[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37981-37986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18162]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XQ53


Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of Scoping Meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping 
meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the 
local agencies representatives on the Document for Amendment 2 to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment X to the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Including 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Regulatory Impact Review, and 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis).

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be held on the following 
dates and locations:
For Puerto Rico,
    August 18, 2009, Mayaguez Resort and Casino, Rd. 104, Km. 0.3, 
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
    August 19, 2009, DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, De Diego Avenue, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico
For the U.S. Virgin Islands,
    August 18, 2009, Holiday Inn (Windward Passage Hotel) Charlotte 
Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

[[Page 37982]]

    August 19, 2009, The Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, Christiansted, 
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
    All meetings will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
268 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 
00918-1920, telephone (787) 766-5926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
will holdScoping meetings to receive public input on the following 
management alternatives:

4.0 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

    The Management Alternatives Section contains actions for setting 
ACLs for 4 species and species groups. One species not discussed in the 
actions is Nassau grouper, which is undergoing overfishing and 
therefore, would require an ACL by 2010. No action is discussed for 
Nassau grouper because current regulations exist which prohibit the 
take of Nassau grouper in the U.S. Caribbean (both from the EEZ and 
state waters). Because of this prohibition on take, no further action 
is required to end or prevent overfishing. Similar to Nassau grouper, 
queen conch management alternatives are only discussed for the fishery 
in St. Croix. This is a result of current regulations in the U.S 
Caribbean which prohibit the take of queen conch in the EEZ off Puerto 
Rico and St Thomas/St John.
    Other actions in the Management Alternatives Section include 
methods for modifying the reef fish FMU, setting recreational ACLs, 
methods for accounting for uncertainty, alternative methods for setting 
ACLs based on proxies for reducing fishing mortality, accountability 
measures, monitoring and enforcement, permits, and allowable fishing 
gear.

4.1 Action 1: Amending the Stock Complexes in the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Unit

    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not change the stock complexes in the 
Reef Fish FMU
    Alternative 2. Modify the FMU by:
    Sub alternative A. Separating the Parrotfish Unit into 2 complexes. 
Parrotfish Unit 1 would include princess, queen, redfin, redtail, 
stoplight, redband, and striped parrotfishes and Parrotfish Unit 2 
would include blue, midnight, and rainbow parrotfishes.
    Sub alternative B. Separate Grouper Unit 4 into Grouper Unit 4 
(yellowfin, red, tiger, and black grouper) and Grouper Unit 5 
(yellowedge and misty grouper). Add black grouper to Grouper Unit 4.
    Sub alternative C. Add cardinal snapper (Pristipomoides 
macrophthalmus) to Snapper Unit 2 and move wenchman (Pristopomoides 
aquilonaris) into Snapper Unit 1.
    Alternative 3. Examine reef fish FMU and reassign species not 
targeted, retained, sold, or used for personal consumption as ecosystem 
component species.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Complex                 Current                     Proposed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snapper Unit 1                  Silk (chillo)             Silk (chillo)
                         Black (pargo prieto)      Black (pargo prieto)
                          Blackfin (alinegra)       Blackfin (alinegra)
                           Vermilion (besugo)        Vermilion (besugo)
                                                Wenchman (Pristopomoides
                                                aquilonaris) (limosnera)
Snapper Unit 2               Queen (cartucho)
Queen                                        Cardinal (Pristopomoides
 (cartucho)       macrophthalmus) (muniama de
Wenchman                              afuera)
 (Pristopomoide
 s aquilonaris)
 (limosnera)
Snapper Unit 3              Gray (pargo gris)         Gray (pargo gris)
                               Lane (arrayao)            Lane (arrayao)
                                Mutton (sama)             Mutton (sama)
                          Dog (pargo colorao)       Dog (pargo colorao)
                          Schoolmaster (pargo       Schoolmaster (pargo
                                    amarillo)                 amarillo)
                    Mahogany (rayao de yerba)        Mahogany (rayao de
                                                                 yerba)
Snapper Unit 4             Yellowtail Snapper        Yellowtail Snapper
                                  (colirubia)               (colirubia)
Grouper Unit 3                       Red hind                  Red hind
                                             Coney                     Coney
                                    Rock hind                 Rock hind
                                      Graysby                   Graysby
                                             Creole-fish
Grouper Unit 4                      Yellowfin
Yellowfin                                 Red
Red                                     Tiger
Tiger                                   Black
Yellowedge
Misty
Grouper Unit 5   .............................               Yellowedge
                                                                  Misty
Parrotfish                               Blue                  Princess
                                     Midnight                     Queen
                                     Princess                    Redfin
                                        Queen                   Redtail
                                      Rainbow                 Stoplight
                                       Redfin                   Redband
                                      Redtail                   Striped
                                    Stoplight
                                      Redband
                                      Striped

[[Page 37983]]

 
Parrotfish Unit  .............................                     Blue
 2                                                             Midnight
                                                                Rainbow
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion

    The original stock complexes were developed in the SFA and are in 
need of change due to fishermen's input, reexamination of the 
biological characteristics of species within the complexes, 
exploitation levels, and omissions from the SFA. See Appendix 3 for the 
Reef Fish FMU.
    If the Council chooses to separate Grouper Unit 4 into Grouper Unit 
4 and Grouper Unit 5, a memo on the status of Grouper Unit 5 will be 
required indicating an unknown status so an ACL would not be required 
until 2011.
    4.2 Action 2: Annual Catch Limits for queen conch (Strombus gigas) 
off St. Croix
    Alternative 1. Do not set an ACL for queen conch off St. Croix
    Alternative 2. Set the ACL for queen conch off St. Croix equal to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters.
    Sub alternative B. Establish ACL of 90,000 pounds, based on the 
average landings from 1994-2006. The ACL would include both state and 
federal water landings.
    Sub alternative C. Establish ACL of 50,000 pounds which is the 
current allowable catch level established by the U.S.V.I. government 
for St. Croix. The ACL would include both state and federal water 
landings. Under this alternative, the season for queen conch would run 
from November 1 - June 30, or until such time the ACL is met; 
additionally, there would be a 200 conch per boat limit.
    Sub alternative D. Establish an ACL of Zero in the EEZ. The ACL for 
state waters would be set at 50,000 pounds which is the current 
allowable catch level established by the U.S.V.I. government for St. 
Croix.

Discussion

    4.3 Action 3: Annual Catch Limits for Parrotfish Unit 1 and 
Parrotfish Unit 2
    Alternative 1. No Action.
    Sub Alternative A. Do not set an ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 or 
Parrotfish Unit 2.
    Sub Alternative B. Do not establish an ACL for Parrotfish Unit 2, 
but include Parrotfish Unit 2 in the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1.
    Alternative 2. For Parrotfish Unit 2:
    Sub alternative A. Set the ACL equal to zero in the EEZ and do not 
establish an ACL for state waters but rely on the data collection 
program (as described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish 5 
years after implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. Set the ACL equal to zero in the EEZ and 
recommend to Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. that the ACL be set equal to 
zero in state waters.
    Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off Puerto Rico 
equal to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (as described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after 
implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. Establish an ACL of 80,000 pounds based on the 
average landings during 1999-2006. (ACLG February 2009 recommendation)
    Sub alternative C. Establish an ACL based on the average landings 
from 1994-2006, multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).
    Sub alternative D. Create equal ACLs for the commercial and 
recreational sectors based on commercial landings data.
    Alternative 4. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off St. Thomas/St. 
John equal to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after 
implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 50,000 pounds based on the average landings 
during 1999-2006 (ACLG February 2009 recommendation)
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied 
by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).
    Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit1 off St. Croix equal 
to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL in 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after 
implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 250,000 pounds, based on the average landings 
during 1999-2006 = (ACLG February 2009 recommendation)
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied 
by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).
    Sub alternative D. 82,000 pounds based on the average landings 
during 1976-1990 = (discussed at the ACLG and SSC February 2009 
meeting).
    Sub alternative E. 82,000 pounds based on the average landings 
during 1983-1990 (SEFSC recommended time frame for pre-gillnet 
fishery).
    Sub alternative F: Set ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 off St. Croix 
equal to 250,000 pounds for the EEZ and do not establish a state water 
ACL, but rely on the data collection program (as described in Action 
10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after implementation of 
data collection program.
    Alternative 6. Set the ACL for Parrotfish Unit 1 in the U.S. 
Caribbean equal to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for parrotfish five years after 
implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 380,000 pounds based on the average landings 
during 1999-2006.
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied 
by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

Discussion

    Parrotfish landings for Puerto Rico may be underestimated if they 
are reported as first class, second class, or third class species. 
Daniel Matos may be able to provide input about how frequently 
parrotfish are reported in one of those categories.
    4.4 Action 4: Annual Catch Limits for Grouper Unit 4
    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not set an ACL for Grouper Unit 4
    Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Grouper Unit 4 off Puerto Rico equal 
to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero in the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters , but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 five years after 
implementation of the data collection program.

[[Page 37984]]

    Sub alternative B. 10,000 pounds, based on the average corrected 
landings for identified Grouper Unit 4 species during 1994-2006. The 
ACL would include both state and federal water landings.
    Sub alternative C. 15,000 pounds, based on the average corrected 
landings for identified Grouper Unit 4 species during 1994-2006 plus 
the average proportional corrected landings estimate for Grouper Unit 4 
species landed in the generic ``Sea Basses'' category during 1994-2006.
    Sub alternative D. A sufficient level of catch for collecting data 
on the fishery. This catch level would be established by SEFSC, in 
cooperation with Puerto Rico, for purposes of scientific data 
collection.
    Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Grouper off St. Thomas/St. John at:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St Thomas/St John and do 
not establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 
five years after implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Grouper species = 61,000 pounds as part of a Grouper ACL
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Grouper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).

    Alternative 4. Set the ACL for Grouper off St. Croix at:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St. Croix and do not 
establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Grouper Unit 4 
five years after implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Grouper species = 32,000 pounds as part of a Grouper ACL
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Grouper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).

    Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Grouper in the U.S. Caribbean equal 
to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit the ACL for grouper five years after 
implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 203,000 pounds, based on the average landings 
during 1999-2006.
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994-2006 multiplied 
by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).

Discussion

    Note Alternative 2 sub alternative C does not include proportional 
readjustments in ``First class'', ``Second class'', and ``Third class'' 
landings estimates. Alternatives 3-5 examine an ACL for all grouper 
species due to the lack of species specific information in the USVI. 
Alternative 5 uses the ``grouper'' category landings in the USVI and a 
summation of identified and redistributed grouper species in Puerto 
Rico that are in the reef fish FMU.
    4.5 Action 5: Annual Catch Limits for Snapper Unit 1

    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not set an ACL for Snapper Unit 1

    Alternative 2. Set the ACL for Snapper Unit 1 off Puerto Rico equal 
to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ and do not establish an ACL for 
state waters, but rely on the data collection program (described in 
Action 10) and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 five years after 
implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. The average corrected landings for identified 
Snapper Unit 1 species during 1999-2006 = 300,000 pounds multiplied by 
an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).
    Sub alternative C. The average corrected landings for identified 
silk snapper during 1999-2006 = 200,000 pounds for silk snapper 
multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty 
scalar). Silk snapper would be the indicator species for Snapper Unit 
1.
    Sub alternative D. Level in pounds to be determined (SEFSC), based 
on the average landings for 1994-2006 for the current Snapper Unit 1 
multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty 
scalar).
    Sub alternative E. 316,000 pounds, based on the average landings 
from 1999-2006 identified for Snapper Unit 1 species, plus the average 
proportional corrected landings estimate for Snapper Unit 1 species 
landed in the generic ````Snapper'' category during 1999-2006, 
multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty 
scalar).
    Sub alternative G. 374,000 pounds, based on the average 1994-2006 
landings for identified Snapper Unit 1 species, plus the average 
proportional corrected landings estimate for Snapper Unit 1 species 
landed in the generic ``Snapper'' category during 1994-2006, multiplied 
by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for uncertainty scalar).
    Sub alternative H. 500,000 pounds ACL in the EEZ and do not 
establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 
five years after implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative J. 374,000 pounds each for both the commercial and 
recreational sectors.
    Alternative 3. Set the ACL for Snapper off St. Thomas/St. John at:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St. Thomas/St. John and do 
not establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 
five years after implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Snapper species =160,000 pounds as part of a Snapper ACL.
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Snapper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).

    Alternative 4. Set the ACL for Snapper off St. Croix at:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off St. Croix and do not 
establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 
five years after implementation of data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 112,000 pounds based on average landings during 
1994 - 2006 for all Snapper species.
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Snapper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).

    Alternative 5. Set the ACL for Snapper in the U.S. Caribbean equal 
to:
    Sub alternative A. Zero for the EEZ off the U.S. Caribbean and do 
not establish an ACL for state waters, but rely on the data collection 
program (described in Action 10) and revisit ACL for Snapper Unit 1 
five years after implementation of the data collection program.
    Sub alternative B. 1,529,000 pounds, based on the average landings 
during 1994 - 2006 for all Snapper species.
    Sub alternative C. The average landings during 1994 - 2006 for all 
Snapper species multiplied by an uncertainty scalar (see Action 7 for 
uncertainty scalar).

[[Page 37985]]

Discussion

    Note Alternative 2 sub alternative C does not include proportional 
readjustments in ``First class'', ``Second class'', and ``Third class'' 
landings estimates. Alternatives 3-5 examine an ACL for all snapper 
species due to the lack of species specific information in the USVI. 
Alternative 5 uses the ``snapper'' category landings in the USVI and a 
summation of identified and redistributed snapper species in Puerto 
Rico that are in the reef fish FMU.
    Alternative 2 for Puerto Rico: Need to eliminate wenchman (P. 
macrophthalmus) from the alternatives in which it is included for SU1 
-- therefore need to correct the poundage also. This affects sub-
alternatives D, E, F, and G of Alternative 2 from Action 5.
    4.6 Action 6: Annual Catch Limits for the Recreational Sector

    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not set ACLs for the recreational 
sector.
    Alternative 2. Use Puerto Rico recreational average landings data 
from MRFSS during 2000-2007 to set recreational ACLs in the EEZ and 
state waters of Puerto Rico for Snapper Unit 1, Grouper Unit 4, and 
Parrotfishes. Use the proportion of Puerto Rican recreational landings 
relative to the total of recreational and commercial Puerto Rican 
landings to set an ACL proxy in the EEZ and state waters for the USVI 
Recreational Fishery. For the USVI, proportions would be assigned to 
fish family (e.g., groupers, snappers, parrotfishes), until sufficient 
landings data are available to specify ACLs by unit. ACLs would equal 
zero for queen conch in the EEZ off St. Thomas/St. John and Puerto 
Rico; the recreational ACL for queen conch in the EEZ off St. Croix 
will be determined by the Council's recommendation on Action 2. All 
island based recreational ACLs for Nassau grouper would equal zero.
    Alternative 3. Use Puerto Rico recreational average landings data 
from MRFSS during 2000-2007 to set recreational ACLs in the EEZ and 
state waters for Snapper Unit 1, Grouper Unit 4, and Parrotfishes. Use 
the proportion of Puerto Rican recreational landings relative to the 
total of recreational and commercial Puerto Rican landings to set an 
ACL proxy in the EEZ.
    Alternative 4. Do not establish a recreational ACL in the USVI EEZ 
and state waters, but use the Commercial ACL for each unit or family as 
a proxy for the ACL for all sectors in the fishery.
    Alternative 5. Set the recreational ACL in the USVI equal to 10% of 
each islands commercial ACL.
    Alternative 6. Establish a separate charter boat sector ACL based 
on MRFSS data for Puerto Rico.
    Alternative 7. Establish recreational ACL equal to half of the 
commercial ACL in Puerto Rico
    Sub alternative A. Allow recreational fishers to harvest all 
species managed by the Council in the EEZ and state waters.
    Sub alternative B. Allow recreational fishers to harvest only fish 
species managed by the Council that are not listed as overfished or 
under going overfishing in the EEZ and state waters.

Discussion

    Need to calculate proportions for setting ACLs on a unit by unit 
basis.
    4.7 Action 7: Accounting for Uncertainty

    Alternative 1. No Action. Set the ACL at the level specified in the 
previous actions.
    Alternative 2. In setting ACLs based on average catch, use:
    Sub alternative A. 75% of the specified level in the previous 
actions to adjust for uncertainty
    Sub alternative B. 50% of the specified level in the previous 
actions to adjust for uncertainty
    Sub alternative C. 25% of the specified level in the previous 
actions to adjust for uncertainty.


Discussion

    A major aspect of the revised NS1 guidelines is the concept of 
incorporating management and scientific uncertainty in using ACLs and 
AMs. Management uncertainty occurs because of the lack of sufficient 
information about catch (e.g., late reporting, underreporting, and 
misreporting of landings or bycatch). Management uncertainty also 
exists because of the lack of management precision in many fisheries 
due to lack of inseason fisheries landings data, lack of inseason 
closure authority, or the lack of sufficient inseason management in 
some FMPs when inseason fisheries data are available. Scientific 
uncertainty includes uncertainty around the estimate of a stock's 
biomass and its Maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT); therefore, 
any estimate of OFL has uncertainty (74 FR 3181). For these reasons, 
the Council may choose to take a more precautionary approach to prevent 
overfishing by reducing the ACL to account for such uncertainty.

4.8 Action 8: Alternative Methods for Reducing Fishing Mortality and 
Establishing ACL Proxies

    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not implement alternative methods for 
reducing fishing mortality by establishing proxies for ACLs.
    Alternative 2. Work with fishermen to develop measures to reduce 
fishing effort (i.e., permits, data collection).
    Alternative 3. Establish ACL by sector for St. Thomas/St. John
    Sub-alternative A. Establish ACL by net sector
    Sub-alternative B. Establish ACL by trap/pot sector
    Sub-alternative C. Establish ACL by hook-and-line sector
    Alternative 4. Establish ACL by sector for St. Croix
    Sub-alternative A. Establish ACL by net sector
    Sub-alternative B. Establish ACL by trap/pot sector
    Sub-alternative C. Establish ACL by hook-and-line sector
    Alternative 5. Establish ACL by sector for Puerto Rico
    Sub-alternative A. Establish ACL by net sector
    Sub-alternative B. Establish ACL by trap/pot sector
    Sub-alternative C. Establish ACL by hook-and-line sector

Discussion

    There are limited circumstances that may not fit the standard 
approaches to specification of referenced points and management 
measures set forth in these guidelines.``These include, among other 
things, conservation and management of ESA listed species, harvests 
from aquaculture operations, and stocks with unusual life history 
characteristics.'' In these circumstances, Councils may propose 
alternative approaches for satisfying the NS1 requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act (prevent overfishing) than those set forth in 
these guidelines.'' Councils must document their rationale for any 
alternative approaches to these limited circumstances in an FMP or an 
FMP amendment, which will be reviewed for consistency with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act (50 CFR 600.310 (h)(3)).

4.9 Action 9: Permits


    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not establish a permit system for 
fishing in the EEZ
    Alternative 2. Require a federal permit for fishing in the EEZ.
    Sub Alternative A. Require a federal permit for recreational 
fishing in the EEZ.
    Sub Alternative B. Require a federal permit for commercial fishing 
in the EEZ.
    Sub Alternative C. Require the use of trap tags for all (lobster 
and fish) trap fisheries in the EEZ.

[[Page 37986]]

    Sub Alternative D. Require a federal permit for charter boats 
fishing in the EEZ.
    Alternative 3. Require a federal permit to sell Council managed 
species.
    Alternative 4. Require a federal permit to purchase Council managed 
species.

Discussion

    The Council moved to establish an Ad Hoc Advisory Panel to consist 
of fishermen and local and federal managers and scientists to develop a 
permitting and potentially a limited access system; these 
recommendations will be incorporated into this Action.
    4.10 Action 10: Monitoring and Enforcement of Annual Catch Limits
    Alternative 1. No Action. Set the ACL at the level specified in the 
previous actions.
    Alternative 2. Require any person landing Council managed species 
to submit an appropriate data collection form, as developed by the 
SEFSC or the Council's SSC, after every trip with enough detail such 
that CPUE per species can be calculated for each gear.
    Alternative 3. Require any federal permit holder to submit an 
appropriate data collection form, as developed by the SEFSC or the 
Council's SSC, after every trip with enough detail such that CPUE per 
species can be calculated for each gear.
    Alternative 4. Develop an updated catch report form in coordination 
with the SEFSC, local and territorial governments, fishermen, and the 
Council's SSC with enough detail such that CPUE per species can be 
calculated for each gear.


Discussion

    In their FMPs, or associated public documents such as SAFE reports 
as appropriate, Councils must describe general data collection methods, 
as well as any specific data collection methods used for all stocks in 
the fishery, and ecosystem component (EC) species, including: (1) 
Sources of fishing mortality (both landed and discarded), including 
commercial and recreational catch and bycatch in other fisheries; (2) 
Description of the data collection and estimation methods used to 
quantify total catch mortality in each fishery, including information 
on the management tools used (i.e., logbooks, vessel monitoring 
systems, observer programs, landings reports, fish tickets, processor 
reports, dealer reports, recreational angler surveys, or other 
methods); the frequency with which data are collected and updated; and 
the scope of sampling coverage for each fishery; and (3) Description of 
the methods used to compile catch data from various catch data 
collection methods and how those data are used to determine the 
relationship between total catch at a given point in time and the ACL 
for stocks and stock complexes that are part of a fishery (50 CFR 
600.310 (i)).

    The SSC and ACLG continuously recommended implementing better data 
collection methodologies throughout their respective discussions. 
Currently, information of this type is limited or non-existent; 
therefore, better data collection methods are necessary.
    4.11 Action 11: Accountability Measures
    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not establish Accountability Measures.
    Alternative 2. Implement accountability measures for exceeding an 
ACL based on:
    Sub alternative A. A single year of landings/catch.
    Sub alternative B. A 2-year average of landings/catch.
    Sub alternative C. A 3-year average of landings/catch.
    Alternative 3. Reduce the fishing season in the following year by a 
length determined to be appropriate to account for exceeding the ACL.
    Alternative 4. For queen conch exceedences in St Croix, close the 
EEZ to queen conch harvest.
    Alternative 5. Reduce the ACL in the subsequent fishing year by an 
amount equal to an overage in the previous year.

Discussion

    The Council may choose to use different sub alternatives from 
alternative 2 for different species or species groups depending on the 
reliability and timeliness for the different fisheries. If this is the 
case, additional alternatives would be developed so the Council can 
indicate that desire. There may be some difficulty in implementing 
Alternative 6 in the year directly following the overage due to the 
timeliness of the availability of the data; therefore, the reduction 
may take place up to two years after the overage of the ACL.
    4.12 Action 12: Allowable Gear for Reef Fish
    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not alter allowable gear in the U.S. 
Caribbean
    Alternative 2. Review the list of allowable gear under 50 CFR 
600.725

Discussion

    The Council voted to request the Secretary of Commerce to list 
spear as an allowable gear in the reef fish fishery. A request to 
remove powerheads as an allowable gear was made by the CFMC (need to 
send a letter) with the rationale including the definition (powerheads 
use explosives so look at definition in Section 600). This is a simple 
process of rule making. A letter had been sent to the RA requesting 
that spear be allowed for the commercial fisheries. Trawls should not 
be allowed in the US Caribbean. Need to revise all the allowable gears.
    4.13 Action 13: Establish Framework Measures for ACLs and AMs in 
the Reef Fish FMP.
    Alternative 1. No Action. Do not establish a framework for ACLs and 
AMs
    Alternative 2. Establish a framework procedure for setting and 
adjusting ACLs and AMs

Discussion

    Action 13 will require modification of the existing framework 
procedure so that ACLs and AMs may be quickly altered as necessary 
through a regulatory action.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. For more information or request for sign language 
interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. Miguel A. 
Rolon, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 268 
Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918-
1920, telephone (787) 766-5926, at least five days prior to the meeting 
date.

    Dated: July 27, 2009.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-18162 Filed 7-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S