[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11606-11610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4124]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No.071128763-7773-01]
RIN 0648-AW33


Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish 
Fishery

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is proposing to implement new management measures for the 
monkfish fishery recommended in Framework Adjustment 5 (Framework 5) to 
the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which has been submitted 
jointly by the New England (NEFMC) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils (Councils). This action would implement revised biological 
reference points in the FMP to be consistent with the recommendations 
resulting from the most recent stock assessment for this fishery 
(Northeast Data Poor Stocks Working Group (DPWG, July 2007)), and 
implement revised management measures to ensure that the monkfish 
management program succeeds in keeping landings within the target total 
allowable catch (TAC) levels.

DATES: Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. eastern 
standard time, on March 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN number 0648-AW33, 
by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal http://www.regulations.gov.
     Fax: (978) 281-9135, Attn: Allison McHale.
     Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Mark the outside of the envelope: ``Comments on Monkfish Framework 5.''
    Instructions: All comments received are part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic 
comments will be accepted via Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, 
WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Copies of the Environmental Assessment (EA), including the 
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA), prepared for Framework 5 are available upon request 
from Paul Howard, Executive Director, NEFMC, 50 Water Street, 
Newburyport, MA, 01950. The document is also available online at 
www.nefmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison McHale, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, e-mail [email protected], phone (978) 281-9103, fax 
(978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The monkfish fishery is jointly managed by the Councils, with the 
NEFMC having the administrative lead. The fishery extends from Maine to 
North Carolina, and is divided into two management units: The Northern 
Fishery Management Area (NFMA) and the Southern Fishery Management Area 
(SFMA).
    In July 2007, the DPWG completed and accepted a new monkfish 
assessment. The results of this assessment indicate that neither stock 
is overfished, overfishing is no longer occurring, and both stocks are 
rebuilt based on a new modeling approach and newly recommended 
biological reference points. In addition to the fact that this 
assessment was the first to use a new analytical model, the July 2007 
assessment report emphasizes the high degree of uncertainty in the 
analyses due to the dependence on assumptions about natural mortality, 
growth rates, and other model inputs. The report concluded that the 
data-poor nature of this species and the significant uncertainty in 
assessing the stocks should be considered when developing management 
measures. Framework 5 is needed to implement the revised biological 
reference points recommended by the DPWG and would make other 
modifications to the

[[Page 11607]]

regulations to ensure that the management program succeeds in keeping 
landings within the target TACs implemented in Framework Adjustment 4 
(72 FR 53942; September 21, 2007). The management measures contained in 
Framework 5 are described in detail in the following paragraphs.

Proposed Framework 5 Management Measures

1. Revision to Biological Reference Points

    This action would revise the biological reference points contained 
in the FMP to be consistent with those recommended in the July 2007 
assessment report. In that report, the DPWG recommended that 
Btarget for both management areas be set equivalent to the 
average of the total biomass from 1980 through 2006. This would 
establish a Btarget of 92,200 mt for the NFMA and 122,500 mt 
for the SFMA. In addition, the DPWG recommended that Bthreshold 
for both management areas be set equivalent to the lowest value of 
total biomass from 1980 through 2006. This would establish a 
Bthreshold of 65,200 mt for the NFMA and 96,400 mt for the 
SFMA. The most recent estimate of biomass for each management area 
(B2006) is 118,700 mt for the NFMA and 135,500 mt for the 
SFMA. Therefore, under the revised biological reference points 
contained in Framework 5, both monkfish stocks would officially no 
longer be considered overfished (B 2006 above 
Bthreshold), and would be rebuilt (B2006 above 
Btarget).

2. Reduction in Carryover Days-at-Sea (DAS)

    This action would reduce the number of unused monkfish DAS that a 
limited access monkfish vessel is allowed to carry over from one 
fishing year into the next from 10 to 4 DAS. Under this management 
measure, the carryover DAS allowance would represent 13 percent of the 
total annual DAS allocated to monkfish vessels (31 DAS) and 17 percent 
of the DAS allowed in the SFMA (23 DAS).
    Carryover DAS are intended to enhance safety at sea by allowing a 
vessel, at the end of a fishing year, to avoid the predicament of using 
or losing DAS in the event of bad weather or mechanical problems. 
However, the use of carryover DAS contributed to a substantial overage 
(60 percent) in the target TAC for the SFMA during FY 2006, when 
vessels in this area were only allocated 12 DAS for the fishing year. 
During that fishing year, carryover DAS represented over an 80-percent 
increase above a limited access monkfish vessel's base allocation of 
monkfish DAS. Therefore, the Councils are recommending that carryover 
DAS be reduced to reflect an amount that is more commensurate to a 
vessel's base DAS allocation to help ensure that the target TACs are 
not exceeded.

3. Revision to DAS Accounting Provision for Gillnet Vessels

    This action would change the manner in which DAS are counted for 
monkfish gillnet vessels. The FMP currently states that monkfish 
gillnet vessels are charged actual time fished on trips less than 3 
hours or greater than 15 hours in duration, but are charged a minimum 
of 15 hours for trips from 3 to 15 hours in duration. The intent of 
this regulation was to adjust gillnet effort to be more equivalent to 
trawl effort, but allow vessels that run into bad weather or experience 
mechanical difficulties at the beginning of a trip to return to port 
and only be charged actual time at sea (i.e., trips less than 3 hours 
in duration). However, as monkfish DAS have been reduced in recent 
years, some vessels have begun to exploit this 3-hour window and use it 
to catch and land monkfish. As a result, an allocation of 23 monkfish 
DAS, for example, would normally allow a vessel to take approximately 
36 15-hour trips. If that vessel exploited the 3-hour provision, the 
number of potential trips could increase to as many as 184. It appears 
that only a few vessels are currently exploiting this provision, but 
there is potential for increased usage, which then increases the 
probability that the target TACs will be exceeded. As a result, the 
Councils are recommending that the 3-hour provision be eliminated, 
requiring all monkfish gillnet trips of less than 15 hours in duration 
to be charged 15 hours.
    This action would also add a sentence to the section of the 
regulations concerning the monkfish gillnet accounting rules, found at 
Sec.  648.92 (b)(8)(v), to clarify that a monkfish gillnet vessel 
fishing under a joint monkfish and NE multispecies DAS, that is 
declared as a trip gillnet vessel under the NE Multispecies FMP, must 
remove its gillnet gear from the water prior to calling out of the DAS 
program. The language contained in this section was recently clarified 
in a letter from the Regional Administrator to limited access monkfish 
permit holders, dated August 13, 2007.

4. Revision to the Incidental Catch Limit in the SFMA

    This action would revise the monkfish incidental catch limit 
applicable to large-mesh vessels fishing in the Southern New England 
Regulated Mesh Area (SNE RMA), as defined under the Northeast (NE) 
multispecies regulations, east of 72[deg]30' W long., but not under a 
monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, or vessels fishing under a 
Skate Bait Letter of Authorization (LOA) in the SNE RMA east of 
74[deg]00' W long., to be 5 percent (tail weight) of the total weight 
of fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight per day, up 
to 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight per trip. The Councils are recommending 
this change to the incidental catch limit in response to reports that 
vessels fishing for skate as bait in the SNE RMA, using mesh larger 
than the multispecies minimum mesh size (i.e., large mesh), are 
targeting monkfish using the existing incidental catch limit; which is 
5 percent (tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board with no 
limit on the amount of monkfish that the vessel can land. This behavior 
could undermine the FMP's ability to prevent overfishing. The landings 
cap recommended by the Councils in this action is equivalent to the 
incidental catch limit applicable to vessels not fishing under a DAS in 
the SNE RMA with small-mesh, hook gear, or dredge gear.

5. Revision to Monkfish LOA Requirement

    This action would eliminate the requirement to obtain a Monkfish 
LOA to fish under the less restrictive management measures of the NFMA 
for vessels using a vessel monitoring system (VMS). Monkfish vessels 
using the interactive voice response (IVR) call-in system would still 
be required to obtain a Monkfish LOA. The Councils are considering this 
action because requiring an LOA was determined to be burdensome and 
unnecessary, given that VMS screens were recently revised to enable 
limited access monkfish vessels to declare the management area in which 
they are fishing when declaring a monkfish DAS. In addition, the VMS 
system enables NMFS to monitor where these vessels are fishing. 
Conversely, although vessels using the IVR call-in system can now 
declare the management area in which they are fishing through this 
system, NMFS cannot monitor where these vessels are fishing in the same 
manner as VMS vessels. Therefore, the Councils are recommending that 
the Monkfish LOA requirement be retained for vessels using the IVR 
call-in system.

Technical Corrections to Monkfish FMP Regulations

    Two corrections to the regulations implementing the Monkfish FMP 
are included in this proposed rule. The first

[[Page 11608]]

correction would remove a duplicate paragraph concerning the impact of 
leasing NE multispecies DAS on a vessel's monkfish DAS allocation 
(Sec.  648.92(b)(2)(iii)). This paragraph should have been removed in 
the final rule implementing Framework 4. The second set of corrections 
would correct the cross-references to the regulations implementing the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP concerning accrual of DAS and the Good 
Samaritan credit found at Sec.  648.92(b)(3) and (4). It appears that 
the final rule implementing Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
FMP (69 FR 35215; June 23, 2004) revised Sec.  648.53, thereby 
inadvertently impacting these cross-references in the monkfish 
regulations.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the 
FMP and has preliminarily determined it 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.
    An IRFA was prepared for Framework 5, as required by section 603 of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA consists of the 
discussion in the preamble and this section, and the analysis of 
impacts in Framework 5. The IRFA describes the economic impact this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A description 
of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this 
action are contained in the preamble and in the SUMMARY of this 
proposed rule. A copy of this analysis is available from the NEFMC (see 
ADDRESSES). A summary of the analysis follows:
    The primary reason for this action is to adopt the revisions to the 
biological reference points as recommended by the DPWG. However, 
additional measures were included to address comments from the Regional 
Administrator and the public that were raised during the development 
and implementation of Framework 4. As a result, three additional 
measures aimed at reducing the potential for monkfish landings to 
exceed the TACs were added to Framework 5. In addition, a measure to 
eliminate the need for a Monkfish LOA to fish for monkfish in the NFMA 
for vessels with VMS was included to reduce the administrative burden 
on vessel operators.
    The regulations implementing the FMP, found at 50 CFR part 648, 
subpart F, authorize the Council to adjust management measures as 
needed to achieve FMP goals. The objective of this action is to achieve 
the goals of the FMP by using the best scientific information available 
by adopting new biological reference points, to reduce the probability 
of monkfish landings exceeding the target TACs by reducing 
unanticipated opportunities for additional landings, and to reduce the 
administrative burden on vessels. Thus, the proposed action is 
consistent with the goals of the FMP and its implementing regulations.
    All of the entities (fishing vessels) affected by this action are 
considered small entities under the Small Business Administration size 
standards for small fishing businesses ($4.0 million in gross sales). 
Therefore, there are no differential impacts between large and small 
vessels. As of November 30, 2007, there were 765 limited access 
monkfish permit holders and 2,142 vessels holding an open access 
Category E permit. In FY 2006, there were 616 limited access permits 
holders that participated in the monkfish fishery based on vessel trip 
report (VTR) records. During the same period, 574 Category E permit 
holders reported landing monkish. Based on VTR information from FY 2006 
(the most recent FY for which complete information is available) this 
action would affect up to 194 limited access monkfish vessels that 
would like to carry over more than 4 monkfish DAS; 101 limited access 
monkfish gillnet vessels landing monkfish on trips less than 3 hours in 
duration; 21 vessels using large mesh (and not on a DAS) or under a 
Skate Bait LOA in the SNE RMA and landing monkfish above the proposed 
50 lb (23 kg) per day, up to 150 lb (68 kg) per trip incidental catch 
limit; and 105 vessels with a VMS that fish in the NFMA.
    This action does not introduce any new reporting, recordkeeping, or 
other compliance requirements. This proposed rule does not duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with other Federal rules.

Economic Impacts of Proposed Framework 5 Measures

1. Revision to Biomass Reference Points

    This measure would modify the existing biomass reference points 
(Bthreshold, Btarget) for monkfish, consistent 
with the results of the most recent stock assessment. The proposed 
revision to the biological reference points does not immediately affect 
any vessels because it does not change any management measures or 
otherwise modify vessel level aspects of the management program.

2. Reduction in Carryover DAS

    This measure would reduce the number of unused monkfish DAS that a 
limited access monkfish vessel is allowed to carry over from one 
fishing year into the next from 10 to 4 DAS. Reducing the number of 
unused DAS that can be carried forward into the next fishing year to 4 
DAS would reduce the economic opportunities for those vessels that 
would like to carry forward more DAS. In FY 2006, 186 vessels used an 
average of between 8.4 and 9.3 DAS, depending on management area 
fished, in addition to their allocated DAS used, while 8 vessels did 
not have carryover DAS available. An additional 46 vessels used only 
carryover DAS, suggesting they were not constrained by available DAS. 
Thus, based on FY 2006 data, approximately 194 vessels may have 
economic opportunities reduced by the proposed reduction in carryover 
DAS. A caveat with this information is that carryover DAS are used 
prior to allocated DAS, making it difficult to fully assess the impact 
of carryover DAS.
    When permit holders are unconstrained by their base allocation of 
monkfish DAS, there is no economic value associated with carryover DAS. 
In FY 2006, 240 permit holders used monkfish DAS, of which 5 permit 
holders fished only in the SFMA and used more than 23 DAS (base 
allocation plus carryover), the amount allowed for use in the SFMA 
during FY 2007. For permit holders that fished only in the NFMA, or 
both in the NFMA and SFMA, during FY 2006, 15 had total DAS usage above 
the 31 monkfish DAS allocated to these vessels during FY 2007. In 
general, this analysis suggests that 20 vessels would fully utilize 
their current DAS allocation, and so could have value for carryover 
DAS. However, the results for the NFMA should be viewed with caution 
since recent revisions to the monkfish regulations may require higher 
monkfish DAS usage in the NFMA. As a result, more permit holders may be 
constrained by the FY 2007 DAS allocation, and so have an economic 
value for carryover DAS.
    While a permit holder may associate economic value with carryover 
DAS, this information does not provide guidance on how many carryover 
DAS a permit holder would value, or the value they would place on a 
carryover DAS. Additionally, other measures in Framework 5 (e.g. 
elimination of 3-hour DAS use) would require higher DAS use for some 
permit holders, particularly in the SFMA. Combined, the information 
suggests that while negative economic impacts would be anticipated for

[[Page 11609]]

Alternative 2 (4 carryover DAS) and Alternative 1 (6 carryover DAS) 
relative to Alternative 3 (no action), the number of affected permit 
holders would be small.

3. Revision to DAS Accounting Provision for Gillnet Vessels

    The proposed action would require that all monkfish gillnet vessels 
be charged a minimum of 15 hours for each trip, even on trips less than 
3 hours in duration. In FY 2006, 101 gillnet vessels had DAS charges of 
3 hours (0.13 DAS) or less on 447 trips. The estimated total revenue 
generated by these trips was $891,229. A portion of this revenue would 
be lost as a result of this action since vessels may not have 
sufficient monkfish DAS available to convert all 3-hour trips to 15-
hour trips (i.e., DAS allocation is constraining). It was estimated 
that fewer than five vessels would fall into this category. However, it 
is difficult to estimate the portion of total revenue lost, since it is 
not known how vessels would modify their fishing behavior to adjust for 
the elimination of the 3-hour provision. In general, the level of 
economic impact will depend on future DAS allocations and the degree to 
which these allocations are constraining on limited access monkfish 
vessels.

4. Revision to the Incidental Catch Limit in the SFMA

    This measure would revise the monkfish incidental catch limit 
applicable to large-mesh vessels fishing in the SNE RMA, but not under 
a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, or vessels fishing under a 
Skate Bait Letter of Authorization (LOA) in the SNE RMA east of 
74[deg]00' W long., to be 5 percent (tail weight) of the total weight 
of fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight per day, up 
to 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight per trip. The proposed action would 
affect vessels fishing with large mesh in the SNE RMA east of 
72[deg]30'W long., and vessels fishing under a Skate Bait LOA anywhere 
in the SNE RMA. Approximately 12 vessels met these criteria in FY 2006. 
Only trips that exceed the proposed incidental landings limit of 50 lb 
(23 kg) of monkfish (tail weight) per day absent, or 150 lb (68 kg) of 
monkfish (tail weight) per trip, would see a reduction in trip 
revenues, and thus net revenues. Based on FY 2006 VTR information, 
three trips taken by three vessels would be affected with average lost 
revenues of $588 per vessel.

5. Revision to Monkfish LOA Requirement

    This measure would eliminate the requirement to obtain a Monkfish 
LOA to fish under the less restrictive management measures of the NFMA 
for vessels using VMS. This action would reduce the administrative 
burden for those vessels that have VMS and fish in the NFMA at some 
time during the fishing year, including vessels with a monkfish 
incidental catch permit (i.e. Category E). According to VTR data, in FY 
2006, 322 vessels fished only in the NFMA, with 263 of those vessels 
using VMS or a combination of VMS and IVR to report DAS for some 
species. Similarly, 282 vessels fished in both the NFMA and SFMA, 262 
of which reported DAS with either only VMS or a combination of VMS and 
IVR. This suggests that at least 525 vessels, or 87 percent of those 
fishing in the NFMA, would have the capacity to utilize VMS to offset 
the need for a Monkfish LOA to fish in theNFMA.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 27, 2008
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is 
proposed to be 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.  648.92, paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(3), (b)(4), and 
(b)(8)(v) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.92  Effort-control program for monkfish limited access 
vessels.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) End of year carryover. With the exception of a vessel that held 
a Confirmation of Permit History, as described in Sec.  
648.4(a)(1)(i)(J), for the entire fishing year preceding the carryover 
year, a limited access monkfish vessel that has unused monkfish DAS on 
the last day of April of any year may carry over a maximum of 4 unused 
monkfish DAS into the next fishing year. A vessel whose DAS have been 
sanctioned through enforcement proceedings shall be credited with 
unused DAS based on its DAS allocation minus any DAS that have been 
sanctioned.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Accrual of DAS. Same as Sec.  648.53(f).
    (4) Good Samaritan credit. Same as Sec.  648.53(g).
    (8) * * *
    (v) Method of counting DAS. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear 
under a monkfish DAS will accrue 15 hours monkfish DAS for all trips 
less than or equal to 15 hours in duration. Such vessels will accrue 
monkfish DAS based on actual time at sea for trips greater than 15 
hours in duration. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear under only a 
monkfish DAS is not required to remove gillnet gear from the water upon 
returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, provided the 
vessel complies with the requirements and conditions of paragraphs 
(b)(8)(i) through (v) of this section. A vessel fishing with gillnet 
gear under a joint monkfish and NE multispecies DAS, as required under 
Sec.  648.92(b)(2)(i), that is declared as a trip gillnet vessel under 
the NE Multispecies FMP, must remove its gillnet gear from the water 
prior to calling out of the DAS program, as specified at Sec.  
648.82(j)(2).
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  648.94, paragraphs (c)(3) and (f) are revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  648.94  Monkfish possession and landing restrictions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) Vessels fishing with large mesh and not fishing under a DAS--
    (i) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch limit 
(Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, 
C, D, F, G, or H) fishing in the GOM or GB RMAs with mesh no smaller 
than specified at Sec.  648.80(a)(3)(i) and (a)(4)(i), respectively, 
while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, 
retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where 
the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total 
weight of fish on board. For the purpose of converting whole weight to 
tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided 
by 3.32.
    (ii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) 
permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, 
or H) fishing in the SNE RMA east of the MA Exemption Area boundary 
with mesh no smaller than specified at

[[Page 11610]]

Sec.  648.80(b)(2)(i), while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or 
scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) 
only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to 
tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb 
(23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day 
or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 498 lb 
(226 kg) whole weight per trip. For the purpose of converting whole 
weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed 
is divided by 3.32.
    (iii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category 
E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, 
G, or H) fishing in the SNE RMA under a Skate Bait Letter of 
Authorization, as authorized under Sec.  648.322(b), while not on a 
monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and 
land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight 
of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of 
fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 166 lb (75 
kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 
150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 498 lb (226 kg) whole weight per trip. 
For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount 
of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 3.32.
    (iv) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) 
permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, 
or H) fishing in the SNE or MA RMAs west of the MA Exemption Area 
boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at Sec.  648.104(a)(1) 
while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, 
retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where 
the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total 
weight of fish on board, but not to exceed 450 lb (204 kg) tail weight 
or 1,494 lb (678 kg) whole weight of monkfish, unless that vessel is 
fishing under a Skate Bait Letter of Authorization in the SNE RMA. Such 
a vessel is subject to the incidental catch limit specified under 
paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section. For the purpose of converting 
whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or 
landed is divided by 3.32.
* * * * *
    (f) Area declaration requirement for a vessel fishing exclusively 
in the NFMA. A vessel intending to fish for, or fishing for, possessing 
or landing monkfish under a multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS 
under the less restrictive management measures of the NFMA, must fish 
exclusively in the NFMA for the entire trip. In addition, a vessel 
fishing under a monkfish DAS must declare its intent to fish in the 
NFMA through the vessel's VMS unit. A vessel that does not possess a 
VMS unit, such as a vessel that declares DAS through the call-in 
system, must declare its intent to fish in the NFMA by obtaining a 
letter of authorization from the Regional Administrator, for a period 
of not less than 7 days. A vessel that has not declared into the NFMA 
under this paragraph (f) shall be presumed to have fished in the SFMA 
and shall be subject to the more restrictive requirements of that area. 
A vessel that has declared into the NFMA may transit the SFMA, 
providing that it complies with the transiting and gear storage 
provision described in paragraph (e) of this section, and provided that 
it does not fish for or catch monkfish, or any other fish, in the SFMA.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E8-4124 Filed 3-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S