[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15885-15888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05785]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 121107617-3181-02]
RIN 0648-XC351


Western Pacific Fisheries; 2013 Annual Catch Limits and 
Accountability Measures

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

ACTION: Final specifications.

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SUMMARY: In this rule, NMFS specifies annual catch limits for western 
Pacific bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef 
ecosystem fisheries, and accountability measures to correct or mitigate 
any overages of catch limits. The catch limits and accountability 
measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of 
the U.S. Pacific Islands.

DATES: The final specifications are effective April 12, 2013 through 
December 31, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery ecosystem plans are available from the 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., 
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or 
www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental assessments and findings 
of no significant impact for this action, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2012-
0226, are available from www.regulations.gov, or from Michael D. 
Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 
1601 Kapiolani Blvd. 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIR Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-944-2108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying the 2013 annual catch 
limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AM) for bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem fishery management 
unit species (MUS) in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, generally 
3-200 nm from shore) around American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Hawaii. The 2013 fishing year 
begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, except for precious coral 
fisheries, for which the fishing year began on July 1, 2012, and ends 
on June 30, 2013.
    NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean, precious 
coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in the Fishery Ecosystem 
Plan (FEP) for the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA), because 
commercial fishing is prohibited in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine 
National Monument, typically within about 50 nm of shore (Presidential 
Proclamation 8336, January 12, 2009, 74 FR 1565). Moreover, there is no 
suitable habitat for these fisheries, except at Kingman Reef, where 
fishing for these resources does not presently occur. NMFS is currently 
reviewing a proposed amendment to the PRIA FEP, which proposes to 
permit non-commercial fishing 12 nm seaward of emergent features in the 
Pacific Remote Islands Monument, and ensure such fishing, if allowed, 
is managed as a sustainable activity (see the proposed rule, February 
21, 2013, 78 FR 12015).
    Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for MUS that are 
currently subject to Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. These 
MUS include all species of gold coral, all species of deepwater 
precious corals at the Westpac Bed Refugium, and the three Hawaii 
seamount groundfish: pelagic armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish. The 
current prohibitions on fishing for these MUS serve as a functional 
equivalent of an ACL of zero. Finally, NMFS is also not specifying ACLs 
for pelagic MUS at this time, because it previously determined that 
pelagic species are subject to international fishery agreements or have 
a life cycle of approximately one year and, therefore, have statutory 
exceptions to the ACL requirements.

[[Page 15886]]



                         Table 1--American Samoa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Management unit        Proposed ACL
           Fishery                   species            specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish..................  Bottomfish multi-     101,000 lb (45,813
                               species stock         kg).
                               complex.
Crustacean..................  Deepwater Shrimp....  80,000 lb (36,287
                                                     kg).
                              Spiny Lobster.......  2,300 lb (1,043 kg).
                              Slipper Lobster.....  30 lb (14 kg).
                              Kona Crab...........  3,200 lb (1,451 kg).
Precious Coral..............  Black Coral.........  790 lb (358 kg).
                              Precious Corals in    2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
                               the American Samoa
                               Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........  Acanthuridae--surgeo  19,516 lb (8,852
                               nfish.                kg).
                              Lutjanidae--snappers  18,839 lb (8,545
                                                     kg).
                              Selar                 8,396 lb (3,808 kg).
                               crumenophthalmus--a
                               tule or bigeye scad.
                              Mollusks--turbo       16,694 lb (7,572
                               snail; octopus;       kg).
                               giant clams.
                              Carangidae--jacks...  9,490 lb (4,305 kg).
                              Lethrinidae--emperor  7,350 lb (3,334 kg).
                               s.
                              Scaridae--parrotfish  8,145 lb (3,695 kg).
                              Serranidae--groupers  5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
                              Holocentridae--squir  2,585 lb (1,173 kg).
                               relfish.
                              Mugilidae--mullets..  2,857 lb (1,296 kg).
                              Crustaceans--crabs..  2,248 lb (1,020 kg).
                              Bolbometopon          235 lb (107 kg).
                               muricatum--bumphead
                               parrotfish.
                              Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,743 lb (791 kg).
                               Humphead (Napoleon)
                               wrasse.
                              Carcharhinidae--Reef  1,309 lb (594 kg).
                               Sharks.
                              All Other CREMUS      18,910 lb (8,577
                               combined.             kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Table 2--Mariana Archipelago--Guam
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Management unit        Proposed ACL
           Fishery                   species            specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish..................  Bottomfish multi-     66,800 lb (30,300
                               species stock         kg).
                               complex.
Crustaceans.................  Deepwater Shrimp....  48,488 lb (21,994
                                                     kg).
                              Spiny Lobster.......  2,700 lb (1,225 kg).
                              Slipper Lobster.....  20 lb (9 kg).
                              Kona Crab...........  1,900 lb (862 kg).
Precious Coral..............  Black Coral.........  700 lb (318 kg).
                              Precious Corals in    2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
                               the Guam
                               Exploratory Area.
Cora Reef Ecosystem.........  Acanthuridae--surgeo  70,702 lb (32,070
                               nfish.                kg).
                              Carangidae--jacks...  45,377 lb (20,583
                                                     kg).
                              Selar                 56,514 lb (25,634
                               crumenophthalmus--a   kg).
                               tulai or bigeye
                               scad.
                              Lethrinidae--emperor  38,720 lb (17,563
                               s.                    kg).
                              Scaridae--parrotfish  28,649 lb (12,995
                                                     kg).
                              Mullidae--goatfish..  25,367 lb (11,506
                                                     kg).
                              Mollusks--turbo       21,941 lb (9,952
                               snail; octopus;       kg).
                               giant clams.
                              Siganidae--rabbitfis  26,120 lb (11,848
                               h.                    kg).
                              Lutjanidae--snappers  17,726 lb (8,040
                                                     kg).
                              Serranidae--groupers  17,958 lb (8,146
                                                     kg).
                              Mugilidae--mullets..  15,032 lb (6,818
                                                     kg).
                              Kyphosidae--chubs/    13,247 lb (6,009
                               rudderfish.           kg).
                              Crustaceans--crabs..  5,523 lb (2,505 kg).
                              Holocentridae--squir  8,300 lb (3,765 kg).
                               relfish.
                              Algae...............  5,329 lb (2,417 kg).
                              Labridae--wrasses...  5,195 lb (2,356 kg).
                              Bolbometopon          797 lb (362 kg)
                               muricatum--bumphead   (CNMI and Guam
                               parrotfish.           combined).
                              Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,960 lb (889 kg).
                               Humphead (Napoleon)
                               wrasse.
                              Carcharhinidae--Reef  6,942 lb (3,149 kg).
                               Sharks.
                              All Other CREMUS      83,214 lb (37,745
                               combined.             kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Table 3--Mariana Archipelago--CNMI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Management unit        Proposed ACL
           Fishery                   species            specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish..................  Bottomfish multi-     228,000 lb (103,419
                               species stock         kg).
                               complex.
Crustacean..................  Deepwater Shrimp....  275,570 lb (124,996
                                                     kg).
                              Spiny Lobster.......  5,500 lb (2,495 kg).

[[Page 15887]]

 
                              Slipper Lobster.....  60 lb (27 kg).
                              Kona Crab...........  6,300 lb (2,858 kg).
Precious Coral..............  Black Coral.........  2,100 lb (953 kg).
                              Precious Corals in    2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
                               the CNMI
                               Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........  Lethrinidae--emperor  27,466 lb (12,458
                               s.                    kg).
                              Carangidae--jacks...  21,512 lb (9,758
                                                     kg).
                              Acanthuridae--surgeo  6,884 lb (3,123 kg).
                               nfish.
                              Selar                 7,459 lb (3,383 kg).
                               crumenophthalmus--a
                               tulai or bigeye
                               scad.
                              Serranidae--groupers  5,519 lb (2,503 kg).
                              Lutjanidae--snappers  3,905 lb (1,771 kg).
                              Mullidae--goatfish..  3,670 lb (1,665 kg).
                              Scaridae--parrotfish  3,784 lb (1,716 kg).
                              Mollusks--turbo       4,446 lb (2,017 kg).
                               snail; octopus;
                               giant clams.
                              Mugilidae--mullets..  3,308 lb (1,500 kg).
                              Siganidae--rabbitfis  2,537 lb (1,151 kg).
                               h.
                              Bolbometopon          797 lb (362 kg)
                               muricatum--bumphead   (CNMI and Guam
                               parrotfish.           combined).
                              Cheilinus undulatus-- 2,009 lb (911 kg).
                               Humphead (Napoleon)
                               wrasse.
                              Carcharhinidae--Reef  5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
                               Sharks.
                              All Other CREMUS      9,820 lb (4,454 kg).
                               combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             Table 4--Hawaii
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Management unit        Proposed ACL
           Fishery                   species            specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish..................  Non-Deep 7            145,000 (65,771 kg).
                               Bottomfish.
Crustacean..................  Deepwater Shrimp....  250,773 lb (113,749
                                                     kg).
                              Spiny Lobster.......  10,000 lb (4,536
                                                     kg).
                              Slipper Lobster.....  280 lb (127 kg).
                              Kona Crab...........  27,600 lb (12,519
                                                     kg).
Precious Coral..............  Auau Channel Black    5,512 lb (2,500 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Makapuu Bed--Pink     2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Makapuu Bed--Bamboo   551 lb (250 kg).
                               Coral.
                              180 Fathom Bank--     489 lb (222 kg).
                               Pink Coral.
                              180 Fathom Bank--     123 lb (56 kg).
                               Bamboo Coral.
                              Brooks Bank--Pink     979 lb (444 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Brooks Bank--Bamboo   245 lb (111 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Kaena Point Bed--     148 lb (67 kg).
                               Pink Coral.
                              Kaena Point Bed--     37 lb (17 kg).
                               Bamboo Coral.
                              Keahole Bed--Pink     148 lb (67 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Keahole Bed--Bamboo   37 lb (17 kg).
                               Coral.
                              Precious Corals in    2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
                               the Hawaii
                               Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........  Selar                 651,292 lb (295,421
                               crumenophthalmus--a   kg).
                               kule or bigeye scad.
                              Decapterus            393,563 lb (178,517
                               macarellus--opelu     kg).
                               or mackerel scad.
                              Carangidae--jacks...  193,423 lb (87,735
                                                     kg).
                              Mullidae--goatfish..  125,813 lb (57,068
                                                     kg).
                              Acanthuridae--surgeo  80,545 lb (36,535
                               nfish.                kg).
                              Lutjanidae--snappers  65,102 lb (29,530
                                                     kg).
                              Holocentridae--squir  44,122 lb (20,013
                               relfish.              kg).
                              Mugilidae--mullets..  41,112 lb (18,648
                                                     kg).
                              Mollusks--turbo       28,765 lb (13,048
                               snails; octopus.      kg).
                              Scaridae--parrotfish  33,326 lb (15,116
                                                     kg).
                              Crustaceans--crabs..  20,686 lb (9,383
                                                     kg).
                              Carcharhinidae--Reef  111,566 lb (50,605
                               Sharks.               kg).
                              All Other CREMUS      142,282 lb (64,538
                               combined.             kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accountability Measures

    NMFS and the Council, relying on information from local resource 
management agencies in American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii, will 
conduct a post-season accounting of the annual catch for each stock and 
stock complex immediately after the end of the fishing year. If an ACL 
is exceeded, the Council will take action in accordance with 50 CFR 
600.310(g), which may include a recommendation that NMFS reduce the ACL 
for the subsequent fishing year by the amount of the overage, or other 
measure, as appropriate.
    Additional background information on this action is found in the 
preamble to the proposed specifications, and is not repeated here.

[[Page 15888]]

Comments and Responses

    On January 31, 2013, NMFS published a request for public comments 
(78 FR 6798) on proposed specifications that are finalized here. The 
public comment period ended on February 15, 2013. NMFS received two 
comments, and responds, as follows:
    Comment 1: Affirming support for the proposed specifications as a 
tool to prevent overfishing of a renewable resource and ensure a better 
future for prosperity.
    Response: NMFS agrees that these final specifications are essential 
to help prevent overfishing, and ensure sustainable, long-term catches 
for fishermen.
    Comment 2: Fishermen should be able to catch as much fish as they 
can because a free market would establish better acceptable catch 
levels than a government agency.
    Response: Federal law requires NMFS and the Council to manage 
fisheries using annual catch limits to ensure sustainable fisheries. 
NMFS and the Council developed the annual catch limit specifications 
using the best available scientific and commercial information, and in 
consideration of scientific uncertainty and social and economic 
factors. The final specifications result from the mechanism established 
in the Council's fishery ecosystem plans, consistent with the National 
Standard 1 requirements found at 50 CFR 600.310.

Changes From the Proposed Specifications

    There are no changes in the final specifications.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action 
is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island 
fishery resources, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed specification stage that this action 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. The factual basis for the certification was published 
in the proposed specifications and is not repeated here. No comments 
were received regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory 
flexibility analysis was not required, and none was prepared.
    This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 8, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and 
duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05785 Filed 3-12-13; 8:45 am]
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