[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56098-56099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8187]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 060906236-6236-01; I.D. 083006B]
RIN 0648-AU83


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Method For Measuring 
Net Mesh Size

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to amend the regulations governing how fishing 
net mesh size is measured in the Northeast. This proposed change would 
increase the weight used to measure mesh larger than 120 mm (4.72 
inches) in all fisheries. The intent of this proposed rule is to ensure 
consistent and accurate measurements of fishing net mesh size.

DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. local 
time on October 26, 2006

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930-2298. Please write on the envelope: Comments on Proposed Change 
to Mesh Measurement Regulations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Potts, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9341, FAX (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard, and state 
enforcement partners have recently issued a clarification of the method 
used in measuring fishing net mesh size. This protocol closely follows 
the regulatory language, at 50 CFR Part 648, that a wedge-shaped net 
measurement gauge be allowed to settle under a specified weight, 
without shaking the net or pressing on the gauge to force it deeper 
into the mesh opening. This clarification eliminated some of the

[[Page 56099]]

variation in methods used previously by the various enforcement 
agencies and personnel. However, the New England Fishery Management 
Council (Council) raised a concern that the twine bars of stiffer 
twines (especially those used in larger mesh) may not align properly 
under a load of 5 kg (11.02 lb), the specified force for all mesh sizes 
for many years. This has led to an increase in citations for mesh-size 
violations on gear that had previously measured as legal.
    The Council has requested that the NMFS increase the weight to 8 kg 
(17.64 lb) for measuring the opening in mesh greater than 120 mm (4.72 
inches). The increased weight would produce a force consistent with the 
recommendations of the International Council for the Exploration of the 
Seas (ICES) in the 2004 report Mesh Size Measurement Revisited, which 
were incorporated into ICES's new OMEGA (Objective Mesh Gauge) mesh 
measurement gauge. The 5-kg weight would continue to be used to measure 
mesh smaller than 120 mm. Other measurement systems require frequent 
calibration and/or are subject to loss of battery power. The wedge 
gauge also has a long established case history in the Northeast.
    It is not expected that the increased weight would result in any de 
facto reduction in legal mesh size. Scientific studies that determine 
the selectivity and retention of specific mesh sizes typically use a 
longitudinal measuring force such as the old ICES gauge or the new 
OMEGA gauge rather than the wedge. The increased weight is not enough 
to significantly distort the mesh and would not result in the use of 
mesh smaller than that considered in previous analyses of environmental 
impacts.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the 
FMPs and preliminarily determined that the rule is consistent with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other 
applicable laws.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Regional Administrator has determined that this proposed rule 
is a minor technical addition, correction, or change to a management 
plan and is therefore categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or equivalent document under 
the National Environmental Policy Act.
    The Chief Counsel for 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. 
This amendment would not change the minimum mesh size for any fishery 
or require any fishermen to purchase new gear. The only economic impact 
of the proposed rule would be to law enforcement agencies to acquire 
the additional weights. In addition, because this rule is expected to 
correct the increase in mesh size violations on gear that had 
previously measured legally, this rule may provide an economic benefit 
to fishermen. As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required and none has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 20, 2006.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS proposes to amend 50 
CFR part 648 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.  648.51, paragraph (a)(2)(ii) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Measurement of mesh size. Mesh size is measured by using a 
wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm (0.79 inches) in 8 cm (3.15 
inches) and a thickness of 2.3 mm (0.09 inches), inserted into the 
meshes under a pressure or pull of 5 kg (11.02 lb) for mesh size less 
than 120 mm (4.72 inches) and under a pressure or pull of 8 kg (17.64 
lb) for mesh size at, or greater than, 120 mm (4.72 inches). The mesh 
size is the average of the measurements of any series of 20 consecutive 
meshes for nets having 75 or more meshes, and 10 consecutive meshes for 
nets having fewer than 75 meshes. The mesh in the regulated portion of 
the net is measured at least five meshes away from the lacings running 
parallel to the long axis of the net.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  648.80, paragraph (f)(2) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.80  NE Multispecies regulated mesh areas and restrictions on 
gear and methods of fishing.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) All other nets. With the exception of gillnets, mesh size is 
measured by a wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm (0.79 inches) 
in 8 cm (3.15 inches), and a thickness of 2.3 mm (0.09 inches), 
inserted into the meshes under a pressure or pull of 5 kg (11.02 lb) 
for mesh size less than 120 mm (4.72 inches) and under a pressure or 
pull of 8 kg (17.64 lb) for mesh size at, or greater, than 120 mm (4.72 
inches).
* * * * *
    4. In Sec.  648.104, paragraph (a)(2) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.104  Gear restrictions

    (a) * * *
    (2) Mesh size is measured by using a wedge-shaped gauge having a 
taper of 2 cm (0.79 inches) in 8 cm (3.15 inches), and a thickness of 
2.3 mm (0.09 inches), inserted into the meshes under a pressure or pull 
of 5 kg (11.02 lb) for mesh size less than 120 mm (4.72 inches) and 
under a pressure or pull of 8 kg (17.64 lb) for mesh size at, or 
greater than, 120 mm (4.72 inches). The mesh size is the average of the 
measurements of any series of 20 consecutive meshes for nets having 75 
or more meshes, and 10 consecutive meshes for nets having fewer than 75 
meshes. The mesh in the regulated portion of the net is measured at 
least five meshes away from the lacings, running parallel to the long 
axis of the net.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 06-8187 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S