[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18653-18661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8052]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 101029546-1208-02]
RIN 0648-BA39


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Bluefin Tuna Bycatch Reduction 
in the Gulf of Mexico Pelagic Longline Fishery

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Under this final rule, NMFS requires the use of ``weak hooks'' 
in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pelagic longline (PLL) fishery. A weak hook 
is a circle hook that meets NMFS' current size and offset restrictions 
for the GOM PLL fishery, but is constructed of round wire stock that is 
thinner-gauge than the circle hooks currently used and is no larger 
than 3.65 mm in diameter. Weak hooks can allow incidentally hooked 
bluefin tuna (BFT) to escape capture because the hooks are more likely 
to straighten when a large fish is hooked. Requiring weak hooks in the 
GOM will reduce bycatch of BFT; allow the long-term beneficial socio-
economic benefits of normal operation of directed fisheries in the GOM 
with minimal short-term negative socio-economic impacts; and have both 
short- and long-term beneficial impacts on the stock status of Atlantic 
BFT, an overfished species. This action affects commercial fishermen 
using PLL gear to fish for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) in 
the GOM.

DATES: This final action will become effective on May 5, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Highly Migratory Species Management Division, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Copies of the supporting documents--
including the Environmental Assessment (EA), Regulatory Impact Review 
(RIR), Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA), small entity 
compliance guide, and the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP)--are available from the HMS 
Web site at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianne Stephan at 978-281-9260 or 
Randy Blankinship at 727-824-5399.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic tunas are managed under the dual 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Conventions Act 
(ATCA), which authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to 
promulgate regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to implement 
recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The authority to issue regulations under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA has been delegated from the Secretary to 
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA). On May 28, 1999, 
NMFS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 29090) final regulations, 
effective July 1, 1999, implementing the Fishery Management Plan for 
Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (1999 FMP). On October 2, 2006, 
NMFS published in the Federal Register (71 FR 58058) final regulations, 
effective November 1, 2006, implementing the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic 
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which 
details the management measures for Atlantic HMS fisheries, including 
the PLL fishery. The implementing regulations for Atlantic HMS are at 
50 CFR part 635.

Background

    On January 13, 2011, NMFS published a proposed rule (76 FR 2313) to 
require the use of ``weak hooks'' by PLL vessels fishing in the GOM. A 
weak hook is a circle hook that meets NMFS' current size and offset 
restrictions but is constructed of round wire stock that is thinner-
gauge and is no larger than 3.65 mm in diameter than the circle hooks 
currently used in the PLL fishery. This final rule finalizes the 
provisions proposed in the January 13, 2011, rule. The purpose of this 
action is to reduce PLL catch of Atlantic BFT in the GOM, which is the 
only known BFT spawning area for the western Atlantic stock of BFT, as 
early in the 2011 BFT spawning season as possible. Bluefin tuna 
spawning season begins in early April each year. This action is 
consistent with the advice of the ICCAT Standing Committee for Research 
and Statistics (SCRS) that ICCAT may wish to protect the strong 2003 
year class until it reaches maturity and can contribute to spawning. 
The purpose is also to allow directed fishing for other species to 
continue within allocated BFT subquota limits. This measure is 
consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and ICCAT Recommendation 
10-03 (supplemental recommendation by ICCAT concerning the western BFT 
rebuilding program).
    Since 2007, NMFS has conducted research on weak hooks used on PLL 
vessels operating in the GOM to determine if their use can reduce the 
incidental catch of large BFT during directed PLL fishing for other 
species. Research data show that the use of a weak hook can 
significantly reduce the amount of BFT caught incidentally by PLL 
vessels in the GOM. Weak hooks can allow incidentally hooked BFT to 
escape capture because the hooks are more likely to straighten when a 
large fish is hooked, thus releasing the fish.
    Due in part to this research, this action finalizes the requirement 
to use weak hooks in the Atlantic HMS PLL fishery in the GOM. This 
action will be effective on May 5, 2011 to ensure implementation 
happens as early in the 2011 BFT spawning season as possible. 
Implementation of weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery during spring 2011 
is important because the strong 2003 year class is beginning to enter 
adulthood, and it is likely that some of them will begin to spawn in 
the GOM this spring. Also, reducing the incidental BFT catch in the GOM 
may enable the PLL fishery to continue to participate in directed 
fisheries (e.g., yellowfin tuna (YFT) and swordfish) year-round with 
less risk of fishery interruption due to insufficient BFT subquota 
availability in the Longline Category.
    NMFS considered three alternatives regarding the GOM PLL fishery. 
Alternative one would maintain the status quo, thus continuing existing 
regulations in the GOM PLL fishery. Alternative two would require all 
PLL vessels fishing in the GOM to use weak hooks. Alternative three 
would implement additional time/area closures in the GOM to protect 
spawning BFT. The proposed rule contained details regarding the 
alternatives considered and a brief summary of the recent management 
history. Those details are not repeated here.

[[Page 18654]]

Response to Comments

    During the proposed rule stage, NMFS received more than 57,000 
written comments from non-governmental organizations, fishermen, 
dealers, and other interested parties on the proposed rule. Mass public 
comment campaigns contributed to the high number of comments received. 
NMFS also heard numerous comments from constituents who attended the 
three public hearings and an operator-assisted Atlantic HMS Advisory 
Panel conference call, which was open to the public. A summary of the 
comments received on the proposed rule during the public comment period 
is provided below with NMFS' response. All written comments submitted 
during the comment period can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/ 
by searching for RIN 0648-BA39.

Weak Hook Comments

    Comment 1: NMFS should implement weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery 
year-round prior to the 2011 western Atlantic BFT spawning season.
    Response: NMFS agrees with the intent of this comment for reasons 
described in the preferred alternative in the proposed and final rules 
and EA, which include: Protecting the 2003 BFT year class as 
recommended by the ICCAT SCRS; reducing the impact of the GOM PLL fleet 
on western BFT; reducing BFT catches in the GOM PLL fishery; 
maintaining, or possibly improving with experience using the weak hook, 
catches of YFT; reducing the likelihood of PLL fishery interruption or 
indirect impacts to directed BFT fisheries due to the Longline Category 
exceeding its BFT subquota; and improving fishing efficiency and catch 
by reducing the amount of fishing time lost to BFT and large shark 
entanglements.
    Comment 2: NMFS should not implement weak hooks because they are 
unproven in effectively reducing BFT mortality. Although BFT catch 
appears to be reduced, there is no unequivocal evidence that BFT 
released from a bent hook survive.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that weak hooks should not be implemented 
in the GOM PLL fishery. Research has shown that the use of weak hooks 
can reduce the incidental catch of BFT by 56.5 percent. Although 
limited information exists about the effects of weak hooks on BFT post-
release mortality, post-release mortality is expected to be reduced 
because BFT likely straighten the weak hooks relatively quickly after 
being caught and likely do not incur as high a level of metabolic 
stress as when the fish stay on the hook until being retrieved upon 
haul-back of the gear. Due to the fact that BFT have the highest level 
of energy available at the moment when the fish becomes hooked, NMFS 
believes that escapement occurs soon after the fish is hooked. NMFS 
intends to conduct additional research with weak hooks using hook 
timers to determine the length of time that fish remain on the hook. 
This information will aid in further understanding more precisely the 
effects of weak hook use on BFT post-release mortality.
    Comment 3: NMFS should implement weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery 
seasonally when BFT are present. Seasonal application of the weak hook 
requirement would allow fishermen to use currently required standard 
circle hooks when BFT are not present in the GOM to mitigate potential 
economic impacts due to reductions in YFT and swordfish catch that 
might occur with year-round use of weak hooks.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the weak hook requirements should be 
implemented seasonally. BFT are also present in the GOM outside of the 
spawning season, although in lower numbers, and use of weak hooks year-
round will ensure that protection is provided for these BFT.
    Research data showed a higher catch rate of YFT with the 
experimental hook in the late summer months of July, August, and 
September when compared to the spring and early summer months of March, 
April, May, and June. Because the experiment focused on collecting data 
during the BFT spawning season, the majority of data was collected 
during March-June. Although it is unknown why YFT catch rates were 
higher in the late summer months after BFT spawning season, if more 
data had been collected after the BFT spawning period, NMFS believes it 
likely that the YFT reduction rate would have been less than what was 
observed (i.e., the amount of YFT caught with the weak hook may not 
have decreased as much as the overall study showed). Thus the potential 
economic impact due to decreases in YFT catch may actually be less than 
described in the proposed rule.
    Seasonal application of the weak hook requirement would increase 
the difficulty of enforcing the rule's requirement for vessels in the 
GOM with PLL gear on board to possess, use, and deploy only weak hooks. 
This is because vessels on trips spanning the beginning or end of the 
period of time during which weak hooks are required might not have 
removed all of the hooks with wire greater than 3.65 mm in diameter 
from their vessels, thus possessing both hooks on board. Requiring weak 
hooks year-round reduces such enforcement concerns because no other 
type of circle hook would be allowed on vessels fishing with PLL gear 
in the GOM. There would also be some negative economic impacts to 
fishermen if standard hooks are allowed to be used outside of BFT 
spawning season due to higher costs and lost fishing time due to re-
rigging of fishing gear.
    Comment 4: Implementing weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery will have 
negative economic impacts, including the potential for significant loss 
of catch and revenue by some vessels. This loss in revenue may make it 
more difficult for some vessels to maintain the hire of captains and 
crew members who may be able to find more lucrative employment 
elsewhere. Negative economic impacts also include the initial cost of 
outfitting GOM PLL vessels with weak hooks and an increased replacement 
rate of weak hooks due to the ease with which the hooks bend. NMFS 
should provide reimbursement to fishermen for the cost of initially 
outfitting their vessels with weak hooks.
    Response: As described in the EA, NMFS anticipates negative 
economic impacts to occur in the short-term for PLL vessels fishing in 
the GOM. These negative economic impacts include a potential reduction 
of vessel gross revenue of approximately 14.8 percent, a minor increase 
in the cost of weak hooks compared to the currently required standard 
circle hook, and a slight increase in gear cost due to an increased 
replacement rate of weak hooks compared to the standard circle hook.
    As described in the response to comment 3 above, research data 
showed a higher catch rate of YFT with the experimental hook in the 
late summer months of July, August, and September when compared to the 
spring and early summer months of March, April, May, and June. Because 
the experiment focused on collecting data during the BFT spawning 
season, the majority of data was collected during March-June. If more 
data had been collected after the BFT spawning period, NMFS believes it 
likely that the YFT catch reduction rate would have been less than what 
was observed and the potential economic impact due to decreases in YFT 
catch could be less than described in the proposed rule. NMFS gear 
researchers have found that fishermen participating in research tend to 
work through a learning curve with new technology and generally improve 
their performance with a particular gear over time. A voucher program 
to assist fishermen in the GOM with the purchase of an initial

[[Page 18655]]

supply of weak hooks is being sponsored by the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation (please see ``Weak Hook Voucher Program'' below for 
more details). Compared to the no action alternative, the preferred 
alternative reduces the incidental BFT catch in the GOM and may enable 
the PLL fishery to continue to participate in directed fisheries (e.g., 
YFT and swordfish) year-round with less risk of fishery interruption 
due to insufficient BFT subquota availability in the Longline Category.
    Comment 5: Gulf of Mexico PLL fishermen need a reasonable amount of 
time to comply with the new weak hook requirement prior to active 
enforcement of the new requirement, and NMFS should ensure that there 
is a sufficient supply of weak hooks available for the GOM PLL fleet in 
advance of the effective date.
    Response: NMFS agrees and intends to provide 30 days after 
publication of the final rule for fishermen to prepare for and comply 
with the weak hook requirement. NMFS has begun to investigate 
manufacturer and distributor inventories of weak hooks and believes 
that enough weak hooks are currently available to initially outfit PLL 
vessels in the GOM with weak hooks. NMFS cannot delay implementation 
for longer than 30 days because, as described above, it is important to 
have these regulations in place as early in the 2011 BFT spawning 
season as possible to provide additional protections for the strong 
2003 year class as it enters adulthood and begins to contribute to 
spawning in the GOM this spring.
    Comment 6: NMFS should seek methods to respond to the ICCAT SCRS 
call for special efforts to reduce mortality on the 2003 BFT year class 
in other domestic and international fisheries that target or interact 
with BFT.
    Response: The 2010 SCRS report noted that ICCAT ``may wish to 
protect the 2003 year class until it reaches maturity and can 
contribute to spawning,'' and that maintaining catch at 1,800 mt may 
offer some protection. ICCAT Recommendation 10-03 reduced the total 
allowable catch (TAC) to 1,750 mt for 2011 and 2012, which may offer 
further protection for the 2003 year class. Implementation of weak 
hooks in the GOM PLL fishery is expected to reduce the catch of BFT and 
reduce mortality of spawning-age BFT, including the 2003 year class. 
This action will promote survival of BFT in the GOM, and thus will 
improve western BFT stock health.
    Comment 7: NMFS should conduct education and outreach programs for 
the entire GOM PLL fleet, including reaching Vietnamese fishermen, to 
help fishermen understand the benefits and costs of weak hook use and 
fishery management priorities for the future of the fishery. This 
effort should include fishing techniques learned through the weak hook 
research to reduce BFT catch and maintain or improve directed catch.
    Response: NMFS agrees and intends to conduct outreach and education 
workshops around the GOM to help fishermen learn the benefits of and 
techniques for fishing with weak hooks.
    Comment 8: NMFS should continue to conduct and expand research on 
weak hook technology in the GOM PLL fishery. NMFS should conduct 
additional research on the length of time that BFT remain hooked on 
weak hooks in order to determine if the mortality rate of BFT is 
actually reduced. There is currently little data to indicate if BFT 
that escape from weak hooks survive. Additional research should 
investigate reducing white marlin and roundscale spearfish bycatch, 
determining the effect of weak hooks on sea turtle interactions, 
further reducing BFT bycatch, improving directed species catch, and 
determining the efficacy of 18/0 hooks made with thinner wire for 
further BFT bycatch reduction and improved swordfish retention. NMFS 
should create a sunset provision of 3 years for the weak hook 
requirement to allow sufficient time for additional research and ensure 
a thorough review by the agency to determine if the requirement should 
be continued, revised, or allowed to expire.
    Response: NMFS intends to continue research on the effects of the 
use of weak hooks when compared to the currently required standard 
circle hook. Among other things, this research will help to better 
understand the effect of weak hooks on white marlin and roundscale 
spearfish catches and sea turtle interactions. NMFS intends to conduct 
research with weak hooks using hook timers to determine the length of 
time that fish remain on the hook. This information will aid in 
understanding the effects of weak hook use on BFT post-release 
mortality. NMFS will continue to collect information on BFT, white 
marlin, roundscale spearfish, sea turtles and other species caught on 
PLL gear through the NMFS pelagic observer program that will help to 
better understand the effects of weak hook implementation.
    During experimental PLL fishery data collection conducted in the 
Northeast Distant gear restricted area and GOM in 2004, NMFS collected 
data with the currently required standard circle hooks that showed 
reduced catches of swordfish and YFT with 18/0 circle hooks compared to 
16/0 circle hooks on both squid and sardine baits. The evaluation did 
not include BFT. While these results do not directly answer the public 
comment about how 18/0 circle hooks constructed of thinner wire might 
perform for reducing BFT catch, they provide some insight to show that 
currently required standard 18/0 hooks may reduce swordfish retention.
    NMFS disagrees that a sunset provision should be implemented for 
this final action because such a provision would guarantee that NMFS 
must take action to continue the weak hook requirement. Instead, NMFS 
may conduct subsequent rulemaking, if necessary, in the future to 
address the need for modified or additional management measures.
    Comment 9: The weak hook research indicates that the number of 
swordfish retained by GOM PLL vessels may decrease. If this occurs, 
fishermen may increase their fishing effort to make up for lost 
revenue, which may result in increased bycatch of undersized swordfish 
and other bycatch species.
    Response: NMFS agrees that the possibility exists for PLL fishing 
effort in the GOM to increase if fishermen attempt to make up for lost 
revenue due to reductions in targeted catch. NMFS will continue to 
monitor fishing effort and catch in the GOM PLL fleet through logbooks, 
dealer reports, and the pelagic observer program in order to determine 
potential effects on target and non-target species. Bycatch mitigation 
measures such as closed areas (DeSoto Canyon), use of circle hooks, 
possession and use of protected species safe handling and release 
gears, and limits on sea turtle interactions required in the 2004 
Biological Opinion (BiOp) will remain in effect. However, fishermen may 
not experience reductions in targeted catch or reduced revenue. Some 
fishermen that participated in the weak hook research experienced 
increased targeted catch and are voluntarily using weak hooks year-
round. As other fishermen learn the fishing techniques that work well 
with the weak hooks, those fishermen may not experience reductions in 
targeted catch or revenue.
    As described in the response to Comment 3 above, research data 
showed a higher catch rate of YFT with the experimental hook in the 
late summer months of July, August, and September when compared to the 
spring and early summer months of March, April, May, and June. Because 
the experiment focused on collecting data during the BFT spawning 
season, the majority of data was collected during March-June. If more 
data had been collected after the BFT spawning period, it is likely 
that

[[Page 18656]]

the YFT reduction rate would have been less than what was observed, 
thus the potential economic impact due to decreases in YFT catch may be 
less than described in the proposed rule. If this occurs, the incentive 
to increase fishing effort may not be realized.
    Comment 10: Because the weak hooks are nearly identical to the 
currently required standard circle hook, enforcement of the weak hook 
requirement will be extremely difficult. Further, the potential 
reduction in the catch of target species, such as swordfish retained 
for sale, indicated by the weak hook research, could make it less 
likely that fishermen will comply with the weak hook requirement.
    Response: NMFS intends to fully enforce the weak hook requirement. 
A gauge has been developed for use by NMFS enforcement agents and 
officers, U.S. Coast Guard personnel, and state joint enforcement 
partners to quickly and definitively measure the diameter of the hook 
wire. This gauge was used by observers during the weak hook study and 
is proven to be a quick and effective tool for distinguishing the 
difference between weak hooks and hooks made of larger diameter wire.
    Comment 11: Pelagic longline gear is responsible for almost 70 
percent of the mortality of white marlin and the weak hook research 
indicates that white marlin/roundscale spearfish catches may increase 
by 52.7 percent with weak hooks. This increase in catch is concerning 
given the poor health of white marlin and the fact that white marlin 
has been the subject of two status reviews under the Endangered Species 
Act (ESA).
    Response: The NMFS weak hook research results showed that the 
increase in catch of white marlin and roundscale spearfish was not 
statistically significant, although the difference was close to being 
statistically significant. NMFS does not believe that this increase, if 
it actually occurs, is likely to have population or ecosystem effects 
for those species because the predicted increase of 144 white marlin 
(or 1.05 mt in 2009 at 48 lb per fish) dead discards represents less 
than 0.8 percent of the total amount of international white marlin 
catch (which includes recreational landings and commercial dead 
discards) in the North Atlantic (406 mt in 2009).
    Due to misidentification of roundscale spearfish as white marlin, 
the total international white marlin catch also includes some 
roundscale spearfish and, as such, indicates that any potential 
increase in roundscale spearfish that might occur in the GOM PLL 
fishery as a result of this final action should be very small in 
relation. In addition, NMFS already has comprehensive regulations in 
place to conserve these species in its domestic fisheries. Under 
current regulations, PLL vessels are not allowed to retain white 
marlin/roundscale spearfish, and any that are captured must be released 
alive or discarded if dead. Additionally, PLL vessels are currently 
required to possess and use protected species safe handling and release 
gears and techniques that aid in releasing hooked animals, including 
white marlin, and maximize post-release survival without removing the 
fish from the water. Most white marlin/roundscale spearfish that are 
hooked are released alive.
    NMFS would continue research with weak hook technology and closely 
monitor white marlin and roundscale spearfish catch through observer 
coverage in the fishery. Should the increased catches of white marlin 
and roundscale spearfish continue, NMFS would investigate potential 
mitigation measures that might be implemented if necessary to reduce 
the catches and/or reduce the bycatch mortality associated with the 
catches. The current research does not show a statistically significant 
increase in bycatch; therefore, it is not clear that mitigation 
measures would be appropriate at this time. Neither does the research 
indicate which measures would be effective to address any potential 
statistically significant white marlin and roundscale spearfish 
increase in catch. If additional research shows a statistically 
significant increase in such bycatch, possible measures could include 
adopting a seasonal application of the weak hook, modification or 
removal of the weak hook requirement or other measures as necessary and 
appropriate. NMFS would closely monitor fleet activities and catch 
statistics, and consider making management measures adjustments, 
including use of inseason management authority, should the data 
warrant.
    Comment 12: While the weak hook study showed a reduction in YFT 
catch of 7 percent, it also showed an increase in YFT catch in late 
summer and fall months. If YFT catches actually increase overall as a 
result of weak hook use, the increased fishing mortality may be 
detrimental to the YFT population.
    Response: As described in the response to Comment 3 above, research 
data showed a higher catch rate of YFT with the experimental hook in 
the late summer months of July, August, and September when compared to 
the spring and early summer months of March, April, May, and June. 
Because the experiment focused on collecting data during the BFT 
spawning season, the majority of data was collected during March-June. 
If more data had been collected after the BFT spawning period, it is 
likely that the YFT reduction rate would have been less than what was 
observed. This additional analysis does not, however, indicate that an 
overall increase in YFT catch would occur. NMFS will continue to 
collect information on YFT and other species caught on PLL gear through 
the NMFS pelagic observer program that will help to better understand 
the effects of weak hook implementation.
    Yellowfin tuna are managed internationally by ICCAT, which has 
adopted a limit on effective fishing effort, but not issued a TAC or 
individual country quotas. According to the latest ICCAT SCRS YFT stock 
assessment (2008), the YFT population is not considered to be 
overfished and overfishing is not occurring. If the catch of YFT in the 
GOM increases as a result of weak hook use, negative impacts on the YFT 
population are expected to be minor when compared to the total western 
Atlantic longline catch. The United States GOM longline catch is 7.7 
percent of the total western Atlantic longline catch.
    Comment 13: NMFS should reexamine whether it is appropriate to rely 
on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP, or the 2004 BiOp for the PLL fishery when 
supporting the FONSI because the implementation of the weak hook will 
cause a change in fishing effort because of improved catchability of 
white marlin and other species. The effects on endangered and 
threatened marine species are not fully understood through the weak 
hook research, which is cause for concern given the potential increase 
in the number of hooks that might be set in the PLL fishery due to the 
potential decrease of YFT and swordfish retained for sale. Also, an ESA 
consultation may be required if weak hook use affects loggerhead sea 
turtles and those loggerhead sea turtles are uplisted in the final rule 
to list the Northwest Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle (final rule due 
March 16, 2011). The analysis in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP should 
be updated due to significant events such as Hurricane Katrina and the 
DWH/BP oil spill, thus the baseline FEIS for the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP requires new analyses of the effects of the PLL fishery on listed 
species.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that a potential increase in the catch of 
white marlin is an indication that fishing effort will increase with 
implementation of weak hooks. White marlin and other

[[Page 18657]]

billfishes are not allowed to be retained on PLL vessels. NMFS does not 
believe that an increase in bycatch that must be discarded will result 
in an increase in fishing effort.
    NMFS believes that the FEIS for the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and 
the 2004 BiOp for the PLL fishery remain applicable and support this 
final action. Despite recent significant events that have occurred in 
the GOM, the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP closure analysis still reflects 
impacts that are likely to occur with the time/area closure 
alternatives, particularly when considering redistribution of fishing 
effort. When redistribution of effort was considered, all time/area 
closures in the 2006 analysis resulted in an increase in bycatch for 
some species, including BFT. This final action is not expected to 
change fishing effort or behavior beyond that already analyzed in the 
2001 HMS and 2004 PLL Biological Opinions (BiOps) regarding 
interactions with endangered species. This action is not expected to 
significantly alter current fishing practices or bycatch mortality 
rates from the level analyzed in the Consolidated HMS FMP, and 
therefore should not have adverse impacts on protected species, or have 
any further impacts on endangered species, listed marine mammals, or 
critical habitat beyond those considered in the 2001 and 2004 BiOps.
    Comment 14: Comments were received in support of and opposition to 
implementing weak hooks in Atlantic PLL fisheries outside the GOM.
    Response: Research was conducted by the NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center to evaluate the efficacy of 16/0 ``weak'' circle hooks 
in reducing the bycatch of BFT in the GOM YFT fishery. The weak hook 
research has shown that the catch of adult-sized BFT in the GOM PLL 
fleet can be reduced by 56.5 percent with the use of weak hooks. The 
difference in BFT catch between the standard 16/00 circle hooks and the 
experimental weak hooks was statistically significant. The size of BFT 
in the GOM, the only known spawning area for the western stock, is 
larger than the size distribution of BFT in the Atlantic outside of the 
GOM. The benefits of weak hook use with PLL gear outside the GOM may 
not be the same as in the GOM PLL fishery given the differences in the 
catch composition and the way fishermen fish PLL gear in strong 
currents such as the Gulf Stream. While research on the use of weak 
hooks along the Atlantic coast has begun in order to look at reducing 
the bycatch of marine mammals, further research is needed to determine 
the applicability of weak hooks outside of the GOM and any impacts on 
BFT, target catch, marine mammals, sea turtles, and other incidentally 
caught species.

Gulf of Mexico Time/Area Closure Comment

    Comment 15: NMFS should prohibit PLL gear in the GOM (Alternative 
3) because of indiscriminate bycatch (particularly the bycatch of BFT, 
billfishes, leatherback sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles) or 
should implement a seasonal closure for longline use during BFT 
spawning.
    Response: Considering redistribution of fishing effort is important 
because HMS and protected species are not uniformly distributed 
throughout the ocean and tend to occur in higher concentrations in 
certain areas. Therefore, a closure in one area might reduce the 
bycatch of one or two species, but may increase bycatch of others. NMFS 
considered a number of redistribution of effort scenarios (i.e., 
redistribution of effort into all remaining open areas, redistribution 
of effort into the GOM only, and redistribution of effort in the GOM). 
In all cases, NMFS found the closures in the GOM could result in an 
increase in bycatch for some of the species being considered. No one 
closure in these analyses would have resulted in a decrease in discards 
or bycatch of all the species considered when the redistribution of 
fishing effort was considered. When the redistribution of effort was 
considered, the purpose of a GOM closure (reducing bycatch and discards 
of spawning BFT) may not be fully realized and may have effects on BFT 
outside the closed area. For instance, after examining a potential 
closure in the GOM from April through June in order to protect spawning 
BFT, the analysis predicted an increase in the number of BFT bycatch 
and discards elsewhere once displaced fishing effort was considered. In 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, NMFS did not prefer any new time/area 
closures (except the Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine 
Reserves for other purposes), and did not modify any existing closures 
at that time because no single closure or combination of closures would 
reduce the bycatch of all species considered, assuming there is some 
redistribution of effort. NMFS believes the closure analysis conducted 
in 2006 remains the best available science and reflects the substantial 
impacts that would likely occur under the time/area closures analyzed 
because the underlying principle of fishing effort redistribution that 
was used in the analysis is still likely to occur. Additionally, NMFS 
is not aware of other peer reviewed and published time/area closure 
analyses that consider fishing effort redistribution for the GOM PLL 
fishery since the NMFS 2006 closure analyses. Therefore, NMFS does not 
prefer alternative 3 for the same reasons as described above and in the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP.
    The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP established criteria for considering 
the implementation of new time/area closures or modification to 
existing time/area closures. It is not feasible to conduct extensive, 
new analysis per these criteria and to meet the objectives of this 
action (i.e., to rapidly implement the final action to increase the 
survival of spawning BFT in 2011 in the GOM, particularly the 2003 year 
class). NMFS believes that the 2006 analysis remains valid for the 
purposes of this rulemaking. However, NMFS intends to review time/area 
closure analyses, in light of the events of the past few years such as 
hurricanes and the DWH/BP oil spill, in the near future. At that time, 
NMFS will consider other methodologies that have been proposed to 
consider effects of effort redistribution, such as Powers and Abeare 
(2009) or others, for time/area analysis as appropriate.

General Comments

    Comment 16: NMFS should promote more selective alternative gears to 
PLL for YFT and swordfish fishing.
    Response: This comment is not within the range of alternatives 
considered in this rulemaking because the rulemaking concerns the 
means, methods, times, and places that PLL gear is used in the GOM. The 
rulemaking does not consider alternatives related to the use of other 
fishing gears.
    Comment 17: NMFS should implement bycatch caps for species of 
concern in the GOM PLL fishery and 100 percent observer coverage to 
support a bycatch cap program. When the bycatch caps are reached, the 
GOM PLL fishery should be closed.
    Response: This comment is not within the range of alternatives 
considered in this rulemaking because the rulemaking concerns the 
means, methods, times, and places that pelagic longline gear is used in 
the GOM. NMFS currently monitors bycatch in the GOM PLL fishery through 
the use of observers and vessel logbooks. Bycatch in the GOM PLL 
fishery is minimized through regulations implemented under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and the ESA that require the use of circle hooks, 
require the use of protected species safe handling and release gears, 
prohibit the use of live bait, prohibit the possession

[[Page 18658]]

and use of PLL gear in existing closed areas, and other requirements.
    Comment 18: The effects of the DWH/BP oil spill have not been fully 
determined and NMFS should err on the side of caution when implementing 
fishery management measures for fish stocks that may have been affected 
by the oil spill.
    Response: NOAA continues to conduct research on the impacts of the 
DWH/BP oil spill on natural resources. The impacts of the oil spill and 
effects on Atlantic HMS are difficult to determine at this time.
    With implementation of this final action, NMFS is precautionary in 
its approach because it is acting consistently with SCRS advice to 
protect the 2003 BFT year class as it matures and begins to contribute 
to spawning. In addition, implementation of weak hooks in the GOM PLL 
fishery is expected to reduce the catch of BFT in that fishery by 56.5 
percent, which will reduce mortality of spawning BFT (both the 2003 and 
other year classes) on their spawning grounds. This will promote the 
increase of spawning biomass, the likelihood of successful spawning, 
and further rebuilding of the western BFT stock.
    Comment 19: Allowing the PLL fleet to continue to fish will cause 
BFT to become extinct.
    Response: On May 24, 2010, NMFS received a petition from the Center 
for Biological Diversity (CBD) to list BFT as threatened or endangered 
under the ESA and designate critical habitat concurrently with its 
listing. On September 21, 2010, NMFS announced a 90-day finding (75 FR 
57431) that the petition presents substantial scientific information 
indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. NMFS is currently 
conducting a status review of BFT to determine if the petitioned action 
is warranted. The status review process includes assessment of the risk 
of extinction, considering effects of directed and incidental fisheries 
as well as other impacts. Per the ESA required timeline, NMFS is 
scheduled to publish that determination by May 24, 2011 (i.e., within 
12 months of receiving the petition). If NMFS determines that listing 
is not warranted, NMFS would publish a Federal Register notice 
announcing the end of the consideration process. If NMFS determines 
that listing is warranted, NMFS will publish a proposed rule and 
solicit public comments before developing and publishing a final 
determination (which would be required within one year of a proposed 
rule).

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    A minor change to the definition of round wire stock at 50 CFR 
635.2 has been made to provide further clarification. A minor change to 
the paragraph at Sec.  635.71(a)(54) that deals with prohibitions has 
been made to clarify the cross referenced paragraph.

Classification

    The NMFS AA has determined that this final action is consistent 
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP and 
its amendments, ATCA, and other applicable law.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    In compliance with section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA), NMFS has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) 
for this final rule, which analyzed the impacts of requiring the use of 
weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery. The FRFA analyzes the anticipated 
economic impacts of the final action and any significant economic 
impacts on small entities. A summary of the FRFA is below. The full 
FRFA and analysis of social and economic impacts are available from 
NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    In compliance with section 604(a)(1) of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, the purpose of this final rulemaking is, consistent with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments, to further BFT stock recovery by increasing live releases 
of incidentally caught BFT by providing a new gear technology for PLL 
vessels to continue routine fishing operations in the GOM.
    Section 604(a)(2) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires NMFS 
to summarize significant issues raised by the public in response to the 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), a summary of NMFS' 
assessment of such issues, and a statement of any changes made as a 
result of the comments. The IRFA was included as part of the draft EA 
and was summarized in the proposed rule. NMFS did not receive any 
comments specific to the IRFA; however, NMFS did receive comments 
related to the overall economic impacts of the proposed rule. Those 
comments and NMFS' responses to them are mentioned above in the 
preamble for this rule. Particularly relevant economic comments are 1, 
3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 15.
    When developing this action, NMFS considered different ways to 
reduce the regulatory burden on and provide flexibility to the 
regulated community, consistent with the recent Presidential Memorandum 
on Regulatory Flexibility, Small Business, and Job Creation (January 
18, 2011). Consistent with the objectives of this rule and legal 
obligations, a voucher program to assist fishermen in the GOM with the 
purchase of an initial supply of weak hooks is being sponsored by the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (please see ``Weak Hook Voucher 
Program'' below for more details). NMFS has also considered seasonal 
implementation of weak hooks in the GOM PLL fishery; however, this 
approach is not preferred because BFT are also present in the GOM 
outside of the spawning season in lower numbers and seasonal 
application of the weak hook requirement would increase the difficulty 
of enforcing the weak hook requirement. NMFS also considered a phased-
in approach to implementation of the weak hook requirement; however, 
this approach is not preferred because it would not rapidly provide 
additional protection for spawning BFT (especially the strong 2003 year 
class) as early as possible in the spring 2011 spawning season.
    Section 604(a)(3) requires Federal agencies to provide an estimate 
of the number of small entities to which the rule would apply. NMFS 
considers all HMS permit holders to be small entities because they 
either had average annual receipts less than $4.0 million for fish-
harvesting, average annual receipts less than $6.5 million for charter/
party boats, 100 or fewer employees for wholesale dealers, or 500 or 
fewer employees for seafood processors. These are the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) size standards for defining a small versus large 
business entity in this industry.
    The GOM PLL fishery is comprised of fishermen who hold an Atlantic 
Tunas Longline permit, a Swordfish Directed or Incidental permit, and a 
Shark Directed or Incidental permit and the related industries 
including processors, bait houses, and equipment suppliers, all of 
which NMFS considers to be small entities according to the size 
standards set by the SBA. The final rule would apply to PLL vessels 
that fish in the GOM. As of October 2010, there were 248 Atlantic tuna 
longline limited access permit holders. Of these, 136 were registered 
in states along the coast of the GOM (including all Florida vessels). 
However, based on logbook records from 2006 to 2009, on average, only 
51 PLL vessels were actively operating in the GOM annually, with a high 
of 55 vessels in 2007 and a low of 47 in 2006 and 2009. During the 
summer of 2010, preliminary vessel monitoring system information

[[Page 18659]]

indicated that the number of active PLL vessels in the GOM decreased by 
more than 79 percent due to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH)/BP oil spill 
and associated fishery closures.
    This final rule does not contain any new reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements, but would require a new compliance requirement (5 U.S.C. 
604(a)(4)). Fishing vessels with PLL gear onboard will be required, at 
all times, in all areas of the GOM open to HMS PLL fishing, to possess 
onboard and/or use only circle hooks meeting current size and offset 
restrictions, as well as being constructed of only round wire stock 
that is no larger than 3.65 mm in diameter. This final rule would not 
conflict, duplicate, or overlap with other relevant Federal rules (5 
U.S.C. 604(b)(5)). Fishermen, dealers, and managers in these fisheries 
must comply with a number of international agreements, domestic laws, 
and other FMPs. These include, but are not limited to, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the ATCA, the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act, the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National 
Environmental Policy Act, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and the Coastal 
Zone Management Act. NMFS does not believe that the new regulations 
would duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any relevant regulations, 
Federal or otherwise.
    Under section 604(a)(5), agencies are required to describe any 
alternatives to the rule which accomplish the stated objectives and 
which minimize any significant economic impacts. Economic impacts are 
discussed below and in the Environmental Assessment for the action. 
Additionally, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)-(4)) 
lists four general categories of significant alternatives that would 
assist an agency in the development of significant alternatives. These 
categories of alternatives are: (1) Establishment of differing 
compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into 
account the resources available to small entities; (2) clarification, 
consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting 
requirements under the rule for such small entities; (3) use of 
performance rather than design standards; and, (4) exemptions from 
coverage of the rule for small entities.
    In order to meet the objectives of this rule, consistent with legal 
obligations, NMFS cannot exempt small entities or change the reporting 
requirements only for small entities. Thus, there are no alternatives 
discussed that fall under the first and fourth categories described 
above. In addition, none of the alternatives considered would result in 
additional reporting requirements (category two above). Fishing vessels 
with PLL gear onboard will be required, at all times, in all areas of 
the GOM open to HMS PLL fishing, to possess onboard and use only circle 
hooks meeting current size and offset restrictions as well as being 
constructed of only round wire stock that is no larger than 3.65 mm in 
diameter. NMFS does not know of any performance or design standards 
that would satisfy the aforementioned objectives of this rulemaking 
while, concurrently, complying with the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    NMFS considered and analyzed three main alternatives for this rule. 
The first alternative was the status quo, no action alternative. This 
alternative would maintain existing hook and bait requirements in the 
Atlantic PLL fishery in the GOM. The second alternative would require 
all PLL vessels fishing in the GOM to use weak hooks and is the 
preferred alternative. The third alternative considered establishing 
additional time/area closures in the GOM. Under this alternative, an 
area of the GOM would be closed to PLL fishing and could extend over 
the entire GOM or a subarea. Temporal extents of a closure could be 
timed to the spawning season for BFT in the GOM, April to mid-June, or 
for shorter or longer time frames (i.e., year round). Areal extents of 
a closure could be restricted to portions of the GOM where particularly 
high concentrations of spawning BFT have been observed while minimizing 
inclusion of areas with high directed YFT fishing operations. Adaptive 
management programs might also be considered with the temporal/spatial 
extent of the time/area changes based on real-time information on 
distribution and abundance of target and non-target species as well as 
the socio-economic needs of the fishery. In addition to these three 
alternatives, NMFS also considered other options such as prohibition on 
all retention of BFT in the GOM (i.e., no incidental retention of BFT 
allowed) and adjustment of target catch retention limits (i.e., modify 
current limits of one BFT per 2,000 lbs of target catch, two BFT per 
6,000 lbs and three BFT per 30,000 lbs). As these alternatives either 
do not reduce mortality of BFT but rather convert discards to landings 
(or vice versa), or may have substantial negative social and economic 
impacts and cannot be implemented in short time frames, these 
alternatives were determined to not meet the objectives of the action 
and were not considered further.
    Alternative 1, the status quo, no action alternative would not 
result in any additional economic impacts to small entities in the 
short-term. NMFS does not anticipate a significant change in landings, 
ex-vessel prices, or operating costs relative to the ``status quo'' for 
small entities under this alternative. However, adverse economic 
impacts in the medium and long-term could result if no action is taken 
to address the incidental catch of BFT in the GOM PLL fishery. Adverse 
economic impacts could occur if the Longline Category subquota for BFT 
is exceeded and a partial or total closure of the fishery is 
implemented or other management measures are taken in directed BFT 
fisheries to allow for dead discards of BFT to be accounted for within 
the U.S. quota.
    The preferred alternative, Alternative 2, would require vessels 
with PLL gear onboard, at all times, in all areas of the GOM open to 
PLL fishing, to possess onboard and use only circle hooks meeting 
current size and offset restrictions as well as being constructed of 
only round wire stock that is no larger than 3.65 mm in diameter. This 
alternative would result in some minor increases in equipment costs for 
the new hooks, would likely impact vessel operations, and would also 
potentially impact catch rates and thus potentially reduce vessel 
revenues.
    Alternative 2 would result in moderate positive social and economic 
benefits if this measure is able to reduce the bycatch of BFT in the 
GOM sufficiently to allow the PLL fishery to continue operating in the 
GOM. However, there would likely be some increased economic costs 
associated with switching to the weak hook.
    This alternative would result in some minor increases in equipment 
costs associated with acquiring the new weak hooks. Direct cost of 
purchasing weak hooks is anticipated to increase expenses by $.02 per 
hook. An informal telephone survey of hook suppliers provides a price 
of approximately $0.34 per hook for 16/0 commercial grade circle hooks 
and approximately $0.36 per hook for 16/0 circle hooks constructed of 
3.65 mm diameter round wire stock. Assuming that an average of 1,600 
hooks per vessel are needed initially to equip vessels with enough 
required hooks for one trip, the compliance cost, on a per vessel 
basis, would be approximately $576.
    Hook replacement rates are anticipated to increase with use of the 
weak hook. Researchers during the GOM PLL BFT mitigation research 
estimated that requiring the weak hook would result in an increase in 
the rate of hook replacement by 4.41 hooks per 1,000 hooks over the 
current

[[Page 18660]]

replacement rate due to straightening and deformation of the hooks. The 
researchers anticipated that this rate was an underestimate; however, 
they estimated the cost of additional hook replacement with the weak 
hook to be less than $3.00 per 1,000 hooks set. The standard 16/0 
circle hooks currently in use will continue to be used in the U.S. 
Atlantic and inventories of unused standard 16/0 hooks could be sold to 
vessels fishing in the Atlantic outside of the GOM.
    Alternative 2 would also potentially impact vessel catch rates, and 
thus potentially reduce vessel revenues. Based on the GOM PLL BFT 
mitigation research results, catch rates for several commercially 
important species were found to be lower using the new weak hooks 
versus the standard 16/0 circle hooks. The researchers found a 
statistically significant (at the 5 percent level) reduction in the 
total catch of BFT and wahoo when weak hooks were used compared to 
conventional circle hooks. The total catch of BFT was reduced 56.5 
percent when weak hooks were used in the experiment. This reduction 
includes both discards and BFT retained for sale. Based on observer 
reports of the number of BFT discarded versus retained in the GOM, the 
researchers estimate that the experimental results indicate that the 
use of weak hooks would result in approximately a 14 percent reduction 
in BFT retained for sale given the BFT incidental retention limits. The 
total catch of wahoo using the weak hook was reduced by 26.6 percent.
    The research also observed reduction in the number of YFT and 
swordfish retained for sale. While these results were not statistically 
significant at the 5 percent level, the reductions in YFT and swordfish 
retained did have p-values <= 0.15. Weak hooks in the experiment 
resulted in a 7 percent reduction in YFT retained for sale and 41.2 
percent reduction in swordfish retained for sale. No other commercially 
targeted species observed during the research exhibited catch rate 
differences between weak hooks and conventional circle hooks with p-
values of <= 0.15. Therefore, given that YFT is often the target catch 
for PLL trip in the GOM and the heterogeneous nature of fishing vessel 
operations, this analysis conservatively includes the observed 
reductions in YFT and swordfish. In addition, NMFS also ran the 
analysis with just BFT and wahoo which exhibited statistically 
significant differences in catch at the 5 percent level to help 
illustrate the range of possible outcomes.
    Using vessel logbook catch data, NMFS translated the reductions in 
catch observed in the research experiment into potential fishery 
revenue impacts that may result from requiring the use of weak hooks in 
the GOM. The calculations are detailed in the EA for this final rule 
which is available on request. Based on the research results, the 
estimated per trip reduction in revenues that would potentially result 
from requiring the use of weak hooks in the GOM is approximately 
$2,265.
    Based on HMS logbook reports from 2006 to 2009, the average number 
of PLL trips taken per vessel per year in the GOM is 9.7. Multiplying 
9.7 trips per vessel by the estimated $2,265 per trip reduction in 
catch revenues (when including reductions for BFT, YFT, wahoo, and 
swordfish) results in an estimated reduction of $21,974 in commercial 
fishing revenues per vessel per year in the GOM resulting from 
switching to weak hooks. Alternatively, if the analysis only considers 
the statistically significant reductions in catch at the 5 percent 
level (only including reductions for BFT and wahoo which equals $139 
less per trip), as used in the research study, the estimated reduction 
in annual catch revenues per vessel in the GOM for Alternative 2 would 
be $1,351 (9.7 trips x $139). This lower estimate may also represent 
the potential improvements in catch rates that may occur over time as 
fishermen adapt to the new weak hook technology. NMFS' analysis of weak 
hook research data after the publication of the proposed rule found a 
seasonal difference in the catch of YFT. Because the experiment focused 
on collecting data during the BFT spawning season, the majority of data 
was collected during March-June. If more data had been collected after 
the BFT spawning period, it is likely that the YFT reduction rate would 
have been less than what was observed, thus the potential economic 
impact due to decreases in YFT catch may be less than described above. 
NMFS does not foresee that the national net benefits and costs would 
change significantly in the long term as a result of implementation of 
the final action. In response to comment, NMFS also considered a 
modified version of alternative 2 that would apply the weak hook 
requirement seasonally. However, NMFS did not prefer this approach 
because BFT are also present in the GOM outside of the spawning season 
in lower numbers and seasonal application of the weak hook requirement 
would increase the difficulty of enforcing the weak hook requirement.
    Under Alternative 3, which considers additional time/area closures 
in the GOM, some fishermen could be expected to shift effort to fishing 
areas outside the GOM and there could be changes in the distribution of 
the fleet with some fishermen possibly exiting the fishery. Predicting 
fishermen's behavior is difficult, especially as some factors that may 
determine whether to stay in the fishery, relocate, or leave the 
fishery are beyond NMFS' control (fuel prices, infrastructure, 
hurricanes, etc.). While some fishermen will continue to fish in the 
remaining open areas of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and GOM, others may be 
forced to leave the fishery entirely, such as selling their permits and 
going out of business, as a result of the closure. Changes in fishing 
patterns may result in fishermen having to travel greater distances to 
reach more favorable grounds, which would likely result in increased 
fuel, bait, ice, and crew costs. While there may be a potential 
increase in travel, this is unlikely to raise significant safety 
concerns because the fleet is highly mobile. The potential shift in 
fishing grounds, should it occur, could result in fishermen selecting 
new ports for offloading. This would likely have negative social and 
economic consequences for traditional ports of offloading, including 
processors, dealers, and supply houses, and positive social and 
economic consequences for any new selected ports of offloading. NMFS 
conducted a detailed, comprehensive socio-economic analysis for the 
time/area alternatives considered in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and 
found that the economic impacts of each of the closures considered may 
be substantial, ranging in losses of up to several million dollars 
annually, depending upon the closure and displacement of a significant 
number of fishing vessels. Since the data analysis conducted in the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, several events have affected the GOM 
including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and the DWH/BP oil spill 
among other events. While social and economic impacts have likely 
occurred due to these events, NMFS believes the closure analysis in 
2006 still reflects the substantial social and economic impacts that 
would be likely to occur under the time/area closures analyzed. 
Additionally, Alternative 3 does not meet all of the objectives of this 
final rule because it does not rapidly enhance BFT stock rebuilding by 
increasing BFT spawning potential and subsequent recruitment into the 
fishery (i.e., rapidly implement the action to increase the survival of 
spawning BFT by spring 2011 in the GOM).

[[Page 18661]]

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance 
guides.'' The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is 
required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. Copies of the 
compliance guide for this final rule is available (see ADDRESSES).

Weak Hook Voucher Program

    The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (an independent 501(c)(3) 
non-profit that preserves and restores our nation's native wildlife 
species and habitats) is conducting a Weak Hook Voucher Program through 
which Atlantic Tuna Longline permit holders who use PLL gear in the GOM 
may obtain an initial supply of weak hooks. The National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation will mail vouchers to Atlantic Tuna Longline permit 
holders that used PLL gear in the GOM in 2009-2010. Atlantic Tuna 
Longline permit holders that have not received the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation voucher in the mail by April 12, 2011, and are 
planning to fish with PLL gear in the GOM this year, may request a 
voucher by contacting Mary Beth Charles with the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation at 202-595-2445 or [email protected]. Weak 
hook vouchers are for hooks that will be used in the Gulf of Mexico and 
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will consider requests for 
vouchers on a case-by-case basis.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635

    Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels, Foreign relations, Imports, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties.

    Dated: March 31, 2011.
Eric C. Schwaab,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is amended 
as follows:

PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  635.2, the definition of ``round wire stock'' is added in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  635.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Round wire stock means round metal wire, typically used in the 
manufacturing of fishing hooks, that has not been forged, or otherwise 
modified or treated in any way to increase the original factory tensile 
strength set by the hook manufacturer.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  635.21, paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(C)(2)(i) is revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  635.21  Gear operation and deployment restrictions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (C) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) For purposes of paragraphs (c)(5)(iii)(C)(1) and 
(c)(5)(iii)(C)(2) of this section, the outer diameter of an 18/0 circle 
hook at its widest point must be no smaller than 2.16 inches (55 mm), 
and the outer diameter of a 16/0 circle hook at its widest point must 
be no smaller than 1.74 inches (44.3 mm), when measured with the eye of 
the hook on the vertical axis (y-axis) and perpendicular to the 
horizontal axis (x-axis). The distance between the hook point and the 
shank (i.e., the gap) on an 18/0 circle hook must be no larger than 
1.13 inches (28.8 mm), and the gap on a 16/0 circle hook must be no 
larger than 1.01 inches (25.8 mm). The allowable offset is measured 
from the barbed end of the hook, and is relative to the parallel plane 
of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook when laid on its side. The only 
allowable offset circle hooks are those that are offset by the hook 
manufacturer. In the Gulf of Mexico, as described at Sec.  600.105(c), 
circle hooks also must be constructed of corrodible round wire stock 
that is no larger than 3.65 mm in diameter.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  635.71, add paragraph (a)(54) to read as follows:


Sec.  635.71  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (54) Possess, use, or deploy, in the Gulf of Mexico, any circle 
hook, other than as described at Sec.  635.21(c). Vessels in the Gulf 
of Mexico, with pelagic gear onboard, are prohibited from possessing, 
using, or deploying circle hooks that are constructed of round wire 
stock which is larger than 3.65 mm in diameter (See: Sec.  
635.21(c)(5)(iii)(C)(2)(i)).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-8052 Filed 4-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P