[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15326-15333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8288]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 980318066-8066-01; I.D. 022698A]
RIN 0648-AK77
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast
Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 25
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule and 1998 target total allowable catch (TAC) levels.
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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement measures contained in
Framework 25 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
(FMP). The primary purpose of this action is to significantly reduce
fishing effort on Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod through a combination of
direct and indirect measures. Direct measures include area closures and
trip limits, and indirect measures include an incentive to shift effort
from the GOM to Georges Bank with an increased haddock trip limit. This
final rule implements management measures that include: 1-month
sequential closures for each of four GOM inshore areas starting in
Massachusetts Bay and extending to Penobscot Bay and for an offshore
area comprising Cashes Ledge; a year-round closure encompassing parts
of Stellwagen Bank, Jeffreys Ledge, and Wildcat Knoll; a reduction in
the GOM cod landing limit from 1,000 lb/day (453.6 kg/day) to 700 lb/
day (317.5 kg/day); an extension of the current 1,000 lb/day (453.6 kg/
day) haddock landing limit, with a 10,000 lb (4,536 kg/day) landing cap
per trip, for the period May 1 through August 31, and an increase to
3,000 lb/day (1,360.8 kg/day), with a 30,000 lb (13,608 kg/day) cap per
trip, beginning September 1; a requirement to use a raised footrope
trawl in Small Mesh Area 1 and Small Mesh Area 2; and a 1-year
postponement of the Vessel Tracking System (VTS) for multispecies
vessels. The intent of this action is to implement measures to achieve
the rebuilding goals of Amendment 7 to the FMP for the 1998
multispecies fishing year.
DATES: This final rule and the target total allowable catch levels are
effective May 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of Amendment 7 to the FMP (Amendment 7), its
regulatory impact review (RIR), and the final regulatory flexibility
analysis contained with the RIR, its final supplemental environmental
impact statement, and Framework Adjustment 25 documents are available
on request from Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery
Management Council, 5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906-1097.
Comments regarding the collection-of-information requirements
contained in this final rule should be sent to Andrew A. Rosenberg,
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 and to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC
20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan A. Murphy, Fishery Policy
Analyst, 978-281-9252.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Amendment 7, which became effective on July
1, 1996, established a procedure for setting annual TACs for the five
primary stocks of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder (Georges Bank
cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, Southern New England yellowtail
flounder, and GOM cod), and an aggregate TAC for the combined stocks of
the remaining regulated multispecies. Adjustment of target TACs, which
are calculated based on the biological reference points of
Fmax for GOM cod and F0.1 for the remaining
stocks of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, is necessary to attain
a fishing mortality rate that would allow cod, haddock, and yellowtail
stocks to rebuild over time, and maintain current potential yield for
the seven remaining multispecies. Adjustment of annual target TACs
provides a measure by which to evaluate the effectiveness of the
management program and to make determinations on the need for annual
adjustments to this program.
Under Amendment 7, the Multispecies Monitoring Committee (MSMC) was
established to review the
[[Page 15327]]
best available scientific information, adjust target TACs, and
recommend management options to achieve the plan objectives. In
response to the MSMC's advice for the 1997 fishing year, the New
England Fishery Management Council (Council) developed, and NMFS
implemented, Framework Adjustment 20 (62 FR 15381, April 1, 1997, and
62 FR 49144, September 19, 1997), which established a GOM cod landing
restriction limiting vessels fishing under a multispecies days-at-sea
(DAS) north of 42 deg.00' N. lat. to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod per
day, or any part of a day, for each of the first 4 days of a trip, and
up to 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) of cod per day, or any part of a day, in
excess of 4 days.
In its report delivered at the December 9-11, 1997, Council
meeting, the MSMC found that stock status has generally improved for
the primary groundfish species, but that the condition of GOM cod
remains poor. The report concluded that, at 0.78, the fishing mortality
rate continues to be well above the overfishing definition (0.37) and
the Amendment 7 mortality target of FMAX (0.29). Further,
recruitment is at record low levels and spawning stock biomass is
declining. The MSMC estimated that, after consideration of the fishing
mortality reductions to be gained from the DAS reductions previously
implemented under Amendment 7 for fishing year 1998, an additional 48
percent fishing mortality reduction is necessary to achieve the target
FMAX for GOM cod.
Based on projected 1998 stock sizes and Amendment 7's fishing
mortality targets, the target TACs for the 1998 fishing year were set
by the MSMC and adopted by the Council as follows:
Based on projected 1998 stock sizes and Amendment 7's fishing
mortality targets, the target TACs for the 1998 fishing year were set
by the MSMC as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 Target 1997 Target
TACs TACs
Species/area (metric (metric
tons) tons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georges Bank cod.............................. 4,700 3,646
Georges Bank haddock.......................... 4,797 1,608
Georges Bank yellowtail flounder.............. 2,145 776
Gulf of Maine cod............................. 1,783 2,605
Southern New England yellowtail flounder...... 814 824
Aggregate for remaining regulated species..... 25,500 25,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to setting the target TACs, the MSMC report provided
the Council with eight specific management options and several general
options and recommendations to keep the target TACs from being
exceeded. These options were based on DAS reductions, trip limits, and
area closures in various combinations.
At its December 1997 meeting, the Council rejected options based on
reducing DAS because they would directly and unnecessarily affect
multispecies vessels fishing in areas outside of the GOM. In developing
its options, the Council charged its Multispecies Oversight Committee
to consider spawning area closure options that incorporate sequential
GOM inshore closures, and GOM cod landing limit reductions. Because GOM
cod is concentrated in near-shore waters, the Council recognized that
measures directed at reducing effort on this stock would have a large
impact on small inshore vessels, which account for most of the GOM cod
landings. A sequential rolling closure, the Council reasoned, would
affect vessels from various ports at different times and, thus, help
mitigate inshore closure impacts on small vessels by allowing fishing
to occur during the non-closure periods.
Therefore, to address further reductions needed for GOM cod, this
framework replaces the current multispecies Massachusetts Bay and Mid-
coast Area Closures with a 1-month closure for each of four inshore
areas, starting in Massachusetts Bay and extending to Penobscot Bay,
Maine, and a 1-month offshore closure in an area known as Cashes Ledge.
Additionally, the framework closes, year-round, an area in the western
GOM comprising part of Stellwagen Bank, Jeffreys Ledge, and Wildcat
Knoll. Exemptions to these new closed areas remain the same as those
for the previous Massachusetts Bay and Mid-coast Closure Areas. Also, a
vessel may transit through these closure areas provided its gear is
stowed properly according to the regulations.
The third and final provision under this action to address needed
reductions for GOM cod is a reduction in the current GOM cod landing
limit from 1,000 lb/day (453.6 kg/day) to 700 lb/day (317.5 kg/day). A
safeguard included in this last measure allows the Administrator,
Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), to reduce the landing
limit to as low as 400 lb/day (181.4 kg/day) when 50 percent of the
target TAC is reached through publication of a notification in the
Federal Register. All GOM cod measures included in this framework will
sunset after 3 years.
The GOM cod option selected by the Council and implemented by this
rule imposes a short closure period for inshore grounds and provides an
opportunity for small vessels to target other species, while achieving
the conservation goals of the plan. A no-displacement analysis
completed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center shows that the
closure and trip limit would meet the mortality reduction goal. It
should be noted, however, that these results are considered optimistic
because the analysis assumes that all catch from the closed areas is
conserved and no effort is displaced. Nevertheless, the Council
rationalized, and NMFS concurs, that the effect of combining the area
closures, trip limit (which could be reduced to 400 lbs (181.4 kg)),
and current DAS controls, will be sufficient to achieve the fishing
mortality reduction goal, while balancing the needs of the industry.
To address the 1998 target TAC increase for Georges Bank haddock,
this rule relaxes the current haddock management measures by
establishing a 1,000 lb/day (453.6 kg/day) haddock landing limit, up to
a maximum of 10,000 lb/trip (4,536 kg/trip), for the period May 1
through August 31, 1998, and by increasing the landing limit to 3,000
lb/day (1,360.8 kg/day), up to a maximum of 30,000 lb/trip (13,608 kg/
trip), beginning September 1. Similar to cod, this provision includes a
trigger mechanism that authorizes the Regional Administrator to reduce
the landing limit to either 1,000 lb/trip (453.6 kg/trip) or 1,000 lb/
day (453.6 kg/day), up to a maximum of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) per trip,
when 75 percent of the Georges Bank haddock target TAC is caught,
[[Page 15328]]
through publication of a notification in the Federal Register.
This rule also requires the use of a raised footrope trawl to
ensure that the net remains off of the ocean bottom when towed by trawl
vessels fishing in the Small Mesh Area 1 and Small Mesh Area 2
exemption areas. The raised footrope design has been successfully used
in experimental fisheries conducted by the Massachusetts Division of
Marine Fisheries (MADMF) to reduce the incidental catch of several
bottom-dwelling species, including regulated flatfish species, while
engaged in the whiting fishery.
Finally, this rule postpones, for the 1998 fishing year only, the
mandatory use of VTS by multispecies vessels with an individual DAS
allocation. NMFS has completed field testing of the VTS and had
informed the Council that the system could be operational by the start
of the 1998 fishing year. Under current regulations, a multispecies
vessel that possesses an individual DAS permit category (Individual DAS
or Combination permit) would be required to install and maintain a VTS
unit aboard the vessel to track DAS once the system is operational. The
Council has requested an additional year for implementation to address
comments and issues raised by members of the public.
Because parts of Small Mesh Area 2 and Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys
Ledge Juvenile Protection Area lie within the year-round Western GOM
Area Closure, this rule adjusts the coordinates of these two areas to
reflect this change.
Abbreviated Rulemaking
NMFS is making these revisions to the regulations under the
framework abbreviated rulemaking procedure codified at 50 CFR part 648,
subpart F. This procedure requires the Council, when making
specifically allowed adjustments to the FMP, to develop and analyze the
actions over the span of at least two Council meetings. The Council
must provide the public with advance notice of both the proposals and
the analysis, and an opportunity to comment on them prior to and at a
second Council meeting. Upon review of the analysis and public comment,
the Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator that the
measures be published as a final rule if certain conditions are met.
NMFS may publish the measures as a final rule, or as a proposed rule if
additional public comment is needed.
The public was provided the opportunity to express comments on the
management of GOM cod at numerous meetings beginning in December, 1996
when the MSMC informed the Council of the severely overfished status of
GOM cod. Following development of Framework 20, the Council, through
its Multispecies Oversight Committee and Area Closure Subcommittee,
continued development of area closure alternatives for the GOM at
public meetings held on several occasions during 1997. At the July
Council meeting, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center presented
results of its 24th Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW), updating the
status of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder stocks, and advised the
Council that fishing mortality on GOM cod be reduced to levels
approaching zero.
On December 3, 1997, the MSMC released its annual report. On
December 5, the Area Closure Subcommittee and Multispecies Plan
Development Team held a public meeting in Saugus, MA to develop an area
closure alternative that would meet the 1998 fishing year goals based
on information contained in the MSMC report. The first framework
meeting was the December 9-11, 1997, Council meeting. The Multispecies
Oversight Committee (Groundfish Committee) met on December 15 to
finalize options to be included in the framework document. On January
7, 1998, the Groundfish Advisory Panel met to draft comments on the
options for consideration by the Council. The final meeting at which
public comments were heard was the January 14-15, 1998, Council
meeting. Documents summarizing the Council's proposed action, and the
analysis of biological and economic impacts of this and alternative
actions, were available for public review one week prior to the final
meeting, as is required under the framework adjustment process. Written
comments were accepted up to, and during, that meeting.
Comments and Responses
Comment 1: Approximately 100 letters and e-mails, as well as
several phone calls, were received from members of conservation
organizations urging the Council to develop measures necessary to
continue achieving the Amendment 7 rebuilding plan goals.
Response: Framework 25 measures, implemented under this rule, are
designed to achieve the fishing mortality rate goals for GOM cod in
fishing year 1998, and to continue measures which have already achieved
those goals for other critical stocks in order to rebuild stock
biomass. The framework adjustment process allows the Council to monitor
the progress of the plan and make adjustments as necessary to
continually meet the plan goals.
Comment 2: Senators Edward Kennedy (MA), John Kerry (MA), Bob Smith
(NH), and Judd Gregg (NH), Congressmen John Sununu (NH) and John
Tierney (MA), and NH Governor Jeanne Shaheen submitted written comments
urging the Council to consider all options, including those presented
by industry groups, and to select the one that fairly distributes the
impacts of the conservation plan on all groups.
Response: A fishing industry group, the Gulf of Maine Fishermen's
Alliance, submitted a proposal (the Alliance proposal) too late,
pursuant to statutory deadlines, for consideration by the Council as an
option for Framework 25. However, the Alliance proposal will be
considered by the Council in a subsequent framework action. See
response to comment 4.
The Council did select the framework document option that could be
shown to meet the conservation goals of the plan and that distribute
the impacts across vessel categories and geographical areas as
equitably as possible. As noted previously, however, analyses of this
option are considered optimistic in terms of meeting the conservation
goal. Despite this, it is believed that the effect of this action in
combination with current measures will adequately meet the fishing
mortality reductions specified for GOM cod.
The Council recognizes that since GOM cod is concentrated in
inshore waters, measures designed to protect that stock will directly
impact inshore fleets and their associated communities. All of the
options available to the Council would distribute impacts similarly
because of the nature and the distribution of the GOM cod resource. The
rolling 1-month feature that pertains to most of the closed area is
designed to mitigate these impacts.
Comment 3: Several members of the public stated that they felt the
Council failed to give adequate public notice for the framework
meetings.
Response: The public had been informed of the dire need to address
GOM cod on numerous occasions over the past year, e.g, the December
1996 Council meeting when the 1996 MSMC Report was delivered, the July
1997 Council meeting when the results of the 24th SAW were presented,
and in December 1997 when the MSMC released its 1997 report. In
addition, the Groundfish Committee and its Area Closure Subcommittee
have discussed measures to address GOM cod at several public meetings
during that time. The public has also known about the annual review and
adjustment process since it was instituted by Amendment 7 to the
[[Page 15329]]
FMP in 1996. The December 9-11, 1997, Council meeting agenda containing
an announcement of the MSMC report and initial framework meeting was
mailed to approximately 1,650 interested parties on November 19, 1997,
filed for public inspection by the Office of the Federal Register on
November 24, 1998, and published in the Federal Register on November
28, 1997 (62 FR 63309). Also, adequate public notice was given for the
December 15, 1997, Multispecies Committee meeting, and for the final
Council meeting on this action, held January 14-15, 1998.
Comment 4: Approximately 90 individuals signed a petition opposing
the option adopted by the Council in Framework 25. They contended that
an alternative which would have added some offshore grounds to the
rolling closure but which would have not closed any areas year round,
and saying that Option 3 would do a better job of protecting the
resource and the industry. Approximately 80 individuals signed a
petition supporting a new alternative, the Alliance proposal, which was
not available in time for full consideration by the Council for
Framework 25. Numerous individuals also provided oral comment
supporting this alternative at the Council's January 14-15, 1998,
meeting. Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr and State
Representative Tony Verga both urged the Council to consider the
proposal.
Response: Because of statutory deadlines, the Alliance proposal was
submitted too late to be considered fully by the Council for Framework
25, but is currently being considered for a possible follow-up
Framework action. At the time Framework 25 was submitted, the proposal
was in the process of being revised by the Alliance members because it
could not be shown to meet the biological goal. The Council has,
however, given this proposal a high priority for consideration, and
will take appropriate action at the earliest opportunity.
Comment 5: Approximately 15 fishers from Maine signed three letters
to the Council supporting the rolling closures without exceptions for
gears that were purported to not catch cod.
Response: With the exception of certain gear types discussed below,
the Council adopted a rolling closure option which did not allow
exceptions for gears, such as flounder or monkfish gillnets, that are
purportedly able to be fished in a manner that has minimal impact on
cod. The Council rejected these proposed gear exceptions due to
enforcement difficulty resulting from allowing such fishing in an area
closed to other very similar gears. However, vessels fishing in closed
areas with gear deemed not capable of catching regulated species, such
as lobster pots, are exempted and these vessels are prohibited from
possessing regulated species. NMFS concurs in the Council's findings.
Comment 6: Several industry members stated that closing inshore
grounds for extended periods would cause small boat fishers to seek
alternative fishing grounds beyond the safe range of their vessels.
Response: Framework 25 closes inshore areas for 1-month periods
during the spring and summer months. The year-round closure is a narrow
strip several miles offshore. Thus, the immediate inshore grounds
remain open for 11 months of the year. The Council considered safety
and purposefully selected an option that minimizes the closure of
inshore grounds and provides opportunity to fish inshore. The safe
operation of a vessel is the Captain's responsibility. NMFS concurs in
the Council's conclusion.
Comment 7: Several individuals commented in opposition to a
proposal to postpone the mandatory VTS only on vessels fishing in the
GOM.
Response: NMFS concurs with the Council's decision to reject this
proposal in favor of a 1-year postponement extended to all Individual
DAS vessels, not just those fishing in the GOM. See discussion of the
VTS postponement earlier in this document.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA finds there is good
cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Public meetings held by the Council to discuss the
management measures implemented by this rule provided adequate prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment to be heard and
considered; therefore, further notice and opportunity to comment before
this rule is effective is unnecessary.
Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not
required to be provided for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 533, or by any other
law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601 et seq., are inapplicable. As such, none has been prepared.
The primary intent for this action is to achieve the conservation goals
established by Amendment 7 to the FMP while mitigating its economic
impacts. The increased haddock trip limit for 1998 provides economic
opportunity, while the postponement of mandatory VTS for one year
reduces short-term costs to vessels, thereby mitigating impacts of the
FMP without compromising its conservation objectives.
This rule restates information collection requirements subject to
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that have been approved by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-0202. Call-in
requirements are estimated to take 2 minutes per call, and the
transiting notification is estimated to take 3 minutes per
notification. Send comments regarding any of these burden estimates or
any other aspect of the collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS and to OMB (see
ADDRESSES).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of
the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently
valid OMB control number.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for the
purposes of E.O. 12866.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: March 25, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended
as follows:
PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2. In Sec. 648.10, paragraphs (d) and (f)(3)(i) are revised to read
as follows:
Sec. 648.10 DAS notification requirements.
* * * * *
(d) Temporary authorization for use of the call-in system. The
Regional Administrator may authorize or require, on a temporary basis,
the use of the call-in system of notification specified in paragraph
(c) of this section. If use of the call-in system is authorized or
required, the Regional Administrator shall notify affected permit
holders through a letter, notification in the Federal Register, or
other appropriate means. From May 1, 1998, through April 30, 1999,
multispecies vessels issued an Individual DAS or Combination Vessel
(regarding the
[[Page 15330]]
multispecies fishery) permit are temporarily authorized to use the
call-in system of notification specified in paragraph (c) of this
section.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) A vessel subject to the cod landing limit restriction specified
in Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(i), that has not exceeded the allowable limit of
cod based on the duration of the trip, must enter port and call-out of
the DAS program no later than 14 DAS after starting a multispecies DAS
trip.
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 648.14, paragraphs (a)(101), (c)(7), (c)(10), (c)(24)
and (c)(25) are revised, paragraphs (a)(105) through (109) are added
and reserved, and paragraph (a)(110) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 648.14 Prohibitions.
(a) * * *
(101) Enter, fail to remove gear from, or be in the areas described
in Sec. 648.81(f)(1) through (i)(1) and in Sec. 648.81(n)(1) during the
time period specified, except as provided in Sec. 648.81(d), (f)(2),
(g)(2), (h)(2), (i)(2) and (n)(2).
* * * * *
(105) [Reserved].
(106) [Reserved].
(107) [Reserved].
(108) [Reserved].
(109) [Reserved].
(110) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land in or from the EEZ, any
of the exempted species specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(8)(i), unless such
species were fished for or harvested by a vessel meeting the
requirements specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(8)(iv).
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(7) Possess or land per trip more than the possession or landing
limits specified under Sec. 648.86(a), (b), and under
Sec. 648.82(b)(3), if the vessel has been issued a limited access
multispecies permit.
* * * * *
(10) Enter, fail to remove sink gillnet gear or gillnet gear
capable of catching multispecies from, or be in the areas, and for the
times, described in Sec. 648.87(a) and (b), except as provided in
Sec. 648.81(d), and (f)(2), and in Sec. 648.87(a)(1)(ii).
* * * * *
(24) Fail to enter port and report the hail weight of cod within 14
DAS after starting a multispecies DAS trip, as specified in
Sec. 648.10(f)(3), if the vessel exceeds the allowable limit of cod
specified in Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(i) and (b)(3)(i), unless the vessel is
fishing under the cod exemption specified in Sec. 648.86(b)(2).
(25) Fail to remain in port for the appropriate time specified in
Sec. 648.86(b)(1)(ii)(A), except for transiting purposes, provided the
vessel complies with Sec. 648.86(b)(4).
* * * * *
4. In Sec. 648.80, paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(8) are revised to
read as follows:
Sec. 648.80 Regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and methods
of fishing.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(5) * * *
(i) The SB/JL Juvenile Protection Area (copies of a chart depicting
the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request
(see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502)) is defined by straight lines connecting
the following points in the order stated:
Stellwagen Bank Juvenile Protection Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB1.............................. 42 deg.34.0' 70 deg.23.5'
SB2.............................. 42 deg.28.8' 70 deg.39.0'
SB3.............................. 42 deg.18.6' 70 deg.22.5'
SB4.............................. 42 deg.05.5' 70 deg.23.3'
SB5.............................. 42 deg.11.0' 70 deg.04.0'
SB6.............................. 42 deg.15.0' 70 deg.07.4'
SB7.............................. 42 deg.15.0' 70 deg.15.0'
SB8.............................. 42 deg.24.0' 70 deg.15.0'
SB1.............................. 42 deg.34.0' 70 deg.23.5'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffreys Ledge Juvenile Protection Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JL1.............................. 42 deg.52.0' 70 deg.21.0'
JL2.............................. 42 deg.41.5' 70 deg.32.5'
JL3.............................. 42 deg.34.0' 70 deg.26.2'
JL4.............................. 42 deg.43.1' 70 deg.15.0'
JL5.............................. 42 deg.54.3' 70 deg.15.0'
JL1.............................. 42 deg.52.0' 70 deg.21.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(8) Small Mesh Area 1/Small Mesh Area 2. (i) Vessels subject to the
minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this
section may fish with or possess nets with a mesh size smaller than the
minimum size, provided the vessel complies with the requirements of
paragraph (a)(8)(iv) of this section, from July 15 through November 15
when fishing in Small Mesh Area 1 and from January 1 through June 30
when fishing in Small Mesh Area 2, except as specified in paragraph
(a)(8)(ii) and (a)(8)(iii) of this section. A vessel may not fish for,
possess on board, or land any species of fish other than: Butterfish,
dogfish, herring, mackerel, ocean pout, scup, squid, silver hake, and
red hake, except for the following allowable incidental species
(bycatch as the term is used elsewhere in this part), with the
restrictions noted: Longhorn sculpin; monkfish and monkfish parts--up
to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board; and American
lobster--up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or
200 lobsters, whichever is less. These areas are defined by straight
lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a
chart depicting these areas are available from the Regional
Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502)):
Small Mesh Area 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM1.............................. 43 deg.03' 70 deg.27'
SM2.............................. 42 deg.57' 70 deg.22'
SM3.............................. 42 deg.47' 70 deg.32'
SM4.............................. 42 deg.45' 70 deg.29'
SM5.............................. 42 deg.43' 70 deg.32'
SM6.............................. 42 deg.44' 70 deg.39'
SM7.............................. 42 deg.49' 70 deg.43'
SM8.............................. 42 deg.50' 70 deg.41'
SM9.............................. 42 deg.53' 70 deg.43'
SM10............................. 42 deg.55' 70 deg.40'
SM11............................. 42 deg.59' 70 deg.32'
SM1.............................. 43 deg.03' 70 deg.27'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Mesh Area 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM13............................. 43 deg.05.6' 69 deg.55.0'
SM14............................. 43 deg.10.1' 69 deg.43.3'
SM15............................. 42 deg.49.5' 69 deg.40.0'
SM16............................. 42 deg.41.5' 69 deg.40.0'
SM17............................. 42 deg.36.6' 69 deg.55.0'
SM13............................. 43 deg.05.6' 69 deg.55.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) The portion of Small Mesh Area 2 that is north of 43 deg.00.0'
N. lat. shall be closed to all fishing during the period May 1 through
May 31 to coincide with Inshore Closure Area I specified in
Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(iii). Therefore, during the May 1 through May 31 time
period, Small Mesh Area 2 is defined by straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated:
Small Mesh Area 2
[May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM18............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.41.6'
SM15............................. 42 deg.49.5' 69 deg.40'
SM16............................. 42 deg.41.5' 69 deg.40'
SM17............................. 42 deg.36.6' 69 deg.55'
SM19............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.55'
SM18............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.41.6'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 15331]]
(iii) The portion of Small Mesh Area 2 that is south of
43 deg.00.0' N. lat. shall be closed to all fishing during the period
April 1 through April 30 to coincide with the Inshore Closure Area II
specified in Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(ii). Therefore, during the April 1
through April 30 time period, Small Mesh Area 2 is defined by straight
lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Small Mesh Area 2
[April 1-April 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM18............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.41.6'
SM14............................. 43 deg.10.1' 69 deg.43.3'
SM13............................. 43 deg.05.6' 69 deg.55'
SM19............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.55'
SM18............................. 43 deg.00.0' 69 deg.41.6'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) Raised footrope trawl. Vessels fishing with trawl gear must
configure it in such a way that, when towed, the gear is not in contact
with the ocean bottom. Vessels are presumed to be fishing in such a
manner if their trawl gear is designed as specified in paragraphs
(a)(8)(iv) (A) through (D) of this section and is towed so that it does
not come into contact with the ocean bottom:
(A) Eight inch (20.3 cm) diameter floats must be attached to the
entire length of the headrope with a maximum spacing of 4 feet (12.2
cm) between floats;
(B) The ground gear must all be bare wire not larger than \1/2\-
inch (1.2 cm) for the top leg, not larger than \5/8\-inch (1.6 cm) for
the bottom leg, and not larger than \3/4\-inch (1.9 cm) for the ground
cables. The top and bottom legs must be equal in length with no
extensions. The total length of ground cables and legs must not be
greater than 40 fathoms from the doors to wingends;
(C) The footrope must be longer than the headrope but not more than
20 feet (6.1 m) longer than the length of the headrope; and
(D) The sweep must be rigged so it is behind and below the
footrope, and the footrope is off the bottom. This is accomplished by
having the sweep longer than the footrope and having long dropper
chains attaching the sweep to the footrope at regular intervals. The
forward end of the sweep and footrope must be connected to the bottom
leg at the same point, and in conjunction with the headrope floatation;
this keeps the footrope off the bottom. The sweep and its rigging must
be made entirely of \5/16\ inch (0.8 cm) diameter bare chain. No
wrapping or cookies are allowed on the chain. The total length of the
sweep must be at least 7 feet (2.1 m) longer than the total length of
the footrope, or 3.5 feet (1.1 m) longer on each side. Drop chains must
connect the footrope to the sweep chain and the length of each drop
chain must be at least 42 inches (106.7 cm). One drop chain must be
hung from the center of the footrope to the center of the sweep and one
drop chain must be hung from each corner (the quarter or, the junction
of the bottom wing to the belly at the footrope). The attachment points
of each drop chain on the sweep and the footrope must be the same
distance from the center drop chain attachments. Drop chains must be
hung at 8-foot (2.4 m) intervals from the corners towards the wing
ends. The distance of the drop chain that is nearest the wing end to
the end of the footrope may differ from net to net. However, the sweep
must be at least 3.5 feet (1.1 m) longer than the footrope between the
drop chain closest to the wing ends and the end of the sweep that
attaches to the wing end.
* * * * *
5. In Sec. 648.81, paragraphs (d), (g), (h) and (i) are revised,
and paragraph (n) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 648.81 Closed areas.
* * * * *
(d) Transiting. Vessels may transit Closed Area I, the Nantucket
Lightship Closed Area, the NE Closure Area, the GOM Inshore Closure
Areas, the Cashes Ledge Closure Area, and the Western GOM Closure Area,
as defined in paragraphs (a)(1), (c)(1), (f)(1), (g)(1), (h)(1), and
(i)(1), respectively, of this section, provided that their gear is
stowed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (e) of this
section.
* * * * *
(g) GOM Inshore Closure Areas. (1) From May 1, 1998, through April
30, 2001, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter,
fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching
multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may be in, or on
board a vessel in, the GOM Inshore Closure Areas I through IV, as
described in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, for the
times specified in those paragraphs, except as specified in paragraphs
(d) and (g)(2) of this section (a chart depicting these areas is
available from the Regional Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to
Sec. 600.502)).
(i) Inshore Closure Area I. From March 1 through March 31, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Inshore Closure Area I apply to Inshore Closure Area III, which is the
area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the
order stated:
Inshore Closure Area I
[March 1-March 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1.............................. 42 deg.00' (\1\)
GM2.............................. 42 deg.00' (\2\)
GM3.............................. 42 deg.00' (\3\)
GM4.............................. 42 deg.00' 70 deg.00'
GM5.............................. 42 deg.30' 70 deg.00'
GM6.............................. 42 deg.30' (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
(ii) Inshore Closure Area II. From April 1 through April 30, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Inshore Closure Area II, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Inshore Closure Area II
[April 1-April 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM6.............................. 42 deg.30' (\1\)
GM7.............................. 42 deg.30' 69 deg.30'
GM8.............................. 43 deg.00' 69 deg.30'
GM9.............................. 43 deg.00' (\2\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ New Hampshire shoreline.
(iii) Inshore Closure Area III. From May 1 through May 31, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Inshore Closure Area III, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Inshore Closure Area III
[May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM9.............................. 43 deg.00' (\1\)
GM8.............................. 43 deg.00' 69 deg.30'
GM10............................. 43 deg.30' 69 deg.30'
GM11............................. 43 deg.30' (\2\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ New Hampshire shoreline.
\2\ Maine shoreline.
(iv) Inshore Closure Area IV. From June 1 through June 30, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Inshore Closure Area IV (copies of a chart depicting this area are
available from the Regional Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to
Sec. 600.502)), which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting
the following points in the order stated:
[[Page 15332]]
Inshore Closure Area IV
[June 1-June 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM11............................. 43 deg.30' (\1\)
GM12............................. 43 deg.30' 69 deg.00'
GM13............................. (\1\) 69 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maine shoreline.
(2) Paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraph
(f)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(h) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. (1) From May 1, 1998, through April
30, 2001, during the period June 1 through June 30, no fishing vessel
or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing
gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in
this part, may be in, or on board a vessel in, the area known as the
Cashes Ledge Closure Area (a chart depicting this area is available
from the Regional Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to
Sec. 600.502)), as defined by straight lines connecting the following
points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs (d) and
(h)(2) of this section:
Cashes Ledge Closure Area
[June 1-June 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM14............................. 42 deg.30' 69 deg.00'
GM15............................. 42 deg.30' 68 deg.30'
GM16............................. 43 deg.00' 68 deg.30'
GM17............................. 43 deg.00' 69 deg.00'
GM14............................. 42 deg.30' 69 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Paragraph (h)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraph
(f)(2)(ii), or (iii) of this section.
(i) Western GOM Area Closure. (1) From May 1, 1998, through April
30, 2001, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter,
fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching
multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may be in, or on
board a vessel in, the area known as the Western GOM Area Closure (a
chart depicting this area is available from the Regional Administrator
upon request (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502)), as defined by straight
lines connecting the following points in the order stated, except as
specified in paragraphs (d) and (i)(2) of this section:
Western GOM Area Closure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM1............................. 42 deg.15' 70 deg.15'
WGM2............................. 42 deg.15' 69 deg.55'
WGM3............................. 43 deg.15' 69 deg.55'
WGM4............................. 43 deg.15' 70 deg.15'
WGM1............................. 42 deg.15' 70 deg.15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Paragraph (i)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraph
(f)(2)(ii), or (iii) of this section.
* * * * *
(n) Area closures beginning May 1, 2001. (1) No fishing vessel or
person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing
gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in
this part, may be in, or on board a vessel in, the area known as the
Mid-coast Closure Area, as described in Sec. 648.87(a)(1), during the
period May 10 through May 30, or in the area known as the Massachusetts
Bay Closure Area, as described in Sec. 648.87(a)(3), during the period
March 1 through March 30, (copies of a chart depicting these areas is
available from the Regional Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to
Sec. 600.502)), except as specified in paragraphs (d) and (n)(2) of
this section.
(2) Paragraph (n)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraph
(f)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
6. In Sec. 648.86, paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), (b)
introductory text, (b)(1) introductory text, (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii), and
(b)(3) are revised, and paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) and (b)(4) are added to
read as follows:
Sec. 648.86 Possession restrictions.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this
section, a vessel that is fishing under a NE multispecies DAS may land
or possess on board up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of haddock provided it
has at least one standard tote on board. Haddock on board a vessel
subject to this possession limit must be separated from other species
of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
(ii) During the period May 1, 1998, through August 31, 1998, a
vessel may land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of haddock per DAS fished, or
any part of a DAS fished, up to 10,000 lb (4,536.0 kg) per trip.
Haddock on board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be
separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily
available for inspection.
(iii) Beginning September 1, 1998, through April 30, 1999, unless
otherwise specified in this paragraph, a vessel may land up to 3,000 lb
(1,360.8 kg) of haddock per DAS fished, or any part of a DAS fished, up
to 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per trip. When the Regional Administrator
projects that 7.9 million lb (3,598 mt) will be harvested, NMFS will
publish a notification in the Federal Register that on a specific date
the limit will be reduced to either the 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) per trip
possession limit restriction specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this
section, or the 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) per DAS fished, 10,000 lb (4,536.0
kg) maximum, landing limit restriction specified in paragraph
(a)(1)(ii) of this section, depending on the risk of exceeding the
target TAC. Haddock on board a vessel subject to this landing limit
must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be
readily available for inspection.
* * * * *
(b) Cod--(1) Landing limit from May 1, 1998, through April 30,
2001. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2) of this
section, and subject to the cod landing limit call-in provision
specified at Sec. 648.10(f)(3)(i), a vessel fishing under a NE
multispecies DAS may land up to 700 lb (317.5 kg) of cod per DAS, or
any part of a DAS, unless otherwise specified in this paragraph.
Vessels calling-out of the multispecies DAS program under
Sec. 648.10(c)(3) that have utilized part of a DAS (less than 24 hours)
may land up to an additional 700 lb (317.5 kg) of cod for that part of
a DAS; however, such vessels may not end any subsequent trip with cod
on board within the 24-hour period following the beginning of the part
of the DAS utilized (e.g., a vessel that has called-in to the
multispecies DAS program at 3 p.m. on a Monday and ends its trip the
next day (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. (accruing a total of 25 hours) may legally
land up to 1,400 lb (635.0 kg) of cod on such a trip, but the vessel
may not end any subsequent trip with cod on board until after 3 p.m. on
the following day (Wednesday)). When the Regional Administrator
projects that 892 mt will be harvested, NMFS will publish a
notification in the Federal Register that on a specific date the limit
will be reduced to a specified amount between 400 lb (181.4 kg) and 700
lb (317.5 kg) per DAS depending on the risk of exceeding the target
TAC. Cod on board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be
separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily
available for inspection.
(ii) A vessel subject to the cod landing limit restrictions
described in
[[Page 15333]]
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(3) of this section, and subject to the
cod landing limit call-in provision specified at Sec. 648.10(f)(3)(ii),
may come into port with and offload cod in excess of the landing limit
as determined by the number of DAS elapsed since the vessel called into
the DAS program, provided that:
* * * * *
(3) Landing limit beginning May 1, 2001. (i) Except as provided in
paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (b)(2) of this section, and subject to the
cod landing limit call-in provision specified at Sec. 648.10(f)(3)(i),
a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS may land up to 1,000 lb
(453.6 kg) of cod per DAS, or any part of a DAS, for each of the first
4 DAS of a trip, and may land up to 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) of cod per DAS
for each DAS, or any part of a DAS, in excess of 4 consecutive DAS.
Vessels calling-out of the multispecies DAS program under
Sec. 648.10(c)(3) that have utilized part of a DAS (less than 24 hours)
may land up to an additional 1,000 lb (453.6 kg), or 1,500 lb (680.4
kg) if applicable, of cod for that part of a DAS; however, such vessels
may not end any subsequent trip with cod on board within the 24-hour
period following the beginning of the part of the DAS utilized (e.g., a
vessel that has called-in to the multispecies DAS program at 3 p.m. on
a Monday and ends its trip the next day (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. (accruing a
total of 25 hours) may legally land up to 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of cod on
such a trip, but the vessel may not end any subsequent trip with cod on
board until after 3 p.m. on the following day (Wednesday)). Cod on
board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from
other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for
inspection.
(ii) [Reserved].
(4) Transiting. A vessel that has exceeded the cod landing limit as
specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section and is,
therefore, subject to remain in port for the period of time described
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, may transit to another port
during this time, provided that the vessel operator notifies the
Regional Administrator (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502) either at the time
the vessel reports its hailed weight of cod or at a later time prior to
transiting, and provides the following information: Vessel name and
permit number, destination port, time of departure, and estimated time
of arrival. A vessel transiting under this provision must stow its gear
in accordance with one of the methods specified in Sec. 648.81(e), and
may not have any fish on board the vessel.
* * * * *
7. In Sec. 648.87, paragraph (a) introductory text, and paragraphs
(a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) are revised, and paragraph (a)(3) is added to
read as follows:
Sec. 648.87 Gillnet requirements to reduce or prevent marine mammal
takes.
(a) Areas closed to gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies
to reduce harbor porpoise takes. Section 648.81(f) sets forth a closed
area restriction to reduce the take of harbor porpoise consistent with
the harbor porpoise mortality reduction goals. Further, all persons
owning or operating vessels in the EEZ portion of the areas and times
specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section must remove
all of their sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of
catching multispecies, with the exception of single pelagic gillnets
(as described in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)), and may not use, set, haul
back, fish with, or possess on board, unless stowed in accordance with
the requirements of Sec. 648.81(e)(4), sink gillnet gear or other
gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies, with the exception of
single pelagic gillnet gear (as described in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)) in
the EEZ portion of the areas and for the times specified in paragraphs
(a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section. Also, all persons owning or
operating vessels issued a limited access multispecies permit must
remove all of their sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of
catching multispecies, with the exception of single pelagic gillnets
(as described in Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)), from the areas and for the
times specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section, and,
may not use, set, haul back, fish with, or possess on board, unless
stowed in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 648.81(e)(4), sink
gillnets or other gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies, with
the exception of single pelagic gillnets (as described in
Sec. 648.81(f)(2)(ii)) in the areas and for the times specified in
paragraphs (a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section.
(1) * * *
(i) From March 25 through April 25, May 10 through May 30, and from
September 15 through December 31 of each fishing year, the restrictions
and requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this section apply to
the Mid-coast Closure Area (copies of a chart depicting this area are
available from the Regional Administrator upon request), except as
provided in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, which is the area
bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order
stated.
Mid-Coast Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MC1.............................. 42 deg.30' (\1\)'
MC2.............................. 42 deg.30' 70 deg.15'
MC3.............................. 42 deg.40' 70 deg.15'
MC4.............................. 42 deg.40' 70 deg.00'
MC5.............................. 43 deg.00' 70 deg.00'
MC6.............................. 43 deg.00' 69 deg.30'
MC7.............................. 43 deg.15' 69 deg.30'
MC8.............................. 43 deg.15' 69 deg.00'
MC9.............................. (\2\) 69 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Maine shoreline.
(ii) Vessels subject to the restrictions and regulations specified
in paragraph (a) of this section may fish in the Mid-coast Closure
Area, as defined under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, from
November 1 through December 31 of each fishing year, provided that an
acoustic deterrent device (``pinger'') is attached at the end of each
string of nets and at the bridle of every net within a string of nets,
and is maintained as operational and functioning. Each pinger, when
immersed in water, must broadcast a 10kHz +/-2kHz sound at 132 dB +/
-4dB re 1 micropascal at 1 m. This sound must last 300 milliseconds and
repeat every 4 seconds.
* * * * *
(3) Massachusetts Bay Closure Area. From March 1 through March 30,
the restrictions and requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this
section apply to the Massachusetts Bay Closure Area (copies of a chart
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon
request (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502)), which is the area bounded by
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated.
Massachusetts Bay Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MB1.............................. 42 deg.30' (\1\)
MB2.............................. 42 deg.30' 70 deg.30'
MB3.............................. 42 deg.12' 70 deg.30'
MB4.............................. 42 deg.12' 70 deg.00'
MB5.............................. (\2\) 70 deg.00'
MB6.............................. 42 deg.00' (\2\)
MB7.............................. 42 deg.00' (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 98-8288 Filed 3-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P