[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36071-36077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15325]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 110520295-1295-01]
RIN 0648-BA64


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Vessel Monitoring Systems

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to 
require replacement of currently required Mobile Transmitting Unit 
(MTU) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units with Enhanced Mobile 
Transmitting Unit (E-MTU) VMS units in Atlantic HMS fisheries; 
implement a declaration system that requires vessels to declare target 
fishery and gear type(s) possessed on board; and require that a 
qualified marine electrician install all E-MTU VMS units. This proposed 
rulemaking would remove dated MTU VMS units from service in Atlantic 
HMS fisheries, make Atlantic HMS VMS requirements consistent with other 
VMS-monitored Atlantic fisheries, provide the National Marine Fisheries 
Service Office of Law Enforcement (NMFS Enforcement) with enhanced 
communication with HMS vessels at sea. This rule would affect all HMS 
pelagic longline (PLL), bottom longline (BLL), and shark gillnet 
fishermen who

[[Page 36072]]

are currently required to have VMS onboard their vessels.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be submitted by August 1, 
2011. NMFS will hold three public hearings for this proposed rule in 
July 2011. For specific dates and times, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.

ADDRESSES: The public hearings will be held in Florida, Louisiana, and 
New Jersey. For specific locations see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this document.
    You may submit comments, identified by 0648-BA64, by any one of the 
following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
     Fax: 301-713-1917, Attn: Michael Clark.
     Mail: Highly Migratory Species Management Division (SF1), 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: All comments received are part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required 
fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to 
electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF 
file formats only.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
proposed rule may be submitted to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 
Management Division and by e-mail to omb.eop.gov">OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov, or 
fax to 202-395-7285

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Fairclough, (phone: 727-824-5399, 
fax: 727-824-5398) or Michael Clark (phone: 301-713-2347, fax: 301-713-
1917).
    Copies of this proposed rule and related documents, including the 
Regulatory Impact Review and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, 
can be obtained by writing to the HMS Management Division, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, visiting the HMS Web site at 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/, or by contacting Greg Fairclough or 
Michael Clark.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Atlantic HMS are managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and the Atlantic 
Tunas Conservation Act (ATCA). Under the MSA, NMFS must ensure 
consistency with the National Standards and manage fisheries to 
maintain optimum yield, rebuild overfished fisheries, and prevent 
overfishing. Under ATCA, the Secretary of Commerce is required to 
promulgate regulations, as necessary and appropriate, to implement 
measures adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation 
of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The implementing regulations for Atlantic 
HMS are at 50 CFR part 635.
    Maintaining NMFS's VMS monitoring program ensures compliance with 
both international and domestic requirements while facilitating 
enforcement of Atlantic HMS fisheries regulations. As a Contracting 
Party of ICCAT, the United States is required to collect biological 
statistics for research purposes (fishing effort and catch) and to 
implement, maintain, and monitor a viable VMS program for vessels in 
certain Atlantic HMS fisheries. Requirements to use VMS in the PLL 
fishery were implemented (June 25, 2003, 68 FR 37772) prior to ICCAT 
Recommendation's (03-14 and 04-11) that concern VMS usage in the 
convention area.
    In addition, NMFS issued a rule on December 24, 2003 (68 FR 74746), 
which required VMS operation for vessels with BLL gear onboard between 
33[deg]00' N. latitude and 36[deg]30' N. latitude to ensure compliance 
with the mid-Atlantic shark closed area. This same rule extended VMS 
requirements for shark gillnet vessels operating during the right whale 
calving season. This rule was implemented in December 2003 for purposes 
of domestic Atlantic shark management.
    Properly functioning MTU VMS units aid NMFS enforcement agents in 
monitoring and enforcing closed or restricted areas implemented to 
reduce bycatch of undersized swordfish, sharks, sea turtles, and other 
species necessary to comply with the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and National Standard 9 (bycatch 
and bycatch mortality reduction) of the MSA. There are numerous areas 
closed to fishing with PLL and BLL gear. Additionally, the location of 
all shark gillnet vessels is monitored using VMS between November 15 
and April 15 to protect right whales consistent with legal 
requirements. NMFS has implemented complementary regulations enforcing 
closed areas that were created by the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The effectiveness of 
traditional methods of monitoring and surveillance, such as vessel and 
aerial patrols, is increased tremendously through the addition of VMS--
particularly where large geographic areas are involved. VMS has been 
required in various HMS fisheries since 2003.
    The MTU VMS unit is currently required to report positions on an 
hourly basis when HMS fishing vessels carrying PLL, BLL, or shark 
gillnet gear are away from port. The MTU VMS units report vessel 
position only, and, in some instances, do not even indicate whether the 
unit is on and functioning properly. The MTU VMS unit technology is 
dated, and NMFS enforcement has reported that these units have failed 
to report while vessels are at sea. NMFS enforcement agents have also 
reported difficulty communicating with vessels when needed, such as 
when closed areas change due to an emergency rule. The newer E-MTU VMS 
units use more recent technology that, in addition to reporting vessel 
position, allows for two-way communication. By requiring that E-MTU VMS 
units be professionally installed and used to replace the dated MTU VMS 
units, NMFS will ensure that newer, more reliable, technology is in 
use, improve fisheries monitoring and enforcement of regulations, and 
provide NMFS enforcement agents with the ability to communicate 
directly with vessels at sea via electronic messaging and other means. 
With this newer technology, NMFS enforcement agents could: notify 
vessel operators of emergency changes to closed areas; provide notice 
of fishery closures in real time; inform operators of environmental 
disasters (oil rig fires/oil spills); send notice of dangerous weather; 
and receive distress or emergency transmissions.
    NMFS is also proposing that, two hours prior to leaving port, 
fishermen provide NMFS enforcement with notice of the beginning of a 
fishing trip and a declaration of the target fishery and gear onboard. 
In addition, this proposed rule would require vessel operators to 
provide a minimum of three hours' advance notice of landing. Currently, 
vessel operators are required to turn on the VMS unit two hours before 
leaving port. Under this proposed rule, vessel

[[Page 36073]]

operators would also need to declare the species being targeted and the 
gear being used. Creating a fishery declaration system would facilitate 
enforcement and compliance monitoring. Vessels may be permitted to 
participate in multiple fisheries that authorize numerous fishing 
gears. The declaration system would provide NMFS enforcement with 
advance notice of the target fishery and gear possessed onboard which 
provides enforcement with critical information concerning which 
regulations apply to that particular vessel during that trip.
    Any new declaration system would be compatible with the 
capabilities of newly required E-MTU VMS units and consistent with 
declaration protocols currently employed in Council-managed fisheries. 
Additionally, the requirement to notify NMFS enforcement at least three 
hours prior to returning to port provides notification that fishing 
activities are being completed, gear is no longer being deployed, and 
the vessel is transiting back to port.
    Additionally, vessels with E-MTU VMS units would be able to 
communicate through electronic messages with shore-based fishery 
personnel, which could allow fishery participants to: Communicate 
directly with NMFS enforcement in the case of a power disruption; 
download updated E-MTU software without removal of the device; 
communicate with manufacturers to remedy malfunctions; receive required 
software upgrades with little interference; communicate with vessel 
owners and fish houses; and send distress calls to monitoring companies 
in the event of an emergency. Although some of these features are 
potentially useful functions, they are not the primary purpose of VMS 
and, it is important that fishermen not see them as a substitute for 
required safety equipment such as a properly installed and functioning 
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
    Currently, an installation and activation checklist must be 
submitted by the vessel owner to NMFS enforcement after installation of 
a VMS unit. This proposed rulemaking would require that this checklist 
be filled out and signed by a qualified marine electrician and returned 
to NMFS enforcement by the vessel owner in order to demonstrate that 
the unit was installed properly. The installation and activation 
checklist is available from NMFS.
    On January 31, 2008, NMFS published in the Federal Register a type-
approval notice listing the specifications for approved E-MTU VMS units 
(73 FR 5813). These type-approval notices may be updated in the future 
as specifications change and/or new units become approved. Currently, 
if an existing MTU VMS unit fails and is not able to be repaired, the 
vessel owner in Atlantic HMS fisheries that are subject to VMS 
regulations would be required to purchase and use E-MTU VMS units that 
are approved by NMFS.
    Reimbursement funds are available for participants upgrading to E-
MTU VMS units in HMS fisheries, subject to limitations. Reimbursement 
funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. 
Furthermore, individuals that have previously received reimbursement 
funds for an E-MTU VMS unit required in another fishery would not be 
eligible for additional funds.

Request for Comments

    NMFS is requesting comments on any of the measures or analyses 
described in this proposed rule. Furthermore, NMFS also requests 
comments related to the potential economic impacts of this proposed 
action, including:
    1. A delayed implementation date or date by which vessel owners 
would be required to start using E-MTU VMS units to provide 
participants with ample opportunity to procure a unit and have it 
installed while still having the opportunity to take advantage of 
reimbursement funds. Currently, NMFS is considering requiring that 
vessel owners have an E-MTU VMS unit installed and operational within 
90 days of publication of the final rule.
    2. The time and costs associated with having the E-MTU VMS units 
installed by a qualified marine electrician.
    3. The advance notice timeframes associated with the proposed hail-
out and hail-in requirements (i.e., the two hour notice before leaving 
port and the three hour notice before returning to port).
    Comments on this proposed rule may be submitted via http://www.regulations.gov, mail, or fax. Comments may also be submitted at a 
public hearing (see DATES and ADDRESSES). NMFS solicits comments on 
this proposed rule until August 1, 2011. NMFS will hold two public 
hearings for this proposed rule. The hearing locations are physically 
accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language 
interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Greg 
Fairclough at 727-824-5399, at least 7 days prior to the meeting. The 
public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at the public 
hearings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each 
public hearing, a representative of NMFS will explain the ground rules 
(e.g., alcohol is prohibited from the hearing room; attendees will be 
called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to 
speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and 
attendees should not interrupt one another). The NMFS representative 
will attempt to structure the meeting so that all attending members of 
the public will be able to comment, if they so choose. Attendees are 
expected to respect the ground rules and, if they do not, they will be 
asked to leave the hearing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Location                        Date                    Time                     Address
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Petersburg, FL.................  July 7, 2011..........  6:00-8:00 p.m.........  NOAA, Southeast Regional
                                                                                      Office
                                                                                     263 13th Ave. S., St.
                                                                                      Petersburg, FL 33701.
New Orleans/Kenner, LA.............  July 13, 2011.........  2:00-5:00 p.m.........  901 Airline Drive, Kenner,
                                                                                      LA 70062.
Atlantic City, NJ..................  July 28, 2011.........  5:45-7:45 p.m.........  Atlantic County Library
                                                                                      System, Brigantine Branch
                                                                                     201 15th St. South,
                                                                                     Brigantine, NJ 08203.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

    The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed 
rule is consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management 
Plan and its amendments, the MSA and National Standards, and other 
applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule would modify a collection-of-information 
requirement associated with VMS use in Atlantic HMS fisheries subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and that has been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number (0648-0372). 
The proposed modifications are subject to review and

[[Page 36074]]

approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This 
requirement has been submitted to OMB for approval. There would be 329 
vessel owners (respondents) that may be affected by this collection. 
Public reporting burden for having the E-MTU VMS units installed by a 
qualified marine electrician (4 hours, one-time), submitting a 
checklist (completed by a qualified marine electrician) (5 minutes, 
one-time), and providing declaration reports before and after leaving 
port (5 minutes/declaration, ongoing) is estimated to result in an 
estimated total annual burden of 4,452 hours in the first year. A total 
of 48,358 responses (checklists and declaration reports) would be 
collected in the first year. The annual burden would decrease in 
subsequent years because the installation and submission of a completed 
checklist would be one-time burdens. Table 1 provides estimates of the 
number of participants affected by this collection and the financial 
burden associated with this action in year one and subsequent years.
    Public comment is sought regarding the estimated burden hours 
associated with installation of the new E-MTU VMS units (4 hours per 
vessel). Furthermore, comments are also sought concerning whether this 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of NMFS, including whether the information 
would have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways 
to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to Greg 
Fairclough, the Highly Migratory Species Management Division, at the 
ADDRESSES above, and by e-mail to omb.eop.gov">OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax 
to (202) 395-7285. Comments submitted in response to this proposed 
modification to an existing information collection will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection and will also be included in the public record.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Environmental impacts are not expected and the action is within the 
scope of that previously analyzed when existing VMS requirements were 
implemented. This action would not directly affect fishing effort, 
quotas, fishing gear, authorized species, interactions with threatened 
or endangered species, or other relevant parameters.
    NMFS has prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA), as required by 5 U.S.C. 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
to analyze the economic impacts that this proposed rule could have on 
small entities. A description of the proposed action, why it is being 
considered, and the legal basis for this proposed action are contained 
in the preamble to this proposed rule. A summary of the analysis 
follows. A copy of the complete analysis is available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES).
    Section 603(b)(1) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires that 
the Agency describe the reasons the action is being considered. The 
purpose of this proposed rulemaking is, consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments, to 
aid NMFS in monitoring and enforcing fisheries regulations, including 
those implemented at 50 CFR part 635 pertaining to HMS. Requiring that 
an E-MTU VMS unit be installed by a qualified marine electrician and 
implementing a declaration system would provide NMFS enforcement with 
improved communication capabilities with vessels at sea and fishing for 
HMS. The declaration system would also provide valuable information 
concerning target species and gear possessed onboard vessels to ensure 
enforcement of closed or restricted areas and other regulations.
    Section 603(b)(2) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires a 
succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal basis for, the 
proposed rule. The objectives of this proposed rulemaking are to 
consider changes to the HMS regulations at 50 CFR part 635 requiring 
the use of VMS in Atlantic HMS fisheries. Requiring E-MTU VMS units in 
Atlantic HMS fisheries would represent a technological improvement over 
the MTU VMS units currently in use. By removing dated MTU VMS units 
from HMS fishing vessels and requiring that E-MTU VMS units be 
professionally installed, NMFS would improve fisheries monitoring and 
enforcement of regulations and provide NMFS the ability to communicate 
directly with individual vessels at sea via electronic messaging and 
other means.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 603 (b)(3), Federal agencies must provide an 
estimate of the number of small entities to which the rule would apply. 
The Small Business Administration (SBA) standards for a ``small'' 
versus ``large'' business entity are entities that have 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. Under these standards, NMFS considers all HMS permit 
holders subject to this rulemaking to be small entities. NMFS estimates 
that this proposed rule would require 329 vessel owners deploying 
either PLL, BLL, or gillnet gear in HMS fisheries to have an E-MTU VMS 
unit installed by a qualified marine electrician. All of these vessel 
owners are considered small entities and are already required to have 
MTU VMS units. Depending on the fishing gear possessed on board, 
vessels would continue to use VMS units when away from port to provide 
location reports consistent with existing regulations. These vessels 
would also be required to declare target species and gear types 
possessed on board to NMFS enforcement prior to leaving port and then 
provide NMFS enforcement advanced notice of landing. The fishery 
declaration and return reports must be sent via an E-MTU VMS unit.
    This proposed rule contains some modifications to existing 
reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements (5 U.S.C. 
603 (b)(4)). This proposed rule would not conflict, duplicate, or 
overlap with other relevant Federal rules (5 U.S.C. 603(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 MSA, ATCA, the High Seas 
Fishing Compliance Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the 
Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the 
Coastal Zone Management Act. NMFS does not believe that the new 
regulations proposed to be implemented would duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with any relevant regulations, Federal or otherwise.
    One of the requirements of an IRFA is to describe any alternatives 
to the proposed rule which accomplish the stated objectives and which 
minimize any significant economic impacts. The Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 603

[[Page 36075]]

(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 proposed rule, consistent 
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS cannot exempt small entities or 
change the reporting requirements only for small entities because all 
of the participants in Atlantic HMS fisheries are considered small 
entities. The new proposed requirements to have an updated E-MTU VMS 
unit installed by a qualified marine technician and expand reporting 
requirements to include a declaration system is expected to improve the 
reliability of VMS transmissions and provide NMFS enforcement with 
additional information to accurately monitor fishing activities. NMFS 
does not specify a particular manufacturer or model of VMS unit that 
vessel owners would need to procure to comply with the proposed action. 
There are several models available that meet the specifications 
described in the latest type approval notice (January 31, 2008; 73 FR 
5813). NMFS performance standards are outlined in type approval notices 
published periodically by NMFS.
    NMFS is considering two alternatives in compliance with the Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. Alternative one, the no action alternative, 
would maintain the existing VMS requirements in Atlantic HMS fisheries. 
Alternative two would mandate that Atlantic HMS vessels that are 
required to use VMS replace their MTU VMS unit with an E-MTU VMS and 
have the new unit installed by a qualified marine electrician. This 
alternative would also implement a fishery declaration system where 
vessels would declare their target species and gear type (s) possessed 
onboard, as well as require vessels to provide advanced notice of 
departure and landing. Alternative two is the preferred alternative.
    Under the no action alternative, vessels that are required to use 
VMS would be able to continue to use the MTU VMS units currently being 
employed in the PLL, BLL, and gillnet fisheries or access reimbursement 
funds ($3,100 per VMS unit) to replace these units with E-MTU VMS 
units. The decision to replace existing units with E-MTU VMS units 
would be at the discretion of individual vessel owners. Costs for 
individual E-MTU VMS units that meet the type approval specifications 
start at approximately $3,100 per unit depending on the manufacturer, 
model, and additional features of the unit. In the event that existing 
units failed beyond repair, E-MTU VMS units would need to be installed, 
and owners would be eligible for reimbursement funds ($3,100 per VMS 
unit) to offset the initial costs of the unit. NMFS expects that any 
vessel owner who applies for reimbursement funds will receive those 
funds, however reimbursement funds are not guaranteed and are subject 
to limitations and distributed on a first come, first served basis. In 
the event of necessary replacement, the E-MTU VMS units would need to 
be procured by vessel owners before returning to fishing activities, 
consistent with existing regulations, depending on the gear possessed 
onboard the vessel, timing, and location of the fishing activity. This 
alternative would not require that the new units be installed by a 
qualified marine electrician, rather, the new units could be installed 
by vessel owners/operators and an installation checklist would need to 
be completed and sent to NMFS enforcement per existing requirements.
    Existing units are not capable of sending or receiving electronic 
messages, therefore, vessel owners or operators would not be required 
to provide NMFS enforcement with information concerning target species 
and gear possessed on board prior to leaving port to engage in fishing 
activities. Furthermore, vessel owners or operators would not be 
required to provide NMFS enforcement with advanced notice of departure 
and landing. Vessels would still be required to provide hourly position 
reports, starting two hours before leaving port, when away from port. 
It is estimated that these reports would continue to cost $1.00 per day 
assuming 24 reports are sent. Maintenance costs for these units are 
estimated at $500 per vessel per year. Some vessels may be committed to 
long-term service contracts with communication service providers and 
maintaining the status quo would not require vessels to break these 
contracts, avoiding any early termination fees.
    Under the preferred alternative, participants would be required to 
install E-MTU VMS units, but they would be able to access reimbursement 
funds ($3,100 per VMS unit) to offset the initial costs of the units. 
Reimbursement funds would be subject to limitations and distributed on 
a first come, first served basis. Furthermore, individuals that have 
previously received reimbursement funds for an E-MTU VMS unit required 
in another fishery would not be eligible for additional funds. The 
proposed action would also require that the units are installed by a 
qualified marine electrician ($200 per installation) to ensure that 
units are installed and operating properly to avoid transmission 
failures that may occur when vessels are away from port and subject to 
VMS requirements. Marine electricians are capable of providing 
information on E-MTU VMS use and troubleshooting during the 
installation process. NMFS is also considering a delayed implementation 
date of 90 days after the final rule publishes to allow vessel owners 
time to procure and have an E-MTU VMS unit installed by a qualified 
marine electrician and operational on their vessels, thereby avoiding 
any early termination fees that may incur. The exact cost of 
termination fees are difficult to calculate as the terms of service 
contracts vary according to service providers and are likely to be 
vessel specific. Finally, unlike the MTU VMS units, which could have 
maintenance costs of approximately $500 per year, E-MTU VMS units have 
very low to no maintenance costs.
    Costs of compliance with the preferred alternative for vessel 
owners are estimated to be $3,771; $3,630; $3,537 per vessel for PLL, 
BLL, and shark gillnet vessels, respectively, in the first year (Table 
1). These are the costs of compliance, pre-reimbursement. Reimbursement 
funds of $3,100 per VMS unit would reduce the costs to $546 per vessel, 
on average, across all fisheries. Costs in year two (and beyond) would 
be limited to the costs of sending/receiving declaration reports ($0.06 
per report) and providing vessel location information on an hourly 
basis ($1.56 per vessel per day) and is estimated to be $471; $331; and 
$237 per vessel for PLL, BLL, and shark gillnet vessels respectively.
    Table 1 summarizes some of the costs associated with the proposed 
rule. A description of the figures and calculations used in Table 1 is 
provided below the table.

[[Page 36076]]



    Table 1--Costs of Compliance Expected as a Result of Requiring E-MTU VMS Units in Affected HMS Fisheries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Pelagic longline      Shark bottom longline
                                               vessels                  vessels           Shark gillnet vessels
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-MTU VMS Unit.......................  $3,100.................  $3,100.................  $3,100.
Estimated Installation Costs (one-     $50-400 ($200 used for   $50-400 ($200 used for   $50-400 ($200 used for
 time).                                 estimation purposes).    estimation purposes).    estimation purposes)
Daily Position Report Costs (Hourly,   $1.44..................  $1.44..................  $1.44.
 24/day) ($0.06/report * 24 reports/
 day).
Estimated Days Fishing/Year..........  324....................  212....................  152.
Annual Position Report Costs/Vessel    $466.56/vessel.........  $305.28/vessel.........  $218.88/vessel.
 ($1.44/day * days fishing/year).
Annual Number of Fishing Trips.......  36.....................  212....................  152.
Annual Gear/Spp. Declaration Costs     $4.32..................  $25.44.................  $18.24.
 ($0.12/trip)/Vessel ($0.12/trip *
 trips/year) \1\.
Total Estimated Costs/Vessel (Year 1)  $3,770.88..............  $3,630.72..............  $3,537.12.
 (VMS unit + installation + position
 reports + declaration reports).
Number of Affected Vessels...........  249....................  50.....................  30.
Total Costs by Fishery (Year 1)        $938,949...............  $181,536...............  $106,113.
 (Total Estimated Costs/Vessel *
 Number of Affected Vessels).
Gross Cost of Compliance, Year One     .......................  $1,226,598.............  .......................
 (all HMS vessels combined).
Potential Reimbursement Funds ($3,100/ .......................  $1,019,900.............  .......................
 vessel * Number of Affected Vessels).
Compliance Costs (Year 1) (avg. cost/  $670/vessel............  $530/vessel............  $437/vessel.
 vessel) (installation + position
 reports + declaration reports).
Compliance Costs/Vessel (Year 2 and    $470/vessel............  $330/vessel............  $237/vessel.
 Beyond) (position reports +
 declaration reports).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The declaration costs per trip will vary based upon the number of gear types possessed onboard as operators
  would be required to submit one declaration for each fishing gear possessed.

    There are benefits associated with the proposed action relative to 
the no-action alternative. Requiring that an E-MTU VMS unit be 
installed by a qualified marine electrician would improve the 
reliability of VMS data transmitted from HMS vessels. Implementing a 
declaration system would enhance NMFS communication with HMS vessels at 
sea and provide valuable information concerning target species and gear 
type(s) possessed onboard vessels to ensure sound enforcement of closed 
areas and other regulations. Furthermore, the delayed implementation 
date associated with the preferred alternative would allow more time 
for fishermen to make the transition to the new VMS units and a 
declaration system. NMFS is seeking comment from the public regarding 
the implementation date and costs for installation to ensure that 
economic impacts are accurate. One of the objectives of this proposed 
action is to modify the requirements in order to ensure that small 
entities affected can access the reimbursement funds and make the 
transition to E-MTU VMS gradually.
    This proposed action does not contain regulatory provisions with 
federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment under E.O. 13132.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635

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

    Dated: June 14, 2011.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

    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.

    2. In Sec.  635.69, paragraphs (a) introductory text, (d), (e), and 
(g) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.69  Vessel monitoring systems.

    (a) Applicability. To facilitate enforcement of time/area and 
fishery closures, an owner or operator of a commercial vessel, 
permitted to fish for Atlantic HMS under Sec.  635.4 and that fishes 
with a pelagic or bottom longline or gillnet gear, is required to 
install a NMFS-approved enhanced mobile transmitting unit vessel 
monitoring system (VMS) on board the vessel and operate the VMS unit 
under the following circumstances:
* * * * *
    (d) Installation and activation. Only a VMS unit that has been 
approved by NMFS for the applicable fishery may be used, and the VMS 
unit must be installed by a qualified marine electrician. When the 
NMFS-approved VMS unit is installed and activated or reinstalled and 
reactivated, the vessel owner or operator must--
    (1) Follow procedures indicated on a NMFS-approved installation and 
activation checklist for the applicable fishery, which is available 
from NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region; and,
    (2) Submit to NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, a

[[Page 36077]]

statement certifying compliance with the checklist, as prescribed on 
the checklist.
    (3) Submit to NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region, the 
checklist, completed by a qualified marine electrician, which is 
available from NMFS, Office of Enforcement, Southeast Region. Vessels 
fishing prior to NMFS' receipt of the completed checklist and 
compliance certification statement will be in violation of the VMS 
requirement.
    (e) Operation. (1) Owners or operators of vessels permitted, or 
required to be permitted, to fish for HMS, that have pelagic or bottom 
longline gear or gillnet gear on board, and that are required to have a 
VMS unit installed, as specified in paragraph (a) of this section, must 
activate the VMS unit to submit automatic position reports at least 2 
hours prior to leaving port and continuing until the vessel returns to 
port. While at sea, the unit must always be on, operating and reporting 
without interruption, and NMFS enforcement must receive position 
reports without interruption. No person may interfere with, tamper 
with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of a VMS, or 
attempt any of the same. Vessels fishing outside the geographic area of 
operation of the installed VMS will be in violation of the VMS 
requirement.
    (2) At least 2 hours prior to departure for each trip, a vessel 
owner or operator must report to NMFS any HMS fishery in which the 
vessel will participate on that trip and the specific type(s) of 
fishing gear, using NMFS-defined gear codes, that will be on board the 
vessel. If the vessel will be participating in multiple HMS fisheries, 
or multiple gears will be possessed on board the vessel, the vessel 
owner or operator must submit multiple electronic reports to NMFS. This 
information must be reported to NMFS using an attached VMS terminal.
    (3) A vessel owner or operator must report advance notice of 
landing to NMFS. For the purposes of this paragraph, landing means to 
arrive at a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp. The vessel owner or 
operator is responsible for ensuring that NMFS is contacted at least 3 
hours in advance of landing. This information must be reported to NMFS 
using an attached VMS terminal.
* * * * *
    (g) Repair and replacement. After a fishing trip during which 
interruption of automatic position reports has occurred, the vessel's 
owner or operator must have a qualified marine electrician replace or 
repair the VMS unit prior to the vessel's next trip. Repair or 
reinstallation of a VMS unit or installation of a replacement, 
including change of communications service provider, shall be in 
accordance with the installation and activation requirements specified 
at paragraph (d) of this section.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-15325 Filed 6-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P