[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23111]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 646

[Docket No. 940953-4253; I.D. 081594A]
RIN 0648-AE52

 

Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 7 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region (FMP). This rule would change the minimum size limits 
of certain species, require charter vessels/headboats and dealers to 
obtain Federal permits, clarify one of the earned income requirements 
for a vessel permit, restrict the sale/purchase of snapper-grouper 
species, modify the criteria for determining when a vessel is operating 
as a headboat, modify the requirements for possessing multi-day bag 
limits, specify allowable gear, authorize permits for experimental 
fishing, and modify the management unit for scup. In addition, NMFS 
proposes changes to correct and clarify certain regulations, or conform 
them to current standards. The intended effects of this rule are to 
conserve snapper-grouper species and enhance effective management of 
the snapper-grouper fishery.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed rule must be sent to Peter J. 
Eldridge, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
    Requests for copies of Amendment 7, which includes a regulatory 
impact review and an environmental assessment, should be sent to the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One Southpark Circle, Suite 
306, Charleston, SC 29407-4699; FAX 803-769-4520.
    Comments regarding the collection-of-information requirements 
contained in this proposed rule should be sent to Edward E. Burgess, 
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702, and to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, OMB, Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter J. Eldridge, 813-570-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Snapper-grouper species off the southern 
Atlantic states are managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), and is implemented 
through regulations at 50 CFR part 646, under the authority of the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act).

Background

    Recent scientific stock assessments and public testimony have 
identified a number of snapper-grouper species as being overfished. The 
management measures in Amendment 7 are designed to prevent this 
overfishing, rebuild the overfished species, and manage the fishery in 
a more orderly manner.

Size Limits for Hogfish and Mutton Snapper

    Amendment 7 would establish a minimum size limit of 12 inches (30.5 
cm), fork length, for hogfish and increase the minimum size limit for 
mutton snapper from 12 inches (30.5 cm) to 16 inches (40.6 cm), total 
length. The proposed 12-inch (30.5-cm) minimum size limit for hogfish 
is based on the minimum size/age at which hogfish transform from female 
to male. The proposed 16-inch (40.6-cm) minimum size limit for mutton 
snapper corresponds to the size/age of sexual maturity. Sex 
transformation of hogfish and sexual maturity for mutton snapper are 
essential to prevent overfishing and maintain the productivity of these 
species. In addition, the proposed minimum size limits would increase 
yield-per-recruit for each species.

Annual Charter Vessel and Headboat Permits

    Amendment 7 would require a vessel that operates as a charter 
vessel or headboat in the snapper-grouper fishery in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ), or that possesses fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery in or from the EEZ while so operating, to have on board a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for such fishery. Charter vessels and 
headboats catch substantial quantities of snapper-grouper species, and 
it is essential that these landings be documented for assessment 
purposes. A permit system would provide a census for this sector of the 
fishery.

Annual Dealer Permits

    Amendment 7 would require a dealer to obtain a permit in order to 
receive snapper-grouper species, excluding wreckfish, that are 
harvested in the EEZ. Currently, a permit is required for a dealer to 
receive wreckfish. To be eligible for a dealer permit for snapper-
grouper, excluding wreckfish, an applicant would have to have a valid 
state wholesaler's license in the state where he or she operates and a 
physical facility for the receipt of fish at a fixed location in that 
state. Dealer permits for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, would 
(1) Improve quota monitoring by providing a census of snapper-grouper 
dealers, (2) enhance the enforceability of commercial trip limits for 
snowy grouper and golden tilefish, and (3) aid in verifying required 
fishing vessel logbook submissions.

Earned Income Requirement for Commercial Permits

    Amendment 7 proposes to clarify the gross-sales-of-fish alternative 
requirement for a vessel permit for snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish. Currently, an applicant may show gross sales of fish 
exceeding $20,000 during 1 of the 3 years preceding the application. 
Under Amendment 7, such sales would have to be of fish harvested by the 
applicant for the permit. The Council is concerned that some vessel 
owners may have obtained permits through the artifice of purchasing and 
reselling fish harvested by others. Such practice does not meet the 
Council's intent for qualifying for a permit. In FMP Amendment 4, the 
Council clearly stated that the income and gross sales requirements are 
intended to allow those who are committed to commercial fishing, in 
terms of capital investment or earned income, to continue making their 
livelihood from fishing. Specifically, the Council intends that the 
commercial fishing permits be for those vessels whose owners or 
operators have a history of income from harvesting and selling fish.

Restrictions on Sale/Purchase of Snapper-Grouper

    Amendment 7 proposes requirements that snapper-grouper species, 
excluding wreckfish, harvested in the EEZ (1) Be sold only to a dealer 
with a valid permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish; and (2) 
be purchased only from a vessel that has a valid permit for snapper-
grouper, excluding wreckfish, or from a person with a valid state 
commercial license to sell fish. In addition, sale/purchase of such 
fish would be limited to the bag limit amounts unless sale/purchase 
involved snapper-grouper harvested by a vessel with a valid permit for 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. These measures would improve 
fishery statistics that will be used in assessments of the biological 
condition of snapper-grouper species. The improved data base will also 
allow scientists to estimate more accurately the social and economic 
value of various fishing sectors. Economic and social analyses based on 
fishery statistics allow managers to evaluate the effectiveness of 
management measures.

Headboat Crew Specification

    The current regulations specify that, if a headboat has a vessel 
permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, it is considered to be 
operating as a headboat when it carries a passenger who pays a fee or 
when there are more than three persons aboard, including operator and 
crew. When operating as a headboat, the bag limits apply. Amendment 7 
proposes to remove the specification of three persons aboard and, in 
its place, allow the number of persons aboard to be up to the number of 
crew specified in the vessel's Certificate of Inspection. This measure 
would, in some cases, allow a permitted headboat to be exempt from the 
bag limits when it has more than three persons aboard. The Council 
believes that the number of crew specified on the Certificate of 
Inspection would allow safer operation of the vessel when fishing and, 
to the extent that the number of crew allowed exceeds three, should 
improve the economic efficiency of affected headboats if they operate 
as commercial fishing vessels.

Possession Limits

    A current criterion for the possession aboard a charter vessel or 
headboat of multi-day bag limits is that the vessel have two licensed 
operators aboard. Amendment 7 would delete this criterion. The Council 
believes the two-licensed operators aboard criterion has no reasonable 
biological or management correlation with multi-day bag limits. NMFS 
believes that this action should have little impact on the fishery, 
notwithstanding the Council's indication in Amendment 7 that this 
measure possibly may decrease income to operators/owners of charter 
vessels and headboats.

Gear Limitations

    Under Amendment 7, the only gear authorized in a directed fishery 
for snapper-grouper species would be vertical hook-and-line gear, 
including hand-held rods and rods attached to a vessel (bandit gear), 
in either case, with manual, electric, or hydraulic reels; spearfishing 
gear; bottom longlines; and sea bass pots. All other gear would be 
prohibited. Limits would be imposed on the possession and transfer of 
snapper-grouper species by vessels with unauthorized gear aboard. An 
exception to the possession limits would apply in the case of a 
permitted vessel that fishes in the EEZ off North Carolina with a sink 
net aboard.
    In addition, the use of bottom longlines to fish for snapper-
grouper species in the EEZ south of St. Lucie Inlet, FL, would be 
prohibited; the use of powerheads to harvest snapper- grouper species 
in the EEZ off South Carolina would be prohibited; and the use of 
rebreathers to harvest snapper-grouper species with spearfishing gear 
in the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states would be prohibited.
    The concept of allowable gear allows managers to regulate the 
fishery more efficiently by enabling managers to test gear before it 
becomes widespread. This concept would enhance law enforcement by 
establishing standard gear. Environmental damage to the habitat would 
be minimized because gear would have to be evaluated before it could be 
used. Testing of experimental gear would minimize the possibility that 
very efficient gear could cause recruitment failure of the snapper 
grouper resource if it were allowed to be used throughout the fishery.
    The exception applicable to the use of sink nets off North Carolina 
would allow fishermen in that area to operate with multiple gears on a 
trip, that is, it would allow retention of snapper-grouper harvested 
with sea bass pots and/or vertical hook-and-line gear and fish 
harvested with a sink net. A sink net has virtually no bycatch of 
snapper-grouper species and is continuously tended, which minimizes the 
possibility of lost gear and ghost fishing. Therefore, the Council 
believes that sink nets, as used off North Carolina, do not pose the 
problems to the snapper-grouper fishery normally associated with 
entanglement nets. This exception would improve the economic efficiency 
of fishermen in North Carolina who are accustomed to using sink nets 
and authorized gear on a trip.
    The Council is proposing to ban the use of bottom longlines to fish 
for snapper-grouper species south of St. Lucie, FL, to increase the 
standing stock of tilefish in that area. The Council believes that the 
prohibition of bottom longlines will decrease fishing mortality on 
tilefish; hence, it should aid in the prevention of growth and 
recruitment overfishing. Also, the Council believes that banning bottom 
longline gear will reduce competition among traditional bandit gear 
commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and longline fishermen and 
will result in reduced habitat damage. The Council noted that the 
continental shelf edge is quite narrow south of St. Lucie Inlet, and 
does not want a bottom longline fishery to develop that would lead to 
conflict among the competing user groups in that area.
    South Carolina prohibits the use of powerheads in its waters, and 
powerheads cannot be used in the special management zones in the EEZ 
off South Carolina. The Council's proposed ban on the use of powerheads 
in the entire EEZ off South Carolina is intended to enhance 
enforceability of the prohibition of powerheads in State waters. This 
measure would result in consistent State and Federal regulations off 
South Carolina. The Council also believes that the ban on use of 
powerheads in the EEZ would reduce conflict between recreational and 
commercial divers that appears to be a particular problem in the EEZ 
off South Carolina.
    The Council believes that the use of rebreathers significantly 
increases the efficiency of divers using spearfishing gear. The use of 
rebreathers eliminates bubbles, thus allowing divers to stalk fish more 
easily. The Council is concerned about the status of gag, which are 
particularly vulnerable to divers when they aggregate to spawn. The 
prohibition of rebreathers would lessen fishing mortality on the 
spawning aggregations, which will assist in prevention of recruitment 
overfishing. Amberjack are also targeted by divers during spawning 
periods, and this measure would also reduce fishing mortality on that 
species and lessen the chance of recruitment overfishing.

Experimental Fishing

    Under Amendment 7, the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, (Regional 
Director) would be authorized to issue permits for experimental 
fishing, provided that, as a condition of such permits, data on the 
gear used and fish caught in such experimental fishing must be 
maintained and provided to the Science and Research Director. 
Experimental fishing would provide an opportunity to test new gear for 
possible authorization for use in the snapper-grouper fishery.

Management Unit for Scup

    Amendment 7 proposes to modify the management unit for scup, 
Stenotomus chrysops, so that management under the FMP would apply only 
south of Cape Hatteras. Scup are found from the North/South Carolina 
border to the U.S.-Canada border with a division of stocks at Cape 
Hatteras. The northern stock of scup is overfished and the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council is considering measures to rebuild that 
stock. The proposed modification of the management unit would allow the 
Mid-Atlantic Council to manage the northern stock of scup throughout 
its range. This is a conservation measure that would result in more 
efficient management of this resource.

Comments Requested

    While NMFS is inviting comments on all of the measures in Amendment 
7, comments are specifically invited on the following concerns about 
provisions of the allowable gear measure. (1) What are the effects of 
prohibiting the use of bottom longlines south of St. Lucie Inlet, FL ? 
(2) What are the effects of prohibiting the use of powerheads in the 
EEZ off South Carolina?

Additional Measures in Amendment 7

    In addition to the measures in this rule, discussed above, 
Amendment 7 would add localized depletion to the FMP's list of problems 
in the snapper-grouper fishery. It would add FMP objectives to evaluate 
and minimize localized depletion and modify the framework procedure for 
implementing or adjusting certain management measures to allow the 
Council to react more quickly to changing resource conditions. The 
proposed change to the framework procedure would allow the Council to 
initiate and implement necessary changes at any time during the fishing 
year instead of only prior to each fishing year. Revision of 50 CFR 
part 646 is not required to effect these changes.
    Background and rationale for the additional measures in Amendment 
7, and for the measures in this rule, discussed above, are contained in 
Amendment 7, the availability of which was announced in the Federal 
Register (59 FR 42570, August 18, 1994).

Additional Measures Proposed by NMFS

    NMFS proposes to change the title of part 646 to ``Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States,'' with concomitant changes of 
the language in the codified text, to more correctly indicate the 
geographical scope of the regulations.
    The address in the definition of ``Regional Director'' would be 
changed to reflect a recent move.
    The requirement that an applicant for a dealer permit for wreckfish 
must have a physical facility at a fixed location would be changed to 
clarify that such facility must be for the receipt of fish, rather than 
merely a mailing address.

Classification

    Section 304(a)(1)(D) of the Magnuson Act requires NMFS to publish 
regulations proposed by a Council within 15 days of receipt of the 
amendment and regulations. At this time, NMFS has not determined that 
the amendment these rules would implement is consistent with the 
national standards, other provisions of the Magnuson Act, and other 
applicable laws. NMFS, in making that determination, will take into 
account the data, views, and comments received during the comment 
period.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the 
Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities because neither gross revenues nor compliance costs 
would be significantly changed. All participants in the fishery are 
small entities. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not 
prepared.
    This rule contains three collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act--namely, applications for 
charter vessel/headboat permits, applications for dealer permits, and 
applications for experimental fishing permits. These requirements have 
been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
approval. The public reporting burdens for these collections of 
information are estimated to average 20 minutes, 5 minutes, and 1 hour 
per response, respectively, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection-of-information. Send comments regarding these reporting 
burden estimates or any other aspect of these collections of 
information, including suggestions for reducing the burdens, to NMFS 
and OMB (see ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 646

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 13, 1994.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 646 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 646--SNAPPER-GROUPER FISHERY OFF THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC STATES

    1. The authority citation for part 646 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 646--[AMENDED]

    2. The title of part 646 is revised to read ``Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States''.
    3. In Sec. 646.1, in paragraph (a) add the word ``Region'' after 
the phrase ``Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic''; paragraph 
(b) is revised; and new paragraph (c) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 646.1  Purpose and scope.

* * * * *
    (b) This part governs conservation and management of fish in the 
snapper-grouper fishery in or from the EEZ off the southern Atlantic 
states, except that--
    (1) Sections 646.5 and 646.24 also apply to such fish in or from 
adjoining state waters; and
    (2) This part does not apply to scup north of 35 deg.15.3' N. lat., 
the lat. of Cape Hatteras Light, NC.
    (c) EEZ in this part 646 refers to the EEZ off the southern 
Atlantic states, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

    4. In Sec. 646.2, the definition of ``South Atlantic'' is removed; 
the definitions of ``Charter vessel,'' ``Headboat,'' and ``Regional 
Director'' are revised; and new definitions of ``Off North Carolina,'' 
``Off South Carolina,'' and ``Off the southern Atlantic states'' are 
added, in alphabetical order, to read as follows:


Sec. 646.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Charter vessel means a vessel less than 100 gross tons (90.8 metric 
tons) that meets the requirements of the Coast Guard to carry six or 
fewer passengers for hire and that carries a passenger for hire at any 
time during the calendar year. A charter vessel 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.
* * * * *
    Headboat means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of 
Inspection issued by the Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire. A 
headboat is considered to be operating as a headboat when it carries a 
passenger who pays a fee or when there are more persons aboard than the 
number of crew specified in the vessel's Certificate of Inspection.
    Off North Carolina means the waters off the east coast from 
36 deg.34'55'' N. lat. (extension of the boundary between Virginia and 
North Carolina) to a line extending in a direction of 135 deg.34'55'' 
from true north from the North Carolina/South Carolina boundary, as 
marked by the border station on Bird Island at 33 deg.51'07.9'' N. 
lat., 78 deg.32'32.6'' W. long.
    Off South Carolina means the waters off the east coast from a line 
extending in a direction of 135 deg.34'55'' from true north from the 
North Carolina/South Carolina boundary, as marked by the border station 
on Bird Island at 33 deg.51'07.9'' N. lat., 78 deg.32'32.6'' 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 the southern Atlantic states means the waters off the east 
coast from 36 deg.34'55'' N. lat. (extension of the boundary between 
Virginia and North Carolina) to the boundary between the Atlantic Ocean 
and the Gulf of Mexico, as specified in Sec. 601.11(c) of this chapter.
* * * * *
    Regional Director means the Director, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 
Executive Center Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, telephone 813-570-
5301; or a designee.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec. 646.4, paragraphs (e) through (m) are redesignated as 
paragraphs (f) through (n), respectively; paragraphs (a)(3), 
(b)(2)(vii)(B), (b)(2)(vii)(C), (d), the first sentences of newly 
designated paragraphs (f), (g)(1), (i)(1), and (i)(2), newly designated 
paragraph (j), and the first sentence of newly redesignated paragraph 
(n) are revised; and new paragraphs (a)(4), (a)(5), and (e) are added 
to read as follows:


Sec. 646.4  Permits and fees.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Annual charter vessel/headboat permits for snapper-grouper. A 
vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat that fishes 
for fish in the snapper-grouper fishery in the EEZ, or possesses fish 
in the snapper-grouper fishery in or from the EEZ, must have on board a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for the snapper-grouper fishery.
    (4) Annual dealer permits for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. 
A dealer who receives fish in the snapper-grouper fishery, excluding 
wreckfish, that were harvested in the EEZ must obtain an annual dealer 
permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. To be eligible for 
such permit, an applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license 
in the state where he or she operates and must have a physical facility 
for the receipt of fish at a fixed location in that state.
    (5) Annual dealer permits for wreckfish. A dealer who receives a 
wreckfish must obtain an annual dealer permit for wreckfish. To be 
eligible for such permit, an applicant must have a valid state 
wholesaler's license in the state where he or she operates and must 
have a physical facility for the receipt of fish at a fixed location in 
that state.
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vii) * * *
    (B) Gross sales of fish harvested by his or her vessels were more 
than $20,000; or
    (C) For a vessel owned by a corporation or partnership, the gross 
sales of fish harvested by the corporation's or partnership's vessels 
were more than $20,000;
* * * * *
    (d) Application for a charter vessel/headboat permit for snapper-
grouper. (1) An application for a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
fish in the snapper-grouper fishery 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) A permit applicant must provide the following information:
    (i) A copy of the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard certificate of 
documentation or, 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, and telephone 
number of the owner of the vessel.
    (iv) Name, mailing address, including zip code, and telephone 
number of the applicant, if other than the owner.
    (v) Social security number and date of birth of the applicant and 
the owner (if the owner is a corporation/partnership, the employer 
identification number, if one has been assigned by the Internal Revenue 
Service, and the date the corporation/partnership was formed).
    (vi) Any other information concerning vessel, gear characteristics, 
principal fisheries engaged in, or fishing areas requested by the 
Regional Director and included on the application form.
    (vii) 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.
    (e) Application for an annual dealer permit. (1) An application for 
a dealer permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, or for a 
dealer permit for wreckfish must be submitted and signed by the dealer 
or an officer of a corporation acting as a dealer. 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) A permit applicant must provide the following information:
    (i) A copy of each state wholesaler's license held by the dealer.
    (ii) Business name; mailing address, including zip code, of the 
principal office of the business; telephone number; employer 
identification number, if one has been assigned by the Internal Revenue 
Service; and date the business was formed.
    (iii) The address of each physical facility at a fixed location 
where the business receives fish.
    (iv) Applicant's name; official capacity in the business; address, 
including zip code; telephone number; social security number; and date 
of birth.
    (v) 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.
    (f) * * * A fee is charged for each permit application submitted 
pursuant to this section and for each sea bass pot identification tag 
required under Sec. 646.6(d). * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) The Regional Director will issue a permit at any time to an 
applicant if the application is complete and the specific requirements 
for the requested permit have been met. * * *
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) A vessel permit issued pursuant to this section is not 
transferable or assignable. * * *
    (2) A dealer permit issued pursuant to this section may be 
transferred upon sale of the dealer's business. * * *
    (j) Display. A vessel permit issued pursuant to this section must 
be carried on board the vessel and such vessel must be identified as 
provided for in Sec. 646.6. A dealer permit issued pursuant to this 
section must be available on the dealer's premises. The operator of a 
vessel or a dealer must present the permit for inspection upon request 
of an authorized officer.
* * * * *
    (n) * * * The owner or operator of a vessel with a permit for 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish; the wreckfish shareholder of a 
vessel with a permit for wreckfish; the owner or operator of a vessel 
with a charter vessel/headboat permit for snapper-grouper; or a dealer 
with a permit issued pursuant to this section must notify the Regional 
Director within 15 days after any change in the application information 
required by paragraph (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section. * * *


Sec. 646.5  [Amended]

    6. In Sec. 646.5, in paragraphs (b) and (c)(1), the phrase ``off 
the South Atlantic states'' is removed.
    7. In Sec. 646.7, paragraph (dd) is removed; paragraphs (g) through 
(cc) are redesignated as paragraphs (h) through (dd), respectively; 
paragraphs (ll) through (ss) are redesignated as paragraphs (pp) 
through (ww), respectively; paragraphs (jj) and (kk) are redesignated 
as paragraphs (kk) and (ll), respectively; in newly designated 
paragraph (pp), the reference to ``Sec. 646.26'' is revised to read 
``Sec. 646.27''; in newly designated paragraph (qq), the reference to 
``Sec. 646.26'' is revised to read ``Sec. 646.27''; paragraphs (c) 
through (f) and (ee) through (ii) are revised; and new paragraphs (g), 
(jj), and (mm) through (oo) are added to read as follows:


Sec. 646.7  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (c) Own or operate a vessel that operates as a charter vessel or 
headboat that fishes for snapper-grouper species in the EEZ, or 
possesses snapper-grouper species in or from the EEZ, without a charter 
vessel/headboat permit on board, as specified in Sec. 646.4(a)(3).
    (d) As a dealer, receive fish in the snapper-grouper fishery 
without a dealer permit, as specified in Sec. 646.4(a)(4) or (a)(5).
    (e) Falsify information specified in Sec. 646.4(b)(2), (c)(2), 
(d)(2), or (e)(2) on an application for a permit.
    (f) Fail to display a permit, as specified in Sec. 646.4(j).
    (g) Falsify or fail to maintain, submit, or provide information 
required to be maintained, submitted, or provided, as specified in 
Sec. 646.5 (a) through (d), or as may be required by Sec. 646.29.
* * * * *
    (ee) Use a longline to fish for fish in the snapper-grouper fishery 
in the EEZ south of 27 deg.10' N. lat., in the EEZ north of 27 deg.10' 
N. lat. where the charted depth is less than 50 fathoms (91.4 m), or 
without a vessel permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, on 
board; or, aboard a vessel with a longline on board that fishes on a 
trip in the EEZ south of 27 deg.10' N. lat., in the EEZ north of 
27 deg.10' N. lat. where the charted depth is less than 50 fathoms 
(91.4 m), or without such vessel permit on board, possess fish in the 
snapper-grouper fishery exceeding the limits, as specified in 
Sec. 646.22(d)(1)(ii).
    (ff) Fish for wreckfish with a bottom longline, or possess a 
wreckfish aboard a vessel that has a longline aboard, as specified in 
Sec. 646.22(d)(2).
    (gg) In the EEZ off South Carolina, harvest fish in the snapper-
grouper fishery with a powerhead, as specified in Sec. 646.22(e).
    (hh) Harvest fish in the snapper-grouper fishery with spearfishing 
gear while using a rebreather, as specified in Sec. 646.22(f).
    (ii) Use unauthorized gear in a directed fishery for snapper-
grouper or exceed the possession limits for snapper-grouper species 
when unauthorized gear is aboard, as specified in Sec. 646.22(g)(2) (i) 
and (ii).
    (jj) Transfer at sea any fish in the snapper-grouper fishery from a 
vessel with unauthorized gear aboard to another vessel, or receive at 
sea any such fish, as specified in Sec. 646.22(g)(2) (iii) and (iv).
* * * * *
    (mm) Sell, trade, or barter or attempt to sell, trade, or barter 
snapper-grouper species, excluding wreckfish, harvested in the EEZ to a 
dealer who does not have a permit, as specified in Sec. 646.26(a).
    (nn) Purchase, trade, or barter or attempt to purchase, trade, or 
barter snapper-grouper species, excluding wreckfish, harvested in the 
EEZ unless the harvesting vessel has a permit for snapper-grouper, 
excluding wreckfish, or the seller has a commercial license to sell 
fish, as specified in Sec. 646.26(b).
    (oo) Except for snapper-grouper species harvested by a vessel for 
which a permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, has been 
issued, sell, purchase, trade, or barter or attempt to sell, purchase, 
trade, or barter snapper-grouper species, excluding wreckfish, 
harvested in the EEZ in excess of the bag limits, as specified in 
Sec. 646.26(c).
* * * * *
    8. In Sec. 646.21, paragraphs (a)(1)(iv), (a)(1)(v), and (a)(1)(vi) 
are redesignated as paragraphs (a)(1)(v), (a)(1)(vii), and 
(a)(1)(viii), respectively; paragraph (a)(1)(iii) is revised; and new 
paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and (a)(1)(vi) are added to read as follows:


Sec. 646.21  Harvest limitations.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Blackfin, cubera, dog, gray, mahogany, queen, schoolmaster, 
silk, and yellowtail snappers; and red porgy--12 inches (30.5 cm), 
total length.
    (iv) Hogfish--12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
* * * * *
    (vi) Mutton snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), total length.
* * * * *
    9. In Sec. 646.22, paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) are removed; 
paragraph (g) is redesignated as paragraph (d); in newly designated 
paragraph (d)(1)(iii), the reference to ``paragraph (g)(1)'' is revised 
to read ``paragraph (d)(1)(ii)''; newly designated paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
and (d)(1)(ii) introductory text are revised; and new paragraphs (e), 
(f), (g), and (h) are added to read as follows:


Sec. 646.22  Gear restrictions.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) A longline may not be used to fish for fish in the snapper-
grouper fishery in the EEZ--
    (A) South of 27 deg.10' N. lat. (due east of the entrance to St. 
Lucie Inlet, FL);
    (B) North of 27 deg.10' 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; or
    (C) Without a permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, on 
board.
    (ii) A person aboard a vessel with a longline on board that fishes 
on a trip in the EEZ south of 27 deg.10' N. lat., north of 27 deg.10' 
N. lat. where the charted depth is less than 50 fathoms (91.4 m), or 
without a permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, on board, is 
limited on that trip to:
* * * * *
    (e) Powerheads off South Carolina. In the EEZ off South Carolina, a 
powerhead may not be used to harvest fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery. The possession of a mutilated fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery in or from the EEZ off South Carolina and a powerhead is prima 
facie evidence that such fish was harvested by a powerhead.
    (f) Rebreathers and spearfishing gear. In the EEZ, a person using a 
rebreather may not harvest fish in the snapper-grouper fishery with 
spearfishing gear. The possession of a fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery while in the water with a rebreather is prima facie evidence 
that such fish was harvested with spearfishing gear while using a 
rebreather.
    (g) Authorized and unauthorized gear.--(1) Authorized gear. Subject 
to the specific gear limitations in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this 
section and in Sec. 646.26, the following are the only gear types 
authorized in a directed fishery for snapper-grouper in the EEZ:
    (i) Vertical hook-and-line gear, including hand-held rods and rods 
attached to a vessel (``bandit'' gear), in either case, with manual, 
electric, or hydraulic reels;
    (ii) Spearfishing gear;
    iii) Bottom longlines; and
    (iv) Sea bass pots.
    (2) Unauthorized gear. All gear types other than those listed in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section are unauthorized gear and the 
following possession and transfer limitations apply:
    (i) A vessel with trawl gear aboard that fishes in the EEZ on a 
trip may possess no more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of fish in the snapper-
grouper fishery, 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 fish in the snapper-grouper fishery, excluding wreckfish, 
aboard harvested such fish in the EEZ.
    (ii) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this section, a person 
aboard a vessel with unauthorized gear aboard, other than trawl gear, 
that fishes in the EEZ on a trip is limited on that trip to:
    (A) Species for which a bag limit is specified in Sec. 646.23(b)--
the bag limit; and
    (B) All other species in the snapper-grouper fishery--zero.
    (iii) A vessel with unauthorized gear aboard may not transfer at 
sea any fish in the snapper-grouper fishery--
    (A) Taken in the EEZ, regardless of where the transfer takes place; 
or
    (B) In the EEZ, regardless of where such fish were taken.
    (iv) No vessel may receive at sea any fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery from a vessel with unauthorized gear aboard, as specified in 
paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (h) Use of sink nets off North Carolina. A vessel that has on board 
a permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, that fishes in the 
EEZ off North Carolina on a trip with a sink net aboard, may retain 
otherwise legal fish in the snapper-grouper fishery taken on that trip 
with vertical hook-and-line gear or sea bass pots. For the purpose of 
this paragraph (h), a sink net--
    (i) Is a flat net, designed to be suspended vertically in the water 
to entangle the head or body parts of fish that attempt to pass through 
the meshes;
    (ii) Has stretched mesh measurements of 3 to 4\3/4\ inches (7.6 to 
12.1 cm); and
    (iii) Is attached to the vessel when deployed.

    10. In Sec. 646.23, paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) are removed; 
paragraph (a)(4) is redesignated as paragraph (a)(3); new paragraph 
(a)(2) is added; and paragraph (c)(2) introductory text is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec. 646.23  Bag and possession limits.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Special limitations on possession and transfer of fish in the 
snapper-grouper fishery apply to a person fishing with unauthorized 
gear in the EEZ. See Sec. 646.22(g)(2).
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Provided each passenger is issued and has in possession a 
receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the duration of 
the trip--
* * * * *


Secs. 646.26, 646.27, and 646.28  [Redesignated as Secs. 646.27 through 
646.29]

    11. Sections 646.26, 646.27, and 646.28 are redesignated as 
Secs. 646.27, 646.28, and 646.29, respectively.
    12. In subpart B, new Sec. 646.26 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 646.26  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    Subject to the restrictions regarding sale/purchase of fish in the 
snapper-grouper fishery in Sec. 646.21(a)(2), (g), and (j)(3), and 
Sec. 646.25(f)--
    (a) A person may sell, trade, or barter or attempt to sell, trade, 
or barter fish in the snapper-grouper fishery, excluding wreckfish, 
harvested in the EEZ, only to a dealer who has a valid permit for 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish;
    (b) A person may purchase, trade, or barter or attempt to purchase, 
trade, or barter fish in the snapper-grouper fishery, excluding 
wreckfish, harvested in the EEZ, only from a vessel for which a valid 
permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, has been issued or 
from a person who has a valid commercial license to sell fish in the 
state where the purchase, trade, or barter or attempted purchase, 
trade, or barter occurs.
    (c) Except for the sale, purchase, trade, or barter or attempted 
sale, purchase, trade, or barter of fish in the snapper-grouper 
fishery, excluding wreckfish, harvested in the EEZ by a vessel for 
which a valid permit for snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, has been 
issued, the sale, purchase, trade, or barter or attempted sale, 
purchase, trade, or barter of such fish is limited to the bag limits 
specified in Sec. 646.23(b).


Sec. 646.28  [Amended]

    13. In newly designated Sec. 646.28, add the word Region'' after 
the words ``South Atlantic'' and before the comma.
    14. Newly designated Sec. 646.29 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 646.29  Specifically authorized activities.

    The Regional Director may authorize, for the acquisition of 
information and data, activities that are otherwise prohibited by this 
part. In addition, the Regional Director may issue a permit for 
experimental fishing, provided that, as a condition of such permit, 
data on the gear used and fish caught in such experimental fishing must 
be maintained and provided to the Science and Research Director.

[FR Doc. 94-23111 Filed 9-15-94; 9:04 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P