab, or 
its equivalent in weight as specified at paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) 
of this section, per fishing trip in or from the Red Crab Management 
Unit.
    (2) Full-processing prohibition. No person may fully process at sea, 
possess, or land, fully-processed red crab.
    (3) Mutilation restriction. A vessel may not retain, possess, or 
land red crab claws and legs separate from crab bodies.



Sec. 648.264  Gear requirements/restrictions.

    (a) Limited access red crab permitted vessels. (1) No vessel may 
haul or harvest red crab from any fishing gear other than red crab 
traps/pots, marked as specified by paragraph (a)(5) of this section, 
when on a red crab DAS.
    (2) A vessel owner or operator of a vessel that holds a valid 
limited access red crab permit may fish with, deploy, possess, haul, 
harvest red crab from, or carry on board a vessel, up to a total of 600 
traps/pots when fishing for, catching, or landing red crab. A vessel 
owner is required to declare, on the annual permit application, the 
maximum number of traps/pots used per string and the maximum number of 
strings employed, such that the product of the maximum number of traps/
pots per string and the maximum number of strings declared is no more 
than 600 traps/pots. The vessel is restricted to the product of the 
maximum number of traps/pots per string multiplied by the maximum number 
of strings declared on the annual vessel permit application.
    (3) Parlor traps/pots. No person may haul or remove lobster, red 
crab or fish from parlor traps/pots when fishing under a red crab DAS.
    (4) Maximum trap/pot size. The maximum allowable red crab trap/pot 
size of red crab traps/pots used or deployed on a red crab DAS is 18 
cubic feet (0.51 cubic meters) in volume. Red crab traps/pots may be 
rectangular, trapezoidal or conical only, unless other red crab trap/pot 
designs whose volume does not exceed 18 cubic feet (0.51 cubic meters) 
are authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (5) Gear markings. The following is required on all buoys used at 
the end of each red crab trawl:
    (i) The letters ``RC'' in letters at least 3 inches (7.62 cm) in 
height must be painted on top of each buoy.
    (ii) The vessel's permit number in numerals at least 3 inches (7.62 
cm) in height must be painted on the side of each buoy to clearly 
identify the vessel.
    (iii) The number of each trap trawl relative to the total number of 
trawls used by the vessel (i.e., ``3 of 6'') must be painted in numerals 
at least 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height on the side of each buoy.
    (iv) High flyers and radar reflectors are required on each trap 
trawl.
    (6) Additional gear requirements. (i) In addition to complying with 
the gear regulations found at Sec. 229.32, vessels must include a weak 
link at the buoy that breaks away knotless at 3,780 lb (1,714.6 kg).
    (ii) Red crab traps/pots, fished in 200 fathoms (365.8 m) or less by 
a vessel issued a limited access lobster permit under Sec. 697.4(a), 
must comply with the trap tagging requirements specified at Sec. 
697.19.
    (b) [Reserved]



         Subpart N_Management Measures for the Tilefish Fishery

    Source: 66 FR 49145, Sept. 26, 2001, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 611]]



Sec. 648.290  Catch quotas and other restrictions.

    The fishing year is the 12-month period beginning with November 1, 
2001.
    (a)Total allowable landings (TAL). The TAL for each fishing year 
will be 1.995 million lb (905,172 kg) unless modified pursuant to 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (b) TAL allocation. For each fishing year, up to 3 percent of the 
TAL may be set aside for the purpose of funding research. Once a 
research TAC, if any, is set aside, the TAL will first be reduced by 5 
percent to adjust for the incidental catch. The remaining TAL will be 
allocated as follows: Full-time tier Category 1, 66 percent; Full-time 
tier Category 2, 15 percent; and Part-time, 19 percent.
    (c) Adjustments to the quota. Any overages of the quota for any 
limited access category that occur in a given fishing year will be 
subtracted from the quota for that category in the following fishing 
year. If incidental harvest exceeds 5 percent of the TAL for a given 
fishing year, the trip limit of 300 lb (138 kg) for the incidental 
category may be reduced in the following year. If an adjustment is 
required, a notification of adjustment of the quota will be published in 
the Federal Register.
    (d) Annual specification process. The Tilefish FMP Monitoring 
Committee (Monitoring Committee) will meet after the completion of each 
stock assessment or at the request of the Council Chairman. The 
Monitoring Committee shall review tilefish landings information and any 
other relevant available data to determine if the annual quota requires 
modification to respond to any changes to the stock's biological 
reference points or to ensure that the rebuilding schedule is 
maintained. The Monitoring Committee will consider whether any 
additional management measures or revisions to existing measures are 
necessary to ensure that the TAL will not be exceeded. Based on that 
review, the Monitoring Committee will provide a recommendation to the 
Tilefish Committee of the Council. Based on these recommendations and 
any public comment received, the Tilefish Committee shall recommend to 
the Council the appropriate quota and management measures for the next 
fishing year. The Council shall review these recommendations and any 
public comments received, and recommend to the Regional Administrator, 
at least 120 days prior to the beginning of the next fishing year, the 
appropriate TAL for the next fishing year, the percentage of TAL 
allocated to research quota, and any management measures to assure that 
the TAL will not be exceeded. The Council's recommendations must include 
supporting documentation, as appropriate, concerning the environmental 
and economic impacts of the recommendations. The Regional Administrator 
shall review these recommendations, and after such review, NMFS will 
publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register specifying the annual 
TAL and any management measures to assure that the TAL will not be 
exceeded. After considering public comments, NMFS will publish a final 
rule in the Federal Register to implement a TAL and any management 
measures. The previous year's specifications will remain effective 
unless revised through the specification process and/or the research 
quota process described in paragraph (e) of this section. NMFS will 
issue notification in the Federal Register if the previous year's 
specifications will not be changed.
    (e) Research quota. See Sec. 648.21(g).



Sec. 648.291  Closures.

    (a) EEZ closure. If the Regional Administrator determines that the 
quota for a certain limited access category will be exceeded, the 
Regional Administrator will close the EEZ to fishing for tilefish by 
those vessels in that category for the remainder of the fishing year and 
publish notification in the Federal Register.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec. 648.292  Tilefish trip limits.

    Any U.S. fishing vessel fishing under a tilefish incidental catch 
category permit is prohibited from possessing more than 300 lb (138 kg) 
of tilefish per trip.



Sec. 648.293  Framework specifications.

    (a) Within-season management action. The Council may, at any time, 
initiate

[[Page 612]]

action to add or adjust management measures if it finds that action is 
necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
Tilefish FMP.
    (1) Specific management measures. The following specific management 
measures may be implemented or adjusted at any time through the 
framework process:
    (i) Minimum fish size,
    (ii) Minimum hook size,
    (iii) Closed seasons,
    (iv) Closed areas,
    (v) Gear restrictions or prohibitions,
    (vi) Permitting restrictions,
    (vii) Gear limits,
    (viii) Trip limits,
    (ix) Overfishing definition and related thresholds and targets,
    (x) Annual specification quota setting process,
    (xi) Tilefish FMP Monitoring Committee composition and process,
    (xii) Description and identification of EFH,
    (xiii) Fishing gear management measures that impact EFH,
    (xiv) Habitat areas of particular concern, and
    (xv) Set-aside quotas for scientific research.
    (2) Adjustment process. If the Council determines that an adjustment 
to management measures is necessary to meet the goals and objectives of 
the FMP, it will recommend, develop, and analyze appropriate management 
actions over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Council will 
provide the public with advance notice of the availability of the 
recommendation, appropriate justifications and economic and biological 
analyses, and opportunity to comment on the proposed adjustments prior 
to and at the second Council meeting on that framework action. After 
developing management actions and receiving public comment, the Council 
will submit the recommendation to the Regional Administrator; the 
recommendation must include supporting rationale, an analysis of 
impacts, and a recommendation on whether to publish the management 
measures as a final rule.
    (3) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council will make a recommendation to 
the Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation must include 
supporting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an 
analysis of impacts and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator 
on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the 
Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a 
final rule, it must consider at least the following factors and provide 
support and analysis for each factor considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season.
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures.
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource.
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (4) Regional Administrator action. If the Council's recommendation 
includes adjustments or additions to management measures and, after 
reviewing the Council's recommendation and supporting information:
    (i) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommended management measures and determines that the recommended 
management measures should be issued as a final rule based on the 
factors specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the measures will 
be issued as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (ii) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation and determines that the recommended management measures 
should be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be 
published as a proposed rule in the Federal Register. After additional 
public comment, if the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation, the measures will be

[[Page 613]]

issued as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (iii) If the Regional Administrator does not concur with the 
Council's recommendation, the Council will be notified in writing of the 
reasons for the non-concurrence.
    (b) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.



Sec. 648.294  [Reserved]



    Subpart O_Management Measures for the NE Skate Complex Fisheries

    Source: 68 FR 49701, Aug. 19, 2003, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 648.320  Skate FMP review and monitoring.

    (a) Annual review. The Council, its Skate Plan Development Team (), 
and its Skate Advisory Panel shall monitor the status of the fishery and 
the skate resources following implementation of the Skate FMP.
    (1) Starting 1 year after implementation of the Skate FMP, the Skate 
PDT shall meet at least annually to review the status of the species in 
the skate complex. At a minimum, this review shall include annual 
updates to survey indices and a re-evaluation of stock status based on 
the updated survey indices and the FMP's overfishing.
    (2) If new and/or additional information becomes available, the 
Skate PDT shall consider it during this annual review. Based on this 
review, the shall provide guidance to the Skate Committee and the 
Council regarding the need to adjust measures in the Skate FMP to better 
achieve the FMP's objectives. Any suggested revisions to management 
measures may be implemented through the framework process specified in 
Sec. 648.321, or through an amendment to the FMP.
    (3) For overfished skate species, the Skate PDT and the Council will 
monitor the trawl survey index as a proxy for stock biomass. As long as 
the 3-year average of the appropriate weight per tow increases above the 
average for the previous 3 years, it is assumed that the stock is 
rebuilding to target levels. If the 3-year average of the appropriate 
survey mean weight per tow declines below the average for the previous 3 
years, then the Council is required to take management action to ensure 
that stock rebuilding will continue to target levels.
    (b) Biennial review. The Skate shall prepare a biennial Stock 
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the NE skate. The 
SAFE shall be the primary vehicle for the presentation of all updated 
biological and socio-economic information regarding the NE skate complex 
and its associated fisheries. The SAFE report shall provide source data 
for any adjustments to the management measures that may be needed to 
continue to meet the goals and objectives of the FMP.
    (c) Baseline review--(1) Baseline review process. If the Council 
initiates an action in another FMP that may make less restrictive one or 
more of the baseline measures described in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section and as identified in the Skate FMP, or that may change one or 
more of the baseline measures such that the change is likely to have an 
effect on the overall mortality for a species of skate subject to a 
formal rebuilding program, the Skate PDT shall take the following action 
prior to the Council's final decision on the initiating action:
    (i) Evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed changes on 
rebuilding skate populations and overall mortality for the skate species 
subject to a formal rebuilding program, and develop, if the action would 
be inconsistent with the rebuilding plans, management measures (or 
modifications to the proposed action) to mitigate the impacts of the 
changes to the baseline measure(s) on rebuilding skates.
    (ii) If the Skate PDT recommends management measures to mitigate 
impacts, the Council shall include in the initiating action management 
measures to offset the changes to the baseline measures. The management 
measures recommended by the Council may be one or more of the measures 
recommended by the Skate PDT, or other suitable measures developed by 
the Council.

[[Page 614]]

    (iii) If the Council fails to include in the initiating action 
management measures to offset the changes to the baseline measures when 
the Skate PDT recommends action, and cannot justify this lack of action, 
the Regional Administrator may implement one or more of the measures 
recommended by the Skate PDT through rulemaking consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act.
    (2) Baseline measures. The baseline review process, as described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, is initiated by changes to any of the 
following management measures:
    (i) NE Multispecies year-round closed areas (Sec. 648.81);
    (ii) NE Multispecies DAS restrictions (Sec. 648.82);
    (iii) Gillnet gear restrictions (Sec. 648.82(k));
    (iv) Lobster restricted gear areas (Sec. 697.23);
    (v) Gear restrictions for small mesh fisheries (Sec. 648.80(a)(5), 
(a)(9), and (a)(15));
    (vi) Monkfish DAS restrictions for Monkfish-Only permit holders 
(Sec. 648.92); or
    (vii) Scallop DAS restrictions (Sec. 648.53).



Sec. 648.321  Framework adjustment process.

    (a) Adjustment process. To implement a framework adjustment for the 
Skate FMP, the Council shall develop and analyze proposed actions over 
the span of at least two Council meetings (the initial meeting agenda 
must include notification of the impending proposal for a framework 
adjustment) and provide advance public notice of the availability of 
both the proposals and the analyses. Opportunity to provide written and 
oral comments shall be provided throughout the process before the 
Council submits its recommendations to the Regional Administrator.
    (1) Council review and analyses. In response to the annual review, 
or at any other time, the Council may initiate action to add or adjust 
management measures if it finds that action is necessary to meet or be 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Skate FMP. After a 
framework action has been initiated, the Council will develop and 
analyze appropriate management actions within the scope of measures 
specified at Sec. 648.321(b). The Council will publish notice of its 
intent to take action and provide the public with any relevant analyses 
and opportunity to comment on any possible actions. Documentation and 
analyses for the framework adjustment shall be available at least 1 week 
before the final meeting.
    (2) Council recommendation. After developing management actions and 
receiving public testimony, the Council may make a recommendation to the 
Regional Administrator. The Council's recommendation shall include 
supporting rationale, an analysis of impacts required under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section and a recommendation to the Regional 
Administrator on whether to issue the management measures as a final 
rule. If the Council recommends that the management measures should be 
issued directly as a final rule, the Council shall consider at least the 
following factors and provide support and analysis for each factor 
considered:
    (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended 
management measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a 
proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire 
harvest/fishing season;
    (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for 
participation by the public and members of the affected industry in the 
development of the Council's recommended management measures;
    (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or 
to impose management measures to resolve gear conflicts; and
    (iv) Whether there will be a continuing evaluation of management 
measures adopted following their implementation as a final rule.
    (3) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommended management measures, they shall be published in the Federal 
Register. If the Council's recommendation is first published as a 
proposed rule and the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council's 
recommendation after receiving additional public comment, the measures

[[Page 615]]

shall then be published as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    (4) If the Regional Administrator approves the Council's 
recommendations, the Secretary may, for good cause found under the 
standard of the Administrative Procedure Act, waive the requirement for 
a proposed rule and opportunity for public comment in the Federal 
Register. The Secretary, in so doing, shall publish only the final rule. 
Submission of recommendations does not preclude the Secretary from 
deciding to provide additional opportunity for prior notice and comment 
in the Federal Register.
    (5) The Regional Administrator may approve, disapprove, or partially 
approve the Council's recommendation. If the Regional Administrator does 
not approve the Council's specific recommendation, the Regional 
Administrator must notify the Council in writing of the reasons for the 
action prior to the first Council meeting following publication of such 
decision.
    (b) Possible framework adjustment measures. Measures that may be 
changed or implemented through framework action, provided that any 
corresponding management adjustments can also be implemented through a 
framework adjustment, include:
    (1) Skate permitting and reporting;
    (2) Skate overfishing definitions and related targets and 
thresholds;
    (3) Prohibitions on possession and/or landing of individual skate 
species;
    (4) Skate possession;
    (5) Skate closed areas (and consideration of exempted gears and 
fisheries);
    (6) Seasonal skate fishery restrictions and specifications;
    (7) Target TACs for individual skate species;
    (8) Hard TACs/quotas for skates, including species-specific quotas, 
fishery quotas, and/or quotas for non-directed fisheries;
    (9) Establishing a mechanism for TAC set-asides to mitigate , 
conduct scientific research, or for other reasons;
    (10) Onboard observer requirements;
    (11) Gear modifications, requirements, restrictions, and/or 
prohibitions;
    (12) Minimum and/or maximum sizes for skates;
    (13) Adjustments to exemption area requirements, area coordinates 
and/or management lines established by the FMP;
    (14) Measures to address protected species issues, if necessary;
    (15) Description and identification of EFH;
    (16) Description and identification of habitat areas of particular 
concern;
    (17) Measures to protect EFH;
    (18) Adjustments and or/resetting of the ``baseline'' of management 
measures in other, described in Sec. 648.320(c);
    (19) OY and/or MSY specifications; and
    (20) Any other measures contained in the FMP.
    (c) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate 
from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.



Sec. 648.322  Skate possession and landing restrictions.

    (a) Skate wing possession and landing limit. A vessel or operator of 
a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal skate permit under this 
part, provided the vessel fishes under an Atlantic sea scallop, NE 
multispecies, or monkfish DAS as specified at Sec. Sec. 648.53, 648.82, 
and 648.92, respectively, unless otherwise exempted under paragraph (b) 
of this section, may fish for, possess, and/or land up to the allowable 
daily and per trip limits specified as follows:
    (1) Possess up to 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of skate wings (45,400 lb 
(20,593 kg) whole weight) per trip of greater than 24 hours in duration; 
or
    (2) Land up to 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of skate wings (22,700 lb 
(10,296 kg) whole weight) per trip of 24 hours or less in duration.
    (b) Bait Letter of Authorization (LOA). A skate vessel owner or 
operator under this part may request and receive from the Regional 
Administrator an exemption from the skate wing possession limit 
restrictions, provided that the following requirements and conditions 
are met:
    (1) The vessel owner or operator obtains an LOA. LOAs are available 
upon

[[Page 616]]

request from the Regional Administrator.
    (2) The vessel owner/operator possesses and/or lands only whole 
skates less than 23 inches (58.42 cm) total length.
    (3) The vessel owner or operator fishes for, possesses, or lands 
skates only for use as bait.
    (4) Vessels that fish for, possess, and/or land any combination of 
skate wings and whole skates less than 23 inches (58.42 cm) total length 
must comply with the possession limit restrictions under paragraph (a) 
of this section for all skates or skate parts on board.
    (5) Any vessel owner/operator meets the requirements at Sec. 
648.13(h).
    (6) Skate bait-only possession limit LOA--The vessel owner or 
operator possesses and lands skates in compliance with this subpart for 
a minimum of 7 days.
    (c) Prohibitions on possession of skates. All vessels fishing in the 
EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit are subject to the following 
prohibitions:
    (1) A vessel may not retain, possess, or land barndoor or thorny 
skates taken in or from the EEZ portion of the Skate Management Unit.
    (2) A vessel may not retain, possess, or land smooth skates taken in 
or from the GOM RMA described at Sec. 648.80(a)(1)(i).

[68 FR 49701, Aug. 19, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 22988, Apr. 27, 2004]



PART 654_STONE CRAB FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO--Table of Contents




                       Subpart A_General Measures

Sec.
654.1 Purpose and scope.
654.2 Definitions.
654.3 Relation to other laws.
654.4 Trap limitation program.
654.5 Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]
654.6 Vessel and gear identification.
654.7 Prohibitions.
654.8 Facilitation of enforcement.
654.9 Penalties.

                      Subpart B_Management Measures

654.20 Seasons.
654.21 Harvest limitations.
654.22 Gear restrictions.
654.23 Southwest Florida seasonal trawl closure.
654.24 Shrimp/stone crab separation zones.
654.25 Prevention of gear conflicts.
654.26 Adjustment of management measures.
654.27 Specifically authorized activities.
654.28 Tortugas marine reserves.

Appendix A to Part 654--Figures
Figure 1--Stone Crab Claw
Figure 2--Southwest Florida Seasonal Trawl Closure
Figure 3--Shrimp/Stone Crab Separation Zones

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Source: 60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



                       Subpart A_General Measures



Sec. 654.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of this part is to implement the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act.
    (b) This part governs conservation and management of stone crab and 
restricts the trawl fishery in the management area.
    (c) ``EEZ'' refers to the EEZ in the management area, unless the 
context clearly indicates otherwise.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in 
Sec. 620.2 of this chapter, the terms used in this part have the 
following meanings:
    Management area means the EEZ off the coast of Florida from a line 
extending directly south from the Alabama/Florida boundary 
(87[deg]31[min]06[sec] W. long.) to a line extending directly east from 
the Dade/Monroe County, FL boundary (25[deg]20.4[min] N. lat.).
    Regional Administrator (RA) for the purposes of this part, means the 
Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702, or a designee.
    Stone crab means Menippe mercenaria, M. adina, or their 
interbreeding hybrids, or a part thereof.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61991, 61993, Oct. 3, 
2002]

[[Page 617]]



Sec. 654.3  Relation to other laws.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec. 
600.705 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) The regulations in this part are intended to be compatible with, 
and do not supersede, similar regulations in effect for the Everglades 
National Park (36 CFR 7.45).
    (c) The regulations in this part are intended to be compatible with 
similar regulations and statutes in effect in Florida's waters.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 44595, Aug. 20, 1998; 
67 FR 61991, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.4  Trap limitation program.

    The provisions of this section establish a Federal stone crab trap 
limitation program in the management area that complements the stone 
crab trap limitation program implemented by the Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). The Federal program requires 
issuance of a commercial vessel permit, a trap certificate, and annual 
trap tags. A person in the management area who is in compliance with the 
FFWCC trap limitation program is exempt from the requirements of the 
Federal trap limitation program specified in this section.
    (a) Commercial vessel permit requirements. Effective December 2, 
2002, for a person aboard a vessel, except a person who is in compliance 
with the FFWCC stone crab trap limitation program, to possess or use a 
stone crab trap, possess more than 1 gallon (4.5 L) of stone crab claws, 
or sell stone crab claws in or from the management area, a valid Federal 
commercial vessel permit for stone crab must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board.
    (1) Eligibility for a commercial vessel permit. The owner of a 
vessel is eligible to receive a Federal commercial vessel permit for 
stone crab if the owner provides documentation as specified in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section substantiating his or her landings of a minimum 
of 300 lb (136 kg) of stone crab claws harvested from the management 
area or Florida's state waters during at least one of the stone crab 
fishing seasons, October 15 through May 15, for 1995/1996 through 1997/
1998. A person who has a valid stone crab trap certificate issued under 
the stone crab trap limitation program implemented by the FFWCC or a 
person whose Florida saltwater products license (SPL) has been suspended 
or revoked is not eligible for a Federal commercial vessel permit for 
stone crab.
    (2) Documentation of eligibility for a commercial vessel permit. The 
only acceptable source of documentation of stone crab claws landed in 
Florida is landings documented by the Florida trip ticket system. To be 
creditable toward the 300-lb (136-kg) minimum qualifying landings, 
Florida landings must be associated with a single Florida SPL. Landings 
of stone crab harvested from the management area or Florida's state 
waters but landed in a state other than Florida may be documented by 
dealer records. Such dealer records must definitively show the species 
known as stone crab and must include the vessel's name, official number, 
or other reference that provides a way of clearly identifying the 
vessel; dates and amounts of stone crab landings; and a sworn affidavit 
by the dealer confirming the accuracy and authenticity of the records. A 
sworn affidavit is an official written statement wherein the individual 
signing the affidavit affirms that the information presented is accurate 
and can be substantiated, under penalty of law. Documentation of 
landings are subject to verification by comparison with state, Federal, 
and other records and information. Submission of false documentation is 
a violation of the regulations in this part and may disqualify the owner 
from participation in the fishery.
    (3) Application for a commercial vessel permit. Applications for a 
commercial vessel permit for stone crab are available from the RA. A 
vessel owner (in the case of a corporation, an officer or shareholder; 
in the case of a partnership, a general partner) who desires such a 
permit must submit an application, including documentation of stone crab 
landings as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, to 
the RA postmarked or hand-delivered not later than January 31, 2003. 
Failure to apply in a timely manner will preclude permit issuance even 
when the

[[Page 618]]

vessel owner meets the eligibility criteria for such permit.
    (i) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) A copy of the vessel's valid USCG certificate of documentation 
or, if not documented, a copy of its valid state registration 
certificate.
    (B) Vessel name and official number.
    (C) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the vessel owner.
    (D) Documentation of eligibility as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (2) of this section.
    (E) The applicant's desired color code for use in identifying his or 
her vessel and buoys (white is not an acceptable color code).
    (F) Number of traps authorized under Sec. 654.4(b) that will be 
used and trap dimensions.
    (G) Any other information concerning the vessel, gear 
characteristics, principal fisheries engaged in, or fishing areas, if 
specified on the application form.
    (H) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, if specified on the application form.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Notification of incomplete application. Upon receipt of an 
incomplete application, the RA will notify the applicant of the 
deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 
days of the date of the RA's letter of notification, the application 
will be considered abandoned.
    (5) Change in application information. The owner of a vessel with a 
commercial vessel permit must notify the RA within 30 days after any 
change in the application information specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) 
of this section. The permit is void if any change in the information is 
not reported within 30 days.
    (6) Initial commercial vessel permit issuance. (i) The RA will issue 
an initial commercial vessel permit for stone crab to an applicant if 
the applicant submits a complete application that complies with the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section. An 
application is complete when all requested forms, information, and 
documentation have been received.
    (ii) If the eligibility requirements specified in paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (2) of this section are not met, the RA will notify the vessel owner 
of such determination and the reasons for it not later than 30 days 
after receipt of the application.
    (7) Appeal of initial denial of a commercial vessel permit--(i) 
General procedure. An applicant for a commercial vessel permit for stone 
crab who has complied with the application procedures in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section and who initially has been denied such permit by 
the RA may appeal that decision to the RA. The appeal must be postmarked 
or hand-delivered to the RA not later than 60 days after the date of 
notification of the initial denial. An appeal must be in writing and 
must include copies of landing records relating to eligibility, such 
other reliable evidence upon which the facts related to issuance can be 
resolved, and a concise statement of the reasons the initial denial 
should be reversed or modified. An appeal constitutes the applicant's 
written authorization under section 402(b)(1)(F) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act for the RA to make available to the appellate officer(s) such 
confidential landings and other records as are pertinent to the matter 
under appeal. The applicant may request a hearing. The RA will appoint 
one or more appellate officers to review the appeal and make 
recommendations to the RA. The appellate officer(s) may recommend that 
the RA deny the appeal, issue a decision on the merits of the appeal if 
the records are sufficient to reach a final judgement, or conduct a 
hearing. The RA may affirm, reverse, modify, or remand the appellate 
officer(s) recommendation.
    (ii) Hearings. If the RA determines that a hearing is necessary and 
appropriate, the RA or appellate officer(s) will notify the applicant of 
the place and date of the hearing. The applicant will be allowed 30 days 
after the date of the notification of the hearing to provide 
supplementary documentary evidence in support of the appeal.
    (8) Duration of a commercial vessel permit. A commercial vessel 
permit remains valid for the period specified on it unless it is 
revoked, suspended, or

[[Page 619]]

modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 CFR part 904 or the vessel is sold.
    (9) Transferability of a commercial vessel permit, trap certificate, 
or annual trap tags. A commercial vessel permit, trap certificate, or 
annual trap tags issued under this section are not transferable or 
assignable, except that an owner of a permitted vessel may request that 
the RA transfer the permit, trap certificate, and annual trap tags to 
another vessel owned by the same entity. To effect such a transfer, the 
owner must return the existing permit, trap certificate and annual trap 
tags to the RA along with an application for a commercial vessel permit 
for the replacement vessel. A commercial vessel permit, trap certificate 
or annual trap tags can not be leased.
    (10) Renewal of a commercial vessel permit. A commercial vessel 
permit required by this section is issued on an annual basis. An owner 
whose permit is expiring will be mailed a notification by the RA 
approximately 2 months prior to expiration of the current permit. The 
notification will include a preprinted renewal application. A vessel 
owner who does not receive a notification of status of renewal of a 
permit by 45 days prior to expiration of the current permit must contact 
the RA. A permit that is not renewed or that is revoked will not be 
reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an application 
for renewal is not received by the RA within 1 year of the expiration 
date of the permit.
    (11) Display of a commercial vessel permit. A commercial vessel 
permit issued under this section must be carried on board the vessel. 
The operator of a vessel must present the permit for inspection upon the 
request of an authorized officer.
    (12) Sanctions and denials of a commercial vessel permit. A 
commercial vessel permit issued pursuant to this section may be revoked, 
suspended, or modified, and a permit application may be denied, in 
accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related permit 
sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (13) Alteration of a commercial vessel permit. A commercial vessel 
permit that is altered, erased, or mutilated is invalid.
    (14) Replacement of a commercial vessel permit. A replacement permit 
may be issued. An application for a replacement permit is not considered 
a new application.
    (15) Fees. A fee is charged for each application for initial 
issuance or renewal of a permit, for each request for replacement of 
such permit, and for each trap tag as required under this section. The 
amount of each fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of 
the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the RA, for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee may not 
exceed such costs and is specified with each application form. The 
appropriate fee must accompany each application, request for 
replacement, or request for trap tags.
    (b) Issuance of a trap certificate and annual trap tags. The RA will 
issue a trap certificate and annual trap tags to each person who has 
been issued a Federal commercial vessel permit for stone crab. The 
number of trap tags issued will be determined, based upon the 
documentation of landings submitted consistent with Sec. 654.4(a)(1), 
(2) and (3), by dividing that person's highest landings of stone crab 
claws during any one of the fishing seasons for 1995/1996, 1996/1997, or 
1997/1998 by 5 lb (2.27 kg).

[67 FR 61991, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.5  Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]



Sec. 654.6  Vessel and gear identification.

    An owner or operator of a vessel for which a valid Federal 
commercial vessel permit for stone crab has been issued must comply with 
the vessel and gear identification requirements of this section. An 
owner or operator of a vessel in the management area who is in 
compliance with the stone crab trap limitation program and vessel and 
gear marking requirements implemented by the FFWCC is exempt from the 
requirements of this section.
    (a) Vessel identification. An owner or operator of a vessel for 
which a valid Federal commercial vessel permit for stone crab has been 
issued must--
    (1) Display the vessel's official number--(i) On the port and 
starboard sides

[[Page 620]]

of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an 
appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an 
enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (ii) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel in contrasting color to the background.
    (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft 
(19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for vessels over 
25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height for vessels 
25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (2) Display the color code assigned by the RA--(i) On the port and 
starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft 
(7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly 
visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (ii) In the form of a circle permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel.
    (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter for vessels over 65 
ft (19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter for vessels 
over 25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter for 
vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (3) Keep the official number and the color code clearly legible and 
in good repair and ensure that no part of the fishing vessel, its 
rigging, fishing gear, or any other material on board obstructs the view 
of the official number or the color code from an enforcement vessel or 
aircraft.
    (b) Gear identification--(1) Traps. A stone crab trap used by or 
possessed on board a vessel with a Federal commercial vessel permit for 
stone crab must have a valid annual trap tag issued by the RA attached.
    (2) Trap buoys. A buoy must be attached to each stone crab trap or 
at each end of a string of traps. Each buoy must display the official 
number and the color code assigned by the RA so as to be easily 
distinguished, located, and identified.
    (3) Presumption of trap ownership. A stone crab trap will be 
presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. This 
presumption will not apply to traps that are lost if the owner reports 
the loss within 15 days to the RA.
    (4) Unmarked traps or buoys. An unmarked stone crab trap or a buoy 
deployed in the EEZ where such trap or buoy is required to be marked is 
illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the 
Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.7  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the general prohibitions specified in Sec. 620.7 of 
this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel and gear 
identification, as required by Sec. 654.6.
    (b) Possess a stone crab in the management area during the period 
specified in Sec. 654.20(a).
    (c) Possess a stone crab trap in the management area during the 
period specified in Sec. 654.20(c).
    (d) Remove from a stone crab in or from the management area, or 
possess in the management area, a claw that is less than the minimum 
size limit specified in Sec. 654.21(a).
    (e) Fail to return immediately to the water unharmed an egg-bearing 
stone crab, or strip eggs from or otherwise molest an egg-bearing stone 
crab; as specified in Sec. 654.21(b).
    (f) Hold a stone crab in or from the management area aboard a vessel 
other than as specified in Sec. 654.21(c).
    (g) Use or possess in the management area a stone crab trap that 
does not comply with the trap construction requirements as specified in 
Sec. 654.22(a).
    (h) Pull or tend a stone crab trap in the management area other than 
during daylight hours, as specified in Sec. 654.22(b).
    (i) Willfully tend, open, pull, or otherwise molest another 
fisherman's trap, buoy, or line in the management area, as specified in 
Sec. 654.22(c).
    (j) Trawl in a closed area or during a closed season, as specified 
in Sec. Sec. 654.23 or 654.24, or as may be implemented under Sec. 
654.25(b).
    (k) Place a stone crab trap in a closed area or during a closed 
season, as specified in Sec. 654.24, or as may be implemented under 
Sec. 654.25(b).

[[Page 621]]

    (l) Interfere with fishing or obstruct or damage fishing gear or the 
fishing vessel of another, as specified in Sec. 654.25(a).
    (m) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, 
sale, possession, or transfer of stone crab.
    (n) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent by any means an 
investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in 
connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (o) Fish for any species or anchor a fishing vessel in a marine 
reserve as specified in Sec. 654.28.
    (p) Except for a person who is in compliance with the FFWCC stone 
crab trap limitation program, possess or use a stone crab trap, possess 
more than 1 gallon (4.5 L) of stone crab claws, or sell stone crab claws 
in or from the management area without a commercial vessel permit as 
specified in Sec. 654.4(a).
    (q) Falsify information on an application for a commercial vessel 
permit or submitted in support of such application as specified in Sec. 
654.4(a)(1) or (2).

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002; 
67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.8  Facilitation of enforcement.

    See Sec. 600.730 of this chapter.

[67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.9  Penalties.

    See Sec. 600.735 of this chapter.

[67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



                      Subpart B_Management Measures



Sec. 654.20  Seasons.

    (a) Closed season. No person may possess a stone crab in the 
management area from 12:01 a.m., local time, May 16, through 12 p.m. 
midnight, local time, October 14, each year. Holding a stone crab in a 
trap in the water during a soak period or during a removal period (see 
paragraph (b) of this section), or during any extension thereto, is not 
deemed possession, provided that, if the trap is removed from the water 
during such period, such crab is returned immediately to the water with 
its claws unharvested.
    (b) Placement of traps--(1) Prior to the fishing season. The period 
of October 5 through October 14 is established as a trap soak period. A 
stone crab trap may be placed in the management area not earlier than 1 
hour before sunrise on October 5.
    (2) After the fishing season. The period of May 16 through May 20 is 
established as a trap removal period. A stone crab trap must be removed 
from the management area not later than 1 hour after sunset on May 20, 
unless an extension to the removal period is granted under paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) of this section and the extension authorization is carried 
aboard the fishing vessel as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section.
    (i) An extension of the removal period may be granted by Florida in 
accordance with Rule 46-13.002(2)(b), Florida Administrative Code, in 
effect as of April 14, 1995. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, 2540 Executive 
Center Circle West, Suite 106, Tallahassee, FL 32301; telephone: 904-
487-0554. Copies may be inspected at the office of the Regional 
Administrator, or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/
code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
    (ii) The extension authorization must be carried aboard the fishing 
vessel. The operator of a fishing vessel must present the authorization 
for inspection upon request of an authorized officer.
    (c) Possession of stone crab traps. A stone crab trap may not be 
possessed in the management area from the end of the trap removal 
period, or an extension thereto, to the beginning of the trap soak 
period, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section. A stone crab 
trap, float, or rope in the management

[[Page 622]]

area during this period will be considered unclaimed or abandoned 
property and may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by 
the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. An owner of such 
trap, float, or rope remains subject to appropriate civil penalties.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002; 69 
FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]



Sec. 654.21  Harvest limitations.

    (a) Claw size. No person may remove from a stone crab in or from the 
management area, or possess in the management area, a claw with a 
propodus measuring less than 2.75 inches (7.0 cm), measured in a 
straight line from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable finger. 
The propodus is the largest section of the claw assembly that has both a 
movable and immovable finger and is located farthest from the body when 
the entire appendage is extended. (See Appendix A, Figure 1, of this 
part.)
    (b) Egg-bearing stone crabs. An egg-bearing stone crab in or from 
the management area must be returned immediately to the water unharmed--
without removal of a claw. An egg-bearing stone crab may not be stripped 
of its eggs or otherwise molested.
    (c) Holding stone crabs. A live stone crab in or from the management 
area may be held aboard a vessel until such time as a legal-sized claw 
is removed, provided it is held in a container that is shaded from 
direct sunlight and it is wet with sea water as necessary to keep it in 
a damp condition. Containers holding stone crabs must be stacked in a 
manner that does not compress the crabs. A stone crab body from which a 
legal-sized claw has been removed must be returned to the sea before the 
vessel reaches shore or a port or dock.



Sec. 654.22  Gear restrictions.

    (a) Trap construction requirements. No person fishing for stone crab 
may transport on the water or fish with any trap which does not meet the 
following requirements:
    (1) Each trap must be constructed of wood, plastic, or wire.
    (2) A trap may be no larger in dimension than 24 by 24 by 24 inches 
(61 by 61 by 61 cm) or 8.0 ft\3\ (0.23 m\3\).
    (3) The throats (entrances) to all wood and plastic traps must be 
located on the top horizontal section of the trap. If the throat is 
longer in one dimension, the throat size in the longer dimension must 
not exceed 5\1/2\ inches (14.0 cm) and in the shorter dimension must not 
exceed 3\1/2\ inches (9.0 cm). If the throat is round, the throat size 
must not exceed 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter.
    (4) In any wire trap used to harvest stone crabs, each throat must 
be horizontally oriented. The width of the opening where the throat 
meets the vertical wall of the trap and the opening of the throat at its 
farthest point from the vertical wall, inside the trap, must be greater 
than the height of any such opening. No such throat may extend farther 
than 6 inches (15.2 cm) into the inside of any trap, measured from where 
the throat opening meets the vertical wall of the trap to the throat 
opening at its farthest point from the vertical wall, inside the trap.
    (5) A wire trap must have at least three unobstructed escape rings 
installed, each with a minimum inside diameter of 2\3/8\ inches (6.0 
cm). One such escape ring must be located on a vertical outer surface 
adjacent to each crab retaining chamber.
    (6) A plastic or wire trap must have a degradable panel.
    (i) A plastic trap will be considered to have degradable panel if it 
contains at least one sidewall with a rectangular opening no smaller in 
either dimension than that of the throat. This opening may be obstructed 
only with a cypress or untreated pine slat or slats no thicker than \3/
4\ inch (1.9 cm) such that when the slat degrades, the opening in the 
sidewall of the trap will no longer be obstructed.
    (ii) A wire trap will be considered to have a degradable panel if 
one of the following methods is used in construction of the trap:
    (A) The trap lid tie-down strap is secured to the trap at one end by 
a single loop of untreated jute twine, a corrodible loop composed of 
non-coated steel wire measuring 24 gauge or thinner, or an untreated 
pine dowel no larger than

[[Page 623]]

2 inches (5.1 cm) in length by \3/8\ inch (0.95 cm) in diameter. The 
trap lid must be secured so that when the jute, corrodible loop, or pine 
dowel degrades, the lid will no longer be securely closed.
    (B) The trap contains at least one sidewall with a vertical 
rectangular opening no smaller in either dimension than 6 inches (15.2 
cm) in height by 3 inches (7.6 cm) in width. This opening may be laced, 
sewn, or otherwise obstructed by--
    (1) A single length of untreated jute twine knotted only at each end 
and not tied or looped more than once around a single mesh bar;
    (2) Untreated pine slat(s) no thicker than \3/8\ inch (0.95 cm);
    (3) Non-coated steel wire measuring 24 gauge or thinner;
    (4) A panel of ferrous single-dipped galvanized wire mesh made of 24 
gauge or thinner wire; or
    (5) A rectangular panel made of any material, fastened to the trap 
at each of the four corners of the rectangle by rings made of non-coated 
24 gauge or thinner wire or single strands of untreated jute twine. When 
the jute, untreated pine slat(s), non-coated steel wire, wire mesh 
panel, or corner fasteners degrade, the opening in the sidewall of the 
trap must no longer be obstructed.
    (b) Daylight hours. A stone crab trap in the management area may be 
pulled or tended during daylight hours only--that is, from 1 hour before 
sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
    (c) Gear belonging to others. No fisherman may willfully tend, open, 
pull, or otherwise molest another fisherman's trap, buoy, or line in the 
management area without the prior written consent of that fisherman.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 31835, May 19, 2000]



Sec. 654.23  Southwest Florida seasonal trawl closure.

    From January 1 to 1 hour after sunset (local time) May 20, each 
year, the area described in this section is closed to trawling, 
including trawling for live bait. The area is that part of the 
management area shoreward of a line connecting the following points (see 
Appendix A, Figure 2, of this part):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  North         West
                    Point                       Latitude      Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B\1\........................................  26[deg]16[mi  81[deg]58.5[
                                                        n]          min]
C...........................................  26[deg]00[mi  82[deg]04[mi
                                                        n]            n]
D...........................................  25[deg]09[mi  81[deg]47.6[
                                                        n]          min]
E...........................................  24[deg]54.5[  81[deg]50.5[
                                                      min]          min]
M\1\........................................  24[deg]49.3[  81[deg]46.4[
                                                      min]         min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On the seaward limit of Florida's waters.



Sec. 654.24  Shrimp/stone crab separation zones.

    Five zones are established in the management area and Florida's 
waters off Citrus and Hernando Counties for the separation of shrimp 
trawling and stone crab trapping. The zones are as shown in Appendix A, 
Figure 3, of this part. Although Zone II is entirely within Florida's 
waters, it is included in this section and Appendix A, Figure 3, of this 
part for the convenience of fishermen. Restrictions that apply to Zone 
II and those parts of the other zones that are in Florida's waters are 
contained in Rule 46-38.001, Florida Administrative Code. Geographical 
coordinates of the points referred to in this paragraph and shown in 
Appendix A, Figure 3, of this part are as follows (loran readings are 
unofficial and are included only for the convenience of fishermen):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                       Loran Chain 7980
                  Point                          North latitude                West  longitude       ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                           W            X            Y            Z
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................  28[deg]59[min]30[sec]         82[deg]45[min]36[sec]             14416.5      31409.4      45259.1      62895.3
B.......................................  28[deg]59[min]30[sec]         83[deg]00[min]10[sec]             14396.0      31386.3      45376.8      63000.0
C.......................................  28[deg]26[min]01[sec]         82[deg]59[min]47[sec]             14301.5      31205.9      45103.2      63000.0
D.......................................  28[deg]26[min]01[sec]         82[deg]56[min]54[sec]             14307.0      31212.2      45080.0      62981.3
E.......................................  28[deg]41[min]39[sec]         82[deg]55[min]25[sec]             14353.7      31300.2      45193.9      62970.0
F.......................................  28[deg]41[min]39[sec]         82[deg]56[min]09[sec]             14352.4      31298.6      45199.4      62975.0
G.......................................  28[deg]48[min]56[sec]         82[deg]56[min]19[sec]             14372.6      31337.2      45260.0      62975.0
H.......................................  28[deg]53[min]51[sec]         82[deg]51[min]19[sec]             14393.9      31371.8      45260.0      62938.7
I.......................................  28[deg]54[min]43[sec]         82[deg]44[min]52[sec]               (\1\)        (\1\)        (\1\)        (\1\)
J.......................................  28[deg]51[min]09[sec]         82[deg]44[min]00[sec]               (\2\)        (\2\)        (\2\)        (\2\)

[[Page 624]]

 
K.......................................  28[deg]50[min]59[sec]         82[deg]54[min]16[sec]             14381.6      31351.8      45260.0      62960.0
L.......................................  28[deg]41[min]39[sec]         82[deg]53[min]56[sec]             14356.2      31303.0      45181.7      62960.0
M.......................................  28[deg]41[min]39[sec]         82[deg]38[min]46[sec]               (\3\)        (\3\)        (\3\)        (\3\)
N.......................................  28[deg]41[min]39[sec]         82[deg]53[min]12[sec]             14357.4      31304.4      45176.0      62955.0
O.......................................  28[deg]30[min]51[sec]         82[deg]55[min]11[sec]             14323.7      31242.4      45104.9      62970.0
P.......................................  28[deg]40[min]00[sec]         82[deg]53[min]08[sec]             14352.9      31295.7      45161.8      62955.0
Q.......................................  28[deg]40[min]00[sec]         82[deg]47[min]58[sec]             14361.3      31305.4      45120.0      62920.0
R.......................................  28[deg]35[min]14[sec]         82[deg]47[min]47[sec]             14348.6      31280.6      45080.0      62920.0
S.......................................  28[deg]30[min]51[sec]         82[deg]52[min]55[sec]             14327.7      31247.0      45086.6      62955.0
T.......................................  28[deg]27[min]46[sec]         82[deg]55[min]09[sec]             14315.2      31225.8      45080.0      62970.0
U.......................................  28[deg]30[min]51[sec]         82[deg]52[min]09[sec]             14329.1      31248.6      45080.0     62949.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Crystal River Entrance Light 1A.
\2\ Long Pt. (southwest tip).
\3\ Shoreline.

    (a) Zone I is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
A, B, C, D, T, E, F, G, H, I, and J, plus the shoreline between points A 
and J. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone I that is in the EEZ 
during the period October 5 through May 20, each year.
    (b) Zone II is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
J, I, H, K, L, and M, plus the shoreline between points J and M.
    (c) Zone III is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
P, Q, R, U, S, and P. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone III 
that is in the EEZ during the period October 5 through May 20, each 
year.
    (d) Zone IV is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
E, N, S, O, and E.
    (1) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone 
IV that is in the EEZ during the periods October 5 through December 1, 
and April 2 through May 20, each year.
    (2) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone IV that is in the 
EEZ during the period December 2 through April 1, each year.
    (e) Zone V is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
F, G, K, L, and F.
    (1) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone V 
that is in the EEZ during the periods October 5 through November 30, and 
March 16 through May 20, each year.
    (2) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone V that it is in the 
EEZ during the period December 1 through March 15, each year.
    (f) A stone crab trap, float, or rope in the management area during 
a period not authorized by this section will be considered unclaimed or 
abandoned property and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. An 
owner of such trap, float, or rope remains subject to appropriate civil 
penalties. A stone crab trap will be presumed to be the property of the 
most recently documented owner.



Sec. 654.25  Prevention of gear conflicts.

    (a) No person may knowingly place in the management area any 
article, including fishing gear, that interferes with fishing or 
obstructs or damages fishing gear or the fishing vessel of another; or 
knowingly use fishing gear in such a fashion that it obstructs or 
damages the fishing gear or fishing vessel of another.
    (b) In accordance with the procedures and limitations of the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the 
Regional Administrator may modify or establish separation zones for 
shrimp trawling and the use of fixed gear as may be necessary and 
appropriate to prevent gear conflicts. Necessary prohibitions or 
restrictions will be published in the Federal Register.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.26  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the procedures and limitations of the fishery 
management plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the 
Regional Administrator may establish or modify

[[Page 625]]

the following management measures: Limitations on the number of traps 
that may be fished by each vessel; construction characteristics of 
traps; gear and vessel identification requirements; gear that may be 
used or prohibited in a directed fishery; bycatch levels in non-directed 
fisheries; seasons; soak/removal periods and requirements for traps; 
use, possession and handling of stone crabs aboard vessels; and minimum 
legal sizes.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.27  Specifically authorized activities.

    The Regional Administrator may authorize, for the acquisition of 
information and data, activities otherwise prohibited by the regulations 
in this part.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002]



Sec. 654.28  Tortugas marine reserves.

    The following activities are prohibited within the Tortugas marine 
reserves: Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (a) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting the following points: From point A at 
24[deg]40[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long. to point B 
at 24[deg]46[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long. to 
point C at 24[deg]46[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]00[min]00[min] W. 
long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's 
waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11438, to point A 
at 24[deg]40[min]00[min] N. lat., 83[deg]06[min]00[min] W. long.
    (b) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      North lat.    West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A                                             24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
B                                             24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
C                                             24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]05[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
D                                             24[deg]18[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
A                                             24[deg]33[mi  83[deg]09[mi
                                                 n]00[min]     n]00[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002]

                     Appendix A to Part 654--Figures

Figure 1--Stone Crab Claw
Figure 2--Southwest Florida Seasonal Trawl Closure
Figure 3--Shrimp/Stone Crab Separation Zones

[[Page 626]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03MR91.064


[[Page 627]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03MR91.065


[[Page 628]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03MR91.066

                        PARTS 655	659 [RESERVED]


[[Page 629]]



                              FINDING AIDS




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.

  Material Approved for Incorporation by Reference
  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  List of CFR Sections Affected

[[Page 631]]

            Material Approved for Incorporation by Reference

                     (Revised as of October 1, 2006)

  The Director of the Federal Register has approved under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 the incorporation by reference of the following 
publications. This list contains only those incorporations by reference 
effective as of the revision date of this volume. Incorporations by 
reference found within a regulation are effective upon the effective 
date of that regulation. For more information on incorporation by 
reference, see the preliminary pages of this volume.


50 CFR (PARTS 600-659)

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                  50 CFR


Florida Marine Fisheries Commission

  2540 Executive Center Circle West, Suite 106, 
  Tallahassee, FL 32301, telephone (904) 487-0554
Florida Administrative Code, rules 62N-8.001 and                654.6(a)
  46-13.002(2)(e) and (f), all as in effect as of 
  April 14, 1995.
Florida Administrative Code, rule 46-13.002(2)(b),             654.20(b)
  in effect as of April 14, 1995.

[[Page 633]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                     (Revised as of October 1, 2006)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--500)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 100-199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Circulars and Guidance 
                (200-299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements [Reserved]


                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--99)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Part 2100)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)

[[Page 634]]

        XV  Office of Administration, Executive Office of the 
                President (Parts 2500--2599)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Part 3201)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Part 3301)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Part 3401)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Part 3501)
      XXVI  Department of Defense (Part 3601)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Part 3801)
      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Part 4301)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Part 4501)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Part 5001)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Part 5101)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Part 5201)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Part 5301)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Part 5501)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Part 5601)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Part 5701)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Part 5801)
         L  Department of Transportation (Part 6001)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Part 6201)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Part 6401)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Part 6501)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Part 6601)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Part 6701)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Part 
                6801)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Part 
                6901)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Part 7001)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Part 7101)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Part 7201)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Part 7301)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Part 
                7501)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Part 
                7601)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Part 7701)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Part 7901)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Part 8101)
    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Part 8301)
     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (Part 
                8401)
     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Part 8601)

[[Page 635]]

    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Part 8701)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Part 
                9701)
      XCIX  Department of Defense Human Resources Management and 
                Labor Relations Systems (Department of Defense--
                Office of Personnel Management) (Part 9901)

                      Title 6--Homeland Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 0--99)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)
      VIII  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
                Administration (Federal Grain Inspection Service), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)
        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Rural Telephone Bank, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)

[[Page 636]]

     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  Local Television Loan Guarantee Board (Parts 2200--
                2299)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 3400--
                3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]
      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 4200--
                4299)

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and 
                Naturalization) (Parts 1--499)
         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
                Administration (Packers and Stockyards Programs), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

[[Page 637]]

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1303--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Part 1800)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Housing Finance Board (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 638]]

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--499)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)
       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Technology Administration, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399)

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

[[Page 639]]

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 
                Department of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599)

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Employees Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)
         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Employment Standards Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training, Department of Labor 
                (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

[[Page 640]]

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Parts 700--
                799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board Regulations (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)
        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 641]]

        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
         X  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Interstate Land Sales 
                Registration Program) (Parts 1700--1799)
       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--799)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Part 1200)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--899)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)

[[Page 642]]

        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--699)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

[[Page 643]]

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Minerals Management Service, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 200--299)
       III  Board of Surface Mining and Reclamation Appeals, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance
         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of International Investment, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)

[[Page 644]]

    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)
       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department 
                of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
        XI  National Institute for Literacy (Parts 1100--1199)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)

                          Title 35 [Reserved]

             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Part 1501)

[[Page 645]]

       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 200--299)
       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                301--399)
        IV  Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 400--499)
         V  Under Secretary for Technology, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 500--599)

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--99)

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)

[[Page 646]]

       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)
       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
            Subtitle D--Other Provisions Relating to Property 
                Management [Reserved]
            Subtitle E--Federal Information Resources Management 
                Regulations System
       201  Federal Information Resources Management Regulation 
                (Parts 201-1--201-99) [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)
       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1999)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 200--499)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10010)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)
        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

[[Page 647]]

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Office of Child Support Enforcement (Child Support 
                Enforcement Program), Administration for Children 
                and Families, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)
        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Office of Human Development Services, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission on Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Part 2301)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)
       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)

[[Page 648]]

        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)
         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  United States Agency for International Development 
                (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees' 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)
        35  [Reserved]
        44  Federal Emergency Management Agency (Parts 4400--4499)
        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199)

[[Page 649]]

        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399)
        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  General Services Administration Board of Contract 
                Appeals (Parts 6100--6199)
        63  Department of Transportation Board of Contract Appeals 
                (Parts 6300--6399)
        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation - [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)

[[Page 650]]

        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

                      CFR Index and Finding Aids

            Subject/Agency Index
            List of Agency Prepared Indexes
            Parallel Tables of Statutory Authorities and Rules
            List of CFR Titles, Chapters, Subchapters, and Parts
            Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR

[[Page 651]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                     (Revised as of October 1, 2006)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Committee of the Federal Register  1, I
Advanced Research Projects Agency                 32, I
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development, United      22, II
     States
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, IX, X, XI
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture Department                            5, LXXIII
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, IX, X, XI
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Cooperative State Research, Education, and      7, XXXIV
       Extension Service
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy, Office of                               7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards        7, VIII; 9, II
       Administration
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Telephone Bank                            7, XVI
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force Department                              32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX

[[Page 652]]

Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
     Compliance Board
Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI
Army Department                                   32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Benefits Review Board                             20, VII
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase From People Who Are
Broadcasting Board of Governors                   22, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Enforcement, Office of              45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, III, IV, X
Civil Rights, Commission on                       45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce Department                               44, IV
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Affairs, Under Secretary               37, V
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Fishery Conservation and Management             50, VI
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV, VI
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Productivity, Technology and Innovation,        37, IV
       Assistant Secretary for
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
  Technology, Under Secretary for                 37, V
  Technology Administration                       15, XI
  Technology Policy, Assistant Secretary for      37, IV
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Cooperative State Research, Education, and        7, XXXIV
     Extension Service
Copyright Office                                  37, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection Bureau              19, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Department                                5, XXVI; 32, Subtitle A; 
                                                  40, VII

[[Page 653]]

  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III, 
                                                  48, 51
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, II
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I
  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy Department                                 32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
District of Columbia, Court Services and          28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Affairs, Under Secretary                 37, V
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
  Vocational and Adult Education, Office of       34, IV
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             5, XXIII; 10, II, III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   5, LIV; 40, I, IV, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Administration, Office of                       5, XV
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, 2
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II

[[Page 654]]

  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
       States
Export-Import Bank of the United States           5, LII; 12, IV
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 44
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Board                     12, IX
Federal Labor Relations Authority, and General    5, XIV; 22, XIV
     Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations 
     Authority
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Fine Arts, Commission on                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Fishery Conservation and Management               50, VI
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV
Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5
  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102

[[Page 655]]

  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          5, XLV; 45, Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Enforcement, Office of            45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, III, IV, X
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Human Development Services, Office of           45, XIII
  Indian Health Service                           25, V; 42, I
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  6, I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection Bureau            19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Immigration and Naturalization                  8, I
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      5, LXV; 24, Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Human Development Services, Office of             45, XIII
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration and Naturalization                    8, I
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V
Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II
Indian Health Service                             25, V; 42, I
Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
   Archives and Records Administration
[[Page 656]]

Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior Department
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  Minerals Management Service                     30, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining and Reclamation Appeals, Board   30, III
       of
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Fishing and Related Activities      50, III
International Investment, Office of               31, VIII
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice Department                                5, XXVIII; 28, I, XI; 40, 
                                                  IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Offices of Independent Counsel                  28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor Department                                  5, XLII
  Benefits Review Board                           20, VII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV
  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Employment Standards Administration             20, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29
  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50
  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50

[[Page 657]]

  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Office                                37, II
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
Local Television Loan Guarantee Board             7, XX
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minerals Management Service                       30, II
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Bureau of Standards                      15, II
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV
National Commission for Employment Policy         1, IV
National Commission on Libraries and Information  45, XVII
     Science
National Council on Disability                    34, XII
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           21, III
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute for Literacy                   34, XI
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV, VI
National Mediation Board                          29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       5, XLIII; 45, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI
National Security Council and Office of Science   47, II
     and Technology Policy
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
National Weather Service                          15, IX
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy Department                                   32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52

[[Page 658]]

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Offices of Independent Counsel                    28, VI
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Overseas Private Investment Corporation           5, XXXIII; 22, VII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, XXXV; 45, VIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Rate Commission                            5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Productivity, Technology and Innovation,          37, IV
     Assistant Secretary
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Regional Action Planning Commissions              13, V
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII
Rural Development Administration                  7, XLII
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV
Rural Telephone Bank                              7, XVI
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation     33, IV
Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV
Science and Technology Policy, Office of, and     47, II
     National Security Council
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI
Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
     Office of
State Department                                  22, I; 28, XI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining and Reclamation Appeals, Board of  30, III
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII

[[Page 659]]

Technology Administration                         15, XI
Technology Policy, Assistant Secretary for        37, IV
Technology, Under Secretary for                   37, V
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Thrift Supervision Office, Department of the      12, V
     Treasury
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 63
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation   33, IV
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Surface Transportation Board                    49, X
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury Department                               5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, IV; 
                                                  31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection Bureau            19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  International Investment, Office of             31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
  Thrift Supervision, Office of                   12, V
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
     Commission
Veterans Affairs Department                       38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Vocational and Adult Education, Office of         34, IV
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 661]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations which were 
made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 1, 
2001, are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the nature 
of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register pages. 
The user should consult the entries for chapters and parts as well as 
sections for revisions.
For the period before January 1, 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections 
Affected, 1949-1963, 1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 
11 separate volumes.

                                  2001

50 CFR
                                                                   66 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
600 Fishing restrictions..............................2389, 22469, 35388
    Specifications......................2338, 10209, 18409, 28676, 28846
    Technical correction....................................38162, 55599
    Inseason adjustments....................................50851, 63199
    Temporary regulations..........................................54721
600.120 Revised....................................................57886
600.125 Revised....................................................57887
600.135 Revised....................................................57887
600.150 Revised....................................................57887
600.155 Revised....................................................57887
600.205 Revised....................................................57888
600.245 (a) removed; (b), (c) and (d) redesignated as (a), (b) and 
        (c)........................................................57888
600.518 (b)(1) table revised.......................................28132
622 Temporary regulations.......7591, 11237, 13440, 15357, 33917, 35761, 
                                              54723, 57396, 58410, 60161
    Policy statement...............................................16618
    Inseason adjustments...........................................32779
622.31 Regulation at 65 FR 56502 eff. date extended through 9-14-
        01.........................................................14862
622.39 (c)(1)(ii) revised..........................................17369
622.42 (c)(1)(i) revised...........................................17369
622.44 (a)(2)(i) and (d)(4)(i) revised.............................17370
635 Quotas.........................55, 46400, 46401, 49321, 53346, 57397
    Retention limits........................................31844, 40151
    Fishing season notification....................................33918
    Quota specifications...........................................37421
    Inseason adjustment.....................................42805, 64378
    Temporary regulations............................46401, 48221, 54165
    Closure........................................................63002
635.2 Amended.......................................................8904
    Amended; eff. 7-11-01 through 1-9-02...........................36712
635.4 (d)(3) stayed; (d)(6) added..................................29511
    (b)(1) and (d)(1), (2) and (3) revised.........................30652
635.5 (a)(1) amended...............................................30653
    (a)(3), (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), (2)(i), (ii)(A) and (B) 
revised............................................................42804
635.6 (b)(1) introductory text and (iii) revised...................42804
635.7 (d) revised; interim.........................................17372
635.20 (e)(1) stayed; eff. 3-6-01 through 9-4-01...................13443
    (f)(1) amended.................................................42804
    (e)(1) suspended (temporary)...................................67121
635.21 (c)(2)(ii) and (iii) revised.................................8904
    (c) introductory text amended; (c)(5) added; interim...........17372
    (a)(3) added; eff. 9-15-01 through 1-9-02; (c)(2) stayed; 
(c)(6) added; eff. 7-15-01 through 1-9-02; (c)(5)(iii) added; eff. 
8-1-01 through 1-9-02..............................................36714
635.22 (c) amended..................................................8904
635.27 (b)(1)(iii) revised..........................................8904
    (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iv)(A) and (c) stayed; (b)(1)(v) and (vi) 
added; eff. 3-6-01 through 9-4-01..................................13443
    (a)(2)(i), (ii) and (iii) revised..............................42805
    (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iv)(A) and (C) suspended; (b)(1)(iv)(D), (v) 
and (vi) added.....................................................67121

[[Page 662]]

635.28 (b)(1) stayed; (b)(4) added; eff. 3-6-01 through 9-4-01.....13443
635.41 (a) introductory text, (1), (2) and (b) amended.............42805
635.42 (a) heading, (1), (2), (3), (b) heading, (1), (2) and (3) 
        amended....................................................42805
635.43 (a)(2), (5), (12), (b) and (c) amended......................42805
635.44 (a) and (b) amended.........................................42805
635.45 Amended.....................................................42805
635.47 Amended.....................................................42805
635.69 Stayed.......................................................1907
635.71 (a)(33) and (34) added; interim.............................17373
    (a)(27) amended................................................30653
    (a)(24), (b)(25) and (26) amended; (a)(35) and (b)(28) added; 
(b)(5) and (6) revised.............................................42805
640 Figure 1 correctly added; CFR correction.......................49135
648 Quotas........8904, 27615, 29729, 41151, 57398, 58073, 63002, 65660, 
                                                                   67122
    Regulation at 65 FR 82944 eff. date delayed.....................9778
    Allowable catch levels.........................................15812
    Temporary regulations......16151, 27043, 29238, 31184, 33210, 37165, 
                         41454, 43122, 45785, 48011, 55599, 56041, 58074
    Specifications.................................................28846
    Technical corrections..........................................47413
    Suspension of surf clam minimum size limit.....................54723
    Inseason adjustment............................................56039
    Daily trip limit...............................................56040
    Fishery management measures....................................65454
648.1 (a) amended; eff. 11-01-01...................................49142
648.2 Amended; eff. 11-01-01.......................................49142
648.4 (a)(3)(iii) revised..........................................36210
    (a)(12) added; (b) revised; eff. 11-01-01......................49142
648.5 (a) amended; eff. 11-01-01...................................49143
648.6 (a)(1) revised; eff. 11-01-01................................49144
648.7 (a)(2)(i) amended; (b)(1)(iv) added; eff. 11-01-01...........49144
648.10 (b)(1) introductory text amended.....................21643, 24056
648.11 (a) amended (e) revised; eff. 11-01-01......................49144
648.12 Introductory text revised; eff. 11-01-01....................49144
648.14 Regulation at 65 FR 77466 eff. date delayed in part.........12438
    (a)(84), (92), (122) and (u)(9) revised; (a)(123) removed......12910
    (a)(38), (39), (40) and (h)(27) revised; (a)(110), (111), 
(h)(29) through (33), (i)(8) and (9) added..................21644, 24056
    (aa)(7) added..................................................22476
    (a)(80) and (u)(2) revised.....................................39291
    (j) introductory text, (k) introductory text, (l) introductory 
text, (m) introductory text, (p) introductory text, (q) 
introductory text, (u) introductory text, (v) introductory text 
and (w) introductory text revised..................................42158
    (x)(11) and (cc) added; eff. 11-01-01..........................49144
    (a)(92) and (u)(1) revised.....................................66357
648.21 (e) revised.................................................13028
    (f) revised....................................................35566
    (a), (b) and (c) revised; (g) added............................42159
648.22 (a) revised.................................................13028
648.52 Heading, (a) and (c) revised; (d) and (e) added......21644, 24056
648.53 (b) table revised....................................21644, 24057
648.57 Added; interim...............................................9679
    Heading, (a) introductory text and (b) introductory text 
revised.....................................................21645, 24057
    Added..........................................................45785
648.58 Revised..............................................21645, 24057
648.80 (h)(1) revised.......................................21647, 24060
648.81 (a)(1) introductory text, (b)(1) introductory text, (2)(ii) 
        and (c)(1) introductory text revised................21647, 24060
648.86 (a)(2)(iii) revised..................................21648, 24060
648.88 (c) revised..........................................21648, 24060
648.100 Regulation at 65 FR 47649 eff. date delayed.................8091
    Revised........................................................36211
    (a), (b) and (d) revised; (f) added............................42160
    Corrected......................................................45187
648.101 Regulation at 65 FR 47650 eff. date delayed.................8091
648.102 Revised.............................................36212, 39291
648.103 (b) revised.........................................36212, 39291
648.104 Regulation at 65 FR 47650 eff. date delayed.................8091
648.105 (a) amended................................................36212
    (a) revised....................................................39292
648.107 Regulation at 65 FR 47651 eff. date delayed.................8091

[[Page 663]]

    Revised........................................................36212
648.120 (b)(2) revised.............................................12911
    (a) revised....................................................39292
    (a), (b) introductory text, (1), (4) and (c) revised; (e) 
added..............................................................42161
    Corrected; (b)(6) correctely revised...........................45187
648.122 (a), (b) and (c) revised; (d) removed......................12911
    Heading revised; (g) added.....................................39292
648.123 (a)(1) and (5) revised.....................................12911
    (a)(1) revised.................................................66357
648.124 (b) revised................................................39292
648.125 (a) revised................................................39292
648.140 (b)(2) revised.............................................12911
    (a), (b) introductory text, (1), (6) and (c) revised; (e) 
added..............................................................42161
648.142 Revised....................................................39292
648.143 (b) amended................................................39292
    (a) revised....................................................66357
648.144 (a)(1)(i) and (b)(2) revised...............................66357
648.145 Introductory text removed; (a), (b) and (c) redesignated 
        as (b), (c) and (d); new (a) added.........................39292
    (d) revised....................................................66358
648.160 (a) revised................................................23627
    (a) through (d) revised; (h) added.............................42162
648.164 (a) amended................................................23627
648.205 Regulation at 65 FR 77469 eff. date delayed in part........12438
648.230 (d)(1) revised.............................................22476
648.235 Added......................................................22476
648.260--648.268 (Subpart M) Added; interim; eff. 5-18-01 through 
        11-14-01...................................................23184
    (Subpart M) Regulation at 66 FR 23184 eff. date extended.......56781
648.262 (a) amended; eff. 7-18-01 through 11-14-01; interim........38166
648.263 (a) amended; eff. 7-18-01 through 11-14-01; interim........38166
648.265 (a) stayed; (c) amended; (d) added; eff. 7-18-01 through 
        11-14-01; interim..........................................38166
648.268 (a)(1) and (5) amended; eff. 7-18-01 through 11-14-01; 
        interim....................................................38166
648.290--648.294 (Subpart N) Added; eff. 11-01-01..................49145

                                  2002

50 CFR
                                                                   67 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
600 Temporary regulations....................................1540, 57534
    Technical correction....3821, 3823, 3824, 7289, 15338, 40871, 48571, 
                                                                   55166
    Fishery management measures...............10490, 61824, 62204, 70018
    Fishery management measures; eff. 9-10-02 through 3-12-03......57973
    Inseason adjustment.....................................30604, 44778
600.10 Amended...............................................2375, 64312
600.746 (c)(1) introductory text revised...........................64312
600.805--600.815 (Subpart J) Revised................................2376
600.905--600.930 (Subpart K) Revised................................2376
600.1019--600.1023 (Subpart M) Added................................6200
622 Temporary regulations.............................4210, 14660, 44569
    Comment request.................................................4677
    Fishery management measures.......10113, 50367, 65902, 72112, 71901, 
                                                                   71902
    Trip limit reduction...........................................11055
    Policy statement...............................................21598
622.1 (b) Table 1 amended..........................................22362
622.2 Amended......................................................51078
622.4 (a)(2)(vi) amended...........................................22362
    (a)(1) and (g) revised; (r) added..............................43562
    (a)(2)(ix) added; eff. 12-5-02.................................51078
    (r) introductory text, (1) and (6) amended; (r)(1), (6) and 
(8)(v) suspended in part; (r)(8)(vi) added; eff. 12-17-02 to 6-16-
03.................................................................77195
622.5 (b)(1) revised; eff. 12-26-02................................43565
622.6 (b)(1)(i)(B) amended.........................................22362
    (a)(1)(i) introductory text revised; eff. 12-5-02..............51078
622.7 (z) revised..................................................22361
    (b) and (f) revised............................................43565
622.17 Revised.....................................................22361
622.31 (k) added...................................................51079
622.34 (d) revised.................................................47468
622.38 (h) amended.................................................22362
622.40 (b)(3)(i) amended; (b)(3)(ii)(B) and (d)(2)(ii) revised.....22362
622.43 (a)(3)(ii) revised; eff. 12-26-02...........................43565
622.48 (g) revised.................................................22362
635 Technical correction............................................8211
    Inseason adjustments.............................39869, 47470, 59477
    Temporary regulations..........................................56934

[[Page 664]]

    Quotas.........................................................61537
    Fishery management measures.......61537, 63854, 66072, 68045, 71487, 
                                                                   77433
635.2 Amended...............................................45400, 77436
635.4 (a)(1), (2), (5), (b), (d)(1), (2), (3), (h)(1) introductory 
        text and (m)(1) revised; (c) added.........................77436
635.5 (a)(4) and (5) added.........................................45400
    (c) amended....................................................77437
635.6 (b)(1) introductory text revised; (c)(1) amended.............77437
635.20 Regulation at 66 FR 67121 eff. date extended to 12-30-02....37354
    (e)(1) suspended; eff. 12-31-02 to 6-30-03.....................78993
635.21 (a)(4), (c)(5)(iii) and (6)(v) amended.......................1669
    (a)(3), (c)(5)(iii), (d)(3)(v) and (vi) added; (c)(2) and 
(d)(3)(iv) revised; eff. 10-7-02...................................45400
    (a)(4) added...................................................47469
635.22 (a), (c) and (d) revised....................................77437
635.23 (b) introductory text, (2), (3), (c) introductory text and 
        (3) revised................................................77438
635.25 Added.......................................................70026
635.27 Regulation at 66 FR 67121 eff. date extended to 12-30-02....37354
    (c) revised....................................................70026
    (a) introductory text amended, (1)(i) introductory text and 
(2) introductory text amended......................................77438
    (b)(1)(i) and (ii) suspended; (b)(1)(v) and (vi) added.........78993
635.28 Regulation at 66 FR 67121 eff. date extended to 12-30-02....37354
    (b)(3) revised.................................................77438
    (b)(1) and (2) suspended; (b)(4) and (5) added.................78993
635.30 (c)(1), (2) and (3) revised..................................6201
635.31 (c)(3) and (5) revised.......................................6201
    (a)(1) revised.................................................77438
635.45 Revised.....................................................70027
635.47 Revised.....................................................70027
635.71 (d)(6) and (7) revised.......................................6201
    (a)(36) and (37) added.........................................45401
    (a)(30) revised................................................47469
    (a)(24) and (29) revised; (a)(3)(8) added......................70027
    (b)(1), (3), (14) and (15) revised.............................77439
640.7 (v) added....................................................47469
640.26 Added.......................................................47469
648 Temporary regulations.......1909, 20056, 37725, 38908, 44570, 45401, 
                                              50604, 53520, 54747, 56765
    Quotas.....................................2824, 38908, 57758, 61040
    Inseason adjustment.....................................49621, 56229
    Fishery management measures.......62650, 63311, 64825, 66072, 69148, 
           70027, 70556, 71111, 71488, 72867, 76318, 76701, 78994, 79887
648.1 (a) amended..................................................63229
648.2 Amended; interim......................................21143, 50304
    Amended........................................................63229
648.4 (a)(5)(i) amended............................................44391
    (a)(1)(i)(I)(2) and (c)(2)(iii) revised; interim...............50304
    (a)(13) added..................................................63229
648.5 (a) amended..................................................63231
648.6 (a)(1) revised...............................................63231
648.7 (b)(1)(iii)(B) revised; (b)(1)(iii)(C) redesignated as 
        (b)(1)(iii)(D); new (b)(1)(iii)(C) added....................3444
    (b)(1)(iii) and (iv) removed; (b)(2) added.....................63231
648.10 (c)(1) suspended; (c)(6) added; interim.....................21144
    (c)(1) revised; interim........................................50305
    (c) introductory text, (2) and (5) revised.....................63232
648.11 (a) amended; (e) revised....................................63232
648.12 Introductory text revised...................................63232
648.13 (g) added...................................................63232
648.14 (a)(92) corrected............................................3126
    (z)(2) introductory text revised................................5242
    (aa)(4) revised; (aa)(5) and (6) removed........................6201
    (a)(35) through (45), (47), (49) through (53), (90), (101), 
(102), (104), (112), (116), (121), (b)(2), (c)(10), (13), (19), 
(20), (23) through (26), (29) through (31), (g)(2), (3) and 
(z)(2)(i) suspended; (a)(123) through (148), (b)(3), (c)(32) 
through (37) and (g)(4) through (6) added; interim.................21144
    (a)(149) through (151) added; interim..........................30332
    (a)(149) through (151) removed; interim........................38609

[[Page 665]]

    (a)(35), (42), (43), (45), (47), (52), (102), (112), (116), 
(b)(1), (2), (c)(7), (8), (13), (14), (15), (23), (26), (29), (31) 
and (z)(2)(i) revised; (a)(123) through (126), (b)(3), (4), 
(c)(32) and (33) added; (c)(20) removed; interim...................50305
    (x)(12) and (dd) added.........................................63232
648.21 (f)(3) added.................................................3627
    (a)(1) and (d)(1) revised; (a)(4) and (5) added................44394
648.53 (e) suspended; (g) added; interim...........................21145
648.80 (a)(3)(i)(A), (7)(i)(B), (8)(i)(A), (B), (14)(i)(B), (C) 
        and (b)(3)(i)(B) amended; (a)(3)(i)(B), (4)(i)(B), (C), 
        (9)(i)(D)(1), (2), (b)(3)(i)(A) and (c)(2)(iii) revised.....5242
    (a) through (d) and (g) through (i) suspended; (j) through (p) 
added; interim.....................................................21145
    Regulation at 67 FR 30331 eff. date corrected in part..........30331
    (n)(6) added; interim..........................................30332
    (n)(6) removed; interim........................................38609
    (a), (b) (c)(1), (2), (d)(2), (e)(2), (h)(1) and (i)(8) 
revised; (c)(2)(iv) and (5) added; interim.........................50306
    (a)(15) introductory text, table and (i)(F) revised............69696
648.81 (a) through (i), (n) and (o) suspended; (p) through (w) 
        added; interim.............................................21154
    (u)(1) correctly revised; eff. date corrected; interim.........30332
    (u) heading and (1) revised; interim...........................38609
    (c)(2)(iii)(B), (d), (g)(1), (2)(iii), (iv), (v), (h), (i) and 
(n) revised; interim...............................................50316
648.82 (b)(6), (7), (e), (k)(1)(i), (ii) and (v) suspended; 
        (b)(8), (9), (k)(1)(viii), (ix) and (l) added; interim.....21156
    (b), (k) introductory text, (1), (i), (ii) and (2) revised; 
(k)(1)(vi) and (vii) removed; (k)(3), (4), (5) and (l) added; 
interim............................................................50318
648.83 (a)(1) suspended; (a)(3) added; interim.....................30333
    (a)(3) revised; interim........................................38609
    (a)(1) revised; interim........................................50320
648.86 (d) and (e) headings revised.................................5243
    (b)(4), (d)(2) and (e)(2) suspended; (b)(5), (d)(4) and (e)(4) 
added; interim.....................................................21157
    (b)(1)(i), (ii)(A), (b)(2) and (3) revised; (h) added; interim
                                                                   50321
648.88 (a) introductory text, (1) and (c) revised; interim.........50322
648.89 (b) through (e) suspended; (f) through (i) added; interim 
                                                                   21157
    (b)(1), (c) and (e)(1) revised; interim........................50322
648.90 (a)(2) amended...............................................5244
648.91 (c)(1)(i) and (ii) suspended; (c)(1)(v) and (vi) added; 
        interim....................................................21158
    (c)(1)(i) and (ii) revised; interim............................50323
648.92 (b)(8)(i) and (ii) suspended; (b)(8)(vi) added; interim.....21158
    (b)(1) suspended; (b)(9) added; interim; eff. to 11-18-02......35931
    (b)(2) and (8)(i) revised; interim.............................50323
648.94 (b)(1) through (7) and (c)(2) suspended; (b)(8) through 
        (11) and (c)(7) added; interim; eff. to 11-18-02...........35931
    Regulation at 67 FR 35931 eff. date extended; interim..........67568
648.100 (d) introductory text amended; (d)(1)(ii) revised...........6880
    (d) introductory text heading added............................50372
648.102 Revised....................................................50372
648.103 (b) revised................................................50372
648.105 (a) amended................................................50372
648.107 Revised....................................................50372
648.120 (d)(4), (5) and (6) removed; (a) and (c) revised; (d)(3) 
        added.......................................................6880
648.122 (g) revised................................................50372
648.124 (b) revised................................................50373
648.125 (a) amended................................................50373
648.140 (c) and (d)(2) revised; (d)(3) and (4) added................6881
648.142 Revised....................................................50373
648.143 (b) revised................................................50373
648.200 (a) amended.................................................3446
648.202 (a) amended; (f) added......................................3446
648.230 (a) revised; eff. to 4-30-03...............................30616
648.235 (c) added...................................................6201
648.260--648.264 (Subpart M) Added.................................63233
654.1 (a) amended..................................................61993

[[Page 666]]

654.2 Amended......................................................61991
    Introductory text amended......................................61993
654.3 (a) revised; (d) removed.....................................61991
654.4 Heading revised; text added..................................61991
654.6 Introductory text added; (a) and (b) revised.................61993
654.7 (o) added....................................................47469
    (a) and (g) revised; (p) and (q) added; (n) amended............61993
654.8 Revised......................................................61993
654.9 Revised......................................................61993
654.20 (b)(2)(i) amended...........................................61993
654.25 (b) amended.................................................61993
654.26 Amended.....................................................61993
654.27 (d) amended.................................................61993
654.28 Added.......................................................47469

                                  2003

50 CFR
                                                                   68 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
600 Authority citation amended.....................................18161
    Authority citation correctly revised...........................23366
    Authority citation revised.....................................69337
    Fishery management measures....................................23901
    Policy statement...............................................42613
600.725 (v) Table VIII revised.....................................18161
    (v) Table VII correctly revised................................23366
    (v) Table VII corrected........................................26230
    (v) amended....................................................74784
600.1018 Added.....................................................69337
622 Fishery management measures.........4965, 11003, 62372, 62542, 68784
    Temporary regulations......................6360, 47498, 55554, 64820
    Comment requests...............................................10180
622.1 Table 1 amended..............................................57378
622.2 Amended......................................................57378
622.4 (a)(2)(viii), (c), (f) through (j) and (l) revised; (a)(5) 
        and (b)(4) added............................................2192
    (r)(1), (6) and (8)(v) reinstated; (r) revised.................26235
    (r)(9) through (12) added......................................38232
622.6 (a)(1)(i) introductory text revised..........................57378
622.7 (b) and (c) revised; (bb) through (ee) added..................2194
622.8 (a), (b) introductory text, and (c) introductory text 
        revised....................................................57378
622.9 Added.........................................................2194
622.19 Added........................................................2194
622.41 (g) heading revised; (j) added...............................2196
    (k) added......................................................57378
622.42 (g) added...................................................57378
622.43 (a)(7) added; (b)(2) revised................................57378
635 Fishery management measures...............14167, 31983, 35822, 56212
    Technical correction...........................................16216
    Temporary regulations..............35185, 38233, 52140, 64991, 75466
    Fishery management measures....................................69969
635.2 Amended......................................................74784
635.3 (d) revised..................................................74784
635.4 (c) and (j)(3) revised; eff. through 5-31-04.................56787
    Regulation at 68 FR 56787 eff. date corrected..................59546
635.5 (c) revised....................................................714
    (c) introductory text amended..................................37773
    (e) revised....................................................74784
635.7 (a) revised..................................................63741
635.16 Removed.....................................................74785
635.20 (a) revised...................................................714
    Suspension at 67 FR 78993 extended until 12-29-03..............31983
    (e) revised....................................................74785
635.21 (d)(4)(iv) added..............................................714
    (d) redesignated as (e); new (d) added; new (e)(3)(i) through 
(iv) and (vi) revised..............................................74785
635.22 (a), (c) and (d) revised; (e) and (f) added...................714
    (c) revised....................................................74785
635.23 (f) revised.................................................32417
    (f)(3) added; eff. through 5-31-04.............................56788
    Regulation at 68 FR 56788 eff. date corrected..................59546
    (d) and (e)(1) revised.........................................74511
635.27 (a)(3) revised..............................................32417
    Regulation at 67 FR 78993 extended until 12-29-03..............31983
    (a)(3) revised; eff. through 5-31-04...........................56788
    Regulation at 68 FR 56788 eff. date corrected..................59546
    (a)(1)(i)(C), (4)(1) and (5) revised...........................74511
    (b) revised....................................................74785
635.28 Regulation at 67 FR 78993 extended until 12-29-03...........31983
    (c)(1)(i)(A) revised...........................................63741

[[Page 667]]

    (a)(2) revised.................................................74511
    (b) revised....................................................74786
635.31 (b)(2)(ii) revised; (b)(3) added..............................715
635.32 (c)(1) revised; (c)(4) removed; (d) and (e) added...........63742
    (c)(2) and (3) removed; (d) and (e) redesignated as (e) and 
(f); new (d) added; (a), new (e) and (f) revised...................74786
635.34 (b) revised; (c) added......................................74787
635.69 Regulation at 64 FR 29090 confirmed.........................37772
    Regulation at 66 FR 1907 reinstated............................45169
    (a), (e) and (h) revised.......................................74788
635.71 (b)(6) revised; (c)(6), (e)(14) and (9)15(10) added...........715
    (b)(29) added; eff. through 5-31-04............................56788
    Regulation at 68 FR 56788 eff. date corrected..................59546
    (a)(6) and (26) revised........................................63742
    (b)(10) and (17) revised.......................................74511
    (a)(1), (2), (7), (14), (17), (18), (23), (26), (34), (37), 
(b)(7), (8), (c)(1), (d)(10), (12) and (13) revised; (a)(39) and 
(40) added.........................................................74788
648 Fishery management measures...2919, 6088, 9905, 12612, 16731, 19160, 
         25305, 26510, 53528, 55010, 58037, 58281, 62250, 67609, 71033, 
                                                                   74512
    Temporary regulations.....................14545, 52141, 64821, 74198
648.2 Amended......................................................49699
648.4 (b) revised..................................................10182
    (a)(5)(i) heading revised......................................31990
    (a)(1)(i)(I)(2) and (c)(2)(iii) revised........................38245
    (a)(14) added..................................................49699
    Regulation at 68 FR 38245 eff. date extended...................71032
648.5 (a) amended..................................................49699
648.6 (a)(1) revised...............................................49699
648.7 (a)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(iii) added; (b)(1)(i) revised.........49699
648.11 (a) and (e) revised.........................................49700
648.12 Introductory text revised...................................49700
648.13 (b)(2) introductory text revised............................22336
    (h) added......................................................49700
648.14 (a)(122) revised; (a)(127) added; effective date pending.......68
    (a)(96), (u)(3), (11), (x)(3), (6) and (7) revised.............10183
    OMB number.....................................................12815
    (y) introductory text, (1), (4), (6), (9), (10), (11), (13) 
and (17) through (21) revised......................................22329
    (z)(2) Removed.................................................22336
    (x)(13), (ee), (ff) and (gg) added.............................49700
648.21 (f)(3) revised.................................................60
    (e) correctly removed; old (e) reinstated; CFR correction......33882
648.23 (b)(2) revised...............................................9586
648.53 (b) table revised............................................9586
648.57 (a) introductory text and (b) introductory text revised......9587
648.58 (c)(1), (4), (6), (e)(2), (3)(ii), (4)(ii) and (f) revised 
                                                                    9587
648.70 (a)(1), (b)(1) and (2) revised..............................69973
648.71 Revised.....................................................69973
648.75 (b) revised.................................................69974
648.77 (a)(1) revised..............................................69974
648.80 (a)(5)(i), (6)(i), (8)(i), (ii), (9)(i), (ii) introductory 
        text, (10)(i)(D), (15) introductory text, (i)(B), and 
        (b)(3)(i) revised; (a)(15)(i)(C) removed...................22336
    (a)(16) redesignated as (a)(17); new (a)(16) added.............40810
    (a)(16) table corrected.................................43974, 47265
    (b)(5) introductory text, (i)(A), (6) introductory text; 
(i)(A) and (h)(2)(i)(8) revised; (b)(5)(i)(C) and (b)(6)(i)(D) 
added..............................................................49701
648.81 (g)(1)(ii) revised; interim.................................14348
    (h)(1) revised.................................................38245
    Regulation at 68 FR 38245 eff. date extended...................71032
648.86 (h)(2)(ii) revised...........................................4114
648.88 (a)(1) revised..............................................38245
    Regulation at 68 FR 38245 eff. date extended...................71032
648.89 (b)(1), (c)(2)(i) and (ii) revised..........................38246
    Regulation at 68 FR 38246 eff. date extended...................71032
648.92 (b)(2) revised...............................................4114
    (b)(1) revised.................................................22329
648.93 (a) heading, (1), and (b) revised...........................22329
648.94 (b)(7) removed; (b)(1), (2), (3) heading, (4), (5), (6), 
        (c)(1)(i), (2), (3)(i), and (f) revised....................22329

[[Page 668]]

648.96 Heading, (a), (b) and (c) revised...........................22330
    (b)(1)(ii) corrected...........................................36947
648.120 (b)(2), (4) and (c) revised; (d)(3) redesignated as (d)(4) 
        and amended; new (d)(3) and (5) added......................62253
648.122 (a)(1) and (b)(1) revised; (d) added; eff. to 12-31-03........68
    OMB number.....................................................12815
648.105 (a) amended................................................44236
648.107 Introductory text amended..................................44236
648.122 (a)(1) and (b)(1) revised; (d) added; eff. to 12-31-03........68
    OMB number.....................................................12815
    (g) revised....................................................44236
648.125 (a) amended................................................44236
648.140 (b)(1), (2) and (d) revised................................10183
648.142 Revised....................................................44236
648.143 (b) revised................................................44236
648.320--648.322 (Subpart O) Added.................................49701

                                  2004

50 CFR
                                                                   69 FR
                                                                    Page
Title 50 Nomenclature change.......................................18803
Chapter VI
600-699 (Chapter VI) Nomenclature changes...................53361, 53362
600 Authority citation revised......................................8341
600.10 Amended.....................................................30240
600.502 Tables 1 and 2 amended......................................8341
600.525 Added......................................................31535
600.530 Added......................................................31535
600.725 (v) amended................................................30240
600.1000-600.1018 (Subpart L) Heading revised......................53361
600.1018 Redesignated as 600.1103..................................53362
600.1019-600.1023 (Subpart M) Redesignated as 600.1200--600.1204 
        (Subpart N)................................................53361
600.1100-600.1101 (Subpart M) Added................................53361
600.1101 Heading and text redesignated from Subpart G heading and 
        679.70 through 679.76...............................53361, 53362
600.1103 Redesignated from 600.1018................................53362
600.1200--600.1204 (Subpart N) Redesignated from 600.1019-600.1023 
        (Subpart M)................................................53361
622 Temporary regulations........5297, 9969, 13487, 19346, 41433, 53015, 
                                              62000, 62818, 65092, 70196
    Fishery management measures.......................6921, 15731, 16499
622.1 (b) and Table 1 amended......................................30240
622.2 Amended......................................................30240
622.4 (a)(1)(i)(E) and (2)(xii) added; (a)(4) and (i) amended; 
        (a)(5) revised; eff. in part 11-23-04......................30240
622.5 (a)(1)(vi) and (c)(8) added; (a)(2)(i) amended; (b)(1) 
        revised....................................................30241
622.34 (k) revised.................................................24535
622.35 Heading revised; (h) added..................................30241
622.37 (h) added...................................................30242
622.38 (a) revised.................................................30242
622.39 (f) added...................................................30242
    (b)(1)(ii) revised.............................................33320
622.41 (h)(1) and (2) revised.......................................1541
    (c)(1)(v) revised; (l) added...................................30242
622.42 (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) revised; (a)(1)(iv) added..............33320
622.44 (f) added...................................................30242
622.45 (i) added...................................................30242
622.48 (m) added...................................................30242
635 Fishery management measures........30837, 33321, 34960, 51608, 56719
    Temporary regulations.....................10936, 43535, 68094, 71732
    Technical correction...........................................71735
635.2 Amended........................................40754, 67283, 70399
635.4 (g) revised..................................................67283
635.5 (b)(1)(ii) removed; (b)(1)(iii), (iv) and (v) redesignated 
        as (b)(1)(ii), (iii) and (iv); new (b)(1)(ii) and 
        (2)(i)(B) revised..........................................67283
    (a)(6) added...................................................70399
635.20 (f)(2) revised..............................................67284
635.21 (c)(2)(v) revised; (c)(5)(iv) added.........................40754
    (a)(3), (5)(i) and (ii) revised; (c)(5)(iii)(C) added..........40755
    (a)(3) revised.................................................47797
    (d)(3) revised.................................................47798
635.23 (f)(3) revised..............................................40758
635.27 (a)(3) revised..............................................40758
    (c)(1) revised.................................................68093
    (b)(1)(i), (iii), (iv), (vi)(A) and (B) revised................69544
635.30 (c)(1), (2) and (3) amended.................................53362
635.31 (c)(3) and (5) amended......................................53362

[[Page 669]]

    (a)(3) and (4)(ii) revised.....................................67284
635.32 (e) and (f) redesignated as (f) and (g); (a), new (f) and 
        (g) revised; new (e) added.................................70399
635.41 Removed; new 635.41 redesignated from 635.45................67284
635.42 Removed.....................................................67284
635.43 Removed.....................................................67284
635.44 Removed.....................................................67284
635.45 Redesignated as 635.41......................................67284
    Revised........................................................70400
635.46 Removed.....................................................67284
635.47 Removed.....................................................67284
635.69 (a)(2) and (3) revised......................................51012
635.71 (a)(33) revised.............................................40758
    (d)(7) amended.................................................53362
    (b)(2), (25), (e)(10) and (12) removed; (a)(24), (b)(26) and 
(e)(1) revised.....................................................67284
    (a)(2), (6) and (b)(26) revised; (a)(41) through (47), (b)(30) 
and (e)(16) added..................................................70400
648 Temporary regulations......10177, 33580, 40817, 43928, 56373, 57653, 
                                       59815, 67284, 70923, 75864, 77674
    Fishery management measures.........2074, 2307, 10937, 17980, 22734, 
           26509, 43535, 47798, 51191, 54593, 59550, 60565, 62001, 77955
648.2 Amended...................13495, 22456, 22944, 35214, 63472, 67796
648.4 (a)(5)(ii) amended............................................4864
    (a)(12)(ii) revised............................................22456
    (a)(1)(i)(A), (E) introductory text, (G), (I)(1), (M), (ii) 
and (c)(2)(iii) revised............................................22945
    (a)(5)(i) heading revised; eff. through 7-1-09.................30840
    (a)(3)(iii) revised............................................62821
648.5 (a) revised..................................................62821
648.6 (a)(2) added..................................................4864
    (a)(1) amended.................................................16178
    (a)(1) corrected...............................................30841
648.7 (a), (d), (e), (f)(1) and (3) revised........................13495
    (a)(1) introductory text, (i) and (b)(1)(i) revised............22946
    Corrected......................................................23667
648.9 (c)(1)(ii) revised...........................................67796
648.10 (b), (c) and (f) revised....................................22947
    (b)(1)(ii), (2)(ii), (iii) and (iv) revised; (b)(4) added......35214
    (b)(1)(iv) and (v) revised; (b)(1)(vi) added (OMB number 
pending in part)...................................................63472
    (b)(1)(vii) and (viii) added; (b)(3)(i) revised................67796
648.13 (i) added...................................................16178
648.14 (h)(30), (31) and (i)(8) revised; eff. through 8-30-04.......9973
    (k)(13) added..................................................16178
    (cc)(6) removed................................................22457
    (a)(39), (40), (43), (47), (52), (55), (90), (104), (116), 
(126), (b)(1) through (4), (c)(1), (3), (7), (10) through (15), 
(21), (24), (26), (29), (30), (31), (33), (d) introductory text 
and (2) revised; (c)(18), (23) and (32) removed; (a)(128) through 
(162) and (c)(34) through (50) added...............................22949
    (a)(57)(iii) added; (a)(97), (110), (111), (h)(5), (9), (12) 
through (24) and (i) revised.......................................35214
    (aa)(4) amended................................................53362
    (a)(89) revised................................................62821
    (a)(57) introductory text, (i), (i)(1) and (s) revised; 
(a)(97), (163), (164), (h)(34), (35) and (i)(4) through (10) added
                                                                   63472
    (a)(39), (104), (130) and (c)(8) revised; (a)(142) through 
(152) and (c)(50) through (79) added...............................67796
648.21 (g)(5) revised..............................................16178
648.22 (c) revised..................................................4864
648.23 (b)(1)(iii)(A) and (iv)(A) revised..........................22951
648.50--648.61 (Subpart D) Revised.................................35215
648.51 (b)(3)(ii) eff. 12-23-04....................................35215
    (f)(1) revised.................................................63473
648.52 (e) removed; eff. through 8-30-04............................9975
    (a), (b) and (c) revised.......................................63473
648.53 (b)(1), (2), (4), (c), (d) and (h) revised; (b)(5) added....63473
648.55 (b) revised.................................................63474
648.57 (b) removed; (a) introductory text revised; eff. through 8-
        30-04.......................................................9974
648.58 Revised; eff. through 8-30-04................................9974
648.59 Revised (OMB number pending in part)........................63474
648.60 Revised (OMB number pending in part)........................63476
648.61 Revised.....................................................63480
648.80 Revised.....................................................22951
    (b)(11)(ii)(C) revised.........................................35223
648.81 Revised.....................................................22964
    (g)(2)(iii) revised............................................35223

[[Page 670]]

    (a)(2)(vi), (b)(2)(v) and (c)(2)(iv) added.....................63480
    (b)(2)(iii), (iv) and (i) revised..............................67798
648.82 Revised.....................................................22969
    (d)(2)(i)(A) and (j)(1)(iii) revised; (e)(3) added.............67798
648.83 Revised.....................................................22974
648.84 Revised.....................................................22974
648.85 Revised.....................................................22975
    (a)(3)(ii) amended.............................................32900
    (a)(1)(ii) table corrected.....................................41026
    (c) added......................................................63480
    (a)(3)(ii), (iv)(A), (v), (b)(3)(i) and (viii) revised; 
(a)(3)(iv)(C)(4), (v)(A), (B), (vii), (b)(3)(xi), (xii) and (5) 
through (8) added..................................................67798
648.86 Revised.....................................................22978
648.87 Revised.....................................................22981
648.88 Revised.....................................................22983
    (c) revised....................................................63481
648.89 Revised.....................................................22984
648.90 Revised.....................................................22984
648.92 (b)(1) revised..............................................18293
    (b)(2)(ii) revised; (b)(2)(iii) added..........................22988
648.94 (b)(2)(i) and (ii) revised..................................18293
    (f) revised....................................................22988
648.100 (a), (b) heading and (c) heading revised; (b)(11) added....62821
648.104 (b)(1) revised.............................................62821
648.105 (d) amended................................................62822
648.107 (a) introductory text revised.......................41983, 53840
648.120 (b)(1) through (10) redesignated as (b)(2) through (11); 
        (a) and (c) heading revised; new (b)(1) and (12) added.....62822
648.122 (g) revised................................................41983
648.123 (a)(1) revised.............................................16179
648.140 (b)(1) through (9) redesignated as (b)(2) through (10); 
        (a) and (c) heading revised; new (b)(1) and (11) added.....62822
648.142 Revised....................................................41984
648.235 (c) amended................................................53362
648.262 (b)(2) and (6) revised.....................................10177
648.294 Removed....................................................22457
648.322 (b)(6) revised.............................................22988

                                  2005

50 CFR
                                                                   70 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
600.725 (v) table amended..........................................62080
600.1100--600.1104 (Subpart M) Authority citation added............40229
600.1102 Heading added; text revised...............................40229
600.1104 Text added; eff. 10-17-05.................................54656
622 Temporary regulations...4039, 5061, 5569, 9879, 33033, 34400, 42279, 
                                                     57802, 69914, 69915
    Fishery management measures, 13117, 33033
    Nomenclature change............................................73389
622.2 Amended...............................................62080, 73387
622.4 (r) introductory text in part and (1) through (8) suspended; 
        (r) introductory text amended in part; (13) through (18) 
        added......................................................16757
    (h)(1) introductory text and (ii) amended......................32271
    (a)(2)(ii), (iii), (g)(1), (o) and (q) revised.................39189
    (a)(2)(v) amended; (m) introductory text revised...............41163
    (a)(1)(iii) and (r)(12) removed; (a)(2)(viii)(B) amended; 
(a)(1)(iv) redesignated as (a)(1)(iii); (a)(2)(xiii) added.........73387
622.5 (a)(1)(vii) added; (a)(2)(i) amended;........................73387
622.6 (b)(1)(ii)(A) revised........................................62080
622.7 (aa) and (cc) revised........................................73387
622.8 (a)(3) added; (c)(4) and (5) revised.........................32272
    (a)(4) added...................................................73387
622.9 (a) amended..................................................73387
622.17 (a) revised.................................................73388
622.18 Revised.....................................................73388
622.19 Revised.....................................................73388
622.30 (b)(2) revised; (b)(3) added................................39190
622.31 (l) added...................................................62080
    (m) added......................................................76219
622.32 (b)(1)(ii) revised; (b)(1)(iv) added........................62081
622.33 (a)(4) added (temporary)......................................301
    (a) introductory text and (4) through (7) added; (a)(3) 
revised............................................................62081
622.34 (n) added...................................................33389
    (q) added (temporary)..........................................42511
    (d) introductory text, (1) and (j) revised; (r), (s) and (t) 
added..............................................................76219
622.37 (d)(1)(ii) revised..........................................33389
622.38 (a), (d) and (f) revised....................................62081
622.39 (b)(1)(v) revised...........................................33389

[[Page 671]]

    (b)(1)(ii) and (v) suspended; (b)(1)(viii) and (ix) added 
(temporary)........................................................42511
622.40 (b)(1)(i) revised...........................................62081
622.41 (b) revised.................................................62082
    (g) revised....................................................73388
622.43 (a)(1)(i) suspended; (a)(1)(iii) added (temporary)..........42512
622.44 (g) added (temporary)........................................8039
    (a)(2)(ii)(A) revised..........................................39190
    (g) added (temporary)..........................................48324
    Introductory text and (g) revised..............................77060
622.45 (c)(5) added................................................33389
622 Appendix A amended......................................62082, 73389
635 Temporary regulations........302, 12142, 21673, 33039, 48490, 56595, 
                                                     67929, 72724, 74712
    Fishery management measures.............................33033, 72080
635.23 (a)(2) and (4) revised......................................10900
635.26 (a)(1) revised..............................................10900
635.41 (a) and (b) removed; (c) through (g) redesignated as (a) 
        through (e); new (a) revised...............................28218
635.71 (b)(26) and (e)(16) removed; (b)(27) through (30) 
        redesignated as (b)(26) through (29); (a)(24), (45), (46), 
        (47) and new (b)(29) revised...............................28219
648 Temporary regulations..........................................2820,
8543, 12144, 12808, 13402, 16758, 21162, 21340, 22806, 29645, 33042, 
37056, 39970, 41348, 44291, 50220, 53311, 57517, 57802, 58351, 60449, 
61577, 70744, 72082, 72934, 75074, 75418, 75965, 76430, 76713, 76714
    Technical correction............................................2820
    Fishery management measures....................................7050,
7190, 11584, 23939, 35557, 37057, 39190, 76715
648.2 Amended........................................21940, 21981, 31339
    Amended; eff. through 12-10-05.................................34059
    Correctly amended..............................................39193
    Amended.................................................76425, 77067
648.4 (a)(5)(i) amended............................................13409
    (a)(9)(i) heading, (B), (M), (N)(1) and (3) revised; 
(a)(9)(i)(A)(5), (6), (7) and (E)(4) added.........................21940
    (a)(2)(ii) revised; eff. 10-21-05..............................48866
    Regulation at 70 FR 48866 eff. date delayed to 12-1-05.........61233
    (a)(2)(ii)(B) through (E) revised..............................61235
    (a)(9)(i)(A)(1) through (4) revised............................76425
648.5 (a) revised..................................................21982
648.7 (f)(1)(ii) removed; (a)(1)(i), (2), (3) introductory text, 
        (i), (f)(1)(i), (iv), (v) and (3) revised; (a)(1)(ii) 
        added......................................................21982
648.9 (c)(1) introductory text revised.............................21941
    (c)(1) introductory text revised; (c)(1)(iii) and (2)(i)(D) 
added; eff. 10-21-05...............................................48867
    Regulation at 70 FR 48867 eff. date delayed to 12-1-05.........61233
    (c)(2)(i)(B) revised...........................................76426
648.10 (b)(1)(iv) revised...........................................2823
    (b)(1)(ix) added; (b)(2)(v) removed; (c)(1) and (3) revised....21941
    (b)(1)(vi), (vii) and (viii) revised...........................31339
    Heading and (b)(1)(iv) revised; eff. 10-21-05..................48867
    (b)(3)(i)(C) and (D) revised; eff. 10-14-05....................54306
    Regulation at 70 FR 48867 eff. date delayed to 12-1-05.........61233
648.14 (a)(122) revised; (a)(127) amended............................310
    (a)(74) and (p)(5) revised; (p)(11) added; eff. through 12-31-
05.................................................................13409
    (a)(125), (x)(8), (y) introductory text, (1)(iii), (3), (7) 
and (21) revised; (y)(1)(iv) added.................................21941
    (a)(136), (139) and (c)(14) revised; (a)(165), (c)(80), 
(bb)(19) and (20) added............................................31339
    (bb)(20) suspended; (a)(166), (167), (168), (bb)(21) and (22) 
added; eff. through 12-10-05.......................................34059
    (a)(166) added (temporary).....................................35048
    (a)(166) correctly revised; (a)(169) correctly added...........39193
    (i)(11) and (12) added; eff. 10-21-05..........................48867
    (a)(166) suspended; (a)(170) added (temporary).................53581
    (a)(143), (148), (c)(67), (68), (70) and (73) through (77) 
revised; eff. 10-14-05.............................................54306
    (a) (170) and (171) added (temporary)..........................60451
    Regulation at 70 FR 48867 eff. date delayed to 12-1-05.........61233
    Regulation at 70 FR 34059 eff. date extended...................72934

[[Page 672]]

    (a)(55), (134) and (156) revised; (a)(170) and (171) removed; 
(a)(172) added.....................................................76426
648.15 (d) added; eff. through 12-10-05............................34059
    Regulation at 70 FR 34059 eff. date extended...................72934
648.17 Revised.....................................................21942
648.21 (d) revised; eff. through 12-31-05..........................13409
648.23 (a) revised; eff. through 12-31-05..........................13409
648.52 (c) revised; eff. 10-21-05..................................48867
    Regulation at 70 FR 48867 eff. date delayed to 12-1-05.........61233
648.59 (b)(5)(ii)(A), (c)(5)(ii)(A) and (d)(5)(ii)(A) revised.......2823
    (b)(3) and (d)(3) revised......................................66798
648.60 (g) revised..................................................2823
    (c)(5) revised.................................................48867
648.61 Revised.....................................................66798
648.70 (a)(1) revised...............................................2026
648.71 (a) introductory text and (2) revised........................2026
648.73 (a)(1) revised...............................................2026
648.80 (b)(5)(i)(B) revised........................................21942
    (a)(3)(iv)(A)(2), (4)(iv)(A), (b)(2)(iv) introductory text, 
(A), (c)(2)(v)(A), (d)(2), (4), (5), (e)(2), (3) and (4) revised; 
(a)(3)(iv)(A)(3) and (4) removed; (d)(6), (7), (e)(5) and (6) 
added..............................................................31340
    (d)(4), (7), (e)(4) and (6) suspended; (d)(8), (9), (e)(7) and 
(8) added; eff. through 12-10-05...................................34059
    Regulation at 70 FR 34059 eff. date extended...................72934
648.81 (b)(2)(ii), (iii), (f)(1)(ii), (iii), (g)(2)(ii), (iii) and 
        (h)(1)(v) revised; (g)(2)(iv) added........................76426
648.82 (k)(4)(vi) revised..........................................21942
    (k)(4)(ix), (l)(1)(ii) and (iv) revised; (k)(4)(xi) and (m) 
added..............................................................31340
    (b)(4) and (f) revised.........................................76427
648.83 (b)(4) added; eff. through 12-10-05.........................34060
    Regulation at 70 FR 34060 eff. date extended...................72934
648.85 (b)(3)(iii), (vi), (vii) and (viii) revised.................31341
    (a) introductory text, (b)(5)(ii), (7)(i), (iii), (iv), (v), 
(8)(v)(A)(2), (3), (B), (C), (E), (H) and (L) revised; (b)(7)(vi) 
added; eff. 10-14-05...............................................54307
    (a)(2)(i)(D), (3)(iii) introductory text, (B)(1), (2), 
(iv)(D), (b)(3)(v), (vi) and (x) revised...........................76427
648.86 (a)(3) added; eff. through 12-10-05.........................34060
    Regulation at 70 FR 34060 eff. date extended...................72934
    (d), (g)(1)(ii)(B) and (2)(ii)(B) revised; (g)(4) and (i) 
added..............................................................76428
648.87 (d)(1)(ii) and (iii)(A) revised.............................31342
    (b)(2)(ix), (x) and (d)(1)(i) revised..........................76429
648.90 (a)(2)(iv) revised..........................................76429
648.91 (c)(1)(ii) and (iv) revised; (c)(3) added...................21942
648.92 (b)(1)(i), (2), (6) and (8)(i)(B) revised; (b)(1)(iii), 
        (iv), (9) and (c) added; (b)(5) removed....................21942
    (b)(1)(ii) removed.............................................22244
    (b)(1)(i) revised..............................................76429
648.93 (b) revised.................................................21944
648.94 (b)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), (3) heading, (i), (ii), (4), (5), 
        (6), (c) and (e) revised; (b)(2)(iv) added.................21944
    (b)(2)(i) and (ii) revised.....................................22244
648.95 Added.......................................................21945
648.96 (c)(1)(i) revised...........................................21946
648.97 Added.......................................................21946
648.100 (a) revised..................................................310
    (d)(4) revised; eff. 10-13-05..................................53970
648.104 (b)(1) amended.............................................35046
648.107 (a) introductory text revised..............................35046
648.120 (a) revised..................................................310
648.122 Heading and (a)(1) revised; (b)(1) amended; (d) removed......311
    (g) revised....................................................35046
648.123 (a)(1) revised...............................................311
    (a)(5) amended.................................................35046
648.140 (a) revised..................................................311
648.142 Revised....................................................35046
648.144 (b)(2) revised; eff. 1-1-07................................77067
648.160 (f)(2) revised; eff. 10-13-05..............................53970
648.200 (c) and (d) revised; eff. through 12-31-06.................21976
648.260 Heading, (a) introductory text, (b) introductory text and 
        (1) revised................................................44069

[[Page 673]]

                                  2006

  (Regulations published from January 1, 2006, through October 1, 2006)

50 CFR
                                                                   71 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter VI
600 Temporary regulations..........................................10867
    Fishery management measures....................................10612
600.1100--600.1105 (Subpart M) Authority citation revised..........57701
600.1102 (b) amended; (d)(2)(vi) and (i)(1)(vi) revised...............28
600.1104 (b) amended; (h)(4) revised...............................27210
600.1105 Added; eff. 10-30-06......................................57701
622 Temporary regulations........5013, 9976, 12148, 13304, 35198, 38797, 
                                                                   41177
622.2 Amended......................................................45433
622.3 (b) revised..................................................28284
622.4 (a)(1)(ii) and (r) revised...................................28284
    (h)(1) revised; (m)(1) amended; eff. in part 12-7-06...........45434
    Eff. date corrected............................................48483
    (a)(2)(xi) and (g)(1) revised; (s) added; eff. 10-26-06........56046
622.5 (a)(1)(iii) revised; eff. 10-26-06...........................56047
622.7 (ff) added...................................................45434
622.8 (a)(5) added; eff. 10-26-06..................................56047
622.9 Revised; eff. 12-7-06........................................45434
622.10 Added.......................................................45435
622.30 (e) added; eff. 10-23-06....................................55106
622.31 (n) added...................................................45435
622.34 (l) amended.................................................45435
622.36 (a) amended.................................................45435
    (b)(5) revised; eff. 10-23-06..................................55106
622.37 (d)(4) added................................................45435
    (e)(1)(ii) and (3)(i) revised; eff. 10-23-06...................55107
622.38 (d)(1) introductory text amended............................45436
622.39 (b)(1)(ii) and (v) suspended; (b)(1)(viii) and (ix) added 
        (temporary).................................................3020
    (b)(1)(ii) and (v) suspensions lifted; (b)(1)(ii) revised; 
(b)(1)(viii) and (ix) removed......................................34536
    (a)(2)(iii) revised; (a)(5) added..............................45436
    (d)(1)(ii), (vi), (vii) and (2)(ii) revised; eff. 10-23-06.....55107
622.40 (c)(3)(i) and (d)(2) revised; eff. 10-23-06.................55107
622.41 (l)(2) removed..............................................45436
622.42 (a)(3) removed..............................................28285
    (e) revised; eff. 10-23-06.....................................55107
622.43 (a)(1)(i) suspended; (a)(1)(iii) added (temporary)...........3020
    (a)(1)(i) revised..............................................45436
    (a)(5) and (b)(1) revised; eff. 10-23-06.......................55107
622.44 (c)(2) through (5) revised; eff. 10-23-06...................55108
622.45 (d)(8) added; eff. 10-23-06.................................55108
635 Fishery management measures.............................16243, 30619
    Temporary regulations...................273, 1395, 3245, 4310, 51529
635.4 (m)(1) amended...............................................45436
    Eff. date corrected............................................48483
635.27 (c)(1)(i)(A) revised........................................29089
648 Fishery management measures......................10612, 25095, 25781
    Temporary regulations....1982, 6984, 7443, 9471, 9475, 10867, 13776, 
         15045, 15629, 20900, 26704, 27977, 29256, 29844, 35199, 35835, 
         40027, 41738, 42315, 44229, 46871, 51531, 52499, 53049, 56047, 
                                                                   56895
648.2 Amended......................................................46875
648.4 (a)(1)(i)(A), (B), (E), (G), (J), (2)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), 
        (3)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), (4)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), 
        (5)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), (6)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), 
        (7)(i)(B), (E), (G), (J), (9)(i)(E), (G), (J), 
        (12)(i)(B)(2), (E), (G), (J), (13)(i)(B), (G) and 
        (c)(2)(iii)(A) suspended; (a)(1)(i)(N) through (R), 
        (2)(i)(N), (P), (Q), (3)(i)(M) through (P), (4)(i)(N) 
        through (Q), (5)(i)(M) through (P), (6)(i)(M) through (P), 
        (7)(i)(M) through (P), (9)(i)(O), (P), (Q), (12)(i)(N) 
        through (Q), (13)(i)(O), (P) and (c)(2)(iii)(C) added; 
        eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim......................19370
 (a)(2)(ii)(D) removed; (c)(2)(iv) introductory text and (B) 
        revised....................................................33224
648.9 (c)(1)(iii) and (2)(i)(D) revised............................33224
648.10 (b)(1)(vii), (2)(i), (iii), (iv), (3)(i)(A), (C), (ii), 
        (iii), (c)(1), (3) and (f)(2) suspended; (b)(1)(x), 
        (2)(v), (vi), (vii), (3)(i)(E), (F), (iv), (v), (c)(6), 
        (7) and (f)(3) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; 
        interim....................................................19372
 (b)(1)(i), (iv), (2) introductory text, (i), (ii) and (4) 
        revised; (e)(2)(v) added...................................33224

[[Page 674]]

    (b)(4)(ii), (iii) and (iv) suspended; interim..................34844
648.11 (a)(1) added................................................33225
    (a)(1) and (2) suspended; (a)(3), (g), (h) and (i) added; 
interim............................................................34844
648.14 (a)(172), (c)(19), (21), (22), (23), (33), (34), (35), 
        (37), (39), (43), (49) through (52), (54) through (66), 
        (70), (78), (80), (y)(15) and (bb)(22) suspended; (a)(173) 
        through (178), (c)(81) through (116), (g)(4), (y)(22) and 
        (bb)(23) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim......19373
    (a)(56)(iii) added; (a)(58) and (h)(27) through (35) removed; 
(a)(56) introductory text, (i). (h)(2), (4), (5), (6), (12), (13), 
(15), (17), (19), (24), (25), (26), (i)(3), (11) and (12) revised 
                                                                   33225
    Regulation at 70 FR 60451 eff. date extended to 12-31-06.......37505
    (bb)(19) and (23) removed; (a)(169) and (bb)(20) revised; 
(a)(166), (167), (168), (bb)(24), (25) and (26) added..............46875
    (a)(43) revised................................................51783
648.15 (d) and (e) added...........................................46875
648.51 (b)(3)(i), (ii), (c), (e)(3) and (f)(1) revised.............33226
    (c)(4) and (e)(3)(iii) added; interim..........................34848
648.52 (a) and (b) revised.........................................33226
648.53 (e) suspended; (i) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; 
        interim....................................................19374
 (b)(1), (2), (4), (5), (c), (d) and (h) revised...................33226
648.54 (a)(1), (2) and (b) revised.................................33227
648.55 (b) revised.................................................33228
648.58 Revised.....................................................33228
648.59 Revised.....................................................33228
648.60 Revised.....................................................33231
    (a)(2)(i) and (ii) suspended; (a)(2)(iii) added; interim.......34848
648.80 (a)(3)(vi), (4)(i) through (iv), (b)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), 
        (vi), (c)(2)(ii) and (iii) suspended; (a)(3)(viii), 
        (4)(vi) through (ix), (b)(2)(vii) through (x), (c)(2)(vi) 
        and (vii) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim.....19374
 (d), (e) and (g)(3) revised.......................................46875
 (a)(3)(viii) and (7)(ii) revised; (a)(18) added...................51783
648.81 (g)(2)(iii) revised.........................................51784
648.82 (a)(1), (b), (c)(1), (2), (d) through (k), (l)(1)(iv), (v) 
        and (m) suspended; (a)(3), (c)(3), (4), (d)(5), (6), (7), 
        (l)(2)(viii), (ix) and (n) through (w) added; eff. 5-1-06 
        through 10-10-06; interim..................................19376
 (d)(5), (6), (7) and (l)(2)(viii) correctly removed; (l)(1)(viii) 
        correctly added; (s)(1)(iii) correctly amended.............25094
648.83 (b)(4) added................................................46876
648.85 (a)(3)(ii), (iv)(C)(1), (2), (4), (v), (b)(5), (6), 
        (7)(iv)(A), (v)(A), (vi)(A), (8)(i), (iv) and (v) 
        suspended; (a)(3)(iii) introductory text revised; 
        (a)(3)(iv)(C)(5), (6), (7), (viii), (ix), (b)(7)(iv)(J), 
        (v)(F), (vi)(G), (8)(vi), (vii), (viii), (9) and (10) 
        added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim...............19381
 (a)(3)(viii)(C) correctly added; (b)(10)(iv)(D) correctly amended
                                                                   25094
 (c)(1) introductory text and (3)(ii) revised......................33235
 (d) added.........................................................46876
648.86 (b), (g)(1) and (2) suspended; (e) revised; (g)(4), (5), 
        (i) and (j) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim 
                                                                   19385
 (e) correctly amended.............................................25094
 (a)(3) and (k) added..............................................46876
648.89 (b)(1), (c)(1)(i) and (2)(i) suspended; (b)(3), (4), 
        (c)(1)(v), (vi), (2)(v) and (vi) added; eff. 5-1-06 
        through 10-10-06; interim..................................19387
648.91 (c)(1)(i), (ii) and (iv) suspended; (c)(1)(v), (vi) and 
        (vii) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim.........19388
648.92 (a)(1), (b)(2)(i), (ii) and (iii) suspended; (a)(3), 
        (b)(2)(iv) and (v) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; 
        interim....................................................19388
    (b)(1)(ii) added...............................................23874
    (b)(2)(iv)(B) correctly amended................................25094
648.94 (b)(3) and (c)(3)(I) suspended; (b)(7) and (c)(3)(iii) 
        added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-06; interim...............19389
    (b)(2)(i) and (ii) revised.....................................23874

[[Page 675]]

648.95 (e)(3) suspended; (e)(5) added; eff. 5-1-06 through 10-10-
        06; interim................................................19390
648.100 (e)(2) introductory text, (i) and (ii) revised.............42317
648.104 (b) introductory text and (1) introductory text revised....42318
648.107 (a) introductory text revised..............................29256
    (b) revised....................................................42318
648.230 Revised.....................................................3017
648.235 (b)(1) revised.............................................40438


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