[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20912]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 

Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing 
Operations; Interim Exemption for Commercial Fisheries

[Docket No. 940250-4224; I.D. 122893D]
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of final List of Fisheries for 1994.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final List of Fisheries for 1994 pursuant to 
the interim exemption for the taking of marine mammals incidental to 
commercial fishing operations under section 114 of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA). The 1994 final list revises the 
categories of certain U.S. commercial fisheries based on new 
information obtained since publication of the 1993 final List of 
Fisheries.

DATES: The final List of Fisheries for 1994 is effective August 25, 
1994. Vessel owners who will operate in Category I or II for the first 
time have until October 24, 1994 to register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margot Bohan or Vicki Credle, Office 
of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1335 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 114 of the MMPA establishes an 
interim exemption for the taking of marine mammals incidental to 
commercial fishing operations and requires NMFS to publish and annually 
update the List of Fisheries, along with the marine mammals and the 
number of vessels or persons involved in each fishery, arranging them 
according to categories, as follows:

    1. A fishery that has a frequent incidental taking of marine 
mammals;
    2. A fishery that has an occasional incidental taking of marine 
mammals; or
    3. A fishery that has a remote likelihood, or no known incidental 
taking, of marine mammals.
    The following criteria are used in classifying fisheries in the 
List of Fisheries, pursuant to section 114 of the MMPA:
    Category I. There is documented information indicating a 
``frequent'' incidental taking of marine mammals in the fishery. 
``Frequent'' means that it is highly likely that more than one marine 
mammal will be incidentally taken by a randomly selected vessel in the 
fishery during a 20-day period.
    Category II. (1) There is documented information indicating an 
``occasional'' incidental taking of marine mammals in the fishery, or 
(2) in the absence of information indicating the frequency of 
incidental taking of marine mammals, other factors such as fishing 
techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine mammals, target 
species, seasons and areas fished, and species and distribution of 
marine mammals in the area suggest there is a likelihood of at least an 
``occasional'' incidental taking in the fishery. ``Occasional'' means 
that there is some likelihood that one marine mammal will be 
incidentally taken by a randomly selected vessel in the fishery during 
a 20-day period, but that there is little likelihood that more than one 
marine mammal will be incidentally taken.
    Category III. (1) There is information indicating no more than a 
``remote likelihood'' of an incidental taking of a marine mammal in the 
fishery, or (2) in the absence of information indicating the frequency 
of incidental taking of marine mammals, other factors such as fishing 
techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine mammals, target 
species, seasons and areas fished, and species and distribution of 
marine mammals in the area suggest there is no more than a remote 
likelihood of an incidental take in the fishery. ``Remote likelihood'' 
means that it is highly unlikely that any marine mammal will be 
incidentally taken by a randomly selected vessel in the fishery during 
a 20-day period.
    On March 4, 1994 (59 FR 10372), NMFS published the proposed List of 
Fisheries for 1994 and requested comments and information on the 
changes contained therein. After reviewing the comments received, NMFS 
has determined that all changes identified in the proposed list are 
warranted and will be incorporated into the final list. In addition, 
portions of the mid-Atlantic coastal gill net fishery (upper river and 
estuarine areas of the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay and New York Bight, 
as well as Pamlico and Albemarle Sound in North Carolina) will be 
reclassified under Category III based on recently obtained information 
which suggests the rare occurrence of marine mammal takes in these 
areas. Gillnetters operating outside of these areas in the mid-Atlantic 
coastal gillnet fishery must still register under Category II, 
regardless of whether or not they sometimes participate in the 
reclassified inshore fishery mentioned earlier (Category III).
    This final list will remain in effect until the interim exemption 
established under section 114 of the MMPA becomes obselete. The MMPA 
was amended on April 30, 1994, and section 118 was created to govern 
the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing 
operations. The provisions of section 118 will replace the current 
interim exemption system (section 114), when regulations are put into 
effect, no later than September 1, 1995. Included in the implementation 
will be a revised List of Fisheries, a revised set of classification 
criteria, and new implementing regulations, based on the provisions of 
section 118, to replace those provisions currently in effect.

Comments Received on the 1994 Proposed List of Fisheries

    Ten comments were received in response to the request for comments 
on the proposed List of Fisheries for 1994. The comments were mixed in 
their support for and opposition to the changes proposed and are 
summarized below.

Washington, Oregon Lower Columbia River Salmon Drift Gill Net Fishery

    Several comments were received in support of the proposed 
recategorization of the Columbia River commercial gill net fishery from 
a Category I to a Category III fishery, based on the relatively low 
level of incidental marine mammal mortality. NMFS has reclassified this 
fishery as proposed.

Alaska Copper River and Bering River Salmon Drift Gill Net Fishery

    A number of the comments favored the proposed recategorization of 
the Alaska Copper River and Bering River (adjacent to Prince William 
Sound) salmon drift gill net fishery from a Category I to a Category II 
fishery. Until recently, take rates for this fishery were based on the 
total number of interactions, which included momentary interactions 
with the nets as well as serious injuries and mortalities. For this 
fishery, NMFS recognizes that many entanglements recorded by observers 
resulted in the animals freeing themselves from the net without 
assistance from fishermen. NMFS has reclassified the Alaska Copper 
River and Bering River (adjacent to Prince William Sound) drift gill 
net fishery to Category II as proposed.

Alaska Prince William Sound and Alaska Southern Bering Sea, Aleutian 
Islands and Western Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Longline Fisheries

    One comment was received recommending reclassification of the 
Alaska Prince William Sound and Alaska Southern Bering Sea, Aleutian 
Islands and Western Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fisheries from a 
Category II to a Category III fishery. The commenter stated that 
although fishermen chase away killer whales from sablefish caught on 
longline gear, this action does not meet the definition of incidental 
take under the MMPA interim exemption.
    Under section 114 of the MMPA and based on congressional guidance, 
takes include the harassment, entanglement, injury or mortality of a 
marine mammal. NMFS believes that the deterring killer whales from 
catch and gear in sablefish longline fisheries constitutes harassment. 
Therefore, under section 114, these takes qualify the fishery for 
Category II classification.
    Section 118 of the MMPA's recent amendments has directed NMFS to 
consider only incidental mortality and serious injury takes when 
categorizing fisheries under the new regime that is to replace the 
interim exemption by September 1995. The amendment also prohibits 
intentional lethal takes of marine mammals, except when necessary to 
save human life. Therefore, NMFS will reevaluate Alaska sablefish 
longline fisheries for possible reclassification to Category III when 
it prepares a List of Fisheries under the provisions of Section 118.

Gulf of Maine Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Fishery

    One comment was received in support of the proposal to reclassify 
the Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon aquaculture fishery from a Category 
III to a Category II fishery. The commenter cited admissions by 
industry representatives of high kill rates and potential under-
reporting of marine mammal mortalities in this fishery, and recommended 
recategorization as a Category I fishery, in lieu of the original 
proposal for change to Category II.
    List of Fisheries criteria for a Category I classification require: 
(1) Documented information indicating a ``frequent'' incidental taking 
of marine mammals in the fishery or (2) the expressed intention of 
Congress to place the fishery in Category I (50 CFR 229.3).
    Due to the limited documented evidence of incidental takings and 
the absence of definitive guidance from Congress regarding this 
fishery, only a Category II classification is warranted at this time. 
NMFS will enhance efforts to obtain better information on current take 
levels and the degree to which marine mammals are deterred from 
aquaculture operations in this fishery.

All California Gill Net Fisheries (except the CA Klamath River gill net 
fishery)

    A number of comments were received on the proposal to recategorize 
all California gill net fisheries based on the mesh size of the gear 
deployed. One commenter indicated that the State of California passed 
legislation banning the use of gill nets, thus, making the Federal 
recategorization of California gill net fisheries unnecessary. 
Actually, the State of California has not banned the use of gill nets 
completely, but has only restricted their use in State waters.
    In 1990, State of California passed the Marine Resources Protection 
Act (MRPA), which prohibits the use of gill and trammel nets in an area 
identified as the Marine Resources Protection Zone (MRPZ). The MRPZ 
includes ocean waters from 0-3 nautical miles from the California 
mainland coast, and any manmade breakwater, between a line extending 
due west from Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, and a line 
extending due west from the U.S.-Mexico border. The MRPZ also includes 
waters less than 35 fathoms (64 m) deep, between Point Fermin, Los 
Angeles County, and the south jetty at Newport Beach, Orange County. 
Further, the MRPZ encompasses waters less than 70 fathoms deep, or 
within 1 mile, whichever is less, of the Channel Islands consisting of 
San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, San Nicholas, Santa Barbara, Santa 
Catalina, and San Clemente Islands. The MRPA also established in 
perpetuity State legislation restricting the use of gill nets in the 
waters north of Point Arguello. Despite these prohibitions, there is 
still an active, but significantly reduced, set gill net fishery in 
California waters. For example, a set gill net fishery for Pacific 
herring sac-roe in San Francisco Bay is active during the months of 
December through March. In addition, there are approximately 20 set 
gill net vessels that are continuing to fish in the Southern California 
Bight, and in Central California, there are no water depth restrictions 
for set gill net fishing between Point Sal and Arguello. The MRPA does 
not affect the offshore drift gill net fishery for shark and swordfish.
    Other comments were received that were in favor of the change in 
classification of California gill net fisheries based on mesh size. 
Although a correlation between mortality rates and mesh size has been 
observed in California gill net fisheries, this relationship may not be 
applicable to other gill net fisheries outside California. Therefore, 
as the commenters noted, this change should not be applied to non-
California gill net fisheries until there is information to support 
such a change.
    Based on evidence presented in the notice of the proposed List of 
Fisheries for 1994 (59 FR 10372, March 4, 1994), reclassification of 
fisheries that use mesh sizes greater than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) to 
Category I and reclassification of fisheries that use mesh sizes less 
than or equal to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) to Category III is warranted.

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Gill Net Fishery

    Although changes to this fishery were not proposed, many comments 
were received concerning the mid-Atlantic coastal gill net fishery. 
Commenters indicated that a lack of justification exists for the 
Category II designation within the inner bays, rivers, and tributaries 
along the mid-Atlantic coast, and these areas should be reclassified as 
Category III fisheries.
    NMFS has evaluated existing information and agrees that the 
reclassification of certain areas is warranted. The category II 
classification of the mid-Atlantic coastal gill net fishery will 
continue to apply to all gill nets set in coastal waters from North 
Carolina to Nantucket, MA, excluding the segments described below.

Inshore Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fisheries: Rhode Island and southern 
Massachusetts and New York Bight

    All gill net fisheries operating landward of the first bridge of 
any embayment in Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts (to Monomoy 
Island), Raritan, and lower New York Bays in New York Bight are 
reclassified as Category III fisheries.

Long Island Sound

    All gill net fisheries setting nets west of a line from the north 
fork of the eastern end of Long Island, NY (Orient Point to Plum Island 
to Fishers Island) to Watch Hill, RI are reclassified as Category III 
fisheries.

Delaware Bay

    Harbor porpoise and bottlenose dolphin have stranded inside 
Delaware Bay as far as Fortescue, NJ. Therefore, only those gill net 
fisheries operating north of a line drawn from the southern point of 
Nantuxent Cove (mouth of Cedar Creek, NJ) to southern boundary of 
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge at Kelly Island, DE (Port Mahon) 
are reclassified as Category III fisheries.

Chesapeake Bay

    Seaward of the Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel, 42 bottlenose dolphin 
and 65 harbor porpoise stranded in Virginian waters during 1993-94. 
Landward of the Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel, approximately 14 
bottlenose dolphin and 1 harbor porpoise were reported stranded in 
1993-94, with little evidence of gill net interactions. Therefore, all 
gill net fisheries operating between the Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel 
and the mainland are reclassified as Category III fisheries.

North Carolina

    After extensive monitoring of gill net effort monitoring in Pamlico 
and Albermarle Sound, the North Carolina Department of Environment, 
Health, and Natural Resources has reported no marine mammals 
incidentally taken in these areas. Therefore, all gill net fisheries 
operating between the Outer Banks and the mainland from Morehead City, 
NC to the North Carolina-Virginia border are reclassified as Category 
III fisheries.

Summary of Changes to the List of Fisheries

    Table 1--Category I Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
    Reclassify the Alaska Copper River and Bering River (adjacent to 
Prince William Sound) salmon drift gill net fishery as a Category II 
fishery (Table 2).
    Reclassify the Washington, Oregon Lower Columbia River salmon drift 
gill net fishery as a Category III fishery (Table 3).
    Reclassify the Washington Willapa Bay salmon drift gill net fishery 
as a Category III fishery (Table 3).
    Reclassify the Washington Grays Harbor salmon set and drift gill 
net fishery as a Category III fishery (Table 3).
    Add California set and drift gill net fisheries (except the CA 
Klamath River gill net fishery, Table 2) that utilize a stretched mesh 
size of greater than 3.5 inches to Category I. This new classification 
supersedes the following Category I fishery classifications:
    California angel shark set gill net fishery;
    California halibut set gill net fishery;
    California thresher shark and swordfish drift gill net fishery;
    California soupfin shark, yellowtail, white sea bass set gill net 
fishery, and will incorporate future California set and drift gillnet 
fisheries that use a stretched mesh size of greater than 3.5 inches.
    Table 2--Category II Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean.
    Reclassify the Alaska Copper River and Bering River (adjacent to 
Prince William Sound) salmon drift gill net fishery from a Category I 
fishery to Category II.
    Table 3--Category III Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean.
    Reclassify the Washington, Oregon Lower Columbia River salmon drift 
gill net fishery from a Category I fishery to Category III.
    Redefine the Washington, Oregon, California herring, smelt, shad, 
sturgeon, bottom fish, mullet, perch, rockfish gill net fishery to 
include only Washington and Oregon. (This California fishery is 
redefined as a Category III California set and drift gill net fishery 
(defined below) that utilizes a stretched mesh size of 3.5 inches or 
less.)
    Reclassify the Washington Willapa Bay salmon drift gill net fishery 
from a Category I fishery to Category III.
    Reclassify the Washington Grays Harbor salmon set and drift gill 
net fishery from a Category I fishery to Category III.
    Add California set and drift gill net fisheries (except the CA 
Klamath River gill net fishery) that utilize a stretched mesh size of 
3.5 inches or less to Category III (Table 3).
    Table 4--Category I Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, 
Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.
    No changes.
    Table 5--Category II Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, 
Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.
    Reclassify the Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon aquaculture fishery 
from a Category III fishery to Category II.
    Reclassify portions of the mid-Atlantic coastal gill net fishery 
(inner coastal, upper river and estuarine areas of Rhode Island, 
southern Massachusetts, and the New York Bight; as well as Long Island 
Sound, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds in 
North Carolina waters) as Category III fisheries. (Table 6).
    Table 6--Category III Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, 
Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.
    Add the Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts (to Monomoy Island) 
and the New York Bight (Raritan and Lower New York Bays) gill net 
fishery, operating landward of the first bridge of any embayment, to 
Category III.
    Add the Long Island Sound gill net fishery, operating west of a 
line from the north fork of the eastern end of Long Island, NY (Orient 
Point to Plum Island to Fishers Island) to Watch Hill, Rhode Island, to 
Category III.
    Add the Delaware Bay gill net fishery, operating north of a line 
drawn from the southern point of Nantuxent Cove to southern boundary of 
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge at Kelly Island, DE, to Category 
III.
    Add the Chesapeake Bay gill net fishery, operating between the 
Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel and the mainland, to Category III.
    Add the Albermarle and Pamlico Sounds gill net fishery, operating 
between the Outer Banks and the mainland from Morehead, NC to the 
Virginia-North Carolina border, to Category III.
    Reclassify the Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon aquaculture fishery as 
a Category II fishery (Table 5).

List of Fisheries

Interim Exemption for commercial Fisheries

                         Table 1.--Category I Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/       Marine mammal species involved 
                                                                   persons                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gill net fisheries, salmonids:                                                                                  
  Northern WA coastal (area 4 and 4A) salmon set gill net....              19  6, 13, 15, 30, 32                
Gill net fisheries, other finish:                                                                               
  CA set and drift gill net fisheries that use a stretched                717  2, 3, 6, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 
   mesh size of greater than 3.5 inches.                                        22, 23, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 41  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        Table 2.--Category II Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/      Marine mammal species involved  
                                                                  persons                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gill net fisheries, salmonids:                                                                                  
  AK Prince William Sound set gill net.......................              30  2, 6, 13, 15.                    
  AK Prince William Sound (Eshamy, Coghill, and Unakwik                   547  2, 6, 13, 14, 15.                
   districts) drift gill net.                                                                                   
  AK Copper River and Bering River districts (adjacent to                 547  2, 6, 13, 14, 15.                
   Prince William Sound) salmon drift gill net.                                                                 
  AK South Unimak (False Pass and Unimak Pass) drift gill net             158  2, 6, 13, 14, 15, 30.            
  AK Peninsula (other than South Unimak) drift gill net......             158  2, 6, 13, 15, 30.                
  AK Southeast Alaska drift gill net.........................             468  2, 6, 13, 14, 15, 25, 30, 31.    
  AK Metlakatla/Annette Island drift gill net................              56  2, 6, 13, 14, 15, 25, 30, 31.    
  AK Yakutat set gill net....................................             164  2, 6, 13, 14, 30.                
  AK Cook Inlet drift gill net...............................             560  2, 6, 13, 15, 26.                
  AK Cook Inlet set gill net.................................             743  2, 6, 13, 15, 26.                
  AK Kodiak set gill net.....................................             187  2, 6, 13, 15.                    
  AK Peninsula set gill net..................................             113  2, 6, 13, 30.                    
  AK Bristol Bay drift gill net..............................           1,746  2, 6, 26, 30.                    
  AK Bristol Bay set gill net................................             943  2, 6, 26, 30.                    
  WA Puget Sound Region and inland waters south of the U.S.-            3,900  1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 25.          
   Canada border, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Hood                                                    
   Canal and estuaries and lower river areas (subject to                                                        
   tidal action) set and drift gill net.                                                                        
  WA coastal river set gill net..............................             325  2, 3, 6.                         
  CA Klamath River gill net..................................             504  3, 6.                            
Gill net fisheries, other finfish:                                                                              
  AK gill net (except salmon, herring, and sunken gill nets               235  2, 6, 15.                        
   for groundfish).                                                                                             
Sunken gill nets, groundfish:                                                                                   
  AK Prince William Sound sunken gill net....................               3  15.                              
  AK Kodiak (south of Cape Douglas, east of 159 deg.W) sunken               5  15.                              
   gill net.                                                                                                    
  AK Central Gulf of Alaska (north and east of Cape Douglas)                2  15.                              
   sunken gill net.                                                                                             
  AK Aleutian Islands (south of 55 deg.N, west of 170 deg.W)                1  15.                              
   sunken gill net.                                                                                             
Purse seine fisheries, salmonids:                                                                               
  AK South Unimak (False Pass and Unimak Pass) salmon purse               115  1, 2, 13.                        
   seine.                                                                                                       
Troll fisheries:                                                                                                
  OR, CA south of 45 deg.46'00'' (Cape Falcon, OR) salmon               3,400  2, 3, 6.                         
   troll.                                                                                                       
Round haul (seine and lampara), beach seine, and throw net                                                      
 fisheries:                                                                                                     
  CA herring purse seine.....................................             100  3, 6.                            
  CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna purse seine.....................             160  3, 27.                           
  CA sardine purse seine.....................................             120  3, 27.                           
  CA squid purse seine.......................................             145  3, 22, 23, 27.                   
Long line/set line fisheries, sablefish:                                                                        
  AK Prince William Sound (NMFS Statistical Area 649)                     270  25, 28.                          
   sablefish long line/set line.                                                                                
  AK Southern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, (NMFS Statistical             226  25.                              
   Reporting Areas 517, 518, 519, 540) and Western Gulf of                                                      
   Alaska (NMFS Statistical Reporting Area 610 West of 165                                                      
   deg.W) sablefish long line/set line.                                                                         
Pot, ring net, and trap fisheries:                                                                              
  AK Metlakatla fish trap....................................               4  2, 6.                            
Dip net fisheries:                                                                                              
  CA squid dip net...........................................             115  3, 23.                           
Aquaculture, ranch pen fisheries:                                                                               
  WA, OR salmon net pens.....................................              21  2, 3, 6.                         
  OR salmon ranch............................................               8  3, 6.                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        Table 3.--Category III Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/       Marine mammal species involved 
                                                                   persons                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gill net fisheries:                                                                                             
  AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, Kotzebue salmon gill               2,023  15.                              
   nets.                                                                                                        
  AK herring gill net........................................             174  2, 6.                            
  WA, OR Upper Columbia River Basin (above Bonneville Dam)                100  3.                               
   salmon and other finfish gill net.                                                                           
  WA, OR herring, smelt, shad, sturgeon, bottom fish, mullet,             918  3, 6.                            
   perch, rockfish gill net.                                                                                    
  WA, OR Lower Columbia River (includes tributaries) drift                874  2, 3, 6, 30.                     
   gill net.                                                                                                    
  WA Willapa Bay (includes rivers, estuaries, etc.) drift                 362  2, 3, 6, 11.                     
   gill net.                                                                                                    
  WA Grays Harbor (includes rivers, estuaries, etc.) drift                222  2, 3, 6.                         
   gill net.                                                                                                    
  CA set and drift gill net fisheries that use a stretched                341  2, 3, 6, 14, 15, 16, 27, 30, 41. 
   mesh size of 3.5 inches or less.                                                                             
  HI gill net................................................              81  12, 27.                          
Troll fisheries:                                                                                                
  AK salmon troll............................................           2,873  1, 2, 6, 28, 31.                 
  WA, OR north of 45 deg.46'00'' (Cape Falcon, OR) salmon                 900  3.                               
   troll.                                                                                                       
  AK North Pacific halibut, AK bottom fish, WA, OR, CA                  1,354  4, 6.                            
   albacore, groundfish, bottom fish, CA halibut non-salmon                                                     
   troll fisheries.                                                                                             
  HI trolling, rod and reel..................................             903  20, 21, 24.                      
  Guam tuna troll............................................             <50  None Documented.                 
  Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands tuna troll....             <50  None Documented.                 
  American Samoa tuna troll..................................             <50  None Documented.                 
Purse seine, beach seine, round haul (seine and lampara) and                                                    
 throw net fisheries:                                                                                           
  AK salmon/herring beach or purse seine.....................           1,749  2, 13, 15.                       
  AK other finfish beach or purse seine......................               9  None Documented.                 
  WA salmon purse seine......................................             440  6, 14.                           
  WA salmon reef net.........................................              53  6.                               
  WA, OR herring, smelt, squid purse seine...................             100  3, 6.                            
  WA (all species) beach seine...............................             199  None Documented.                 
  HI purse seine.............................................              18  None Documented.                 
  HI opelu/akule net.........................................               3  None Documented.                 
  HI throw net, cast net.....................................              24  None Documented.                 
  HI net unclassified........................................               8  None Documented.                 
  Western Pacific yellowfin tuna purse seine (South Pacific                32  None Documented.                 
   Tuna Treaty).                                                                                                
Long line/set line fisheries:                                                                                   
  AK groundfish long line/set line (except sablefish in BSAI/           1,296  2, 31.                           
   GOA which are in Category II).                                                                               
  AK, WA, OR North Pacific halibut long line/set line........           5,893  2, 4, 25, 28.                    
  WA, OR, CA groundfish, bottomfish long line/set line.......             367  3, 4, 6, 17.                     
  CA shark/bonito long line/set line.........................              10  3.                               
  HI tuna, billfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, oceanic sharks long                200  21, 24.                          
   line/set line.                                                                                               
Trawl fisheries:                                                                                                
  AK Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish trawl........             490  1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 
                                                                                14, 15, 25, 32.                 
  AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish trawl.........................             490  1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 
                                                                                14, 15, 25, 32.                 
  AK state-managed waters of Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Prince               8  14.                              
   William Sound, Southeastern Alaska groundfish trawl.                                                         
  AK food/bait herring trawl.................................               2  None Documented.                 
  AK, WA, OR, CA shrimp trawl................................             382  None Documented.                 
  WA, OR, CA groundfish, squid, smelt, bottomfish trawl......             585  1, 2, 3, 6, 14, 17, 27, 33.      
  CA California halibut trawl................................              25  3.                               
  CA sea cucumber trawl......................................               6  None Documented.                 
Pot, ring net, and trap fisheries:                                                                              
  AK shellfish pot...........................................           1,533  13.                              
  AK finfish pot.............................................             226  None Documented.                 
  WA, OR, CA sablefish pot...................................             176  4,6.                             
  WA, OR, CA dungeness crab pot..............................           1,426  4, 6, 30, 32.                    
  WA, OR shrimp pot..........................................             231  None Documented.                 
  CA lobster, prawns, shrimp, rock crab, fish pot............             608  None Documented.                 
  OR, CA hagfish pot.........................................               7  None Documented.                 
  HI lobster trap............................................              21  12.                              
  HI crab trap...............................................               5  None Documented.                 
  HI fish trap...............................................               2  None Documented.                 
  HI shrimp trap.............................................               2  None Documented.                 
  HI other trap..............................................               6  None Documented.                 
Handline and jig fisheries:                                                                                     
  AK North Pacific halibut...................................              69  None Documented.                 
  AK other finfish...........................................              33  None Documented.                 
  WA groundfish, bottomfish jig..............................             679  4, 6.                            
  HI aku boat, pole and line.................................              17  None Documented.                 
  HI inshore handline........................................              76  20.                              
  HI deep sea bottomfish.....................................             434  12, 20.                          
  HI tuna....................................................             144  12, 20, 21.                      
  Guam bottomfish............................................             <50  None Documented.                 
  Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish....             <50  None Documented.                 
  American Somoa bottomfish..................................             <50  None Documented.                 
Dip net fisheries:                                                                                              
  WA, OR smelt, herring dip net..............................             119  None Documented.                 
Harpoon fisheries:                                                                                              
  CA swordfish harpoon.......................................             228  None Documented.                 
Pound fisheries:                                                                                                
  AK Southeast Alaska herring food/bait......................               1  None Documented.                 
  WA herring brush weir......................................               1  None Documented.                 
Bait pens:                                                                                                      
  WA, OR herring bait pen....................................              12  6.                               
Dredge fishery:                                                                                                 
  Coastwide scallop dredge...................................             106  None Documented.                 
Dive, hand/mechanical collection fisheries:                                                                     
  AK abalone.................................................              23  None Documented.                 
  AK dungeness crab..........................................               3  None Documented.                 
  AK, Prince William Sound herring spawn-on-kelp.............              81  2.                               
  AK herring spawn-on-kelp...................................             172  None Documented.                 
  AK urchin and other fish/shellfish.........................              19  None Documented.                 
  AK clam hand shovel........................................              64  None Documented.                 
  AK clam mechanical/hydraulic fisheries.....................               3  None Documented.                 
  WA herring spawn-on-kelp...................................               4  None Documented.                 
  WA geoduck.................................................              37  4.                               
  WA, OR sea urchin, other clam, octopus, oyster, sea                     647  2, 6.                            
   cucumber, scallop.                                                                                           
  CA abalone.................................................             129  None Documented.                 
  CA sea urchin..............................................             800  None Documented.                 
  HI squiding, spear.........................................              49  None Documented.                 
  HI lobster diving..........................................              16  None Documented.                 
  HI coral diving............................................               2  None Documented.                 
  HI handpick................................................              86  None Documented.                 
Aquaculture, ranch, ponds:                                                                                      
  WA tribal salmon ranch.....................................               1  None Documented.                 
  WA oyster farm.............................................             316  None Documented.                 
  WA mussel/clam.............................................             224  None Documented.                 
  WA, CA kelp................................................               4  None Documented.                 
  HI fish pond...............................................               3  None Documented.                 
Commercial passenger fishing vessel (charter boat) fisheries:                                                   
  AK, WA, OR, CA all species.................................           1,243  3, 6.                            
Other fisheries:                                                                                                
  HI.........................................................              17  None Documented.                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Table 4.--Category I Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/       Marine mammal species involved 
                                                                  persons                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl fisheries:                                                                                                
  MDA Foreign mackerel trawl.................................               0  16, 20, 22, 23, 34.              
Pair Trawl Fisheries:                                                                                           
  Atlantic Ocean, CB, GMX, swordfish, tuna, shark pair trawl.              15  16, 20, 22, 23, 24.              
Gill Net Fisheries:                                                                                             
  Atlantic Ocean, CB, GMX swordfish, tuna, shark gill net....              85  16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 29.          
  New England Multispecies sink gill net (includes all                    399  6, 15, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38.   
   species as defined in the Multispecies Fishery Management                                                    
   Plan and spiny dogfish) for all waters east of 71 deg.40'W.                                                  
  GME small pelagics (which includes mackerel, herring,                   133  6, 15, 31, 32, 34, 35.           
   menhaden) surface gill net.                                                                                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Table 5.--Category II Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/       Marine mammal species involved 
                                                                   persons                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gill Net Fisheries:                                                                                             
  MDA coastal gill net (includes, but not limited to,                     655  15, 20, 31, 32.                  
   Atlantic croaker, Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic sturgeon,                                                      
   black drum, bluefish, herring, menhaden, scup, shad,                                                         
   striped bass, weakfish, white perch, and yellow perch and                                                    
   excludes the inner coastal, upper river and estuarine                                                        
   areas of Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts (to Monomoy                                                    
   Island), and New York Bight (Raritan and Lower New York                                                      
   Bays); Long Island Sound, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay and                                                   
   Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds in North Carolina waters).                                                      
  SOA shark gill net.........................................              10  20.                              
Trawl Fisheries:                                                                                                
  MDA Atlantic mackerel trawl................................             203  16, 22, 23.                      
Longline fisheries:                                                                                             
  Atlantic Ocean, CB, GMX, tuna, shark, swordfish longline...             820  16, 22, 23, 24, 27, 31, 32, 36.  
Aquaculture, pens:                                                                                              
  GME Atlantic salmon........................................              30  6, 35.                           
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


        Table 6.--Category III Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Estimated                                     
                                                                  number of                                     
                           Fishery                                vessels/       Marine mammal species involved 
                                                                   persons                                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gill net fisheries:                                                                                             
   MDA Inshore Gill Net Fisheries:                                                                              
     Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts (to Monomoy                      32  15, 20, 31, 32                   
     Island), and New York Bight (Raritan and Lower New York                                                    
     Bays).                                                                                                     
     Long Island Sound.......................................              20                                   
    Delaware Bay.............................................              60                                   
    Chesapeake Bay...........................................              45                                   
    North Carolina (Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds)............              94                                   
Trawl fisheries                                                                                                 
  GME northern shrimp trawl..................................             320  None Documented                  
  GME mackerel trawl.........................................              30  None Documented                  
  GME, MDA groundfish trawl..................................           1,052  None Documented                  
  GME, MDA sea scallop trawl.................................             215  None Documented                  
  GME, SOA, GMX coastal herring trawl........................               5  36                               
   MDA squid trawl...........................................             250  16, 22, 23, 34                   
   MDA mixed species trawl...................................          >1,000  None Documented                  
  SOA, GMX shrimp trawl......................................          18,292  20, 40                           
  GMX butterfish trawl.......................................               5  36                               
  GA, SC whelk trawl.........................................              25  None Documented                  
  Calico scallops trawl......................................             200  None Documented                  
  Bluefish, croaker, flounder trawl..........................             550  None Documented                  
  Crab trawl.................................................             400  None Documented                  
Purse seine fisheries:                                                                                          
  GME Atlantic herring purse seine...........................              30  6, 15, 35                        
  GME, MDA menhaden purse seine..............................              10  20                               
  GME, MDA Atlantic bluefin tuna purse seine.................               5  31                               
  SOA, GMX menhaden purse seine..............................              97  20                               
  FL west coast sardine purse seine..........................              16  20                               
Bottom longline/hook & line fisheries:                                                                          
  GME tub trawl groundfish...................................              46  6, 35                            
  SOA, GMX snapper-grouper and other reef fish...............           1,300  None Documented                  
  SOA, GMX shark.............................................             124  None Documented                  
Pelagic hook & line/harpoon fisheries:                                                                          
  GME, MDA tuna, shark, swordfish............................          26,223  None Documented                  
  SOA, GMX...................................................           1,446  None Documented                  
Gill net fisheries:                                                                                             
  GME, SOA coastal shad, sturgeon gill net...................           1,285  15, 20, 32                       
  SOA, GMX coastal gill net..................................           4,000  20                               
  FL east coast, GMX pelagics king & spanish mackerel gill                271  20                               
   net.                                                                                                         
Fixed gear fisheries, trap/pot--fish:                                                                           
  GME, MDA mixed species.....................................             100  6, 15, 31, 32, 35                
  MDA black sea bass.........................................              30  None Documented                  
  MDA eel....................................................             500  None Documented                  
Fixed gear fisheries, trap/pot--lobster, crab                                                                   
  GME, MDA inshore lobster...................................          10,613  6, 31, 32, 38, 39                
  GME, MDA offshore lobster..................................           2,902  None Documented                  
  Atlantic Ocean, GMX blue crab..............................          20,500  20, 40                           
  SOA, GMX, CB spiny lobster.................................           2,500  20, 40                           
  SOA, GMX, CB reef fish.....................................           2,200  None Documented                  
  FL east & west coast, GMX stone crab.......................             500  20, 40                           
Stop seine, weirs (staked fish traps):                                                                          
  GME herring and Atlantic mackerel..........................              50  6, 15, 31, 32, 35, 38            
  MDA mixed species..........................................             500  None Documented                  
  MDA crab...................................................           2,600  None Documented                  
Dredge fisheries:                                                                                               
  GME, MDA sea scallops......................................             233  31                               
  MDA offshore clam..........................................             159  None Documented                  
  GME mussel.................................................             >50  None Documented                  
  MDA oyster.................................................           7,000  None Documented                  
Haul seine fisheries:                                                                                           
  SOA, CB....................................................             150  None Documented                  
Beach seine fisheries:                                                                                          
  CB.........................................................              15  40                               
Dive, hand/mechanical collection fisheries:                                                                     
  GME urchins................................................             >50  None Documented                  
  Atlantic Ocean, GMX, CB shellfish..........................          20,000  None Documented                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of State Abbreviations Used in Tables                                                                      
AK--Alaska                                                                                                      
CA--California                                                                                                  
FL--Florida                                                                                                     
GA--Georgia                                                                                                     
HI--Hawaii                                                                                                      
OR--Oregon                                                                                                      
SC--South Carolina                                                                                              
TX--Texas                                                                                                       
WA--Washington                                                                                                  
Acronyms and the Areas They Represent                                                                           
BSAI--Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands                                                                           
CB--Caribbean                                                                                                   
GME--Gulf of Maine--Canadian Border to Nantucket Island, Massachusetts (includes Georges Bank)                  
GMX--Gulf of Mexico--All Gulf states                                                                            
GOA--Gulf of Alaska                                                                                             
MDA--Mid Atlantic--Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina                            
SOA--Southern Atlantic--South Carolina to Florida                                                               
Explanation of Columns                                                                                          
Fishery--Identified by gear, target species, and area.                                                          
Estimated # of Vessels/Persons--Contains the best and most recent available information on the number of vessels/
  persons licensed to participate in a fishery or, in the case of Alaska, the number of permits.                
Marine Mammal Species Involved--Contains a list of all documented or reported instances (including rare and     
  unique instances) of marine mammal interactions. The inclusion of a species does not address the magnitude of 
  take and makes no statement regarding the significance of any interaction.                                    


    Species Codes for Marine Mammals Taken in Commercial Fisheries.     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species codes           Common name                Scientific name      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............  Northern fur seal...........  Callorhinus ursinus.       
2............  Steller (northern) sea lion.  Eumetopias jubatus.        
3............  California sea lion.........  Zalophus californianus.    
4............  Unidentified sea lion.......  ...........................
5............  Walrus......................  Odobenus rosmarus.         
6............  Harbor seal.................  Phoca vitulina.            
7............  Spotted seal................  Phoca larga.               
8............  Ringed seal.................  Phoca hispida.             
9............  Ribbon seal.................  Phoca fasciata.            
10...........  Bearded seal................  Erignathus barbatus.       
11...........  Northern elephant seal......  Mirounga angustirostris.   
12...........  Hawaiian monk seal..........  Monachus schauinslandi.    
13...........  Alaska sea otter............  Enhydra lutris lutris.     
14...........  Dall's porpoise.............  Phocoenoides dalli.        
15...........  Harbor porpoise.............  Phocoena phocoena.         
16...........  Common (saddleback) dolphin.  Delphinus delphis.         
17...........  Pacific whitesided dolphin..  Lagenorhynchus obliquidens.
18...........  Northern right whale dolphin  Lissodelphis borealis.     
19...........  Striped dolphin.............  Stenella coeruleoalba.     
20...........  Bottlenose dolphin..........  Tursiops truncatus.        
21...........  Rough toothed dolphin.......  Steno bredanensis.         
22...........  Risso's dolphin.............  Grampus griseus.           
23...........  Pilot whale.................  Globicephala spp.          
24...........  False killer whale..........  Pseudorca crassidens.      
25...........  Killer whale................  Orcinus orca.              
26...........  Beluga whale................  Delphinapterus leucas.     
27...........  Unidentified small cetacean.  ...........................
28...........  Sperm whale.................  Physeter catodon.          
29...........  Beaked whales...............  Ziphiidae.                 
30...........  Gray whale..................  Eschrichtius robustus.     
31...........  Humpback whale..............  Megaptera novaeangliae.    
32...........  Minke whale.................  Balaenoptera acutorostrata.
33...........  Unidentified large cetacean.  ...........................
34...........  Atlantic whitesided dolphin.  Lagenorhynchus acutus.     
35...........  Gray seal...................  Halichoerus grypus.        
36...........  Spotted dolphin.............  Stenella spp.              
37...........  Pygmy sperm whale...........  Kogia breviceps.           
38...........  Northern right whale........  Eubalaena glacialis.       
39...........  Fin whale...................  Balaenoptera physalus.     
40...........  Manatee.....................  Trichechus manatus.        
41...........  Southern (California) sea     Enhydra lutris nereis.     
                otter.                                                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dated: August 19, 1994.
Gary C. Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-20912 Filed 8-22-94; 3:42 pm]




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