[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22950-23052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08127]



[[Page 22949]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 74

April 17, 2013

Part II





Department of Commerce





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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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15 CFR Part 902

50 CFR Parts 622 and 640





 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Final 
Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 17, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 22950]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 902

50 CFR Parts 622 and 640

[Docket No. 120403251-3290-01]
RIN 0648-BB70


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic

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

ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS hereby reorganizes the regulations implementing the 
fishery management plans (FMPs) for the following domestic fisheries in 
the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic: Caribbean coral, 
Caribbean reef fish, Caribbean spiny lobster, Caribbean queen conch, 
Gulf red drum, Gulf reef fish, Gulf shrimp, Gulf coral, Gulf and South 
Atlantic coastal migratory pelagics, Gulf and South Atlantic spiny 
lobster, South Atlantic coral, South Atlantic snapper-grouper, South 
Atlantic shrimp, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, South Atlantic golden 
crab, and South Atlantic pelagic sargassum. This interim final rule 
does not create any new rights or obligations; it reorganizes the 
existing regulatory requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations in 
a more logical format, i.e., by fishery, so constituents and other 
interested parties can locate regulatory requirements applicable to 
them more easily. As a part of this reorganization, the implementing 
regulations for the Gulf and South Atlantic spiny lobster FMP have been 
consolidated into the same CFR part as all other regulations 
implementing FMPs in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic. 
This interim final rule also amends references to Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) collection-of-information requirements to reflect the 
reorganization. Additionally, this interim final rule also amends 
references to incorporation by reference (IBR) to reflect updated 
regulatory references for the Florida Administrative Code. The intended 
effect of this interim final rule is to improve the organization of 
these regulations and make them easier for constituents and others to 
use.

DATES: This interim final rule is effective April 17, 2013, except:
    1. The addition of Sec. Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(vii) and 622.41(q), and 
the suspension of Sec. Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(vi) and 622.41(b), are 
effective April 17, 2013 through May 15, 2013.
    2. The addition of Sec.  622.193(n)(3) and the suspension of Sec.  
622.193(n)(1) are effective April 17, 2013 through May 6, 2013.
    3. The addition of Sec.  622.39(c)(3) and the suspension of Sec.  
622.39(c)(1) are effective April 17, 2013 through September 23, 2013.
    4. In Sec.  622.2, the addition of definitions for ``Off Alabama'', 
``Off Louisiana'', and ``Off Mississippi'' is effective April 17, 2013 
through September 23, 2013.
    Comments may be submitted through May 17, 2013. The IBR of certain 
publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of April 17, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2012-0250'', by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0250, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Scott Sandorf, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments are specificaly sought on the structure and 
format of the reorganization, not the regulations currently in effect, 
which are outside the scope of this rulemaking. Comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments 
received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted 
for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential 
business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted 
voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted 
in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Electronic copies of documents supporting this interim final rule 
may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Sandorf, telephone: 727-824-5305 
or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The regulations implementing the FMPs approved under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
for the domestic fisheries in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South 
Atlantic were last reorganized by NMFS in 1996 (61 FR 47821, September 
11, 1996). Since then, Federal regulations for most fisheries have 
become more complex, and new fisheries have come under Federal 
management. This has significantly increased the length of the overall 
regulations and has made it more difficult for constituents and other 
users to locate applicable provisions of the regulations and to use the 
regulations most effectively. Currently, these regulations are 
organized by the categories of management measures applicable to all or 
most fisheries. For example, bag and possession limits for all of these 
fisheries are located under a single regulatory section heading, and 
the same is true for other categories of management measures, e.g., 
minimum size limits, seasonal harvest limitations etc. In some cases, 
even after finding the appropriate regulatory section heading, a user 
must sort through numerous pages of regulatory text to find the 
regulatory provision specific to his or her fishery. This can be time 
consuming and confusing. In addition, some of the current regulatory 
headings are not sufficiently descriptive, e.g., ``Species specific 
limitations'', or are rather broad, e.g., ``Limitations on traps or 
pots.'' NMFS has determined that the current regulations need to be 
reorganized to make them more user-friendly.
    This interim final rule reorganizes the regulations for the 15 
fisheries currently in part 622 and reorganizes and incorporates the 
part 640 regulations (Gulf and South Atlantic spiny lobster) into part 
622. With this incorporation, all Magnuson-Stevens Act fisheries 
regulations applicable to the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South 
Atlantic are now located in a single location, part 622.
    This interim final rule reorganizes the part 622 regulations by 
fishery rather than by category of management measures. Regulations 
specific to each fishery are contained in a separate subpart within 
part 622. This allows a constituent interested in the regulations for a 
specific fishery to go directly to a subpart of the regulations that 
contains all regulations specific to that fishery

[[Page 22951]]

without sorting through regulations applicable to the other 15 
fisheries. NMFS has determined that this organization will be much more 
efficient for the majority of constituents as well as other users. It 
should be noted that, as is the case with the current regulations, some 
regulations that apply broadly to numerous fisheries, e.g., purpose and 
scope, vessel identification, etc., are located in ``General 
Provisions'' within subpart A and, and where applicable, are in 
addition to the regulations contained in the specific fishery subparts. 
This was necessary to avoid unnecessary duplication.
    To further improve the regulations, this interim final rule uses 
more section headings to guide the users, makes some section headings 
more descriptive, and eliminates some outdated regulatory text. In some 
cases, minor revisions to regulatory text have been made for 
consistency or to improve clarity. This interim final rule does not add 
any regulatory requirements.
    Periodically NMFS reviews the regulations and removes outdated 
regulatory text that is no longer relevant. In this interim final rule, 
the following outdated text, referenced here as to its section 
locations within the prior version of part 622, has been removed: In 
Sec.  622.4, text related to South Atlantic rock shrimp provisions that 
expired in 2010 and text related to Eastern Gulf reef fish bottom 
longline endorsement initial eligibility, issuance, and appeals that is 
no longer relevant; in Sec.  622.19, text regarding South Atlantic rock 
shrimp limited access endorsements and special permit application 
provisions that expired in 2010; in Sec.  622.20 outdated text related 
to initial Gulf grouper and tilefishes IFQ account set up information 
for initial shareholders and dealers; in Sec.  622.37, a black sea bass 
size limit that expired after 2007; and in Sec.  622.49, text related 
to annual catch limits and accountability measures that expired in 2010 
or 2011.
    This interim final rule also slightly revises some terminology to 
provide consistency and clarity and to reduce redundancy. As a 
consequence of incorporating part 640 regulations into part 622, it was 
necessary to slightly revise the definitions of ``Carapace length'' and 
``Off Florida'' to resolve minor differences between these definitions 
in the two parts, and account for the two definitions of ``Import''. 
This interim final rule uses the definition of ``Carapace length'' 
previously found in part 640 because that definition was recently 
updated to conform with Florida law and is less technical and easier 
for most users to understand. Although the defining coordinates for the 
two definitions of ``Off Florida'' are identical, this interim rule 
retains the part 622 definition for clarity. In this interim final rule 
the two definitions of ``Import'' are combined into one definition that 
maintains the geographical distinctions of the two separate 
definitions, with one applicable to subpart R, Spiny Lobster Fishery of 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, and the other applicable to 
Subpart T, Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
    Additionally, this rule revises a number of IBRs within the Federal 
regulations. The Florida Administrative Code has been reorganized and 
this rule updates the existing references in 50 CFR part 622 to reflect 
the renumbering. This interim final rule revises the location of the 
existing IBR.
    This interim final rule also resolves two minor errors that 
occurred in prior rulemakings. First, prior to this reorganization of 
part 622, Sec.  622.48, ``Adjustment of management measures'', 
contained two paragraphs listing items for Caribbean corals that could 
be adjusted via framework procedures, Sec. Sec.  622.48(a) and 
622.48(o), that were mostly redundant. As part of a prior rulemaking 
(76 FR 82414, December 30, 2011), Sec.  622.48(a) was supposed to have 
been removed but was inadvertently retained. This interim final rule 
resolves that error by removing that old paragraph, Sec.  622.48(a) and 
has incorporated the old Sec.  622.48(o) as Sec.  622.474(a) in this 
newly reorganized part 622. Second, in the 1996 reorganization of part 
622 (61 FR 34930, July 3, 1996), Sec.  622.46(a), relating to 
prevention of gear conflict, was applied to all fisheries governed by 
part 622. Prior to the 1996 reorganization, the paragraph applied only 
to the Gulf shrimp fishery. This interim final rule corrects the error 
made in the 1996 reorganization by restricting application of that 
paragraph to the Gulf shrimp fishery in newly reorganized Sec.  
622.59(a). This interim rule's resolution of these two errors results 
in a slightly less restrictive regulatory effect.
    NMFS previously published in the Federal Register a temporary rule 
implementing management measures for Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish 
(77 FR 67303, November 9, 2012), an emergency rule implementing 
management measures for South Atlantic yellowtail snapper (77 FR 66744, 
November 7, 2012), and an emergency rule implementing management 
measures for Gulf of Mexico red snapper (78 FR 17882, March 25, 2013). 
Those rules added and suspended certain paragraphs within part 622 (see 
DATES section). Both added and suspended paragraphs are included in the 
regulatory text in this temporary final rule within instruction number 
3, which revises part 622. Then the paragraphs that are suspended 
through these emergency and temporary rules are suspended in the 
regulatory text in this temporary final rule within instruction number 
4.

Classification

    This interim final rule has been determined to be not significant 
for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    This interim final rule contains collection-of-information 
requirements subject to the PRA. These collection-of-information 
requirements have already been approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) and are not changed by this rule. This interim final rule 
does not implement any new regulatory requirements; it reorganizes 
existing regulatory requirements, including collection-of-information 
requirements, within part 622. Section 3507(c)(B)(i) of the PRA 
requires that agencies inventory and display a current control number 
assigned by the Director, OMB, for each agency information collection. 
15 CFR 902.1(b) identifies the location of NOAA regulations for which 
OMB approval numbers have been issued. Because this rule reorganizes 50 
CFR part 622 and, therefore, changes the location of NOAA regulations 
for which OMB numbers have been issued, 15 CFR 902.1(b) is revised to 
reference correctly the new sections resulting from the reorganization.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information, subject to the 
requirement of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    This interim final rule does not add or create any new rights or 
obligations; it only reorganizes existing regulatory requirements into 
a format that makes the regulations easier for constituents and others, 
including agency personnel, to use. The Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA, (AA), finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to 
waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. Providing 
prior notice and the opportunity for public comment would be contrary 
to the public interest as delaying its implementation would delay 
implementation of a reorganization of existing regulations into a 
format that enhances the public's ability to locate and understand the

[[Page 22952]]

regulatory requirements applicable to them. Providing prior notice and 
the opportunity for public comment would also be impracticable, because 
rulemaking would continue under the old organization of the regulations 
during the comment period and could cause confusion for constituents 
and for fishery managers. For the same reasons, the AA, under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3), for good cause waives the requirement to delay for 30 days 
the effectiveness of this rule.
    Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not 
required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. 
are inapplicable. Accordingly, no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is 
required and none has been prepared.
    If any significant, inadvertent regulatory effects are identified 
during public comment, appropriate changes will be made in the final 
rule.

List of Subjects

15 CFR Part 902

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, Incorporation by reference, Puerto Rico, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Virgin Islands.

50 CFR Part 640

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: April 3, 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.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 15 CFR chapter IX and 50 
CFR chapter VI are amended as follows:

15 CFR Chapter IX--[Amended]

PART 902--NOAA INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE 
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT: OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 902 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  902.1, paragraph (b) table, in the entries for 50 CFR, the 
entries ``640.4'' and ``640.6'' column are removed; the entries 
``622.4'', ``622.5'', ``622.6'', and ``622.20'' are revised; and new 
entries ``622.21'', ``622.22'', ``622.26'', ``622.27'', ``622.28'', 
``622.50, ``622.51'', ``622.51(a)(2)'', ``622.51(a)(3)'', 
``622.51(b)'', ``622.52'', ``622.53'', ``622.70'', ``622.71'', 
``622.75'', ``622.90(a)'', ``622.170'', ``622.170(c)'', ``622.171'', 
``622.172'', ``622.176'', ``622.176''(a)(2)'', ``622.176(b)(2)'', 
``622.176(c)'', ``622.176(d)'', ``622.177'', ``622.178'', 
``622.192(h)'', ``622.200'', ``622.200(c)'', ``622.201'', ``622.203'', 
``622.203(a)'', ``622.203(b)'', ``622.204'', ``622.205'', ``622.207'', 
``622.220'', ``622.221'', ``622.225'', ``622.240'', ``622.240(b)'', 
``622.241'', ``622.242'', ``622.242(b)'', ``622.243'', ``622.244'', 
``622.270'', ``622.270(d)'', ``622.271'', ``622.271(c)'', ``622.300'', 
``622.370'', ``622.371'', ``622.372'', ``622.373'', ``622.374'', 
``622.374(c)'', ``622.376'', ``622.400'', ``622.402'', ``622.430'', 
``622.450'', ``622.470'', ``622.473'' are added in numerical order to 
read as follows:


Sec.  902.1  OMB control numbers assigned pursuant to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Current OMB control
     CFR part or section where the information       number (all numbers
         collection requirement is located            begin with 0648-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
50 CFR
 
                                * * * * *
  622.4...........................................       -0013 and -0205
  622.5...........................................                 -0016
  622.6...........................................                 -0358
  622.20..........................................                 -0205
  622.21..........................................                 -0551
  622.22..........................................                 -0551
  622.26..........................................       -0013 and -0016
  622.27..........................................                 -0593
  622.28..........................................                 -0544
  622.50..........................................                 -0205
  622.51..........................................                 -0016
  622.51(a)(2)....................................                 -0543
  622.51(a)(3)....................................                 -0542
  622.51(b).......................................                 -0013
  622.52..........................................                 -0593
  622.53..........................................                 -0345
  622.70..........................................                 -0205
  622.71..........................................                 -0016
  622.75..........................................                 -0205
  622.90(a).......................................                 -0013
  622.170.........................................                 -0205
  622.170(c)......................................                 -0013
  622.171.........................................                 -0205
  622.172.........................................       -0013 and -0551
  622.176.........................................                 -0016
  622.176(a)(2)...................................                 -0593
  622.176(b)(2)...................................                 -0593
  622.176(c)......................................                 -0013
  622.176(d)......................................                 -0593
  622.177.........................................                 -0359
  622.178.........................................                 -0603
  622.192(h)......................................                 -0365
  622.200.........................................                 -0205
  622.200(c)......................................                 -0013
  622.201.........................................                 -0205
  622.203.........................................                 -0016
  622.203(a)......................................                 -0591
  622.203(b)......................................                 -0013
  622.204.........................................                 -0593
  622.205.........................................                 -0544
  622.207.........................................                 -0345
  622.220.........................................                 -0205
  622.221.........................................                 -0016
  622.225.........................................                 -0205
  622.240.........................................                 -0205
  622.240(b)......................................                 -0013
  622.241.........................................                 -0205
  622.242.........................................                 -0016
  622.242(b)......................................                 -0013
  622.243.........................................                 -0359
  622.244.........................................                 -0593
  622.270.........................................                 -0205
  622.270(d)......................................                 -0013
  622.271.........................................                 -0016
  622.271(c)......................................                 -0013
  622.300.........................................                 -0593
  622.370.........................................                 -0205
  622.371.........................................                 -0205
  622.372.........................................                 -0205
  622.373.........................................                 -0205
  622.374.........................................                 -0016
  622.374(c)......................................                 -0013
  622.376.........................................                 -0359
  622.400.........................................                 -0205
  622.402.........................................       -0358 and -0359
  622.430.........................................                 -0359
  622.450.........................................                 -0359
  622.470.........................................                 -0205
  622.473.........................................                 -0013
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

50 CFR Chapter VI--[Amended]

0
3. Part 622 is revised to read as follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH 
ATLANTIC

Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
622.1 Purpose and scope.
622.2 Definitions and acronyms.
622.3 Relation to other laws and regulations.
622.4 Permits and fees--general.
622.5 Recordkeeping and reporting--general.
622.6 Vessel identification.
622.7 Fishing years.
622.8 Quotas--general.
622.9 Prohibited gear and methods--general.
622.10 Landing fish intact---general.
622.11 Bag and possession limits--general applicability.
622.12 Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) 
for Caribbean island management areas/Caribbean EEZ.
622.13 Prohibitions--general.
622.14 Area closures related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
622.15 Notice regarding area closures to protect corals.

[[Page 22953]]

622.16 Notice regarding South Atlantic special management zones 
(SMZs).
622.17 Notice regarding seasonal/area closures to protect Gulf reef 
fish.
Subpart B--Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
622.20 Permits and endorsements.
622.21 Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf red snapper.
622.22 Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf groupers and 
tilefishes.
622.23-622.24 [Reserved]
622.25 Exemptions for the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.
622.26 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.27 At-sea observer coverage.
622.28 Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).
622.29 Conservation measures for protected resources.
622.30 Required fishing gear.
622.31 Buoy gear identification.
622.32 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.33 Prohibited species.
622.34 Seasonal and area closures designed to protect Gulf reef 
fish.
622.35 Gear restricted areas.
622.36 Seasonal harvest limitations.
622.37 Size limits.
622.38 Bag and possession limits.
622.39 Quotas.
622.40 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.41 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.42 Adjustment of management measures.
622.43 Commercial trip limits.
622.44 Prohibitions.
Subpart C--Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico
622.50 Permits and fees.
622.51 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.52 At-sea observer coverage.
622.53 Bycatch reduction device (BRD) requirements.
622.54 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.55 Closed areas.
622.56 Size limits.
622.57 Quotas.
622.58 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.59 Prevention of gear conflicts.
622.60 Adjustment of management measures.
622.61 Prohibitions.
Subpart D--Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico
622.70 Permits.
622.71 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.72 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.73 Prohibited species.
622.74 Area closures to protect Gulf corals.
622.75 Harvest limitations.
622.76 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.77 Adjustment of management measures.
622.78 Prohibitions.
Subpart E--Red Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico
622.90 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.91 Prohibited species.
622.92 Adjustment of management measures.
622.93 Prohibitions.
Subparts F-H [Reserved]
Subpart I--Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region
622.170 Permits and endorsements.
622.171 South Atlantic snapper-grouper limited access.
622.172 Wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.
622.173-622.175 [Reserved]
622.176 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.177 Gear identification.
622.178 At-sea observer coverage.
622.179 Conservation measures for protected species.
622.180 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.181 Prohibited and limited-harvest species.
622.182 Gear-restricted areas.
622.183 Area and seasonal closures.
622.184 Seasonal harvest limitations.
622.185 Size limits.
622.186 Landing fish intact.
622.187 Bag and possession limits.
622.188 Required gear, authorized gear, and unauthorized gear.
622.189 Restrictions and requirements for sea bass pots.
622.190 Quotas.
622.191 Commercial trip limits.
622.192 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.193 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.194 Adjustment of management measures.
622.195 Prohibitions.
Subpart J--Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region
622.200 Permits.
622.201 South Atlantic rock shrimp limited access.
622.202 [Reserved]
622.203 Recordkeeping reporting.
622.204 At-sea observer coverage.
622.205 Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).
622.206 Area and seasonal closures.
622.207 Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) requirements.
622.208 Minimum mesh size applicable to rock shrimp off Georgia and 
Florida.
622.209 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.210 Adjustment of management measures.
622.211 Prohibitions.
Subpart K--Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the 
South Atlantic Region
622.220 Permits.
622.221 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.222 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.223 Prohibited species.
622.224 Area closures to protect South Atlantic corals.
622.225 Harvest limitations.
622.226 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.227 Adjustment of management measures.
622.228 Prohibitions.
Subpart L--Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region
622.240 Permits.
622.241 South Atlantic golden crab controlled access.
622.242 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.243 Gear identification.
622.244 At-sea observer coverage.
622.245 Prohibited species.
622.246 Area closures.
622.247 Landing golden crab intact.
622.248 Authorized gear.
622.249 Gear restrictions and requirements.
622.250 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.251 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.252 Adjustment of management measures.
622.253 Prohibitions.
Subpart M--Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States
622.270 Permits.
622.271 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.272 Authorized gear.
622.273 Conservation measures for protected species.
622.274 Pelagic longline closed areas.
622.275 Size limits.
622.276 Landing fish intact.
622.277 Bag and possession limits.
622.278 Commercial trip limits.
622.279 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.280 Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures 
(AMs).
622.281 Adjustment of management measures.
622.282 Prohibitions.
Subpart N--Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region
622.300 At-sea observer coverage.
622.301 Area and seasonal restrictions.
622.302 Minimum mesh size.
622.303 Quotas.
622.304 Prohibitions.
Subparts O-P [Reserved]
Subpart Q--Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic)
622.370 Permits.
622.371 Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for king 
mackerel.
622.372 Limited access system for king mackerel gillnet permits 
applicable in the southern Florida west coast subzone.
622.373 Limited access system for charter vessel/headboat permits 
for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish.
622.374 Recordkeeping and reporting.
622.375 Authorized and unauthorized gear.
622.376 Gear identification.
622.377 Gillnet restrictions.
622.378 Seasonal closures of the Gulf group king mackerel gillnet 
fishery.
622.379 Purse seine incidental catch allowance.
622.380 Size limits.
622.381 Landing fish intact.
622.382 Bag and possession limits.
622.383 Limited harvest species.
622.384 Quotas.
622.385 Commercial trip limits.

[[Page 22954]]

622.386 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.387 Prevention of gear conflicts.
622.388 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.389 Adjustment of management measures.
622.390 Prohibitions.
Subpart R--Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic
622.400 Permits and fees.
622.401 Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]
622.402 Vessel and gear identification.
622.403 Seasons.
622.404 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.405 Trap construction specifications and tending restrictions.
622.406 Areas closed to lobster trap gear.
622.407 Minimum size limits and other harvest limitations.
622.408 Bag/possession limits.
622.409 Spiny lobster import prohibitions.
622.410 Restrictions within Tortugas marine reserves.
622.411 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.412 Adjustment of management measures.
622.413 Incorporation by reference.
622.414 Prohibitions.
622.415 Limited exemption regarding harvest in waters of a foreign 
nation.
Subpart S--Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
622.430 Gear identification.
622.431 Trap construction specifications and tending restrictions.
622.432 Anchoring restriction.
622.433 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.434 Prohibited species.
622.435 Seasonal and area closures.
622.436 Size limits.
622.437 Bag limits.
622.438 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.439 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.440 Adjustment of management measures.
622.441 Prohibitions.
Subpart T--Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands
622.450 Gear identification.
622.451 Trap construction specifications and tending restrictions.
622.452 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.453 Prohibition on harvest of egg-bearing spiny lobster.
622.454 Minimum size limit.
622.455 Landing spiny lobster intact.
622.456 Bag limit.
622.457 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.458 Caribbean spiny lobster import prohibitions.
622.459 Adjustment of management measures.
622.460 Prohibitions.
Subpart U--Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
622.470 Permits.
622.471 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.472 Prohibited species.
622.473 Restrictions on sale/purchase.
622.474 Adjustment of management measures.
622.475 Prohibitions.
Subpart V--Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands
622.490 Prohibited gear and methods.
622.491 Seasonal and area closures.
622.492 Minimum size limit.
622.493 Landing Caribbean queen conch intact.
622.494 Bag limit.
622.495 Commercial trip limit.
622.496 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and 
accountability measures (AMs).
622.497 Adjustment of management measures.
622.498 Prohibitions.
Appendix A to Part 622--Species Tables
Appendix B to Part 622--Gulf Areas
Appendix C to Part 622--Fish Length Measurements
Appendix D to Part 622--Specifications for Certified BRDs
Appendix E to Part 622--Caribbean Island/Island Group Management 
Areas
Appendix F to Part 622--Specifications for Sea Turtle Mitigation 
Gear and Sea Turtle Handling and Release Requirements

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

Subpart A--General Provisions


Sec.  622.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of this part is to implement the FMPs prepared 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act by the CFMC, GMFMC, and/or SAFMC listed 
in Table 1 of this section.
    (b) This part governs conservation and management of species 
included in the FMPs in or from the Caribbean, Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, 
South Atlantic, or Atlantic EEZ, unless otherwise specified, as 
indicated in Table 1 of this section. For the FMPs noted in the 
following table, conservation and management extends to adjoining state 
waters for the purposes of data collection and monitoring.
    (c) This part also governs importation of Caribbean spiny lobster 
into Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (d) This part also governs importation of spiny lobster into any 
place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

                            Table 1 to Sec.   622.1--FMPs Implemented Under Part 622
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Responsible fishery
              FMP title                    management council(s)                   Geographical area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMP for Coastal Migratory Pelagic      GMFMC/SAFMC..................  Gulf \1\, Mid-Atlantic \1\ South
 Resources.                                                            Atlantic.\1\
FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/  SAFMC........................  South Atlantic.\5\
 Hard Bottom Habitats of the South
 Atlantic Region.
FMP for Coral and Coral reefs of the   GMFMC........................  Gulf.
 Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for Corals and Reef Associated     CFMC.........................  Caribbean.
 Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto
 Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery  SAFMC........................  Atlantic.
 off the Atlantic States.
FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of     SAFMC........................  South Atlantic.
 the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of   SAFMC........................  South Atlantic.
 the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for Queen Conch Resources of       CFMC.........................  Caribbean.
 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
 Islands.
FMP for the Red Drum Fishery of the    GMFMC........................  Gulf.\1\
 Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Reef Fish Fishery of       CFMC.........................  Caribbean.
 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
 Islands.
FMP for the Reef Fish Resources of     GMFMC........................  Gulf.1 3 4
 the Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the      GMFMC........................  Gulf.\1\
 Gulf of Mexico.
FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the      SAFMC........................  South Atlantic.
 South Atlantic Region.
FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery    SAFMC........................  South Atlantic.1 2
 of the South Atlantic Region.
FMP for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of   CFMC.........................  Caribbean.
 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
 Islands.
FMP for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of   GMFMC/SAFMC..................  Gulf \1\, South Atlantic.\1\
 the Gulf of Mexico and South
 Atlantic.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for purposes of data collection and quota monitoring.

[[Page 22955]]

 
\2\ Black sea bass and scup are not managed by the FMP or regulated by this part north of 35[deg]15.9' N. lat.,
  the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC.
\3\ Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for Gulf red snapper harvested or possessed by a person
  aboard a vessel for which a Gulf red snapper IFQ vessel account has been established or possessed by a dealer
  with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement.
\4\ Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for Gulf groupers and tilefishes harvested or possessed by a
  person aboard a vessel for which an IFQ vessel account for Gulf groupers and tilefishes has been established
  or possessed by a dealer with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement.
\5\ Octocorals are managed by the FMP or regulated by this part only in the EEZ off North Carolina, South
  Carolina, and Georgia.

Sec.  622.2  Definitions and acronyms.

    In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in Sec.  
600.10 of this chapter, and the acronyms in Sec.  600.15 of this 
chapter, the terms and acronyms used in this part have the following 
meanings:
    Accountability measure means a management control implemented such 
that overfishing is prevented, where possible, and mitigated if it 
occurs.
    Actual ex-vessel price means the total monetary sale amount a 
fisherman receives per pound of fish for IFQ landings from a registered 
IFQ dealer before any deductions are made for transferred (leased) 
allocation and goods and services (e.g. bait, ice, fuel, repairs, 
machinery replacement, etc.).
    Allowable chemical means a substance, generally used to immobilize 
marine life so that it can be captured alive, that, when introduced 
into the water, does not take Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral 
and is allowed by Florida for the harvest of tropical fish (e.g., 
quinaldine, quinaldine compounds, or similar substances).
    Allowable octocoral means an erect, nonencrusting species of the 
subclass Octocorallia, except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. 
ventalina, plus the attached substrate within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of an 
allowable octocoral. (Note: An erect, nonencrusting species of the 
subclass Octocorallia, except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. 
ventalina, with attached substrate exceeding 1 inch (2.54 cm) is 
considered to be live rock and not allowable octocoral.)
    Annual catch limit (ACL) means the level of catch that serves as 
the basis for invoking accountability measures.
    Annual catch target (ACT) means an amount of annual catch of a 
stock or stock complex that is the management target of the fishery, 
and accounts for management uncertainty in controlling the actual catch 
at or below the ACL.
    Aquacultured live rock means live rock that is harvested under a 
Federal aquacultured live rock permit, as required under Sec.  
622.70(a)(2).
    Atlantic means the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and South 
Atlantic.
    Authorized statistical reporting agent means:
    (1) Any person so designated by the SRD; or
    (2) Any person so designated by the head of any Federal or State 
agency that has entered into an agreement with the Assistant 
Administrator to collect fishery data.
    Automatic reel means a reel that remains attached to a vessel when 
in use from which a line and attached hook(s) are deployed. The line is 
payed out from and retrieved on the reel electrically or hydraulically.
    Bandit gear means a rod and reel that remain attached to a vessel 
when in use from which a line and attached hook(s) are deployed. The 
line is payed out from and retrieved on the reel manually, 
electrically, or hydraulically.
    Bottom longline means a longline that is deployed, or in 
combination with gear aboard the vessel, e.g., weights or anchors, is 
capable of being deployed to maintain contact with the ocean bottom.
    BRD means bycatch reduction device.
    Bully net means a circular frame attached at right angles to the 
end of a pole and supporting a conical bag of webbing. The webbing is 
usually held up by means of a cord which is released when the net is 
dropped over a lobster.
    Buoy gear means fishing gear that fishes vertically in the water 
column that consists of a single drop line suspended from a float, from 
which no more than 10 hooks can be connected between the buoy and the 
terminal end, and the terminal end contains a weight that is no more 
than 10 lb (4.5 kg). The drop line can be rope (hemp, manila, cotton or 
other natural fibers; nylon, polypropylene, spectra or other synthetic 
material) or monofilament, but must not be cable or wire. The gear is 
free-floating and not connected to other gear or the vessel. The drop 
line must be no greater than 2 times the depth of the water being 
fished. All hooks must be attached to the drop line no more than 30 ft 
(9.1 m) from the weighted terminal end. These hooks may be attached 
directly to the drop line; attached as snoods (defined as an offshoot 
line that is directly spliced, tied or otherwise connected to the drop 
line), where each snood has a single terminal hook; or as gangions 
(defined as an offshoot line connected to the drop line with some type 
of detachable clip), where each gangion has a single terminal hook.
    Carapace length means the measurement of the carapace (head, body, 
or front section) of a spiny lobster from the anteriormost edge (front) 
of the groove between the horns directly above the eyes, along the 
middorsal line (middle of the back), to the rear edge of the top part 
of the carapace, excluding any translucent membrane. (See Figure 1 in 
Appendix C of this part.)
    Caribbean means the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean seaward of 
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and possessions of the United 
States in the Caribbean Sea.
    Caribbean coral reef resource means one or more of the species, or 
a part thereof, listed in Table 1 in Appendix A of this part, whether 
living or dead.
    Caribbean prohibited coral means, in the Caribbean; a gorgonian, 
that is, a Caribbean coral reef resource of the Class Anthozoa, 
Subclass Octocorallia, Order Gorgonacea; a live rock; or a stony coral, 
that is, a Caribbean coral reef resource of the Class Hydrozoa (fire 
corals and hydrocorals) or of the Class Anthozoa, Subclass 
Hexacorallia, Orders Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia 
(black corals); or a part thereof.
    Caribbean queen conch or queen conch means the species, Strombus 
gigas, or a part thereof.
    Caribbean reef fish means one or more of the species, or a part 
thereof, listed in Table 2 in Appendix A of this part.
    Caribbean spiny lobster or spiny lobster means the species 
Panulirus argus, or a part thereof.
    CFMC means the Caribbean Fishery Management Council.
    Charter vessel means a vessel less than 100 gross tons (90.8 mt) 
that is subject to the requirements of the USCG to carry six or fewer 
passengers for hire and that engages in charter fishing at any time 
during the calendar year. A charter vessel with a commercial permit, as 
required under this part, is considered to be operating as a charter 
vessel when it carries a passenger who pays a fee or when there are 
more than three persons aboard, including operator and crew, except for 
a charter vessel with a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish. A 
charter vessel that has a charter vessel permit for Gulf reef fish and 
a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish is considered to be 
operating as a charter vessel when it carries a passenger who pays a 
fee or when there

[[Page 22956]]

are more than four persons aboard, including operator and crew. A 
charter vessel that has a charter vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, and a valid Certificate of 
Inspection (COI) issued by the USCG to carry passengers for hire will 
not be considered to be operating as a charter vessel provided--
    (1) It is not carrying a passenger who pays a fee; and
    (2) When underway for more than 12 hours, that vessel meets, but 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI 
for vessels underway over 12 hours; or when underway for not more than 
12 hours, that vessel meets the minimum manning requirements outlined 
in its COI for vessels underway for not more than 12-hours (if any), 
and does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its 
COI for vessels that are underway for more than 12 hours.
    Circle hook means a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that 
the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a 
generally circular, or oval, shape.
    Coastal migratory pelagic fish means a whole fish, or a part 
thereof, of one or more of the following species:
    (1) Cobia, Rachycentron canadum.
    (2) King mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla.
    (3) Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus.
    Commercial fishing means, for the purpose of subpart R of this part 
only, any fishing or fishing activities which result in the harvest of 
any marine or freshwater organisms, one or more of which (or parts 
thereof) is sold, traded, or bartered.
    Coral area means marine habitat in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ 
where coral growth abounds, including patch reefs, outer bank reefs, 
deep water banks, and hard bottoms.
    Dealer, in addition to the definition specified in Sec.  600.10 of 
this chapter, means the person who first receives rock shrimp harvested 
from the EEZ or dolphin or wahoo harvested from the Atlantic EEZ upon 
transfer ashore.
    Deep-water grouper (DWG) means, in the Gulf, yellowedge grouper, 
warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, and speckled hind. In addition, for the 
purposes of the IFQ program for Gulf groupers and tilefishes in Sec.  
622.22, scamp are also included as DWG as specified in Sec.  
622.22(a)(7).
    Deep-water snapper-grouper (DWSG) means, in the South Atlantic, 
yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, 
speckled hind, blueline tilefish, queen snapper, and silk snapper.
    Dehooking device means a device intended to remove a hook embedded 
in a fish to release the fish with minimum damage.
    Dolphin means a whole fish, or a part there of, of the species 
Coryphaena equiselis or C. hippurus.
    Drift gillnet, for the purposes of this part, means a gillnet, 
other than a long gillnet or a run-around gillnet, that is unattached 
to the ocean bottom, regardless of whether attached to a vessel.
    Fish trap means--
    (1) In the Caribbean EEZ, a trap and its component parts (including 
the lines and buoys), regardless of the construction material, used for 
or capable of taking finfish.
    (2) In the Gulf EEZ, a trap and its component parts (including the 
lines and buoys), regardless of the construction material, used for or 
capable of taking finfish, except a trap historically used in the 
directed fishery for crustaceans (that is, blue crab, stone crab, and 
spiny lobster).
    (3) In the South Atlantic EEZ, a trap and its component parts 
(including the lines and buoys), regardless of the construction 
material, used for or capable of taking fish, except a sea bass pot, a 
golden crab trap, or a crustacean trap (that is, a type of trap 
historically used in the directed fishery for blue crab, stone crab, 
red crab, jonah crab, or spiny lobster and that contains at any time 
not more than 25 percent, by number, of fish other than blue crab, 
stone crab, red crab, jonah crab, and spiny lobster).
    Fork length means the straight-line distance from the tip of the 
head (snout) to the rear center edge of the tail (caudal fin). (See 
Figure 2 in Appendix C of this part.)
    Golden crab means the species Chaceon fenneri, or a part thereof.
    Golden crab trap means any trap used or possessed in association 
with a directed fishery for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ, 
including any trap that contains a golden crab in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ or any trap on board a vessel that possesses golden crab 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ.
    GMFMC means the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
    Gulf means the Gulf of Mexico. The line of demarcation between the 
Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is specified in Sec.  600.105(c) 
of this chapter.
    Gulf reef fish means one or more of the species, or a part thereof, 
listed in Table 3 in Appendix A of this part.
    Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral means, in the Gulf and 
South Atlantic, one or more of the following, or a part thereof:
    (1) Coral belonging to the Class Hydrozoa (fire corals and 
hydrocorals).
    (2) Coral belonging to the Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, 
Orders Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia (black corals).
    (3) A seafan, Gorgonia flabellum or G. ventalina.
    (4) Coral in a coral reef, except for allowable octocoral.
    (5) Coral in an HAPC, including allowable octocoral.
    Handline means a line with attached hook(s) that is tended directly 
by hand.
    HAPC means habitat area of particular concern.
    Headboat means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of 
Inspection (COI) issued by the USCG to carry more than six passengers 
for hire.
    (1) A headboat with a commercial vessel permit, as required under 
this part, is considered to be operating as a headboat when it carries 
a passenger who pays a fee or--
    (i) In the case of persons aboard fishing for or possessing South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, when there are more persons aboard than the 
number of crew specified in the vessel's COI; or
    (ii) In the case of persons aboard fishing for or possessing 
coastal migratory pelagic fish, when there are more than three persons 
aboard, including operator and crew.
    (2) However a vessel that has a headboat permit for Gulf reef fish, 
a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, and a valid COI issued 
by the USCG to carry passengers for hire will not be considered to be 
operating as a headboat provided--
    (i) It is not carrying a passenger who pays a fee; and
    (ii) When underway for more than 12 hours, that vessel meets, but 
does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its COI 
for vessels underway over 12 hours; or when underway for not more than 
12 hours, that vessel meets the minimum manning requirements outlined 
in its COI for vessels underway for not more than 12-hours (if any), 
and does not exceed the minimum manning requirements outlined in its 
COI for vessels that are underway for more than 12 hours.
    Headrope length means the distance, measured along the forwardmost 
webbing of a trawl net, between the points at which the upper lip (top 
edge) of the mouth of the net are attached to sleds, doors, or other 
devices that spread the net.

[[Page 22957]]

    Hook-and-line gear means automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, 
handline, longline, and rod and reel.
    Hoop net means a frame, circular or otherwise, supporting a shallow 
bag of webbing and suspended by a line and bridles. The net is baited 
and lowered to the ocean bottom, to be raised rapidly at a later time 
to prevent the escape of lobster.
    IFQ means individual fishing quota.
    Import means--
    (1) For the purpose of Sec.  622.1(c) and subpart T of this part 
only--To land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, 
bring into, or introduce into, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
whether or not such landing, bringing, or introduction constitutes an 
importation within the meaning of the customs laws of the United 
States;
    (2) For the purpose of Sec.  622.1(d) and subpart R of this part 
only--To land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, 
bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States, whether or not such landing, bringing, or 
introduction constitutes an importation within the meaning of the 
customs laws of the United States;
    (3) But does not include any activity described in paragraph (1) or 
(2) of this definition with respect to fish caught in the U.S. 
exclusive economic zone by a vessel of the United States.
    Live rock means living marine organisms, or an assemblage thereof, 
attached to a hard substrate, including dead coral or rock (excluding 
individual mollusk shells).
    Live well means a shaded container used for holding live lobsters 
aboard a vessel in which aerated seawater is continuously circulated 
from the sea. Circulation of seawater at a rate that replaces the water 
at least every 8 minutes meets the requirement for aeration.
    Long gillnet means a gillnet that has a float line that is more 
than 1,000 yd (914 m) in length.
    Longline means a line that is deployed horizontally to which 
gangions and hooks are attached. A longline may be a bottom longline, 
i.e., designed for use on the bottom, or a pelagic longline, i.e., 
designed for use off the bottom. The longline hauler may be manually, 
electrically, or hydraulically operated.
    MAFMC means the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
    Mid-Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the New England Fishery Management 
Council and the MAFMC, as specified in Sec.  600.105(a) of this 
chapter, to the boundary between the MAFMC and the SAFMC, as specified 
in Sec.  600.105(b) of this chapter.
    Migratory group, for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia, 
means a group of fish that may or may not be a separate genetic stock, 
but that is treated as a separate stock for management purposes. King 
mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia are divided into migratory 
groups--the boundaries between these groups are as follows:
    (1) King mackerel--(i) Summer separation. From April 1 through 
October 31, the boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic migratory 
groups of king mackerel is 25[deg]48' N. lat., which is a line directly 
west from the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary to the outer limit of 
the EEZ.
    (ii) Winter separation. From November 1 through March 31, the 
boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic migratory groups of king 
mackerel is 29[deg]25' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
Volusia/Flagler County, FL, boundary to the outer limit of the EEZ.
    (2) Spanish mackerel. The boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic 
migratory groups of Spanish mackerel is 25[deg]20.4' N. lat., which is 
a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary to 
the outer limit of the EEZ.
    (3) Cobia. The boundary separating the Gulf and Atlantic migratory 
groups of cobia is the line of demarcation between the Atlantic Ocean 
and the Gulf of Mexico, as specified in Sec.  600.105(c) of this 
chapter.
    MPA means marine protected area.
    North Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the United States and Canada to the 
boundary between the New England Fishery Management Council and the 
MAFMC, as specified in Sec.  600.105(a) of this chapter.
    Off Florida means the waters in the Gulf and South Atlantic from 
30[deg]42'45.6'' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
seaward terminus of the Georgia/Florida boundary, to 87[deg]31'06'' W. 
long., which is a line directly south from the Alabama/Florida 
boundary.
    Off Georgia means the waters in the South Atlantic from a line 
extending in a direction of 104[deg] from true north from the seaward 
terminus of the South Carolina/Georgia boundary to 30[deg]42'45.6'' N. 
lat., which is a line directly east from the seaward terminus of the 
Georgia/Florida boundary.
    Off Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama means the waters in the 
Gulf other than off Florida and off Texas.
    Off Monroe County, Florida means the area from the Florida coast to 
the outer limit of the EEZ between a line extending directly east from 
the Dade/Monroe County, Florida boundary (25[deg]20.4' N. latitude) and 
a line extending directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, Florida 
boundary (25[deg]48.0' N. latitude).
    Off North Carolina means the waters in the South Atlantic from 
36[deg]34'55'' N. lat., which is a line directly east from the 
Virginia/North Carolina boundary, to a line extending in a direction of 
135[deg]34'55'' from true north from the North Carolina/South Carolina 
boundary, as marked by the border station on Bird Island at 
33[deg]51'07.9'' N. lat., 78[deg]32'32.6'' W. long.
    Off South Carolina means the waters in the South Atlantic from a 
line extending in a direction of 135[deg]34'55'' from true north from 
the North Carolina/South Carolina boundary, as marked by the border 
station on Bird Island at 33[deg]51'07.9'' N. lat., 78[deg] 32'32.6'' 
W. long., to a line extending in a direction of 104[deg] from true 
north from the seaward terminus of the South Carolina/Georgia boundary.
    Off Texas means the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line from 
29[deg]32.1' N. lat., 93[deg]47.7' W. long. to 26[deg]11.4' N. lat., 
92[deg]53' W. long., which line is an extension of the boundary between 
Louisiana and Texas.
    Off the Gulf states, other than Florida means the area from the 
coast to the outer limit of the EEZ between the Texas/Mexico border to 
the Alabama/Florida boundary (87[deg]31'06'' W. long.).
    Off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida means the area 
from the coast to the outer limit of the EEZ between the Virginia/North 
Carolina boundary (36[deg]34'55'' N. lat.) to the Georgia/Florida 
boundary (30[deg]42'45.6'' N. lat.).
    Official sunrise or official sunset means the time of sunrise or 
sunset as determined for the date and location in The Nautical Almanac, 
prepared by the U.S. Naval Observatory.
    Pelagic longline means a longline that is suspended by floats in 
the water column and that is not fixed to or in contact with the ocean 
bottom.
    Pelagic sargassum means the species Sargassum natans or S. 
fluitans, or a part thereof.
    Penaeid shrimp means one or more of the following species, or a 
part thereof:
    (1) Brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus.
    (2) Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum.
    (3) White shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus.

[[Page 22958]]

    Penaeid shrimp trawler means any vessel that is equipped with one 
or more trawl nets whose on-board or landed catch of penaeid shrimp is 
more than 1 percent, by weight, of all fish comprising its on-board or 
landed catch.
    Powerhead means any device with an explosive charge, usually 
attached to a speargun, spear, pole, or stick, that fires a projectile 
upon contact.
    Processor means a person who processes fish or fish products, or 
parts thereof, for commercial use or consumption.
    Purchase means the act or activity of buying, trading, or 
bartering, or attempting to buy, trade, or barter.
    Recreational fishing means, for the purpose of subpart R of this 
part only, fishing or fishing activities which result in the harvest of 
fish, none of which (or parts thereof) is sold, traded, or bartered.
    Red drum, also called redfish, means Sciaenops ocellatus, or a part 
thereof.
    Red snapper means Lutjanus campechanus, or a part thereof, one of 
the Gulf reef fish species.
    Regional Administrator (RA), for the purposes of this part, means 
the Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33701, or a designee.
    Rod and reel means a rod and reel unit that is not attached to a 
vessel, or, if attached, is readily removable, from which a line and 
attached hook(s) are deployed. The line is payed out from and retrieved 
on the reel manually, electrically, or hydraulically.
    Run-around gillnet means a gillnet, other than a long gillnet, 
that, when used, encloses an area of water.
    SAFMC means the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
    Sale or sell means the act or activity of transferring property for 
money or credit, trading, or bartering, or attempting to so transfer, 
trade, or barter.
    Science and Research Director (SRD), for the purposes of this part, 
means the Science and Research Director, Southeast Fisheries Science 
Center, NMFS (see Table 1 of Sec.  600.502 of this chapter).
    Sea bass pot means a trap has six rectangular sides and does not 
exceed 25 inches (63.5 cm) in height, width, or depth.
    Shallow-water grouper (SWG) means, in the Gulf, gag, red grouper, 
black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, and yellowmouth grouper. Other 
shallow-water grouper (Other SWG) means, in the Gulf, SWG excluding gag 
and red grouper (i.e., black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, and 
yellowmouth grouper). In addition, for the purposes of the IFQ program 
for Gulf groupers and tilefishes in Sec.  622.22, speckled hind and 
warsaw grouper are also included as Other SWG as specified in Sec.  
622.22(a)(6).
    Shrimp means one or more of the following species, or a part 
thereof:
    (1) Brown shrimp, Farfantepenaeus aztecus.
    (2) White shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus.
    (3) Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum.
    (4) Royal red shrimp, Hymenopenaeus robustus.
    (5) Rock shrimp, Sicyonia brevirostris.
    Shrimp trawler means any vessel that is equipped with one or more 
trawl nets whose on-board or landed catch of shrimp is more than 1 
percent, by weight, of all fish comprising its on-board or landed 
catch.
    Smalltooth sawfish means the species Pristis pectinata, or a part 
thereof.
    SMZ means special management zone.
    South Atlantic means the Atlantic Ocean off the Atlantic coastal 
states from the boundary between the MAFMC and the SAFMC, as specified 
in Sec.  600.105(b) of this chapter, to the line of demarcation between 
the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as specified in Sec.  
600.105(c) of this chapter.
    South Atlantic shallow-water grouper (SASWG) means, in the South 
Atlantic, gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, 
yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, and coney.
    South Atlantic snapper-grouper means one or more of the species, or 
a part thereof, listed in Table 4 in Appendix A of this part.
    Stab net means a gillnet, other than a long gillnet, or trammel net 
whose weight line sinks to the bottom and submerges the float line.
    Tail length means the lengthwise measurement of the entire tail 
(segmented portion), not including any protruding muscle tissue, of a 
spiny lobster along the top middorsal line (middle of the back) to the 
rearmost extremity. The measurement is made with the tail in a flat, 
straight position with the tip of the tail closed.
    Total length (TL), for the purposes of this part, means the 
straight-line distance from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail 
(caudal fin), excluding any caudal filament, while the fish is lying on 
its side. The mouth of the fish may be closed and/or the tail may be 
squeezed together to give the greatest overall measurement. (See Figure 
2 in Appendix C of this part.)
    Toxic chemical means any substance, other than an allowable 
chemical, that, when introduced into the water, can stun, immobilize, 
or take marine life.
    Trammel net means two or more panels of netting, suspended 
vertically in the water by a common float line and a common weight 
line, with one panel having a larger mesh size than the other(s), to 
entrap fish in a pocket of netting.
    Trip means a fishing trip, regardless of number of days duration, 
that begins with departure from a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp 
and that terminates with return to a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or 
ramp.
    Try net, also called test net, means a net pulled for brief periods 
by a shrimp trawler to test for shrimp concentrations or determine 
fishing conditions (e.g., presence or absence of bottom debris, 
jellyfish, bycatch, sea grasses).
    Venting device means a device intended to deflate the abdominal 
cavity of a fish to release the fish with minimum damage.
    Wahoo means the species Acanthocybium solandri, or a part thereof, 
in the Atlantic.
    Wild live rock means live rock other than aquacultured live rock.
    Wreckfish means the species Polyprion americanus, or a part 
thereof, one of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper species.


Sec.  622.3  Relation to other laws and regulations.

    (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in Sec.  
600.705 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section.
    (b) Except for regulations on allowable octocoral, Gulf and South 
Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock, this part is intended to 
apply within the EEZ portions of applicable National Marine Sanctuaries 
and National Parks, unless the regulations governing such sanctuaries 
or parks prohibit their application. Regulations on allowable 
octocoral, Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock do 
not apply within the EEZ portions of the following National Marine 
Sanctuaries and National Parks:
    (1) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, 
subpart P).
    (2) Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart 
I).
    (3) Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart F).
    (4) Everglades National Park (36 CFR 7.45).
    (5) Biscayne National Park (16 U.S.C. 410gg).
    (6) Fort Jefferson National Monument (36 CFR 7.27).
    (c) For allowable octocoral, if a state has a catch, landing, or 
gear regulation

[[Page 22959]]

that is more restrictive than a catch, landing, or gear regulation in 
this part, a person landing in such state allowable octocoral taken 
from the South Atlantic EEZ must comply with the more restrictive state 
regulation.
    (d) General provisions on facilitation of enforcement, penalties, 
and enforcement policy applicable to all domestic fisheries are set 
forth in Sec. Sec.  600.730, 600.735, and 600.740 of this chapter, 
respectively.
    (e) An activity that is otherwise prohibited by this part may be 
conducted if authorized as scientific research activity, exempted 
fishing, or exempted educational activity, as specified in Sec.  
600.745 of this chapter.


Sec.  622.4  Permits and fees--general.

    This section contains general information about procedures related 
to permits. See also Sec. Sec.  622.70, 622.220, and 622.470 regarding 
certain permit procedures unique to coral permits in the Gulf of 
Mexico, South Atlantic Region, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, respectively. Permit requirements for specific fisheries, as 
applicable, are contained in subparts B through V of this part.
    (a) Applications for permits. Application forms for all permits are 
available from the RA. Completed application forms and all required 
supporting documents must be submitted to the RA at least 30 days prior 
to the date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made 
effective. All vessel permits are mailed to owners, whether the 
applicant is an owner or an operator.
    (1) Vessel permits. (i) The application for a commercial vessel 
permit, other than for wreckfish, or for a charter vessel/headboat 
permit must be submitted by the owner (in the case of a corporation, an 
officer or shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a general 
partner) or operator of the vessel. A commercial vessel permit that is 
issued based on the earned income qualification of an operator is valid 
only when that person is the operator of the vessel. The applicant for 
a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish must be a wreckfish 
shareholder.
    (ii) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) A copy of the vessel's valid USCG certificate of documentation 
or, if not documented, a copy of its valid state registration 
certificate.
    (B) Vessel name and official number.
    (C) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the vessel owner and of the applicant, if other than the 
owner.
    (D) Any other information concerning the vessel, gear 
characteristics, principal fisheries engaged in, or fishing areas, as 
specified on the application form.
    (E) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (F) If applying for a commercial vessel permit, documentation, as 
specified in the instructions accompanying each application form, 
showing that applicable eligibility requirements of this part have been 
met.
    (G) If a sea bass pot will be used, the number, dimensions, and 
estimated cubic volume of the pots that will be used and the 
applicant's desired color code for use in identifying his or her vessel 
and buoys (white is not an acceptable color code).
    (2) Operator permits. An applicant for an operator permit must 
provide the following:
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information specified on the application.
    (ii) Two recent (no more than 1-yr old), color, passport-size 
photographs.
    (iii) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (3) Dealer permits. (i) The application for a dealer permit must be 
submitted by the owner (in the case of a corporation, an officer or 
shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a general partner).
    (ii) An applicant must provide the following:
    (A) A copy of each state wholesaler's license held by the dealer.
    (B) Name, address, telephone number, date the business was formed, 
and other identifying information of the business.
    (C) The address of each physical facility at a fixed location where 
the business receives fish.
    (D) Name, address, telephone number, other identifying information, 
and official capacity in the business of the applicant.
    (E) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or 
administration of the permit, as specified on the application form.
    (b) Change in application information. The owner or operator of a 
vessel with a permit, a person with a coral permit, a person with an 
operator permit, or a dealer with a permit must notify the RA within 30 
days after any change in the application information specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section or in Sec. Sec.  622.70(b), 622.220(b), 
622.400(b), or 622.470(b). The permit is void if any change in the 
information is not reported within 30 days.
    (c) Fees. Unless specified otherwise, a fee is charged for each 
application for a permit, license, or endorsement submitted under this 
part, for each request for transfer or replacement of such permit, 
license, or endorsement, and for each sea bass pot identification tag 
required under Sec.  622.177(a)(1). The amount of each fee is 
calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance 
Handbook, available from the RA, for determining the administrative 
costs of each special product or service. The fee may not exceed such 
costs and is specified with each application form. The appropriate fee 
must accompany each application, request for transfer or replacement, 
or request for sea bass pot identification tags.
    (d) Initial issuance. (1) The RA will issue an initial permit at 
any time to an applicant if the application is complete and the 
specific requirements for the requested permit have been met. An 
application is complete when all requested forms, information, and 
documentation have been received.
    (2) Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the RA will notify 
the applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of the date of the RA's letter of 
notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (e) Duration. A permit remains valid for the period specified on it 
unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to subpart D of 
15 CFR part 904 or, in the case of a vessel or dealer permit, the 
vessel or dealership is sold.
    (f) Transfer--(1) Vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements and 
dealer permits. A vessel permit, license, or endorsement or a dealer 
permit or endorsement issued under this part 622 is not transferable or 
assignable, except as provided in the permits sections of subparts B 
through V of this part, where applicable. A person who acquires a 
vessel or dealership who desires to conduct activities for which a 
permit, license, or endorsement is required must apply for a permit, 
license, or endorsement in accordance with the provisions of this 
section and other applicable sections of this part. If the acquired 
vessel or dealership is currently permitted, the application must be 
accompanied by the original permit and a copy of a signed bill of sale 
or equivalent acquisition papers. In those cases where a permit, 
license, or endorsement is transferable, the seller must sign the back 
of the permit, license, or endorsement and have the signed transfer 
document notarized.
    (2) Operator permits. An operator permit is not transferable.
    (g) Renewal--(1) Vessel permits, licenses, and endorsements and 
dealer

[[Page 22960]]

permits. Unless specified otherwise, a vessel owner or dealer who has 
been issued a permit, license, or endorsement under this part must 
renew such permit, license, or endorsement on an annual basis. The RA 
will mail a vessel owner or dealer whose permit, license, or 
endorsement is expiring an application for renewal approximately 2 
months prior to the expiration date. A vessel owner or dealer who does 
not receive a renewal application from the RA by 45 days prior to the 
expiration date of the permit, license, or endorsement must contact the 
RA and request a renewal application. The applicant must submit a 
completed renewal application form and all required supporting 
documents to the RA prior to the applicable deadline for renewal of the 
permit, license, or endorsement and at least 30 days prior to the date 
on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective. If 
the RA receives an incomplete application, the RA will notify the 
applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of the date of the RA's letter of 
notification, the application will be considered abandoned. A permit, 
license, or endorsement that is not renewed within the applicable 
deadline will not be reissued.
    (2) Operator permits. An operator permit required by this part 622 
is issued for a period not longer than 3 years. A permit not renewed 
immediately upon its expiration would expire at the end of the 
operator's birth month that is between 2 and 3 years after issuance. 
For renewal, a new application must be submitted in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (h) Display. A vessel permit, license, or endorsement issued under 
this part 622 must be carried on board the vessel. A dealer permit 
issued under this part 622, or a copy thereof, must be available on the 
dealer's premises. In addition, a copy of the dealer's permit must 
accompany each vehicle that is used to pick up from a fishing vessel 
reef fish harvested from the Gulf EEZ. A Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement 
must accompany each vehicle that is used to pick up Gulf IFQ red 
snapper and/or Gulf IFQ groupers and tilefishes. The operator of a 
vessel must present the vessel permit, license, or endorsement for 
inspection upon the request of an authorized officer. A dealer or a 
vehicle operator must present the permit or a copy for inspection upon 
the request of an authorized officer. An operator of a vessel in a 
fishery in which an operator permit is required must present his/her 
operator permit and one other form of personal identification that 
includes a picture (driver's license, passport, etc.) for inspection 
upon the request of an authorized officer.
    (i) Sanctions and denials. (1) A permit, license, or endorsement 
issued pursuant to this part 622 may be revoked, suspended, or 
modified, and a permit, license, or endorsement application may be 
denied, in accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related 
permit sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (2) A person whose operator permit is suspended, revoked, or 
modified may not be aboard any fishing vessel subject to Federal 
fishing regulations in any capacity, if so sanctioned by NOAA, while 
the vessel is at sea or offloading. The vessel's owner and operator are 
responsible for compliance with this measure. A list of operators whose 
permits are revoked or suspended may be obtained from the RA.
    (j) Alteration. A permit, license, or endorsement that is altered, 
erased, or mutilated is invalid.
    (k) Replacement. A replacement permit, license, or endorsement may 
be issued. An application for a replacement permit, license, or 
endorsement is not considered a new application. An application for a 
replacement operator permit must include two new photographs, as 
specified in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section.


Sec.  622.5  Recordkeeping and reporting--general.

    This section contains recordkeeping and reporting requirements that 
are broadly applicable, as specified, to most or all fisheries governed 
by this part. Additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
specific to each fishery are contained in the respective subparts B 
through V of this part.
    (a) Collection of additional data and fish inspection. In addition 
to data required to be reported as specified in subparts B through V of 
this part, additional data will be collected by authorized statistical 
reporting agents and by authorized officers. A person who fishes for or 
possesses species in or from the EEZ governed in this part is required 
to make the applicable fish or parts thereof available for inspection 
by the SRD or an authorized officer on request.
    (b) Commercial vessel, charter vessel, and headboat inventory. The 
owner or operator of a commercial vessel, charter vessel, or headboat 
operating in a fishery governed in this part who is not selected to 
report by the SRD under the recordkeeping and reporting requirements in 
subparts B through V of this part must provide the following 
information when interviewed by the SRD:
    (1) Name and official number of vessel and permit number, if 
applicable.
    (2) Length and tonnage.
    (3) Current home port.
    (4) Fishing areas.
    (5) Ports where fish were offloaded during the last year.
    (6) Type and quantity of gear.
    (7) Number of full- and part-time fishermen or crew members.


Sec.  622.6  Vessel identification.

    This section does not apply to subpart R of this part, which has 
its own specific vessel identification requirements in Sec.  622.402.
    (a) Applicability--(1) Official number. A vessel for which a permit 
has been issued under subparts B through V of this part except for 
subpart R, and a vessel that fishes for or possesses pelagic sargassum 
in the South Atlantic EEZ, must display its official number--
    (i) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, 
for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so 
as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (ii) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel in contrasting color to the background.
    (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft 
(19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for vessels over 
25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height for 
vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (2) Official number and color code. The following vessels must 
display their official number as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section and, in addition, must display their assigned color code: A 
vessel for which a permit has been issued to fish with a sea bass pot, 
as required under Sec.  622.170(a)(1); a vessel in the commercial 
Caribbean reef fish fishery fishing with traps; and a vessel in the 
Caribbean spiny lobster fishery. Color codes required for the Caribbean 
reef fish fishery and Caribbean spiny lobster fishery are assigned by 
Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, whichever is applicable; color 
codes required in all other fisheries are assigned by the RA. The color 
code must be displayed--
    (i) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, 
for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so 
as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
    (ii) In the form of a circle permanently affixed to or painted on 
the vessel.

[[Page 22961]]

    (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter for vessels over 65 
ft (19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter for vessels 
over 25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter for 
vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less.
    (b) Duties of operator. The operator of a vessel specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section must keep the official number and the 
color code, if applicable, clearly legible and in good repair and must 
ensure that no part of the fishing vessel, its rigging, fishing gear, 
or any other material on board obstructs the view of the official 
number or the color code, if applicable, from an enforcement vessel or 
aircraft.


Sec.  622.7  Fishing years.

    The fishing year for species or species groups governed in this 
part is January 1 through December 31 except for the following:
    (a) Allowable octocoral--October 1 through September 30.
    (b) King and Spanish mackerel. The fishing year for the king and 
Spanish mackerel bag limits specified in Sec.  622.382 is January 1 
through December 31. The following fishing years apply only for the 
king and Spanish mackerel quotas specified in Sec.  622.384:
    (1) Gulf migratory group king mackerel--July 1 through June 30.
    (2) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel--April through March.
    (3) South Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel--March 
through February.
    (c) Wreckfish--April 16 through April 15.
    (d) South Atlantic greater amberjack--May 1 through April 30.
    (e) South Atlantic black sea bass--June 1 through May 31.


Sec.  622.8  Quotas--general.

    (a) Quotas apply for the fishing year for each species or species 
group, unless accountability measures are implemented during the 
fishing year pursuant to the applicable annual catch limits and 
accountability measures sections of subparts B through V of this part 
due to a quota overage occurring the previous year, in which case a 
reduced quota will be specified through notification in the Federal 
Register. Annual quota increases are contingent on the total allowable 
catch for the applicable species not being exceeded in the previous 
fishing year. If the total allowable catch is exceeded in the previous 
fishing year, the RA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to maintain the quota for the applicable species from 
the previous fishing year for following fishing years, unless the best 
scientific information available determines maintaining the quota from 
the previous year is unnecessary. Except for the quotas for Gulf and 
South Atlantic coral, the quotas include species harvested from state 
waters adjoining the EEZ.
    (b) Quota closures. When a quota specified in this part is reached, 
or is projected to be reached, the Assistant Administrator will file a 
notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. On 
and after the effective date of such notification, for the remainder of 
the fishing year, the applicable closure restrictions for such a quota, 
as specified in this part apply. (See the applicable annual catch 
limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures 
(AMs) sections of subparts B through V of this part for closure 
provisions when an applicable ACL or ACT is reached or projected to be 
reached).
    (c) Reopening. When a sector has been closed based on a projection 
of the quota specified in this part, or the ACL specified in the 
applicable annual catch limits and accountability measures sections of 
subparts B through V of this part being reached and subsequent data 
indicate that the quota or ACL was not reached, the Assistant 
Administrator may file a notification to that effect with the Office of 
the Federal Register. Such notification may reopen the sector to 
provide an opportunity for the quota or ACL to be harvested.


Sec.  622.9  Prohibited gear and methods--general.

    This section contains prohibitions on use of gear and methods that 
are of general applicability, as specified. Additional prohibitions on 
use of gear and methods applicable to specific species or species 
groups are contained in subparts B through V of this part.
    (a) Explosives. An explosive (except an explosive in a powerhead) 
may not be used to fish in the Caribbean, Gulf, or South Atlantic EEZ. 
A vessel fishing in the EEZ for a species governed in this part, or a 
vessel for which a permit has been issued under this part, may not have 
on board any dynamite or similar explosive substance.
    (b) Chemicals and plants. A toxic chemical may not be used or 
possessed in a coral area, and a chemical, plant, or plant-derived 
toxin may not be used to harvest a Caribbean coral reef resource in the 
Caribbean EEZ.
    (c) Fish traps. A fish trap may not be used or possessed in the 
Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ. A fish trap deployed in the Gulf or South 
Atlantic EEZ may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the 
Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.
    (d) Weak link. A bottom trawl that does not have a weak link in the 
tickler chain may not be used to fish in the Gulf EEZ. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, a weak link is defined as a length or section of the 
tickler chain that has a breaking strength less than the chain itself 
and is easily seen as such when visually inspected.
    (e) Use of Gulf reef fish as bait prohibited. Gulf reef fish may 
not be used as bait in any fishery, except that, when purchased from a 
fish processor, the filleted carcasses and offal of Gulf reef fish may 
be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water 
crab, and spiny lobster.


Sec.  622.10  Landing fish intact---general.

    This section contains requirements for landing fish intact that are 
broadly applicable to finfish in the Gulf EEZ and Caribbean EEZ, as 
specified. See subparts B through V, as applicable, for additional 
species specific requirements for landing fish intact.
    (a) Finfish in or from the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ, except as 
specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, must be maintained 
with head and fins intact.
    (b) Shark, swordfish, and tuna species are exempt from the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) In the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ:
    (1) Bait is exempt from the requirement to be maintained with head 
and fins intact.
    (i) For the purpose of this paragraph (c)(1), ``bait'' means--
    (A) Packaged, headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and 
are frozen or refrigerated;
    (B) Headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and are held 
in brine; or
    (C) Small pieces no larger than 3 in\3\ (7.6 cm\3\) or strips no 
larger than 3 inches by 9 inches (7.6 cm by 22.9 cm) that have the skin 
attached and are frozen, refrigerated, or held in brine.
    (ii) Paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section notwithstanding, a finfish 
or part thereof possessed in or landed from the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean 
EEZ that is subsequently sold or purchased as a finfish species, rather 
than as bait, is not bait.
    (2) Legal-sized finfish possessed for consumption at sea on the 
harvesting vessel are exempt from the requirement to have head and fins 
intact, provided--
    (i) Such finfish do not exceed any applicable bag limit;
    (ii) Such finfish do not exceed 1.5 lb (680 g) of finfish parts per 
person aboard; and
    (iii) The vessel is equipped to cook such finfish on board.

[[Page 22962]]

    (d) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible 
for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact 
and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading 
ashore, as specified in this section.


Sec.  622.11  Bag and possession limits--general applicability.

    This section describes the general applicability provisions for bag 
and possession limits specified in subparts B through V of this part.
    (a) Applicability. (1) The bag and possession limits apply for 
species/species groups in or from the EEZ. Unless specified otherwise, 
bag limits apply to a person on a daily basis, regardless of the number 
of trips in a day. Unless specified otherwise, possession limits apply 
to a person on a trip after the first 24 hours of that trip. The bag 
and possession limits apply to a person who fishes in the EEZ in any 
manner, except a person aboard a vessel in the EEZ that has on board 
the commercial vessel permit required under this part for the 
appropriate species/species group. The possession of a commercial 
vessel permit notwithstanding, the bag and possession limits apply when 
the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. A person who 
fishes in the EEZ may not combine a bag limit specified in subparts B 
through V of this part with a bag or possession limit applicable to 
state waters. A species/species group subject to a bag limit specified 
in subparts B through V of this part taken in the EEZ by a person 
subject to the bag limits may not be transferred at sea, regardless of 
where such transfer takes place, and such fish may not be transferred 
in the EEZ. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that the bag and possession limits specified 
in subparts B through V of this part are not exceeded.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.12  Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures 
(AMs) for Caribbean island management areas/Caribbean EEZ.

    (a) If landings from a Caribbean island management area, as 
specified in Appendix E to this part, except for landings of queen 
conch (see Sec.  622.491(b)), or landings from the Caribbean EEZ for 
tilefish and aquarium trade species, are estimated by the SRD to have 
exceeded the applicable ACL, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section for Puerto Rico management area species or species groups, 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section for St. Croix management area species 
or species groups, paragraph (a)(3) of this section for St. Thomas/St. 
John management area species or species groups, or paragraph (a)(4) of 
this section for the Caribbean EEZ, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of 
the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the fishing season 
for the applicable species or species groups that year by the amount 
necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the applicable ACL. If NMFS 
determines the ACL for a particular species or species group was 
exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in total catch of the species or species group, 
NMFS will not reduce the length of the fishing season for the 
applicable species or species group the following fishing year. 
Landings will be evaluated relative to the applicable ACL based on a 
moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP. With 
the exceptions of Caribbean queen conch in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas/
St. John management areas, goliath grouper, Nassau grouper, midnight 
parrotfish, blue parrotfish, and rainbow parrotfish, ACLs are based on 
the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings for each management 
area. The ACLs specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), and 
(a)(4) of this section are given in round weight.
    (1) Puerto Rico--(i) Commercial ACLs. The following ACLs apply to 
commercial landings of Puerto Rico management area species or species 
groups.
    (A) Queen conch--0 lb (0 kg), for the EEZ only.
    (B) Parrotfishes--52,737 lb (23,915 kg).
    (C) Snapper Unit 1--284,685 lb (129,131 kg).
    (D) Snapper Unit 2--145,916 lb (66,186 kg).
    (E) Snapper Unit 3--345,775 lb (156,841 kg).
    (F) Snapper Unit 4--373,295 lb (169,324 kg).
    (G) Groupers--177,513 lb (80,519 kg).
    (H) Angelfish--8,984 lb (4,075 kg).
    (I) Boxfish--86,115 lb (39,061 kg).
    (J) Goatfishes--17,565 lb (7,967 kg).
    (K) Grunts--182,396 lb (82,733 kg).
    (L) Wrasses--54,147 lb (24,561 kg).
    (M) Jacks--86,059 lb (39,036 kg).
    (N) Scups and porgies, combined--24,739 lb (11,221 kg).
    (O) Squirrelfish--16,663 lb (7,558 kg).
    (P) Surgeonfish--7,179 lb (3,256 kg).
    (Q) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--58,475 lb (26,524 kg).
    (R) Spiny lobster--327,920 lb (148,742 kg).
    (ii) Recreational ACLs. The following ACLs apply to recreational 
landings of Puerto Rico management area species or species groups.
    (A) Queen conch--0 lb (0 kg), for the EEZ only.
    (B) Parrotfishes--15,263 lb (6,921 kg).
    (C) Snapper Unit 1--95,526 lb (43,330 kg).
    (D) Snapper Unit 2--34,810 lb (15,790 kg).
    (E) Snapper Unit 3--83,158 lb (37,720 kg).
    (F) Snapper Unit 4--28,509 lb (12,931 kg).
    (G) Groupers--77,213 lb (35,023 kg).
    (H) Angelfish--4,492 lb (2,038 kg).
    (I) Boxfish--4,616 lb (2,094 kg).
    (J) Goatfishes--362 lb (164 kg).
    (K) Grunts--5,028 lb (2,281 kg).
    (L) Wrasses--5,050 lb (2,291 kg).
    (M) Jacks--51,001 lb (23,134 kg).
    (N) Scups and porgies, combined--2,577 lb (1,169 kg).
    (O) Squirrelfish--3,891 lb (1,765 kg).
    (P) Surgeonfish--3,590 lb (1,628 kg).
    (Q) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--21,929 lb (9,947 kg).
    (2) St. Croix--(i) ACLs. The following ACLs apply to landings of 
St. Croix management area species or species groups.
    (A) Queen conch--50,000 lb (22,680 kg).
    (B) Parrotfishes--240,000 lb (108,863 kg).
    (C) Snappers--102,946 lb (46,696 kg).
    (D) Groupers--30,435 lb (13,805 kg).
    (E) Angelfish--305 lb (138 kg).
    (F) Boxfish--8,433 lb (3,825 kg).
    (G) Goatfishes--3,766 lb (1,708 kg).
    (H) Grunts--36,881 lb (16,729 kg).
    (I) Wrasses--7 lb (3 kg).
    (J) Jacks--15,489 lb (7,076 kg).
    (K) Scups and porgies, combined--4,638 lb (2,104 kg).
    (L) Squirrelfish--121 lb (55 kg).
    (M) Surgeonfish--33,603 lb (15,242 kg).
    (N) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--24,980 lb (11,331 kg).
    (O) Spiny lobster--107,307 lb (48,674 kg).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) St. Thomas/St. John -- (i) ACLs. The following ACLs apply to 
landings of St. Thomas/St. John management area species or species 
groups.
    (A) Queen conch--0 lb (0 kg), for the EEZ only.
    (B) Parrotfishes--42,500 lb (19,278 kg).
    (C) Snappers--133,775 lb (60,679 kg).
    (D) Groupers--51,849 lb (23,518 kg).
    (E) Angelfish--7,897 lb (3,582 kg).
    (F) Boxfish--27,880 lb (12,646 kg).
    (G) Goatfishes--320 lb (145 kg).
    (H) Grunts--37,617 lb (17,063 kg).
    (I) Wrasses--585 lb (265 kg).

[[Page 22963]]

    (J) Jacks--52,907 lb (23,998 kg).
    (K) Scups and porgies, combined--21,819 lb (9,897 kg).
    (L) Squirrelfish--4,241 lb (1,924 kg).
    (M) Surgeonfish--29,249 lb (13,267 kg).
    (N) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--74,447 lb (33,769 kg).
    (O) Spiny lobster--104,199 lb (47,264 kg).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Caribbean EEZ-- (i) ACLs. The following ACLs apply to landings 
of species or species groups throughout the Caribbean EEZ.
    (A) Tilefish--14,642 lb (6,641 kg).
    (B) Aquarium trade species--8,155 lb (3,699 kg).
    (ii) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.13  Prohibitions--general.

    In addition to the general prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this 
chapter and the fishery specific prohibitions in subparts B through V 
of this part, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
    (a) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel identification, 
as specified in Sec.  622.6.
    (b) Use or possess prohibited gear or methods or possess fish in 
association with possession or use of prohibited gear, as specified in 
Sec.  622.9.
    (c) Fail to maintain a fish intact through offloading ashore, as 
specified in Sec.  622.10.
    (d) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with 
a NMFS-approved observer aboard a vessel.
    (e) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, or 
refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from conducting his or 
her duties aboard a vessel.
    (f) Make a false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer regarding the installation, use, operation, or maintenance of a 
vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit or communication service provider.


Sec.  622.14  Area closures related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

    (a) Caribbean EEZ area closure related to Deepwater Horizon oil 
spill. Effective May 11, 2010, all fishing is prohibited in the portion 
of the Caribbean EEZ identified in the map shown on the NMFS Web site: 
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm.
    (b) Gulf EEZ area closure related to Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 
Effective May 11, 2010, all fishing is prohibited in the portion of the 
Gulf EEZ identified in the map shown on the NMFS Web site: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm.
    (c) Atlantic EEZ area closure related to Deepwater Horizon oil 
spill. Effective May 11, 2010, all fishing is prohibited in the portion 
of the South Atlantic EEZ identified in the map shown on the NMFS Web 
site: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill.htm.


Sec.  622.15  Notice regarding area closures to protect corals.

    See Sec. Sec.  622.74 and 622.224, respectively, regarding coral 
protective restrictions in the Gulf EEZ and South Atlantic EEZ that 
apply broadly to multiple fisheries and gear types.


Sec.  622.16  Notice regarding South Atlantic special management zones 
(SMZs).

    See Sec. Sec.  622.182(a) and 622.382(a)(1)(v), respectively, 
regarding fishing and gear restrictions in South Atlantic SMZs that 
apply to snapper-grouper and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries and 
broadly to gear types of multiple fisheries.


Sec.  622.17  Notice regarding seasonal/area closures to protect Gulf 
reef fish.

    See Sec.  622.34, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) through (6), 
regarding Gulf reef fish protective restrictions in the Gulf EEZ that 
apply broadly to multiple Gulf fisheries and gear types.
    Subpart B--Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico


Sec.  622.20  Permits and endorsements.

    (a) Commercial vessels--(1) Commercial vessel permits. For a person 
aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits, to 
fish under a quota, as specified in Sec.  622.39, or to sell Gulf reef 
fish in or from the Gulf EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef 
fish must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. If 
Federal regulations for Gulf reef fish in subparts A or B of this part 
are more restrictive than state regulations, a person aboard a vessel 
for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued 
must comply with such Federal regulations regardless of where the fish 
are harvested. See paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section regarding a 
limited access system for commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef fish. 
See Sec. Sec.  622.21(b)(1) and 622.22(b)(1), respectively, regarding 
an IFQ vessel account required to fish for, possess, or land Gulf red 
snapper or Gulf groupers and tilefishes and paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section regarding an additional bottom longline endorsement required to 
fish for Gulf reef fish with bottom longline gear in a portion of the 
eastern Gulf.
    (i) Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for Gulf 
reef fish. (A) No applications for additional commercial vessel permits 
for Gulf reef fish will be accepted. Existing vessel permits may be 
renewed, are subject to the restriction on transfer in paragraph 
(a)(1)(i)(B) of this section, and are subject to the requirement for 
timely renewal in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this section. An 
application for renewal or transfer of a commercial vessel permit for 
Gulf reef fish will not be considered complete until proof of purchase, 
installation, activation, and operational status of an approved VMS for 
the vessel receiving the permit has been verified by NMFS VMS 
personnel.
    (B) An owner of a permitted vessel may transfer the commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish to another vessel owned by the same 
entity. A permit holder may also transfer the commercial vessel permit 
for Gulf reef fish to the owner of another vessel or to a new vessel 
owner when he or she transfers ownership of the permitted vessel.
    (C) A commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish that is not 
renewed or that is revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered 
to be not renewed when an application for renewal is not received by 
the RA within 1 year of the expiration date of the permit.
    (ii) Option to consolidate commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef 
fish. A person who has been issued multiple commercial vessel permits 
for Gulf reef fish and wants to consolidate some or all of those 
permits, and the landings histories associated with those permits, into 
one permit must submit a completed permit consolidation application to 
the RA. The permits consolidated must be valid, non-expired permits and 
must be issued to the same entity. The application form and 
instructions are available online at sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. After 
consolidation, such a person would have a single permit, and the 
permits that were consolidated into that permit will be permanently 
terminated.
    (2) Commercial vessel endorsements--(i) Eastern Gulf reef fish 
bottom longline endorsement. For a person aboard a vessel, for which a 
valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, to 
use a bottom longline for Gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ east of 
85[deg]30' W. long., a valid eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline 
endorsement must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. A 
permit or endorsement that has expired is not valid. This endorsement 
must be renewed annually and may only be renewed if the associated 
vessel has a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish or if 
the endorsement and

[[Page 22964]]

associated permit are being concurrently renewed. The RA will not 
reissue this endorsement if the endorsement is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive a complete application for renewal of the endorsement 
within 1 year after the endorsement's expiration date.
    (A) Transferability. An owner of a vessel with a valid eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement may transfer that endorsement to 
an owner of a vessel that has a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish.
    (B) Fees. A fee is charged for each renewal, transfer, or 
replacement of an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement. 
The amount of each fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures 
of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from the RA, for determining 
the administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee 
may not exceed such costs and is specified with each application form. 
The appropriate fee must accompany each application for renewal, 
transfer, or replacement.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits. For a person aboard a vessel 
that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or 
possess Gulf reef fish, in or from the EEZ, a valid charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf reef fish must have been issued to the vessel 
and must be on board.
    (1) Limited access system for charter vessel/headboat permits for 
Gulf reef fish. No applications for additional charter vessel/headboat 
permits for Gulf reef fish will be accepted. Existing permits may be 
renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer in paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, and are subject to the renewal requirements 
in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (i) Transfer of permits--(A) Permits without a historical captain 
endorsement. A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal 
migratory pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish that does not have a 
historical captain endorsement is fully transferable, with or without 
sale of the permitted vessel, except that no transfer is allowed to a 
vessel with a greater authorized passenger capacity than that of the 
vessel to which the moratorium permit was originally issued, as 
specified on the face of the permit being transferred. An application 
to transfer a permit to an inspected vessel must include a copy of that 
vessel's current USCG Certificate of Inspection (COI). A vessel without 
a valid COI will be considered an uninspected vessel with an authorized 
passenger capacity restricted to six or fewer passengers.
    (B) Permits with a historical captain endorsement. A charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Gulf 
reef fish that has a historical captain endorsement may only be 
transferred to a vessel operated by the historical captain, cannot be 
transferred to a vessel with a greater authorized passenger capacity 
than that of the vessel to which the moratorium permit was originally 
issued, as specified on the face of the permit being transferred, and 
is not otherwise transferable.
    (C) Procedure for permit transfer. To request that the RA transfer 
a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish, the owner of the 
vessel who is transferring the permit and the owner of the vessel that 
is to receive the transferred permit must complete the transfer 
information on the reverse side of the permit and return the permit and 
a completed application for transfer to the RA. See Sec.  622.4(f) for 
additional transfer-related requirements applicable to all permits 
issued under this part.
    (ii) Renewal. (A) Renewal of a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
Gulf reef fish is contingent upon the permitted vessel and/or captain, 
as appropriate, being included in an active survey frame for, and, if 
selected to report, providing the information required in one of the 
approved fishing data surveys. Surveys include, but are not limited 
to--
    (1) NMFS' Marine Recreational Fishing Vessel Directory Telephone 
Survey (conducted by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission);
    (2) NMFS' Southeast Headboat Survey (as required by Sec.  
622.26(b)(1));
    (3) Texas Parks and Wildlife Marine Recreational Fishing Survey; or
    (4) A data collection system that replaces one or more of the 
surveys in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A),(1),(2), or (3) of this section.
    (B) A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish that is not 
renewed or that is revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered 
to be not renewed when an application for renewal, as required, is not 
received by the RA within 1 year of the expiration date of the permit.
    (iii) Requirement to display a vessel decal. Upon renewal or 
transfer of a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish, the RA 
will issue the owner of the permitted vessel a vessel decal for Gulf 
reef fish. The vessel decal must be displayed on the port side of the 
deckhouse or hull and must be maintained so that it is clearly visible.
    (2) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/
headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel 
is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard must 
adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of ``Charter vessel'' and 
``Headboat'' in Sec.  622.2 for an explanation of when vessels are 
considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat, 
respectively.
    (3) If Federal regulations for Gulf reef fish in subparts A or B of 
this part are more restrictive than state regulations, a person aboard 
a charter vessel or headboat for which a charter vessel/headboat permit 
for Gulf reef fish has been issued must comply with such Federal 
regulations regardless of where the fish are harvested.
    (c) Dealer permits and conditions--(1) Permits. For a dealer to 
receive Gulf reef fish harvested from the EEZ, a dealer permit for Gulf 
reef fish must be issued to the dealer.
    (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer 
permit or endorsement, the applicant must have a valid state 
wholesaler's license in the state(s) where the dealer operates, if 
required by such state(s), and must have a physical facility at a fixed 
location in such state(s).
    (d) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.


Sec.  622.21  Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf red 
snapper.

    (a) General. This section establishes an IFQ program for the 
commercial red snapper component of the Gulf reef fish fishery. Shares 
determine the amount of Gulf red snapper IFQ allocation, in pounds 
gutted weight, a shareholder is initially authorized to possess, land, 
or sell in a given calendar year. As of January 1, 2012, IFQ shares and 
allocation can only be transferred to U.S. citizens and permanent 
resident aliens. See paragraph (b)(11) of this section regarding 
eligibility to participate in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program as of 
January 1, 2012. Shares and annual IFQ allocation are transferable. See 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section regarding a requirement for a vessel 
landing red snapper subject to this IFQ program to have a Gulf red 
snapper IFQ vessel account. See paragraph (b)(2) of this section 
regarding a requirement for a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. Details 
regarding eligibility, applicable landings history, account setup and 
transaction requirements, constraints on transferability, and other 
provisions of this IFQ system are provided in the following paragraphs 
of this section.
    (1) Scope. The provisions of this section regarding the harvest and 
possession of Gulf IFQ red snapper apply to Gulf red snapper in or from 
the

[[Page 22965]]

Gulf EEZ and, for a person aboard a vessel with a Gulf red snapper IFQ 
vessel account as required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section or for a 
person with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement as required by paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, these provisions apply to Gulf red snapper 
regardless of where harvested or possessed.
    (2) Duration. The IFQ program established by this section will 
remain in effect until it is modified or terminated; however, the 
program will be evaluated by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council every 5 years.
    (3) Electronic system requirements. (i) The administrative 
functions associated with this IFQ program, e.g., registration and 
account setup, landing transactions, and transfers, are designed to be 
accomplished online; therefore, a participant must have access to a 
computer and Internet access and must set up an appropriate IFQ online 
account to participate. The computer must have browser software 
installed, e.g., Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox; as well as the 
software Adobe Flash Player version 9.0 or greater, which may be 
downloaded from the Internet for free. Assistance with online functions 
is available from IFQ Customer Service by calling 1-866-425-7627 Monday 
through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern time.
    (ii) The RA mailed initial shareholders and dealers with Gulf reef 
fish dealer permits information and instructions pertinent to setting 
up an IFQ online account. Other eligible persons who desire to become 
IFQ participants by purchasing IFQ shares or allocation or by obtaining 
a Gulf red snapper IFQ dealer endorsement must first contact IFQ 
Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627 to obtain information necessary to 
set up the required IFQ online account. As of January 1, 2012, all U.S. 
citizens and permanent resident aliens are eligible to establish an IFQ 
online account. As of January 1, 2012, all current IFQ participants 
must complete and submit the application for an IFQ Online Account to 
certify their citizenship status and ensure their account information 
(e.g., mailing address, corporate shareholdings, etc.) is up to date. 
See Sec.  622.21(b)(11) regarding requirements for the application for 
an IFQ Online Account. Each IFQ participant must monitor his/her online 
account and all associated messages and comply with all IFQ online 
reporting requirements.
    (iii) During catastrophic conditions only, the IFQ program provides 
for use of paper-based components for basic required functions as a 
backup. The RA will determine when catastrophic conditions exist, the 
duration of the catastrophic conditions, and which participants or 
geographic areas are deemed affected by the catastrophic conditions. 
The RA will provide timely notice to affected participants via 
publication of notification in the Federal Register, NOAA weather 
radio, fishery bulletins, and other appropriate means and will 
authorize the affected participants' use of paper-based components for 
the duration of the catastrophic conditions. NMFS will provide each IFQ 
dealer the necessary paper forms, sequentially coded, and instructions 
for submission of the forms to the RA. The paper forms will also be 
available from the RA. The program functions available to participants 
or geographic areas deemed affected by catastrophic conditions will be 
limited under the paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for 
transfers of IFQ shares or allocation under the paper-based system in 
effect during catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the 
requirements of the paper-based system will be available via IFQ 
Customer Service 1-866-425-7627 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m. eastern time.
    (4) IFQ allocation. IFQ allocation is the amount of Gulf red 
snapper, in pounds gutted weight, an IFQ shareholder or allocation 
holder is authorized to possess, land, or sell during a given fishing 
year. IFQ allocation is derived at the beginning of each year by 
multiplying a shareholder's IFQ share times the annual commercial quota 
for Gulf red snapper. If the quota is increased after the beginning of 
the fishing year, then IFQ allocation is derived by multiplying a 
shareholder's IFQ share at the time of the quota increase by the amount 
the annual commercial quota for red snapper is increased.
    (5) Initial shareholder IFQ account setup information. As soon as 
possible after an IFQ Online Account is established, the RA will 
provide IFQ account holders information pertinent to the IFQ program. 
This information will include:
    (i) General instructions regarding procedures related to the IFQ 
online system; and
    (ii) A user identification number--the personal identification 
number (PIN) is provided in a subsequent letter.
    (6) Dealer notification and IFQ account setup information. As soon 
as possible after November 22, 2006, the RA mailed each dealer with a 
valid Gulf reef fish dealer permit information pertinent to the IFQ 
program. Any such dealer is eligible to receive a Gulf IFQ dealer 
endorsement, which can be downloaded from the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov once an IFQ account has been established. The 
information package included general information about the IFQ program 
and instructions for accessing the IFQ Web site and establishing an IFQ 
dealer account.
    (b) IFQ operations and requirements--(1) IFQ vessel accounts for 
Gulf red snapper. For a person aboard a vessel, for which a commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, to fish for, possess, 
or land Gulf red snapper, regardless of where harvested or possessed, a 
Gulf IFQ vessel account for Gulf red snapper must have been 
established. As a condition of the IFQ vessel account, a person aboard 
such vessel must comply with the requirements of this section, Sec.  
622.21, when fishing for red snapper regardless of where the fish are 
harvested or possessed. An owner of a vessel with a commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish, who has established an IFQ account for Gulf 
red snapper as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, online 
via the NMFS IFQ Web site ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, may establish a 
vessel account through that IFQ account for that permitted vessel. If 
such owner does not have an online IFQ account, the owner must first 
contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627 to obtain information 
necessary to access the IFQ Web site and establish an online IFQ 
account. There is no fee to set-up an IFQ account or a vessel account. 
Only one vessel account may be established per vessel under each IFQ 
program. An owner with multiple vessels may establish multiple vessel 
accounts under each IFQ account. The purpose of the vessel account is 
to hold IFQ allocation that is required to land the applicable IFQ 
species. A vessel account must hold sufficient IFQ allocation, at least 
equal to the pounds in gutted weight of the red snapper on board, from 
the time of advance notice of landing through landing (except for any 
overage allowed as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. 
The vessel account remains valid as long as the vessel permit remains 
valid; the vessel has not been sold or transferred; and the vessel 
owner is in compliance with all Gulf reef fish and IFQ reporting 
requirements, has paid all applicable IFQ fees, and is not subject to 
sanctions under 15 CFR part 904. The vessel account is not transferable 
to another vessel. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to 
fishing for or possession of Gulf red snapper under the bag limit 
specified in Sec.  622.38(b)3).

[[Page 22966]]

    (2) Gulf IFQ dealer endorsements. In addition to the requirement 
for a dealer permit for Gulf reef fish as specified in Sec.  622.20(c), 
for a dealer to receive red snapper subject to the Gulf red snapper IFQ 
program, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or for a 
person aboard a vessel with a Gulf IFQ vessel account to sell such red 
snapper directly to an entity other than a dealer, such persons must 
also have a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. A dealer with a Gulf reef fish 
permit can download a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement from the NMFS IFQ Web 
site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. If such persons do not have an IFQ 
online account, they must first contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-
425-7627 to obtain information necessary to access the IFQ Web site and 
establish an IFQ online account. There is no fee for obtaining this 
endorsement. The endorsement remains valid as long as the Gulf reef 
fish dealer permit remains valid and the dealer is in compliance with 
all Gulf reef fish and IFQ reporting requirements, has paid all IFQ 
fees required, and is not subject to any sanctions under 15 CFR part 
904. The endorsement is not transferable.
    (3) IFQ Landing and transaction requirements. (i) Gulf red snapper 
subject to this IFQ program can only be possessed or landed by a vessel 
with a Gulf red snapper IFQ vessel account with allocation at least 
equal to the pounds of red snapper on board, except as provided in 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. Such red snapper can only be 
received by a dealer with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement.
    (ii) A person on board a vessel with an IFQ vessel account landing 
the shareholder's only remaining allocation, can legally exceed, by up 
to 10 percent, the shareholder's allocation remaining on that last 
fishing trip of the fishing year, i.e., a one-time per fishing year 
overage. Any such overage will be deducted from the shareholder's 
applicable allocation for the subsequent fishing year. From the time of 
the overage until January 1 of the subsequent fishing year, the IFQ 
shareholder must retain sufficient shares to account for the allocation 
that will be deducted the subsequent fishing year. Share transfers that 
would violate this requirement will be prohibited.
    (iii) The dealer is responsible for completing a landing 
transaction report for each landing and sale of Gulf red snapper via 
the IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov at the time of the 
transaction in accordance with the reporting form(s) and instructions 
provided on the Web site. This report includes, but is not limited to, 
date, time, and location of transaction; weight and actual ex-vessel 
price of red snapper landed and sold; and information necessary to 
identify the fisherman, vessel, and dealer involved in the transaction. 
The fisherman must validate the dealer transaction report by entering 
his unique PIN when the transaction report is submitted. After the 
dealer submits the report and the information has been verified, the 
Web site will send a transaction approval code to the dealer and the 
allocation holder.
    (iv) If there is a discrepancy regarding the landing transaction 
report after approval, the dealer or vessel account holder (or his or 
her authorized agent) must initiate a landing transaction correction 
form to correct the landing transaction. This form is available via the 
IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. The dealer must then print out 
the form, both parties must sign it, and the form must be mailed to 
NMFS. The form must be received by NMFS no later than 15 days after the 
date of the initial landing transaction.
    (4) IFQ cost recovery fees. As required by section 304(d)(2)(A)(i) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the RA will collect a fee to recover the 
actual costs directly related to the management and enforcement of the 
Gulf red snapper IFQ program. The fee cannot exceed 3 percent of the 
ex-vessel value of Gulf red snapper landed under the IFQ program as 
described in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Such fees will be deposited in 
the Limited Access System Administration Fund (LASAF). Initially, the 
fee will be 3 percent of the actual ex-vessel price of Gulf red snapper 
landed per trip under the IFQ program, as documented in each landings 
transaction report. The RA will review the cost recovery fee annually 
to determine if adjustment is warranted. Factors considered in the 
review include the catch subject to the IFQ cost recovery, projected 
ex-vessel value of the catch, costs directly related to the management 
and enforcement of the IFQ program, the projected IFQ balance in the 
LASAF, and expected non-payment of fee liabilities. If the RA 
determines that a fee adjustment is warranted, the RA will publish a 
notification of the fee adjustment in the Federal Register.
    (i) Payment responsibility. The IFQ allocation holder specified in 
the documented red snapper IFQ landing transaction report is 
responsible for payment of the applicable cost recovery fees.
    (ii) Collection and submission responsibility. A dealer who 
receives Gulf red snapper subject to the IFQ program is responsible for 
collecting the applicable cost recovery fee for each IFQ landing from 
the IFQ allocation holder specified in the IFQ landing transaction 
report. Such dealer is responsible for submitting all applicable cost 
recovery fees to NMFS on a quarterly basis. The fees are due and must 
be submitted, using pay.gov via the IFQ system at the end of each 
calendar-year quarter, but no later than 30 days after the end of each 
calendar-year quarter. Fees not received by the deadline are 
delinquent.
    (iii) Fee payment procedure. For each IFQ dealer, the IFQ system 
will post, on individual message boards, an end-of-quarter statement of 
cost recovery fees that are due. The dealer is responsible for 
submitting the cost recovery fee payments using pay.gov via the IFQ 
system. Authorized payments methods are credit card, debit card, or 
automated clearing house (ACH). Payment by check will be authorized 
only if the RA has determined that the geographical area or an 
individual(s) is affected by catastrophic conditions.
    (iv) Fee reconciliation process--delinquent fees. The following 
procedures apply to an IFQ dealer whose cost recovery fees are 
delinquent.
    (A) On or about the 31st day after the end of each calendar-year 
quarter, the RA will send the dealer an electronic message via the IFQ 
Web site and official notice via mail indicating the applicable fees 
are delinquent, and the dealer's IFQ account has been suspended pending 
payment of the applicable fees.
    (B) On or about the 91st day after the end of each calendar-year 
quarter, the RA will refer any delinquent IFQ dealer cost recovery fees 
to the appropriate authorities for collection of payment.
    (5) Measures to enhance IFQ program enforceability--(i) Advance 
notice of landing. For the purpose of this paragraph, landing means to 
arrive at a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp. The owner or operator 
of a vessel landing IFQ red snapper is responsible for ensuring that 
NMFS is contacted at least 3 hours, but no more than 12 hours, in 
advance of landing to report the time and location of landing, 
estimated red snapper landings in pounds gutted weight, vessel 
identification number (Coast Guard registration number or state 
registration number), and the name and address of the IFQ dealer where 
the red snapper are to be received. The vessel landing red snapper must 
have sufficient IFQ allocation in the IFQ vessel account, at least 
equal to the pounds in gutted weight of red snapper on board (except 
for any overage up to the 10 percent

[[Page 22967]]

allowed on the last fishing trip) from the time of the advance notice 
of landing through landing. Authorized methods for contacting NMFS and 
submitting the report include calling IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-
425-7627, completing and submitting to NMFS the notification form 
provided through the VMS unit, or providing the required information to 
NMFS through the web-based form available on the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. As new technology becomes available, NMFS will 
add other authorized methods for complying with the advance 
notification requirement, via appropriate rulemaking. Failure to comply 
with this advance notice of landing requirement is unlawful and will 
preclude authorization to complete the landing transaction report 
required in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section and, thus, will 
preclude issuance of the required transaction approval code.
    (ii) Time restriction on offloading. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, offloading means to remove IFQ red snapper from a vessel. 
IFQ red snapper may be offloaded only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., local 
time.
    (iii) Restrictions on transfer of IFQ red snapper. At-sea or 
dockside transfer of IFQ red snapper from one vessel to another vessel 
is prohibited.
    (iv) Requirement for transaction approval code. If IFQ red snapper 
are offloaded to a vehicle for transportation to a dealer or are on a 
vessel that is trailered for transport to a dealer, on-site capability 
to accurately weigh the fish and to connect electronically to the 
online IFQ system to complete the transaction and obtain the 
transaction approval code is required. After a landing transaction has 
been completed, a transaction approval code verifying a legal 
transaction of the amount of IFQ red snapper in possession and a copy 
of the dealer endorsement must accompany any IFQ red snapper from the 
landing location through possession by a dealer. This requirement also 
applies to IFQ red snapper possessed on a vessel that is trailered for 
transport to a dealer.
    (v) Approved landing locations. Landing locations must be approved 
by NMFS Office for Law Enforcement prior to landing or offloading at 
these sites. Proposed landing locations may be submitted online via the 
IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, or by calling IFQ Customer 
Service at 1-866-425-7627, at any time; however, new landing locations 
will be approved only at the end of each calendar-year quarter. To have 
a landing location approved by the end of the calendar-year quarter, it 
must be submitted at least 45 days before the end of the calendar-year 
quarter. NMFS will evaluate the proposed sites based on, but not 
limited to, the following criteria:
    (A) Landing locations must have a street address. If there is no 
street address on record for a particular landing location, global 
positioning system (GPS) coordinates for an identifiable geographic 
location must be provided.
    (B) Landing locations must be publicly accessible by land and 
water, and must satisfy the following criteria:
    (1) Vehicles must have access to the site via public roads;
    (2) Vessels must have access to the site via navigable waters;
    (3) No other condition may impede free and immediate access to the 
site by an authorized law enforcement officer. Examples of such 
conditions include, but are not limited to: A locked gate, fence, wall, 
or other barrier preventing 24-hour access to the site; a gated 
community entry point; a guard animal; a posted sign restricting access 
to the site; or any other physical deterrent.
    (6) Transfer of IFQ shares and allocation. Until January 1, 2012, 
IFQ shares and allocations can be transferred only to a person who 
holds a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish; thereafter, 
IFQ shares and allocations can be transferred only to a U.S. citizen or 
permanent resident alien. However, a valid commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish, a Gulf red snapper IFQ vessel account, and Gulf red snapper 
IFQ allocation are required to possess (at and after the time of the 
advance notice of landing), land or sell Gulf red snapper subject to 
this IFQ program.
    (i) Share transfers. Share transfers are permanent, i.e., they 
remain in effect until subsequently transferred. Transfer of shares 
will result in the corresponding allocation being automatically 
transferred to the person receiving the transferred share beginning 
with the fishing year following the year the transfer occurred. 
However, within the fishing year the share transfer occurs, transfer of 
shares and associated allocation are independent--unless the associated 
allocation is transferred separately, it remains with the transferor 
for the duration of that fishing year. A share transfer transaction 
that remains in pending status, i.e., has not been completed and 
verified with a transaction approval code, after 30 days from the date 
the shareholder initiated the transfer will be cancelled, and the 
pending shares will be re-credited to the shareholder who initiated the 
transfer.
    (ii) Share transfer procedures. Share transfers must be 
accomplished online via the IFQ Web site. An IFQ shareholder must 
initiate a share transfer request by logging onto the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. Following the instructions provided on the Web 
site, the shareholder must enter pertinent information regarding the 
transfer request including, but not limited to, amount of shares to be 
transferred, which must be a minimum of 0.0001 percent; name of the 
eligible transferee; and the value of the transferred shares. An IFQ 
shareholder who is subject to a sanction under 15 CFR part 904 is 
prohibited from initiating a share transfer. An IFQ shareholder who is 
subject to a pending sanction under 15 CFR part 904 must disclose in 
writing to the prospective transferee the existence of any pending 
sanction at the time of the transfer. For the first 5 years this IFQ 
program is in effect, an eligible transferee is a person who has a 
valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish; is in compliance 
with all reporting requirements for the Gulf reef fish fishery and the 
red snapper IFQ program; is not subject to sanctions under 15 CFR part 
904; and who would not be in violation of the share cap as specified in 
paragraph (b)(8) of this section. Thereafter, share transferee 
eligibility will only include U.S. citizens and permanent resident 
aliens who are otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this 
section. The online system will verify the transfer information 
entered. If the information is not accepted, the online system will 
send the shareholder an electronic message explaining the reason(s) why 
the transfer request cannot be completed. If the information is 
accepted, the online system will send the transferee an electronic 
message of the pending transfer. The transferee must approve the share 
transfer by electronic signature. If the transferee approves the share 
transfer, the online system will send a transaction approval code to 
both the transferor and transferee confirming the transaction. All 
share transfers must be completed and the transaction approval code 
received prior to December 31 at 6 p.m. eastern time each year.
    (iii) Allocation transfers. An allocation transfer is valid only 
for the remainder of the fishing year in which it occurs; it does not 
carry over to the subsequent fishing year. Any allocation that is 
unused at the end of the fishing year is void. Allocation may be 
transferred to a vessel account from any IFQ account. Allocation held 
in a vessel account, however, may only be transferred back to the IFQ 
account

[[Page 22968]]

through which the vessel account was established.
    (iv) Allocation transfer procedures. Allocation transfers must be 
accomplished online via the IFQ Web site. An IFQ account holder must 
initiate an allocation transfer by logging onto the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, entering the required information, including 
but not limited to, name of an eligible transferee and amount of IFQ 
allocation to be transferred and price, and submitting the transfer 
electronically. An IFQ allocation holder who is subject to a sanction 
under 15 CFR part 904 is prohibited from initiating an allocation 
transfer. An IFQ allocation holder who is subject to a pending sanction 
under 15 CFR part 904 must disclose in writing to the prospective 
transferee the existence of any pending sanction at the time of the 
transfer. If the transfer is approved, the online system will provide a 
transaction approval code to the transferor and transferee confirming 
the transaction.
    (7) Restricted transactions during the 20-hour online maintenance 
window. All electronic IFQ transactions must be completed by December 
31 at 6 p.m. eastern time each year. Electronic IFQ functions will 
resume again on January 1 at 2 p.m. eastern time the following fishing 
year. The remaining 6 hours prior to the end of the fishing year, and 
the 14 hours at the beginning of the next fishing year, are necessary 
to provide NMFS time to reconcile IFQ accounts, adjust allocations for 
the upcoming year if the commercial quotas for Gulf red snapper have 
changed, and update shares and allocations for the upcoming fishing 
year. No electronic IFQ transactions will be available during these 20 
hours. An advance notice of landing may still be submitted during the 
20-hour maintenance window by using the vessel's VMS unit or calling 
IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627.
    (8) IFQ share cap. No person, including a corporation or other 
entity, may individually or collectively hold IFQ shares in excess of 
6.0203 percent of the total shares. For the purposes of considering the 
share cap, a corporation's total IFQ share is determined by adding the 
applicable IFQ shares held by the corporation and any other IFQ shares 
held by a corporation(s) owned by the original corporation prorated 
based on the level of ownership. An individual's total IFQ share is 
determined by adding the applicable IFQ shares held by the individual 
and the applicable IFQ shares equivalent to the corporate share the 
individual holds in a corporation. Initially, a corporation must 
provide the RA the identity of the shareholders of the corporation and 
their percent of shares in the corporation, and provide updated 
information to the RA within 30 days of when changes occur. This 
information must also be provided to the RA any time a commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish is renewed or transferred and at the 
time of renewal of the application for an IFQ Online Account.
    (9) Redistribution of shares resulting from permanent revocation. 
If a shareholder's IFQ shares have been permanently revoked, the RA 
will redistribute the IFQ shares held by that shareholder 
proportionately among remaining shareholders (subject to cap 
restrictions) based upon the amount of shares each held just prior to 
the redistribution. During December of each year, the RA will determine 
the amount of revoked shares, if any, to be redistributed, and the 
shares will be distributed at the beginning of the subsequent fishing 
year.
    (10) Annual recalculation and notification of IFQ shares and 
allocation. On or about January 1 each year, IFQ shareholders will be 
notified, via the IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, of their IFQ 
share and allocation for the upcoming fishing year. These updated share 
values will reflect the results of applicable share transfers and any 
redistribution of shares (subject to cap restrictions) resulting from 
permanent revocation of applicable shares. Updated allocation values 
will reflect any change in IFQ share, any change in the annual 
commercial quota for Gulf red snapper, and any debits required as a 
result of prior fishing year overages as specified in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section. IFQ participants can monitor the status of 
their shares and allocation throughout the year via the IFQ Web site.
    (11) Eligibility to participate in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program 
as of January 1, 2012. The provisions of paragraph (b)(11) of this 
section apply to all eligible participants for the Gulf red snapper IFQ 
program beginning January 1, 2012. In addition to eligible participants 
who already participate in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program, as of 
January 1, 2012, all U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens who 
are in compliance with the provisions of this section are eligible and 
may participate in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program as shareholders and 
allocation holders. The requirements to meet the definition of a U.S. 
citizen are described in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, 
as amended, and permanent resident aliens are those individuals who 
have been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in 
the U.S. in accordance with U.S. immigration laws. In order to harvest 
and possess Gulf IFQ red snapper, the requirements for a Gulf red 
snapper IFQ vessel account, as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, or a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement, as specified in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section apply.
    (i) Gulf red snapper IFQ program participation for current red 
snapper IFQ account holders. A current participant in the red snapper 
IFQ program must complete and submit the application for an IFQ Online 
Account that is available on the Web site sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, to 
certify status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. The IFQ 
account holder must also complete and submit any other information on 
this form that may be necessary for the administration of the IFQ 
online account. A person with an established IFQ online account must 
update and confirm the account information every 2 years. IFQ online 
accounts are updated through the submission of the application for an 
IFQ Online Account. Accounts must be updated prior to the account 
validity date (expiration date of the account) that is displayed on 
each account holder's IFQ online account page. The RA will provide each 
participant who has established an online account, with an application 
approximately 2 months prior to the account validity date. A 
participant who is not provided an application at least 45 days prior 
to the account validity date must contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-
866-425-7627 and request an application. Failure to submit a completed 
application prior to the account validity date will lead to the 
suspension of the participant's IFQ online account until a completed 
application is submitted. After January 1, 2012, participants who 
certify that they are either not U.S. citizens or permanent resident 
aliens will be ineligible to receive shares or allocation through 
transfer.
    (ii) Gulf red snapper IFQ program participation for entities that 
do not currently possess an IFQ online account. The following 
procedures apply to U.S citizens or permanent resident aliens who are 
not otherwise described in either paragraphs (a) or (b)(11)(i) of this 
section.
    (A) To establish an IFQ online account, a person must first 
complete the application for an IFQ Online Account that is available on 
the Web site sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. An applicant for an IFQ online account 
under this paragraph must provide the following;

[[Page 22969]]

    (1) Name; address; telephone number; date of birth; tax 
identification number; certification of status as either a U.S. citizen 
or permanent resident alien; and if a corporation, a list of all 
officers, directors, shareholders, and registered agents of the 
business; and other identifying information as specified on the 
application.
    (2) Any other information that may be necessary for the 
establishment or administration of the IFQ online account.
    (B) Completed applications and all required supporting 
documentation must be submitted to the RA. There is no fee to access 
the Web site or establish an IFQ online account. An applicant that 
submits an incomplete application will be contacted by the RA to 
correct any deficiencies. If an applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of being notified of the deficient 
application, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (C) After an applicant submits a completed application for an IFQ 
online account, the RA will mail the applicant general instructions 
regarding procedures related to the IFQ online system, including how to 
set up an online account and a user identification number--the personal 
identification number (PIN) will be provided in a subsequent letter.
    (D) A participant who has established an IFQ online account must 
notify the RA within 30 days after there is any change in the 
information submitted through the application for an IFQ Online 
Account. The IFQ online account is void if any change in the 
application information is not reported within 30 days.
    (E) A person who has established an IFQ online account must update 
and confirm the account information every 2 years. IFQ online accounts 
are updated through the submission of the application for an IFQ Online 
Account. Accounts must be updated prior to the account validity date 
(expiration date of the account) that is displayed on each account 
holder's IFQ online account page. The RA will mail each participant who 
has established an online account an application approximately 2 months 
prior to the Account Validity Date. A participant who does not receive 
an application at least 45 days prior to the Account Validity Date must 
contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627 and request an 
application. Failure to submit a completed application prior to the 
account validity date will lead to the suspension of the IFQ online 
account until a completed application is submitted.
    (F) For information regarding transfer of IFQ shares and 
allocation, the IFQ share cap, and the annual recalculation and 
notification of IFQ shares and allocation, see paragraphs (b)(6), 
(b)(8), and (b)(10) of this section, respectively.
    (G) Participation in the Gulf red snapper IFQ program beyond 
transferring IFQ shares and allocation is explained in paragraphs (a) 
through (b)(10) of this section.


Sec.  622.22  Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf groupers 
and tilefishes.

    (a) General. This section establishes an IFQ program for the 
commercial sectors of the Gulf reef fish fishery for groupers 
(including DWG, red grouper, gag, and Other SWG) and tilefishes 
(including goldface tilefish, blueline tilefish, and tilefish). For the 
purposes of this IFQ program, DWG includes yellowedge grouper, warsaw 
grouper, snowy grouper, speckled hind, and scamp, but only as specified 
in paragraph (a)(7) of this section. For the purposes of this IFQ 
program, Other SWG includes black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, 
yellowmouth grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind, but only as 
specified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section. Under the IFQ program, 
the RA initially will assign eligible participants IFQ shares, in five 
share categories. These IFQ shares are equivalent to a percentage of 
the annual commercial quotas for DWG, red grouper, gag, Other SWG, and 
tilefishes, based on their applicable historical landings. Shares 
determine the amount of IFQ allocation for Gulf groupers and 
tilefishes, in pounds gutted weight, a shareholder is initially 
authorized to possess, land, or sell in a given calendar year. Shares 
and annual IFQ allocation are transferable. See paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section regarding a requirement for a vessel landing groupers or 
tilefishes subject to this IFQ program to have an IFQ vessel account 
for Gulf groupers and tilefishes. See paragraph (b)(2) of this section 
regarding a requirement for a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. Details 
regarding eligibility, applicable landings history, account setup and 
transaction requirements, constraints on transferability, and other 
provisions of this IFQ system are provided in the following paragraphs 
of this section.
    (1) Scope. The provisions of this section apply to Gulf groupers 
and tilefishes in or from the Gulf EEZ and, for a person aboard a 
vessel with an IFQ vessel account for Gulf groupers and tilefishes as 
required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section or for a person with a 
Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, these provisions apply to Gulf groupers and tilefishes 
regardless of where harvested or possessed.
    (2) Duration. The IFQ program established by this section will 
remain in effect until it is modified or terminated; however, the 
program will be evaluated by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council every 5 years.
    (3) Electronic system requirements. (i) The administrative 
functions associated with this IFQ program, e.g., registration and 
account setup, landing transactions, and transfers, are designed to be 
accomplished online; therefore, a participant must have access to a 
computer and Internet access and must set up an appropriate IFQ online 
account to participate. The computer must have browser software 
installed, e.g. Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox; as well as the 
software Adobe Flash Player version 9.0 or greater, which may be 
downloaded from the Internet for free. Assistance with online functions 
is available from IFQ Customer Service by calling 1-866-425-7627 Monday 
through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern time.
    (ii) The RA will mail initial shareholders and dealers with Gulf 
reef fish dealer permits information and instructions pertinent to 
setting up an IFQ online account. Other eligible persons who desire to 
become IFQ participants by purchasing IFQ shares or allocation or by 
obtaining a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement must first contact IFQ Customer 
Service at 1-866-425-7627 to obtain information necessary to set up the 
required IFQ online account. All current IFQ participants must complete 
and submit the application for an IFQ Online Account to certify their 
citizenship status and ensure their account information (e.g., mailing 
address, corporate shareholdings, etc.) is up to date. See paragraph 
(b)(11) of this section regarding requirements for the application for 
an IFQ Online Account. Each IFQ participant must monitor his/her online 
account and all associated messages and comply with all IFQ online 
reporting requirements.
    (iii) During catastrophic conditions only, the IFQ program provides 
for use of paper-based components for basic required functions as a 
backup. The RA will determine when catastrophic conditions exist, the 
duration of the catastrophic conditions, and which participants or 
geographic areas are deemed affected by the catastrophic conditions. 
The RA will provide timely notice to affected participants via 
publication of notification in the Federal Register, NOAA weather 
radio, fishery bulletins, and other appropriate means and will 
authorize the affected

[[Page 22970]]

participants' use of paper-based components for the duration of the 
catastrophic conditions. NMFS will provide each IFQ dealer the 
necessary paper forms, sequentially coded, and instructions for 
submission of the forms to the RA. The paper forms will also be 
available from the RA. The program functions available to participants 
or geographic areas deemed affected by catastrophic conditions will be 
limited under the paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for 
transfers of IFQ shares or allocation under the paper-based system in 
effect during catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the 
requirements of the paper-based system will be available via IFQ 
Customer Service 1-866-425-7627 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m. eastern time.
    (4) IFQ allocation. IFQ allocation is the amount of Gulf groupers 
and tilefishes, in pounds gutted weight, an IFQ shareholder or 
allocation holder is authorized to possess, land, or sell during a 
given fishing year. IFQ allocation for the five respective share 
categories is derived at the beginning of each year by multiplying a 
shareholder's IFQ share times the annual commercial quota for gag, red 
grouper, DWG, Other SWG and tilefishes. If a quota is increased after 
the beginning of the fishing year, then IFQ allocation is derived by 
multiplying a shareholder's IFQ share at the time of the quota increase 
by the amount the annual commercial quota is increased.
    (5) Red grouper and gag multi-use allocation--(i) Red grouper 
multi-use allocation. (A) At the time the commercial quota for red 
grouper is distributed to IFQ shareholders, a percentage of each 
shareholder's initial red grouper allocation will be converted to red 
grouper multi-use allocation. Red grouper multi-use allocation, 
determined annually, will be based on the following formula:

Red Grouper multi-use allocation (in percent) = 100 * [Gag ACL - Gag 
commercial quota]/Red grouper commercial quota

    (B) Red grouper multi-use allocation may be used to possess, land, 
or sell either red grouper or gag under certain conditions. Red grouper 
multi-use allocation may be used to possess, land, or sell red grouper 
only after an IFQ account holder's (shareholder or allocation holder's) 
red grouper allocation has been landed and sold, or transferred; and to 
possess, land, or sell gag, only after both gag and gag multi-use 
allocation have been landed and sold, or transferred. However, if gag 
is under a rebuilding plan, the percentage of red grouper multi-use 
allocation is equal to zero.
    (ii) Gag multi-use allocation. (A) At the time the commercial quota 
for gag is distributed to IFQ shareholders, a percentage of each 
shareholder's initial gag allocation will be converted to gag multi-use 
allocation. Gag multi-use allocation, determined annually, will be 
based on the following formula:

Gag multi-use allocation (in percent) = 100 * [Red grouper ACL - Red 
grouper commercial quota]/Gag commercial quota

    (B) Gag multi-use allocation may be used to possess, land, or sell 
either gag or red grouper under certain conditions. Gag multi-use 
allocation may be used to possess, land, or sell gag only after an IFQ 
account holder's (shareholder or allocation holder's) gag allocation 
has been landed and sold, or transferred; and to possess, land, or sell 
red grouper, only after both red grouper and red grouper multi-use 
allocation have been landed and sold, or transferred. Multi-use 
allocation transfer procedures and restrictions are specified in 
paragraph (b)(6)(iv) of this section. However, if red grouper is under 
a rebuilding plan, the percentage of red grouper multi-use allocation 
is equal to zero.
    (6) Warsaw grouper and speckled hind classification. Warsaw grouper 
and speckled hind are considered DWG species and under certain 
circumstances SWG species. For the purposes of the IFQ program for Gulf 
groupers and tilefishes, after all of an IFQ account holder's DWG 
allocation has been landed and sold, or transferred, or if an IFQ 
account holder has no DWG allocation, then Other SWG allocation may be 
used to land and sell warsaw grouper and speckled hind.
    (7) Scamp classification. Scamp is considered a SWG species and 
under certain circumstances a DWG. For the purposes of the IFQ program 
for Gulf groupers and tilefishes, after all of an IFQ account holder's 
Other SWG allocation has been landed and sold, or transferred, or if an 
IFQ account holder has no SWG allocation, then DWG allocation may be 
used to land and sell scamp.
    (b) IFQ operations and requirements---(1) IFQ vessel accounts for 
Gulf groupers and tilefishes. For a person aboard a vessel, for which a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, to fish 
for, possess, or land Gulf groupers (including DWG and SWG, as 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section or tilefishes (including 
goldface tilefish, blueline tilefish, and tilefish), regardless of 
where harvested or possessed, a Gulf IFQ vessel account for the 
applicable species or species groups must have been established. As a 
condition of the IFQ vessel account, a person aboard such vessel must 
comply with the requirements of this section, Sec.  622.22, when 
fishing for groupers or tilefishes regardless of where the fish are 
harvested or possessed. An owner of a vessel with a commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish, who has established an IFQ account for the 
applicable species, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this 
section, online via the NMFS IFQ Web site ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, may 
establish a vessel account through that IFQ account for that permitted 
vessel. If such owner does not have an online IFQ account, the owner 
must first contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627 to obtain 
information necessary to access the IFQ Web site and establish an 
online IFQ account. There is no fee to set-up an IFQ account or a 
vessel account. Only one vessel account may be established per vessel 
under each IFQ program. An owner with multiple vessels may establish 
multiple vessel accounts under each IFQ account. The purpose of the 
vessel account is to hold IFQ allocation that is required to land the 
applicable IFQ species. A vessel account must hold sufficient IFQ 
allocation in the appropriate share category, at least equal to the 
pounds in gutted weight of the groupers and tilefishes on board, from 
the time of advance notice of landing through landing (except for any 
overage allowed as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) for groupers and 
tilefishes). The vessel account remains valid as long as the vessel 
permit remains valid; the vessel has not been sold or transferred; and 
the vessel owner is in compliance with all Gulf reef fish and IFQ 
reporting requirements, has paid all applicable IFQ fees, and is not 
subject to sanctions under 15 CFR part 904. The vessel account is not 
transferable to another vessel. The provisions of this paragraph do not 
apply to fishing for or possession of Gulf groupers and tilefishes 
under the bag limit specified in Sec.  622.38(b)(2) and (5) 
respectively.
    (2) Gulf IFQ dealer endorsements. In addition to the requirement 
for a dealer permit for Gulf reef fish as specified in Sec.  622.20(c), 
for a dealer to receive groupers and tilefishes subject to the IFQ 
program for Gulf groupers and tilefishes, as specified in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section, or for a person aboard a vessel with a Gulf IFQ 
vessel account to sell such groupers and tilefishes directly to an 
entity other than a dealer, such persons must also have a Gulf IFQ 
dealer endorsement. A dealer

[[Page 22971]]

with a Gulf reef fish permit can download a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement 
from the NMFS IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. If such persons 
do not have an IFQ online account, they must first contact IFQ Customer 
Service at 1-866-425-7627 to obtain information necessary to access the 
IFQ Web site and establish an IFQ online account. There is no fee for 
obtaining this endorsement. The endorsement remains valid as long as 
the Gulf reef fish dealer permit remains valid and the dealer is in 
compliance with all Gulf reef fish and IFQ reporting requirements, has 
paid all IFQ fees required, and is not subject to any sanctions under 
15 CFR part 904. The endorsement is not transferable.
    (3) IFQ Landing and transaction requirements. (i) Gulf groupers and 
tilefishes subject to this IFQ program can only be possessed or landed 
by a vessel with a IFQ vessel account for Gulf groupers and tilefishes. 
Such groupers and tilefishes can only be received by a dealer with a 
Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. The vessel landing groupers or tilefishes 
must have sufficient IFQ allocation in the IFQ vessel account, at least 
equal to the pounds in gutted weight of grouper or tilefish species to 
be landed, from the time of advance notice of landing through landing, 
except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) A person on board a vessel with an IFQ vessel account landing 
the shareholder's only remaining allocation from among any of the 
grouper or tilefish share categories, can legally exceed, by up to 10 
percent, the shareholder's allocation remaining on that last fishing 
trip of the fishing year, i.e. a one-time per fishing year overage. Any 
such overage will be deducted from the shareholder's applicable 
allocation for the subsequent fishing year. From the time of the 
overage until January 1 of the subsequent fishing year, the IFQ 
shareholder must retain sufficient shares to account for the allocation 
that will be deducted the subsequent fishing year. Share transfers that 
would violate this requirement will be prohibited.
    (iii) The dealer is responsible for completing a landing 
transaction report for each landing and sale of Gulf groupers and 
tilefishes via the IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov at the time 
of the transaction in accordance with reporting form and instructions 
provided on the Web site. This report includes, but is not limited to, 
date, time, and location of transaction; weight and actual ex-vessel 
price of groupers and tilefishes landed and sold; and information 
necessary to identify the fisherman, vessel, and dealer involved in the 
transaction. The fisherman must validate the dealer transaction report 
by entering the unique PIN for the vessel account when the transaction 
report is submitted. After the dealer submits the report and the 
information has been verified by NMFS, the online system will send a 
transaction approval code to the dealer and the allocation holder.
    (iv) If there is a discrepancy regarding the landing transaction 
report after approval, the dealer or vessel account holder (or his or 
her authorized agent) must initiate a landing transaction correction 
form to correct the landing transaction. This form is available via the 
IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. The dealer must then print out 
the form, both parties must sign it, and the form must be mailed to 
NMFS. The form must be received by NMFS no later than 15 days after the 
date of the initial landing transaction.
    (4) IFQ cost recovery fees. As required by the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, the RA will collect a fee to recover the actual costs directly 
related to the management and enforcement of the IFQ program for Gulf 
groupers and tilefishes. The fee cannot exceed 3 percent of the ex-
vessel value of Gulf groupers and tilefishes landed under the IFQ 
program as described in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Such fees will be 
deposited in the Limited Access System Administration Fund (LASAF). 
Initially, the fee will be 3 percent of the actual ex-vessel price of 
Gulf groupers and tilefishes landed per trip under the IFQ program, as 
documented in each landings transaction report. The RA will review the 
cost recovery fee annually to determine if adjustment is warranted. 
Factors considered in the review include the catch subject to the IFQ 
cost recovery, projected ex-vessel value of the catch, costs directly 
related to the management and enforcement of the IFQ program, the 
projected IFQ balance in the LASAF, and expected non-payment of fee 
liabilities. If the RA determines that a fee adjustment is warranted, 
the RA will publish a notification of the fee adjustment in the Federal 
Register.
    (i) Payment responsibility. The IFQ account holder specified in the 
documented IFQ landing transaction report for Gulf groupers and 
tilefishes is responsible for payment of the applicable cost recovery 
fees.
    (ii) Collection and submission responsibility. A dealer who 
receives Gulf groupers or tilefishes subject to the IFQ program is 
responsible for collecting the applicable cost recovery fee for each 
IFQ landing from the IFQ account holder specified in the IFQ landing 
transaction report. Such dealer is responsible for submitting all 
applicable cost recovery fees to NMFS on a quarterly basis. The fees 
are due and must be submitted, using pay.gov via the IFQ system, at the 
end of each calendar-year quarter, but no later than 30 days after the 
end of each calendar-year quarter. Fees not received by the deadline 
are delinquent.
    (iii) Fee payment procedure. For each IFQ dealer, the IFQ system 
will post, in individual IFQ dealer accounts, an end-of-quarter 
statement of cost recovery fees that are due. The dealer is responsible 
for submitting the cost recovery fee payments using pay.gov via the IFQ 
system. Authorized payment methods are credit card, debit card, or 
automated clearing house (ACH). Payment by check will be authorized 
only if the RA has determined that the geographical area or an 
individual(s) is affected by catastrophic conditions.
    (iv) Fee reconciliation process--delinquent fees. The following 
procedures apply to an IFQ dealer whose cost recovery fees are 
delinquent.
    (A) On or about the 31st day after the end of each calendar-year 
quarter, the RA will send the dealer an electronic message via the IFQ 
Web site and official notice via mail indicating the applicable fees 
are delinquent, and the dealer's IFQ account has been suspended pending 
payment of the applicable fees.
    (B) On or about the 91st day after the end of each calendar-year 
quarter, the RA will refer any delinquent IFQ dealer cost recovery fees 
to the appropriate authorities for collection of payment.
    (5) Measures to enhance IFQ program enforceability--(i) Advance 
notice of landing. For the purpose of this paragraph, landing means to 
arrive at a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp. The owner or operator 
of a vessel landing IFQ groupers or tilefishes is responsible for 
ensuring that NMFS is contacted at least 3 hours, but no more than 12 
hours, in advance of landing to report the time and location of 
landing, estimated grouper and tilefish landings in pounds gutted 
weight for each share category (gag, red grouper, DWG, Other SWG, 
tilefishes), vessel identification number (Coast Guard registration 
number or state registration number), and the name and address of the 
IFQ dealer where the groupers or tilefishes are to be received. The 
vessel landing groupers or tilefishes must have sufficient IFQ 
allocation in the IFQ vessel account, and in the appropriate share 
category or categories, at least equal to the pounds in gutted weight 
of all groupers and tilefishes on board (except for any overage up to 
the 10

[[Page 22972]]

percent allowed on the last fishing trip) from the time of the advance 
notice of landing through landing. Authorized methods for contacting 
NMFS and submitting the report include calling IFQ Customer Service at 
1-866-425-7627, completing and submitting to NMFS the notification form 
provided through the VMS unit, or providing the required information to 
NMFS through the web-based form available on the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. As new technology becomes available, NMFS will 
add other authorized methods for complying with the advance 
notification requirement, via appropriate rulemaking. Failure to comply 
with this advance notice of landing requirement is unlawful and will 
preclude authorization to complete the landing transaction report 
required in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section and, thus, will 
preclude issuance of the required transaction approval code.
    (ii) Time restriction on offloading. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, offloading means to remove IFQ groupers and tilefishes from 
a vessel. IFQ groupers or tilefishes may be offloaded only between 6 
a.m. and 6 p.m., local time.
    (iii) Restrictions on transfer of IFQ groupers and tilefishes. At-
sea or dockside transfer of IFQ groupers or tilefishes from one vessel 
to another vessel is prohibited.
    (iv) Requirement for transaction approval code. If IFQ groupers or 
tilefishes are offloaded to a vehicle for transport to a dealer, on-
site capability to accurately weigh the fish and to connect 
electronically to the online IFQ system to complete the transaction and 
obtain the transaction approval code is required. After a landing 
transaction has been completed, a transaction approval code verifying a 
legal transaction of the amount of IFQ groupers and tilefishes in 
possession and a copy of the dealer endorsement must accompany any IFQ 
groupers or tilefishes from the landing location through possession by 
a dealer. This requirement also applies to IFQ groupers and tilefishes 
possessed on a vessel that is trailered for transport to a dealer.
    (v) Approved landing locations. Landing locations must be approved 
by NMFS Office for Law Enforcement prior to landing or offloading at 
these sites. Proposed landing locations may be submitted online via the 
IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, or by calling IFQ Customer 
Service at 1-866-425-7627, at any time; however, new landing locations 
will be approved only at the end of each calendar-year quarter. To have 
your landing location approved by the end of the calendar-year quarter, 
it must be submitted at least 45 days before the end of the calendar-
year quarter. NMFS will evaluate the proposed sites based on, but not 
limited to, the following criteria:
    (A) Landing locations must have a street address. If there is no 
street address on record for a particular landing location, global 
positioning system (GPS) coordinates for an identifiable geographic 
location must be provided.
    (B) Landing locations must be publicly accessible by land and 
water, and must satisfy the following criteria:
    (1) Vehicles must have access to the site via public roads;
    (2) Vessels must have access to the site via navigable water;
    (3) No other condition may impede free and immediate access to the 
site by an authorized law enforcement officer. Examples of such 
conditions include, but are not limited to: A locked gate, fence, wall, 
or other barrier preventing 24-hour access to the site; a gated 
community entry point; a guard; animal; a posted sign restricting 
access to the site; or any other physical deterrent.
    (6) Transfer of IFQ shares and allocation. Until January 1, 2015, 
IFQ shares and allocations can be transferred only to a person who 
holds a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish; thereafter, 
IFQ shares and allocations can be transferred only to a U.S. citizen or 
permanent resident alien. However, a valid commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish, an IFQ vessel account for Gulf groupers and tilefishes, and 
IFQ allocation for Gulf groupers or tilefishes are required to possess 
(at and after the time of the advance notice of landing), land or sell 
Gulf groupers or tilefishes subject to this IFQ program.
    (i) Share transfers. Share transfers are permanent, i.e., they 
remain in effect until subsequently transferred. Transfer of shares 
will result in the corresponding allocation being automatically 
transferred to the person receiving the transferred share beginning 
with the fishing year following the year the transfer occurred. 
However, within the fishing year the share transfer occurs, transfer of 
shares and associated allocation are independent--unless the associated 
allocation is transferred separately, it remains with the transferor 
for the duration of that fishing year. A share transfer transaction 
that remains in pending status, i.e., has not been completed and 
verified with a transaction approval code, after 30 days from the date 
the shareholder initiated the transfer will be cancelled, and the 
pending shares will be re-credited to the shareholder who initiated the 
transfer.
    (ii) Share transfer procedures. Share transfers must be 
accomplished online via the IFQ Web site. An IFQ shareholder must 
initiate a share transfer request by logging onto the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov. An IFQ shareholder who is subject to a sanction 
under 15 CFR part 904 is prohibited from initiating a share transfer. 
An IFQ shareholder who is subject to a pending sanction under 15 CFR 
part 904 must disclose in writing to the prospective transferee the 
existence of any pending sanction at the time of the transfer. 
Following the instructions provided on the Web site, the shareholder 
must enter pertinent information regarding the transfer request 
including, but not limited to: amount of shares to be transferred, 
which must be a minimum of 0.000001 percent; name of the eligible 
transferee; and the value of the transferred shares. For the first 5 
years this IFQ program is in effect, an eligible transferee is a person 
who has a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish; is in 
compliance with all reporting requirements for the Gulf reef fish 
fishery and the IFQ program for Gulf groupers and tilefishes; is not 
subject to sanctions under 15 CFR part 904; and who would not be in 
violation of the share or allocation caps as specified in paragraph 
(b)(8) of this section. Thereafter, share transferee eligibility will 
only include U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens who are 
otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this section. The online 
system will verify the information entered. If the information is not 
accepted, the online system will send the shareholder an electronic 
message explaining the reason(s). If the information is accepted, the 
online system will send the transferee an electronic message of the 
pending transfer. The transferee must approve the share transfer by 
electronic signature. If the transferee approves the share transfer, 
the online system will send a transfer approval code to both the 
shareholder and transferee confirming the transaction. All share 
transfers must be completed and the transaction approval code received 
prior to December 31 at 6 p.m. eastern time each year.
    (iii) Allocation transfers. An allocation transfer is valid only 
for the remainder of the fishing year in which it occurs; it does not 
carry over to the subsequent fishing year. Any allocation that is 
unused at the end of the fishing year is void. Allocation may be 
transferred to a vessel account from any IFQ account. Allocation held 
in a vessel

[[Page 22973]]

account, however, may only be transferred back to the IFQ account 
through which the vessel account was established.
    (iv) Allocation transfer procedures and restrictions--(A) 
Allocation transfer procedures. Allocation transfers must be 
accomplished online via the IFQ Web site. An IFQ account holder must 
initiate an allocation transfer by logging onto the IFQ Web site at 
ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, entering the required information, including 
but not limited to, the name of an eligible transferee and amount of 
IFQ allocation to be transferred and price, and submitting the transfer 
electronically. An IFQ allocation holder who is subject to a sanction 
under 15 CFR part 904 is prohibited from initiating an allocation 
transfer. An IFQ allocation holder who is subject to a pending sanction 
under 15 CFR part 904 must disclose in writing to the prospective 
transferee the existence of any pending sanction at the time of the 
transfer. If the transfer is approved, the Web site will provide a 
transfer approval code to the transferor and transferee confirming the 
transaction.
    (B) Multi-use allocation transfer restrictions--(1) Red grouper 
multi-use allocation. Red grouper multi-use allocation may only be 
transferred after all an IFQ account holder's red grouper allocation 
has been landed and sold, or transferred.
    (2) Gag multi-use allocation. Gag multi-use allocation may only be 
transferred after all an IFQ account holder's gag allocation has been 
landed and sold, or transferred.
    (7) Restricted transactions during the 20-hour online maintenance 
window. All electronic IFQ transactions must be completed by December 
31 at 6 p.m. eastern time each year. Electronic IFQ functions will 
resume again on January 1 at 2 p.m. eastern time the following fishing 
year. The remaining 6 hours prior to the end of the fishing year, and 
the 14 hours at the beginning of the next fishing year, are necessary 
to provide NMFS time to reconcile IFQ accounts, adjust allocations for 
the upcoming year if the commercial quotas or catch allowances for Gulf 
groupers and tilefishes have changed, and update shares and allocations 
for the upcoming fishing year. No electronic IFQ transactions will be 
available during these 20 hours. An advance notice of landing may still 
be submitted during the 20-hour maintenance window by using the 
vessel's VMS unit or calling IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627.
    (8) IFQ share and allocation caps. A corporation's total IFQ share 
(or allocation) is determined by adding the applicable IFQ shares (or 
allocation) held by the corporation and any other IFQ shares (or 
allocation) held by a corporation(s) owned by the original corporation 
prorated based on the level of ownership. An individual's total IFQ 
share is determined by adding the applicable IFQ shares held by the 
individual and the applicable IFQ shares equivalent to the corporate 
share the individual holds in a corporation. An individual's total IFQ 
allocation is determined by adding the individual's total allocation to 
the allocation derived from the IFQ shares equivalent to the corporate 
share the individual holds in a corporation.
    (i) IFQ share cap for each share category. No person, including a 
corporation or other entity, may individually or collectively hold IFQ 
shares in any share category (gag, red grouper, DWG, Other SWG, or 
tilefishes) in excess of the maximum share initially issued for the 
applicable share category to any person at the beginning of the IFQ 
program, as of the date appeals are resolved and shares are adjusted 
accordingly. A corporation must provide to the RA the identity of the 
shareholders of the corporation and their percent of shares in the 
corporation for initial issuance of IFQ shares and allocation, and 
provide updated information to the RA within 30 days of when changes 
occur. This information must also be provided to the RA any time a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish is renewed or transferred 
and at the time of renewal of the application for an IFQ Online 
Account.
    (ii) Total allocation cap. No person, including a corporation or 
other entity, may individually or collectively hold, cumulatively 
during any fishing year, IFQ allocation in excess of the total 
allocation cap. The total allocation cap is the sum of the maximum 
allocations associated with the share caps for each individual share 
category and is calculated annually based on the applicable quotas or 
catch allowance associated with each share category.
    (9) Redistribution of shares resulting from permanent revocation. 
If a shareholder's IFQ shares have been permanently revoked, the RA 
will redistribute the IFQ shares proportionately among remaining 
shareholders (subject to cap restrictions) based upon the amount of 
shares each held just prior to the redistribution. During December of 
each year, the RA will determine the amount of revoked shares, if any, 
to be redistributed, and the shares will be distributed at the 
beginning of the subsequent fishing year.
    (10) Annual recalculation and notification of IFQ shares and 
allocation. On or about January 1 each year, IFQ shareholders will be 
notified, via the IFQ Web site at ifq.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, of their IFQ 
shares and allocations, for each of the five share categories, for the 
upcoming fishing year. These updated share values will reflect the 
results of applicable share transfers and any redistribution of shares 
(subject to cap restrictions) resulting from permanent revocation of 
IFQ shares. Allocation, for each share category, is calculated by 
multiplying IFQ share for that category times the annual commercial 
quota or commercial catch allowance for that share category. Updated 
allocation values will reflect any change in IFQ share for each share 
category, any change in the annual commercial quota or commercial catch 
allowance for the applicable categories; and any debits required as a 
result of prior fishing year overages as specified in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section. IFQ participants can monitor the status of 
their shares and allocation throughout the year via the IFQ Web site.
    (11) Gulf grouper and tilefish IFQ program participation for 
current grouper and tilefish IFQ account holders. (i) A current 
participant in the Gulf grouper and tilefish IFQ program must complete 
and submit the application for an IFQ Online Account that is available 
on the Web site sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, to certify status as a U.S. citizen 
or permanent resident alien. The account holder must also complete and 
submit any other information on this form that may be necessary for the 
administration of the IFQ online account.
    (ii) A person with an established IFQ online account must update 
and confirm the account information every 2 years. IFQ online accounts 
are updated through the submission of the application for an IFQ Online 
Account. Accounts must be updated prior to the account validity date 
(expiration date of the account) that is displayed on each account 
holder's IFQ online account page. The RA will provide each participant 
who has established an online account an application approximately 2 
months prior to the account validity date. A participant who is not 
provided an application at least 45 days prior to the account validity 
date must contact IFQ Customer Service at 1-866-425-7627 and request an 
application. Failure to submit a completed application prior to the 
participant's account validity date will

[[Page 22974]]

lead to the suspension of the participant's access to his IFQ online 
account until a completed application is submitted. Participants who 
certify that they are either not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
alien will be ineligible to receive shares or allocation through 
transfer.


Sec. Sec.  622.23-622.24  [Reserved]


Sec.  622.25  Exemptions for the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.

    Gulf groundfish trawl fishery means fishing in the Gulf EEZ by a 
vessel that uses a bottom trawl, the unsorted catch of which is ground 
up for animal feed or industrial products.
    (a) Other provisions of this part notwithstanding, the owner or 
operator of a vessel in the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery is exempt 
from the following requirements and limitations for the vessel's 
unsorted catch of Gulf reef fish:
    (1) The requirement for a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish in order to sell Gulf reef fish.
    (2) Minimum size limits for Gulf reef fish.
    (3) Bag limits for Gulf reef fish.
    (4) The prohibition on sale of Gulf reef fish after a quota 
closure.
    (b) Other provisions of this part notwithstanding, a dealer in a 
Gulf state is exempt from the requirement for a dealer permit for Gulf 
reef fish to receive Gulf reef fish harvested from the Gulf EEZ by a 
vessel in the Gulf groundfish trawl fishery.


Sec.  622.26  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been 
issued, as required under Sec.  622.20(a)(1), or whose vessel fishes 
for or lands reef fish in or from state waters adjoining the Gulf EEZ, 
who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on 
a form available from the SRD. These completed fishing records must be 
submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of 
each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a 
report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not 
later than 7 days after the end of that month. Information to be 
reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators--(1) Reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as required 
under Sec.  622.20(b), or whose vessel fishes for or lands such reef 
fish in or from state waters adjoining the Gulf EEZ, who is selected to 
report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record for each trip, or a 
portion of such trips as specified by the SRD, on forms provided by the 
SRD and must submit such record as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines--(i) Charter vessels. Completed fishing 
records required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for charter 
vessels must be submitted to the SRD weekly, postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each week (Sunday). Information to be reported 
is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Headboats. Completed fishing records required by paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section for headboats must be submitted to the SRD 
monthly and must either be made available to an authorized statistical 
reporting agent or be postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of 
each month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (c) Dealers. A person who purchases Gulf reef fish from a fishing 
vessel, or person, that fishes for or lands such fish in or from the 
EEZ or adjoining state waters must maintain records and submit 
information as follows:
    (1) A dealer must maintain at his/her principal place of business a 
record of Gulf reef fish that he/she receives. The record must contain 
the name of each fishing vessel from which reef fish were received and 
the date, species, and quantity of each receipt. A dealer must retain 
such record for at least 1 year after receipt date and must provide 
such record for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer or 
the SRD.
    (2) When requested by the SRD, a dealer must provide information 
from his/her record of Gulf reef fish received, the total poundage of 
each species received during the month, average monthly price paid for 
each species by market size, and proportion of total poundage landed by 
each gear type. This information must be provided on forms available 
from the SRD and must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals, 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of the month. Reporting 
frequency and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by 
the SRD. If no reef fish were received during a calendar month, a 
report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms, postmarked not 
later than 5 days after the end of the month.
    (3) The operator of a car or truck that is used to pick up from a 
fishing vessel reef fish harvested from the Gulf must maintain a record 
containing the name of each fishing vessel from which reef fish on the 
car or truck have been received. The vehicle operator must provide such 
record for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.


Sec.  622.27  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. A vessel for which a Federal commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf reef fish or a charter vessel/headboat permit 
for Gulf reef fish has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved observer, 
if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer coverage. 
Vessel permit renewal is contingent upon compliance with this paragraph 
(a).
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the 
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.28  Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).

    The VMS requirements of this section apply throughout the Gulf of 
Mexico and adjacent states.
    (a) General VMS requirement. An owner or operator of a vessel that 
has been issued a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, 
including a charter vessel/headboat issued such a permit even when 
under charter, must ensure that such vessel has an operating VMS 
approved by NMFS for use in the Gulf reef fish fishery on board at all 
times whether or not the vessel is underway,

[[Page 22975]]

unless exempted by NMFS under the power-down exemptions specified in 
paragraph (d) of this section and in the NOAA Enforcement Vessel 
Monitoring System Requirements for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of 
Mexico. This NOAA Enforcement Vessel Monitoring System Requirements 
document is available from NMFS Office for Law Enforcement (OLE), 
Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; 
phone: 800-758-4833. An operating VMS includes an operating mobile 
transmitting unit on the vessel and a functioning communication link 
between the unit and NMFS as provided by a NMFS-approved communication 
service provider. NMFS OLE maintains a current list of approved VMS 
units and communication providers which is available from the VMS 
Support Center, NMFS OLE, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 415, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910 or by calling toll free: 888-219-9228. If a VMS unit 
approved for the Gulf reef fish fishery is removed from the approved 
list by NMFS OLE, a vessel owner who purchased and installed such a VMS 
unit prior to its removal from the approved list will be considered to 
be in compliance with the requirement to have an approved unit, unless 
otherwise notified by NMFS OLE. At the end of a VMS unit's service 
life, it must be replaced with a currently approved unit for the 
fishery.
    (b) Hourly reporting requirement. An owner or operator of a vessel 
subject to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section must 
ensure that the required VMS unit transmits a signal indicating the 
vessel's accurate position at least once an hour, 24 hours a day every 
day unless exempted under paragraphs (c) or (d) of this section.
    (c) In-port exemption. While in port, an owner or operator of a 
vessel with a type-approved VMS unit configured with the 4-hour 
reporting feature may utilize the 4-hour reporting feature rather than 
comply with the hourly reporting requirement specified in paragraph (b) 
of this section. Once the vessel is no longer in port, the hourly 
reporting requirement specified in paragraph (b) of this section 
applies. For the purposes of this section, ``in port'' means secured at 
a land-based facility, or moored or anchored after the return to a 
dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.
    (d) Power-down exemptions. An owner or operator of a vessel subject 
to the requirement to have a VMS operating at all times as specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section can be exempted from that requirement and 
may power down the required VMS unit if--
    (1) The vessel will be continuously out of the water or in port, as 
defined in paragraph (c) of this section, for more than 72 consecutive 
hours;
    (2) The owner or operator of the vessel applies for and obtains a 
valid letter of exemption from NMFS OLE VMS personnel as specified in 
the NOAA Enforcement Vessel Monitoring System Requirements for the Reef 
Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a one-time requirement. The 
letter of exemption must be maintained on board the vessel and remains 
valid for all subsequent power-down requests conducted consistent with 
the provisions of paragraphs (d)(3) and (4) of this section.
    (3) Prior to each power-down, the owner or operator of the vessel 
files a report to NMFS OLE VMS program personnel, using the VMS unit's 
email, that includes the name of the person filing the report, vessel 
name, vessel U.S. Coast Guard documentation number or state 
registration number, commercial vessel reef fish permit number, vessel 
port location during VMS power down, estimated duration of the power 
down exemption, and reason for power down; and
    (4) The owner or operator enters the power-down code through the 
use of the VMS Declaration form on the terminal and, prior to powering 
down the VMS, receives a confirmation, through the VMS terminal, that 
the form was successfully delivered.
    (e) Declaration of fishing trip and gear. Prior to departure for 
each trip, a vessel owner or operator must report to NMFS any fishery 
the vessel will participate in on that trip and the specific type(s) of 
fishing gear, using NMFS-defined gear codes, that will be on board the 
vessel. This information may be reported to NMFS using the toll-free 
number, 888-219-9228, or via an attached VMS terminal.
    (f) Installation and activation of a VMS. Only a VMS that has been 
approved by NMFS for the Gulf reef fish fishery may be used, and the 
VMS must be installed by a qualified marine electrician. When 
installing and activating the NMFS-approved VMS, or when reinstalling 
and reactivating such VMS, 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 for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833; and
    (2) Submit to NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a statement certifying 
compliance with the checklist, as prescribed on the checklist.
    (3) Submit to NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a vendor-completed 
installation certification checklist, which is available from NMFS 
Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833.
    (g) Interference with the VMS. No person may interfere with, tamper 
with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of the VMS, or 
attempt any of the same.
    (h) Interruption of operation of the VMS. When a vessel's VMS is 
not operating properly, the owner or operator must immediately contact 
NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, phone: 800-758-4833, and follow 
instructions from that office. If notified by NMFS that a vessel's VMS 
is not operating properly, the owner and operator must follow 
instructions from that office. In either event, such instructions may 
include, but are not limited to, manually communicating to a location 
designated by NMFS the vessel's positions or returning to port until 
the VMS is operable.
    (i) Access to position data. As a condition of authorized fishing 
for or possession of fish in a fishery subject to VMS requirements in 
this section, a vessel owner or operator subject to the requirements 
for a VMS in this section must allow NMFS, the USCG, and their 
authorized officers and designees access to the vessel's position data 
obtained from the VMS.


Sec.  622.29  Conservation measures for protected resources.

    (a) Gulf reef fish commercial vessels and charter vessels/
headboats--(1) Sea turtle conservation measures. (i) The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef 
fish or a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been 
issued, as required under
    Sec. Sec.  622.20(a)(1) and 622.20(b), respectively, must post 
inside the wheelhouse, or within a waterproof case if no wheelhouse, a 
copy of the document provided by NMFS titled, ``Careful Release 
Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With Minimal Injury,'' and must post 
inside the wheelhouse, or in an easily viewable area if no wheelhouse, 
the sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS.

[[Page 22976]]

    (ii) Such owner or operator must also comply with the sea turtle 
bycatch mitigation measures, including gear requirements and sea turtle 
handling requirements, specified in Sec. Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i) and (ii) 
of this chapter, respectively.
    (iii) Those permitted vessels with a freeboard height of 4 ft (1.2 
m) or less must have on board a dipnet, tire, short-handled dehooker, 
long-nose or needle-nose pliers, bolt cutters, monofilament line 
cutters, and at least two types of mouth openers/mouth gags. This 
equipment must meet the specifications described in Sec. Sec.  
635.21(c)(5)(i)(E) through (L) of this chapter with the following 
modifications: the dipnet handle can be of variable length, only one 
NMFS-approved short-handled dehooker is required (i.e., Sec.  
635.21(c)(5)(i)(G) or (H) of this chapter); and life rings, seat 
cushions, life jackets, and life vests or any other comparable, 
cushioned, elevated surface that allows boated sea turtles to be 
immobilized, may be used as alternatives to tires for cushioned 
surfaces as specified in Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i)(F) of this chapter. 
Those permitted vessels with a freeboard height of greater than 4 ft 
(1.2 m) must have on board a dipnet, tire, long-handled line clipper, a 
short-handled and a long-handled dehooker, a long-handled device to 
pull an inverted ``V'', long-nose or needle-nose pliers, bolt cutters, 
monofilament line cutters, and at least two types of mouth openers/
mouth gags. This equipment must meet the specifications described in 
Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i)(A) through (L) of this chapter with the following 
modifications: only one NMFS-approved long-handled dehooker (Sec.  
635.21(c)(5)(i)(B) or (C)) of this chapter and one NMFS-approved short-
handled dehooker (Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i)(G) or (H) of this chapter) are 
required; and life rings, seat cushions, life jackets, and life vests, 
or any other comparable, cushioned, elevated surface that allows boated 
sea turtles to be immobilized, may be used as alternatives for 
cushioned surfaces as specified in Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i)(F) of this 
chapter.
    (2) Smalltooth sawfish conservation measures. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish or 
a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as 
required under Sec. Sec.  622.20(a)(1) and 622.20(b), respectively, 
that incidentally catches a smalltooth sawfish must--
    (i) Keep the sawfish in the water at all times;
    (ii) If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped 
around the saw;
    (iii) Cut the line as close to the hook as possible; and
    (iv) Not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the 
saw, except for with a long-handled dehooker.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.30  Required fishing gear.

    For a person on board a vessel to fish for Gulf reef fish in the 
Gulf EEZ, the vessel must possess on board and such person must use the 
gear as specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.
    (a) Non-stainless steel circle hooks. Non-stainless steel circle 
hooks are required when fishing with natural baits.
    (b) Dehooking device. At least one dehooking device is required and 
must be used to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum 
damage. The hook removal device must be constructed to allow the hook 
to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the 
removal process. The dehooking end must be blunt, and all edges 
rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range 
of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fish fishery.
    (c) Venting tool. At least one venting tool is required and must be 
used to deflate the abdominal cavities of Gulf reef fish to release the 
fish with minimum damage. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow 
instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 
16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife 
or an ice-pick may not be used. The venting tool must be inserted into 
the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 
cm) from the base of the pectoral fin. The tool must be inserted just 
deep enough to release the gases, so that the fish may be released with 
minimum damage.


Sec.  622.31  Buoy gear identification.

    (a) Buoy gear. In the Gulf EEZ, if buoy gear is used or possessed, 
each buoy must display the official number of the vessel. See Sec.  
622.2 for the definition of buoy gear.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.32  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Poisons. A poison may not be used to take Gulf reef fish in the 
Gulf EEZ.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.33  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Goliath grouper. Goliath grouper may not be harvested or 
possessed in or from the Gulf EEZ.
    (c) Nassau grouper. Nassau grouper may not be harvested or 
possessed in or from the Gulf EEZ. Such fish caught in the Gulf EEZ 
must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (d) Gulf reef fish exhibiting trap rash. Possession of Gulf reef 
fish in or from the Gulf EEZ that exhibit trap rash is prima facie 
evidence of illegal trap use and is prohibited. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, trap rash is defined as physical damage to fish that 
characteristically results from contact with wire fish traps. Such 
damage includes, but is not limited to, broken fin spines, fin rays, or 
teeth; visually obvious loss of scales; and cuts or abrasions on the 
body of the fish, particularly on the head, snout, or mouth.


Sec.  622.34  Seasonal and area closures designed to protect Gulf reef 
fish.

    (a) Closure provisions applicable to the Madison and Swanson sites 
and Steamboat Lumps, and the Edges--(1) Descriptions of Areas. (i) The 
Madison and Swanson sites are bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  29[deg]17'            85[deg]50'
B...........................  29[deg]17'            85[deg]38'
C...........................  29[deg]06'            85[deg]38'
D...........................  29[deg]06'            85[deg]50'
A...........................  29[deg]17'            85[deg]50'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (ii) Steamboat Lumps is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]14'            84[deg]48'
B...........................  28[deg]14'            84[deg]37'
C...........................  28[deg]03'            84[deg]37'
D...........................  28[deg]03'            84[deg]48'
A...........................  28[deg]14'            84[deg]48'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iii) The Edges is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]51'            85[deg]16'
B...........................  28[deg]51'            85[deg]04'
C...........................  28[deg]14'            84[deg]42'
D...........................  28[deg]14'            84[deg]54'
A...........................  28[deg]51'            85[deg]16'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 22977]]

     (2) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps, 
possession of Gulf reef fish is prohibited, except for such possession 
aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (3) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps during 
November through April, and within the Edges during January through 
April, all fishing is prohibited, and possession of any fish species is 
prohibited, except for such possession aboard a vessel in transit with 
fishing gear stowed as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. 
The provisions of this paragraph, (a)(3), do not apply to highly 
migratory species.
    (4) For the purpose of paragraph (a) of this section, transit means 
non-stop progression through the area; fishing gear appropriately 
stowed means--
    (i) A longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks 
are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All 
buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on 
deck.
    (ii) A trawl net may remain on deck, but trawl doors must be 
disconnected from the trawl gear and must be secured.
    (iii) A gillnet must be left on the drum. Any additional gillnets 
not attached to the drum must be stowed below deck.
    (iv) A rod and reel must be removed from the rod holder and stowed 
securely on or below deck. Terminal gear (i.e., hook, leader, sinker, 
flasher, or bait) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the 
rod and reel. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and 
stowed separately.
    (5) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps, 
during May through October, surface trolling is the only allowable 
fishing activity. For the purpose of this paragraph (a)(5), surface 
trolling is defined as fishing with lines trailing behind a vessel 
which is in constant motion at speeds in excess of four knots with a 
visible wake. Such trolling may not involve the use of down riggers, 
wire lines, planers, or similar devices.
    (6) For the purpose of this paragraph (a), fish means finfish, 
mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant 
life other than marine mammals and birds. Highly migratory species 
means tuna species, marlin (Tetrapturus spp. and Makaira spp.), oceanic 
sharks, sailfishes (Istiophorus spp.), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
    (b) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for red snapper. 
The recreational sector for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is 
closed from January 1 through May 31, each year. During the closure, 
the bag and possession limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is 
zero.
    (c) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for greater 
amberjack. The recreational sector for greater amberjack in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is closed from June 1 through July 31, each year. During the 
closure, the bag and possession limit for greater amberjack in or from 
the Gulf EEZ is zero.
    (d) Seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for shallow-water 
grouper (SWG). The recreational fishery for SWG, in or from the Gulf 
EEZ, is closed from February 1 through March 31, each year. During the 
closure, the bag and possession limit for SWG in or from the Gulf EEZ 
is zero.
    (e) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for gag. The 
recreational sector for gag, in or from the Gulf EEZ, is closed from 
January 1 through June 30 and November 1 through December 31 each year. 
During the closure, the bag and possession limit for gag in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is zero.


Sec.  622.35  Gear restricted areas.

    (a) Reef fish stressed area. The stressed area is that part of the 
Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points 
listed in Table 2 in Appendix B of this part.
    (1) A powerhead may not be used in the stressed area to take Gulf 
reef fish. Possession of a powerhead and a mutilated Gulf reef fish in 
the stressed area or after having fished in the stressed area 
constitutes prima facie evidence that such reef fish was taken with a 
powerhead in the stressed area. The provisions of this paragraph do not 
apply to hogfish.
    (2) A roller trawl may not be used in the stressed area. Roller 
trawl means a trawl net equipped with a series of large, solid rollers 
separated by several smaller spacer rollers on a separate cable or line 
(sweep) connected to the footrope, which makes it possible to fish the 
gear over rough bottom, that is, in areas unsuitable for fishing 
conventional shrimp trawls. Rigid framed trawls adapted for shrimping 
over uneven bottom, in wide use along the west coast of Florida, and 
shrimp trawls with hollow plastic rollers for fishing on soft bottoms, 
are not considered roller trawls.
    (b) Seasonal prohibitions applicable to bottom longline fishing for 
Gulf reef fish. (1) From June through August each year, bottom 
longlining for Gulf reef fish is prohibited in the portion of the Gulf 
EEZ east of 85[deg]30' W. long. that is shoreward of rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]58.70'         85[deg]30.00'
B...........................  28[deg]59.25'         85[deg]26.70'
C...........................  28[deg]57.00'         85[deg]13.80'
D...........................  28[deg]47.40'         85[deg]3.90'
E...........................  28[deg]19.50'         84[deg]43.00'
F...........................  28[deg]0.80'          84[deg]20.00'
G...........................  26[deg]48.80'         83[deg]40.00'
H...........................  25[deg]17.00'         83[deg]19.00'
I...........................  24[deg]54.00'         83[deg]21.00'
J...........................  24[deg]29.50'         83[deg]12.30'
K...........................  24[deg]26.50'         83[deg]00.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Within the prohibited area and time period specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a vessel with bottom longline gear on 
board may not possess Gulf reef fish unless the bottom longline gear is 
appropriately stowed, and a vessel that is using bottom longline gear 
to fish for species other than Gulf reef fish may not possess Gulf reef 
fish. For the purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, appropriately 
stowed means that a longline may be left on the drum if all gangions 
and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck; hooks cannot be 
baited; and all buoys must be disconnected from the gear but may remain 
on deck.
    (3) Within the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg]30' W. long., a vessel for 
which a valid eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement has 
been issued that is fishing bottom longline gear or has bottom longline 
gear on board cannot possess more than a total of 1000 hooks including 
hooks on board the vessel and hooks being fished and cannot possess 
more than 750 hooks rigged for fishing at any given time. For the 
purpose of this paragraph, ``hooks rigged for fishing'' means hooks 
attached to a line or other device capable of attaching to the mainline 
of the longline.
    (c) Reef fish longline and buoy gear restricted area. A person 
aboard a vessel that uses, on any trip, longline or buoy gear in the 
longline and buoy gear restricted area is limited on that trip to the 
bag limits for Gulf reef fish specified in Sec.  622.38(b) and, for 
Gulf reef fish for which no bag limit is specified in Sec.  622.38(b), 
the vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of all fish on board or 
landed. The longline and buoy gear restricted area is that part of the 
Gulf EEZ shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points 
listed in Table 1 in Appendix B of this part.
    (d) Alabama SMZ. The Alabama SMZ consists of artificial reefs and 
surrounding areas. In the Alabama SMZ, fishing by a vessel that is 
operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a vessel

[[Page 22978]]

that does not have a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, as required 
under Sec.  622.20(a)(1), or a vessel with such a permit fishing for 
Gulf reef fish is limited to hook-and-line gear with three or fewer 
hooks per line and spearfishing gear. A person aboard a vessel that 
uses on any trip gear other than hook-and-line gear with three or fewer 
hooks per line and spearfishing gear in the Alabama SMZ is limited on 
that trip to the bag limits for Gulf reef fish specified in Sec.  
622.38(b) and, for Gulf reef fish for which no bag limit is specified 
in Sec.  622.38(b), the vessel is limited to 5 percent, by weight, of 
all fish on board or landed. The Alabama SMZ is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  30[deg]02.5'          88[deg]07.7'
B...........................  30[deg]02.6'          87[deg]59.3'
C...........................  29[deg]55.0'          87[deg]55.5'
D...........................  29[deg]54.5'          88[deg]07.5'
A...........................  30[deg]02.5'          88[deg]07.7'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  622.36  Seasonal harvest limitations.

    (a) Greater amberjack. During March, April, and May, each year, the 
possession of greater amberjack in or from the Gulf EEZ and in the Gulf 
on board a vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has 
been issued, as required under Sec.  622.20(a)(1), without regard to 
where such greater amberjack were harvested, is limited to the bag and 
possession limits, as specified in Sec.  622.38(b)(1) and (c), 
respectively, and such greater amberjack are subject to the prohibition 
on sale or purchase of greater amberjack possessed under the bag limit, 
as specified in Sec.  622.40(a). Also note that if commercial 
quantities of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of 
applicable bag/possession limits, are on board the vessel, no bag limit 
of Gulf reef fish may be possessed, as specified in Sec.  622.38(a)(2).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.37  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the Gulf EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size 
limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator 
of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that 
fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this 
section. See Sec.  622.10 regarding requirements for landing fish 
intact.
    (a) Snapper--(1) Red snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL, for a fish 
taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec.  622.38 
(b)(3) and 13 inches (33.0 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person not 
subject to the bag limit.
    (2) Lane snapper--8 inches (20.3 cm), TL.
    (3) Vermilion snapper--10 inches (25.4 cm), TL.
    (4) Cubera, gray, and yellowtail snappers--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (5) Mutton snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (b) Grouper--(1) Gag--22 inches (55.9 cm), TL.
    (2) Red grouper--(i) For a person not subject to the bag limit 
specified in Sec.  622.38 (b)(2)--18 inches (45.7 cm), TL.
    (ii) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in


Sec.  622.38(b)(2)--20  inches (50.8 cm), TL.

    (3) Scamp--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (4) Yellowfin grouper--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
    (5) Black grouper--(i) For a person not subject to the bag limit 
specified in Sec.  622.38(b)(2)--24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
    (ii) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec.  
622.38(b)(2)--22 inches (55.9 cm), TL.
    (c) Other Gulf reef fish species--(1) Gray triggerfish--14 inches 
(35.6 cm), fork length.
    (2) Hogfish--12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
    (3) Banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack--14 inches (35.6 cm), 
fork length (minimum size); 22 inches (55.9 cm), fork length (maximum 
size).
    (4) Greater amberjack--30 inches (76 cm), fork length, for a fish 
taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec.  
622.38)(b)(1) and 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by 
a person not subject to the bag limit.
    (d) A person aboard a vessel that has a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish and commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, 
i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession limits, may 
not possess any Gulf reef fish that do not comply with the applicable 
commercial minimum size limit.


Sec.  622.38  Bag and possession limits.

    (a) Additional applicability provisions for Gulf reef fish. (1) 
Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and 
possession limits. However, Sec.  622.11(a) notwithstanding, bag and 
possession limits also apply for Gulf reef fish in or from the EEZ to a 
person aboard a vessel that has on board a commercial permit for Gulf 
reef fish--
    (i) When trawl gear or entangling net gear is on board. A vessel is 
considered to have trawl gear on board when trawl doors and a net are 
on board. Removal from the vessel of all trawl doors or all nets 
constitutes removal of trawl gear.
    (ii) When a longline or buoy gear is on board and the vessel is 
fishing or has fished on a trip in the reef fish longline and buoy gear 
restricted area specified in Sec.  622.35(c). A vessel is considered to 
have a longline on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a cable 
of diameter and length suitable for use in the longline fishery, and 
gangions are on board. Removal of any one of these three elements, in 
its entirety, constitutes removal of a longline.
    (iii) For a species/species group when its quota has been reached 
and closure has been effected, provided that no commercial quantities 
of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/
possession limits, are on board as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of 
this section.
    (iv) When the vessel has on board or is tending any trap other than 
a stone crab trap or a spiny lobster trap.
    (2) A person aboard a vessel that has a Federal commercial vessel 
permit for Gulf reef fish and commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, 
i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession limits, may 
not possess Gulf reef fish caught under a bag limit.
    (b) Bag limits--(1) Greater amberjack--1. However, no greater 
amberjack may be retained by the captain or crew of a vessel operating 
as a charter vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and 
crew is zero.
    (2) Groupers, combined, excluding goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper--4 per person per day, but not to exceed 1 speckled hind or 1 
warsaw grouper per vessel per day, or 2 gag per person per day. 
However, no grouper may be retained by the captain or crew of a vessel 
operating as a charter vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such 
captain and crew is zero.
    (3) Red snapper--2. However, no red snapper may be retained by the 
captain or crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat. 
The bag limit for such captain and crew is zero.
    (4) Snappers, combined, excluding red, lane, and vermilion 
snapper--10.
    (5) Gulf reef fish, combined, excluding those specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) and paragraphs (b)(6) through (b)(7) 
of this section--20.
    (6) Banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack, combined--5.
    (7) Hogfish--5.
    (c) Possession limits. A person, or a vessel in the case of 
speckled hind or Warsaw grouper, on a trip that spans more than 24 
hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits,

[[Page 22979]]

provided such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel 
or headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each 
passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of 
the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.


Sec.  622.39  Quotas.

    See Sec.  622.8 for general provisions regarding quota 
applicability and closure and reopening procedures. This section, 
provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for Gulf reef 
fish.
    (a) Gulf reef fish--(1) Commercial quotas. The following quotas 
apply to persons who fish under commercial vessel permits for Gulf reef 
fish, as required under Sec.  622.20(a)(1).
    (i) Red snapper. (A) For fishing year 2012--4.121 million lb (1.869 
million kg), round weight.
    (B) For fishing year 2013--4.432 million lb (2.010 million kg), 
round weight.
    (ii) Deep-water groupers (DWG) have a combined quota, as specified 
in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)(A) through (E) of this section. These quotas 
are specified in gutted weight, that is eviscerated, but otherwise 
whole.
    (A) For fishing year 2012--1.127 million lb (0.511 million kg).
    (B) For fishing year 2013--1.118 million lb (0.507 million kg).
    (C) For fishing year 2014--1.110 million lb (0.503 million kg).
    (D) For fishing year 2015--1.101 million lb (0.499 million kg).
    (E) For fishing year 2016 and subsequent fishing years--1.024 
million lb (0.464 million kg).
    (iii) Shallow-water groupers (SWG) have separate quotas for gag and 
red grouper and a combined quota for other shallow-water grouper (Other 
SWG) species (including black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, and 
yellowmouth grouper), as specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(iii)(A) through 
(C) of this section. These quotas are specified in gutted weight, that 
is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (A) Other SWG combined. (1) For fishing year 2012--509,000 lb 
(230,879 kg).
    (2) For fishing year 2013--518,000 lb (234,961 kg).
    (3) For fishing year 2014--523,000 lb (237,229 kg).
    (4) For fishing year 2015 and subsequent fishing years--525,000 lb 
(238,136 kg).
    (B) Gag. (1) For fishing year 2012--0.567 million lb (0.257 million 
kg).
    (2) For fishing year 2013--0.708 million lb (0.321 million kg).
    (3) For fishing year 2014--0.835 million lb (0.378 million kg).
    (4) For fishing year 2015 and subsequent fishing years--0.939 
million lb (0.426 million kg).
    (C) Red grouper. (1) For fishing year 2012--5.37 million lb (2.37 
million kg).
    (2) For fishing year 2013--5.53 million lb (2.44 million kg).
    (3) For fishing year 2014--5.63 million lb (2.51 million kg).
    (4) For fishing year 2015 and subsequent fishing years--5.72 
million lb (2.59 million kg).
    (iv) Tilefishes (including goldface tilefish, blueline tilefish, 
and tilefish)--582,000 lb (263,991 kg), gutted weight, that is, 
eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (v) Greater amberjack--409,000 lb (185,519 kg), round weight.
    (vi) Gray triggerfish--106,000 lb (48,081 kg), round weight.
    (2) Recreational quotas. The following quotas apply to persons who 
fish for Gulf reef fish other than under commercial vessel permits for 
Gulf reef fish and the applicable commercial quotas specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (i) Recreational quota for red snapper. (A) For fishing year 2012, 
the recreational quota for red snapper is 3.959 million lb (1.796 
million kg), round weight.
    (B) For fishing year 2013, the recreational quota for red snapper 
is 4.258 million lb (1.931 million kg), round weight.
    (ii) Recreational quota for greater amberjack. The recreational 
quota for greater amberjack is 1,130,000 lb (512,559 kg), round weight.
    (b) Restrictions applicable after a commercial quota closure. (1) 
If the recreational fishery for the indicated species is open, the bag 
and possession limits specified in Sec.  622.38(b) and (c) apply to all 
harvest or possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of the indicated species, 
and the sale or purchase of the indicated species taken from the Gulf 
EEZ is prohibited. In addition, the bag and possession limits for red 
snapper, when applicable, apply on board a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, as required under 
Sec.  622.20(a)(1), without regard to where such red snapper were 
harvested. The application of bag limits described in this paragraph 
(b)(1) notwithstanding, bag limits of Gulf reef fish may not be 
possessed on board a vessel with commercial quantities of Gulf reef 
fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession 
limits, on board, as specified in Sec.  622.38(a)(2). The prohibition 
on sale/purchase during a closure for Gulf reef fish does not apply to 
Gulf reef fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 
the effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a 
dealer or processor.
    (2) If the recreational fishery for the indicated species is 
closed, all harvest or possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of the 
indicated species is prohibited.
    (c) Restrictions applicable after a recreational quota closure--(1) 
After closure of the recreational quota for red snapper. The bag and 
possession limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
    (2) After closure of the recreational quota for greater amberjack. 
The bag and possession limit for greater amberjack in or from the Gulf 
EEZ is zero.


Sec.  622.40  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    The restrictions in this section are in addition to the 
restrictions on sale/purchase related to quota closures as specified in 
Sec.  622.39(b) and (c).
    (a) A Gulf reef fish harvested in the EEZ on board a vessel that 
does not have a valid commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, as required 
under Sec.  622.20(a)(1), or a Gulf reef fish possessed under the bag 
limits specified in Sec.  622.38(b), may not be sold or purchased.
    (b) A Gulf reef fish harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for Gulf reef fish may be sold only to a dealer who 
has a valid permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under Sec.  
622.20(c).
    (c) A Gulf reef fish harvested in the EEZ may be purchased by a 
dealer who has a valid permit for Gulf reef fish, as required under 
Sec.  622.20(c), only from a vessel that has a valid commercial permit 
for Gulf reef fish.


Sec.  622.41  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    (a) Greater amberjack--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
annual catch target (ACT) specified in Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(v)(commercial 
quota), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA) will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) 
of this section, if commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL, as specified in (a)(1)(iii) of this section, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to 
reduce the commercial ACT (commercial quota) and the commercial

[[Page 22980]]

ACL for that following year by the amount of any commercial ACL overage 
in the prior fishing year.
    (iii) The commercial ACL for greater amberjack is 481,000 lb 
(218,178 kg), round weight.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings, as estimated 
by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the ACT specified in Sec.  
622.39(a)(2)(ii) (recreational quota), the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational 
sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
of this section, if recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the recreational ACL, as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of 
this section, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the recreational ACT (recreational quota) and the 
recreational ACL for that following year by the amount of any 
recreational overage in the prior fishing year.
    (iii) The recreational ACL for greater amberjack is 1,299,000 lb 
(589,216 kg), round weight.
    (b) Gray triggerfish--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
applicable quota specified in Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(vi), the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. In addition, 
if despite such closure, commercial landings exceed the applicable 
annual catch limit (ACL), the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year, to reduce the quota for that following year by 
the amount the prior-year ACL was exceeded. The commercial ACL for 2010 
and subsequent fishing years is 138,000 lb (62,596 kg).
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register reducing the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational target catch for 
that following fishing year. The recreational ACL for 2010 and 
subsequent fishing years is 457,000 lb (207,291 kg). The recreational 
ACT for 2010 and subsequent fishing years is 405,000 lb (183,705 kg). 
Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a 
moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP.
    (c) Other shallow-water grouper (Other SWG) combined (including 
black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, and yellowmouth grouper)--(1) 
Commercial sector. The IFQ program for groupers and tilefishes in the 
Gulf of Mexico serves as the accountability measure for commercial 
Other SWG. The commercial ACL for Other SWG is equal to the applicable 
quota specified in Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(iii)(A).
    (2) Recreational sector. If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock 
complex ACL specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach the applicable 
ACL specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
recreational sector for the remainder of that fishing year.
    (3) The stock complex ACLs for Other SWG, in gutted weight, are 
688,000 lb (312,072 kg) for 2012, 700,000 lb (317,515 kg) for 2013, 
707,000 lb (320,690 kg) for 2014, and 710,000 lb (322,051 kg) for 2015 
and subsequent years.
    (d) Gag--(1) Commercial sector. The IFQ program for groupers and 
tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico serves as the accountability measure 
for commercial gag. The applicable commercial ACLs for gag, in gutted 
weight, are 0.788 million lb (0.357 million kg) for 2012, 0.956 million 
lb (0.434 million kg) for 2013, 1.100 million lb (0.499 million kg) for 
2014, and 1.217 million lb (0.552 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent 
fishing years.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) Without regard to overfished status, 
if gag recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the applicable ACLs specified in paragraph 
(d)(2)(iv) of this section, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to close the recreational sector for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limit of gag in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the Gulf on 
board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit 
for Gulf reef fish has been issued, without regard to where such 
species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) Without regard to overfished status, and in addition to the 
measures specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, if gag 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable 
ACLs specified in paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to maintain 
the gag ACT, specified in paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section, for 
that following fishing year at the level of the prior year's ACT, 
unless the best scientific information available determines that 
maintaining the prior year's ACT is unnecessary. In addition, the 
notification will reduce the length of the recreational gag fishing 
season the following fishing year by the amount necessary to ensure gag 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACT in the 
following fishing year.
    (iii) If gag are overfished, based on the most recent status of 
U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and gag recreational landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL specified in paragraph 
(d)(2)(iv) of this section, the following measures will apply. In 
addition to the measures specified in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of 
this section, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the ACL 
overage in the prior fishing year, and reduce the ACT, as determined in 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, by the amount of the ACL overage 
in the prior fishing year, unless the best scientific information 
available determines that a greater, lesser, or no overage adjustment 
is necessary.
    (iv) The applicable recreational ACLs for gag, in gutted weight, 
are 1.232 million lb (0.559 million kg) for 2012, 1.495 million lb 
(0.678 million kg) for 2013, 1.720 million lb (0.780 million kg) for 
2014, and 1.903 million lb (0.863 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent 
fishing years. The recreational ACTs for gag, in gutted weight, are 
1.031 million lb (0.468 million kg) for 2012, 1.287 million lb (0.584 
million kg) for 2013, 1.519 million lb (0.689 million kg) for 2014, and 
1.708 million lb (0.775 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent fishing 
years.
    (e) Red grouper--(1) Commercial sector. The IFQ program for 
groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico serves as the 
accountability measure for commercial red grouper. The applicable 
commercial ACL for red grouper, in gutted weight, for 2012 and 
subsequent fishing years is 6.03 million lb (2.735 million kg).
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) Without regard to overfished status, 
if red grouper recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or 
are

[[Page 22981]]

projected to reach the applicable ACL specified in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) 
of this section, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, to close the recreational sector for the remainder of 
the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a 
notification, the bag and possession limit of red grouper in or from 
the Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the Gulf 
on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat 
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, without regard to where such 
species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) Without regard to overfished status, and in addition to the 
measures specified in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section, if red 
grouper recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the 
applicable ACL specified in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of this section, the 
AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
maintain the red grouper ACT, specified in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of this 
section, for that following fishing year at the level of the prior 
year's ACT, unless the best scientific information available determines 
that maintaining the prior year's ACT is unnecessary. In addition, the 
notification will reduce the bag limit by one fish and reduce the 
length of the recreational red grouper fishing season the following 
fishing year by the amount necessary to ensure red grouper recreational 
landings do not exceed the recreational ACT in the following fishing 
year. The minimum red grouper bag limit for 2014 and subsequent fishing 
years is two fish.
    (iii) If red grouper are overfished, based on the most recent 
Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and red grouper 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable 
ACL specified in paragraph (e)(2)(iv) of this section, the following 
measures will apply. In addition to the measures specified in 
paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that 
following year by the amount of the ACL overage in the prior fishing 
year, and reduce the ACT, as determined in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this 
section, by the amount of the ACL overage in the prior fishing year, 
unless the best scientific information available determines that a 
greater, lesser, or no overage adjustment is necessary.
    (iv) The recreational ACL for red grouper, in gutted weight, is 
1.90 million lb (0.862 million kg) for 2012 and subsequent fishing 
years. The recreational ACT for red grouper, in gutted weight, is 1.730 
million lb (0.785 million kg) for 2012 and subsequent fishing years.
    (f) Deep-water grouper (DWG) combined (including yellowedge 
grouper, warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, and speckled hind)-- (1) 
Commercial sector. The IFQ program for groupers and tilefishes in the 
Gulf of Mexico serves as the accountability measure for commercial DWG. 
The commercial ACL for DWG is equal to the applicable quota specified 
in Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(ii).
    (2) Recreational sector. If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock 
complex ACL specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the applicable ACL specified 
in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational 
sector for the remainder of that fishing year.
    (3) The stock complex ACLs for DWG, in gutted weight, are 1.216 
million lb (0.552 million kg) for 2012, 1.207 million lb (0.547 million 
kg) for 2013, 1.198 million lb (0.543 million kg) for 2014, 1.189 
million lb (0.539 million kg) for 2015, and 1.105 million lb (0.501 
million kg) for 2016 and subsequent years.
    (g) Tilefishes combined (including goldface tilefish, blueline 
tilefish, and tilefish)--(1) Commercial sector. The IFQ program for 
groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico serves as the 
accountability measure for commercial tilefishes. The commercial ACL 
for tilefishes is equal to the applicable quota specified in Sec.  
622.39(a)(1)(iv).
    (2) Recreational sector. If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock 
complex ACL specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the applicable ACL specified 
in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational 
sector for the remainder of that fishing year.
    (3) The stock complex ACL for tilefishes is 608,000 lb (275,784 
kg), gutted weight.
    (h) Lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish, combined. 
If the sum of the commercial and recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceeds the stock complex ACL, then during the following 
fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational landings 
reaches or is projected to reach the stock complex ACL, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock complex ACL for lesser amberjack, almaco jack, 
and banded rudderfish, is 312,000 lb (141,521 kg), round weight.
    (i) Silk snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, and wenchman, 
combined. If the sum of the commercial and recreational landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock complex ACL, then during the 
following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock complex ACL, the AA 
will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock complex ACL for silk snapper, queen snapper, 
blackfin snapper, and wenchman, is 166,000 lb (75,296 kg), round 
weight.
    (j) Vermilion snapper. If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reaches or is projected 
to reach the stock ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office 
of the Federal Register to close the commercial and recreational 
sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. The stock ACL for 
vermilion snapper is 3.42 million lb (1.55 million kg), round weight.
    (k) Lane snapper. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock ACL, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock ACL for lane snapper is 301,000 lb (136,531 
kg), round weight.
    (l) Gray snapper. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock ACL, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock ACL for gray snapper is 2.42 million lb (1.10 
million kg), round weight.
    (m) Cubera snapper. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the

[[Page 22982]]

stock ACL, then during the following fishing year, if the sum of 
commercial and recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach 
the stock ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the commercial and recreational sectors for 
the remainder of that fishing year. The stock ACL for cubera snapper is 
5,065 lb (2,297 kg), round weight.
    (n) Yellowtail snapper. If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, 
then during the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and 
recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock ACL, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to close the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of 
that fishing year. The stock ACL for yellowtail snapper is 725,000 lb 
(328,855 kg), round weight.
    (o) Mutton snapper. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock ACL, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock ACL for mutton snapper is 203,000 lb (92,079 
kg), round weight.
    (p) Hogfish. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, then during 
the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 
landings reaches or is projected to reach the stock ACL, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that 
fishing year. The stock ACL for hogfish is 208,000 lb (94,347 kg), 
round weight.


Sec.  622.42  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico, the RA may establish or modify 
the items specified in paragraph (a) of this section for Gulf reef 
fish.
    (a) For a species or species group: Reporting and monitoring 
requirements, permitting requirements, bag and possession limits 
(including a bag limit of zero), size limits, vessel trip limits, 
closed seasons or areas and reopenings, annual catch limits (ACLs), 
annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota of zero), 
accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, management 
parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear 
restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), gear 
markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, 
allowable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rules, rebuilding 
plans, and restrictions relative to conditions of harvested fish 
(maintaining fish in whole condition, use as bait).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.43  Commercial trip limits.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable 
species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows:
    (a) Greater amberjack. Until the quota specified in Sec.  
622.39(a)(1)(v) is reached, 2,000 lb (907 kg), round weight. See Sec.  
622.39(b) for the limitations regarding greater amberjack after the 
quota is reached.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.44  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13 of this part, it is 
unlawful for any person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.20 
through 622.44.

Subpart C--Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico


Sec.  622.50  Permits, permit moratorium, and endorsements.

    (a) Gulf shrimp permit. For a person aboard a vessel to fish for 
shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or possess shrimp in or from the Gulf EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board. See paragraph (b) of this section 
regarding a moratorium on commercial vessel permits for Gulf shrimp and 
the associated provisions. See paragraph (c) of this section, regarding 
an additional endorsement requirement related to royal red shrimp.
    (b) Moratorium on commercial vessel permits for Gulf shrimp. The 
provisions of this paragraph (b) are applicable through October 26, 
2016.
    (1) Moratorium permits are required. The only valid commercial 
vessel permits for Gulf shrimp are commercial vessel moratorium permits 
for Gulf shrimp. In accordance with the procedures specified in the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
(Gulf Shrimp FMP), all commercial vessel moratorium permits for Gulf 
shrimp have been issued. No additional permits will be issued.
    (2) Permit transferability. Commercial vessel moratorium permits 
for Gulf shrimp are fully transferable, with or without the sale of the 
vessel. To request that the RA transfer a commercial vessel moratorium 
permit for Gulf shrimp, the owner of a vessel that is to receive the 
transferred permit must complete the transfer information on the 
reverse of the permit and return the permit and a completed application 
for transfer to the RA. Transfer documents must be notarized as 
specified in Sec.  622.4(f)(1).
    (3) Renewal. (i) Renewal of a commercial vessel moratorium permit 
for Gulf shrimp is contingent upon compliance with the recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements for Gulf shrimp specified in Sec.  
622.51(a).
    (ii) A commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp that is 
not renewed will be terminated and will not be reissued during the 
moratorium. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an 
application for renewal, as required, is not received by the RA within 
1 year of the expiration date of the permit.
    (c) Gulf royal red shrimp endorsement. For a person aboard a vessel 
to fish for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or possess royal red 
shrimp in or from the Gulf EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
shrimp with a Gulf royal red shrimp endorsement must be issued to the 
vessel and must be on board.
    (d) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to, application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.


Sec.  622.51  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators--(1) General reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel that fishes for shrimp 
in the Gulf EEZ or in adjoining state waters, or that lands shrimp in 
an adjoining state, must provide information for any fishing trip, as 
requested by the SRD, including, but not limited to, vessel 
identification, gear, effort, amount of shrimp caught by species, 
shrimp condition (heads on/heads off), fishing areas and depths, and 
person to whom sold.

[[Page 22983]]

    (2) Electronic logbook reporting. The owner or operator of a vessel 
for which a Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been 
issued and who is selected by the SRD must participate in the NMFS-
sponsored electronic logbook reporting program as directed by the SRD. 
In addition, such owner or operator must provide information regarding 
the size and number of shrimp trawls deployed and the type of bycatch 
reduction device (BRD) and turtle excluder device used, as directed by 
the SRD. Compliance with the reporting requirements of this paragraph 
(a)(2) is required for permit renewal.
    (3) Vessel and Gear Characterization Form. All owners or operators 
of vessels applying for or renewing a commercial vessel moratorium 
permit for Gulf shrimp must complete an annual Gulf Shrimp Vessel and 
Gear Characterization Form. The form will be provided by NMFS at the 
time of permit application and renewal. Compliance with this reporting 
requirement is required for permit issuance and renewal.
    (4) Landings report. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a 
Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been issued must 
annually report the permitted vessel's total annual landings of shrimp 
and value, by species, on a form provided by the SRD. Compliance with 
this reporting requirement is required for permit renewal.
    (b) Gulf shrimp dealers. A person who purchases shrimp from a 
vessel, or person, that fishes for shrimp in the Gulf EEZ or in 
adjoining state waters, or that lands shrimp in an adjoining state, 
must provide the following information when requested by the SRD:
    (1) Name and official number of the vessel from which shrimp were 
received or the name of the person from whom shrimp were received, if 
received from other than a vessel.
    (2) Amount of shrimp received by species and size category for each 
receipt.
    (3) Ex-vessel value, by species and size category, for each 
receipt.


Sec.  622.52  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. A vessel for which a Federal commercial 
vessel permit for Gulf shrimp has been issued must carry a NMFS-
approved observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for 
observer coverage. Vessel permit renewal is contingent upon compliance 
with this paragraph (a).
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the 
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.53  Bycatch reduction device (BRD) requirements.

    (a) BRD requirement for Gulf shrimp. On a shrimp trawler in the 
Gulf EEZ, each net that is rigged for fishing must have a BRD installed 
that is listed in paragraph (a)(3) of this section and is certified or 
provisionally certified for the area in which the shrimp trawler is 
located, unless exempted as specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through 
(iv) of this section. A trawl net is rigged for fishing if it is in the 
water, or if it is shackled, tied, or otherwise connected to a sled, 
door, or other device that spreads the net, or to a tow rope, cable, 
pole, or extension, either on board or attached to a shrimp trawler.
    (1) Exemptions from BRD requirement--(i) Royal red shrimp 
exemption. A shrimp trawler is exempt from the requirement to have a 
certified or provisionally certified BRD installed in each net provided 
that at least 90 percent (by weight) of all shrimp on board or 
offloaded from such trawler are royal red shrimp.
    (ii) Try net exemption. A shrimp trawler is exempt from the 
requirement to have a certified or provisionally certified BRD 
installed in a single try net with a headrope length of 16 ft (4.9 m) 
or less provided the single try net is either placed immediately in 
front of another net or is not connected to another net.
    (iii) Roller trawl exemption. A shrimp trawler is exempt from the 
requirement to have a certified or provisionally certified BRD 
installed in up to two rigid-frame roller trawls that are 16 ft (4.9 m) 
or less in length used or possessed on board. A rigid-frame roller 
trawl is a trawl that has a mouth formed by a rigid frame and a grid of 
rigid vertical bars; has rollers on the lower horizontal part of the 
frame to allow the trawl to roll over the bottom and any obstruction 
while being towed; and has no doors, boards, or similar devices 
attached to keep the mouth of the trawl open.
    (iv) BRD certification testing exemption. A shrimp trawler that is 
authorized by the RA to participate in the pre-certification testing 
phase or to test a BRD in the EEZ for possible certification, has such 
written authorization on board, and is conducting such test in 
accordance with the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual'' is 
granted a limited exemption from the BRD requirement specified in this 
section. The exemption from the BRD requirement is limited to those 
trawls that are being used in the certification trials. All other 
trawls rigged for fishing must be equipped with certified or 
provisionally certified BRDs.
    (2) Procedures for certification and decertification of BRDs. The 
process for the certification of BRDs consists of two phases--an 
optional pre-certification phase and a required certification phase. 
The RA may also provisionally certify a BRD.
    (i) Pre-certification. The pre-certification phase allows a person 
to test and evaluate a new BRD design for up to 60 days without being 
subject to the observer requirements and rigorous testing requirements 
specified for certification testing in the ``Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Manual.''
    (A) A person who wants to conduct pre-certification phase testing 
must submit an application to the RA, as specified in the ``Bycatch 
Reduction Device Testing Manual.'' The ``Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Manual,'' which is available from the RA, upon request, 
contains the application forms.
    (B) After reviewing the application, the RA will determine whether 
to issue a letter of authorization (LOA) to conduct pre-certification 
trials upon the vessel specified in the application. If the RA 
authorizes pre-certification, the RA's LOA must be on board the vessel 
during any trip involving the BRD testing.
    (ii) Certification. A person who proposes a BRD for certification 
for use

[[Page 22984]]

in the Gulf EEZ must submit an application to test such BRD, conduct 
the testing, and submit the results of the test in accordance with the 
``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual.'' The RA will issue a LOA to 
conduct certification trials upon the vessel specified in the 
application if the RA finds that: The operation plan submitted with the 
application meets the requirements of the ``Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Manual''; the observer identified in the application is 
qualified; and the results of any pre-certification trials conducted 
have been reviewed and deemed to indicate a reasonable scientific basis 
for conducting certification testing. If authorization to conduct 
certification trials is denied, the RA will provide a letter of 
explanation to the applicant, together with relevant recommendations to 
address the deficiencies resulting in the denial. To be certified for 
use in the fishery, the BRD candidate must successfully demonstrate a 
30-percent reduction in total weight of finfish bycatch. In addition, 
the BRD candidate must satisfy the following conditions: There is at 
least a 50-percent probability the true reduction rate of the BRD 
candidate meets the bycatch reduction criterion and there is no more 
than a 10-percent probability the true reduction rate of the BRD 
candidate is more than 5 percentage points less than the bycatch 
reduction criterion. If a BRD meets both conditions, consistent with 
the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual,'' NMFS, through 
appropriate rulemaking procedures, will add the BRD to the list of 
certified BRDs in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and provide the 
specifications for the newly certified BRD, including any special 
conditions deemed appropriate based on the certification testing 
results.
    (iii) Provisional certification. Based on data provided consistent 
with the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual,'' the RA may 
provisionally certify a BRD if there is at least a 50-percent 
probability the true reduction rate of the BRD is no more than 5 
percentage points less than the bycatch reduction criterion, i.e., 25 
percent reduction in total weight of finfish bycatch. Through 
appropriate rulemaking procedures, NMFS will add the BRD to the list of 
provisionally certified BRDs in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and 
provide the specifications for the BRD, including any special 
conditions deemed appropriate based on the certification testing 
results. A provisional certification is effective for 2 years from the 
date of publication of the notification in the Federal Register 
announcing the provisional certification.
    (iv) Decertification. The RA will decertify a BRD if NMFS 
determines the BRD does not meet the requirements for certification or 
provisional certification. Before determining whether to decertify a 
BRD, the RA will notify the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
in writing, and the public will be provided an opportunity to comment 
on the advisability of any proposed decertification. The RA will 
consider any comments from the Council and public, and if the RA elects 
to decertify the BRD, the RA will proceed with decertification via 
appropriate rulemaking.
    (3) Certified and provisionally certified BRDs--(i) Certified BRDS. 
The following BRDs are certified for use in the Gulf EEZ. 
Specifications of these certified BRDs are contained in Appendix D to 
this part.
    (A) Fisheye--see Appendix D to part 622 for separate specifications 
in the Gulf and South Atlantic EEZ.
    (B) Jones-Davis.
    (C) Modified Jones-Davis.
    (D) Cone Fish Deflector Composite Panel.
    (E) Square Mesh Panel (SMP) Composite Panel.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.54  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Traps for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ and transfer at sea. 
A trap may not be used to fish for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ. 
Possession of a trap and royal red shrimp on board a vessel is 
prohibited. A trap used to fish for royal red shrimp in the Gulf EEZ 
may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the Assistant 
Administrator or an authorized officer. In addition, royal red shrimp 
cannot be transferred in the Gulf EEZ, and royal red shrimp taken in 
the Gulf EEZ cannot be transferred at sea regardless of where the 
transfer takes place.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.55  Closed areas.

    (a) Texas closure. (1) From 30 minutes after official sunset on May 
15 to 30 minutes after official sunset on July 15, trawling, except 
trawling for royal red shrimp beyond the 100-fathom (183-m) depth 
contour, is prohibited in the Gulf EEZ off Texas.
    (2) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the Gulf 
Shrimp FMP, the RA may adjust the closing and/or opening date of the 
Texas closure to provide an earlier, later, shorter, or longer closure, 
but the duration of the closure may not exceed 90 days or be less than 
45 days. Notification of the adjustment of the closing or opening date 
will be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Southwest Florida seasonal trawl closure. From January 1 to 1 
hour after official sunset on May 20, each year, trawling, including 
trawling for live bait, is prohibited in that part of the Gulf EEZ 
shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B\1\........................  26[deg]16.0'          81[deg]58.5'
C...........................  26[deg]00.0'          82[deg]04.0'
D...........................  25[deg]09.0'          81[deg]47.6'
E...........................  24[deg]54.5'          81[deg]50.5'
M\1\........................  24[deg]49.3'          81[deg]46.4'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On the seaward limit of Florida's waters.

    (c) Tortugas shrimp sanctuary. (1) The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is 
closed to trawling. The Tortugas shrimp sanctuary is that part of the 
EEZ off Florida shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the 
following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N \1\.......................  25[deg]52.9'          81[deg]37.9'
F...........................  24[deg]50.7'          81[deg]51.3'
G \2\.......................  24[deg]40.1'          82[deg]26.7'
H \3\.......................  24[deg]34.7'          82[deg]35.2'
P \4\.......................  24[deg]35.0'          82[deg]08.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Coon Key Light.
\2\ New Ground Rocks Light.
\3\ Rebecca Shoal Light.
\4\ Marquessas Keys.

    (2) The provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
notwithstanding--
    (i) Effective from April 11 through September 30, each year, that 
part of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting 
the following points is open to trawling: From point T at 24[deg]47.8' 
N. lat., 82[deg]01.0' W. long. to point U at 24[deg]43.83' N. lat., 
82[deg]01.0' W. long. (on the line denoting the seaward limit of 
Florida's waters); thence along the seaward limit of Florida's waters, 
as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11439, to point V at 
24[deg]42.55' N. lat., 82[deg]15.0' W. long.; thence north to point W 
at 24[deg]43.6' N. lat., 82[deg]15.0' W. long.
    (ii) Effective from April 11 through July 31, each year, that part 
of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the 
following points is open to trawling: From point W to point V, both 
points as specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, to

[[Page 22985]]

point G, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Effective from May 26 through July 31, each year, that part 
of the Tortugas shrimp sanctuary seaward of rhumb lines connecting the 
following points is open to trawling: From point F, as specified in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, to point Q at 24[deg]46.7' N. lat., 
81[deg]52.2' W. long. (on the line denoting the seaward limit of 
Florida's waters); thence along the seaward limit of Florida's waters, 
as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11439, to point U and 
north to point T, both points as specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of 
this section.
    (d) Closures of the Gulf shrimp fishery to reduce red snapper 
bycatch. During a closure implemented in accordance with this paragraph 
(d), trawling is prohibited within the specified closed area(s).
    (1) Procedure for determining need for and extent of closures. Each 
year, in accordance with the applicable framework procedure established 
in the Gulf Shrimp FMP, the RA will, if necessary, establish a seasonal 
area closure for the shrimp fishery in all or a portion of the areas of 
the Gulf EEZ specified in paragraphs (d)(2) through (d)(4) of this 
section. The RA's determination of the need for such closure and its 
geographical scope and duration will be based on an annual assessment, 
by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, of the shrimp effort and 
associated shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper in the 10-30 
fathom area of statistical zones 10-21, compared to the 67-percent 
target reduction of shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper from 
the benchmark years of 2001-2003 established in the FMP (which 
corresponds in terms of annual shrimp effort to 27,328 days fished). 
The framework procedure provides for adjustment of this target 
reduction level, consistent with the red snapper stock rebuilding plan 
and the findings of subsequent stock assessments, via appropriate 
rulemaking. The assessment will use shrimp effort data for the most 
recent 12-month period available and will include a recommendation 
regarding the geographical scope and duration of the closure. The 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center's assessment will be provided to the 
RA on or about March 1 of each year. If the RA determines that a 
closure is necessary, the closure falls within the scope of the 
potential closures evaluated in the Gulf Shrimp FMP, and good cause 
exists to waive notice and comment, NMFS will implement the closure by 
publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. If such good cause 
waiver is not justified, NMFS will implement the closure via 
appropriate notice and comment rulemaking. NMFS intends that any 
closure implemented consistent with this paragraph (l) will begin on 
the same date and time as the Texas closure unless circumstances 
dictate otherwise.
    (2) Eastern zone. The eastern zone is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  29[deg]14'            88[deg]57'
B...........................  29[deg]24'            88[deg]34'
C...........................  29[deg]34'            87[deg]38'
D...........................  30[deg]04'            87[deg]00'
E...........................  30[deg]04'            88[deg]41'
F...........................  29[deg]36'            88[deg]37'
G...........................  29[deg]21'            88[deg]59'
A...........................  29[deg]14'            88[deg]57'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3) Louisiana zone. The Louisiana zone is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  29[deg]09.1'          93[deg]41.4'
B...........................  29[deg]09.25'         92[deg]36'
C...........................  28[deg]35'            90[deg]44'
D...........................  29[deg]09'            89[deg]48'
E...........................  28[deg]57'            89[deg]34'
F...........................  28[deg]40'            90[deg]09'
G...........................  28[deg]18'            90[deg]33'
H...........................  28[deg]25'            91[deg]37'
I...........................  28[deg]21.7'          93[deg]28.4'
A...........................  29[deg]09.1'          93[deg]41.4'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Texas zone. The Texas zone is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  29[deg]09.1'          93[deg]41.4'
B...........................  28[deg]44'            95[deg]15'
C...........................  28[deg]11'            96[deg]17'
D...........................  27[deg]44'            96[deg]53'
E...........................  27[deg]02'            97[deg]11'
F...........................  26[deg]00.5'          96[deg]57.3'
G...........................  26[deg]00.5'          96[deg]35.85'
H...........................  26[deg]24'            96[deg]36'
I...........................  26[deg]49'            96[deg]52'
J...........................  27[deg]12'            96[deg]51'
K...........................  27[deg]39'            96[deg]33'
L...........................  27[deg]55'            96[deg]04'
M...........................  28[deg]21.7'          93[deg]28.4'
A...........................  29[deg]09.1'          93[deg]41.4'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (e) Shrimp/stone crab separation zones. Five zones are established 
in the Gulf EEZ and Florida's waters off Citrus and Hernando Counties 
for the separation of shrimp trawling and stone crab trapping. Although 
Zone II is entirely within Florida's waters, it is included in this 
paragraph (e) for the convenience of fishermen. Restrictions that apply 
to Zone II and those parts of the other zones that are in Florida's 
waters are contained in Rule 68B-38.001, Florida Administrative Code, 
in effect as of March 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  
622.413). Geographical coordinates of the points referred to in this 
paragraph (e) are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]59'30''        82[deg]45'36''
B...........................  28[deg]59'30''        83[deg]00'10''
C...........................  28[deg]26'01''        82[deg]59'47''
D...........................  28[deg]26'01''        82[deg]56'54''
E...........................  28[deg]41'39''        82[deg]55'25''
F...........................  28[deg]41'39''        82[deg]56'09''
G...........................  28[deg]48'56''        82[deg]56'19''
H...........................  28[deg]53'51''        82[deg]51'19''
I \1\.......................  28[deg]54'43''        82[deg]44'52''
J \2\.......................  28[deg]51'09''        82[deg]44'00''
K...........................  28[deg]50'59''        82[deg]54'16''
L...........................  28[deg]41'39''        82[deg]53'56''
M \3\.......................  28[deg]41'39''        82[deg]38'46''
N...........................  28[deg]41'39''        82[deg]53'12''
O...........................  28[deg]30'51''        82[deg]55'11''
P...........................  28[deg]40'00''        82[deg]53'08''
Q...........................  28[deg]40'00''        82[deg]47'58''
R...........................  28[deg]35'14''        82[deg]47'47''
S...........................  28[deg]30'51''        82[deg]52'55''
T...........................  28[deg]27'46''        82[deg]55'09''
U...........................  28[deg]30'51''        82[deg]52'09''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 \1\ Crystal River Entrance Light 1A.
\2\ Long Pt. (southwest tip).
\3\ Shoreline.

    (1) Zone I is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
A, B, C, D, T, E, F, G, H, I, and J, plus the shoreline between points 
A and J. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone I that is in the 
EEZ from October 5 through May 20, each year.
    (2) Zone II is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
J, I, H, K, L, and M, plus the shoreline between points J and M. 
Restrictions that apply to Zone II and those parts of the other zones 
that are in Florida's waters are contained in Rule 68B-38.001, Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of March 1, 2005 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  622.413).
    (3) Zone III is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
points P, Q, R, U, S, and P. It is unlawful to trawl in that part of 
Zone III that is in the EEZ from October 5 through May 20, each year.
    (4) Zone IV is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
E, N, S, O, and E.
    (i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone 
IV that is in the EEZ from October 5 through December 1 and from April 
2 through May 20, each year.
    (ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone IV that is in the 
EEZ from December 2 through April 1, each year.
    (5) Zone V is enclosed by rhumb lines connecting, in order, points 
F, G, K, L, and F.

[[Page 22986]]

    (i) It is unlawful to place a stone crab trap in that part of Zone 
V that is in the EEZ from October 5 through November 30 and from March 
16 through May 20, each year.
    (ii) It is unlawful to trawl in that part of Zone V that is in the 
EEZ from December 1 through March 15, each year.


Sec.  622.56  Size limits.

    Shrimp not in compliance with the applicable size limit as 
specified in this section may not be possessed, sold, or purchased and 
must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that shrimp 
on board are in compliance with the size limit specified in this 
section.
    (a) White shrimp. White shrimp harvested in the Gulf EEZ are 
subject to the minimum-size landing and possession limits of Louisiana 
when possessed within the jurisdiction of that State.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.57  Quotas.

    (a) Royal red shrimp in the Gulf. The quota for all persons who 
harvest royal red shrimp in the Gulf is 392,000 lb (177.8 mt), tail 
weight.
    (1) Quota closure restrictions. When the quota in Sec.  622.57(a) 
is reached, or is projected to be reached, royal red shrimp in or from 
the Gulf EEZ may not be retained, and the sale or purchase of royal red 
shrimp taken from the Gulf EEZ is prohibited. This prohibition on sale 
or purchase during a closure for royal red shrimp does not apply to 
royal red shrimp that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 
the effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a 
dealer or processor.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) General quota provisions. See Sec.  622.8 for information 
regarding applicability of quotas and general quota provisions.


Sec.  622.58  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    (a) Royal red shrimp in the Gulf--(1) Commercial sector. If 
commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the commercial 
ACL, then during the following fishing year, if commercial landings 
reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of that fishing year. The 
commercial ACL for royal red shrimp is 334,000 lb (151,500 kg), tail 
weight.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.59  Prevention of gear conflicts.

    (a) No person may knowingly place in the Gulf EEZ any article, 
including fishing gear, that interferes with fishing or obstructs or 
damages fishing gear or the fishing vessel of another; or knowingly use 
fishing gear in such a fashion that it obstructs or damages the fishing 
gear or fishing vessel of another.
    (b) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the Gulf 
Shrimp FMP, the RA may modify or establish separation zones for shrimp 
trawling and the use of fixed gear to prevent gear conflicts. Necessary 
prohibitions or restrictions will be published in the Federal Register.


Sec.  622.60  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the Gulf Shrimp FMP, 
the RA may establish or modify the following:
    (a) Gulf shrimp. For a species or species group: reporting and 
monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, size limits, vessel 
trip limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, annual catch 
limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota 
of zero), accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, TAC, 
management parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, 
gear restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), 
gear markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, 
allowable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rules, rebuilding 
plans, sale and purchase restrictions, transfer at sea provisions, 
restrictions relative to conditions of harvested shrimp (maintaining 
shrimp in whole condition, use as bait), target effort and fishing 
mortality reduction levels, bycatch reduction criteria, BRD 
certification and decertification criteria, BRD testing protocol, 
certified BRDs, and BRD specification.
    (b) Gulf royal red shrimp. Reporting and monitoring requirements, 
permitting requirements, size limits, vessel trip limits, closed 
seasons or areas and reopenings, annual catch limits (ACLs), annual 
catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota of zero), 
accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, TAC, management 
parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear 
restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), gear 
markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, ABC 
and ABC control rules, rebuilding plans, sale and purchase 
restrictions, transfer at sea provisions, and restrictions relative to 
conditions of harvested shrimp (maintaining shrimp in whole condition, 
use as bait).


Sec.  622.61  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.50 through 622.60.

Subpart D--Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico


Sec.  622.70  Permits.

    See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding general permit procedures 
including, but not limited to fees, duration, transfer, renewal, 
display, sanctions and denials, and replacement.
    (a) Required permits---(1) Allowable chemical. For an individual to 
take or possess fish or other marine organisms with an allowable 
chemical in a coral area, other than fish or other marine organisms 
that are landed in Florida, a Federal allowable chemical permit must 
have been issued to the individual. Such permit must be available when 
the permitted activity is being conducted and when such fish or other 
marine organisms are possessed, through landing ashore.
    (2) Aquacultured live rock. For a person to take or possess 
aquacultured live rock in the Gulf EEZ, a Federal aquacultured live 
rock permit must have been issued for the specific harvest site. Such 
permit, or a copy, must be on board a vessel depositing or possessing 
material on an aquacultured live rock site or harvesting or possessing 
live rock from an aquacultured live rock site.
    (3) Prohibited coral. A Federal permit may be issued to take or 
possess Gulf prohibited coral only as scientific research activity, 
exempted fishing, or exempted educational activity. See Sec.  600.745 
of this chapter for the procedures and limitations for such activities 
and fishing.
    (4) Florida permits. Appropriate Florida permits and endorsements 
are required for the following activities, without regard to whether 
they involve activities in the EEZ or Florida's waters:
    (i) Landing in Florida fish or other marine organisms taken with an 
allowable chemical in a coral area.
    (ii) Landing allowable octocoral in Florida.
    (iii) Landing live rock in Florida.
    (b) Application. (1) The applicant for a coral permit must be the 
individual who will be conducting the activity that requires the 
permit. In the case of a corporation or partnership that will be 
conducting live rock aquaculture

[[Page 22987]]

activity, the applicant must be the principal shareholder or a general 
partner.
    (2) An applicant must provide the following:
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the applicant.
    (ii) Name and address of any affiliated company, institution, or 
organization.
    (iii) Information concerning vessels, harvesting gear/methods, or 
fishing areas, as specified on the application form.
    (iv) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit.
    (v) If applying for an aquacultured live rock permit, 
identification of each vessel that will be depositing material on or 
harvesting aquacultured live rock from the proposed aquacultured live 
rock site, specification of the port of landing of aquacultured live 
rock, and a site evaluation report prepared pursuant to generally 
accepted industry standards that--
    (A) Provides accurate coordinates of the proposed harvesting site 
so that it can be located using LORAN or Global Positioning System 
equipment;
    (B) Shows the site on a chart in sufficient detail to determine its 
size and allow for site inspection;
    (C) Discusses possible hazards to safe navigation or hindrance to 
vessel traffic, traditional fishing operations, or other public access 
that may result from aquacultured live rock at the site;
    (D) Describes the naturally occurring bottom habitat at the site; 
and
    (E) Specifies the type and origin of material to be deposited on 
the site and how it will be distinguishable from the naturally 
occurring substrate.


Sec.  622.71  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Individuals with aquacultured live rock permits. (1) A person 
with a Federal aquacultured live rock permit must report to the RA each 
deposition of material on a site. Such reports must be postmarked not 
later than 7 days after deposition and must contain the following 
information:
    (i) Permit number of site and date of deposit.
    (ii) Geological origin of material deposited.
    (iii) Amount of material deposited.
    (iv) Source of material deposited, that is, where obtained, if 
removed from another habitat, or from whom purchased.
    (2) A person who takes aquacultured live rock must submit a report 
of harvest to the RA. Specific reporting requirements will be provided 
with the permit. This reporting requirement is waived for aquacultured 
live rock that is landed in Florida.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.72  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Power-assisted tools. A power-assisted tool may not be used in 
the Gulf EEZ to take prohibited coral or live rock.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.73  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Prohibited coral. Gulf prohibited coral taken as incidental 
catch in the Gulf EEZ must be returned immediately to the sea in the 
general area of fishing. In fisheries where the entire catch is landed 
unsorted, such as the scallop and groundfish fisheries, unsorted 
prohibited coral may be landed ashore; however, no person may sell or 
purchase such prohibited coral.


Sec.  622.74  Area closures to protect Gulf corals.

    (a) West and East Flower Garden Banks HAPC. The following 
activities are prohibited year-round in the HAPC: Fishing with a bottom 
longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, dredge, pot, or trap and bottom 
anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (1) West Flower Garden Bank. West Flower Garden Bank is bounded by 
rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  27[deg]55'22.8''      93[deg]53'09.6''
B...........................  27[deg]55'22.8''      93[deg]46'46.0''
C...........................  27[deg]49'03.0''      93[deg]46'46.0''
D...........................  27[deg]49'03.0''      93[deg]53'09.6''
A...........................  27[deg]55'22.8''      93[deg]53'09.6''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) East Flower Garden Bank. East Flower Garden Bank is bounded by 
rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  27[deg]59'14.4''      93[deg]38'58.2''
B...........................  27[deg]59'14.4''      93[deg]34'03.5''
C...........................  27[deg]52'36.5''      93[deg]34'03.5''
D...........................  27[deg]52'36.5''      93[deg]38'58.2''
A...........................  27[deg]59'14.4''      93[deg]38'58.2''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b) Florida Middle Grounds HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, 
bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited year-round in the area 
bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]42.5'          84[deg]24.8'
B...........................  28[deg]42.5'          84[deg]16.3'
C...........................  28[deg]11.0'          84[deg]00.0'
D...........................  28[deg]11.0'          84[deg]07.0'
E...........................  28[deg]26.6'          84[deg]24.8'
A...........................  28[deg]42.5'          84[deg]24.8'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (c) Tortugas marine reserves HAPC. The following activities are 
prohibited within the Tortugas marine reserves HAPC: Fishing for any 
species and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (1) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting the following points: From point A at 24[deg]40'00'' 
N. lat., 83[deg]06'00'' W. long. to point B at 24[deg]46'00'' N. lat., 
83[deg]06'00'' W. long. to point C at 24[deg]46'00'' N. lat., 
83[deg]00'00'' W. long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward 
limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA 
chart 11434, to point A at 24[deg]40'00'' N. lat., 83[deg]06'00'' W. 
long.
    (2) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]09'00''
B...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]05'00''
C...........................  24[deg]18'00''        83[deg]05'00''
D...........................  24[deg]18'00''        83[deg]09'00''
A...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]09'00''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (d) Pulley Ridge HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom 
trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels 
are prohibited year-round in the area of the HAPC bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]58'18''        83[deg]38'33''
B...........................  24[deg]58'18''        83[deg]37'00''
C...........................  24[deg]41'11''        83[deg]37'00''
D...........................  24[deg]40'00''        83[deg]41'22''
E...........................  24[deg]43'55''        83[deg]47'15''
A...........................  24[deg]58'18''        83[deg]38'33''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (e) Stetson Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom 
trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels 
are prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  28[deg]10'38.3''      94[deg]18'36.5''
B...........................  28[deg]10'38.3''      94[deg]17'06.3''

[[Page 22988]]

 
C...........................  28[deg]09'18.6''      94[deg]17'06.3''
D...........................  28[deg]09'18.6''      94[deg]18'36.5''
A...........................  28[deg]10'38.3''      94[deg]18'36.5''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (f) McGrail Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom 
trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels 
are prohibited year-round in the HAPC, which is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  27[deg]59'06.0''      92[deg]37'19.2''
B...........................  27[deg]59'06.0''      92[deg]32'17.4''
C...........................  27[deg]55'55.5''      92[deg]32'17.4''
D...........................  27[deg]55'55.5''      92[deg]37'19.2''
A...........................  27[deg]59'06.0''      92[deg]37'19.2''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  622.75  Harvest limitations.

    (a) Aquacultured live rock. In the Gulf EEZ:
    (1) Aquacultured live rock may be harvested only under a permit, as 
required under Sec.  622.70(a)(2), and aquacultured live rock on a site 
may be harvested only by the person, or his or her employee, 
contractor, or agent, who has been issued the aquacultured live rock 
permit for the site. A person harvesting aquacultured live rock is 
exempt from the prohibition on taking prohibited coral for such 
prohibited coral as attaches to aquacultured live rock.
    (2) The following restrictions apply to individual aquaculture 
activities:
    (i) No aquaculture site may exceed 1 acre (0.4 ha) in size.
    (ii) Material deposited on the aquaculture site--
    (A) May not be placed over naturally occurring reef outcrops, 
limestone ledges, coral reefs, or vegetated areas.
    (B) Must be free of contaminants.
    (C) Must be nontoxic.
    (D) Must be placed on the site by hand or lowered completely to the 
bottom under restraint, that is, not allowed to fall freely.
    (E) Must be placed from a vessel that is anchored.
    (F) Must be distinguishable, geologically or otherwise (for 
example, be indelibly marked or tagged), from the naturally occurring 
substrate.
    (iii) A minimum setback of at least 50 ft (15.2 m) must be 
maintained from natural vegetated or hard bottom habitats.
    (3) Mechanically dredging or drilling, or otherwise disturbing, 
aquacultured live rock is prohibited, and aquacultured live rock may be 
harvested only by hand.
    (4) Not less than 24 hours prior to harvest of aquacultured live 
rock, the owner or operator of the harvesting vessel must provide the 
following information to the NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast 
Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by telephone (727-824-5344):
    (i) Permit number of site to be harvested and date of harvest.
    (ii) Name and official number of the vessel to be used in 
harvesting.
    (iii) Date, port, and facility at which aquacultured live rock will 
be landed.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.76  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) Gulf wild live rock. Wild live rock in or from the Gulf EEZ may 
not be sold or purchased. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not 
apply to wild live rock from the Gulf EEZ that was harvested and landed 
prior to January 1, 1997.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.77  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for Coral 
and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico, the RA may establish or modify 
the following:
    (a) Gulf coral resources. For a species or species group: reporting 
and monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, bag and 
possession limits (including a bag limit of zero), size limits, vessel 
trip limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, annual catch 
limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota 
of zero), accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, TAC, 
management parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, 
gear restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), 
gear markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, 
allowable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rules, rebuilding 
plans, sale and purchase restrictions, transfer at sea provisions, and 
restrictions relative to conditions of harvested corals.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.78  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13 of this part, it is 
unlawful for any person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.70 
through 622.77.

Subpart E--Red Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico


Sec.  622.90  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Dealers. A dealer or processor who purchases red drum harvested 
from the Gulf who is selected to report by the SRD must report to the 
SRD such information as the SRD may request and in the form and manner 
as the SRD may require. The information required to be submitted must 
include, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) Dealer's or processor's name and address.
    (2) State and county where red drum were landed.
    (3) Total poundage of red drum received during the reporting 
period, by each type of gear used for harvest.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.91  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Red drum. Red drum may not be harvested or possessed in or from 
the Gulf EEZ. Such fish caught in the Gulf EEZ must be released 
immediately with a minimum of harm.


Sec.  622.92  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the Red 
Drum Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the RA may establish or modify the 
following items:
    (a) Reporting and monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, 
bag and possession limits (including a bag limit of zero), size limits, 
vessel trip limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, annual 
catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a 
quota of zero), accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, TAC, 
management parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, 
gear restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), 
gear markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, 
ABC and ABC control rules, rebuilding plans, sale and purchase 
restrictions, transfer at sea provisions, and restrictions relative to 
conditions of harvested fish (maintaining fish in whole condition, use 
as bait).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.93  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.90 through 622.92.

[[Page 22989]]

Subparts F-H [Reserved]

Subpart I--Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region


Sec.  622.170  Permits and endorsements.

    (a) Commercial vessel permits--(1) South Atlantic snapper-grouper. 
For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag 
limits for South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, to sell South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, to engage in the directed fishery for tilefish in the 
South Atlantic EEZ, to use a longline to fish for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ, or to use a sea bass pot in 
the South Atlantic EEZ between 35[deg]15.19' N. lat. (due east of Cape 
Hatteras Light, NC) and 28[deg]35.1' N. lat. (due east of the NASA 
Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL), a commercial vessel 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board. A vessel with longline gear and more than 
200 lb (90.7 kg) of tilefish on board is considered to be in the 
directed fishery for tilefish. It is a rebuttable presumption that a 
fishing vessel with more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of tilefish on board 
harvested such tilefish in the EEZ. See Sec.  622.171 for limitations 
on the use, transfer, and renewal of a commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    (2) Wreckfish. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for 
exemption from the bag limit for wreckfish in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, to fish under a quota for wreckfish in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, or to sell wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for wreckfish and a commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper must have been issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. To obtain a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish, 
the applicant must be a wreckfish shareholder; and either the 
shareholder must be the vessel owner or the owner or operator must be 
an employee, contractor, or agent of the shareholder. (See Sec.  
622.172 for information on wreckfish shareholders.)
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits--(1) South Atlantic snapper-
grouper. For a person aboard a vessel that is operating as a charter 
vessel or headboat to fish for or possess, in or from the EEZ, South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper must have been issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter 
vessel/headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a 
vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard 
must adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of ``Charter 
vessel'' and ``Headboat'' in Sec.  622.2 for an explanation of when 
vessels are considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat, 
respectively.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Dealer permits and conditions--(1) Permits. For a dealer to 
receive South Atlantic snapper-grouper or wreckfish harvested from the 
South Atlantic EEZ, a dealer permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
or wreckfish, respectively, must be issued to the dealer.
    (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer 
permit or endorsement, the applicant must have a valid state 
wholesaler's license in the state(s) where the dealer operates, if 
required by such state(s), and must have a physical facility at a fixed 
location in such state(s).
    (d) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.
    (e) South Atlantic black sea bass pot endorsement. For a person 
aboard a vessel, for which a valid commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited has been issued, to use a black sea 
bass pot in the South Atlantic EEZ, a valid South Atlantic black sea 
bass pot endorsement must have been issued to the vessel and must be on 
board. A permit or endorsement that has expired is not valid. This 
endorsement must be renewed annually and may only be renewed if the 
associated vessel has a valid commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited or if the endorsement and associated 
permit are being concurrently renewed. The RA will not reissue this 
endorsement if the endorsement is revoked or if the RA does not receive 
a complete application for renewal of the endorsement within 1 year 
after the endorsement's expiration date.
    (1) Initial eligibility. To be eligible for an initial South 
Atlantic black sea bass pot endorsement, a person must have been issued 
and must possess a valid or renewable commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper that has black sea bass landings using 
black sea bass pot gear averaging at least 2,500 lb (1,134 kg), round 
weight, annually during the period January 1, 1999 through December 31, 
2010. Excluded from this eligibility, are trip-limited permits (South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper permits that have a 225-lb (102.1-kg) limit of 
snapper-grouper) and valid or renewable commercial vessel permits for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited that have no reported landings 
of black sea bass using black sea bass pots from January 1, 2008, 
through December 31, 2010. NMFS will attribute all applicable black sea 
bass landings associated with a current snapper-grouper permit for the 
applicable landings history, including those reported by a person(s) 
who held the permit prior to the current permit owner, to the current 
permit owner. Only legal landings reported in compliance with 
applicable state and Federal regulations are acceptable.
    (2) Initial issuance. On or about June 1, 2012, the RA will mail 
each eligible permittee a black sea bass pot endorsement via certified 
mail, return receipt requested, to the permittee's address of record as 
listed in NMFS' permit files. An eligible permittee who does not 
receive an endorsement from the RA, must contact the RA no later than 
July 1, 2012, to clarify his/her endorsement status. A permittee denied 
an endorsement based on the RA's initial determination of eligibility 
and who disagrees with that determination may appeal to the RA.
    (3) Procedure for appealing black sea bass pot endorsement 
eligibility and/or landings information. The only items subject to 
appeal are initial eligibility for a black sea bass pot endorsement 
based on ownership of a qualifying snapper-grouper permit, the accuracy 
of the amount of landings, and correct assignment of landings to the 
permittee. Appeals based on hardship factors will not be considered. 
Appeals must be submitted to the RA postmarked no later than October 1, 
2012, and must contain documentation supporting the basis for the 
appeal. The RA will review all appeals, render final decisions on the 
appeals, and advise the appellant of the final NMFS decision.
    (i) Eligibility appeals. NMFS' records of snapper-grouper permits 
are the sole basis for determining ownership of such permits. A person 
who believes he/she meets the permit eligibility criteria based on 
ownership of a vessel under a different name, for example, as a result 
of ownership changes from individual to corporate or vice versa, must 
document his/her continuity of ownership.
    (ii) Landings appeals. Determinations of appeals regarding landings 
data for 1999 through 2010 will be based on NMFS' logbook records. If 
NMFS' logbooks are not available, the RA may use state landings records 
or data for the period 1999 through 2010 that were submitted in 
compliance with

[[Page 22990]]

applicable Federal and state regulations on or before December 31, 
2011.
    (4) Transferability. A valid or renewable black sea bass pot 
endorsement may be transferred between any two entities that hold, or 
simultaneously obtain, a valid South Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited 
permit. Endorsements may be transferred independently from the South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited permit. NMFS will attribute black 
sea bass landings to the associated South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
unlimited permit regardless of whether the landings occurred before or 
after the endorsement was issued. Only legal landings reported in 
compliance with applicable state and Federal regulations are 
acceptable.
    (5) Fees. No fee applies to initial issuance of a black sea bass 
pot endorsement. NMFS charges a fee for each renewal or replacement of 
such endorsement and calculates the amount of each fee in accordance 
with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee may 
not exceed such costs and is specified with each application form. The 
handbook is available from the RA. The appropriate fee must accompany 
each application for renewal or replacement.


Sec.  622.171  South Atlantic snapper-grouper limited access.

    (a) General. The only valid commercial vessel permits for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper are those that have been issued under the 
limited access criteria specified in the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. A commercial 
vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper is either a 
transferable commercial permit or a trip-limited commercial permit.
    (b) Transfers of permits. A snapper-grouper limited access permit 
is valid only for the vessel and owner named on the permit. To change 
either the vessel or the owner, an application for transfer must be 
submitted to the RA.
    (1) Transferable permits. (i) An owner of a vessel with a 
transferable permit may request that the RA transfer the permit to 
another vessel owned by the same entity.
    (ii) A transferable permit may be transferred upon a change of 
ownership of a permitted vessel with such permit--
    (A) From one to another of the following: husband, wife, son, 
daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father; or
    (B) From an individual to a corporation whose shares are all held 
by the individual or by the individual and one or more of the 
following: husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or 
father. The application for transfer of a permit under this paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii)(B) and each application for renewal of such permit must be 
accompanied by a current annual report of the corporation that 
specifies all shareholders of the corporation. A permit will not be 
renewed if the annual report shows a new shareholder other than a 
husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father.
    (iii) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, a person desiring to acquire a limited access, transferable 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper must obtain and exchange two 
such permits for one new permit.
    (iv) A transfer of a permit that is undertaken under paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section will constitute a transfer of the vessel's 
entire catch history to the new owner.
    (2) Trip-limited permits. An owner of a vessel with a trip-limited 
permit may request that the RA transfer the permit to another vessel 
owned by the same entity.
    (c) Renewal. NMFS will not reissue a commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper if the permit is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive an application for renewal within one year of the 
permit's expiration date.


Sec.  622.172  Wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

    The provisions of this section apply to wreckfish in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ.
    (a) General--(1) Percentage shares--(i) Initial ITQ shares. In 
accordance with the procedure specified in the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, 
percentage shares of the quota for wreckfish were assigned at the 
beginning of the program. Each person was notified by the RA of his or 
her percentage share and shareholder certificate number.
    (ii) Reverted ITQ shares. Any shares determined by NMFS to be 
inactive, will be redistributed proportionately among remaining 
shareholders (subject to cap restrictions) based on shareholder 
landings history. Inactive shares are, for purposes of this section, 
those shares held by ITQ shareholders who have not reported any 
wreckfish landings between April 16, 2006, and January 14, 2011.
    (iii) Percentage share set-aside to accommodate resolution of 
appeals. During the 2012-2013 fishing year, the RA will reserve 1.401 
percent of wreckfish ITQ shares prior to redistributing shares (see 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section) to accommodate resolution of 
appeals, if necessary. NMFS will distribute any portion of the 1.401-
percent share remaining after the appeals process as soon as possible 
among the remaining shareholders.
    (iv) Procedure for appealing wreckfish quota share status and 
landings information. Appeals must be submitted to the RA postmarked no 
later than January 24, 2013, and must contain documentation supporting 
the basis for the appeal. The only items subject to appeal are the 
status of wreckfish quota shares, as active or inactive, and the 
accuracy of the amount of landings. The RA will review and evaluate all 
appeals, render final decisions on the appeals, and advise the 
appellant of the final decision. Appeals based on hardship factors will 
not be considered. The RA will determine the outcome of appeals based 
on NMFS' logbooks. If NMFS' logbooks are not available, the RA may use 
state landings records. Appellants must submit NMFS' logbooks or state 
landings records, as appropriate, to support their appeal.
    (2) Share transfers. All or a portion of a person's percentage 
shares are transferrable. Transfer of shares must be reported on a form 
available from the RA. The RA will confirm, in writing, each transfer 
of shares. The effective date of each transfer is the confirmation date 
provided by the RA. NMFS charges a fee for each transfer of shares and 
calculates the amount in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA 
Finance Handbook. The handbook is available from the RA. The fee may 
not exceed such costs and is specified with each transfer form. The 
appropriate fee must accompany each transfer form.
    (3) ITQ share cap. No person, including a corporation or other 
entity, may individually or collectively hold ITQ shares in excess of 
49 percent of the total shares. For the purposes of considering the 
share cap, a corporation's total ITQ share is determined by adding the 
corporation's ITQ shares to any other ITQ shares the corporation owns 
in another corporation. If an individual ITQ shareholder is also a 
shareholder in a corporation that holds ITQ shares, an individual's 
total ITQ share is determined by adding the applicable ITQ shares held 
by the individual to the applicable ITQ shares equivalent to the 
corporate share the individual holds in a corporation. A corporation 
must provide the RA the identity of the shareholders of the corporation 
and their percent of shares in the corporation, and provide updated 
information to the RA within 30 days of

[[Page 22991]]

when a change occurs. This information must also be provided to the RA 
any time a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish is renewed or 
transferred.
    (b) Lists of wreckfish shareholders and permitted vessels. 
Annually, on or about March 1, the RA will provide each wreckfish 
shareholder with a list of all wreckfish shareholders and their 
percentage shares, reflecting share transactions on forms received 
through February 15. Annually by April 15, the RA will provide each 
dealer who holds a dealer permit for wreckfish, as required under Sec.  
622.170(c), with a list of vessels for which wreckfish permits have 
been issued, as required under Sec.  622.170(a)(2). Annually, by April 
15, the RA will provide each wreckfish shareholder with a list of 
dealers who have been issued dealer permits for wreckfish. From April 
16 through January 14, updated lists will be provided when required. 
Updated lists may be obtained at other times or by a person who is not 
a wreckfish shareholder or wreckfish dealer permit holder by written 
request to the RA.
    (c) ITQs. (1) Annually, as soon after March 1 as the TAC for 
wreckfish for the fishing year that commences April 16 is known, the RA 
will calculate each wreckfish shareholder's ITQ. Each ITQ is the 
product of the wreckfish TAC, in round weight, for the ensuing fishing 
year, the factor for converting round weight to eviscerated weight, and 
each wreckfish shareholder's percentage share, reflecting share 
transactions reported on forms received by the RA through February 15. 
Thus, the ITQs will be in terms of eviscerated weight of wreckfish.
    (2) The RA will provide each wreckfish shareholder with ITQ coupons 
in various denominations, the total of which equals his or her ITQ, and 
a copy of the calculations used in determining his or her ITQ. Each 
coupon will be coded to indicate the initial recipient.
    (3) An ITQ coupon may be transferred from one wreckfish shareholder 
to another by completing the sale endorsement thereon (that is, the 
signature and shareholder certificate number of the buyer). An ITQ 
coupon may be possessed only by the shareholder to whom it has been 
issued, or by the shareholder's employee, contractor, or agent, unless 
the ITQ coupon has been transferred to another shareholder. An ITQ 
coupon that has been transferred to another shareholder may be 
possessed only by the shareholder whose signature appears on the coupon 
as the buyer, or by the shareholder's employee, contractor, or agent, 
and with all required sale endorsements properly completed.
    (4) Wreckfish may not be possessed on board a fishing vessel that 
has been issued a commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper and a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish--
    (i) In an amount exceeding the total of the ITQ coupons on board 
the vessel; or
    (ii) That does not have on board logbook forms for that fishing 
trip, as required under Sec.  622.176(a)(3)(i).
    (5) Prior to termination of a trip, a signature and date signed 
must be affixed in ink to the ``Fisherman'' part of ITQ coupons in 
denominations equal to the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish on 
board. The ``Fisherman'' part of each such coupon must be separated 
from the coupon and submitted with the logbook forms required by Sec.  
622.176(a)(3)(i) for that fishing trip.
    (6) The ``Fish House'' part of each such coupon must be given to 
the dealer to whom the wreckfish are transferred in amounts totaling 
the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish transferred to that dealer. A 
wreckfish may be transferred only to a dealer who holds a dealer permit 
for wreckfish, as required under Sec.  622.170(c).
    (7) A dealer may receive a wreckfish only from a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for wreckfish has been issued, as required under 
Sec.  622.170(a)(2). A dealer must receive the ``Fish House'' part of 
ITQ coupons in amounts totaling the eviscerated weight of the wreckfish 
received; enter the permit number of the vessel from which the 
wreckfish were received, enter the date the wreckfish were received, 
enter the dealer's permit number, and sign each such ``Fish House'' 
part; and submit all such parts with the dealer reports required by 
Sec.  622.176(c).
    (8) An owner or operator of a vessel and a dealer must make 
available to an authorized officer all ITQ coupons in his or her 
possession upon request.
    (d) Wreckfish limitations. (1) A wreckfish taken in the South 
Atlantic EEZ may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where the 
transfer takes place; and a wreckfish may not be transferred in the 
South Atlantic EEZ.
    (2) A wreckfish possessed by a fisherman or dealer shoreward of the 
outer boundary of the South Atlantic EEZ or in a South Atlantic coastal 
state will be presumed to have been harvested from the South Atlantic 
EEZ unless accompanied by documentation that it was harvested from 
other than the South Atlantic EEZ.
    (3) A wreckfish harvested by a vessel that has been issued a 
commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and a 
commercial vessel permit for wreckfish may be offloaded from a fishing 
vessel only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., local time.
    (4) If a wreckfish harvested by a vessel that has been issued a 
commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and a 
commercial vessel permit for wreckfish is to be offloaded at a location 
other than a fixed facility of a dealer who holds a dealer permit for 
wreckfish, as required under Sec.  622.170(c), the wreckfish 
shareholder or the vessel operator must advise the NMFS Office for Law 
Enforcement, Southeast Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by telephone (727-
824-5344), of the location not less than 24 hours prior to offloading.


Sec. Sec.  622.173-622.175  [Reserved]


Sec.  622.176  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators--(1) General reporting 
requirements. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a commercial 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, as required 
under Sec.  622.170(a)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or lands South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from state waters adjoining the South 
Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a 
fishing record on a form available from the SRD and must submit such 
record as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (2) Electronic logbook/video monitoring reporting. The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, as required under Sec.  622.170(a)(1), 
who is selected to report by the SRD must participate in the NMFS-
sponsored electronic logbook and/or video monitoring reporting program 
as directed by the SRD. Compliance with the reporting requirements of 
this paragraph (a)(2) is required for permit renewal.
    (3) Wreckfish reporting. The wreckfish shareholder under Sec.  
622.172, or operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for 
wreckfish has been issued, as required under Sec.  622.170(a)(2), 
must--
    (i) Maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD and 
must submit such record as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section.
    (ii) Make available to an authorized officer upon request all 
records of commercial offloadings, purchases, or sales of wreckfish.

[[Page 22992]]

    (4) Reporting deadlines. Completed fishing records required by this 
paragraph (a) must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 7 
days after the end of each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred during 
a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of the 
forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that month. 
Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators--(1) General 
reporting requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, as required under Sec.  622.170(b)(1), or whose vessel 
fishes for or lands such snapper-grouper in or from state waters 
adjoining the South Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD 
must maintain a fishing record for each trip, or a portion of such 
trips as specified by the SRD, on forms provided by the SRD and must 
submit such record as specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (2) Electronic logbook/video monitoring reporting. The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, as required under Sec.  
622.170(b)(1), who is selected to report by the SRD must participate in 
the NMFS-sponsored electronic logbook and/or video monitoring reporting 
program as directed by the SRD. Compliance with the reporting 
requirements of this paragraph (b)(2) is required for permit renewal.
    (3) Reporting deadlines--(i) Charter vessels. Completed fishing 
records required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for charter 
vessels must be submitted to the SRD weekly, postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each week (Sunday). Completed fishing records 
required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section for charter vessels may be 
required weekly or daily, as directed by the SRD. Information to be 
reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Headboats. Completed fishing records required by paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section for headboats must be submitted to the SRD 
monthly and must either be made available to an authorized statistical 
reporting agent or be postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of 
each month. Completed fishing records required by paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section for headboats may be required weekly or daily, as directed 
by the SRD. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (c) Dealers. (1) A person who purchases South Atlantic snapper-
grouper that were harvested from the EEZ or from adjoining state waters 
and who is selected to report by the SRD and a dealer who has been 
issued a dealer permit for wreckfish, as required under Sec.  
622.170(c), must provide information on receipts of South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper and prices paid, by species, on forms available from 
the SRD. The required information must be submitted to the SRD at 
monthly intervals, postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of 
the month. Reporting frequency and reporting deadlines may be modified 
upon notification by the SRD. If no South Atlantic snapper-grouper were 
received during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted 
on one of the forms, postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of 
the month. However, during complete months encompassed by the wreckfish 
spawning-season closure (that is, February and March), a wreckfish 
dealer is not required to submit a report stating that no wreckfish 
were received.
    (2) A dealer reporting South Atlantic snapper-grouper other than 
wreckfish may submit the information required in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section via facsimile (fax).
    (3) A dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for wreckfish, as 
required under Sec.  622.170(c), must make available to an authorized 
officer upon request all records of commercial offloadings, purchases, 
or sales of wreckfish.
    (d) Private recreational vessels in the South Atlantic snapper-
grouper fishery. The owner or operator of a vessel that fishes for or 
lands South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
who is selected to report by the SRD must--
    (1) Maintain a fishing record for each trip, or a portion of such 
trips as specified by the SRD, on forms provided by the SRD. Completed 
fishing records must be submitted to the SRD monthly and must either be 
made available to an authorized statistical reporting agent or be 
postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of each month. 
Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (2) Participate in the NMFS-sponsored electronic logbook and/or 
video monitoring reporting program as directed by the SRD.


Sec.  622.177  Gear identification.

    (a) Sea bass pots and associated buoys--(1) Sea bass pots. A sea 
bass pot used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ between 
35[deg]15.19' N. lat. (due east of Cape Hatteras Light, NC) and 
28[deg]35.1' N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, 
Cape Canaveral, FL), or a sea bass pot on board a vessel with a 
commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, must have a valid 
identification tag issued by the RA attached.
    (2) Associated buoys. In the South Atlantic EEZ, buoys are not 
required to be used, but, if used, each buoy must display the official 
number and color code assigned by the RA so as to be easily 
distinguished, located, and identified.
    (3) Presumption of ownership. A sea bass pot in the EEZ will be 
presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. This 
presumption will not apply with respect to such pots that are lost or 
sold if the owner reports the loss or sale within 15 days to the RA.
    (4) Unmarked sea bass pots or buoys. An unmarked sea bass pot or a 
buoy deployed in the EEZ where such pot or buoy is required to be 
marked is illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by 
the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.178  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. (1) A vessel for which a Federal commercial 
vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper or a charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued must 
carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the 
SRD for observer coverage. Vessel permit renewal is contingent upon 
compliance with this paragraph (a)(1).
    (2) Any other vessel that fishes for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
in the South Atlantic EEZ must carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the 
vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer coverage.
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request

[[Page 22993]]

for the transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's 
duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.179  Conservation measures for protected resources.

    (a) South Atlantic snapper-grouper commercial vessels and charter 
vessels/headboats--(1) Sea turtle conservation measures. (i) The owner 
or operator of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper or a charter vessel/headboat permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, as required under Sec. Sec.  
622.170(a)(1) and 622.170(b)(1), respectively, and whose vessel has on 
board any hook-and-line gear, must post inside the wheelhouse, or 
within a waterproof case if no wheelhouse, a copy of the document 
provided by NMFS titled, ``Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle 
Release With Minimal Injury,'' and must post inside the wheelhouse, or 
in an easily viewable area if no wheelhouse, the sea turtle handling 
and release guidelines provided by NMFS.
    (ii) Such owner or operator must also comply with the sea turtle 
bycatch mitigation measures, including gear requirements and sea turtle 
handling requirements, specified in Appendix F to this part.
    (iii) Those permitted vessels with a freeboard height of 4 ft (1.2 
m) or less must have on board and must use a dipnet, cushioned/support 
device, short-handled dehooker, long-nose or needle-nose pliers, bolt 
cutters, monofilament line cutters, and at least two types of mouth 
openers/mouth gags. This equipment must meet the specifications 
described in Appendix F to this part. Those permitted vessels with a 
freeboard height of greater than 4 ft (1.2 m) must have on board a 
dipnet, cushioned/support device, long-handled line clipper, a short-
handled and a long-handled dehooker, a long-handled device to pull an 
inverted ``V'', long-nose or needle-nose pliers, bolt cutters, 
monofilament line cutters, and at least two types of mouth openers/
mouth gags. This equipment must meet the specifications described in 
Appendix F to this part.
    (2) Smalltooth sawfish conservation measures. The owner or operator 
of a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper or a charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, as required under Sec. Sec.  
622.170(a)(1) and 622.170(b)(1), respectively, that incidentally 
catches a smalltooth sawfish must--
    (i) Keep the sawfish in the water at all times;
    (ii) If it can be done safely, untangle the line if it is wrapped 
around the saw;
    (iii) Cut the line as close to the hook as possible; and
    (iv) Not handle the animal or attempt to remove any hooks on the 
saw, except with a long-handled dehooker.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.180  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Poisons. A poison may not be used to fish for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ.
    (b) Rebreathers and spearfishing gear. In the South Atlantic EEZ, a 
person using a rebreather may not harvest South Atlantic snapper-
grouper with spearfishing gear. The possession of such snapper-grouper 
while in the water with a rebreather is prima facie evidence that such 
fish was harvested with spearfishing gear while using a rebreather.
    (c) Longlines for wreckfish. A bottom longline may not be used to 
fish for wreckfish in the South Atlantic EEZ. A person aboard a vessel 
that has a longline on board may not retain a wreckfish in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph, a vessel is 
considered to have a longline on board when a power-operated longline 
hauler, a cable of diameter suitable for use in the longline fishery 
longer than 1.5 mi (2.4 km) on any reel, and gangions are on board. 
Removal of any one of these three elements constitutes removal of a 
longline.


Sec.  622.181  Prohibited and limited-harvest species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Prohibited species--(1) Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper. 
Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper may not be harvested or possessed in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ. Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper 
taken in the South Atlantic EEZ incidentally by hook-and-line must be 
released immediately by cutting the line without removing the fish from 
the water.
    (2) Red snapper. Red snapper may not be harvested or possessed in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ. Such fish caught in the South Atlantic 
EEZ must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. In addition, 
for a person on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, the provisions of this closure apply in the South 
Atlantic, regardless of where such fish are harvested, i.e., in state 
or Federal waters.
    (3) Speckled hind and warsaw grouper. Speckled hind and warsaw 
grouper may not be harvested or possessed in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ. Such fish caught in the South Atlantic EEZ must be released 
immediately with a minimum of harm. These restrictions also apply in 
the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (c) Limited-harvest species. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not 
combine a harvest limitation specified in this paragraph (c) with a 
harvest limitation applicable to state waters. A species subject to a 
harvest limitation specified in this paragraph (c) taken in the EEZ may 
not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes 
place, and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ.
    (1) Cubera snapper. No person may harvest more than two cubera 
snapper measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, per day in the 
South Atlantic EEZ off Florida and no more than two such cubera snapper 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida may be possessed on board 
a vessel at any time.
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.182  Gear-restricted areas.

    (a) Special management zones (SMZs). (1) The SMZs consist of 
artificial reefs and surrounding areas as follows:
    (i) Paradise Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]31.59' N. lat.; 
on the south by 33[deg]30.51' N. lat.; on the east by 78[deg]57.55' W. 
long.; and on the west by 78[deg]58.85' W. long.

[[Page 22994]]

    (ii) Ten Mile Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]26.65' N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]24.80' N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]51.08' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]52.97' W. long.
    (iii) Pawleys Island Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]26.58' 
N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]25.76' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]00.29' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]01.24' W. long.
    (iv) Georgetown Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]14.90' N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]13.85' N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]59.45' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]00.65' W. long.
    (v) Capers Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]45.45' N. lat.; 
on the south by 32[deg]43.91' N. lat.; on the east by 79[deg]33.81' W. 
long.; and on the west by 79[deg]35.10' W. long.
    (vi) Kiawah Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]29.78' N. lat.; 
on the south by 32[deg]28.25' N. lat.; on the east by 79[deg]59.00' W. 
long.; and on the west by 80[deg]00.95' W. long.
    (vii) Edisto Offshore Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]15.30' 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]13.90' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]50.25' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]51.45' W. long.
    (viii) Hunting Island Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]13.72' 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]12.30' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]19.23' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]21.00' W. long.
    (ix) Fripp Island Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]15.92' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]14.75' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]21.62' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]22.90' W. long.
    (x) Betsy Ross Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]03.60' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]02.88' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]24.57' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]25.50' W. long.
    (xi) Hilton Head Reef/Artificial Reef--T is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]00.71' N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]59.42' N. lat.; on the 
east by 80[deg]35.23' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]36.37' W. 
long.
    (xii) Artificial Reef--A is bounded on the north by 30[deg]57.4' N. 
lat.; on the south by 30[deg]55.4' N. lat.; on the east by 81[deg]13.9' 
W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]16.3' W. long.
    (xiii) Artificial Reef--C is bounded on the north by 30[deg]52.0' 
N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]50.0' N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]08.5' W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]10.9' W. long.
    (xiv) Artificial Reef--G is bounded on the north by 31[deg]00.0' N. 
lat.; on the south by 30[deg]58.0' N. lat.; on the east by 80[deg]56.8' 
W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]59.2' W. long.
    (xv) Artificial Reef--F is bounded on the north by 31[deg]06.8' N. 
lat.; on the south by 31[deg]04.8' N. lat.; on the east by 81[deg]10.5' 
W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]13.4' W. long.
    (xvi) Artificial Reef--J is bounded on the north by 31[deg]36.7' N. 
lat.; on the south by 31[deg]34.7' N. lat.; on the east by 80[deg]47.3' 
W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]50.1' W. long.
    (xvii) Artificial Reef--L is bounded on the north by 31[deg]46.0' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]44.0' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]34.7' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]37.1' W. long.
    (xviii) Artificial Reef--KC is bounded on the north by 31[deg]51.2' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]49.2' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]45.3' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]47.7' W. long.
    (xix) Ft. Pierce Inshore Reef is bounded on the north by 
27[deg]26.8' N. lat.; on the south by 27[deg]25.8' N. lat.; on the east 
by 80[deg]09.24' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]10.36' W. long.
    (xx) Ft. Pierce Offshore Reef is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  27[deg]23.68'         80[deg]03.95'
B...........................  27[deg]22.80'         80[deg]03.60'
C...........................  27[deg]23.94'         80[deg]00.02'
D...........................  27[deg]24.85'         80[deg]00.33'
A...........................  27[deg]23.68'         80[deg]03.95'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (xxi) Key Biscayne/Artificial Reef--H is bounded on the north by 
25[deg]42.82' N. lat.; on the south by 25[deg]41.32' N. lat.; on the 
east by 80[deg]04.22' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]05.53' W. 
long.
    (xxii) Little River Offshore Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]42.10' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]41.10' N. lat.; on the 
east by 78[deg]26.40' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]27.10' W. 
long.
    (xxiii) BP-25 Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]21.70' N. 
lat.; on the south by 33[deg]20.70' N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]24.80' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]25.60' W. long.
    (xxiv) Vermilion Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]57.80' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]57.30' N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]39.30' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]40.10' W. long.
    (xxv) Cape Romaine Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]00.00' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]59.50' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]02.01' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]02.62' W. long.
    (xxvi) Y-73 Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]33.20' N. lat.; 
on the south by 32[deg]32.70' N. lat.; on the east by 79[deg]19.10' W. 
long.; and on the west by 79[deg]19.70' W. long.
    (xxvii) Eagles Nest Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]01.48' 
N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]00.98' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]30.00' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]30.65' W. long.
    (xxviii) Bill Perry Jr. Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]26.20' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]25.20' N. lat.; on the 
east by 78[deg]32.70' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]33.80' W. 
long.
    (xxix) Comanche Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]27.40' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]26.90' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]18.80' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]19.60' W. long.
    (xxx) Murrel's Inlet 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]17.50' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]16.50' N. lat.; on the 
east by 78[deg]44.67' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]45.98' W. 
long.
    (xxxi) Georgetown 95 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]11.75' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]10.75' N. lat.; on the 
east by 78[deg]24.10' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]25.63' W. 
long.
    (xxxii) New Georgetown 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]09.25' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]07.75' N. lat.; on the 
east by 78[deg]49.95' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]51.45' W. 
long.
    (xxxiii) North Inlet 45 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
33[deg]21.03' N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]20.03' N. lat.; on the 
east by 79[deg]00.31' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]01.51' W. 
long.
    (xxxiv) CJ Davidson Reef is bounded on the north by 33[deg]06.48' 
N. lat.; on the south by 33[deg]05.48' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]00.27' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]01.39' W. long.
    (xxxv) Greenville Reef is bounded on the north by 32[deg]57.25' N. 
lat.; on the south by 32[deg]56.25' N. lat.; on the east by 
78[deg]54.25' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]55.25' W. long.
    (xxxvi) Charleston 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]33.60' N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]32.60' N. lat.; on the 
east by 79[deg]39.70' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]40.90' W. 
long.
    (xxxvii) Edisto 60 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]21.75' N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]20.75' N. lat.; on the 
east by 80[deg]04.10' W. longitude; and on the west by 80[deg]05.70' W. 
long.
    (xxxviii) Edisto 40 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]25.78' N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]24.78' N. lat.; on the 
east by 80[deg]11.24' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]12.32' W. 
long.
    (xxxix) Beaufort 45 Foot Reef is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]07.65' N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]06.65' N. lat.; on the 
east by 80[deg]28.80' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]29.80' W. 
long.
    (xl) Artificial Reef--ALT is bounded on the north by 31[deg]18.6' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]16.6' N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]07.0' W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]09.4' W. long.
    (xli) Artificial Reef--CAT is bounded on the north by 31[deg]40.2' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]38.2' N. lat.; on the east by

[[Page 22995]]

80[deg]56.2' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]58.6' W. long.
    (xlii) Artificial Reef--CCA is bounded on the north by 31[deg]43.7' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]41.7' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]40.0' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]42.3' W. long.
    (xliii) Artificial Reef--DRH is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]18.0' N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]16.0' N. lat.; on the east 
by 80[deg]56.6' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]59.0' W. long.
    (xliv) Artificial Reef--DUA is bounded on the north by 31[deg]47.8' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]45.8' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]52.1' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]54.5' W. long.
    (xlv) Artificial Reef--DW is bounded on the north by 31[deg]22.8' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]20.3' N. lat.; on the east by 
79[deg]49.8' W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]51.1' W. long.
    (xlvi) Artificial Reef--KBY is bounded on the north by 30[deg]48.6' 
N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]46.6' N. lat.; on the east by 
81[deg]15.0' W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]17.4' W. long.
    (xlvii) Artificial Reef--KTK is bounded on the north by 
31[deg]31.3' N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]29.3' N. lat.; on the east 
by 80[deg]59.1' W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]01.5' W. long.
    (xlviii) Artificial Reef--MRY is bounded on the north by 
30[deg]47.5' N. lat.; on the south by 30[deg]45.5' N. lat.; on the east 
by 81[deg]05.5' W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]07.8' W. long.
    (xlix) Artificial Reef--SAV is bounded on the north by 31[deg]55.4' 
N. lat.; on the south by 31[deg]53.4' N. lat.; on the east by 
80[deg]45.2' W. long.; and on the west by 80[deg]47.6' W. long.
    (l) Artificial Reef--SFC is bounded on the north by 31[deg]00.8' N. 
lat.; on the south by 30[deg]59.8' N. lat.; on the east by 81[deg]02.2' 
W. long.; and on the west by 81[deg]03.4' W. long.
    (li) Artificial Reef--WW is bounded on the north by 31[deg]43.5' N. 
lat.; on the south by 31[deg]42.2' N. lat.; on the east by 79[deg]57.7' 
W. long.; and on the west by 79[deg]59.3' W. long.
    (2) To determine what restrictions apply in the SMZs listed in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, follow this table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   In SMZs specified in the following
       paragraphs of this section            These restrictions apply
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)(1)(i) through (x), (a)(1)(xx), and   Use of a powerhead to take
 (a)(1)(xxii) through (xxxix).            South Atlantic snapper-grouper
                                          is prohibited.
                                         Possession of a powerhead and a
                                          mutilated South Atlantic
                                          snapper-grouper in, or after
                                          having fished in, one of these
                                          SMZs constitutes prima facie
                                          evidence that such fish was
                                          taken with a powerhead in the
                                          SMZ. Harvest and possession of
                                          a South Atlantic snapper-
                                          grouper is limited to the bag-
                                          limits specified Sec.
                                          622.187(b).
(a)(1)(i) through (xviii) and            Fishing may only be conducted
 (a)(1)(xxii) through (li).               with handline, rod and reel,
                                          and spearfishing gear.
(a)(1)(i) through (li).................  Use of a sea bass pot or bottom
                                          longline is prohibited.
(a)(1)(xii) through (xviii) and          Possession of South Atlantic
 (a)(1)(xl) through (li).                 snapper-grouper taken with a
                                          powerhead is limited to the
                                          bag limits specified in Sec.
                                          622.187(b).
(a)(1)(xix) and (a)(1)(xx).............  A hydraulic or electric reel
                                          that is permanently affixed to
                                          the vessel is prohibited when
                                          fishing for South Atlantic
                                          snapper-grouper.
(a)(1)(xix) and (a)(1)(xxi)............  Use of spearfishing gear is
                                          prohibited.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b) Longline prohibited areas. A longline may not be used to fish 
in the EEZ for South Atlantic snapper-grouper south of 27[deg]10' N. 
lat. (due east of the entrance to St. Lucie Inlet, FL); or north of 
27[deg]10' N. lat. where the charted depth is less than 50 fathoms 
(91.4 m), as shown on the latest edition of the largest scale NOAA 
chart of the location. A person aboard a vessel with a longline on 
board that fishes on a trip in the South Atlantic EEZ south of 
27[deg]10' N. lat., or north of 27[deg]10' N. lat. where the charted 
depth is less than 50 fathoms (91.4 m), is limited on that trip to the 
bag limit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper for which a bag limit is 
specified in Sec.  622.187(b), and to zero for all other South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is 
considered to have a longline on board when a power-operated longline 
hauler, a cable or monofilament of diameter and length suitable for use 
in the longline fishery, and gangions are on board. Removal of any one 
of these three elements constitutes removal of a longline.
    (c) Powerhead prohibited area. A powerhead may not be used in the 
EEZ off South Carolina to harvest South Atlantic snapper-grouper. The 
possession of a mutilated South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the 
EEZ off South Carolina, and a powerhead is prima facie evidence that 
such fish was harvested by a powerhead.
    (d) Sea bass pot prohibited area. A sea bass pot may not be used in 
the South Atlantic EEZ south of 28[deg]35.1' N. lat. (due east of the 
NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL). A sea bass pot 
deployed in the EEZ south of 28[deg]35.1' N. lat. may be disposed of in 
any appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized 
officer.


Sec.  622.183  Area and seasonal closures.

    (a) Area closures--(1) Marine protected areas (MPAs). (i) No person 
may fish for a South Atlantic snapper-grouper in an MPA, and no person 
may possess a South Atlantic snapper-grouper in an MPA. However, the 
prohibition on possession does not apply to a person aboard a vessel 
that is in transit with fishing gear appropriately stowed as specified 
in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section. In addition to these 
restrictions, see Sec.  635.21(d)(1)(iii) of this chapter regarding 
restrictions applicable within these MPAs for any vessel issued a 
permit under part 635 of this chapter that has longline gear on board. 
MPAs consist of deepwater areas as follows:
    (A) Snowy Grouper Wreck MPA is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  33[deg]25'            77[deg]04.75'
B...........................  33[deg]34.75'         76[deg]51.3'
C...........................  33[deg]25.5'          76[deg]46.5'
D...........................  33[deg]15.75'         77[deg]00.0'
A...........................  33[deg]25'            77[deg]04.75'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) Northern South Carolina MPA is bounded on the north by 
32[deg]53.5' N. lat.; on the south by 32[deg]48.5' N. lat.; on the east 
by 78[deg]04.75' W. long.; and on the west by 78[deg]16.75' W. long.
    (C) Edisto MPA is bounded on the north by 32[deg]24' N. lat.; on 
the south by 32[deg]18.5' N. lat.; on the east by 78[deg]54.0' W. 
long.; and on the west by 79[deg]06.0' W. long.
    (D) Charleston Deep Artificial Reef MPA is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

[[Page 22996]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  32[deg]04'            79[deg]12'
B...........................  32[deg]08.5'          79[deg]07.5'
C...........................  32[deg]06'            79[deg]05'
D...........................  32[deg]01.5'          79[deg]09.3'
A...........................  32[deg]04'            79[deg]12'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (E) Georgia MPA is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  31[deg]43'            79[deg]31'
B...........................  31[deg]43'            79[deg]21'
C...........................  31[deg]34'            79[deg]29'
D...........................  31[deg]34'            79[deg]39'
A...........................  31[deg]43'            79[deg]31'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (F) North Florida MPA is bounded on the north by 30[deg]29' N. 
lat.; on the south by 30[deg]19' N. lat.; on the east by 80[deg]02' W. 
long.; and on the west by 80[deg]14' W. long.
    (G) St. Lucie Hump MPA is bounded on the north by 27[deg]08' N. 
lat.; on the south by 27[deg]04' N. lat.; on the east by 79[deg]58' W. 
long.; and on the west by 80[deg]00' W. long.
    (H) East Hump MPA is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, 
the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]36.5'          80[deg]45.5'
B...........................  24[deg]32'            80[deg]36'
C...........................  24[deg]27.5'          80[deg]38.5'
D...........................  24[deg]32.5'          80[deg]48'
A...........................  24[deg]36.5'          80[deg]45.5'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (ii) For the purpose of paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, 
transit means direct, non-stop progression through the MPA. Fishing 
gear appropriately stowed means--
    (A) A longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks 
are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All 
buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on 
deck.
    (B) A trawl or try net may remain on deck, but trawl doors must be 
disconnected from such net and must be secured.
    (C) A gillnet, stab net, or trammel net must be left on the drum. 
Any additional such nets not attached to the drum must be stowed below 
deck.
    (D) Terminal gear (i.e., hook, leader, sinker, flasher, or bait) 
used with an automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, or rod 
and reel must be disconnected and stowed separately from such fishing 
gear. A rod and reel must be removed from the rod holder and stowed 
securely on or below deck.
    (E) A crustacean trap, golden crab trap, or sea bass pot cannot be 
baited. All buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys 
may remain on deck.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Seasonal closures--(1) Seasonal closure of the recreational and 
commercial fisheries for gag and associated grouper species. During 
January through April each year, no person may fish for, harvest, or 
possess in or from the South Atlantic EEZ any South Atlantic shallow-
water grouper (SASWG) (gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red 
hind, rock hind, yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, and 
coney). In addition, for a person on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, the provisions of this closure apply 
in the South Atlantic, regardless of where such fish are harvested, 
i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (2) Wreckfish spawning-season closure. From January 15 through 
April 15, each year, no person may harvest or possess on a fishing 
vessel wreckfish in or from the EEZ; offload wreckfish from the EEZ; or 
sell or purchase wreckfish in or from the EEZ. The prohibition on sale 
or purchase of wreckfish does not apply to trade in wreckfish that were 
harvested, offloaded, and sold or purchased prior to January 15 and 
were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
    (3) Wreckfish recreational sector closures. The recreational sector 
for wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is closed from January 
1 through June 30, and September 1 through December 31, each year. 
During a closure, the bag and possession limit for wreckfish in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ is zero.
    (4) Seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for vermilion 
snapper. The recreational fishery for vermilion snapper in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ is closed from November 1 through March 31, each 
year. In addition, for a person on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, this closure applies in the South Atlantic, 
regardless of where the fish are harvested, i.e., in state or Federal 
waters. During the closure, the bag and possession limit for vermilion 
snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero.


Sec.  622.184  Seasonal harvest limitations.

    (a) Greater amberjack spawning season. During April, each year, the 
possession of greater amberjack in or from the South Atlantic EEZ and 
in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such greater 
amberjack were harvested, is limited to one per person per day or one 
per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive. Such greater 
amberjack are subject to the prohibition on sale or purchase, as 
specified in Sec.  622.192(g).
    (b) Mutton snapper spawning season. During May and June, each year, 
the possession of mutton snapper in or from the EEZ on board a vessel 
that has a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper is 
limited to 10 per person per day or 10 per person per trip, whichever 
is more restrictive.
    (c) Red porgy. During January, February, March, and April, the 
harvest or possession of red porgy in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
limited to three per person per day or three per person per trip, 
whichever is more restrictive. In addition, this limitation is 
applicable in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued without regard to where such red porgy 
were harvested. Such red porgy are subject to the prohibition on sale 
or purchase, as specified in Sec.  622.192(f).


Sec.  622.185  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, may not 
be possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its 
size limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The 
operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring 
that fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in 
this section.
    (a) Snapper--(1) Red snapper--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL, however, see 
Sec.  622.181(b)(2) for the current prohibition on the harvest and 
possession of red snapper.
    (2) Vermilion snapper--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (3) Blackfin, cubera, dog, gray, mahogany, queen, silk, and 
yellowtail snappers--12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (4) Mutton snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
    (5) Lane snapper--8 inches (20.3 cm), TL.
    (b) Grouper--(1) Red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper; and 
scamp--20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.

[[Page 22997]]

    (2) Black grouper and gag--24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
    (c) Other snapper-grouper species--(1) Black sea bass.
    (i) For a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified 
in Sec.  622.187(b)(7)--13 inches (33 cm), TL.
    (ii) For a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit 
specified in Sec.  622.187(b)(7)--11 inches (28 cm), TL.
    (2) Gray triggerfish in the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida--12 
inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (3) Hogfish--12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
    (4) Red porgy--14 inches (35.6 cm), TL.
    (5) Greater amberjack--28 inches (71.1 cm), fork length, for a fish 
taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec.  
622.187(b)(1) and 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by 
a person not subject to the bag limit.


Sec.  622.186  Landing fish intact.

    (a) South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ must be maintained with head and fins intact, except as specified 
in paragraph (b) of this section. Such fish may be eviscerated, gilled, 
and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole condition. The 
operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring 
that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, if taken 
from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading ashore, as 
specified in this section.
    (b) In the South Atlantic EEZ, snapper-grouper lawfully harvested 
in Bahamian waters are exempt from the requirement that they be 
maintained with head and fins intact, provided valid Bahamian fishing 
and cruising permits are on board the vessel and the vessel is in 
transit through the South Atlantic EEZ. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, a vessel is in transit through the South Atlantic EEZ when 
it is on a direct and continuous course through the South Atlantic EEZ 
and no one aboard the vessel fishes in the EEZ.


Sec.  622.187  Bag and possession limits.

    (a) Additional applicability provisions for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper. Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag 
and possession limits. However, Sec.  622.11(a) notwithstanding:
    (1) The bag and other limits specified in Sec.  622.182(b) apply 
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the EEZ to a person 
aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued that has on board a longline in the 
longline closed area.
    (2) A person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued must comply with the bag 
limits specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper taken with a powerhead, regardless of where taken, when 
such snapper-grouper are possessed in an SMZ specified in Sec.  
622.182(a)(1)(xii) through (a)(1)(xviii) or (a)(1)(xl) through 
(a)(1)(li).
    (b) Bag limits--(1) Greater amberjack--1.
    (2) Grouper and tilefish, combined--3. However, no grouper or 
tilefish may be retained by the captain or crew of a vessel operating 
as a charter vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and 
crew is zero. In addition, within the 3-fish aggregate bag limit:
    (i) No more than one fish may be gag or black grouper, combined;
    (ii) No more than one fish per vessel may be a snowy grouper;
    (iii) No more than one fish may be a golden tilefish; and
    (iv) No goliath grouper or Nassau grouper may be retained.
    (3) Hogfish in the South Atlantic off Florida--5.
    (4) Snappers, combined--10. However, excluded from this 10-fish bag 
limit are cubera snapper, measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, 
in the South Atlantic off Florida, and red snapper and vermilion 
snapper. (See Sec.  622.181(b)(2) for the prohibition on harvest and 
possession of red snapper and Sec.  622.181(c)(1) for limitations on 
cubera snapper measuring 30 inches (76.2 cm), TL, or larger, in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida.)
    (5) Vermilion snapper--5. However, no vermilion snapper may be 
retained by the captain or crew of a vessel operating as a charter 
vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and crew is zero.
    (6) Red porgy--3.
    (7) Black sea bass--5.
    (8) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, combined--20. However, excluded 
from this 20-fish bag limit are tomtate, blue runner, ecosystem 
component species (specified in Table 4 of Appendix A to part 622), and 
those specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) and paragraphs (b)(9) 
and (10) of this section.
    (9) No red snapper may be retained.
    (10) No more than one fish per vessel may be a wreckfish.
    (11) Longline bag limits. Other provisions of this paragraph (b) 
notwithstanding, a person on a trip aboard a vessel for which the bag 
limits apply that has a longline on board is limited on that trip to 
the bag limit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper for which a bag limit 
is specified in this paragraph (b), and to zero for all other South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper. For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(11), a 
vessel is considered to have a longline on board when a power-operated 
longline hauler, a cable or monofilament of diameter and length 
suitable for use in the longline fishery, and gangions are on board. 
Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of a longline.
    (c) Possession limits. (1) Provided each passenger is issued and 
has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that 
verifies the duration of the trip--
    (i) A person aboard a charter vessel or headboat on a trip that 
spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits 
of species other than red porgy.
    (ii) A person aboard a headboat on a trip that spans more than 48 
hours and who can document that fishing was conducted on at least 3 
days may possess no more than three daily bag limits of species other 
than red porgy.
    (2) A person aboard a vessel may not possess red porgy in or from 
the EEZ in excess of three per day or three per trip, whichever is more 
restrictive.


Sec.  622.188  Required gear, authorized gear, and unauthorized gear.

    (a) Required gear. For a person on board a vessel to harvest or 
possess South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, the vessel must possess on board and such person must use the gear 
as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.
    (1) Dehooking device. At least one dehooking device is required and 
must be used as needed to remove hooks embedded in South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper with minimum damage. The hook removal device must be 
constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded 
without re-engaging during the removal process. The dehooking end must 
be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size 
appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    (2) Non-stainless steel circle hooks. Non-stainless steel circle 
hooks are required to be used when fishing with hook-and-line gear and 
natural baits north of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (b) Authorized gear. Subject to the gear restrictions specified in 
Sec.  622.180, the following are the only gear types authorized in a 
directed fishery for snapper-grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ: Bandit 
gear, bottom longline, buoy

[[Page 22998]]

gear, handline, rod and reel, sea bass pot, and spearfishing gear.
    (c) Unauthorized gear. All gear types other than those specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section are unauthorized gear and the following 
possession and transfer limitations apply.
    (1) A vessel with trawl gear on board that fishes in the EEZ on a 
trip may possess no more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, in or from the EEZ on that trip. 
It is a rebuttable presumption that a vessel with more than 200 lb 
(90.7 kg) of South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, on 
board harvested such fish in the EEZ.
    (2) Except as specified in paragraphs (d) through (f) of this 
section, a person aboard a vessel with unauthorized gear on board, 
other than trawl gear, that fishes in the EEZ on a trip is limited on 
that trip to:
    (i) South Atlantic snapper-grouper species for which a bag limit is 
specified in Sec.  622.187--the bag limit.
    (ii) All other South Atlantic snapper-grouper--zero.
    (3) South Atlantic snapper-grouper on board a vessel with 
unauthorized gear on board may not be transferred at sea, regardless of 
where such transfer takes place, and such snapper-grouper may not be 
transferred in the EEZ.
    (4) No vessel may receive at sea any South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
from a vessel with unauthorized gear on board, as specified in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (d) Possession allowance regarding sink nets off North Carolina. A 
vessel that has on board a commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish, that fishes in the EEZ off North 
Carolina with a sink net on board, may retain, without regard to the 
limits specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, otherwise legal 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, 
handline, rod and reel, or sea bass pot. For the purpose of this 
paragraph (d), a sink net is a gillnet with stretched mesh measurements 
of 3 to 4.75 inches (7.6 to 12.1 cm) that is attached to the vessel 
when deployed.
    (e) Possession allowance regarding bait nets. A vessel that has on 
board a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the South Atlantic EEZ with no more than one 
bait net on board, may retain, without regard to the limits specified 
in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, otherwise legal South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, rod and 
reel, or sea bass pot. For the purpose of this paragraph (e), a bait 
net is a gillnet not exceeding 50 ft (15.2 m) in length or 10 ft (3.1 
m) in height with stretched mesh measurements of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) or 
smaller that is attached to the vessel when deployed.
    (f) Possession allowance regarding cast nets. A vessel that has on 
board a commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the South Atlantic EEZ with a cast net on 
board, may retain, without regard to the limits specified in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, otherwise legal South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
taken with bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, rod and reel, or sea bass 
pot. For the purpose of this paragraph (f), a cast net is a cone-shaped 
net thrown by hand and designed to spread out and capture fish as the 
weighted circumference sinks to the bottom and comes together when 
pulled by a line.
    (g) Longline species limitation. A vessel that has on board a valid 
Federal commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding 
wreckfish, that fishes in the EEZ on a trip with a longline on board, 
may possess only the following South Atlantic snapper-grouper: Snowy 
grouper, warsaw grouper, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, golden 
tilefish, blueline tilefish, and sand tilefish. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, a vessel is considered to have a longline on board when a 
power-operated longline hauler, a cable of diameter suitable for use in 
the longline fishery on any reel, and gangions are on board. Removal of 
any one of these three elements constitutes removal of a longline.


Sec.  622.189  Restrictions and requirements for sea bass pots.

    (a) Tending restriction. A sea bass pot in the South Atlantic EEZ 
may be pulled or tended only by a person (other than an authorized 
officer) aboard the vessel permitted to fish such pot or aboard another 
vessel if such vessel has on board written consent of the owner or 
operator of the vessel so permitted.
    (b) Configuration restriction. In the South Atlantic EEZ, sea bass 
pots may not be used or possessed in multiple configurations, that is, 
two or more pots may not be attached one to another so that their 
overall dimensions exceed those allowed for an individual sea bass pot. 
This does not preclude connecting individual pots to a line, such as a 
``trawl'' or trot line.
    (c) Requirement for escape mechanisms. (1) A sea bass pot that is 
used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ between 35[deg]15.19' N. 
lat. (due east of Cape Hatteras Light, NC) and 28[deg]35.1' N. lat. 
(due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL) is 
required to have--
    (i) On at least one side, excluding top and bottom, a panel or door 
with an opening equal to or larger than the interior end of the trap's 
throat (funnel). The hinges and fasteners of each panel or door must be 
made of one of the following degradable materials:
    (A) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire with a diameter not 
exceeding 0.041 inches (1.0 mm), that is, 19 gauge wire.
    (B) Galvanic timed-release mechanisms with a letter grade 
designation (degradability index) no higher than J.
    (ii) An unobstructed escape vent opening on at least two opposite 
vertical sides, excluding top and bottom. The minimum dimensions of an 
escape vent opening (based on inside measurement) are:
    (A) 1\1/8\ by 5\3/4\ inches (2.9 by 14.6 cm) for a rectangular 
vent.
    (B) 1.75 by 1.75 inches (4.5 by 4.5 cm) for a square vent.
    (C) 2.0-inch (5.1-cm) diameter for a round vent.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (d) Construction requirements and mesh sizes. (1) A sea bass pot 
used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ must have mesh sizes as 
follows (based on centerline measurements between opposite, parallel 
wires or netting strands):
    (i) For sides of the pot other than the back panel:
    (A) Hexagonal mesh (chicken wire)--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) 
between the wrapped sides;
    (B) Square mesh--at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) between sides; or
    (C) Rectangular mesh--at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the longer 
sides and 2 inches (5.1 cm) between the shorter sides.
    (ii) For the entire back panel, i.e., the side of the pot opposite 
the side that contains the pot entrance, mesh that is at least 2 inches 
(5.1 cm) between sides.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (e) Requirements for pot removal. (1) A sea bass pot must be 
removed from the water in the South Atlantic EEZ and the vessel must be 
returned to a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp at the conclusion of 
each trip. Sea bass pots may remain on the vessel at the conclusion of 
each trip.
    (2) A sea bass pot must be removed from the water in the South 
Atlantic EEZ when the applicable quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(5) 
is reached. After a closure is in effect, a black sea bass may not be 
retained by a vessel that has a sea bass pot on board.
    (f) Restriction on number of pots. A vessel that has on board a 
valid Federal

[[Page 22999]]

commercial permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and a South 
Atlantic black sea bass pot endorsement that fishes in the South 
Atlantic EEZ on a trip with black sea bass pots, may possess only 35 
black sea bass pots per vessel per permit year. Each black sea bass pot 
in the water or onboard a vessel in the South Atlantic EEZ, must have a 
valid identification tag attached. Endorsement holders must apply for 
new tags each permit year through NMFS to replace tags from the 
previous year.


Sec.  622.190  Quotas.

    See Sec.  622.8 for general provisions regarding quota 
applicability and closure and reopening procedures. This section 
provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper.
    (a) South Atlantic snapper-grouper, excluding wreckfish. The quotas 
apply to persons who are not subject to the bag limits. (See Sec.  
622.11 for applicability of the bag limits.) The quotas are in gutted 
weight, that is, eviscerated but otherwise whole.
    (1) Snowy grouper--82,900 lb (37,603 kg).
    (2) Golden tilefish--541,295 lb (245,527 kg).
    (3) Greater amberjack--769,388 lb (348,989 kg).
    (4) Vermilion snapper. (i) For the period January through June each 
year--315,523 lb (143,119 kg).
    (ii) For the period July through December each year--302,523 lb 
(137,222 kg).
    (iii) Any unused portion of the quota specified in paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section will be added to the quota specified in 
paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section. Any unused portion of the quota 
specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section, including any 
addition of quota specified in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section that 
was unused, will become void and will not be added to any subsequent 
quota.
    (5) Black sea bass--309,000 lb (140,160 kg), gutted weight; 364,620 
lb (165,389 kg), round weight.
    (6) Red porgy--190,050 lb (86,205 kg).
    (7) Gag--352,940 lb (160,091 kg).
    (b) Wreckfish. The quota for wreckfish applies to wreckfish 
shareholders, or their employees, contractors, or agents, and is 
223,250 lb (101,264 kg), round weight. See Sec.  622.172 for 
information on the wreckfish shareholder under the ITQ system.
    (c) Restrictions applicable after a commercial quota closure--(1) 
South Atlantic gag, black grouper, red grouper, greater amberjack, 
snowy grouper, golden tilefish, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, red 
porgy, and wreckfish. (i) The appropriate bag limits specified in Sec.  
622.187(b) and the possession limits specified in Sec.  622.187(c) 
apply to all harvest or possession of the applicable species in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ, and the sale or purchase of the applicable 
species taken from or possessed in the EEZ is prohibited. The 
prohibition on sale/purchase during a closure for the applicable 
species does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and 
sold prior to the effective date of the closure and were held in cold 
storage by a dealer or processor.
    (ii) The bag and possession limits for the applicable species and 
the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without 
regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal 
waters.
    (iii) For gag, when the appropriate commercial quota is reached, 
the provisions of paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply 
to gag and all other SASWG.
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.191  Commercial trip limits.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable 
species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows (all 
weights are round or eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise):
    (a) When a vessel fishes on a trip in the South Atlantic EEZ, the 
vessel trip limits specified in this paragraph (a) apply, provided 
persons aboard the vessel are not subject to the bag limits. See Sec.  
622.11 and Sec.  622.187(a) for applicability of the bag limits.
    (1) Trip-limited permits. A vessel for which a trip-limited permit 
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued is limited to 225 lb 
(102.1 kg) of snapper-grouper.
    (2) Golden tilefish. (i) Until 75 percent of the fishing year quota 
specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(2) is reached--4,000 lb (1,814 kg).
    (ii) After 75 percent of the fishing year quota specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(2) is reached--300 lb (136 kg). However, if 75 percent of 
the fishing year quota has not been taken on or before September 1, the 
trip limit will not be reduced. The Assistant Administrator, by filing 
a notification of trip limit change with the Office of the Federal 
Register, will effect a trip limit change specified in this paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii), when the applicable conditions have been taken.
    (iii) See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) for the limitations regarding golden 
tilefish after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (3) Snowy grouper. Until the quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(1) 
is reached--100 lb (45 kg). See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) for the limitations 
regarding snowy grouper after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (4) Red porgy. (i) From May 1 through December 31--120 fish.
    (ii) From January 1 through April 30, the seasonal harvest limit 
specified in Sec.  622.184(c) applies.
    (iii) See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) for the limitations regarding red 
porgy after the fishing year quota is reached.
    (5) Greater amberjack. Until the quota specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(3) is reached, 1,200 lb (544 kg). See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) 
for the limitations regarding greater amberjack after the quota is 
reached.
    (6) Vermilion snapper. Until either quota specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(4)(i) or (ii) is reached, 1,500 lb (680 kg). See Sec.  
622.190(c)(1) for the limitations regarding vermilion snapper after 
either quota is reached.
    (7) Gag. Until the quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(7) is 
reached, 1,000 lb (454 kg). See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) for the limitations 
regarding gag after the quota is reached.
    (8) Black sea bass. Until the applicable quota specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(5) is reached, 1,000 lb (454 kg), gutted weight; 1,180 lb 
(535 kg), round weight. See Sec.  622.190(c)(1) for the limitations 
regarding black sea bass after the applicable quota is reached.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.192  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    The restrictions in this section are in addition to the 
restrictions on sale/purchase related to quota closures as specified in 
Sec.  622.190(c).
    (a) A South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested or possessed in the 
EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper, as required under Sec.  622.170(a), or 
a South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested in the EEZ and possessed 
under the bag limits specified in Sec.  622.187(b), may not be sold or 
purchased. In addition, a South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested or 
possessed by a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat 
with a

[[Page 23000]]

Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper may not be sold or purchased regardless of where harvested, 
i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (b) A person may sell South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested in 
the EEZ only to a dealer who has a valid permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, as required under Sec.  622.170(c).
    (c) A person may purchase South Atlantic snapper-grouper harvested 
in the EEZ only from a vessel that has a valid commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper, as required under Sec.  622.170(a).
    (d) A warsaw grouper or speckled hind in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ may not be sold or purchased.
    (e) No person may sell or purchase a snowy grouper, gag, golden 
tilefish, greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, or red 
porgy harvested from or possessed in the South Atlantic, i.e., in state 
or Federal waters, by a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued for the 
remainder of the fishing year after the applicable commercial quota for 
that species specified in Sec.  622.190(a) has been reached. The 
prohibition on sale/purchase during these periods does not apply to 
such of the applicable species that were harvested, landed ashore, and 
sold prior to the applicable commercial quota being reached and were 
held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
    (f) During January, February, March, and April, no person may sell 
or purchase a red porgy harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ or, if 
harvested by a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested from the 
South Atlantic, i.e., in state or Federal waters. The prohibition on 
sale/purchase during January through April does not apply to red porgy 
that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to January 1 and 
were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This prohibition 
also does not apply to a dealer's purchase or sale of red porgy 
harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic, provided such 
fish is accompanied by documentation of harvest outside the South 
Atlantic. The requirements for such documentation are specified in 
paragraph (i) of this section.
    (g) During April, no person may sell or purchase a greater 
amberjack harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ or, if harvested by a 
vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested from the South Atlantic, 
i.e., in state or Federal waters. The prohibition on sale/purchase 
during April does not apply to greater amberjack that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to April 1 and were held in cold storage 
by a dealer or processor. This prohibition also does not apply to a 
dealer's purchase or sale of greater amberjack harvested from an area 
other than the South Atlantic, provided such fish is accompanied by 
documentation of harvest outside the South Atlantic. The requirements 
for such documentation are specified in paragraph (i) of this section.
    (h) During January through April, no person may sell or purchase a 
gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, 
yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, or coney harvested 
from or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ or, if harvested or 
possessed by a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested from the 
South Atlantic, i.e., in state or Federal waters. The prohibition on 
sale/purchase during January through April does not apply to such 
species that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to January 1 
and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This 
prohibition also does not apply to a dealer's purchase or sale of such 
species harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic, provided 
such fish is accompanied by documentation of harvest outside the South 
Atlantic. The requirements for such documentation are specified in 
paragraph (i) of this section.
    (i) The documentation supporting a dealer's purchase or sale of 
applicable species during the times specified in paragraphs (f) through 
(h) of this section must contain:
    (1) The information specified in part 300, subpart K, of this title 
for marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are 
imported, exported, or transported in interstate commerce;
    (2) The official number, name, and home port of the vessel 
harvesting the applicable species;
    (3) The port and date of offloading from the vessel harvesting the 
applicable species; and
    (4) A statement signed by the dealer attesting that the applicable 
species was harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic.
    (j) No person may sell or purchase a red snapper harvested from or 
possessed in the South Atlantic, i.e., state or Federal waters, by a 
vessel for which a Federal commercial permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued.


Sec.  622.193  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    (a) Golden tilefish--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial landings, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial 
ACL (commercial quota) specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(2), the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for golden 
tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 3,019 fish, the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational sector for 
the remainder of the fishing year. If recreational landings for golden 
tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL, then 
during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be 
monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing 
season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not 
exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year.
    (b) Snowy grouper--(1) Commercial fishery. If commercial landings, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the quota 
specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(1), the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial fishery for 
the remainder of the fishing year.
    (2) Recreational fishery. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 523 fish, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the 
following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the 
following fishing year. Recreational landings will be evaluated 
relative to the ACL as follows. For 2012 and subsequent fishing years, 
the most recent 3-year running average recreational landings will be 
compared to the ACL.
    (c) Gag--(1) Commercial fishery. If commercial landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the quota 
specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(7), the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial fishery for 
gag and all other SASWG for the remainder of the fishing year.

[[Page 23001]]

    (2) Recreational fishery. (i) If recreational landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL of 340,060 lb (154,249 kg), gutted weight, and gag are overfished, 
based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to close the gag recreational fishery for the remainder of the fishing 
year. On and after the effective date of such notification, the bag and 
possession limit for gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero. 
This bag and possession limit also applies in the South Atlantic on 
board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit 
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to 
where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) Without regard to overfished status, if gag recreational 
landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year, to reduce the ACL for that fishing year by the 
amount of the overage.
    (iii) Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
as follows. For 2012 and subsequent fishing years, the most recent 3-
year running average recreational landings will be compared to the ACL.
    (d) Red grouper--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings 
for red grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the applicable ACL in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section, the 
AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On 
and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or 
purchase of red grouper is prohibited and harvest or possession of this 
species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, 
without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or 
Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that 
following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.
    (iii) The applicable commercial ACLs, in round weight, are 284,680 
lb (129,129 kg) for 2012, 315,920 lb (143,299 kg) for 2013, and 343,200 
lb (155,673 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for red 
grouper, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the applicable 
ACL in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after 
the effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession limit 
is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on 
board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit 
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to 
where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If recreational landings for red grouper, as estimated by the 
SRD, exceed the applicable ACL, the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the recreational ACL the 
following fishing year by the amount of the overage in the prior 
fishing.
    (iii) The applicable recreational ACLs, in round weight, are 
362,320 lb (164,346 kg) for 2012, 402,080 lb (182,380 kg) for 2013, and 
436,800 lb (198,129 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years.
    (3) Without regard to overfished status, if the combined commercial 
and recreational sector ACL (total ACL), as estimated by the SRD, is 
exceeded in a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, an 
automatic increase will not be applied to the commercial and 
recreational sector ACLs. The SRD will evaluate the landings data to 
determine whether or not an increase in the respective sector ACLs will 
be applied. The applicable combined commercial and recreational sector 
ACLs, in round weight are 647,000 lb (293,474 kg) for 2012, 718,000 lb 
(325,679 kg) for 2013, and 780,000 lb (353,802 kg) for 2014 and 
subsequent fishing years.
    (i) Following an overage of the total ACL, if there is no overage 
the following fishing year, the SRD will evaluate the landings data to 
determine whether or not an increase in the respective sector ACLs will 
be applied.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (e) Black sea bass--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(5), the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector 
for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the quota specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(5), the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year, unless the SRD determines that no 
overage is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for black sea 
bass, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL of 409,000 lb (185,519 kg), gutted weight; 482,620 lb (218,913 kg), 
round weight; the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the recreational sector for the remainder of 
the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a 
notification, the bag and possession limit is zero. This bag and 
possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for 
which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species 
were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If recreational landings for black sea bass, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the recreational ACL the 
following fishing year by the amount of the overage in the prior 
fishing year, unless the SRD determines that no overage is necessary 
based on the best scientific information available.
    (f) Vermilion snapper--(1) Commercial fishery. If commercial 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach a 
quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(4)(i) or (ii), the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial fishery for that portion of the fishing year applicable to 
the respective quota.
    (2) Recreational fishery. (i) If recreational landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL of 307,315 lb (139,396 kg), gutted weight, and vermilion snapper 
are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to close the recreational fishery for vermilion 
snapper for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the 
effective date of such notification, the bag and possession limit of 
vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero. This bag 
and possession limit also applies in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for

[[Page 23002]]

South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) Without regard to overfished status, if vermilion snapper 
recreational landings exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of 
the following fishing year, to reduce the ACL for that fishing year by 
the amount of the overage.
    (iii) Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
as follows. For 2012 and subsequent fishing years, the most recent 3-
year running average recreational landings will be compared to the ACL.
    (g) Black grouper--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial 
landings for black grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the applicable ACL in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this 
section, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the 
fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, 
all sale or purchase of black grouper is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited 
to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies 
in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., 
in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and black grouper are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (iii) The applicable commercial ACLs, in round weight, are 90,575 
lb (41,084 kg) for 2012, 94,571 lb (42,897 kg) for 2013, and 96,844 lb 
(43,928 kg) for 2014 and subsequent fishing years.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for black 
grouper, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL, then 
during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be 
monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing 
season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not 
exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the 
length of the recreational season will also not be reduced during the 
following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary. The applicable recreational ACLs, in 
round weight, are 155,020 lb (70,316 kg) for 2012, 161,859 lb (73,418 
kg) for 2013, and 165,750 lb (75,183 kg) for 2014 and subsequent 
fishing years.
    (3) Without regard to overfished status, if the combined commercial 
and recreational sector ACLs, as estimated by the SRD, are exceeded in 
a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register stating 
that both the commercial and recreational sectors will not have an 
increase in their respective sector ACLs during that following fishing 
year. The applicable combined commercial and recreational sector ACLs, 
in round weight are 245,595 lb (111,400 kg) for 2012, 256,430 lb 
(116,315 kg) for 2013, and 262,594 lb (119,111 kg) for 2014 and 
subsequent fishing years.
    (h) Deep-water complex (including yellowedge grouper, blueline 
tilefish, silk snapper, misty grouper, queen snapper, sand tilefish, 
black snapper, and blackfin snapper)--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If 
commercial landings for the deep-water complex, as estimated by the 
SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL of 343,869 lb 
(155,976 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for this 
complex for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the 
effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of deep-
water complex species is prohibited and harvest or possession of these 
species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, 
without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or 
Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and at least one of the 
species in the deep-water complex is overfished, based on the most 
recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that 
following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for the deep-
water complex, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
332,039 lb (150,610 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (i) Scamp--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings for 
scamp, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL of 341,636 lb (154,963 kg), round weight, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and 
after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase 
of scamp is prohibited and harvest or possession of this species in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. 
This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and scamp are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for scamp, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 150,936 lb (68,463 
kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, recreational 
landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, 
if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational 
fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings 
do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. 
However, the length of the

[[Page 23003]]

recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (j) Other SASWG combined (including red hind, rock hind, 
yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, coney, and graysby)--(1) 
Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings for other SASWG, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial 
ACL of 49,488 lb (22,447 kg), round weight, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for this complex for the remainder of the fishing 
year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale 
or purchase of other SASWG is prohibited, and harvest or possession of 
these species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag 
and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the 
South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been 
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in 
state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and at least one of the 
species in the other SASWG complex is overfished, based on the most 
recent status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that 
following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for other SASWG, 
as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 48,329 lb 
(21,922 kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, 
recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased 
landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the 
following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season 
will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA 
determines, using the best scientific information available, that a 
reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (k) Greater amberjack--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial 
landings for greater amberjack, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(3), the AA 
will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and greater amberjack 
are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for greater 
amberjack, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
1,167,837 lb (529,722 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (l) Lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex, 
combined--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings for lesser 
amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish, combined, as estimated 
by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach their combined commercial 
ACL of 193,999 lb (87,996 kg), round weight, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for this complex for the remainder of the fishing 
year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale 
or purchase of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish is 
prohibited, and harvest or possession of these species in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag 
and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel 
for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such 
species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If the combined commercial landings for the complex exceed the 
ACL, and at least one of the species in the complex (lesser amberjack, 
almaco jack, and banded rudderfish) is overfished, based on the most 
recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL for that 
following year by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for the complex 
(lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish), combined, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 261,490 lb 
(118,610 kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, 
recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased 
landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the 
following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season 
will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA 
determines, using the best scientific information available, that a 
reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (m) Bar jack--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings for 
bar jack, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL of 6,686 lb (3,033 kg), round weight, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after 
the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of bar 
jack is prohibited and harvest or possession of this species in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This 
bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and bar jack is 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for bar jack, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 13,834 lb (6,275 
kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, recreational 
landings will be monitored

[[Page 23004]]

for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce 
the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (n) Yellowtail snapper--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial 
landings for yellowtail snapper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL of 1,142,589 lb (518,270 kg), 
round weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of 
the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a 
notification, all sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper is prohibited 
and harvest or possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession 
limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were 
harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and yellowtail snapper 
is overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report 
to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for yellowtail 
snapper, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
1,031,286 lb (467,783 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (o) Mutton snapper--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings for mutton snapper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL of 157,743 lb (71,551 kg), round 
weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the 
fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, 
all sale or purchase of mutton snapper is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited 
to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies 
in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., 
in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and mutton snapper are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for mutton 
snapper, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
768,857 lb (348,748 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (p) Other snappers combined (including cubera snapper, gray 
snapper, lane snapper, dog snapper, and mahogany snapper) complex--(1) 
Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings combined for this other 
snappers complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the combined complex commercial ACL of 204,552 lb (92,783 kg), 
round weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the commercial sector for this complex for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, all sale or purchase of the snappers in this 
complex is prohibited, and harvest or possession of these species in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. 
This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If the combined commercial landings for this complex exceed 
the ACL, and at least one of the species in the other snappers complex 
is overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report 
to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If the combined recreational landings for 
this snappers complex, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational 
ACL of 882,388 lb (400,244 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL for this complex in the following fishing year. 
However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced 
during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best 
scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the 
following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (q) Gray triggerfish--(1) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial 
landings for gray triggerfish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL of 305,262 lb (138,465 kg), round 
weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the 
fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, 
all sale or purchase of gray triggerfish is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited 
to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies 
in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic

[[Page 23005]]

snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species 
were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and gray triggerfish 
are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for gray 
triggerfish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
367,303 lb (166,606 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (r) Wreckfish--(1) Commercial sector. The ITQ program for wreckfish 
in the South Atlantic serves as the accountability measures for 
commercial wreckfish. The commercial ACL for wreckfish is equal to the 
commercial quota specified in Sec.  622.190(b).
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for wreckfish, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 11,750 lb (5,330 
kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, recreational 
landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, 
if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational 
fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings 
do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. 
However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced 
during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best 
scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the 
following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (s) Blue runner--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings 
for blue runner, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the commercial ACL of 188,329 lb (85,425 kg), round weight, the 
AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On 
and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or 
purchase of blue runner is prohibited and harvest or possession of this 
species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, 
without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or 
Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and blue runner are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for blue runner, 
as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 1,101,612 lb 
(499,683 kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, 
recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased 
landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the 
following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season 
will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA 
determines, using the best scientific information available, that a 
reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (t) Atlantic spadefish--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings for Atlantic spadefish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL of 36,476 lb (16,545 kg), round 
weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the 
fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, 
all sale or purchase of Atlantic spadefish is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited 
to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies 
in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., 
in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and Atlantic spadefish 
are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for Atlantic 
spadefish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
246,365 lb (111,749 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (u) Hogfish--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings for 
hogfish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL of 48,772 lb (22,123 kg), round weight, the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after 
the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of 
hogfish is prohibited and harvest or possession of this species in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. 
This bag and possession limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where 
such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and hogfish are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for hogfish, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of

[[Page 23006]]

98,866 lb (44,845 kg), round weight, then during the following fishing 
year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in 
increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the 
following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the 
following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season 
will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA 
determines, using the best scientific information available, that a 
reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (v) Red porgy--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings 
for red porgy, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach 
the quota specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(6), the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and red porgy are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for red porgy, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 197,652 lb (89,653 
kg), round weight, then during the following fishing year, recreational 
landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, 
if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational 
fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings 
do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. 
However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced 
during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best 
scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the 
following fishing season is unnecessary.
    (w) Jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and 
saucereye porgy complex--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings for jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and 
saucereye porgy, combined, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial complex ACL of 35,129 lb (15,934 kg), 
round weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the commercial sector for this complex for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, all sale or purchase of jolthead porgy, knobbed 
porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy, is prohibited, and 
harvest or possession of these species in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession 
limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were 
harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If the combined commercial landings for this complex exceed 
the ACL, and at least one of the species in the complex is overfished, 
based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to 
reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in 
the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for jolthead 
porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy, 
combined, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
112,485 lb (51,022 kg), round weight, then during the following fishing 
year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in 
increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the 
following recreational fishing season for this complex by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (x) White grunt, sailor's choice, tomtate, and margate complex--(1) 
Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings for white grunt, sailor's 
choice, tomtate, and margate, combined, as estimated by the SRD, reach 
or are projected to reach the commercial complex ACL of 214,624 lb 
(97,352 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for this 
complex for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the 
effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of white 
grunt, sailor's choice, tomtate, and margate, is prohibited, and 
harvest or possession of these species in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limit. This bag and possession 
limit applies in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species were 
harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If the combined commercial landings for this complex exceed 
the ACL, and at least one of the species in the complex is overfished, 
based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year to 
reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the overage in 
the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for white grunt, 
sailor's choice, tomtate, and margate, as estimated by the SRD, exceed 
the recreational ACL of 562,151 lb (254,987 kg), round weight, then 
during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be 
monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing 
season for this complex by the amount necessary to ensure recreational 
landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing 
year. However, the length of the recreational season will also not be 
reduced during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using 
the best scientific information available, that a reduction in the 
length of the following fishing season is unnecessary.


Sec.  622.194  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the RA may 
establish or modify the following items specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and wreckfish.
    (a) Biomass levels, age-structured analyses, target dates for 
rebuilding overfished species, MSY, ABC, TAC, quotas, annual catch 
limits (ACLs), target catch levels, accountability measures (AMs), trip 
limits, bag limits, minimum sizes, gear restrictions (ranging from 
regulation to complete prohibition), seasonal or area closures, 
definitions of essential fish habitat, essential fish habitat, 
essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs, and

[[Page 23007]]

restrictions on gear and fishing activities applicable in essential 
fish habitat and essential fish habitat HAPCs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.195  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.170 through 622.194.

Subpart J---Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region


Sec.  622.200  Permits.

    (a) Commercial vessel permits--(1) South Atlantic penaeid shrimp. 
For a person aboard a trawler to fish for penaeid shrimp in the South 
Atlantic EEZ or possess penaeid shrimp in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic penaeid shrimp 
must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board.
    (2) South Atlantic rock shrimp. (i) For a person aboard a vessel to 
fish for rock shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ off North Carolina or 
off South Carolina or possess rock shrimp in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ off those states, a Commercial Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp 
(Carolinas Zone) or a Commercial Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (South 
Atlantic EEZ) must be issued to the vessel and must be on board.
    (ii) For a person aboard a vessel to fish for rock shrimp in the 
South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off Florida or possess rock shrimp in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ off those states, a Commercial Vessel 
Permit for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) must be issued to the 
vessel and must be on board. A Commercial Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp 
(South Atlantic EEZ) is a limited access permit. See Sec.  622.201 for 
limitations on the issuance, transfer, or renewal of a Commercial 
Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ).
    (b) Operator permits. (1) An operator of a vessel that has or is 
required to have a Commercial Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (Carolinas 
Zone) or a Commercial Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic 
EEZ) issued under this section is required to have an operator permit.
    (2) A person required to have an operator permit under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section must carry on board such permit and one other 
form of personal identification that includes a picture (driver's 
license, passport, etc.).
    (3) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (b)(1) of this section must ensure that at 
least one person with a valid operator permit is aboard while the 
vessel is at sea or offloading.
    (4) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (b)(1) of this section and the operator of 
such vessel are responsible for ensuring that a person whose operator 
permit is suspended, revoked, or modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 
CFR part 904 is not aboard that vessel.
    (c) Dealer permits. (1) For a dealer to receive rock shrimp 
harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ, a dealer permit for South 
Atlantic rock shrimp must be issued to the dealer.
    (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer 
permit, the applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license in 
the state(s) where the dealer operates, if required by such state(s), 
and must have a physical facility at a fixed location in such state(s).
    (d) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.


Sec.  622.201  South Atlantic rock shrimp limited access.

    (a) Commercial Vessel Permits for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ). 
For a person aboard a vessel to fish for rock shrimp in the South 
Atlantic EEZ off Georgia or off Florida or possess rock shrimp in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ off those states, a Commercial Permit for 
Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) must be issued to the vessel and must 
be on board. No applications for additional Commercial Vessel Permits 
for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) will be accepted.
    (b) Transfer of an existing permit. A Commercial Vessel Permit for 
Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) is valid only for the vessel and owner 
named on the permit. To change either the vessel or the owner, a 
complete application for transfer must be submitted to the RA. An owner 
of a vessel with a permit may request that the RA transfer a valid 
permit to another vessel owned by the same entity, to the same vessel 
owned by another entity, or to another vessel with another owner. A 
transfer of a permit under this paragraph will include the transfer of 
the vessel's entire catch history of South Atlantic rock shrimp to a 
new owner; no partial transfers are allowed.
    (c) Renewal. The RA will not reissue a Commercial Vessel Permit for 
Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) if the permit is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive an application for renewal of the permit within 1 year 
after the expiration date of the permit.
    (d) Limitation on permits. A vessel for which a permit for South 
Atlantic rock shrimp is required may be issued either a Commercial 
Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (Carolinas Zone) or a Commercial Vessel 
Permit for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ), depending on its 
eligibility. However, no such vessel may be issued both permits for the 
same period of effectiveness.


Sec.  622.202  [Reserved]


Sec.  622.203  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators--(1) Reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel that fishes for shrimp 
in the South Atlantic EEZ or in adjoining state waters, or that lands 
shrimp in an adjoining state, must provide information for any fishing 
trip, as requested by the SRD, including, but not limited to, vessel 
identification, gear, effort, amount of shrimp caught by species, 
shrimp condition (heads on/heads off), fishing areas and depths, and 
person to whom sold.
    (2) Reporting deadline. Completed fishing records required by 
paragraphs (a)(1) of this section must be submitted to the SRD 
postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of each fishing trip. If 
no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a report so stating must 
be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after 
the end of that month. Information to be reported is indicated on the 
form and its accompanying instructions.
    (b) South Atlantic rock shrimp dealers. (1) A dealer who has been 
issued a permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec.  622.200(c), 
and who is selected by the SRD must provide information on receipts of 
rock shrimp and prices paid on forms available from the SRD. The 
required information must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting 
frequencies and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification 
by the SRD.
    (2) On demand, a dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for 
rock shrimp, as required under Sec.  622.200(c), must make available to 
an authorized officer all records of offloadings, purchases, or sales 
of rock shrimp.


Sec.  622.204  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. A vessel for which a Federal commercial 
permit for South Atlantic rock shrimp or South Atlantic penaeid shrimp 
has been

[[Page 23008]]

issued must carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the vessel's trip is 
selected by the SRD for observer coverage.
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the 
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.205  Vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).

    (a) VMS requirement for South Atlantic rock shrimp. An owner or 
operator of a vessel that has been issued a limited access endorsement 
for South Atlantic rock shrimp (until January 27, 2010) or a Commercial 
Vessel Permit for Rock Shrimp (South Atlantic EEZ) must ensure that 
such vessel has an operating VMS approved by NMFS for use in the South 
Atlantic rock shrimp fishery on board when on a trip in the South 
Atlantic. An operating VMS includes an operating mobile transmitting 
unit on the vessel and a functioning communication link between the 
unit and NMFS as provided by a NMFS-approved communication service 
provider.
    (b) Installation and activation of a VMS. Only a VMS that has been 
approved by NMFS for the South Atlantic rock shrimp fishery may be 
used, and the VMS must be installed by a qualified marine electrician. 
When installing and activating the NMFS-approved VMS, or when 
reinstalling and reactivating such VMS, 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 for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833; and
    (2) Submit to NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a statement certifying 
compliance with the checklist, as prescribed on the checklist.
    (3) Submit to NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 
263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, a vendor-completed 
installation certification checklist, which is available from NMFS 
Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 800-758-4833.
    (c) Interference with the VMS. No person may interfere with, tamper 
with, alter, damage, disable, or impede the operation of the VMS, or 
attempt any of the same.
    (d) Interruption of operation of the VMS. When a vessel's VMS is 
not operating properly, the owner or operator must immediately contact 
NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, phone: 800-758-4833, and follow 
instructions from that office. If notified by NMFS that a vessel's VMS 
is not operating properly, the owner and operator must follow 
instructions from that office. In either event, such instructions may 
include, but are not limited to, manually communicating to a location 
designated by NMFS the vessel's positions or returning to port until 
the VMS is operable.
    (e) Access to position data. As a condition of authorized fishing 
for or possession of fish in a fishery subject to VMS requirements in 
this section, a vessel owner or operator subject to the requirements 
for a VMS in this section must allow NMFS, the USCG, and their 
authorized officers and designees access to the vessel's position data 
obtained from the VMS.


Sec.  622.206  Area and seasonal closures.

    (a) South Atlantic shrimp cold weather closure. (1) Pursuant to the 
procedures and criteria established in the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery 
of the South Atlantic Region, when Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, or 
South Carolina closes all or a portion of its waters of the South 
Atlantic to the harvest of brown, pink, and white shrimp, the Assistant 
Administrator may concurrently close the South Atlantic EEZ adjacent to 
the closed state waters by filing a notification of closure with the 
Office of the Federal Register. Closure of the adjacent EEZ will be 
effective until the ending date of the closure in state waters, but may 
be ended earlier based on the state's request. In the latter case, the 
Assistant Administrator will terminate a closure of the EEZ by filing a 
notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register.
    (2) During a closure, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section--
    (i) No person may trawl for brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or white 
shrimp in the closed portion of the EEZ (closed area); and no person 
may possess on board a fishing vessel brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or 
white shrimp in or from a closed area, except as authorized in 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) No person aboard a vessel trawling in that part of a closed 
area that is within 25 nm of the baseline from which the territorial 
sea is measured may use or have on board a trawl net with a mesh size 
less than 4 inches (10.2 cm), as measured between the centers of 
opposite knots when pulled taut.
    (iii) Brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or white shrimp may be possessed 
on board a fishing vessel in a closed area, provided the vessel is in 
transit and all trawl nets with a mesh size less than 4 inches (10.2 
cm), as measured between the centers of opposite knots when pulled 
taut, are stowed below deck while transiting the closed area. For the 
purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is in transit when it is on a 
direct and continuous course through a closed area.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.207  Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) requirements.

    (a) BRD requirement for South Atlantic shrimp. On a shrimp trawler 
in the South Atlantic EEZ, each net that is rigged for fishing must 
have a BRD installed that is listed in paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
and is certified or provisionally certified for the area in which the 
shrimp trawler is located, unless exempted as specified in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. A trawl net is rigged for 
fishing if it is in the water, or if it is shackled, tied, or otherwise 
connected to a sled, door, or other device that spreads the net, or to 
a tow rope, cable, pole, or extension, either on board or attached to a 
shrimp trawler.
    (1) Exemptions from BRD requirement--(i) Try net exemption. A 
shrimp trawler is exempt from the

[[Page 23009]]

requirement to have a certified or provisionally certified BRD 
installed in a single try net with a headrope length of 16 ft (4.9 m) 
or less provided the single try net is either placed immediately in 
front of another net or is not connected to another net.
    (ii) Roller trawl exemption. A shrimp trawler is exempt from the 
requirement to have a certified or provisionally certified BRD 
installed in up to two rigid-frame roller trawls that are 16 ft (4.9 m) 
or less in length used or possessed on board. A rigid-frame roller 
trawl is a trawl that has a mouth formed by a rigid frame and a grid of 
rigid vertical bars; has rollers on the lower horizontal part of the 
frame to allow the trawl to roll over the bottom and any obstruction 
while being towed; and has no doors, boards, or similar devices 
attached to keep the mouth of the trawl open.
    (iii) BRD certification testing exemption. A shrimp trawler that is 
authorized by the RA to participate in the pre-certification testing 
phase or to test a BRD in the EEZ for possible certification, has such 
written authorization on board, and is conducting such test in 
accordance with the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual'' is 
granted a limited exemption from the BRD requirement specified in this 
section. The exemption from the BRD requirement is limited to those 
trawls that are being used in the certification trials. All other 
trawls rigged for fishing must be equipped with certified or 
provisionally certified BRDs.
    (2) Procedures for certification and decertification of BRDs. The 
process for the certification of BRDs consists of two phases--an 
optional pre-certification phase and a required certification phase. 
The RA may also provisionally certify a BRD.
    (i) Pre-certification. The pre-certification phase allows a person 
to test and evaluate a new BRD design for up to 60 days without being 
subject to the observer requirements and rigorous testing requirements 
specified for certification testing in the ``Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Manual.''
    (A) A person who wants to conduct pre-certification phase testing 
must submit an application to the RA, as specified in the ``Bycatch 
Reduction Device Testing Manual.'' The ``Bycatch Reduction Device 
Testing Manual'', which is available from the RA, upon request, 
contains the application forms.
    (B) After reviewing the application, the RA will determine whether 
to issue a letter of authorization (LOA) to conduct pre-certification 
trials upon the vessel specified in the application. If the RA 
authorizes pre-certification, the RA's LOA must be on board the vessel 
during any trip involving the BRD testing.
    (ii) Certification. A person who proposes a BRD for certification 
for use in the South Atlantic EEZ must submit an application to test 
such BRD, conduct the testing, and submit the results of the test in 
accordance with the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual.'' The RA 
will issue a LOA to conduct certification trials upon the vessel 
specified in the application if the RA finds that: The operation plan 
submitted with the application meets the requirements of the ``Bycatch 
Reduction Device Testing Manual''; the observer identified in the 
application is qualified; and the results of any pre-certification 
trials conducted have been reviewed and deemed to indicate a reasonable 
scientific basis for conducting certification testing. If authorization 
to conduct certification trials is denied, the RA will provide a letter 
of explanation to the applicant, together with relevant recommendations 
to address the deficiencies resulting in the denial. To be certified 
for use in the fishery, the BRD candidate must successfully demonstrate 
a 30-percent reduction in total weight of finfish bycatch. In addition, 
the BRD candidate must satisfy the following conditions: There is at 
least a 50-percent probability the true reduction rate of the BRD 
candidate meets the bycatch reduction criterion and there is no more 
than a 10-percent probability the true reduction rate of the BRD 
candidate is more than 5 percentage points less than the bycatch 
reduction criterion. If a BRD meets both conditions, consistent with 
the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual'', NMFS, through 
appropriate rulemaking procedures, will add the BRD to the list of 
certified BRDs in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and provide the 
specifications for the newly certified BRD, including any special 
conditions deemed appropriate based on the certification testing 
results.
    (iii) Provisional certification. Based on data provided consistent 
with the ``Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual'', the RA may 
provisionally certify a BRD if there is at least a 50-percent 
probability the true reduction rate of the BRD is no more than 5 
percentage points less than the bycatch reduction criterion, i.e. 25 
percent reduction in total weight of finfish bycatch. Through 
appropriate rulemaking procedures, NMFS will add the BRD to the list of 
provisionally certified BRDs in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and 
provide the specifications for the BRD, including any special 
conditions deemed appropriate based on the certification testing 
results. A provisional certification is effective for 2 years from the 
date of publication of the notification in the Federal Register 
announcing the provisional certification.
    (iv) Decertification. The RA will decertify a BRD if NMFS 
determines the BRD does not meet the requirements for certification or 
provisional certification. Before determining whether to decertify a 
BRD, the RA will notify the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
in writing, and the public will be provided an opportunity to comment 
on the advisability of any proposed decertification. The RA will 
consider any comments from the Council and public, and if the RA elects 
to decertify the BRD, the RA will proceed with decertification via 
appropriate rulemaking.
    (3) Certified and provisionally certified BRDs--(i) Certified BRDS. 
The following BRDs are certified for use in the South Atlantic EEZ. 
Specifications of these certified BRDs are contained in Appendix D to 
this part.
    (A) Fisheye--see Appendix D to part 622 for separate specifications 
in the Gulf and South Atlantic EEZ.
    (B) Gulf fisheye.
    (C) Jones-Davis.
    (D) Modified Jones-Davis.
    (E) Expanded mesh.
    (F) Extended funnel.
    (G) Cone Fish Deflector Composite Panel.
    (H) Square Mesh Panel (SMP) Composite Panel.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.208  Minimum mesh size applicable to rock shrimp off Georgia 
and Florida.

    (a) The minimum mesh size for the cod end of a rock shrimp trawl 
net in the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia and Florida is 1\7/8\ inches 
(4.8 cm), stretched mesh. This minimum mesh size is required in at 
least the last 40 meshes forward of the cod end drawstring (tie-off 
rings), and smaller-mesh bag liners are not allowed. A vessel that has 
a trawl net on board that does not meet these requirements may not 
possess a rock shrimp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia and 
Florida.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.209  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) South Atlantic rock shrimp. (1) Rock shrimp harvested in the 
South Atlantic EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid 
commercial permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec.  
622.200(a)(2), may not be transferred, received, sold, or purchased.
    (2) Rock shrimp harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial

[[Page 23010]]

permit for rock shrimp may be transferred or sold only to a dealer who 
has a valid permit for rock shrimp, as required under Sec.  622.200(c).
    (3) Rock shrimp harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ may be received 
or purchased by a dealer who has a valid permit for rock shrimp, as 
required under Sec.  622.200(c), only from a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for rock shrimp.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.210  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the 
Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the RA may establish or 
modify the items specified in paragraph (a) of this section for South 
Atlantic shrimp.
    (a) Biomass levels, age-structured analyses, BRD certification 
criteria, BRD specifications, BRD testing protocol, certified BRDs, 
nets required to use BRDs, times and locations when the use of BRDs is 
required, definitions of essential fish habitat, and essential fish 
habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.211  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.200 through 622.210.

Subpart K--Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the 
South Atlantic Region


Sec.  622.220  Permits.

    See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding general permit procedures 
including, but not limited to fees, duration, transfer, renewal, 
display, sanctions and denials, and replacement.
    (a) Required permits--(1) Allowable chemical. For an individual to 
take or possess fish or other marine organisms with an allowable 
chemical in a coral area, other than fish or other marine organisms 
that are landed in Florida, a Federal allowable chemical permit must 
have been issued to the individual. Such permit must be available when 
the permitted activity is being conducted and when such fish or other 
marine organisms are possessed, through landing ashore.
    (2) Allowable octocoral. For an individual to take or possess 
allowable octocoral in the South Atlantic EEZ, other than allowable 
octocoral that is landed in Florida, a Federal allowable octocoral 
permit must have been issued to the individual. Such permit must be 
available for inspection when the permitted activity is being conducted 
and when allowable octocoral is possessed, through landing ashore.
    (3) Aquacultured live rock. For a person to take or possess 
aquacultured live rock in the South Atlantic EEZ, a Federal 
aquacultured live rock permit must have been issued for the specific 
harvest site. Such permit, or a copy, must be on board a vessel 
depositing or possessing material on an aquacultured live rock site or 
harvesting or possessing live rock from an aquacultured live rock site.
    (4) Prohibited coral. A Federal permit may be issued to take or 
possess South Atlantic prohibited coral only as scientific research 
activity, exempted fishing, or exempted educational activity. See Sec.  
600.745 of this chapter for the procedures and limitations for such 
activities and fishing.
    (5) Florida permits. Appropriate Florida permits and endorsements 
are required for the following activities, without regard to whether 
they involve activities in the EEZ or Florida's waters:
    (i) Landing in Florida fish or other marine organisms taken with an 
allowable chemical in a coral area.
    (ii) Landing allowable octocoral in Florida.
    (iii) Landing live rock in Florida.
    (b) Application. (1) The applicant for a coral permit must be the 
individual who will be conducting the activity that requires the 
permit. In the case of a corporation or partnership that will be 
conducting live rock aquaculture activity, the applicant must be the 
principal shareholder or a general partner.
    (2) An applicant must provide the following:
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the applicant.
    (ii) Name and address of any affiliated company, institution, or 
organization.
    (iii) Information concerning vessels, harvesting gear/methods, or 
fishing areas, as specified on the application form.
    (iv) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit.
    (v) If applying for an aquacultured live rock permit, 
identification of each vessel that will be depositing material on or 
harvesting aquacultured live rock from the proposed aquacultured live 
rock site, specification of the port of landing of aquacultured live 
rock, and a site evaluation report prepared pursuant to generally 
accepted industry standards that--
    (A) Provides accurate coordinates of the proposed harvesting site 
so that it can be located using LORAN or Global Positioning System 
equipment;
    (B) Shows the site on a chart in sufficient detail to determine its 
size and allow for site inspection;
    (C) Discusses possible hazards to safe navigation or hindrance to 
vessel traffic, traditional fishing operations, or other public access 
that may result from aquacultured live rock at the site;
    (D) Describes the naturally occurring bottom habitat at the site; 
and
    (E) Specifies the type and origin of material to be deposited on 
the site and how it will be distinguishable from the naturally 
occurring substrate.


Sec.  622.221  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Individuals with coral or live rock permits. (1) An individual 
with a Federal allowable octocoral permit must submit a report of 
harvest to the SRD. Specific reporting requirements will be provided 
with the permit.
    (2) A person with a Federal aquacultured live rock permit must 
report to the RA each deposition of material on a site. Such reports 
must be postmarked not later than 7 days after deposition and must 
contain the following information:
    (i) Permit number of site and date of deposit.
    (ii) Geological origin of material deposited.
    (iii) Amount of material deposited.
    (iv) Source of material deposited, that is, where obtained, if 
removed from another habitat, or from whom purchased.
    (3) A person who takes aquacultured live rock must submit a report 
of harvest to the RA. Specific reporting requirements will be provided 
with the permit. This reporting requirement is waived for aquacultured 
live rock that is landed in Florida.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.222  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Power-assisted tools. A power-assisted tool may not be used in 
the South Atlantic EEZ to take allowable octocoral, prohibited coral, 
or live rock.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.223  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Prohibited coral. South Atlantic prohibited coral taken as 
incidental

[[Page 23011]]

catch in the South Atlantic EEZ must be returned immediately to the sea 
in the general area of fishing. In fisheries where the entire catch is 
landed unsorted, such as the scallop and groundfish fisheries, unsorted 
prohibited coral may be landed ashore; however, no person may sell or 
purchase such prohibited coral.
    (c) Wild live rock. Wild live rock may not be harvested or 
possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ.
    (d) Octocoral. Octocoral may not be harvested or possessed in or 
from the portion of the South Atlantic EEZ managed under the FMP. 
Octocoral collected in the portion of the South Atlantic EEZ managed 
under the FMP must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.


Sec.  622.224  Area closures to protect South Atlantic corals.

    (a) Allowable octocoral closed area. No person may harvest or 
possess allowable octocoral in the South Atlantic EEZ north of 
28[deg]35.1' N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, 
Cape Canaveral, FL).
    (b) Oculina Bank--(1) HAPC. The Oculina Bank HAPC encompasses an 
area bounded on the north by 28[deg]30' N. lat., on the south by 
27[deg]30' N. lat., on the east by the 100-fathom (183-m) contour, as 
shown on the latest edition of NOAA chart 11460, and on the west by 
80[deg]00' W. long.; and two adjacent areas: the first bounded on the 
north by 28[deg]30' N. lat., on the south by 28[deg]29' N. lat., on the 
east by 80[deg]00' W. long., and on the west by 80[deg]03' W. long.; 
and the second bounded on the north by 28[deg]17' N. lat., on the south 
by 28[deg]16' N. lat., on the east by 80[deg]00' W. long., and on the 
west by 80[deg]03' W. long.In the Oculina Bank HAPC, no person may:
    (i) Use a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap.
    (ii) If aboard a fishing vessel, anchor, use an anchor and chain, 
or use a grapple and chain.
    (iii) Fish for rock shrimp or possess rock shrimp in or from the 
area on board a fishing vessel.
    (2) Experimental closed area. Within the Oculina Bank HAPC, the 
experimental closed area is bounded on the north by 27[deg]53' N. lat., 
on the south by 27[deg]30' N. lat., on the east by 79[deg]56' W. long., 
and on the west by 80[deg]00' W. long. No person may fish for South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper in the experimental closed area, and no person 
may retain South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the area. In the 
experimental closed area, any South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken 
incidentally by hook-and-line gear must be released immediately by 
cutting the line without removing the fish from the water.
    (c) Deepwater Coral HAPCs--(1) Locations. The following areas are 
designated Deepwater Coral HAPCs:
    (i) Cape Lookout Lophelia Banks is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  34[deg]24'37''        75[deg]45'11''
1...........................  34[deg]10'26''        75[deg]58'44''
2...........................  34[deg]05'47''        75[deg]54'54''
3...........................  34[deg]21'02''        75[deg]41'25''
Origin......................  34[deg]24'37''        75[deg]45'11''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (ii) Cape Fear Lophelia Banks is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  33[deg]38'49''        76[deg]29'32''
1...........................  33[deg]32'21''        76[deg]32'38''
2...........................  33[deg]29'49''        76[deg]26'19''
3...........................  33[deg]36'09''        76[deg]23'37''
Origin......................  33[deg]38'49''        76[deg]29'32''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iii) Stetson Reefs, Savannah and East Florida Lithotherms, and 
Miami Terrace (Stetson-Miami Terrace) is bounded by--
    (A) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  28[deg]17'10''        79[deg]00'00''
1...........................  31[deg]23'37''        79[deg]00'00''
2...........................  31[deg]23'37''        77[deg]16'21''
3...........................  32[deg]38'37''        77[deg]16'21''
4...........................  32[deg]38'21''        77[deg]34'06''
5...........................  32[deg]35'24''        77[deg]37'54''
6...........................  32[deg]32'18''        77[deg]40'26''
7...........................  32[deg]28'42''        77[deg]44'10''
8...........................  32[deg]25'51''        77[deg]47'43''
9...........................  32[deg]22'40''        77[deg]52'05''
10..........................  32[deg]20'58''        77[deg]56'29''
11..........................  32[deg]20'30''        77[deg]57'50''
12..........................  32[deg]19'53''        78[deg]00'49''
13..........................  32[deg]18'44''        78[deg]04'35''
14..........................  32[deg]17'35''        78[deg]07'48''
15..........................  32[deg]17'15''        78[deg]10'41''
16..........................  32[deg]15'50''        78[deg]14'09''
17..........................  32[deg]15'20''        78[deg]15'25''
18..........................  32[deg]12'15''        78[deg]16'37''
19..........................  32[deg]10'26''        78[deg]18'09''
20..........................  32[deg]04'42''        78[deg]21'27''
21..........................  32[deg]03'41''        78[deg]24'07''
22..........................  32[deg]04'58''        78[deg]29'19''
23..........................  32[deg]06'59''        78[deg]30'48''
24..........................  32[deg]09'27''        78[deg]31'31''
25..........................  32[deg]11'23''        78[deg]32'47''
26..........................  32[deg]13'09''        78[deg]34'04''
27..........................  32[deg]14'08''        78[deg]34'36''
28..........................  32[deg]12'48''        78[deg]36'34''
29..........................  32[deg]13'07''        78[deg]39'07''
30..........................  32[deg]14'17''        78[deg]40'01''
31..........................  32[deg]16'20''        78[deg]40'18''
32..........................  32[deg]16'33''        78[deg]42'32''
33..........................  32[deg]14'26''        78[deg]43'23''
34..........................  32[deg]11'14''        78[deg]45'42''
35..........................  32[deg]10'19''        78[deg]49'08''
36..........................  32[deg]09'42''        78[deg]52'54''
37..........................  32[deg]08'15''        78[deg]56'11''
38..........................  32[deg]05'00''        79[deg]00'30''
39..........................  32[deg]01'54''        79[deg]02'49''
40..........................  31[deg]58'40''        79[deg]04'51''
41..........................  31[deg]56'32''        79[deg]06'48''
42..........................  31[deg]53'27''        79[deg]09'18''
43..........................  31[deg]50'56''        79[deg]11'29''
44..........................  31[deg]49'07''        79[deg]13'35''
45..........................  31[deg]47'56''        79[deg]16'08''
46..........................  31[deg]47'11''        79[deg]16'30''
47..........................  31[deg]46'29''        79[deg]16'25''
48..........................  31[deg]44'31''        79[deg]17'24''
49..........................  31[deg]43'20''        79[deg]18'27''
50..........................  31[deg]42'26''        79[deg]20'41''
51..........................  31[deg]41'09''        79[deg]22'26''
52..........................  31[deg]39'36''        79[deg]23'59''
53..........................  31[deg]37'54''        79[deg]25'29''
54..........................  31[deg]35'57''        79[deg]27'14''
55..........................  31[deg]34'14''        79[deg]28'24''
56..........................  31[deg]31'08''        79[deg]29'59''
57..........................  31[deg]30'26''        79[deg]29'52''
58..........................  31[deg]29'11''        79[deg]30'11''
59..........................  31[deg]27'58''        79[deg]31'41''
60..........................  31[deg]27'06''        79[deg]32'08''
61..........................  31[deg]26'22''        79[deg]32'48''
62..........................  31[deg]24'21''        79[deg]33'51''
63..........................  31[deg]22'53''        79[deg]34'41''
64..........................  31[deg]21'03''        79[deg]36'01''
65..........................  31[deg]20'00''        79[deg]37'12''
66..........................  31[deg]18'34''        79[deg]38'15''
67..........................  31[deg]16'49''        79[deg]38'36''
68..........................  31[deg]13'06''        79[deg]38'19''
70..........................  31[deg]11'04''        79[deg]38'39''
70..........................  31[deg]09'28''        79[deg]39'09''
71..........................  31[deg]07'44''        79[deg]40'21''
72..........................  31[deg]05'53''        79[deg]41'27''
73..........................  31[deg]04'40''        79[deg]42'09''
74..........................  31[deg]02'58''        79[deg]42'28''
75..........................  31[deg]01'03''        79[deg]42'40''
76..........................  30[deg]59'50''        79[deg]42'43''
77..........................  30[deg]58'27''        79[deg]42'43''
78..........................  30[deg]57'15''        79[deg]42'50''
79..........................  30[deg]56'09''        79[deg]43'28''
80..........................  30[deg]54'49''        79[deg]44'53''
81..........................  30[deg]53'44''        79[deg]46'24''
82..........................  30[deg]52'47''        79[deg]47'40''
83..........................  30[deg]51'45''        79[deg]48'16''
84..........................  30[deg]48'36''        79[deg]49'02''
85..........................  30[deg]45'24''        79[deg]49'55''
86..........................  30[deg]41'36''        79[deg]51'31''
87..........................  30[deg]38'38''        79[deg]52'23''
88..........................  30[deg]35'29''        79[deg]52'54''
89..........................  30[deg]32'55''        79[deg]54'19''
90..........................  30[deg]31'05''        79[deg]55'27''
91..........................  30[deg]28'09''        79[deg]56'06''
92..........................  30[deg]26'57''        79[deg]56'34''
93..........................  30[deg]25'25''        79[deg]57'36''
94..........................  30[deg]23'03''        79[deg]58'25''
95..........................  30[deg]21'27''        79[deg]59'24''
96..........................  30[deg]18'22''        80[deg]00'09''
97..........................  30[deg]16'34''        80[deg]00'33''
98..........................  30[deg]14'55''        80[deg]00'23''
99..........................  30[deg]12'36''        80[deg]01'44''
100.........................  30[deg]12'00''        80[deg]01'49''
101.........................  30[deg]06'52''        80[deg]01'58''
102.........................  29[deg]59'16''        80[deg]04'11''
103.........................  29[deg]49'12''        80[deg]05'44''
104.........................  29[deg]43'59''        80[deg]06'24''
105.........................  29[deg]38'37''        80[deg]06'53''
106.........................  29[deg]36'54''        80[deg]07'18''
107.........................  29[deg]31'59''        80[deg]07'32''
108.........................  29[deg]29'14''        80[deg]07'18''

[[Page 23012]]

 
109.........................  29[deg]21'48''        80[deg]05'01''
110.........................  29[deg]20'25''        80[deg]04'29''
111.........................  29[deg]08'00''        79[deg]59'43''
112.........................  29[deg]06'56''        79[deg]59'07''
113.........................  29[deg]05'59''        79[deg]58'44''
114.........................  29[deg]03'34''        79[deg]57'37''
115.........................  29[deg]02'11''        79[deg]56'59''
116.........................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]55'32''
117.........................  28[deg]56'55''        79[deg]54'22''
118.........................  28[deg]55'00''        79[deg]53'31''
119.........................  28[deg]53'35''        79[deg]52'51''
120.........................  28[deg]51'47''        79[deg]52'07''
121.........................  28[deg]50'25''        79[deg]51'27''
122.........................  28[deg]49'53''        79[deg]51'20''
123.........................  28[deg]49'01''        79[deg]51'20''
124.........................  28[deg]48'19''        79[deg]51'10''
125.........................  28[deg]47'13''        79[deg]50'59''
126.........................  28[deg]43'30''        79[deg]50'36''
127.........................  28[deg]41'05''        79[deg]50'04''
128.........................  28[deg]40'27''        79[deg]50'07''
129.........................  28[deg]39'50''        79[deg]49'56''
130.........................  28[deg]39'04''        79[deg]49'58''
131.........................  28[deg]36'43''        79[deg]49'35''
132.........................  28[deg]35'01''        79[deg]49'24''
133.........................  28[deg]30'37''        79[deg]48'35''
134.........................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]46'20''
135.........................  28[deg]11'41''        79[deg]46'12''
136.........................  28[deg]08'02''        79[deg]45'45''
137.........................  28[deg]01'20''        79[deg]45'20''
138.........................  27[deg]58'13''        79[deg]44'51''
139.........................  27[deg]56'23''        79[deg]44'53''
140.........................  27[deg]49'40''        79[deg]44'25''
141.........................  27[deg]46'27''        79[deg]44'22''
142.........................  27[deg]42'00''        79[deg]44'33''
143.........................  27[deg]36'08''        79[deg]44'58''
144.........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]45'29''
145.........................  27[deg]29'04''        79[deg]45'47''
146.........................  27[deg]27'05''        79[deg]45'54''
147.........................  27[deg]25'47''        79[deg]45'57''
148.........................  27[deg]19'46''        79[deg]45'14''
149.........................  27[deg]17'54''        79[deg]45'12''
150.........................  27[deg]12'28''        79[deg]45'00''
151.........................  27[deg]07'45''        79[deg]46'07''
152.........................  27[deg]04'47''        79[deg]46'29''
153.........................  27[deg]00'43''        79[deg]46'39''
154.........................  26[deg]58'43''        79[deg]46'28''
155.........................  26[deg]57'06''        79[deg]46'32''
156.........................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]46'54''
157.........................  26[deg]48'58''        79[deg]46'56''
158.........................  26[deg]47'01''        79[deg]47'09''
159.........................  26[deg]46'04''        79[deg]47'09''
160.........................  26[deg]35'09''        79[deg]48'01''
161.........................  26[deg]33'37''        79[deg]48'21''
162.........................  26[deg]27'56''        79[deg]49'09''
163.........................  26[deg]25'55''        79[deg]49'30''
164.........................  26[deg]21'05''        79[deg]50'03''
165.........................  26[deg]20'30''        79[deg]50'20''
166.........................  26[deg]18'56''        79[deg]50'17''
167.........................  26[deg]16'19''        79[deg]54'06''
168.........................  26[deg]13'48''        79[deg]54'48''
169.........................  26[deg]12'19''        79[deg]55'37''
170.........................  26[deg]10'57''        79[deg]57'05''
171.........................  26[deg]09'17''        79[deg]58'45''
172.........................  26[deg]07'11''        80[deg]00'22''
173.........................  26[deg]06'12''        80[deg]00'33''
174.........................  26[deg]03'26''        80[deg]01'02''
175.........................  26[deg]00'35''        80[deg]01'13''
176.........................  25[deg]49'10''        80[deg]00'38''
177.........................  25[deg]48'30''        80[deg]00'23''
178.........................  25[deg]46'42''        79[deg]59'14''
179.........................  25[deg]27'28''        80[deg]02'26''
180.........................  25[deg]24'06''        80[deg]01'44''
181.........................  25[deg]21'04''        80[deg]01'27''
182.........................  25[deg]21'04''        79[deg]42'04''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 182 to the Origin.
    (iv) Pourtales Terrace is bounded by--
    (A) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  24[deg]20'12''        80[deg]43'50''
1...........................  24[deg]33'42''        80[deg]34'23''
2...........................  24[deg]37'45''        80[deg]31'20''
3...........................  24[deg]47'18''        80[deg]23'08''
4...........................  24[deg]51'08''        80[deg]27'58''
5...........................  24[deg]42'52''        80[deg]35'51''
6...........................  24[deg]29'44''        80[deg]49'45''
7...........................  24[deg]15'04''        81[deg]07'52''
8...........................  24[deg]10'55''        80[deg]58'11''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 8 to the Origin.
    (v) Blake Ridge Diapir is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  32[deg]32'28''        76[deg]13'16''
1...........................  32[deg]30'44''        76[deg]13'24''
2...........................  32[deg]30'37''        76[deg]11'21''
3...........................  32[deg]32'21''        76[deg]11'13''
Origin......................  32[deg]32'28''        76[deg]13'16''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Restrictions. In the Deepwater Coral HAPCs specified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, no person may:
    (i) Use a bottom longline, trawl (mid-water or bottom), dredge, 
pot, or trap.
    (ii) If aboard a fishing vessel, anchor, use an anchor and chain, 
or use a grapple and chain.
    (iii) Fish for coral or possess coral in or from the Deepwater 
Coral HAPC on board a fishing vessel.
    (3) Shrimp fishery access areas. The provisions of paragraph 
(c)(2)(i) of this section notwithstanding, an owner or operator of a 
vessel for which a valid commercial vessel permit for rock shrimp 
(South Atlantic EEZ) has been issued may trawl for shrimp in the 
following portions of the Stetson-Miami Terrace Deepwater Coral HAPC:
    (i) Shrimp access area A is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  30[deg]12'00''        80[deg]01'49''
1...........................  30[deg]06'52''        80[deg]01'58''
2...........................  29[deg]59'16''        80[deg]04'11''
3...........................  29[deg]49'12''        80[deg]05'44''
4...........................  29[deg]43'59''        80[deg]06'24''
5...........................  29[deg]38'37''        80[deg]06'53''
6...........................  29[deg]36'54''        80[deg]07'18''
7...........................  29[deg]31'59''        80[deg]07'32''
8...........................  29[deg]29'14''        80[deg]07'18''
9...........................  29[deg]21'48''        80[deg]05'01''
10..........................  29[deg]20'25''        80[deg]04'29''
11..........................  29[deg]20'25''        80[deg]03'11''
12..........................  29[deg]21'48''        80[deg]03'52''
13..........................  29[deg]29'14''        80[deg]06'08''
14..........................  29[deg]31'59''        80[deg]06'23''
15..........................  29[deg]36'54''        80[deg]06'00''
16..........................  29[deg]38'37''        80[deg]05'43''
17..........................  29[deg]43'59''        80[deg]05'14''
18..........................  29[deg]49'12''        80[deg]04'35''
19..........................  29[deg]59'16''        80[deg]03'01''
20..........................  30[deg]06'52''        80[deg]00'46''
21..........................  30[deg]12'00''        80[deg]00'42''
Origin......................  30[deg]12'00''        80[deg]01'49''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (ii) Shrimp access area B is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  29[deg]08'00''        79[deg]59'43''
1...........................  29[deg]06'56''        79[deg]59'07''
2...........................  29[deg]05'59''        79[deg]58'44''
3...........................  29[deg]03'34''        79[deg]57'37''
4...........................  29[deg]02'11''        79[deg]56'59''
5...........................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]55'32''
6...........................  28[deg]56'55''        79[deg]54'22''
7...........................  28[deg]55'00''        79[deg]53'31''
8...........................  28[deg]53'35''        79[deg]52'51''
9...........................  28[deg]51'47''        79[deg]52'07''
10..........................  28[deg]50'25''        79[deg]51'27''
11..........................  28[deg]49'53''        79[deg]51'20''
12..........................  28[deg]49'01''        79[deg]51'20''
13..........................  28[deg]48'19''        79[deg]51'10''
14..........................  28[deg]47'13''        79[deg]50'59''
15..........................  28[deg]43'30''        79[deg]50'36''
16..........................  28[deg]41'05''        79[deg]50'04''
17..........................  28[deg]40'27''        79[deg]50'07''
18..........................  28[deg]39'50''        79[deg]49'56''
19..........................  28[deg]39'04''        79[deg]49'58''
20..........................  28[deg]36'43''        79[deg]49'35''
21..........................  28[deg]35'01''        79[deg]49'24''
22..........................  28[deg]30'37''        79[deg]48'35''
23..........................  28[deg]30'37''        79[deg]47'27''
24..........................  28[deg]35'01''        79[deg]48'16''
25..........................  28[deg]36'43''        79[deg]48'27''
26..........................  28[deg]39'04''        79[deg]48'50''
27..........................  28[deg]39'50''        79[deg]48'48''
28..........................  28[deg]40'27''        79[deg]48'58''
29..........................  28[deg]41'05''        79[deg]48'56''
30..........................  28[deg]43'30''        79[deg]49'28''
31..........................  28[deg]47'13''        79[deg]49'51''
32..........................  28[deg]48'19''        79[deg]50'01''
33..........................  28[deg]49'01''        79[deg]50'13''
34..........................  28[deg]49'53''        79[deg]50'12''
35..........................  28[deg]50'25''        79[deg]50'17''
36..........................  28[deg]51'47''        79[deg]50'58''
37..........................  28[deg]53'35''        79[deg]51'43''
38..........................  28[deg]55'00''        79[deg]52'22''
39..........................  28[deg]56'55''        79[deg]53'14''
40..........................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]54'24''
41..........................  29[deg]02'11''        79[deg]55'50''
42..........................  29[deg]03'34''        79[deg]56'29''
43..........................  29[deg]05'59''        79[deg]57'35''
44..........................  29[deg]06'56''        79[deg]57'59''
45..........................  29[deg]08'00''        79[deg]58'34''
Origin......................  29[deg]08'00''        79[deg]59'43''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iii) Shrimp access area C is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]46'20''

[[Page 23013]]

 
1...........................  28[deg]11'41''        79[deg]46'12''
2...........................  28[deg]08'02''        79[deg]45'45''
3...........................  28[deg]01'20''        79[deg]45'20''
4...........................  27[deg]58'13''        79[deg]44'51''
5...........................  27[deg]56'23''        79[deg]44'53''
6...........................  27[deg]49'40''        79[deg]44'25''
7...........................  27[deg]46'27''        79[deg]44'22''
8...........................  27[deg]42'00''        79[deg]44'33''
9...........................  27[deg]36'08''        79[deg]44'58''
10..........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]45'29''
11..........................  27[deg]29'04''        79[deg]45'47''
12..........................  27[deg]27'05''        79[deg]45'54''
13..........................  27[deg]25'47''        79[deg]45'57''
14..........................  27[deg]19'46''        79[deg]45'14''
15..........................  27[deg]17'54''        79[deg]45'12''
16..........................  27[deg]12'28''        79[deg]45'00''
17..........................  27[deg]07'45''        79[deg]46'07''
18..........................  27[deg]04'47''        79[deg]46'29''
19..........................  27[deg]00'43''        79[deg]46'39''
20..........................  26[deg]58'43''        79[deg]46'28''
21..........................  26[deg]57'06''        79[deg]46'32''
22..........................  26[deg]57'06''        79[deg]44'52''
23..........................  26[deg]58'43''        79[deg]44'47''
24..........................  27[deg]00'43''        79[deg]44'58''
25..........................  27[deg]04'47''        79[deg]44'48''
26..........................  27[deg]07'45''        79[deg]44'26''
27..........................  27[deg]12'28''        79[deg]43'19''
28..........................  27[deg]17'54''        79[deg]43'31''
29..........................  27[deg]19'46''        79[deg]43'33''
30..........................  27[deg]25'47''        79[deg]44'15''
31..........................  27[deg]27'05''        79[deg]44'12''
32..........................  27[deg]29'04''        79[deg]44'06''
33..........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]43'48''
34..........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]44'22''
35..........................  27[deg]36'08''        79[deg]43'50''
36..........................  27[deg]42'00''        79[deg]43'25''
37..........................  27[deg]46'27''        79[deg]43'14''
38..........................  27[deg]49'40''        79[deg]43'17''
39..........................  27[deg]56'23''        79[deg]43'45''
40..........................  27[deg]58'13''        79[deg]43'43''
41..........................  28[deg]01'20''        79[deg]44'11''
42..........................  28[deg]04'42''        79[deg]44'25''
43..........................  28[deg]08'02''        79[deg]44'37''
44..........................  28[deg]11'41''        79[deg]45'04''
45..........................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]45'12''
Origin......................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]46'20''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iv) Shrimp access area D is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]46'54''
1...........................  26[deg]48'58''        79[deg]46'56''
2...........................  26[deg]47'01''        79[deg]47'09''
3...........................  26[deg]46'04''        79[deg]47'09''
4...........................  26[deg]35'09''        79[deg]48'01''
5...........................  26[deg]33'37''        79[deg]48'21''
6...........................  26[deg]27'56''        79[deg]49'09''
7...........................  26[deg]25'55''        79[deg]49'30''
8...........................  26[deg]21'05''        79[deg]50'03''
9...........................  26[deg]20'30''        79[deg]50'20''
10..........................  26[deg]18'56''        79[deg]50'17''
11..........................  26[deg]18'56''        79[deg]48'37''
12..........................  26[deg]20'30''        79[deg]48'40''
13..........................  26[deg]21'05''        79[deg]48'08''
14..........................  26[deg]25'55''        79[deg]47'49''
15..........................  26[deg]27'56''        79[deg]47'29''
16..........................  26[deg]33'37''        79[deg]46'40''
17..........................  26[deg]35'09''        79[deg]46'20''
18..........................  26[deg]46'04''        79[deg]45'28''
19..........................  26[deg]47'01''        79[deg]45'28''
20..........................  26[deg]48'58''        79[deg]45'15''
21..........................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]45'13''
Origin......................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]46'54''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Golden crab fishery access areas. The provisions of paragraphs 
(c)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section notwithstanding, an owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a valid commercial permit for South 
Atlantic golden crab has been issued may use a trap to fish for golden 
crab and use a grapple and chain while engaged in such fishing in the 
following portions of the Stetson-Miami Terrace and the Pourtales 
Terrace Deepwater Coral HAPCs. Access to an area specified in paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) through (v) of this section is contingent on that zone being 
authorized on the vessel's permit for South Atlantic golden crab. See 
Sec.  622.241(b) for specification of zones.
    (i) Golden crab northern zone access area is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]54'24''
1...........................  28[deg]56'55''        79[deg]53'14''
2...........................  28[deg]55'00''        79[deg]52'22''
3...........................  28[deg]53'35''        79[deg]51'43''
4...........................  28[deg]51'47''        79[deg]50'58''
5...........................  28[deg]50'25''        79[deg]50'17''
6...........................  28[deg]49'53''        79[deg]50'12''
7...........................  28[deg]49'01''        79[deg]50'13''
8...........................  28[deg]48'19''        79[deg]50'01''
9...........................  28[deg]47'13''        79[deg]49'51''
10..........................  28[deg]43'30''        79[deg]49'28''
11..........................  28[deg]41'05''        79[deg]48'56''
12..........................  28[deg]40'27''        79[deg]48'58''
13..........................  28[deg]39'50''        79[deg]48'48''
14..........................  28[deg]39'04''        79[deg]48'50''
15..........................  28[deg]36'43''        79[deg]48'27''
16..........................  28[deg]35'01''        79[deg]48'16''
17..........................  28[deg]30'37''        79[deg]47'27''
18..........................  28[deg]30'37''        79[deg]42'12''
19..........................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]40'54''
20..........................  28[deg]14'00''        79[deg]45'12''
21..........................  28[deg]11'41''        79[deg]45'04''
22..........................  28[deg]08'02''        79[deg]44'37''
23..........................  28[deg]04'42''        79[deg]44'25''
24..........................  28[deg]01'20''        79[deg]44'11''
25..........................  28[deg]00'00''        79[deg]43'59''
26..........................  28[deg]00'00''        79[deg]38'16''
27..........................  28[deg]11'42''        79[deg]38'13''
28..........................  28[deg]23'02''        79[deg]38'57''
29..........................  28[deg]36'50''        79[deg]40'25''
30..........................  28[deg]38'33''        79[deg]41'33''
31..........................  28[deg]38'20''        79[deg]43'04''
32..........................  28[deg]41'00''        79[deg]43'39''
33..........................  28[deg]48'16''        79[deg]44'32''
34..........................  28[deg]54'29''        79[deg]45'55''
35..........................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]45'50''
Origin......................  29[deg]00'00''        79[deg]54'24''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Golden crab middle zone access area A is bounded by--
    (A) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  26[deg]58'45''        79[deg]35'05''
1...........................  27[deg]00'39''        79[deg]36'26''
2...........................  27[deg]07'55''        79[deg]37'52''
3...........................  27[deg]14'52''        79[deg]37'09''
4...........................  27[deg]29'21''        79[deg]37'15''
5...........................  28[deg]00'00''        79[deg]38'16''
6...........................  28[deg]00'00''        79[deg]43'59''
7...........................  27[deg]58'13''        79[deg]43'43''
8...........................  27[deg]56'23''        79[deg]43'45''
9...........................  27[deg]49'40''        79[deg]43'17''
10..........................  27[deg]46'27''        79[deg]43'14''
11..........................  27[deg]42'00''        79[deg]43'25''
12..........................  27[deg]36'08''        79[deg]43'50''
13..........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]44'22''
14..........................  27[deg]30'00''        79[deg]43'48''
15..........................  27[deg]29'04''        79[deg]44'06''
16..........................  27[deg]27'05''        79[deg]44'12''
17..........................  27[deg]25'47''        79[deg]44'15''
18..........................  27[deg]19'46''        79[deg]43'33''
19..........................  27[deg]17'54''        79[deg]43'31''
20..........................  27[deg]12'28''        79[deg]43'19''
21..........................  27[deg]07'45''        79[deg]44'26''
22..........................  27[deg]04'47''        79[deg]44'48''
23..........................  27[deg]00'43''        79[deg]44'58''
24..........................  26[deg]58'43''        79[deg]44'47''
25..........................  26[deg]57'06''        79[deg]44'52''
26..........................  26[deg]57'06''        79[deg]42'34''
27..........................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]42'34''
28..........................  26[deg]49'58''        79[deg]45'13''
29..........................  26[deg]48'58''        79[deg]45'15''
30..........................  26[deg]47'01''        79[deg]45'28''
31..........................  26[deg]46'04''        79[deg]45'28''
32..........................  26[deg]35'09''        79[deg]46'20''
33..........................  26[deg]33'37''        79[deg]46'40''
34..........................  26[deg]27'56''        79[deg]47'29''
35..........................  26[deg]25'55''        79[deg]47'49''
36..........................  26[deg]21'05''        79[deg]48'08''
37..........................  26[deg]20'30''        79[deg]48'40''
38..........................  26[deg]18'56''        79[deg]48'37''
39..........................  26[deg]03'38''        79[deg]48'16''
40..........................  26[deg]03'35''        79[deg]46'09''
41..........................  25[deg]58'33''        79[deg]46'08''
42..........................  25[deg]54'27''        79[deg]45'37''
43..........................  25[deg]46'55''        79[deg]44'14''
44..........................  25[deg]38'04''        79[deg]45'58''
45..........................  25[deg]38'05''        79[deg]42'27''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 45 to Point 46.
    (C) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
46..........................  26[deg]07'49''        79[deg]36'07''
47..........................  26[deg]17'36''        79[deg]36'06''
48..........................  26[deg]21'18''        79[deg]38'04''
49..........................  26[deg]50'46''        79[deg]35'12''
50..........................  26[deg]50'40''        79[deg]33'45''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (D) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 50 to the Origin.
    (iii) Golden crab middle zone access area B is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  25[deg]49'10''        80[deg]00'38''

[[Page 23014]]

 
1...........................  25[deg]48'30''        80[deg]00'23''
2...........................  25[deg]46'42''        79[deg]59'14''
3...........................  25[deg]27'28''        80[deg]02'26''
4...........................  25[deg]24'06''        80[deg]01'44''
5...........................  25[deg]21'04''        80[deg]01'27''
6...........................  25[deg]21'04''        79[deg]58'12''
7...........................  25[deg]23'25''        79[deg]58'19''
8...........................  25[deg]32'52''        79[deg]54'48''
9...........................  25[deg]36'58''        79[deg]54'46''
10..........................  25[deg]37'20''        79[deg]56'20''
11..........................  25[deg]49'11''        79[deg]56'00''
Origin......................  25[deg]49'10''        80[deg]00'38''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iv) Golden crab middle zone access area C is bounded by--
    (A) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  25[deg]33'32''        79[deg]42'18''
1...........................  25[deg]33'32''        79[deg]47'14''
2...........................  25[deg]21'04''        79[deg]53'45''
3...........................  25[deg]21'04''        79[deg]42'04''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 3 to the Origin.
    (v) Golden crab southern zone access area is bounded by--
    (A) Rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin......................  24[deg]14'07''        80[deg]53'27''
1...........................  24[deg]13'46''        81[deg]04'54''
2...........................  24[deg]10'55''        80[deg]58'11''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) The outer boundary of the EEZ in a northerly direction from 
Point 2 to the Origin.


Sec.  622.225  Harvest limitations.

    (a) Aquacultured live rock. In the South Atlantic EEZ:
    (1) Aquacultured live rock may be harvested only under a permit, as 
required under Sec.  622.220(a)(3), and aquacultured live rock on a 
site may be harvested only by the person, or his or her employee, 
contractor, or agent, who has been issued the aquacultured live rock 
permit for the site. A person harvesting aquacultured live rock is 
exempt from the prohibition on taking prohibited coral for such 
prohibited coral as attaches to aquacultured live rock.
    (2) The following restrictions apply to individual aquaculture 
activities:
    (i) No aquaculture site may exceed 1 acre (0.4 ha) in size.
    (ii) Material deposited on the aquaculture site--
    (A) May not be placed over naturally occurring reef outcrops, 
limestone ledges, coral reefs, or vegetated areas.
    (B) Must be free of contaminants.
    (C) Must be nontoxic.
    (D) Must be placed on the site by hand or lowered completely to the 
bottom under restraint, that is, not allowed to fall freely.
    (E) Must be placed from a vessel that is anchored.
    (F) Must be geologically distinguishable from the naturally 
occurring substrate and, in addition, may be indelibly marked or 
tagged.
    (iii) A minimum setback of at least 50 ft (15.2 m) must be 
maintained from natural vegetated or hard bottom habitats.
    (3) Mechanically dredging or drilling, or otherwise disturbing, 
aquacultured live rock is prohibited, and aquacultured live rock may be 
harvested only by hand.
    (4) The following activities are also prohibited: Chipping of 
aquacultured live rock in the EEZ, possession of chipped aquacultured 
live rock in or from the EEZ, removal of allowable octocoral or 
prohibited coral from aquacultured live rock in or from the EEZ, and 
possession of prohibited coral not attached to aquacultured live rock 
or allowable octocoral, while aquacultured live rock is in possession. 
See the definition of ``Allowable octocoral'' for clarification of the 
distinction between allowable octocoral and live rock. For the purposes 
of this paragraph (a)(4), chipping means breaking up reefs, ledges, or 
rocks into fragments, usually by means of a chisel and hammer.
    (5) Not less than 24 hours prior to harvest of aquacultured live 
rock, the owner or operator of the harvesting vessel must provide the 
following information to the NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast 
Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by telephone (727-824-5344):
    (i) Permit number of site to be harvested and date of harvest.
    (ii) Name and official number of the vessel to be used in 
harvesting.
    (iii) Date, port, and facility at which aquacultured live rock will 
be landed.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.226  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) South Atlantic wild live rock. Wild live rock in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ may not be sold or purchased. The prohibition on 
sale or purchase does not apply to wild live rock from the South 
Atlantic EEZ that was harvested and landed prior to January 1, 1996.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.227  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for Coral, 
Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic 
Region, the RA may establish or modify the following:
    (a) South Atlantic coral, coral reefs, and live/hard bottom 
habitats. Definitions of essential fish habitat and essential fish 
habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.228  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.220 through 622.227.

Subpart L--Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region


Sec.  622.240  Permits.

    (a) Commercial vessel permits. For a person aboard a vessel to fish 
for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ, possess golden crab in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ, off-load golden crab from the South 
Atlantic EEZ, or sell golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a 
commercial vessel permit for golden crab must be issued to the vessel 
and must be on board. It is a rebuttable presumption that a golden crab 
on board a vessel in the South Atlantic or off-loaded from a vessel in 
a port adjoining the South Atlantic was harvested from the South 
Atlantic EEZ. See Sec.  622.241 for limitations on the use, transfer, 
and renewal of a commercial vessel permit for golden crab.
    (b) Dealer permits and conditions--(1) Permits. For a dealer to 
receive South Atlantic golden crab harvested from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, a dealer permit for South Atlantic golden crab, respectively, must 
be issued to the dealer.
    (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer 
permit, the applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license in 
the state(s) where the dealer operates, if required by such state(s), 
and must have a physical facility at a fixed location in such state(s).
    (c) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.


Sec.  622.241  South Atlantic golden crab controlled access.

    (a) General. In accordance with the procedures specified in the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South 
Atlantic Region, initial commercial vessel permits have been issued for 
the fishery. All permits in the fishery are issued on a fishing-year 
(calendar-year) basis. No additional

[[Page 23015]]

permits may be issued except for the northern zone as follows:
    (1) The RA will issue up to two new vessel permits for the northern 
zone. Selection will be made from the list of historical participants 
in the South Atlantic golden crab fishery. Such list was used at the 
October 1995 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
and was prioritized based on pounds of golden crab landed, without 
reference to a specific zone. Individuals on the list who originally 
received permits will be deleted from the list.
    (2) The RA will offer in writing an opportunity to apply for a 
permit for the northern zone to the individuals highest on the list 
until two individuals accept and apply in a timely manner. An offer 
that is not accepted within 30 days after it is received will no longer 
be valid.
    (3) An application for a permit from an individual who accepts the 
RA's offer must be received by the RA no later than 30 days after the 
date of the individual's acceptance. Application forms are available 
from the RA.
    (4) A vessel permit for the northern zone issued under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section, and any successor permit, may not be changed to 
another zone. A successor permit includes a permit issued to that 
vessel for a subsequent owner and a permit issued via transfer from 
that vessel to another vessel.
    (b) Fishing zones--(1) Designation of fishing zones. The South 
Atlantic EEZ is divided into three fishing zones for golden crab as 
follows:
    (i) Northern zone--the South Atlantic EEZ north of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (ii) Middle zone--the South Atlantic EEZ from 28[deg] N. lat. to 
25[deg] N. lat.
    (iii) Southern zone--the South Atlantic EEZ south of 25[deg] N. 
lat.
    (2) Authorization to fish in zones. Each vessel permit indicates 
one of the zones specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. A 
vessel with a permit to fish for golden crab in the northern zone or 
the middle zone may fish only in that zone. A vessel with a documented 
length overall greater than 65 ft (19.8 m) with a permit to fish for 
golden crab in the southern zone may fish in that zone, consistent with 
the provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this section. A vessel may 
possess golden crab only in a zone in which it is authorized to fish, 
except that other zones may be transited if the vessel notifies NMFS 
Office for Law Enforcement, Southeast Region, St. Petersburg, FL, by 
telephone (727-824-5344) in advance and does not fish in a zone in 
which it is not authorized to fish.
    (3) Small-vessel sub-zone. Within the southern zone, a small-vessel 
sub-zone is established bounded on the north by 24[deg]15' N. lat., on 
the south by 24[deg]07' N. lat., on the east by 81[deg]22' W. long., 
and on the west by 81[deg]56' W. long. No vessel with a documented 
length overall greater than 65 ft (19.8 m) may fish for golden crab in 
this sub-zone, and a vessel with a documented length overall of 65 ft 
(19.8 m) or less that is permitted for the southern zone may fish for 
golden crab only in this sub-zone.
    (4) Procedure for changing zones. Upon request from an owner of a 
permitted vessel, the RA will change the zone specified on a permit 
from the middle or southern zone to the northern zone. No other changes 
in the zone specified on a permit are allowed. An owner of a permitted 
vessel who desires a change to the northern zone must submit his/her 
request with the existing permit to the RA.
    (c) Transferring permits between vessels--(1) Procedure for 
transferring. An owner of a vessel who desires a golden crab permit may 
request that NMFS transfer an existing permit or permits to his or her 
vessel by returning an existing permit or permits to the RA with an 
application for a permit for the replacement vessel.
    (2) Vessel size limitations on transferring. (i) To obtain a permit 
for the middle or southern zone via transfer, the documented length 
overall of the replacement vessel may not exceed the documented length 
overall, or aggregate documented lengths overall, of the replaced 
vessel(s) by more than 20 percent. The owner of a vessel permitted for 
the middle or southern zone who has requested that NMFS transfer that 
permit to a smaller vessel (i.e., downsized) may subsequently request 
NMFS transfer that permit to a vessel of a length calculated from the 
length of the permitted vessel immediately prior to downsizing.
    (ii) There are no vessel size limitations to obtain a permit for 
the northern zone via transfer.
    (d) Permit renewal. NMFS will not renew a commercial vessel permit 
for South Atlantic golden crab if the permit is revoked or if the RA 
does not receive a required application for renewal within 6 months 
after the permit's expiration. See Sec.  622.4(g) for the applicable 
general procedures and requirements for permit renewals.


Sec.  622.242  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators. (1) The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for golden crab has 
been issued, as required under Sec.  622.240(a), who is selected to 
report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available 
from the SRD.
    (2) Reporting forms required in paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 30 days after 
sale of the golden crab offloaded from a trip. If no fishing occurred 
during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one 
of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that 
month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (b) Dealers. A dealer who receives from a fishing vessel golden 
crab harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ and who is selected by the 
SRD must provide information on receipts of, and prices paid for, South 
Atlantic golden crab to the SRD at monthly intervals, postmarked not 
later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting frequency and 
reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by the SRD.


Sec.  622.243  Gear identification.

    (a) Golden crab traps and associated buoys--(1) Golden crab traps. 
A golden crab trap used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ or on 
board a vessel with a commercial permit for golden crab must have the 
commercial vessel permit number permanently affixed so as to be easily 
distinguished, located, and identified; an identification tag issued by 
the RA may be used for this purpose but is not required.
    (2) Associated buoys. In the South Atlantic EEZ, buoys are not 
required to be used, but, if used, each buoy must display the official 
number assigned by the RA so as to be easily distinguished, located, 
and identified.
    (3) Presumption of ownership. A golden crab trap in the EEZ will be 
presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. This 
presumption will not apply with respect to such traps that are lost or 
sold if the owner reports the loss or sale within 15 days to the RA.
    (4) Unmarked golden crab traps. An unmarked golden crab trap or a 
buoy deployed in the EEZ where such trap or buoy is required to be 
marked is illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by 
the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.244  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. A vessel for which a Federal commercial 
permit for golden crab has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved 
observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer 
coverage.

[[Page 23016]]

    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the 
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's 
bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.245  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Female golden crabs. It is intended that no female golden crabs 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ be retained on board a vessel and 
that any female golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ be 
released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. 
However, to accommodate legitimate incidental catch and retention, the 
number of female golden crabs in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
retained on board a vessel may not exceed 0.5 percent, by number, of 
all golden crabs on board. See Sec.  622.250(a) regarding the 
prohibition of sale of female golden crabs.
    (c) Snapper-grouper aboard a golden crab vessel. South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper may not be possessed in whole, gutted, or filleted form 
by a person aboard a vessel fishing for or possessing golden crab in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ or possessing a golden crab trap in the 
South Atlantic. Only the head, fins, and backbone (collectively the 
``rack'') of South Atlantic snapper-grouper may be possessed for use as 
bait.


Sec.  622.246  Area closures.

    (a) Golden crab trap closed areas. In the golden crab northern 
zone, a golden crab trap may not be deployed in waters less than 900 ft 
(274 m) deep. In the golden crab middle and southern zones, a golden 
crab trap may not be deployed in waters less than 700 ft (213 m) deep. 
See Sec.  622.241(b)(1) for specification of the golden crab zones.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.247  Landing golden crab intact.

    The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for 
ensuring that golden crab on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained 
intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through 
offloading ashore.
    (a) A golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ must be 
maintained in whole condition through landing ashore. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, whole means a crab that is in its natural condition 
and that has not been gutted or separated into component pieces, e.g., 
clusters.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.248  Authorized gear.

    (a) Traps. Traps are the only fishing gear authorized in directed 
fishing for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ. Golden crab in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ may not be retained on board a vessel 
possessing or using unauthorized gear.
    (b) Buoy line or mainline. Rope is the only material allowed to be 
used for a buoy line or mainline attached to a golden crab trap.


Sec.  622.249  Gear restrictions and requirements.

    (a) Maximum trap sizes. A golden crab trap deployed or possessed in 
the South Atlantic EEZ may not exceed 64 ft\3\ (1.8 m\3\) in volume in 
the northern zone or 48 ft\3\ (1.4 m\3\) in volume in the middle and 
southern zones. See Sec.  622.241(b)(1) for specification of the golden 
crab zones.
    (b) Required escape mechanisms for traps. (1) A golden crab trap 
that is used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ must have at least 
one escape gap or escape ring on each of two opposite vertical sides. 
The minimum allowable inside dimensions of an escape gap are 2.75 by 
3.75 inches (7.0 by 9.5 cm); the minimum allowable inside diameter of 
an escape ring is 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). In addition to the escape 
gaps--
    (i) A golden crab trap constructed of webbing must have an opening 
(slit) at least 1 ft (30.5 cm) long that may be closed (relaced) only 
with untreated cotton string no larger than \3/16\ inch (0.48 cm) in 
diameter.
    (ii) A golden crab trap constructed of material other than webbing 
must have an escape panel or door measuring at least 11\7/8\ by 11\7/8\ 
inches (30.2 by 30.2 cm), located on at least one side, excluding top 
and bottom. The hinges or fasteners of such door or panel must be made 
of either ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire no larger than 19 gauge 
(0.04 inch (1.0 mm) in diameter) or untreated cotton string no larger 
than \3/16\ inch (4.8 mm) in diameter.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Restriction on tending traps. A golden crab trap in the South 
Atlantic EEZ may be pulled or tended only by a person (other than an 
authorized officer) aboard the vessel permitted to fish such pot or 
trap or aboard another vessel if such vessel has on board written 
consent of the owner or operator of the vessel so permitted. A vessel 
with written consent on board must also possess a valid commercial 
vessel permit for golden crab.


Sec.  622.250  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) A female golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not 
be sold or purchased.
    (b) A golden crab harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ on board a 
vessel that does not have a valid commercial permit for golden crab, as 
required under Sec.  622.240(a), may not be sold or purchased.
    (c) A golden crab harvested on board a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for golden crab may be sold only to a dealer who has 
a valid permit for golden crab, as required under Sec.  622.240(b)(1).
    (d) A golden crab harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ may be 
purchased by a dealer who has a valid permit for golden crab, as 
required under Sec.  622.240(b)(1), only from a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for golden crab.


Sec.  622.251  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    (a) Commercial sector--(1) If commercial landings for golden crab, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the ACL of 2 
million lb (907,185 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register to close the golden crab 
fishery for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the 
effective date of such a notification, all harvest,

[[Page 23017]]

possession, sale or purchase of golden crab in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ is prohibited.
    (2) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and golden crab are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.252  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the 
Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the RA may establish 
or modify the following:
    (a) South Atlantic golden crab. Biomass levels, age-structured 
analyses, MSY, ABC, TAC, quotas (including quotas equal to zero), trip 
limits, minimum sizes, gear regulations and restrictions, permit 
requirements, seasonal or area closures, sub-zones and their management 
measures, time frame for recovery of golden crab if overfished, fishing 
year (adjustment not to exceed 2 months), observer requirements, 
authority for the RA to close the fishery when a quota is reached or is 
projected to be reached, definitions of essential fish habitat, and 
essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.253  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.240 through 622.252.

Subpart M--Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery Off the Atlantic States


Sec.  622.270  Permits.

    (a) Commercial vessel permits. (1) For a person aboard a vessel to 
be eligible for exemption from the bag and possession limits for 
dolphin or wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ or to sell such dolphin or 
wahoo, a commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo must 
be issued to the vessel and must be on board, except as provided in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (See paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
for the requirements for operator permits in the Atlantic dolphin and 
wahoo fishery).
    (2) The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
notwithstanding, a fishing vessel, except a vessel operating as a 
charter vessel or headboat, that does not have a commercial vessel 
permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo but has a Federal commercial 
vessel permit in any other fishery, is exempt from the bag and 
possession limits for dolphin and wahoo and may sell dolphin and wahoo, 
subject to the trip and geographical limits specified in Sec.  
622.278(a)(2). (A charter vessel/headboat permit is not a commercial 
vessel permit.)
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits. (1) For a person aboard a 
vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or 
possess Atlantic dolphin or wahoo, in or from the Atlantic EEZ, a valid 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo must have 
been issued to the vessel and must be on board. (See paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section for the requirements for operator permits in the 
dolphin and wahoo fishery.)
    (2) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/
headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel 
is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard must 
adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of ``Charter vessel'' and 
``Headboat'' in Sec.  622.2 for an explanation of when vessels are 
considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat, 
respectively.
    (c) Operator permits. (1) An operator of a vessel that has or is 
required to have a charter vessel/headboat or commercial permit for 
Atlantic dolphin and wahoo issued under this section is required to 
have an operator permit.
    (2) A person required to have an operator permit under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section must carry on board such permit and one other 
form of personal identification that includes a picture (driver's 
license, passport, etc.).
    (3) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (c)(1) of this section must ensure that at 
least one person with a valid operator permit is aboard while the 
vessel is at sea or offloading.
    (4) An owner of a vessel that is required to have a permitted 
operator under paragraph (c)(1) of this section and the operator of 
such vessel are responsible for ensuring that a person whose operator 
permit is suspended, revoked, or modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 
CFR part 904 is not aboard that vessel.
    (d) Dealer permits. (1) For a dealer to receive dolphin or wahoo 
harvested from the Atlantic EEZ, a dealer permit for Atlantic dolphin 
and wahoo must be issued to the dealer.
    (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer 
permit, the applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license in 
the state(s) where the dealer operates, if required by such state(s), 
and must have a physical facility at a fixed location in such state(s).
    (e) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 for information regarding 
general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, 
fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and 
replacement.


Sec.  622.271  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators--(1) Reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a commercial 
permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, as required 
under Sec.  622.270(a)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or lands Atlantic 
dolphin or wahoo in or from state waters adjoining the Atlantic EEZ, 
who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on 
a form available from the SRD and must submit such record as specified 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines. Completed fishing records required by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be submitted to the SRD 
postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of each fishing trip. If 
no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a report so stating must 
be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after 
the end of that month. Information to be reported is indicated on the 
form and its accompanying instructions.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators--(1) Reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, 
as required under Sec.  622.270(b)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or 
lands such Atlantic dolphin or wahoo in or from state waters adjoining 
the Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a 
fishing record for each trip, or a portion of such trips as specified 
by the SRD, on forms provided by the SRD and must submit such record as 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines--(i) Charter vessels. Completed fishing 
records required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for charter 
vessels must be submitted to the SRD weekly, postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each week (Sunday). Information to be reported 
is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Headboats. Completed fishing records required by paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section for headboats must be submitted to the SRD 
monthly and must either be made available to an

[[Page 23018]]

authorized statistical reporting agent or be postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each month. Information to be reported is 
indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (c) Dealers. (1) A dealer who has been issued a permit for Atlantic 
dolphin and wahoo, as required under Sec.  622.270(d)(1), and who is 
selected by the SRD must provide information on receipts of Atlantic 
dolphin and wahoo and prices paid on forms available from the SRD. The 
required information must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting 
frequencies and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification 
by the SRD.
    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, in the 
states from Maine through Virginia, or in the waters off those states, 
``SRD'' means the Science and Research Director, Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, NMFS, (see Table 1 of Sec.  600.502 of this chapter), 
or a designee.
    (3) On demand, a dealer who has been issued a dealer permit for 
Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as required under Sec.  622.270(d)(1), must 
make available to an authorized officer all records of offloadings, 
purchases, or sales of dolphin and wahoo.


Sec.  622.272  Authorized gear.

    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo--(1) Authorized gear. The following 
are the only authorized gear types in the fisheries for dolphin and 
wahoo in the Atlantic EEZ: Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, 
pelagic longline, rod and reel, and spearfishing gear (including 
powerheads). A person aboard a vessel in the Atlantic EEZ that has on 
board gear types other than authorized gear types may not possess a 
dolphin or wahoo.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.273  Conservation measures for protected species.

    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo pelagic longliners. The owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin 
and wahoo has been issued, as required under Sec.  622.270(a)(1), and 
that has on board a pelagic longline must post inside the wheelhouse 
the sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS. Such 
owner or operator must also comply with the sea turtle bycatch 
mitigation measures, including gear requirements and sea turtle 
handling requirements, as specified in Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(i) and (ii) 
of this chapter, respectively. For the purpose of this paragraph, a 
vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a 
power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of 
supporting the mainline, and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on 
board. Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of 
pelagic longline gear.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.274  Pelagic longline closed areas.

    (a) If pelagic longline gear is on board a vessel, a person aboard 
such vessel may not fish for or retain a dolphin or wahoo--
    (1) In the Northeastern United States closed area from June 1 
through June 30 each year. The Northeastern United States closed area 
is that portion of the EEZ between 40[deg] N. lat. and 39[deg] N. lat. 
from 68[deg] W. long. to 74[deg] W. long.
    (2) In the Charleston Bump closed area from February 1 through 
April 30 each year. The Charleston Bump closed area is that portion of 
the EEZ off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia between 34[deg] 
N. lat. and 31[deg] N. lat. and west of 76[deg] W. long.
    (3) In the East Florida Coast closed area year round. The East 
Florida Coast closed area is that portion of the EEZ off Georgia and 
the east coast of Florida from the inner boundary of the EEZ at 31[deg] 
N. lat.; thence due east to 78[deg] W. long.; thence by a rhumb line to 
28[deg]17' N. lat., 79[deg]12' W. long.; thence proceeding in a 
southerly direction along the outer boundary of the EEZ to 24[deg] N. 
lat.; thence due west to 24[deg] N. lat., 81[deg]47' W. long.; thence 
due north to the innermost boundary of the EEZ at 81[deg]47' W. long.
    (b) A vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board 
when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of 
supporting the mainline, and gangions with hooks are on board. Removal 
of any one of these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline 
gear.
    (c) If a vessel is in a closed area during a time specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section with pelagic longline gear on board, it 
is a rebuttable presumption that fish on board such vessel were taken 
with pelagic longline gear in the closed area.


Sec.  622.275  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the Atlantic EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size 
limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator 
of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that 
fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this 
section.
    (a) Dolphin in the Atlantic off Florida, Georgia, and South 
Carolina--20 inches (50.8 cm), fork length.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.276  Landing fish intact.

    (a) Dolphin and wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ must be 
maintained with head and fins intact. Such fish may be eviscerated, 
gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole 
condition.
    (b) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible 
for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact 
and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading 
ashore, as specified in this section.


Sec.  622.277  Bag and possession limits.

    Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and 
possession limits.
    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Bag and possession limits are as 
follows:
    (1) Dolphin--10, not to exceed 60 per vessel, whichever is less, 
except, on board a headboat, 10 per paying passenger.
    (2) Wahoo--2.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.278  Commercial trip limits.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of Atlantic dolphin 
and wahoo that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows (all 
weights are round or eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise):
    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (1) The trip limit for wahoo in or 
from the Atlantic EEZ is 500 lb (227 kg). This trip limit applies to a 
vessel that has a Federal commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and 
wahoo, provided that the vessel is not operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat.
    (2) The trip limit for a vessel that does not have a Federal 
commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo but has a 
Federal commercial vessel permit in any other fishery is 200 lb (91 kg) 
of dolphin and wahoo, combined,

[[Page 23019]]

provided that all fishing on and landings from that trip are north of 
39[deg] N. lat. (A charter vessel/headboat permit is not a commercial 
vessel permit.)
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.279  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (1) A person may sell dolphin or 
wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ only if it is harvested by a vessel 
that has a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as 
required under Sec.  622.270(a)(1), or by a vessel authorized a 200-lb 
(91-kg) trip limit for dolphin or wahoo, as specified in Sec.  
622.278(a)(2), and only to a dealer who has a permit for Atlantic 
dolphin or wahoo, as required under Sec.  622.270(d)(1).
    (2) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, a person may not sell dolphin or wahoo possessed under the bag 
limit harvested in the Atlantic EEZ by a vessel while it is operating 
as a charter vessel or headboat. A dolphin or wahoo harvested or 
possessed by a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat 
with a Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and 
wahoo may not be purchased or sold if harvested from the Atlantic EEZ.
    (3) Dolphin or wahoo harvested in the Atlantic EEZ may be purchased 
only by a dealer who has a permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo and 
only from a vessel authorized to sell dolphin or wahoo under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.280  Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures 
(AMs).

    (a) Atlantic dolphin--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial landings 
for Atlantic dolphin, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected 
to reach the commercial ACL of 1,065,524 lb (483,314 kg), round weight, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. 
On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or 
purchase of Atlantic dolphin is prohibited and harvest or possession of 
this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag 
and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the 
South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been 
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in 
state or Federal waters.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for Atlantic 
dolphin, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
13,530,692 lb (6,137,419 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.
    (b) Atlantic wahoo--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial landings 
for Atlantic wahoo, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the commercial ACL of 64,147 lb (29,097 kg), round weight, the AA 
will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On 
and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or 
purchase of Atlantic wahoo is prohibited and harvest or possession of 
this species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag 
and possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the 
South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been 
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in 
state or Federal waters.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings for Atlantic 
wahoo, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 
1,427,638 lb (647,566 kg), round weight, then during the following 
fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence 
in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the 
length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount 
necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of 
the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following 
fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific 
information available, that a reduction in the length of the following 
fishing season is unnecessary.


Sec.  622.281  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the 
Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery off the Atlantic States, the RA may establish 
or modify the following items specified in paragraph (a) of this 
section for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo.
    (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Biomass levels, age-structured 
analyses, MSY, OY, ABC, TAC, trip limits, minimum sizes, gear 
regulations and restrictions, permit requirements, seasonal or area 
closures, sub-zones and their management measures, overfishing 
definitions and other status determination criteria, time frame for 
recovery of Atlantic dolphin or wahoo if overfished, fishing year 
(adjustment not to exceed 2 months), authority for the RA to close a 
fishery when a quota is reached or is projected to be reached or reopen 
a fishery when additional quota becomes available, definitions of 
essential fish habitat, and essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral 
HAPCs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.282  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.270 through 622.281.

Subpart N--Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region


Sec.  622.300  At-sea observer coverage.

    (a) Required coverage. (1) A vessel that harvests or possesses 
pelagic sargassum on any trip in the South Atlantic EEZ must carry a 
NMFS-approved observer.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an 
owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days 
in advance of each trip of the following:
    (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time).
    (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date).
    (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a 
vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must:
    (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those 
provided to the crew.
    (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's 
communications equipment and personnel upon request for the 
transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties.
    (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation 
equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's 
position.
    (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's

[[Page 23020]]

bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any 
other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish.
    (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, 
communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and 
distribution of fish for that trip.


Sec.  622.301  Area and seasonal restrictions.

    (a) Pelagic sargassum area and seasonal restrictions--(1) Area 
restrictions. (i) No person may harvest pelagic sargassum in the South 
Atlantic EEZ between 36[deg]33'01.0'' N. lat. (directly east from the 
Virginia/North Carolina boundary) and 34[deg] N. lat., within 100 
nautical miles east of the North Carolina coast.
    (ii) No person may harvest or possess pelagic sargassum in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ south of 34[deg] N. lat.
    (2) Seasonal restriction. No person may harvest or possess pelagic 
sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ during the months of July 
through October. This prohibition on possession does not apply to 
pelagic sargassum that was harvested and landed ashore prior to the 
closed period.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.302  Minimum mesh size.

    (a) The minimum allowable mesh size for a net used to fish for 
pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ is 4.0 inches (10.2 cm), 
stretched mesh, and such net must be attached to a frame no larger than 
4 ft by 6 ft (1.2 m by 1.8 m). A vessel in the South Atlantic EEZ with 
a net on board that does not meet these requirements may not possess 
any pelagic sargassum.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.303  Quotas.

    See Sec.  622.8 for general provisions regarding quota 
applicability and closure and reopening procedures. This section 
provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for South 
Atlantic pelagic sargassum.
    (a) Quota. The quota for all persons who harvest pelagic sargassum 
in the South Atlantic EEZ is 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), wet, landed weight. 
See Sec.  622.301(a) for area and seasonal limitations on the harvest 
of pelagic sargassum.
    (b) Restrictions applicable after a quota closure. Pelagic 
sargassum may not be fished for or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ 
and the sale or purchase of pelagic sargassum in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale/purchase during a 
closure for pelagic sargassum does not apply to pelagic sargassum that 
was harvested and landed ashore prior to the effective date of the 
closure.


Sec.  622.304  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.300 through 622.303.

Subparts O-P [Reserved]

Subpart Q--Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic)


Sec.  622.370  Permits.

    (a) Commercial vessel permits--(1) King mackerel. For a person 
aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits and to 
fish under a quota for king mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, 
or South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel 
must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. To obtain or 
renew a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, at least 25 percent 
of the applicant's earned income, or at least $10,000, must have been 
derived from commercial fishing (i.e., harvest and first sale of fish) 
or from charter fishing during one of the three calendar years 
preceding the application. See Sec.  622.371 regarding a limited access 
system applicable to commercial vessel permits for king mackerel, 
transfers of permits under the limited access system, and limited 
exceptions to the earned income or gross sales requirement for a 
permit.
    (2) Gillnets for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast 
subzone. For a person aboard a vessel to use a run-around gillnet for 
king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone (see Sec.  
622.384(b)(1)(i)(C)), a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and 
a king mackerel gillnet permit must have been issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. See Sec.  622.372 regarding a limited access system 
applicable to king mackerel gillnet permits in the southern Florida 
west coast subzone and restrictions on transferability of king mackerel 
gillnet permits.
    (3) Spanish mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible 
for exemption from the bag limits, a commercial vessel permit for 
Spanish mackerel must have been issued to the vessel and must be on 
board. To obtain or renew a commercial vessel permit for Spanish 
mackerel, at least 25 percent of the applicant's earned income, or at 
least $10,000, must have been derived from commercial fishing (i.e., 
harvest and first sale of fish) or from charter fishing during one of 
the 3 calendar years preceding the application.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits. (1) For a person aboard a 
vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or 
possess, in or from the EEZ, Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or 
South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish, a valid charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or South 
Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish, respectively, must have been 
issued to the vessel and must be on board.
    (i) See Sec.  622.373 regarding a limited access system for charter 
vessel/headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (ii) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/
headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel 
is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard must 
adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of ``Charter vessel'' and 
``Headboat'' in Sec.  622.2 for an explanation of when vessels are 
considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat, 
respectively.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (c) Permit procedures. See Sec.  622.4 of this part for information 
regarding general permit procedures including, but not limited to 
application, fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and 
denials, and replacement.


Sec.  622.371  Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for 
king mackerel.

    (a) No applications for additional commercial vessel permits for 
king mackerel will be accepted. Existing vessel permits may be renewed, 
are subject to the restrictions on transfer or change in paragraphs (b) 
through (e) of this section, and are subject to the requirement for 
timely renewal in paragraph (f) of this section.
    (b) An owner of a permitted vessel may transfer the commercial 
vessel permit for king mackerel issued under this limited access system 
to another vessel owned by the same entity.
    (c) An owner whose percentage of earned income or gross sales 
qualified him/her for the commercial vessel permit for king mackerel 
issued under this limited access system may request that NMFS transfer 
that permit to the owner of another vessel, or to the new owner when he 
or she transfers ownership of the permitted vessel. Such owner of 
another vessel, or new owner, may receive a commercial vessel permit 
for king mackerel for his or her vessel, and renew it through April 15 
following the first full calendar year after obtaining it, without 
meeting the percentage of earned income or gross sales requirement of 
Sec.  622.370(a)(1).

[[Page 23021]]

However, to further renew the commercial vessel permit, the owner of 
the other vessel, or new owner, must meet the earned income or gross 
sales requirement not later than the first full calendar year after the 
permit transfer takes place.
    (d) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based 
on an operator's earned income and, thus, is valid only when that 
person is the operator of the vessel, may request that NMFS transfer 
the permit to the income-qualifying operator when such operator becomes 
an owner of a vessel.
    (e) An owner of a permitted vessel, the permit for which is based 
on an operator's earned income and, thus, is valid only when that 
person is the operator of the vessel, may have the operator 
qualification on the permit removed, and renew it without such 
qualification through April 15 following the first full calendar year 
after removing it, without meeting the earned income or gross sales 
requirement of Sec.  622.370(a)(1). However, to further renew the 
commercial vessel permit, the owner must meet the earned income or 
gross sales requirement not later than the first full calendar year 
after the operator qualification is removed. To have an operator 
qualification removed from a permit, the owner must return the original 
permit to the RA with an application for the changed permit.
    (f) NMFS will not reissue a commercial vessel permit for king 
mackerel if the permit is revoked or if the RA does not receive an 
application for renewal within one year of the permit's expiration 
date.


Sec.  622.372  Limited access system for king mackerel gillnet permits 
applicable in the southern Florida west coast subzone.

    (a) Except for applications for renewals of king mackerel gillnet 
permits, no applications for king mackerel gillnet permits will be 
accepted. Application forms for permit renewal are available from the 
RA.
    (b) An owner of a vessel with a king mackerel gillnet permit issued 
under this limited access system may transfer that permit upon a change 
of ownership of a permitted vessel with such permit from one to another 
of the following: Husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, 
mother, or father. Such permit also may be transferred to another 
vessel owned by the same entity.
    (c) A king mackerel gillnet permit that is not renewed or that is 
revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed 
when an application for renewal is not received by the RA within one 
year after the expiration date of the permit.


Sec.  622.373  Limited access system for charter vessel/headboat 
permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish.

    (a) No applications for additional charter vessel/headboat permits 
for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish will be accepted. Existing 
permits may be renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer in 
paragraph (b) of this section, and are subject to the renewal 
requirements in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) Transfer of permits--(1) Permits without a historical captain 
endorsement. A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal 
migratory pelagic fish that does not have a historical captain 
endorsement is fully transferable, with or without sale of the 
permitted vessel, except that no transfer is allowed to a vessel with a 
greater authorized passenger capacity than that of the vessel to which 
the moratorium permit was originally issued, as specified on the face 
of the permit being transferred. An application to transfer a permit to 
an inspected vessel must include a copy of that vessel's current USCG 
Certificate of Inspection (COI). A vessel without a valid COI will be 
considered an uninspected vessel with an authorized passenger capacity 
restricted to six or fewer passengers.
    (2) Permits with a historical captain endorsement. A charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish that has 
a historical captain endorsement may only be transferred to a vessel 
operated by the historical captain, cannot be transferred to a vessel 
with a greater authorized passenger capacity than that of the vessel to 
which the moratorium permit was originally issued, as specified on the 
face of the permit being transferred, and is not otherwise 
transferable.
    (3) Procedure for permit transfer. To request that the RA transfer 
a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic 
fish, the owner of the vessel who is transferring the permit and the 
owner of the vessel that is to receive the transferred permit must 
complete the transfer information on the reverse side of the permit and 
return the permit and a completed application for transfer to the RA. 
See Sec.  622.4(f) for additional transfer-related requirements 
applicable to all permits issued under this section.
    (c) Renewal. (1) Renewal of a charter vessel/headboat permit for 
Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish is contingent upon the permitted 
vessel and/or captain, as appropriate, being included in an active 
survey frame for, and, if selected to report, providing the information 
required in one of the approved fishing data surveys. Surveys include, 
but are not limited to--
    (i) NMFS' Marine Recreational Fishing Vessel Directory Telephone 
Survey (conducted by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission);
    (ii) NMFS' Southeast Headboat Survey (as required by Sec.  
622.26(b)(1));
    (iii) Texas Parks and Wildlife Marine Recreational Fishing Survey; 
or
    (iv) A data collection system that replaces one or more of the 
surveys in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
    (2) A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory 
pelagic fish that is not renewed or that is revoked will not be 
reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an application 
for renewal, as required, is not received by the RA within 1 year of 
the expiration date of the permit.
    (d) Requirement to display a vessel decal. Upon renewal or transfer 
of a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic 
fish, the RA will issue the owner of the permitted vessel a vessel 
decal for that fishery. The vessel decal must be displayed on the port 
side of the deckhouse or hull and must be maintained so that it is 
clearly visible.


Sec.  622.374  Recordkeeping and reporting.

    (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators. The owner or operator 
of a vessel that fishes for or lands coastal migratory pelagic fish for 
sale in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ or 
adjoining state waters, or whose vessel is issued a commercial permit 
for king or Spanish mackerel, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1) or 
(3), respectively, who is selected to report by the SRD, must maintain 
a fishing record on a form available from the SRD. These completed 
fishing records must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred 
during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one 
of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that 
month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators--(1) Reporting 
requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a charter 
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or South 
Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish has been issued, as required 
under Sec.  622.370(b)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or lands such 
Gulf or South Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish in or from state 
waters adjoining the Gulf or South

[[Page 23022]]

Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a 
fishing record for each trip, or a portion of such trips as specified 
by the SRD, on forms provided by the SRD and must submit such record as 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (2) Reporting deadlines--(i) Charter vessels. Completed fishing 
records required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section for charter 
vessels must be submitted to the SRD weekly, postmarked not later than 
7 days after the end of each week (Sunday). Information to be reported 
is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions.
    (ii) Headboats. Completed fishing records required by paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section for headboats must be submitted to the SRD 
monthly and must either be made available to an authorized statistical 
reporting agent or be postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of 
each month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its 
accompanying instructions.
    (c) Dealers. (1) A person who purchases coastal migratory pelagic 
fish from a fishing vessel, or person, that fishes for or lands such 
fish in or from the EEZ or adjoining state waters who is selected to 
report by the SRD must submit information on forms provided by the SRD. 
This information must be submitted to the SRD at monthly intervals, 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of each month. Reporting 
frequency and reporting deadlines may be modified upon notification by 
the SRD. If no coastal migratory pelagic fish were received during a 
calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of the 
forms, in accordance with the instructions on the form, and must be 
postmarked not later than 5 days after the end of the month. The 
information to be reported is as follows:
    (i) Dealer's or processor's name and address.
    (ii) County where fish were landed.
    (iii) Total poundage of each species received during that month, or 
other requested interval.
    (iv) Average monthly price paid for each species.
    (v) Proportion of total poundage landed by each gear type.
    (2) Alternate SRD. For the purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, in the states from New York through Virginia, or in the waters 
off those states, ``SRD'' means the Science and Research Director, 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS (see Table 1 of Sec.  600.502 
of this chapter), or a designee.


Sec.  622.375  Authorized and unauthorized gear.

    (a) Authorized gear. Subject to the prohibitions on gear/methods 
specified in Sec.  622.9, the following are the only fishing gears that 
may be used in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic EEZ in 
directed fisheries for coastal migratory pelagic fish:
    (1) King mackerel, Atlantic migratory group--
    (i) North of 34[deg]37.3' N. lat., the latitude of Cape Lookout 
Light, NC--all gear except drift gillnet and long gillnet.
    (ii) South of 34[deg]37.3' N. lat.--automatic reel, bandit gear, 
handline, and rod and reel.
    (2) King mackerel, Gulf migratory group--hook-and-line gear and, in 
the southern Florida west coast subzone only, run-around gillnet. (See 
Sec.  622.384(b)(1)(i)(C) for a description of the southern Florida 
west coast subzone.)
    (3) Spanish mackerel, Atlantic migratory group--automatic reel, 
bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, cast net, run-around gillnet, and 
stab net.
    (4) Spanish mackerel, Gulf migratory group--all gear except drift 
gillnet, long gillnet, and purse seine.
    (5) Cobia in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic EEZ--automatic 
reel, bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, and pelagic longline.
    (6) Cobia in the Gulf EEZ--all gear except drift gillnet and long 
gillnet.
    (b) Unauthorized gear. Gear types other than those specified in 
paragraph (a) of this section are unauthorized gear and the following 
possession limitations apply:
    (1) Long gillnets. A vessel with a long gillnet on board in, or 
that has fished on a trip in, the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic 
EEZ may not have on board on that trip a coastal migratory pelagic 
fish.
    (2) Drift gillnets. A vessel with a drift gillnet on board in, or 
that has fished on a trip in, the Gulf EEZ may not have on board on 
that trip a coastal migratory pelagic fish.
    (3) Other unauthorized gear. Except as specified in paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section, a person aboard a vessel with unauthorized gear 
other than a drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ or a long gillnet on board 
in, or that has fished in, the EEZ where such gear is not authorized in 
paragraph (a) of this section, is subject to the bag limits for king 
and Spanish mackerel specified in Sec.  622.382(a)(1)(ii) and (iv), 
respectively, and to the limit on cobia specified in Sec.  622.383(b).
    (4) Exception for king mackerel in the Gulf EEZ. The provisions of 
this paragraph (b)(4) apply to king mackerel taken in the Gulf EEZ and 
to such king mackerel possessed in the Gulf. Paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section notwithstanding, a person aboard a vessel that has a valid 
commercial permit for king mackerel is not subject to the bag limit for 
king mackerel when the vessel has on board on a trip unauthorized gear 
other than a drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ, a long gillnet, or a run-
around gillnet in an area other than the southern Florida west coast 
subzone. Thus, the following applies to a vessel that has a commercial 
permit for king mackerel:
    (i) Such vessel may not use unauthorized gear in a directed fishery 
for king mackerel in the Gulf EEZ.
    (ii) If such a vessel has a drift gillnet or a long gillnet on 
board or a run-around gillnet in an area other than the southern 
Florida west coast subzone, no king mackerel may be possessed.
    (iii) If such a vessel has unauthorized gear on board other than a 
drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ, a long gillnet, or a run-around gillnet 
in an area other than the southern Florida west coast subzone, the 
possession of king mackerel taken incidentally is restricted only by 
the closure provisions of Sec.  622.384(e) and the trip limits 
specified in Sec.  622.385(a). See also Sec.  622.379 regarding the 
purse seine incidental catch allowance of king mackerel.


Sec.  622.376  Gear identification.

    (a) Spanish mackerel gillnet buoys. On board a vessel with a valid 
Spanish mackerel permit that is fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or 
that possesses Spanish mackerel in or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off 
Florida north of 25[deg]20.4' N. lat., which is a line directly east 
from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary, the float line of each 
gillnet possessed, including any net in use, must have a maximum of 
nine distinctive floats, i.e., different from the usual net buoys, 
spaced uniformly at a distance of 100 yd (91.4 m) or less. Each such 
distinctive float must display the official number of the vessel.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.377  Gillnet restrictions.

    (a) Gillnets for king mackerel. The minimum allowable mesh size for 
a gillnet used to fish in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ 
for king mackerel is 4.75 inches (12.1 cm), stretched mesh. A vessel in 
such EEZ, or having fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on 
board that has a mesh size less than 4.75 (12.1 cm) inches, stretched 
mesh, may not possess on that trip an incidental catch of king mackerel 
that exceeds 10 percent, by number, of

[[Page 23023]]

the total lawfully possessed Spanish mackerel on board.
    (b) Gillnets for Spanish mackerel. (1) The minimum allowable mesh 
size for a gillnet used to fish for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, Mid-
Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh.
    (i) A vessel in the Gulf EEZ, or having fished on a trip in the 
Gulf EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh size less than 3.5 
inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may not possess on that trip any 
Spanish mackerel.
    (ii) A vessel in the South Atlantic or Mid-Atlantic EEZ, or having 
fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh 
size less than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may possess or land 
on the day of that trip no more than 500 lb (227 kg) of incidentally 
caught Spanish mackerel.
    (2) On board a vessel with a valid Spanish mackerel permit that is 
fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or that possesses Spanish mackerel in 
or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida north of 25[deg]20.4' N. 
lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, 
FL, boundary--
    (i) No person may fish with, set, place in the water, or have on 
board a gillnet with a float line longer than 800 yd (732 m).
    (ii) No person may fish with, set, or place in the water more than 
one gillnet at any one time.
    (iii) No more than two gillnets, including any net in use, may be 
possessed at any one time; provided, however, that if two gillnets, 
including any net in use, are possessed at any one time, they must have 
stretched mesh sizes (as allowed under the regulations) that differ by 
at least .25 inch (.64 cm).
    (iv) No person may soak a gillnet for more than 1 hour. The soak 
period begins when the first mesh is placed in the water and ends 
either when the first mesh is retrieved back on board the vessel or the 
gathering of the gillnet is begun to facilitate retrieval on board the 
vessel, whichever occurs first; providing that, once the first mesh is 
retrieved or the gathering is begun, the retrieval is continuous until 
the gillnet is completely removed from the water.
    (v) The float line of each gillnet possessed, including any net in 
use, must have the distinctive floats specified in Sec.  622.376(a).


Sec.  622.378  Seasonal closures of the Gulf group king mackerel 
gillnet fishery.

    (a) The gillnet fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is closed each fishing year from July 1 until 6 a.m. on the 
day after the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday. The gillnet 
fishery also is closed during all subsequent weekends and observed 
Federal holidays, except for the first weekend following the Martin 
Luther King Jr. holiday which will remain open to the gillnet fishery 
provided a notification of closure of that fishery has not been filed 
under Sec.  622.8(b). Weekend closures are effective from 6 a.m. 
Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday. Holiday closures are effective from 6 a.m. 
on the observed Federal holiday to 6 a.m. the following day. All times 
are eastern standard time. During these closures, a person aboard a 
vessel using or possessing a gillnet with a stretched-mesh size of 4.75 
inches (12.1 cm) or larger in the southern Florida west coast subzone 
may not fish for or possess Gulf group king mackerel.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.379  Purse seine incidental catch allowance.

    (a) A vessel in the EEZ, or having fished in the EEZ, with a purse 
seine on board will not be considered as fishing, or having fished, for 
king or Spanish mackerel in violation of a prohibition of purse seines 
under Sec.  622.375(b), in violation of the possession limits under 
Sec.  622.375(b)(3), or, in the case of king mackerel from the Atlantic 
migratory group, in violation of a closure effected in accordance with 
Sec.  622.8(b), provided the king mackerel on board does not exceed 1 
percent, or the Spanish mackerel on board does not exceed 10 percent, 
of all fish on board the vessel. Incidental catch will be calculated by 
number and/or weight of fish. Neither calculation may exceed the 
allowable percentage. Incidentally caught king or Spanish mackerel are 
counted toward the quotas provided for under Sec.  622.384 and are 
subject to the prohibition of sale under Sec.  622.384(e)(3).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.380  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-
Atlantic EEZ, as appropriate, may not be possessed, sold, or purchased. 
A fish not in compliance with its size limit must be released 
immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that 
fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on board are in 
compliance with the size limits specified in this section.
    (a) Cobia in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic--33 inches 
(83.8 cm), fork length.
    (b) King mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic--24 
inches (61.0 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a 
quota for king mackerel specified in Sec.  622.384(b) may possess 
undersized king mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by 
weight, of the king mackerel on board.
    (c) Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic--
12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a 
quota for Spanish mackerel specified in Sec.  622.384(c) may possess 
undersized Spanish mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by 
weight, of the Spanish mackerel on board.


Sec.  622.381  Landing fish intact.

    (a) Cobia, king mackerel, and Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, 
Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, except as specified for king 
mackerel and Spanish mackerel in paragraph (b) of this section, must be 
maintained with head and fins intact. Such fish may be eviscerated, 
gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole 
condition. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are 
maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact 
through offloading ashore, as specified in this section.
    (b) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that comply with the 
minimum size limits in Sec.  622.380(b) and (c), respectively, and the 
trip limits in Sec.  622.385(a) and (b), respectively, may be possessed 
in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ on, and offloaded 
ashore from, a vessel that is operating under the respective trip 
limits. Such cut-off fish also may be sold. A maximum of five 
additional cut-off (damaged) king mackerel, not subject to the size 
limits or trip limits, may be possessed or offloaded ashore but may not 
be sold or purchased and are not counted against the trip limit.


Sec.  622.382  Bag and possession limits.

    Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and 
possession limits.
    (a) King and Spanish mackerel--(1) Bag limits. (i) Atlantic 
migratory group king mackerel--
    (A) Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic, other than off Florida--3.
    (B) Off Florida--2, which is the daily bag limit specified by 
Florida for its waters (Rule 68B-12.004(1), Florida Administrative 
Code, in effect as of July 15, 1996 (incorporated by reference, see 
Sec.  622.413). If Florida changes its limit, the bag limit specified 
in this paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) will be changed to conform to Florida's 
limit, provided such limit does not exceed 5.

[[Page 23024]]

    (ii) Gulf migratory group king mackerel--2.
    (iii) Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel--15.
    (iv) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel--15.
    (v) Coastal migratory pelagic fish within certain South Atlantic 
SMZs--Sec.  622.11(a) notwithstanding, all harvest and possession of 
coastal migratory pelagic fish within the South Atlantic SMZs specified 
in Sec.  622.182(a)(1)(i) through (xi), (a)(1)(xx), and (a)(1)(xxii) 
through (xxxix) is limited to the bag limits specified in paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section.
    (2) Possession limits. A person who is on a trip that spans more 
than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided 
such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each 
passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of 
the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.383  Limited harvest species.

    (a) General. (1) The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (2) A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a harvest 
limitation specified in this section with a harvest limitation 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a harvest limitation 
specified in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at 
sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species 
may not be transferred in the EEZ.
    (b) Cobia. No person may possess more than two cobia per day in or 
from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, regardless of the 
number of trips or duration of a trip.


Sec.  622.384  Quotas.

    See Sec.  622.8 for general provisions regarding quota 
applicability and closure and reopening procedures. This section 
provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for coastal 
migratory pelagic fish.
    (a) Specific quota applicability. King and Spanish mackerel quotas 
apply to persons who fish under commercial vessel permits for king or 
Spanish mackerel, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1) or (3). Cobia 
quotas apply to persons who fish for cobia and sell their catch. A fish 
is counted against the quota for the area where it is caught.
    (b) Quotas for migratory groups of king mackerel--(1) Gulf 
migratory group. For the 2012 to 2013 fishing year, the quota for the 
Gulf migratory group of king mackerel is 3.808 million lb (1.728 
million kg). For the 2013 to 2014 fishing year and subsequent fishing 
years, the quota for the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel is 3.456 
million lb (1.568 million kg). The Gulf migratory group is divided into 
eastern and western zones separated by 87[deg]31.1' W. long., which is 
a line directly south from the Alabama/Florida boundary. Quotas for the 
eastern and western zones are as follows:
    (i) Eastern zone. The eastern zone is divided into subzones with 
quotas as follows:
    (A) Florida east coast subzone. For the 2012 to 2013 fishing year, 
the quota is 1,215,228 lb (551,218 kg). For the 2013 to 2014 fishing 
year and subsequent fishing years, the quota is 1,102,896 lb (500,265 
kg).
    (B) Florida west coast subzone--(1) Southern. For the 2012 to 2013 
fishing year, the quota is 1,215,228, (515,218 kg). For the 2013 to 
2014 fishing year and subsequent fishing years, the quota is 1,102,896 
lb (500,265 kg), which is further divided into a quota for vessels 
fishing with hook-and-line and a quota for vessels fishing with run-
around gillnets. For the 2012 to 2013 fishing year, the hook-and-line 
quota is 607,614 lb (275,609 kg) and the run-around gillnet quota is 
607,614 lb (275,609 kg). For the 2013 to 2014 fishing year and 
subsequent fishing years, the hook-and-line quota is 551,448 lb 
(250,133 kg) and the run-around gillnet quota is 551,448 lb (250,133 
kg).
    (2) Northern. For the 2012 to 2013 fishing year, the quota is 
197,064 lb (89,387 kg). For the 2013 to 2014 fishing year and 
subsequent fishing years, the quota is 178,848 lb (81,124 kg).
    (C) Description of Florida subzones. From November 1 through March 
31, the Florida east coast subzone is that part of the eastern zone 
south of 29[deg]25' N. lat. (a line directly east from the Flagler/
Volusia County, FL, boundary) and north of 25[deg]20.4' N. lat. (a line 
directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary). From 
April 1 through October 31, the Florida east coast subzone is no longer 
part of the Gulf migratory group king mackerel area; it is part of the 
Atlantic migratory group king mackerel area. The Florida west coast 
subzone is that part of the eastern zone south and west of 25[deg]20.4' 
N. lat. The Florida west coast subzone is further divided into southern 
and northern subzones. From November 1 through March 31, the southern 
subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone that extends 
south and west from 25[deg]20.4' N. lat., north to 26[deg]19.8' N. lat. 
(a line directly west from the Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary). From 
April 1 through October 31, the southern subzone is that part of the 
Florida west coast subzone that is between 26[deg]19.8' N. lat. and 
25[deg]48' N. lat. (a line directly west from the Monroe/Collier 
County, FL, boundary). The northern subzone is that part of the Florida 
west coast subzone that is between 26[deg]19.8' N. lat. north and west 
to 87[deg]31.1' W. long. (a line directly south from the Alabama/
Florida boundary) year round.
    (ii) Western zone. For the 2012 to 2013 fishing year, the quota is 
1,180,480 lb (535,457 kg). For the 2013 to 2014 fishing year and 
subsequent fishing years, the quota is 1,071,360 lb (485,961 kg).
    (2) Atlantic migratory group. The quota for the Atlantic migratory 
group of king mackerel is 3.88 million lb (1.76 million kg). No more 
than 0.40 million lb (0.18 million kg) may be harvested by purse 
seines.
    (c) Quotas for migratory groups of Spanish mackerel--(1) Gulf 
migratory group. [Reserved]
    (2) Atlantic migratory group. The quota for the Atlantic migratory 
group of Spanish mackerel is 3.13 million lb (1.42 million kg).
    (d) Quotas for migratory groups of cobia--(1) Gulf migratory group. 
[Reserved]
    (2) Atlantic migratory group. The quota for the Atlantic migratory 
group of cobia is 125,712 lb (57,022 kg).
    (e) Restrictions applicable after a quota closure. (1) A person 
aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for king or Spanish 
mackerel has been issued, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1) or (3), 
may not fish for king or Spanish mackerel in the EEZ or retain king or 
Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ under a bag or possession limit 
specified in Sec.  622.382(a) for the closed species, migratory group, 
zone, subzone, or gear, except as provided for under paragraph (e)(2) 
of this section.
    (2) A person aboard a vessel for which valid charter vessel/
headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or South 
Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish and a valid commercial vessel 
permit for king or Spanish mackerel have been issued may continue to 
retain fish under a bag and possession limit specified in Sec.  
622.382(a), provided the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat.
    (3) The sale or purchase of king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, or 
cobia of the closed species, migratory group, subzone, or gear type, is 
prohibited,

[[Page 23025]]

including any king or Spanish mackerel taken under the bag limits, or 
cobia taken under the limited-harvest species possession limit 
specified in Sec.  622.383(b). The prohibition on sale/purchase during 
a closure for coastal migratory pelagic fish does not apply to coastal 
migratory pelagic fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold 
prior to the effective date of the closure and were held in cold 
storage by a dealer or processor.


Sec.  622.385  Commercial trip limits.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable 
species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows (all 
weights are round or eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise):
    (a) King mackerel--(1) Atlantic group. The following trip limits 
apply to vessels for which commercial permits for king mackerel have 
been issued, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1):
    (i) North of 29[deg]25' N. lat., which is a line directly east from 
the Flagler/Volusia County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the 
EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in 
amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
    (ii) In the area between 29[deg]25' N. lat. and 28[deg]47.8' N. 
lat., which is a line directly east from the Volusia/Brevard County, 
FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on 
board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg) from April 1 through October 31.
    (iii) In the area between 28[deg]47.8' N. lat. and 25[deg]20.4' N. 
lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, 
FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on 
board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 75 fish 
from April 1 through October 31.
    (iv) In the area between 25[deg]20.4' N. lat. and 25[deg]48' N. 
lat., which is a line directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, FL, 
boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on 
board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 1,250 lb 
(567 kg) from April 1 through October 31.
    (2) Gulf group. Commercial trip limits are established in the 
eastern and western zones as follows. (See Sec.  622.384(b)(1) for 
specification of the eastern and western zones and Sec.  
622.384(b)(1)(i)(C) for specifications of the subzones in the eastern 
zone.)
    (i) Eastern zone-Florida east coast subzone. In the Florida east 
coast subzone, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on 
board at any time or landed in a day from a vessel with a commercial 
permit for king mackerel as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1) as 
follows:
    (A) From November 1 through January 31--not to exceed 50 fish.
    (B) Beginning on February 1 and continuing through March 31--
    (1) If 75 percent or more of the Florida east coast subzone quota 
as specified in Sec.  622.384(b)(1)(i)(A) has been taken--not to exceed 
50 fish.
    (2) If less than 75 percent of the Florida east coast subzone quota 
as specified in Sec.  622.384(b)(1)(i)(A) has been taken--not to exceed 
75 fish.
    (ii) Eastern zone-Florida west coast subzone--(A) Gillnet gear. (1) 
In the southern Florida west coast subzone, king mackerel in or from 
the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a vessel for which a 
commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet 
permit have been issued, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(2), in 
amounts not exceeding 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) per day, provided the 
gillnet fishery for Gulf group king mackerel is not closed under Sec.  
622.378(a) or Sec.  622.8(b).
    (2) In the southern Florida west coast subzone:
    (i) King mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on board or 
landed from a vessel that uses or has on board a run-around gillnet on 
a trip only when such vessel has on board a commercial vessel permit 
for king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet permit.
    (ii) King mackerel from the southern west coast subzone landed by a 
vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a 
king mackerel gillnet permit have been issued will be counted against 
the run-around gillnet quota of Sec.  622.384(b)(1)(i)(B)(1).
    (iii) King mackerel in or from the EEZ harvested with gear other 
than run-around gillnet may not be retained on board a vessel for which 
a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king mackerel 
gillnet permit have been issued.
    (B) Hook-and-line gear. In the Florida west coast subzone, king 
mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a 
vessel with a commercial permit for king mackerel, as required by Sec.  
622.370(a)(1), and operating under the hook-and-line gear quotas in 
Sec.  622.384(b)(1)(i)(B)(1) or (b)(1)(i)(B)(2):
    (1) From July 1, each fishing year, until 75 percent of the 
respective northern or southern subzone's hook-and-line gear quota has 
been harvested--in amounts not exceeding 1,250 lb (567 kg) per day.
    (2) From the date that 75 percent of the respective northern or 
southern subzone's hook-and-line gear quota has been harvested, until a 
closure of the respective northern or southern subzone's fishery for 
vessels fishing with hook-and-line gear has been effected under Sec.  
622.8(b)--in amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day.
    (iii) Notice of trip limit changes. The Assistant Administrator, by 
filing a notification of trip limit change with the Office of the 
Federal Register, will effect the trip limit changes specified in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii)(B) of this section when the 
requisite harvest level has been reached or is projected to be reached.
    (iv) Western zone. In the western zone, king mackerel in or from 
the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a vessel for which a 
commercial permit for king mackerel has been issued, as required under 
Sec.  622.370(a)(1), from July 1, each fishing year, until a closure of 
the western zone's fishery has been effected under Sec.  622.8(b)--in 
amounts not exceeding 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) per day.
    (b) Spanish mackerel. (1) Commercial trip limits are established 
for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel as follows:
    (i) North of 30[deg]42'45.6'' N. lat., which is a line directly 
east from the Georgia/Florida boundary, Spanish mackerel in or from the 
EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed in a day from a vessel for 
which a permit for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as required under 
Sec.  622.370(a)(3), in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
    (ii) South of 30[deg]42'45.6'' N. lat., Spanish mackerel in or from 
the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed in a day from a vessel 
for which a permit for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as required 
under Sec.  622.370(a)(3)--
    (A) From March 1 through November 30, in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg).
    (B) From December 1 until 75 percent of the adjusted quota is 
taken, in amounts as follows:
    (1) Mondays through Fridays--unlimited.
    (2) Saturdays and Sundays--not exceeding 1,500 lb (680 kg).

[[Page 23026]]

    (C) After 75 percent of the adjusted quota is taken until 100 
percent of the adjusted quota is taken, in amounts not exceeding 1,500 
lb (680 kg).
    (D) After 100 percent of the adjusted quota is taken through the 
end of the fishing year, in amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227 kg).
    (2) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
adjusted quota is 2.88 million (1.31 million kg). The adjusted quota is 
the quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel reduced by an 
amount calculated to allow continued harvests of Atlantic migratory 
group Spanish mackerel at the rate of 500 lb (227 kg) per vessel per 
day for the remainder of the fishing year after the adjusted quota is 
reached. Total commercial harvest is still subject to the annual catch 
limit and accountability measures. By filing a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, the Assistant Administrator will 
announce when 75 percent and 100 percent of the adjusted quota is 
reached or projected to be reached.
    (3) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, a day 
starts at 6 a.m., local time, and extends for 24 hours. If a vessel 
terminates a trip prior to 6 a.m., but retains Spanish mackerel on 
board after that time, the Spanish mackerel retained on board will not 
be considered in possession during the succeeding day, provided the 
vessel is not underway between 6 a.m. and the time such Spanish 
mackerel are unloaded, and provided such Spanish mackerel are unloaded 
prior to 6 p.m.


Sec.  622.386  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    The restrictions in this section are in addition to the 
restrictions on sale/purchase related to quota closures as specified in 
Sec.  622.384(e)(3).
    (a) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel. A person may not 
sell or purchase a cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that does 
not comply with the minimum size limits specified in Sec.  622.380(b) 
or (c), respectively, or that is in excess of the trip limits specified 
in Sec.  622.385(a) or (b), respectively.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.387  Prevention of gear conflicts.

    (a) In accordance with the procedures and restrictions of the FMP 
for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, when the RA determines that a 
conflict exists in the king mackerel fishery between hook-and-line and 
gillnet fishermen in the South Atlantic EEZ off the east coast of 
Florida between 27[deg]00.6' N. lat. and 27[deg]50.0' N. lat., the RA 
may prohibit or restrict the use of hook-and-line and/or gillnets in 
all or a portion of that area. Necessary prohibitions or restrictions 
will be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.388  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    (a) Gulf migratory group king mackerel--(1) Commercial sector. If 
commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the applicable quota specified in Sec.  622.384(b)(1) (commercial 
ACL), the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register to close the commercial sector for that zone, subzone, or gear 
type for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational ACL of 8.092 
million lb (3.670 million kg), the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to implement a bag and possession limit 
for Gulf migratory group king mackerel of zero, unless the best 
scientific information available determines that a bag limit reduction 
is unnecessary. This bag and possession limit would also apply in the 
Gulf on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish has been issued, 
without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or 
Federal waters.
    (3) For purposes of tracking the ACL, recreational landings will be 
monitored based on the commercial fishing year, July 1 through June 1.
    (b) Atlantic migratory group king mackerel--(1) Commercial sector--
(i) If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the quota specified in Sec.  622.384(b)(2) 
(commercial ACL), the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder 
of the fishing year.
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group king 
mackerel are overfished, based on the most recent status of U.S. 
Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year to reduce the commercial quota (commercial ACL) 
for that following year by the amount of any commercial sector overage 
in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, 
as specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the bag limit by the 
amount necessary to ensure recreational landings may achieve the 
recreational annual catch target (ACT), but do not exceed the 
recreational ACL, in the following fishing year. The recreational ACT 
is 6.11 million lb (2.77 million kg). The recreational ACL is 6.58 
million lb (2.99 million lb).
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group king 
mackerel are overfished, based on the most recent status of U.S. 
Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year to reduce the recreational ACL and ACT for that 
following year by the amount of any recreational sector overage in the 
prior fishing year.
    (iii) For purposes of tracking the ACL, recreational landings will 
be evaluated based on the commercial fishing year, March through 
February. Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the 
FMP.
    (3) The stock ACL for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel is 
10.46 million lb (4.75 million kg).
    (c) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel. (1) If the sum of the 
commercial and recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reaches 
or is projected to reach the stock ACL, as specified in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, the AA will file a notification with the Office 
of the Federal Register to close the commercial and recreational 
sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the 
effective date of such a notification, all sale and purchase of Gulf 
migratory group Spanish mackerel is prohibited and the harvest and 
possession limit of this species in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero. This 
possession limit also applies in the Gulf on board a vessel for which a 
valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory 
pelagic fish has been issued, without regard to where such species were 
harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.

[[Page 23027]]

    (2) For purposes of tracking the ACL, recreational landings will be 
evaluated based on the commercial fishing year, April through March.
    (3) The stock ACL for Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel is 5.15 
million lb (4.75 million kg).
    (d) Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel--(1) Commercial 
sector. (i) If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or 
are projected to reach the quota specified in Sec.  622.384(c)(2) 
(commercial ACL), the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder 
of the fishing year.
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel are overfished, based on the most recent status of 
U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year to reduce the commercial quota (commercial ACL) 
for that following year by the amount of any commercial sector overage 
in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, 
as specified in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the bag limit by the 
amount necessary to ensure recreational landings may achieve the 
recreational ACT, but do not exceed the recreational ACL, in the 
following fishing year. The recreational ACT is 2.32 million lb (1.05 
million kg). The recreational ACL is 2.56 million lb (1.16 million kg).
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel are overfished, based on the most recent status of 
U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year to reduce the recreational ACT for that 
following year by the amount of any recreational sector overage in the 
prior fishing year.
    (iii) For purposes of tracking the ACL and ACT, recreational 
landings will be evaluated based on the commercial fishing year, March 
through February. Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to 
the ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described 
in the FMP.
    (3) The stock ACL for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel is 
5.69 million lb (2.58 million kg).
    (e) Gulf migratory group cobia. (1) If the sum of the commercial 
and recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reaches or is 
projected to reach the stock ACT, as specified in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register to close the commercial and recreational sectors for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, all sale and purchase of Gulf migratory group 
cobia is prohibited and the harvest and possession limit of this 
species in or from the Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit 
also applies in the Gulf on board a vessel for which a valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e. 
in state or Federal water.
    (2) The stock ACT for Gulf migratory group cobia is 1.31 million lb 
(0.59 million kg). The stock ACL for Gulf migratory group cobia is 1.46 
million lb (0.66 million kg).
    (f) Atlantic migratory group cobia--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If 
commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the quota specified in Sec.  622.384(d)(2) (commercial ACL), the 
AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to 
close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year.
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group cobia 
are overfished, based on the most recent status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the commercial quota (commercial ACL) for that following 
year by the amount of any commercial sector overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If the sum of the commercial and 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, 
as specified in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the length of the 
following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings may achieve the recreational ACT, but do not 
exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. Further, 
during that following year, if necessary, the AA may file additional 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to readjust the 
reduced fishing season to ensure recreational harvest achieves but does 
not exceed the intended harvest level. The recreational ACT is 
1,184,688 lb (537,365 kg). The recreational ACL is 1,445,687 (655,753 
kg).
    (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) 
of this section, if the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceeds the stock ACL, as specified 
in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, and Atlantic migratory group cobia 
are overfished, based on the most recent status of U.S. Fisheries 
Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the recreational ACL and ACT for that following year by 
the amount of any recreational sector overage in the prior fishing 
year.
    (iii) Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the 
FMP.
    (3) The stock ACL for Atlantic migratory group cobia is 1,571,399 
lb (712,775 kg).


Sec.  622.389  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic Resources, the RA may establish or modify the 
following items specified in paragraph (a) of this section for coastal 
migratory pelagic fish.
    (a) For a species or species group: Reporting and monitoring 
requirements, permitting requirements, bag and possession limits 
(including a bag limit of zero), size limits, vessel trip limits, 
closed seasons or areas and reopenings, annual catch limits (ACLs), 
annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota of zero), 
accountability measures (AMs), MSY (or proxy), OY, TAC, management 
parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear 
restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), gear 
markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, 
allowable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rules, rebuilding 
plans, sale and purchase restrictions, transfer at sea

[[Page 23028]]

provisions, and restrictions relative to conditions of harvested fish 
(maintaining fish in whole condition, use as bait).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.390  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.370 through 622.389.

Subpart R--Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic


Sec.  622.400  Permits and fees.

    (a) Applicability--(1) Licenses, certificates, and permits--(i) EEZ 
off Florida and spiny lobster landed in Florida. For a person to sell, 
trade, or barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster 
harvested or possessed in the EEZ off Florida, or harvested in the EEZ 
other than off Florida and landed from a fishing vessel in Florida, or 
for a person to be exempt from the daily bag and possession limit 
specified in Sec.  622.408(b)(1) for such spiny lobster, such person 
must have the licenses and certificates specified to be a ``commercial 
harvester,'' as defined in Rule 68B-24.002, Florida Administrative 
Code, in effect as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference, see 
Sec.  622.413).
    (ii) EEZ other than off Florida. For a person to sell, trade, or 
barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster harvested 
in the EEZ other than off Florida or for a person to be exempt from the 
daily bag and possession limit specified in Sec.  622.408(b)(1) for 
such spiny lobster, a Federal vessel permit must be issued to the 
harvesting vessel and must be on board. However, see paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section for the licenses and certificates required 
for a person to possess or land spiny lobster harvested in the EEZ 
other than off Florida and subsequently possessed in the EEZ off 
Florida or landed from a fishing vessel in Florida.
    (2) Tail-separation permits. For a person to possess aboard a 
fishing vessel a separated spiny lobster tail in or from the EEZ, a 
valid Federal tail-separation permit must be issued to the vessel and 
must be on board. Permitting prerequisites for the tail-separation 
permit are either a valid Federal vessel permit for spiny lobster or a 
valid Florida Saltwater Products License with a valid Florida 
Restricted Species Endorsement and a valid Crawfish Endorsement.
    (3) Corporation/partnership-owned vessels. For a vessel owned by a 
corporation or partnership to be eligible for a Federal vessel permit 
specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the earned income 
qualification specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section must be 
met by, and the statement required by that paragraph must be submitted 
by, an officer or shareholder of the corporation, a general partner of 
the partnership, or the vessel operator.
    (4) Operator-qualified permits. A vessel permit issued upon the 
qualification of an operator is valid only when that person is the 
operator of the vessel.
    (b) Applications for permits. (1) An application for a Federal 
vessel and/or tail-separation permit must be submitted and signed by 
the owner (in the case of a corporation, a qualifying officer or 
shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a qualifying general 
partner) or operator of the vessel. The application must be submitted 
to the RA at least 30 days prior to the date on which the applicant 
desires to have the permit made effective.
    (2) An applicant must provide the following information:
    (i) A copy of the vessel's U.S. Coast Guard certificate of 
documentation or, if not documented, a copy of its state registration 
certificate.
    (ii) The vessel's name and official number.
    (iii) Name, mailing address including zip code, telephone number, 
social security number, and date of birth of the owner (if the owner is 
a corporation/partnership, in lieu of the social security number, 
provide the employer identification number, if one has been assigned by 
the Internal Revenue Service, and, in lieu of the date of birth, 
provide the date the corporation/partnership was formed).
    (iv) If the owner does not meet the earned income qualification 
specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section and the operator does 
meet that qualification, the name, mailing address including zip code, 
telephone number, social security number, and date of birth of the 
operator.
    (v) Information concerning vessel, gear used, fishing areas, and 
fisheries vessel is used in, as requested by the RA and included on the 
application form.
    (vi) A sworn statement by the applicant for a vessel permit 
certifying that at least 10 percent of his or her earned income was 
derived from commercial fishing, that is, sale of the catch, during the 
calendar year preceding the application.
    (vii) Documentation supporting the statement of income, if required 
under paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (viii) If a tail-separation permit is desired, a sworn statement by 
the applicant certifying that his or her fishing activity--
    (A) Is routinely conducted in the EEZ on trips of 48 hours or more; 
and
    (B) Necessitates the separation of carapace and tail to maintain a 
quality product.
    (ix) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit.
    (3) The RA may require the applicant to provide documentation 
supporting the sworn statement under paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this 
section before a permit is issued or to substantiate why such permit 
should not be revoked or otherwise sanctioned under paragraph (i) of 
this section. Such required documentation may include copies of 
appropriate forms and schedules from the applicant's income tax return. 
Copies of income tax forms and schedules are treated as confidential.
    (c) Change in application information. The owner or operator of a 
vessel with a permit must notify the RA within 30 days after any change 
in the application information specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section. The permit is void if any change in the information is not 
reported within 30 days.
    (d) Fees. A fee is charged for each permit application submitted 
under paragraph (b) of this section. The amount of the fee is 
calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance 
Handbook for determining the administrative costs of each special 
product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified 
with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany each 
application.
    (e) Issuance. (1) The RA will issue a permit at any time to an 
applicant if the application is complete and the applicant meets the 
earned income requirement specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this 
section. An application is complete when all requested forms, 
information, and documentation have been received.
    (2) Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the RA will notify 
the applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the 
deficiency within 30 days of the date of the RA's letter of 
notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
    (f) Duration. A permit remains valid for the period specified on it 
unless the vessel is sold or the permit is revoked, suspended, or 
modified pursuant to subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (g) Transfer. A permit issued pursuant to this section is not 
transferable or assignable. A person purchasing a permitted vessel who 
desires to conduct activities for which a permit is required

[[Page 23029]]

must apply for a permit in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 
(b) of this section. The application must be accompanied by a copy of a 
signed bill of sale.
    (h) Display. A permit issued pursuant to this section must be 
carried on board the vessel, and such vessel must be identified as 
required by Sec.  622.402. The operator of a vessel must present the 
permit for inspection upon the request of an authorized officer.
    (i) Sanctions and denials. A permit issued pursuant to this section 
may be revoked, suspended, or modified, and a permit application may be 
denied, in accordance with the procedures governing enforcement-related 
permit sanctions and denials found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (j) Alteration. A permit that is altered, erased, or mutilated is 
invalid.
    (k) Replacement. A replacement permit may be issued. An application 
for a replacement permit will not be considered a new application. A 
fee, the amount of which is stated with the application form, must 
accompany each request for a replacement permit.


Sec.  622.401   Recordkeeping and reporting. [Reserved]


Sec.  622.402  Vessel and gear identification.

    (a) EEZ off Florida. (1) An owner or operator of a vessel that is 
used to harvest spiny lobster by traps in the EEZ off Florida must 
comply with the vessel and gear identification requirements specified 
in sections 379.367(2)(a)(1) and 379.367(3), Florida Statutes, in 
effect as of July 1, 2008 and in Rule 68B-24.006(3), (4), and (5), 
Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated 
by reference, see Sec.  622.413).
    (2) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny 
lobsters by diving in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel 
identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny 
lobsters by diving in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.006(6), Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  622.413).
    (b) EEZ other than off Florida. (1) The owner or operator of a 
vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobsters in the EEZ other than off 
Florida, must meet the following vessel and gear identification 
requirements:
    (i) The vessel's Florida crawfish license or trap number or, if not 
licensed by Florida, the vessel's Federal vessel permit number must be 
permanently and conspicuously displayed horizontally on the uppermost 
structural portion of the vessel in numbers at least 10 inches (25.4 
cm) high so as to be readily identifiable from the air and water;
    (ii) If the vessel uses spiny lobster traps in the EEZ, other than 
off Florida--
    (A) The vessel's color code, as assigned by Florida or, if a color 
code has not been assigned by Florida, as assigned by the RA, must be 
permanently and conspicuously displayed above the number specified in 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section so as to be readily identifiable 
from the air and water, such color code being in the form of a circle 
at least 20 inches (50.8 cm) in diameter on a background of colors 
contrasting to those contained in the assigned color code;
    (B) A buoy or timed-release buoy of such strength and buoyancy to 
float must be attached to each spiny lobster trap or at each end of a 
string of traps;
    (C) A buoy used to mark spiny lobster traps must bear the vessel's 
assigned color code and be of such color, hue, and brilliancy as to be 
easily distinguished, seen, and located;
    (D) A buoy used to mark spiny lobster traps must bear the vessel's 
Florida crawfish license or trap number or, if not licensed by Florida, 
the vessel's Federal vessel permit number in numbers at least 2 inches 
(5.08 cm) high; and
    (E) A spiny lobster trap must bear the vessel's Florida crawfish 
license or trap number or, if not licensed by Florida, the vessel's 
Federal vessel permit number permanently and legibly affixed.
    (2) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ, other than off Florida, will 
be presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. 
Upon the sale or transfer of a spiny lobster trap used in the EEZ, 
other than off Florida, within 5 days of acquiring ownership, the 
person acquiring ownership must notify the Florida Division of Law 
Enforcement of the Department of Environmental Protection for a trap 
that bears a Florida crawfish license or trap number, or the RA, for a 
trap that bears a Federal vessel permit number, as to the number of 
traps purchased, the vendor, and the crawfish license or trap number, 
or Federal vessel permit number, currently displayed on the traps, and 
must request issuance of a crawfish license or trap number, or Federal 
vessel permit, if the acquiring owner does not possess such license or 
trap number or permit.
    (c) Unmarked traps and buoys. An unmarked spiny lobster trap or 
buoy in the EEZ is illegal gear.
    (1) EEZ off Florida. Such trap or buoy, and any connecting lines, 
during times other than the authorized fishing season, will be 
considered derelict and may be disposed of in accordance with Rules 
68B-55.002 and 68B-55.004 of the Florida Administrative Code, in effect 
as of October 15, 2007 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  622.413). 
An owner of such trap or buoy remains subject to appropriate civil 
penalties.
    (2) EEZ other than off Florida. Such trap or buoy, and any 
connecting lines, will be considered unclaimed or abandoned property 
and may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by the 
Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. An owner of such trap 
or buoy remains subject to appropriate civil penalties.


Sec.  622.403  Seasons.

    (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. In 
the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, there are 
no seasonal restrictions on the harvest of spiny lobster or on the 
possession of traps.
    (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida--
(1) Commercial and recreational fishing season. The commercial and 
recreational fishing season for spiny lobster in the EEZ off Florida 
and the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, begins on August 6 
and ends on March 31.
    (2) Special recreational fishing seasons--(i) EEZ off Florida. 
There is a 2-day special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off 
Florida on the last Wednesday and successive Thursday of July each year 
during which fishing for spiny lobster is limited to diving or use of a 
bully net or hoop net. (See Sec.  622.404 for general prohibitions on 
gear and methods.) In the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, no person may 
harvest spiny lobster by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after 
official sunset to 1 hour before official sunrise, during this 2-day 
special recreational fishing season.
    (ii) EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida. There is a 2-day 
special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off the Gulf states, 
other than Florida, during the last Saturday and successive Sunday of 
July each year during which fishing for spiny lobster may be conducted 
by authorized gear and methods other than traps. (See Sec.  622.404 for 
prohibitions on gear and methods.)
    (3) Possession of traps. (i) In the EEZ off Florida, the rules and 
regulations applicable to the possession of spiny lobster traps in 
Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.005(3), (4), and (5), Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of June 1, 1994 (incorporated by 
reference, see

[[Page 23030]]

Sec.  622.413), apply in their entirety to the possession of spiny 
lobster traps in the EEZ off Florida. A spiny lobster trap, buoy, or 
rope in the EEZ off Florida, during periods not authorized in this 
paragraph will be considered derelict and may be disposed of in 
accordance with Rules 68B-55.002 and 68B-55.004 of the Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of October 15, 2007 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  622.413). An owner of such trap, buoy, or rope 
remains subject to appropriate civil penalties.
    (ii) In the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, a spiny 
lobster trap may be placed in the water prior to the commercial and 
recreational fishing season, which is specified in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section, beginning on August 1 and must be removed from the water 
after such season not later than April 5. A spiny lobster trap, buoy, 
or rope in the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, during 
periods not authorized in this paragraph will be considered unclaimed 
or abandoned property and may be disposed of in any manner considered 
appropriate by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. An 
owner of such trap, buoy, or rope remains subject to appropriate civil 
penalties.
    (4) Possession of spiny lobsters. In the EEZ off Florida and the 
Gulf states, a whole or a part of a spiny lobster subject to these 
regulations may only be possessed during the commercial and 
recreational fishing season and the special recreational fishing season 
specified in Sec.  622.403, unless accompanied by proof of lawful 
harvest in the waters of a foreign nation. Consistent with the 
provisions of paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, a spiny 
lobster in a trap in this area will not be deemed to be possessed 
provided such spiny lobster is returned immediately to the water 
unharmed when a trap is removed from the water between March 31 and 
April 15.
    (c) Primacy of seasonal restrictions in the EEZ off Florida. The 
seasonal restrictions applicable in the EEZ off Florida apply to all 
spiny lobsters and traps in the EEZ off Florida, without regard to 
harvest or use elsewhere, unless accompanied by proof of lawful harvest 
elsewhere.


Sec.  622.404  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) A spiny lobster may not be taken in the EEZ with a spear, hook, 
or similar device, or gear containing such devices. In the EEZ, the 
possession of a speared, pierced, or punctured spiny lobster is prima 
facie evidence that prohibited gear was used to take such lobster. 
Hook, as used in this paragraph (a), does not include a hook in a hook-
and-line fishery for species other than spiny lobster; and possession 
of a spiny lobster that has been speared, pierced, or punctured by such 
hook is not considered evidence that prohibited gear was used to take 
the spiny lobster, provided no prohibited gear is on board the vessel.
    (b) A spiny lobster may not be taken in a directed fishery by the 
use of a net or trawl. See Sec.  622.408(b)(4) for the bycatch limits 
applicable to a vessel that uses or has on board a net or trawl.
    (c) Poisons and explosives may not be used to take a spiny lobster 
in the EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph (c), chlorine, bleach, 
and similar substances, which are used to flush a spiny lobster out of 
rocks or coral, are poisons. A vessel in the spiny lobster fishery may 
not possess on board in the EEZ any dynamite or similar explosive 
substance.


Sec.  622.405  Trap construction specifications and tending 
restrictions.

    (a) Construction specifications. In the EEZ, a spiny lobster trap 
may be no larger in dimension than 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet (91.4 cm 
by 61.0 cm by 61.0 cm), or the volume equivalent. A trap constructed of 
material other than wood must have a panel constructed of wood, cotton, 
or other material that will degrade at the same rate as a wooden trap. 
Such panel must be located in the upper half of the sides or on top of 
the trap, so that, when removed, there will be an opening in the trap 
no smaller than the diameter found at the throat or entrance of the 
trap.
    (b) Tending restrictions. (1) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may 
be pulled or tended during daylight hours only, that is, from 1 hour 
before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset.
    (2) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may be pulled or tended only by 
the owner's vessel, except that permission to pull or work traps 
belonging to another person may be granted--
    (i) For traps in the EEZ off Florida, by the Division of Law 
Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in 
accordance with the procedures in Rule 68B-24.006(7), Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  622.413).
    (ii) For traps in the EEZ, other than off Florida, by the RA, as 
may be arranged upon written request.


Sec.  622.406  Areas closed to lobster trap gear.

    (a) Fishing with spiny lobster trap gear is prohibited year-round 
in the following areas bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the 
points listed.
    (1) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 1.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]31'15.002''    81[deg]31'00.000''
B...........................  24[deg]31'15.002''    81[deg]31'19.994''
C...........................  24[deg]31'29.999''    81[deg]31'19.994''
D...........................  24[deg]31'29.999''    81[deg]31'00.000''
A...........................  24[deg]31'15.002''    81[deg]31'00.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]31'20.205''    81[deg]30'17.213''
B...........................  24[deg]31'17.858''    81[deg]30'27.700''
C...........................  24[deg]31'27.483''    81[deg]30'30.204''
D...........................  24[deg]31'29.831''    81[deg]30'19.483''
A...........................  24[deg]31'20.205''    81[deg]30'17.213''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 3.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]31'42.665''    81[deg]30'02.892''
B...........................  24[deg]31'45.013''    81[deg]29'52.093''
C...........................  24[deg]31'34.996''    81[deg]29'49.745''
D...........................  24[deg]31'32.335''    81[deg]30'00.466''
A...........................  24[deg]31'42.665''    81[deg]30'02.892''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 4.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]31'50.996''    81[deg]28'39.999''
B...........................  24[deg]31'50.996''    81[deg]29'03.002''
C...........................  24[deg]31'56.998''    81[deg]29'03.002''
D...........................  24[deg]31'56.998''    81[deg]28'39.999''
A...........................  24[deg]31'50.996''    81[deg]28'39.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 5.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]32'20.014''    81[deg]26'20.390''
B...........................  24[deg]32'13.999''    81[deg]26'41.999''
C...........................  24[deg]32'27.004''    81[deg]26'45.611''
D...........................  24[deg]32'33.005''    81[deg]26'23.995''
A...........................  24[deg]32'20.014''    81[deg]26'20.390''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 6.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]32'30.011''    81[deg]24'47.000''
B...........................  24[deg]32'23.790''    81[deg]24'56.558''
C...........................  24[deg]32'45.997''    81[deg]25'10.998''
D...........................  24[deg]32'52.218''    81[deg]25'01.433''
A...........................  24[deg]32'30.011''    81[deg]24'47.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 7.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]32'46.834''    81[deg]27'17.615''
B...........................  24[deg]32'41.835''    81[deg]27'35.619''
C...........................  24[deg]32'54.003''    81[deg]27'38.997''
D...........................  24[deg]32'59.002''    81[deg]27'21.000''

[[Page 23031]]

 
A...........................  24[deg]32'46.834''    81[deg]27'17.615''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 8.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'10.002''    81[deg]25'50.995''
B...........................  24[deg]33'04.000''    81[deg]26'18.996''
C...........................  24[deg]33'17.253''    81[deg]26'21.839''
D...........................  24[deg]33'23.254''    81[deg]25'53.838''
A...........................  24[deg]33'10.002''    81[deg]25'50.995''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (9) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 9.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'22.004''    81[deg]30'31.998''
B...........................  24[deg]33'22.004''    81[deg]30'41.000''
C...........................  24[deg]33'29.008''    81[deg]30'41.000''
D...........................  24[deg]33'29.008''    81[deg]30'31.998''
A...........................  24[deg]33'22.004''    81[deg]30'31.998''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (10) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 10.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'33.004''    81[deg]30'00.000''
B...........................  24[deg]33'33.004''    81[deg]30'09.998''
C...........................  24[deg]33'41.999''    81[deg]30'09.998''
D...........................  24[deg]33'41.999''    81[deg]30'00.000''
A...........................  24[deg]33'33.004''    81[deg]30'00.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (11) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 11.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'50.376''    81[deg]23'35.039''
B...........................  24[deg]33'27.003''    81[deg]24'51.003''
C...........................  24[deg]33'40.008''    81[deg]24'54.999''
D...........................  24[deg]34'03.382''    81[deg]23'39.035''
A...........................  24[deg]33'50.376''    81[deg]23'35.039''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (12) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 12.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]34'00.003''    81[deg]19'29.996''
B...........................  24[deg]34'00.003''    81[deg]20'04.994''
C...........................  24[deg]34'24.997''    81[deg]20'04.994''
D...........................  24[deg]34'24.997''    81[deg]19'29.996''
A...........................  24[deg]34'00.003''    81[deg]19'29.996''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (13) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 13.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]35'19.997''    81[deg]14'25.002''
B...........................  24[deg]35'19.997''    81[deg]14'34.999''
C...........................  24[deg]35'29.006''    81[deg]14'34.999''
D...........................  24[deg]35'29.006''    81[deg]14'25.002''
A...........................  24[deg]35'19.997''    81[deg]14'25.002''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (14) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 14.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]44'37.004''    80[deg]46'47.000''
B...........................  24[deg]44'37.004''    80[deg]46'58.000''
C...........................  24[deg]44'47.002''    80[deg]46'58.000''
D...........................  24[deg]44'47.002''    80[deg]46'47.000''
A...........................  24[deg]44'37.004''    80[deg]46'47.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (15) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 15.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]49'53.946''    80[deg]38'17.646''
B...........................  24[deg]48'32.331''    80[deg]40'15.530''
C...........................  24[deg]48'44.389''    80[deg]40'23.879''
D...........................  24[deg]50'06.004''    80[deg]38'26.003''
A...........................  24[deg]49'53.946''    80[deg]38'17.646''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (16) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 16.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]53'32.085''    80[deg]33'22.065''
B...........................  24[deg]53'38.992''    80[deg]33'14.670''
C...........................  24[deg]53'31.673''    80[deg]33'07.155''
D...........................  24[deg]53'24.562''    80[deg]33'14.886''
A...........................  24[deg]53'32.085''    80[deg]33'22.065''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (17) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 17.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]53'33.410''    80[deg]32'50.247''
B...........................  24[deg]53'40.149''    80[deg]32'42.309''
C...........................  24[deg]53'32.418''    80[deg]32'35.653''
D...........................  24[deg]53'25.348''    80[deg]32'43.302''
A...........................  24[deg]53'33.410''    80[deg]32'50.247''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (18) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 18.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]54'06.317''    80[deg]32'34.115''
B...........................  24[deg]53'59.368''    80[deg]32'41.542''
C...........................  24[deg]54'06.667''    80[deg]32'48.994''
D...........................  24[deg]54'13.917''    80[deg]32'41.238''
A...........................  24[deg]54'06.317''    80[deg]32'34.115''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (19) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 19.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]54'06.000''    80[deg]31'33.995''
B...........................  24[deg]54'06.000''    80[deg]31'45.002''
C...........................  24[deg]54'36.006''    80[deg]31'45.002''
D...........................  24[deg]54'36.006''    80[deg]31'33.995''
A...........................  24[deg]54'06.000''    80[deg]31'33.995''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (20) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 20.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]56'21.104''    80[deg]28'52.331''
B...........................  24[deg]56'17.012''    80[deg]29'05.995''
C...........................  24[deg]56'26.996''    80[deg]29'08.996''
D...........................  24[deg]56'31.102''    80[deg]28'55.325''
A...........................  24[deg]56'21.104''    80[deg]28'52.331''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (21) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 21.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]56'53.006''    80[deg]27'46.997''
B...........................  24[deg]56'21.887''    80[deg]28'25.367''
C...........................  24[deg]56'35.002''    80[deg]28'36.003''
D...........................  24[deg]57'06.107''    80[deg]27'57.626''
A...........................  24[deg]56'53.006''    80[deg]27'46.997''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (22) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 22.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]57'35.001''    80[deg]27'14.999''
B...........................  24[deg]57'28.011''    80[deg]27'21.000''
C...........................  24[deg]57'33.999''    80[deg]27'27.997''
D...........................  24[deg]57'40.200''    80[deg]27'21.106''
A...........................  24[deg]57'35.001''    80[deg]27'14.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (23) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 23.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]58'58.154''    80[deg]26'03.911''
B...........................  24[deg]58'48.005''    80[deg]26'10.001''
C...........................  24[deg]58'52.853''    80[deg]26'18.090''
D...........................  24[deg]59'03.002''    80[deg]26'11.999''
A...........................  24[deg]58'58.154''    80[deg]26'03.911''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (24) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 24.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]59'17.009''    80[deg]24'32.999''
B...........................  24[deg]58'41.001''    80[deg]25'21.998''
C...........................  24[deg]58'57.591''    80[deg]25'34.186''
D...........................  24[deg]59'33.598''    80[deg]24'45.187''
A...........................  24[deg]59'17.009''    80[deg]24'32.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (25) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 25.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]59'44.008''    80[deg]25'38.999''
B...........................  24[deg]59'27.007''    80[deg]25'48.997''
C...........................  24[deg]59'32.665''    80[deg]25'58.610''
D...........................  24[deg]59'49.666''    80[deg]25'48.612''
A...........................  24[deg]59'44.008''    80[deg]25'38.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (26) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 26.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]01'00.006''    80[deg]21'55.002''
B...........................  25[deg]01'00.006''    80[deg]22'11.996''
C...........................  25[deg]01'18.010''    80[deg]22'11.996''
D...........................  25[deg]01'18.010''    80[deg]21'55.002''
A...........................  25[deg]01'00.006''    80[deg]21'55.002''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (27) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 27.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]01'34.997''    80[deg]23'12.998''
B...........................  25[deg]01'18.010''    80[deg]23'44.000''
C...........................  25[deg]01'22.493''    80[deg]23'46.473''

[[Page 23032]]

 
D...........................  25[deg]01'36.713''    80[deg]23'37.665''
E...........................  25[deg]01'46.657''    80[deg]23'19.390''
A...........................  25[deg]01'34.997''    80[deg]23'12.998''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (28) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 28.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]01'38.005''    80[deg]21'25.998''
B...........................  25[deg]01'28.461''    80[deg]21'46.158''
C...........................  25[deg]01'45.009''    80[deg]21'53.999''
D...........................  25[deg]01'54.553''    80[deg]21'33.839''
A...........................  25[deg]01'38.005''    80[deg]21'25.998''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (29) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 29.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]01'53.001''    80[deg]23'08.995''
B...........................  25[deg]01'53.001''    80[deg]23'17.997''
C...........................  25[deg]02'01.008''    80[deg]23'17.997''
D...........................  25[deg]02'01.008''    80[deg]23'08.995''
A...........................  25[deg]01'53.001''    80[deg]23'08.995''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (30) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 30.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]02'20.000''    80[deg]22'11.001''
B...........................  25[deg]02'10.003''    80[deg]22'50.002''
C...........................  25[deg]02'22.252''    80[deg]22'53.140''
D...........................  25[deg]02'32.250''    80[deg]22'14.138''
A...........................  25[deg]02'20.000''    80[deg]22'11.001''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (31) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 31.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]02'29.503''    80[deg]20'30.503''
B...........................  25[deg]02'16.498''    80[deg]20'43.501''
C...........................  25[deg]02'24.999''    80[deg]20'52.002''
D...........................  25[deg]02'38.004''    80[deg]20'38.997''
A...........................  25[deg]02'29.503''    80[deg]20'30.503''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (32) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 32.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]02'34.008''    80[deg]21'57.000''
B...........................  25[deg]02'34.008''    80[deg]22'14.997''
C...........................  25[deg]02'50.007''    80[deg]22'14.997''
D...........................  25[deg]02'50.007''    80[deg]21'57.000''
A...........................  25[deg]02'34.008''    80[deg]21'57.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (33) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 33.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]03'11.294''    80[deg]21'36.864''
B...........................  25[deg]03'02.540''    80[deg]21'43.143''
C...........................  25[deg]03'08.999''    80[deg]21'51.994''
D...........................  25[deg]03'17.446''    80[deg]21'45.554''
A...........................  25[deg]03'11.294''    80[deg]21'36.864''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (34) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 34.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]03'30.196''    80[deg]21'34.263''
B...........................  25[deg]03'39.267''    80[deg]21'29.506''
C...........................  25[deg]03'35.334''    80[deg]21'19.801''
D...........................  25[deg]03'26.200''    80[deg]21'24.304''
A...........................  25[deg]03'30.196''    80[deg]21'34.263''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (35) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 35.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]03'26.001''    80[deg]19'43.001''
B...........................  25[deg]03'26.001''    80[deg]19'54.997''
C...........................  25[deg]03'41.011''    80[deg]19'54.997''
D...........................  25[deg]03'41.011''    80[deg]19'43.001''
A...........................  25[deg]03'26.001''    80[deg]19'43.001''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (36) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 36.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]07'03.008''    80[deg]17'57.999''
B...........................  25[deg]07'03.008''    80[deg]18'10.002''
C...........................  25[deg]07'14.997''    80[deg]18'10.002''
D...........................  25[deg]07'14.997''    80[deg]17'57.999''
A...........................  25[deg]07'03.008''    80[deg]17'57.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (37) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 37.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]07'51.156''    80[deg]17'27.910''
B...........................  25[deg]07'35.857''    80[deg]17'37.091''
C...........................  25[deg]07'43.712''    80[deg]17'50.171''
D...........................  25[deg]07'59.011''    80[deg]17'40.998''
A...........................  25[deg]07'51.156''    80[deg]17'27.910''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (38) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 38.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]08'12.002''    80[deg]17'09.996''
B...........................  25[deg]07'55.001''    80[deg]17'26.997''
C...........................  25[deg]08'04.998''    80[deg]17'36.995''
D...........................  25[deg]08'22.000''    80[deg]17'20.000''
A...........................  25[deg]08'12.002''    80[deg]17'09.996''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (39) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 39.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]08'18.003''    80[deg]17'34.001''
B...........................  25[deg]08'18.003''    80[deg]17'45.997''
C...........................  25[deg]08'29.003''    80[deg]17'45.997''
D...........................  25[deg]08'29.003''    80[deg]17'34.001''
A...........................  25[deg]08'18.003''    80[deg]17'34.001''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (40) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 40.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]08'45.002''    80[deg]15'50.002''
B...........................  25[deg]08'37.999''    80[deg]15'56.998''
C...........................  25[deg]08'42.009''    80[deg]16'00.995''
D...........................  25[deg]08'48.999''    80[deg]15'53.998''
A...........................  25[deg]08'45.002''    80[deg]15'50.002''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (41) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 41.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]08'58.007''    80[deg]17'24.999''
B...........................  25[deg]08'58.007''    80[deg]17'35.999''
C...........................  25[deg]09'09.007''    80[deg]17'35.999''
D...........................  25[deg]09'09.007''    80[deg]17'24.999''
A...........................  25[deg]08'58.007''    80[deg]17'24.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (42) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 42.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]09'10.999''    80[deg]16'00.000''
B...........................  25[deg]09'10.999''    80[deg]16'09.997''
C...........................  25[deg]09'20.996''    80[deg]16'09.997''
D...........................  25[deg]09'20.996''    80[deg]16'00.000''
A...........................  25[deg]09'10.999''    80[deg]16'00.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (43) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 43.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]09'28.316''    80[deg]17'03.713''
B...........................  25[deg]09'14.006''    80[deg]17'17.000''
C...........................  25[deg]09'21.697''    80[deg]17'25.280''
D...........................  25[deg]09'36.006''    80[deg]17'12.001''
A...........................  25[deg]09'28.316''    80[deg]17'03.713''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (44) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 44.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]10'00.011''    80[deg]16'06.000''
B...........................  25[deg]10'00.011''    80[deg]16'17.000''
C...........................  25[deg]10'09.995''    80[deg]16'17.000''
D...........................  25[deg]10'09.995''    80[deg]16'06.000''
A...........................  25[deg]10'00.011''    80[deg]16'06.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (45) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 45.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]10'29.002''    80[deg]15'52.995''
B...........................  25[deg]10'29.002''    80[deg]16'04.002''
C...........................  25[deg]10'37.997''    80[deg]16'04.002''
D...........................  25[deg]10'37.997''    80[deg]15'52.995''
A...........................  25[deg]10'29.002''    80[deg]15'52.995''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (46) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 46.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]11'05.998''    80[deg]14'25.997''
B...........................  25[deg]11'05.998''    80[deg]14'38.000''
C...........................  25[deg]11'20.006''    80[deg]14'38.000''
D...........................  25[deg]11'20.006''    80[deg]14'25.997''
A...........................  25[deg]11'05.998''    80[deg]14'25.997''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (47) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 47.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]12'00.998''    80[deg]13'24.996''
B...........................  25[deg]11'43.008''    80[deg]13'35.000''
C...........................  25[deg]11'48.007''    80[deg]13'44.002''

[[Page 23033]]

 
D...........................  25[deg]12'06.011''    80[deg]13'33.998''
A...........................  25[deg]12'00.998''    80[deg]13'24.996''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (48) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 48.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]12'18.343''    80[deg]14'32.768''
B...........................  25[deg]12'02.001''    80[deg]14'44.001''
C...........................  25[deg]12'07.659''    80[deg]14'52.234''
D...........................  25[deg]12'24.001''    80[deg]14'41.001''
A...........................  25[deg]12'18.343''    80[deg]14'32.768''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (49) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 49.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]15'23.998''    80[deg]12'29.000''
B...........................  25[deg]15'04.676''    80[deg]12'36.120''
C...........................  25[deg]15'09.812''    80[deg]12'50.066''
D...........................  25[deg]15'29.148''    80[deg]12'42.946''
A...........................  25[deg]15'23.998''    80[deg]12'29.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (50) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 50.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]16'01.997''    80[deg]12'32.996''
B...........................  25[deg]15'33.419''    80[deg]12'52.394''
C...........................  25[deg]15'44.007''    80[deg]13'08.001''
D...........................  25[deg]16'12.585''    80[deg]12'48.597''
A...........................  25[deg]16'01.997''    80[deg]12'32.996''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (51) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 51.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]16'33.006''    80[deg]13'30.001''
B...........................  25[deg]16'33.006''    80[deg]13'41.001''
C...........................  25[deg]16'34.425''    80[deg]13'41.026''
D...........................  25[deg]16'41.850''    80[deg]13'37.475''
E...........................  25[deg]16'42.001''    80[deg]13'30.001''
A...........................  25[deg]16'33.006''    80[deg]13'30.001''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (52) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 52.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]17'04.715''    80[deg]12'11.305''
B...........................  25[deg]16'17.007''    80[deg]12'27.997''
C...........................  25[deg]16'23.997''    80[deg]12'47.999''
D...........................  25[deg]17'11.705''    80[deg]12'31.300''
A...........................  25[deg]17'04.715''    80[deg]12'11.305''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (53) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 53.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]17'23.008''    80[deg]12'40.000''
B...........................  25[deg]17'23.008''    80[deg]12'49.997''
C...........................  25[deg]17'33.005''    80[deg]12'49.997''
D...........................  25[deg]17'33.005''    80[deg]12'40.000''
A...........................  25[deg]17'23.008''    80[deg]12'40.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (54) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 54.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]20'57.996''    80[deg]09'50.000''
B...........................  25[deg]20'57.996''    80[deg]10'00.000''
C...........................  25[deg]21'07.005''    80[deg]10'00.000''
D...........................  25[deg]21'07.005''    80[deg]09'50.000''
A...........................  25[deg]20'57.996''    80[deg]09'50.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (55) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 55.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]21'45.004''    80[deg]09'51.998''
B...........................  25[deg]21'38.124''    80[deg]09'56.722''
C...........................  25[deg]21'49.124''    80[deg]10'12.728''
D...........................  25[deg]21'56.004''    80[deg]10'07.997''
A...........................  25[deg]21'45.004''    80[deg]09'51.998''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (56) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 56.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]21'49.000''    80[deg]09'21.999''
B...........................  25[deg]21'49.000''    80[deg]09'31.996''
C...........................  25[deg]21'58.998''    80[deg]09'31.996''
D...........................  25[deg]21'58.998''    80[deg]09'21.999''
A...........................  25[deg]21'49.000''    80[deg]09'21.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (57) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 57.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]24'31.008''    80[deg]07'36.997''
B...........................  25[deg]24'31.008''    80[deg]07'48.999''
C...........................  25[deg]24'41.005''    80[deg]07'48.999''
D...........................  25[deg]24'41.005''    80[deg]07'36.997''
A...........................  25[deg]24'31.008''    80[deg]07'36.997''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (58) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 58.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]25'14.005''    80[deg]07'27.995''
B...........................  25[deg]25'14.005''    80[deg]07'44.001''
C...........................  25[deg]25'26.008''    80[deg]07'44.001''
D...........................  25[deg]25'26.008''    80[deg]07'27.995''
A...........................  25[deg]25'14.005''    80[deg]07'27.995''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (59) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 59.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]35'13.996''    80[deg]05'39.999''
B...........................  25[deg]35'13.996''    80[deg]05'50.999''
C...........................  25[deg]35'24.007''    80[deg]05'50.999''
D...........................  25[deg]35'24.007''    80[deg]05'39.999''
A...........................  25[deg]35'13.996''    80[deg]05'39.999''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (60) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 60.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  25[deg]40'57.003''    80[deg]05'43.000''
B...........................  25[deg]40'57.003''    80[deg]05'54.000''
C...........................  25[deg]41'06.550''    80[deg]05'53.980''
D...........................  25[deg]41'18.136''    80[deg]05'49.158''
E...........................  25[deg]41'18.001''    80[deg]05'43.000''
A...........................  25[deg]40'57.003''    80[deg]05'43.000''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.407  Minimum size limits and other harvest limitations.

    (a) Minimum size limits. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of 
this section--
    (i) No person may possess a spiny lobster in or from the EEZ with a 
carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less; and
    (ii) A spiny lobster, harvested in the EEZ by means other than 
diving, with a carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less must be 
returned immediately to the water unharmed.
    (2) No person may harvest or attempt to harvest a spiny lobster by 
diving in the EEZ unless he or she possesses, while in the water, a 
measuring device capable of measuring the carapace length. A spiny 
lobster captured by a diver must be measured in the water using such 
measuring device and, if the spiny lobster has a carapace length of 3.0 
inches (7.62 cm) or less, it must be released unharmed immediately 
without removal from the water.
    (3) Aboard a vessel authorized under paragraph (d) of this section 
to possess a separated spiny lobster tail, no person may possess in or 
from the EEZ a separated spiny lobster tail with a tail length less 
than 5.5 inches (13.97 cm).
    (b) Berried lobsters. A berried (egg-bearing) spiny lobster in or 
from the EEZ must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. If 
found in a trap in the EEZ, a berried spiny lobster may not be retained 
in the trap. A berried spiny lobster in or from the EEZ may not be 
stripped of its eggs or otherwise molested. The possession of a spiny 
lobster, or part thereof, in or from the EEZ from which eggs, 
swimmerettes, or pleopods have been removed or stripped is prohibited.
    (c) Undersized attractants. A live spiny lobster under the minimum 
size limit specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section that is 
harvested in the EEZ by a trap may be retained aboard the harvesting 
vessel for future use as an attractant in a trap provided it is held in 
a live well aboard the vessel. No more than fifty undersized spiny 
lobsters, and one per trap aboard the vessel, whichever is greater, may 
be retained aboard for use as attractants. The live well must provide a 
minimum of \3/4\ gallons (1.7 liters) of seawater per spiny lobster. An 
undersized spiny lobster so retained must be released to the water 
alive and unharmed immediately upon leaving the trap lines and prior to 
one hour after official sunset each day. No more than fifty undersized 
spiny lobsters and one per trap aboard the

[[Page 23034]]

vessel, may be retained aboard for use as attractants.
    (d) Tail separation. (1) The possession aboard a fishing vessel of 
a separated spiny lobster tail in or from the EEZ, is authorized only 
when the possession is incidental to fishing exclusively in the EEZ on 
a trip of 48 hours or more and a valid Federal tail-separation permit, 
and either a valid Federal vessel permit for spiny lobster or a valid 
Florida Saltwater Products License with a valid Florida Restricted 
Species Endorsement and a valid Crawfish Endorsement, as specified in 
Sec.  622.400(a)(2), has been issued to and are on board the vessel.
    (2) Spiny lobster must be landed either all whole or all tailed on 
a single fishing trip.


Sec.  622.408  Bag/possession limits.

    (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. The 
daily bag or possession limit for spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off 
the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, is two per person for 
commercial and recreational fishing, year-round.
    (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida--
(1) Commercial and recreational fishing season. Except as specified in 
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section, during the commercial and 
recreational fishing season specified in Sec.  622.403(b)(1), the daily 
bag or possession limit of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off Florida 
and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is six per person.
    (2) Special recreational fishing seasons. During the special 
recreational fishing seasons specified in Sec.  622.403(b)(2), the 
daily bag or possession limit of spiny lobster--
    (i) In or from the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is 
six per person;
    (ii) In or from the EEZ off Florida other than off Monroe County, 
Florida, is twelve per person; and
    (iii) In or from the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, is six per 
person.
    (3) Exemption from the bag/possession limit. During the commercial 
and recreational fishing season specified in Sec.  622.403(b)(1), a 
person is exempt from the bag and possession limit specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, provided--
    (i) The harvest of spiny lobsters is by diving, or by the use of a 
bully net, hoop net, or spiny lobster trap; and
    (ii) The vessel from which the person is operating has on board the 
required licenses, certificates, or permits, as specified in Sec.  
622.400(a)(1).
    (4) Harvest by net or trawl. During the commercial and recreational 
fishing season specified in Sec.  622.403(b)(1), aboard a vessel with 
the required licenses, certificates, or permits specified in Sec.  
622.400(a)(1) that harvests spiny lobster by net or trawl or has on 
board a net or trawl, the possession of spiny lobster in or from the 
EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, may not 
exceed at any time 5 percent, whole weight, of the total whole weight 
of all fish lawfully in possession on board such vessel. If such vessel 
lawfully possesses a separated spiny lobster tail, the possession of 
spiny lobster in or from the EEZ may not exceed at any time 1.6 
percent, by weight of the spiny lobster or parts thereof, of the total 
whole weight of all fish lawfully in possession on board such vessel. 
For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(4), the term ``net or trawl'' 
does not include a hand-held net, a loading or dip net, a bully net, or 
a hoop net.
    (5) Diving at night. The provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section notwithstanding, a person who harvests spiny lobster in the EEZ 
by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after official sunset to 1 
hour before official sunrise, is limited to the bag limit specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, whether or not a Federal vessel 
permit specified in Sec.  622.400(a)(1) has been issued to and is on 
board the vessel from which the diver is operating.
    (c) Combination of bag/possession limits. A person who fishes for 
or possesses spiny lobster in or from the EEZ under a bag or possession 
limit specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section may not combine 
the bag or possession limits of those paragraphs or combine such bag or 
possession limit with a bag or possession limit applicable to state 
waters.
    (d) Responsibility for bag/possession limits. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes for or possesses spiny lobster in or from the EEZ is 
responsible for the cumulative bag or possession limit specified in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section applicable to that vessel, based 
on the number of persons aboard.
    (e) Transfer at sea. A person who fishes for or possesses spiny 
lobster in or from the EEZ under a bag or possession limit specified in 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this section may not transfer a spiny lobster 
at sea from a fishing vessel to any other vessel, and no person may 
receive at sea such spiny lobster.


Sec.  622.409  Spiny lobster import prohibitions.

    (a) Minimum size limits for imported spiny lobster. There are two 
minimum size limits that apply to importation of spiny lobster into the 
United States--one that applies any place subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
and a more restrictive minimum size limit that applies to Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (1) No person may import a spiny lobster with less than a 5-ounce 
(142-gram) tail weight into any place subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, a 5-ounce (142-gram) 
tail weight is defined as a tail that weighs 4.2-5.4 ounces (119-153 
grams). If the documentation accompanying an imported spiny lobster 
(including but not limited to product packaging, customs entry forms, 
bills of lading, brokerage forms, or commercial invoices) indicates 
that the product does not satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement, 
the person importing such spiny lobster has the burden to prove that 
such spiny lobster actually does satisfy the minimum tail-weight 
requirement or that such spiny lobster has a tail length of 5.5 inches 
(13.97 cm) or greater or that such spiny lobster has or had a carapace 
length of greater than 3.0 inches (7.62 cm). If the imported product 
itself does not satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement, the person 
importing such spiny lobster has the burden to prove that such spiny 
lobster has a tail length of 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) or greater or that 
such spiny lobster has or had a carapace length of greater than 3.0 
inches (7.62 cm). If the burden is satisfied, such spiny lobster will 
be considered to be in compliance with the minimum 5-ounce (142-gram) 
tail-weight requirement.
    (2) See Sec.  622.458 regarding a more restrictive minimum size 
limit that applies to spiny lobster imported into Puerto Rico or the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) Additional spiny lobster import prohibitions--(1) Prohibition 
related to tail meat. No person may import into any place subject to 
the jurisdiction of the United States spiny lobster tail meat that is 
not in whole tail form with the exoskeleton attached.
    (2) Prohibitions related to egg-bearing spiny lobster. No person 
may import into any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States spiny lobster with eggs attached or spiny lobster from which 
eggs or pleopods (swimmerets) have been removed or stripped. Pleopods 
(swimmerets) are the first five pairs of abdominal appendages.


Sec.  622.410  Restrictions within the Tortugas marine reserves.

    The following activities are prohibited within the Tortugas marine 
reserves:

[[Page 23035]]

Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels.
    (a) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting the following points: From point A at 24[deg]40'00'' 
N. lat., 83[deg]06'00'' W. long. to point B at 24[deg]46'00'' N. lat., 
83[deg]06'00'' W. long. to point C at 24[deg]46'00'' N. lat., 
83[deg]00'00'' W. long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward 
limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA 
chart 11438, to point A at 24[deg]40'00'' N. lat., 83[deg]06'00'' W. 
long.
    (b) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, 
in order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]09'00''
B...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]05'00''
C...........................  24[deg]18'00''        83[deg]05'00''
D...........................  24[deg]18'00''        83[deg]09'00''
A...........................  24[deg]33'00''        83[deg]09'00''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec.  622.411  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    For recreational and commercial spiny lobster landings combined, 
the ACL is 7.32 million lb (3.32 million kg), whole weight. The ACT is 
6.59 million lb, (2.99 million kg) whole weight.


Sec.  622.412  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and 
South Atlantic, the RA may establish or modify the following items:
    (a) Reporting and monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, 
bag and possession limits, size limits, vessel trip limits, closed 
seasons, closed areas, reopening of sectors that have been prematurely 
closed, annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
quotas, accountability measures (AMs), maximum sustainable yield (or 
proxy), optimum yield, total allowable catch (TAC), management 
parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear 
restrictions, gear markings and identification, vessel identification 
requirements, allowable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rule, 
rebuilding plans, and restrictions relative to conditions of harvested 
fish (such as tailing lobster, undersized attractants, and use as 
bait).
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.413  Incorporation by reference.

    (a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this subpart 
with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. These materials are incorporated as they 
exist on the date of approval and a notice of any change in these 
materials will be published in the Federal Register. This incorporation 
by reference was approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. These 
materials are incorporated as they exist on the date of approval and a 
notice of any change in these materials will be published in the 
Federal Register. All material incorporated by reference is available 
for inspection at the NMFS, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Office of 
the RA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; and the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. For 
more information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
    (b) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): Florida Division of 
Marine Fisheries Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 
32399; telephone: 850-488-4676; http://laws.flrules.org.
    (1) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-12: King mackerel resource renewal, Rule 
68B-12.004: Bag limits, in effect as of July 15, 1996, IBR approved for 
Sec.  622.382(a).
    (2) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper 
lobster, Rule 68B-24.002: Definitions, in effect as of July 1, 2008, 
IBR approved for Sec.  622.400(a).
    (3) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper 
lobster, Rule 68B-24.005: Seasons, in effect as of June 1, 2004, IBR 
approved for Sec.  622.403(b).
    (4) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper 
lobster, Rule 68B-24.006: Gear: Traps, Buoys, Identification 
Requirements, Prohibited Devices, in effect as of July 1, 2008, IBR 
approved for Sec.  622.402(a) and Sec.  622.405(b).
    (5) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-38: Shrimping and trapping: Closed areas 
and seasons, Rule 68B-38.001: Citrus-Hernando Shrimping and Trapping 
Closed Areas and Seasons, in effect as of March 1, 2005, IBR approved 
for Sec.  622.55(e).
    (6) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-55: Trap retrieval and trap debris removal, 
Rule 68B-55.002: Retrieval of Trap Debris, in effect as of October 15, 
2007, IBR approved for Sec.  622.402(c), Sec.  622.403(b), and Sec.  
622.450(c).
    (7) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-55: Trap retrieval and trap debris removal, 
Rule 68B-55.004: Retrieval of Derelict and Traps Located in Areas 
Permanently Closed to Trapping, in effect as of October 15, 2007, IBR 
approved for Sec.  622.402(c), Sec.  622.403(b), and Sec.  622.450(c).
    (c) Florida Statute: Florida Division of Marine Fisheries 
Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399; 
telephone: 850-488-4676; http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm.
    (1) Florida Statutes, Chapter 379: Fish and Wildlife Conservation, 
Part VII: Nonrecreational Licenses, Section 379.367: Spiny lobster; 
regulation, 379.367, in effect as of July 1, 2008, IBR approved for 
Sec.  622.402(a).
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.414  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.400 through 622.413.


Sec.  622.415  Limited exemption regarding harvest in waters of a 
foreign nation.

    (a) An owner or operator of a vessel that has legally harvested 
spiny lobsters in the waters of a foreign nation and possesses spiny 
lobster, or separated tails, in the EEZ incidental to such foeign 
harvesting is exempt from the requirements of this subpart, except for 
Sec.  622.409 with which such an owner or operator must comply, 
provided proof of lawful harvest in the waters of a foreign nation 
accompanies such lobsters or tails.

Subpart S--Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands


Sec.  622.430  Gear identification.

    (a) Fish traps and associated buoys. A fish trap used or possessed 
in the Caribbean EEZ must display the official number specified for the 
vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands so as to be easily 
identified. Traps used in the Caribbean reef fish fishery that are 
fished individually, rather than tied together in a trap line, must 
have at least one buoy attached that floats on the surface. Traps used 
in the Caribbean reef fish fishery that are tied together in a trap 
line must have at least one buoy that floats at the surface attached at 
each end of the trap line. Each buoy must display the official number 
and color code assigned to the vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, whichever is applicable, so as to be easily distinguished, 
located, and identified.
    (b) Presumption of ownership of fish traps. A fish trap in the EEZ 
will be presumed to be the property of the most recently documented 
owner. This presumption will not apply with respect

[[Page 23036]]

to such traps that are lost or sold if the owner reports the loss or 
sale within 15 days to the RA.
    (c) Disposition of unmarked fish traps or buoys. An unmarked fish 
trap or a buoy deployed in the EEZ where such trap or buoy is required 
to be marked is illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate 
manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer.


Sec.  622.431  Trap construction specifications and tending 
restrictions.

    (a) Construction specifications--(1) Minimum mesh size. A bare-wire 
fish trap used or possessed in the EEZ that has hexagonal mesh openings 
must have a minimum mesh size of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in the smallest 
dimension measured between centers of opposite strands. A bare-wire 
fish trap used or possessed in the EEZ that has other than hexagonal 
mesh openings or a fish trap of other than bare wire, such as coated 
wire or plastic, used or possessed in the EEZ, must have a minimum mesh 
size of 2.0 inches (5.1 cm) in the smallest dimension measured between 
centers of opposite strands.
    (2) Escape mechanisms. A fish trap used or possessed in the 
Caribbean EEZ must have a panel located on one side of the trap, 
excluding the top, bottom, and side containing the trap entrance. The 
opening covered by the panel must measure not less than 8 by 8 inches 
(20.3 by 20.3 cm). The mesh size of the panel may not be smaller than 
the mesh size of the trap. The panel must be attached to the trap with 
untreated jute twine with a diameter not exceeding \1/8\ inch (3.2 mm). 
An access door may serve as the panel, provided it is on an appropriate 
side, it is hinged only at its bottom, its only other fastening is 
untreated jute twine with a diameter not exceeding \1/8\ inch (3.2 mm), 
and such fastening is at the top of the door so that the door will fall 
open when such twine degrades. Jute twine used to secure a panel may 
not be wrapped or overlapped.
    (b) Tending restrictions. A fish trap in the Caribbean EEZ may be 
pulled or tended only by a person (other than an authorized officer) 
aboard the fish trap owner's vessel, or aboard another vessel if such 
vessel has on board written consent of the trap owner, or if the trap 
owner is aboard and has documentation verifying his identification 
number and color code. An owner's written consent must specify the time 
period such consent is effective and the trap owner's gear 
identification number and color code.


Sec.  622.432  Anchoring restriction.

    (a) The owner or operator of any fishing vessel, recreational or 
commercial, that fishes for or possesses Caribbean reef fish in or from 
the Caribbean EEZ must ensure that the vessel uses only an anchor 
retrieval system that recovers the anchor by its crown, thereby 
preventing the anchor from dragging along the bottom during recovery. 
For a grapnel hook, this could include an incorporated anchor rode 
reversal bar that runs parallel along the shank, which allows the rode 
to reverse and slip back toward the crown. For a fluke- or plow-type 
anchor, a trip line consisting of a line from the crown of the anchor 
to a surface buoy would be required.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.433  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Poisons. A poison, drug, or other chemical may not be used to 
fish for Caribbean reef fish in the Caribbean EEZ.
    (b) Powerheads. A powerhead may not be used in the Caribbean EEZ to 
harvest Caribbean reef fish. The possession of a mutilated Caribbean 
reef fish in or from the Caribbean EEZ and a powerhead is prima facie 
evidence that such fish was harvested by a powerhead.
    (c) Gillnets and trammel nets in the Caribbean EEZ. A gillnet or 
trammel net may not be used in the Caribbean EEZ to fish for Caribbean 
reef fish. Possession of a gillnet or trammel net and any Caribbean 
reef fish in or from the Caribbean EEZ is prima facie evidence of 
violation of this paragraph (c). A gillnet or trammel net used in the 
Caribbean EEZ to fish for any other species must be tended at all 
times.


Sec.  622.434  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) No person may fish for or possess goliath grouper and Nassau 
grouper in or from the Caribbean EEZ. Such fish caught in the Caribbean 
EEZ must be released immediately with a minimum of harm.
    (c) No person may fish for or possess midnight parrotfish, blue 
parrotfish, or rainbow parrotfish in or from the Caribbean EEZ. Such 
fish caught in the Caribbean EEZ must be released with a minimum of 
harm.


Sec.  622.435  Seasonal and area closures.

    (a) Seasonal closures--(1) Seasonal closures applicable to specific 
species only--(i) Red, black, tiger, yellowfin, or yellowedge grouper 
closure. From February 1 through April 30, each year, no person may 
fish for or possess red, black, tiger, yellowfin, or yellowedge grouper 
in or from the Caribbean EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not 
apply to such grouper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (ii) Red hind closure. From December 1 through the last day of 
February, each year, no person may fish for or possess red hind in or 
from the Caribbean EEZ west of 67[deg]10' W. longitude. This 
prohibition on possession does not apply to red hind harvested and 
landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (iii) Vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snapper closure. From 
October 1 through December 31, each year, no person may fish for or 
possess vermilion, black, silk, or blackfin snapper in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not apply to such 
snapper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (iv) Lane or mutton snapper closure. From April 1 through June 30, 
each year, no person may fish for or possess lane or mutton snapper in 
or from the Caribbean EEZ. This prohibition on possession does not 
apply to such snapper harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure.
    (2) Seasonal closures applicable to broad categories of fish or to 
all fishing--(i) Mutton snapper spawning aggregation area. From March 1 
through June 30, each year, fishing is prohibited in that part of the 
following area that is in the EEZ. The area is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the points listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  17[deg]37.8'          64[deg]53.0'
B...........................  17[deg]39.0'          64[deg]53.0'
C...........................  17[deg]39.0'          64[deg]50.5'
D...........................  17[deg]38.1'          64[deg]50.5'
E...........................  17[deg]37.8'          64[deg]52.5'
A...........................  17[deg]37.8'          64[deg]53.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (ii) Red hind spawning aggregation areas. From December 1 through 
February 28, each year, fishing is prohibited in those parts of the 
following areas that are in the EEZ. Each area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting, in order, the points listed.
    (A) East of St. Croix.

[[Page 23037]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  17[deg]50.2'          64[deg]27.9'
B...........................  17[deg]50.1'          64[deg]26.1'
C...........................  17[deg]49.2'          64[deg]25.8'
D...........................  17[deg]48.6'          64[deg]25.8'
E...........................  17[deg]48.1'          64[deg]26.1'
F...........................  17[deg]47.5'          64[deg]26.9'
A...........................  17[deg]50.2'          64[deg]27.9'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) West of Puerto Rico--(1) [Reserved]
    (2) Tourmaline Bank.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  18[deg]11.2'          67[deg]22.4'
B...........................  18[deg]11.2'          67[deg]19.2'
C...........................  18[deg]08.2'          67[deg]19.2'
D...........................  18[deg]08.2'          67[deg]22.4'
A...........................  18[deg]11.2'          67[deg]22.4'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3) Abrir La Sierra Bank.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  18[deg]06.5'          67[deg]26.9'
B...........................  18[deg]06.5'          67[deg]23.9'
C...........................  18[deg]03.5'          67[deg]23.9'
D...........................  18[deg]03.5'          67[deg]26.9'
A...........................  18[deg]06.5'          67[deg]26.9'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (iii) Grammanik Bank closed area. (A) The Grammanik Bank closed 
area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following 
points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  18[deg]11.898'        64[deg]56.328'
B...........................  18[deg]11.645'        64[deg]56.225'
C...........................  18[deg]11.058'        64[deg]57.810'
D...........................  18[deg]11.311'        64[deg]57.913'
A...........................  18[deg]11.898'        64[deg]56.328'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (B) From February 1 through April 30, each year, no person may 
fish for or possess any species of fish, except highly migratory 
species, in or from the Grammanik Bank closed area. This prohibition on 
possession does not apply to such fish harvested and landed ashore 
prior to the closure. For the purpose of this paragraph, ``fish'' means 
finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal 
and plant life other than marine mammals and birds. ``Highly migratory 
species'' means bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, albacore, and skipjack 
tunas; swordfish; sharks (listed in Appendix A to part 635 of this 
title); and white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish, and longbill 
spearfish.
    (iv) Bajo de Sico closed area. (A) The Bajo de Sico closed area is 
bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Point A                 North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  18[deg]15.7'          67[deg]26.4'
B...........................  18[deg]15.7'          67[deg]23.2'
C...........................  18[deg]12.7'          67[deg]23.2'
D...........................  18[deg]12.7'          67[deg]26.4'
A...........................  18[deg]15.7'          67[deg]26.4'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) From October 1 through March 31, each year, no person may fish 
for or possess any Caribbean reef fish, as listed in Table 2 of 
Appendix A to part 622, in or from those parts of the Bajo de Sico 
closed area that are in the EEZ. The prohibition on possession does not 
apply to such Caribbean reef fish harvested and landed ashore prior to 
the closure.
    (b) Year-round closures--(1) Hind Bank Marine Conservation District 
(MCD). The following activities are prohibited within the Hind Bank 
MCD: Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels. The Hind 
Bank MCD is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points 
listed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...........................  18[deg]13.2'          65[deg]06.0'
B...........................  18[deg]13.2'          64[deg]59.0'
C...........................  18[deg]11.8'          64[deg]59.0'
D...........................  18[deg]10.7'          65[deg]06.0'
A...........................  18[deg]13.2'          65[deg]06.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Areas closed year-round to certain fishing gear. Fishing with 
pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited 
year-round in the closed areas specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (ii), 
(iii), and (iv) of this section.
    (3) Anchoring prohibition year-round in Bajo de Sico. Anchoring, by 
fishing vessels, is prohibited year-round in those parts of the Bajo de 
Sico closed area, described in paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of this section, 
that are in the EEZ.


Sec.  622.436  Size limits.

    All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless 
specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the Caribbean EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size 
limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator 
of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that 
fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this 
section. See Sec.  622.10 regarding requirements for landing fish 
intact.
    (a) Yellowtail snapper. The minimum size limit for yellowtail 
snapper is 12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.437  Bag limits.

    (a) Applicability. Section 622.11(a) provides the general 
applicability for bag and possession limits. However, Sec.  
622.11(a)(1) notwithstanding, the bag limits of paragraph (b) of this 
section do not apply to a person who has a valid commercial fishing 
license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) Bag limits. (1) Groupers, snappers, and parrotfishes combined--
5 per person per day or, if 3 or more persons are aboard, 15 per vessel 
per day; but not to exceed 2 parrotfish per person per day or 6 
parrotfish per vessel per day.
    (2) Other reef fish species combined--5 per person per day or, if 3 
or more persons are aboard, 15 per vessel per day, but not to exceed 1 
surgeonfish per person per day or 4 surgeonfish per vessel per day.


Sec.  622.438  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) Live red hind or live mutton snapper. A live red hind or live 
mutton snapper in or from the Caribbean EEZ may not be sold or 
purchased and used in the marine aquarium trade.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.439  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    See Sec.  622.12 for applicable ACLs and AMs.


Sec.  622.440  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, the RA may establish or modify the following items:
    (a) Fishery management units (FMUs), quotas, trip limits, bag 
limits, size limits, closed seasons or areas, gear restrictions, 
fishing years, MSY, OY, TAC, maximum fishing mortality threshold 
(MFMT), minimum stock size threshold (MSST), overfishing limit (OFL), 
acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules, ACLs, AMs, ACTs, and 
actions to minimize the interaction of fishing gear with endangered 
species or marine mammals.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.441  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.430 through 622.440.

Subpart T--Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands


Sec.  622.450  Gear identification.

    (a) Caribbean spiny lobster traps and associated buoys. A Caribbean 
spiny lobster trap used or possessed in the Caribbean EEZ must display 
the official

[[Page 23038]]

number specified for the vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands so as to be easily identified. Traps used in the Caribbean 
spiny lobster fishery that are fished individually, rather than tied 
together in a trap line, must have at least one buoy attached that 
floats on the surface. Traps used in the Caribbean spiny lobster 
fishery that are tied together in a trap line must have at least one 
buoy that floats at the surface attached at each end of the trap line. 
Each buoy must display the official number and color code assigned to 
the vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, whichever is 
applicable, so as to be easily distinguished, located, and identified.
    (b) Presumption of ownership of Caribbean spiny lobster traps. A 
Caribbean spiny lobster trap in the EEZ will be presumed to be the 
property of the most recently documented owner. This presumption will 
not apply with respect to such traps that are lost or sold if the owner 
reports the loss or sale within 15 days to the RA.
    (c) Disposition of unmarked Caribbean spiny lobster traps or buoys. 
An unmarked Caribbean spiny lobster trap or a buoy deployed in the EEZ 
where such trap or buoy is required to be marked is illegal and may be 
disposed of in any appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or 
an authorized officer. In the EEZ off Florida, during times other than 
the authorized fishing season, a Caribbean spiny lobster trap, buoy, or 
any connecting lines will be considered derelict and may be disposed of 
in accordance with Rules 68B-55.002 and 68B-55.004 of the Florida 
Administrative Code, in effect as of October 15, 2007 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec.  622.413).


Sec.  622.451  Trap construction specifications and tending 
restrictions.

    (a) Construction specifications--(1) Escape mechanisms. A spiny 
lobster trap used or possessed in the Caribbean EEZ must contain on any 
vertical side or on the top a panel no smaller in diameter than the 
throat or entrance of the trap. The panel must be made of or attached 
to the trap by one of the following degradable materials:
    (i) Untreated fiber of biological origin with a diameter not 
exceeding \1/8\ inch (3.2 mm). This includes, but is not limited to 
tyre palm, hemp, jute, cotton, wool, or silk.
    (ii) Ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire with a diameter not 
exceeding \1/16\ inch (1.6 mm), that is, 16 gauge wire.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Tending restrictions. A Caribbean spiny lobster trap in the 
Caribbean EEZ may be pulled or tended only by a person (other than an 
authorized officer) aboard the spiny lobster trap owner's vessel, or 
aboard another vessel if such vessel has on board written consent of 
the trap owner, or if the trap owner is aboard and has documentation 
verifying his identification number and color code. An owner's written 
consent must specify the time period such consent is effective and the 
trap owner's gear identification number and color code.


Sec.  622.452  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Spears and hooks. A spear, hook, or similar device may not be 
used in the Caribbean EEZ to harvest a Caribbean spiny lobster. The 
possession of a speared, pierced, or punctured Caribbean spiny lobster 
in or from the Caribbean EEZ is prima facie evidence of violation of 
this section.
    (b) Gillnets and trammel nets in the Caribbean EEZ. A gillnet or 
trammel net may not be used in the Caribbean EEZ to fish for Caribbean 
spiny lobster. Possession of a gillnet or trammel net and any Caribbean 
spiny lobster in or from the Caribbean EEZ is prima facie evidence of 
violation of this paragraph (b). A gillnet or trammel net used in the 
Caribbean EEZ to fish for any other species must be tended at all 
times.


Sec.  622.453  Prohibition on harvest of egg-bearing spiny lobster.

    (a) Egg-bearing spiny lobster in the Caribbean EEZ must be returned 
to the water unharmed. An egg-bearing spiny lobster may be retained in 
a trap, provided the trap is returned immediately to the water. An egg-
bearing spiny lobster may not be stripped, scraped, shaved, clipped, or 
in any other manner molested, in order to remove the eggs.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.454  Minimum size limit.

    (a) The minimum size limit for Caribbean spiny lobster is 3.5 
inches (8.9 cm), carapace length.
    (b) A spiny lobster not in compliance with its size limit, as 
specified in this section, in or from the Caribbean EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased and must be released immediately with a 
minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that spiny lobster on board are in compliance 
with the size limit specified in this section.


Sec.  622.455  Landing spiny lobster intact.

    (a) A Caribbean spiny lobster in or from the Caribbean EEZ must be 
maintained with head and carapace intact.
    (b) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible 
for ensuring that spiny lobster on that vessel in the EEZ are 
maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact 
through offloading ashore, as specified in this section.


Sec.  622.456  Bag limits.

    (a) Applicability. Section 622.11(a) provides the general 
applicability for bag and possession limits. However, Sec.  
622.11(a)(1) notwithstanding, the bag limit of paragraph (b) of this 
section does not apply to a person who has a valid commercial fishing 
license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) Bag limit. The bag limit for spiny lobster in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ is 3 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per vessel per 
day, whichever is less.


Sec.  622.457  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    See Sec.  622.12 for applicable ACLs and AMs.


Sec.  622.458  Caribbean spiny lobster import prohibitions.

    (a) Minimum size limits for imported spiny lobster. There are two 
minimum size limits that apply to importation of spiny lobster into the 
United States--one that applies any place subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
and a more restrictive minimum size limit that applies to Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (1) No person may import a Caribbean spiny lobster with less than a 
6-ounce (170-gram) tail weight into Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, a 6-ounce 
(170-gram) tail weight is defined as a tail that weighs 5.9-6.4 ounces 
(167-181 grams). If the documentation accompanying an imported 
Caribbean spiny lobster (including but not limited to product 
packaging, customs entry forms, bills of lading, brokerage forms, or 
commercial invoices) indicates that the product does not satisfy the 
minimum tail-weight, the person importing such Caribbean spiny lobster 
has the burden to prove that such Caribbean spiny lobster actually does 
satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement or that such Caribbean 
spiny lobster has a tail length of 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) or greater or 
that such Caribbean spiny lobster has or had a

[[Page 23039]]

carapace length of 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) or greater. If the imported 
product itself does not satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement, 
the person importing such Caribbean spiny lobster has the burden to 
prove that such Caribbean spiny lobster has a tail length of 6.2 inches 
(15.75 cm) or greater or that such Caribbean spiny lobster has or had a 
carapace length of 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) or greater. If the burden is 
satisfied such Caribbean spiny lobster will be considered to be in 
compliance with the minimum 6-ounce (170-gram) tail-weight requirement.
    (2) See Sec.  622.409 regarding the minimum size limit that applies 
to spiny lobster imported into any place subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) Additional Caribbean spiny lobster import prohibitions--(1) 
Prohibition related to tail meat. No person may import into any place 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Caribbean spiny 
lobster tail meat that is not in whole tail form with the exoskeleton 
attached.
    (2) Prohibitions related to egg-bearing spiny lobster. No person 
may import into any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States Caribbean spiny lobster with eggs attached or Caribbean spiny 
lobster from which eggs or pleopods (swimmerets) have been removed or 
stripped. Pleopods (swimmerets) are the first five pairs of abdominal 
appendages.


Sec.  622.459  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, the RA may establish or modify the following 
items:
    (a) Fishery management unit (FMU), quotas, trip limits, bag limits, 
size limits, closed seasons or areas, gear restrictions, fishing years, 
MSY, OY, TAC, maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), minimum stock 
size threshold (MSST), overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological 
catch (ABC) control rules, ACLs, AMs, ACTs, and actions to minimize the 
interaction of fishing gear with endangered species or marine mammals.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.460  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.450 through 622.459.

Subpart U--Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands


Sec.  622.470  Permits.

    See Sec.  622.4 of this part for information regarding general 
permit procedures including, but not limited to fees, duration, 
transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and replacement.
    (a) Required permits--(1) Prohibited coral. A Federal permit may be 
issued to take or possess Caribbean prohibited coral only as scientific 
research activity, exempted fishing, or exempted educational activity. 
See Sec.  600.745 of this chapter for the procedures and limitations 
for such activities and fishing.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Application. (1) The applicant for a coral permit must be the 
individual who will be conducting the activity that requires the 
permit.
    (2) An applicant must provide the following:
    (i) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying 
information of the applicant.
    (ii) Name and address of any affiliated company, institution, or 
organization.
    (iii) Information concerning vessels, harvesting gear/methods, or 
fishing areas, as specified on the application form.
    (iv) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance 
or administration of the permit.


Sec.  622.471  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.
    (a) Power-assisted tools. A power-assisted tool may not be used in 
the Caribbean EEZ to take a Caribbean coral reef resource.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.472  Prohibited species.

    (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this 
section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a 
vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a 
vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable 
to that vessel.
    (b) Caribbean prohibited coral. Caribbean prohibited coral may not 
be fished for or possessed in or from the Caribbean EEZ. The taking of 
Caribbean prohibited coral in the Caribbean EEZ is not considered 
unlawful possession provided it is returned immediately to the sea in 
the general area of fishing.


Sec.  622.473  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

    (a) Caribbean prohibited coral. (1) No person may sell or purchase 
a Caribbean prohibited coral harvested in the Caribbean EEZ.
    (2) A Caribbean prohibited coral that is sold in Puerto Rico or the 
U.S. Virgin Islands will be presumed to have been harvested in the 
Caribbean EEZ, unless it is accompanied by documentation showing that 
it was harvested elsewhere. Such documentation must contain:
    (i) The information specified in subpart K of part 300 of this 
title for marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are 
imported, exported, or transported in interstate commerce.
    (ii) The name and home port of the vessel, or the name and address 
of the individual, harvesting the Caribbean prohibited coral.
    (iii) The port and date of landing the Caribbean prohibited coral.
    (iv) A statement signed by the person selling the Caribbean 
prohibited coral attesting that, to the best of his or her knowledge, 
information, and belief, such Caribbean prohibited coral was harvested 
other than in the Caribbean EEZ or the waters of Puerto Rico or the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.474  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the RA may establish or 
modify the following items:
    (a) Fishery management units (FMUs), quotas, trip limits, bag 
limits, size limits, closed seasons or areas, gear restrictions, 
fishing years, MSY, OY, TAC, MFMT, MSST, OFL, ABC control rules, ACLs, 
AMs, ACTs, and actions to minimize the interaction of fishing gear with 
endangered species or marine mammals.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.475  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.470 through 622.474.

Subpart V--Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands


Sec.  622.490  Prohibited gear and methods.

    Also see Sec.  622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods 
that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all 
fisheries.

[[Page 23040]]

    (a) In the Caribbean EEZ, no person may harvest queen conch by 
diving while using a device that provides a continuous air supply from 
the surface.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.491  Seasonal and area closures.

    (a) No person may fish for or possess on board a fishing vessel a 
Caribbean queen conch in or from the Caribbean EEZ, in the area east of 
64[deg]34' W. longitude which includes Lang Bank east of St. Croix, 
U.S. Virgin Islands, except during November 1 through May 31.
    (b) Pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in the FMP 
for Queen Conch Resources in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
when the ACL, as specified in Sec.  622.12(a)(2)(i)(A), is reached or 
projected to be reached, the Regional Administrator will close the 
Caribbean EEZ to the harvest and possession of queen conch, in the area 
east of 64[deg]34' W. longitude which includes Lang Bank, east of St. 
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, by filing a notification of closure with 
the Office of the Federal Register. During the closure, no person may 
fish for or possess on board a fishing vessel, a Caribbean queen conch, 
in or from the Caribbean EEZ, in the area east of 64[deg]34' W. 
longitude which includes Lang Bank, east of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin 
Islands.


Sec.  622.492  Minimum size limit.

    (a) The minimum size limit for Caribbean queen conch is 9 inches 
(22.9 cm) in length, that is, from the tip of the spire to the distal 
end of the shell, and \3/8\ inch (9.5 mm) in lip width at its widest 
point. A queen conch with a length of at least 9 inches (22.9 cm) or a 
lip width of at least \3/8\ inch (9.5 mm) is not undersized.
    (b) A Caribbean queen conch not in compliance with its size limit, 
as specified in this section, in or from the Caribbean EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased and must be released immediately with a 
minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that Caribbean queen conch on board are in 
compliance with the size limit specified in this section.


Sec.  622.493  Landing Caribbean queen conch intact.

    (a) A Caribbean queen conch in or from the Caribbean EEZ must be 
maintained with meat and shell intact.
    (b) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible 
for ensuring that Caribbean queen conch on that vessel in the EEZ are 
maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact 
through offloading ashore, as specified in this section.


Sec.  622.494  Bag limit.

    (a) Applicability. Section 622.11(a) provides the general 
applicability for bag and possession limits. However, Sec.  
622.11(a)(1) notwithstanding, the bag limit of paragraph (b) of this 
section does not apply to a person who has a valid commercial fishing 
license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (b) Bag limit. The bag limit for queen conch in or from the 
Caribbean EEZ is 3 per person or, if more than 4 persons are aboard, 12 
per boat.


Sec.  622.495  Commercial trip limit.

    Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable 
species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold 
from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a 
trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit 
applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified 
in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, 
regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not 
be transferred in the EEZ.
    (a) A person who fishes in the Caribbean EEZ and is not subject to 
the bag limit may not possess in or from the Caribbean EEZ more than 
150 queen conch per day.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.496  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

    See Sec.  622.12 for applicable ACLs and AMs.


Sec.  622.497  Adjustment of management measures.

    In accordance with the framework procedure of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, the RA may establish or modify the following items:
    (a) Quotas, trip limits, bag limits, size limits, closed seasons or 
areas, gear restrictions, fishing year, MSY, OY, TAC, MFMT, MSST, OFL, 
ABC control rules, ACLs, AMs, ACTs, and actions to minimize the 
interaction of fishing gear with endangered species or marine mammals.
    (b) [Reserved]


Sec.  622.498  Prohibitions.

    In addition to the prohibitions in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter 
and the general prohibitions in Sec.  622.13, it is unlawful for any 
person to violate any provisions of Sec. Sec.  622.490 through 622.497.

Appendix A to Part 622--Species Tables

Table 1 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Coral Reef Resources

I. Coelenterates--Phylum Coelenterata
    A. Hydrocorals--Class Hydrozoa
    1. Hydroids--Order Athecatae
    Family Milleporidae
    Millepora spp., Fire corals
    Family Stylasteridae
    Stylaster roseus, Rose lace corals
    B. Anthozoans--Class Anthozoa
    1. Soft corals--Order Alcyonacea
    Family Anthothelidae
    Erythropodium caribaeorum, Encrusting gorgonian
    Iciligorgia schrammi, Deepwater sea fan
    Family Briaridae
    Briareum asbestinum, Corky sea finger Family Clavulariidae
    Carijoa riisei
    Telesto spp.
    2. Gorgonian corals--Order Gorgonacea
    Family Ellisellidae
    Ellisella spp., Sea whips
    Family Gorgoniidae
    Gorgonia flabellum, Venus sea fan
    G. mariae, Wide-mesh sea fan
    G. ventalina, Common sea fan
    Pseudopterogorgia acerosa, Sea plume
    P. albatrossae
    P. americana, Slimy sea plume
    P. bipinnata, Bipinnate plume
    P. rigida
    Pterogorgia anceps, Angular sea whip
    P. citrina, Yellow sea whip Family Plexauridae
    Eunicea calyculata, Warty sea rod
    E. clavigera
    E. fusca, Doughnut sea rod
    E. knighti
    E. laciniata
    E. laxispica
    E. mammosa, Swollen-knob
    E. succinea, Shelf-knob sea rod
    E. touneforti
    Muricea atlantica
    M. elongata, Orange spiny rod
    M. laxa, Delicate spiny rod
    M. muricata, Spiny sea fan
    M. pinnata, Long spine sea fan
    Muriceopsis spp.
    M. flavida, Rough sea plume
    M. sulphurea
    Plexaura flexuosa, Bent sea rod
    P. homomalla, Black sea rod
    Plexaurella dichotoma, Slit-pore sea rod
    P. fusifera
    P. grandiflora
    P. grisea
    P. nutans, Giant slit-pore
    Pseudoplexaura crucis
    P. flagellosa
    P. porosa, Porous sea rod
    P. wagenaari
    3. Hard Corals--Order Scleractinia
    Family Acroporidae
    Acropora cervicornis, Staghorn coral
    A. palmata, Elkhorn coral
    A. prolifera, Fused staghorn
    Family Agaricidae
    Agaricia agaricities, Lettuce leaf coral
    A. fragilis, Fragile saucer
    A. lamarcki, Lamarck's sheet
    A. tenuifolia, Thin leaf lettuce

[[Page 23041]]

    Leptoseris cucullata, Sunray lettuce
    Family Astrocoeniidae
    Stephanocoenia michelinii, Blushing star
    Family Caryophyllidae
    Eusmilia fastigiata, Flower coral
    Tubastrea aurea, Cup coral
    Family Faviidae
    Cladocora arbuscula, Tube coral
    Colpophyllia natans, Boulder coral
    Diploria clivosa, Knobby brain coral
    D. labyrinthiformis, Grooved brain
    D. strigosa, Symmetrical brain
    Favia fragum, Golfball coral
    Manicina areolata, Rose coral
    M. mayori, Tortugas rose coral
    Montastrea annularis, Boulder star coral
    M. cavernosa, Great star coral
    Solenastrea bournoni, Smooth star coral
    Family Meandrinidae
    Dendrogyra cylindrus, Pillar coral
    Dichocoenia stellaris, Pancake star
    D. stokesi, Elliptical star
    Meandrina meandrites, Maze coral
    Family Mussidae
    Isophyllastrea rigida, Rough star coral
    Isophyllia sinuosa, Sinuous cactus
    Mussa angulosa, Large flower coral
    Mycetophyllia aliciae, Thin fungus coral
    M. danae, Fat fungus coral
    M. ferox, Grooved fungus
    M. lamarckiana, Fungus coral
    Scolymia cubensis, Artichoke coral
    S. lacera, Solitary disk
    Family Oculinidae
    Oculina diffusa, Ivory bush coral
    Family Pocilloporidae
    Madracis decactis, Ten-ray star coral
    M. mirabilis, Yellow pencil
    Family Poritidae
    Porites astreoides, Mustard hill coral
    P. branneri, Blue crust coral
    P. divaricata, Small finger coral
    P. porites, Finger coral
    Family Rhizangiidae
    Astrangia solitaria, Dwarf cup coral
    Phyllangia americana, Hidden cup coral
    Family Siderastreidae
    Siderastrea radians, Lesser starlet
    S. siderea, Massive starlet
    4. Black Corals--Order Antipatharia
    Antipathes spp., Bushy black coral
    Stichopathes spp., Wire coral
II. Sea grasses--Phylum Angiospermae
    Halodule wrightii, Shoal grass
    Halophila spp., Sea vines
    Ruppia maritima, Widgeon grass
    Syringodium filiforme, Manatee grass
    Thalassia testudium, Turtle grass

Aquarium Trade Species in the Coral FMP--The following species are 
included for data collection purposes only.

I. Sponges--Phylum Porifera
    A. Demosponges--Class Demospongiae
    Aphimedon compressa, Erect rope sponge
    Chondrilla nucula, Chicken liver sponge
    Cynachirella alloclada
    Geodia neptuni, Potato sponge
    Haliclona spp., Finger sponge
    Myriastra spp.
    Niphates digitalis, Pink vase sponge
    N. erecta, Lavender rope sponge
    Spinosella policifera
    S. vaginalis
    Tethya crypta
II. Coelenterates--Phylum Coelenterata
    A. Anthozoans--Class Anthozoa
    1. Anemones--Order Actiniaria
    Aiptasia tagetes, Pale anemone
    Bartholomea annulata, Corkscrew anemone
    Condylactis gigantea, Giant pink-tipped anemone
    Hereractis lucida, Knobby anemone
    Lebrunia spp., Staghorn anemone
    Stichodactyla helianthus, Sun anemone
    2. Colonial Anemones--Order Zoanthidea
    Zoanthus spp., Sea mat
    3. False Corals--Order Corallimorpharia
    Discosoma spp. (formerly Rhodactis), False coral
    Ricordia florida, Florida false coral
III. Annelid Worms--Phylum Annelida
    A. Polychaetes--Class Polychaeta
    Family Sabellidae, Feather duster worms
    Sabellastarte spp., Tube worms
    S. magnifica, Magnificent duster
    Family Serpulidae
    Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm
IV. Mollusks--Phylum Mollusca
    A. Gastropods--Class Gastropoda
    Family Elysiidae
    Tridachia crispata, Lettuce sea slug
    Family Olividae
    Oliva reticularis, Netted olive
    Family Ovulidae
    Cyphoma gibbosum, Flamingo tongue
    B. Bivalves--Class Bivalvia
    Family Limidae
    Lima spp., Fileclams
    L. scabra, Rough fileclam
    Family Spondylidae
    Spondylus americanus, Atlantic thorny oyster
    C. Cephalopods--Class Cephalopoda
    1. Octopuses--Order Octopoda
    Family Octopodidae
    Octopus spp. (except the Common octopus, O. vulgaris)
V. Arthropods--Phylum Arthropoda
    A. Crustaceans--Subphylum Crustacea
    1. Decapods--Order Decapoda
    Family Alpheidae
    Alpheaus armatus, Snapping shrimp
    Family Diogenidae
    Paguristes spp., Hermit crabs
    P. cadenati, Red reef hermit
    Family Grapsidae
    Percnon gibbesi, Nimble spray crab
    Family Hippolytidae
    Lysmata spp., Peppermint shrimp
    Thor amboinensis, Anemone shrimp
    Family Majidae, Coral crabs
    Mithrax spp., Clinging crabs
    M. cinctimanus, Banded clinging
    M. sculptus, Green clinging
    Stenorhynchus seticornis, Yellowline arrow
    Family Palaemonida
    Periclimenes spp., Cleaner shrimp
    Family Squillidae, Mantis crabs
    Gonodactylus spp.
    Lysiosquilla spp.
    Family Stenopodidae, Coral shrimp
    Stenopus hispidus, Banded shrimp
    S. scutellatus, Golden shrimp
VI. Echinoderms--Phylum Echinodermata
    A. Feather stars--Class Crinoidea
    Analcidometra armata, Swimming crinoid
    Davidaster spp., Crinoids
    Nemaster spp., Crinoids
    B. Sea stars--Class Asteroidea
    Astropecten spp., Sand stars
    Linckia guildingii, Common comet star
    Ophidiaster guildingii, Comet star
    Oreaster reticulatus, Cushion sea star
    C. Brittle and basket stars--Class Ophiuroidea
    Astrophyton muricatum, Giant basket star
    Ophiocoma spp., Brittlestars
    Ophioderma spp., Brittlestars
    O. rubicundum, Ruby brittlestar
    D. Sea Urchins--Class Echinoidea
    Diadema antillarum, Long-spined urchin
    Echinometra spp., Purple urchin
    Eucidaris tribuloides, Pencil urchin
    Lytechinus spp., Pin cushion urchin
    Tripneustes ventricosus, Sea egg
    E. Sea Cucumbers--Class Holothuroidea
    Holothuria spp., Sea cucumbers
VII. Chordates--Phylum Chordata
    A. Tunicates--Subphylum Urochordata

Table 2 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Reef Fish

Lutjanidae--Snappers
    Unit 1
    Black snapper, Apsilus dentatus
    Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
    Wenchman, Pristipomoides aquilonaris
    Unit 2
    Cardinal, Pristipomoides macrophthalmus
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Unit 3
    Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu
    Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus
    Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogani
    Unit 4
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
Serranidae--Sea basses and Groupers
    Unit 1
    Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatus
    Unit 2
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
    Unit 3
    Coney, Epinephelus fulvus
    Graysby, Epinephelus cruentatus
    Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus
    Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
    Unit 4
    Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Tiger grouper, Mycteroperca tigris
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
    Unit 5
    Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
Haemulidae--Grunts
    White grunt, Haemulon plumieri
    Margate, Haemulon album
    Tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum
    Bluestriped grunt, Haemulon sciurus
    French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum
    Porkfish, Anisotremus virginicus
Mullidae--Goatfishes
    Spotted goatfish, Pseudupeneus maculatus
    Yellow goatfish, Mulloidichthys martinicus
Sparidae--Porgies
    Jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado
    Sea bream, Archosargus rhomboidalis
    Sheepshead porgy, Calamus penna

[[Page 23042]]

    Pluma, Calamus pennatula
Holocentridae--Squirrelfishes
    Blackbar soldierfish, Myripristis jacobus
    Bigeye, Priacanthus arenatus
    Longspine squirrelfish, Holocentrus rufus
    Squirrelfish, Holocentrus adscensionis
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes
    Blackline tilefish, Caulolatilus cyanops
    Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
Carangidae--Jacks
    Blue runner, Caranx crysos
    Horse-eye jack, Caranx latus
    Black jack, Caranx lugubris
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Bar jack, Caranx ruber
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Yellow jack, Caranx bartholomaei
Scaridae--Parrotfishes
    Blue parrotfish, Scarus coeruleus
    Midnight parrotfish, Scarus coelestinus
    Princess parrotfish, Scarus taeniopterus
    Queen parrotfish, Scarus vetula
    Rainbow parrotfish, Scarus guacamaia
    Redfin parrotfish, Sparisoma rubripinne
    Redtail parrotfish, Sparisoma chrysopterum
    Stoplight parrotfish, Sparisoma viride
    Redband parrotfish, Sparisoma aurofrenatum
    Striped parrotfish, Scarus croicensis
Acanthuridae--Surgeonfishes
    Blue tang, Acanthurus coeruleus
    Ocean surgeonfish, Acanthurus bahianus
    Doctorfish, Acanthurus chirurgus
Balistidae--Triggerfishes
    Ocean triggerfish, Canthidermis sufflamen
    Queen triggerfish, Balistes vetula
    Sargassum triggerfish, Xanthichthys ringens
    Monacanthidae--Filefishes
    Scrawled filefish, Aluterus scriptus
    Whitespotted filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus
    Black durgon, Melichthys niger
    Ostraciidae--Boxfishes
    Honeycomb cowfish, Lactophrys polygonia
    Scrawled cowfish, Lactophrys quadricornis
    Trunkfish, Lactophrys trigonus
    Spotted trunkfish, Lactophrys bicaudalis
    Smooth trunkfish, Lactophrys triqueter
    Labridae--Wrasses
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
    Puddingwife, Halichoeres radiatus
    Spanish hogfish, Bodianus rufus
    Pomacanthidae--Angelfishes
    Queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris
    Gray angelfish, Pomacanthus arcuatus
    French angelfish, Pomacanthus paru

Aquarium Trade--The following aquarium trade species are included 
for data collection purposes only:

    Frogfish, Antennarius spp.
    Flamefish, Apogon maculatus
    Conchfish, Astrapogen stellatus
    Redlip blenny, Ophioblennius atlanticus
    Peacock flounder, Bothus lunatus
    Longsnout butterflyfish, Chaetodon aculeatus
    Foureye butterflyfish, Chaetodon capistratus
    Spotfin butterflyfish, Chaetodon ocellatus
    Banded butterflyfish, Chaetodon striatus
    Redspotted hawkfish, Amblycirrhitus pinos
    Flying gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans
    Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber
    Neon goby, Gobiosoma oceanops
    Rusty goby, Priolepis hipoliti
    Royal gramma, Gramma loreto
    Creole wrasse, Clepticus parrae
    Yellowcheek wrasse, Halichoeres cyanocephalus
    Yellowhead wrasse, Halichoeres garnoti
    Clown wrasse, Halichoeres maculipinna
    Pearly razorfish, Hemipteronotus novacula
    Green razorfish, Hemipteronotus splendens
    Bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum
    Chain moray, Echidna catenata
    Green moray, Gymnothorax funebris
    Goldentail moray, Gymnothorax miliaris
    Batfish, Ogcocepahalus spp.
    Goldspotted eel, Myrichthys ocellatus
    Yellowhead jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons
    Dusky jawfish, Opistognathus whitehursti
    Cherubfish, Centropyge argi
    Rock beauty, Holacanthus tricolor
    Sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis
    Blue chromis, Chromis cyanea
    Sunshinefish, Chromis insolata
    Yellowtail damselfish, Microspathodon chrysurus
    Dusky damselfish, Pomacentrus fuscus
    Beaugregory, Pomacentrus leucostictus
    Bicolor damselfish, Pomacentrus partitus
    Threespot damselfish, Pomacentrus planifrons
    Glasseye snapper, Priacanthus cruentatus
    High-hat, Equetus acuminatus
    Jackknife-fish, Equetus lanceolatus
    Spotted drum, Equetus punctatus
    Scorpaenidae--Scorpionfishes
    Butter hamlet, Hypoplectrus unicolor
    Swissguard basslet, Liopropoma rubre
    Greater soapfish, Rypticus saponaceus
    Orangeback bass, Serranus annularis
    Lantern bass, Serranus baldwini
    Tobaccofish, Serranus tabacarius
    Harlequin bass, Serranus tigrinus
    Chalk bass, Serranus tortugarum
    Caribbean tonguefish, Symphurus arawak
    Seahorses, Hippocampus spp.
    Pipefishes, Syngnathus spp.
    Sand diver, Synodus intermedius
    Sharpnose puffer, Canthigaster rostrata
    Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix

Table 3 of Appendix A to Part 622--Gulf Reef Fish

Balistidae--Triggerfishes
    Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus
Carangidae--Jacks
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata
Labridae--Wrasses
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
Lutjanidae--Snappers
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella
    Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus
    Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus
    Gray (mangrove) snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
    Wenchman, Pristipomoides aquilonaris
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes
    Goldface tilefish, Caulolatilus chrysops
    Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
    Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Serranidae--Groupers
    Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
    Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
    Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci
    Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
    Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis
    Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa

Table 4 of Appendix A to Part 622--South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper

Balistidae--Triggerfishes:
    Gray triggerfish, Balistes capriscus
Carangidae--Jacks:
    Blue runner, Caranx bartholomaei
    Bar jack, Caranx ruber
    Greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili
    Lesser amberjack, Seriola fasciata
    Almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana
    Banded rudderfish, Seriola zonata
Ephippidae--Spadefishes:
    Spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber
Haemulidae--Grunts:
    Margate, Haemulon album
    Tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum
    Sailor's choice, Haemulon parrai
    White grunt, Haemulon plumieri
Labridae--Wrasses:
    Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus
Lutjanidae--Snappers:
    Black snapper, Apsilus dentatus
    Queen snapper, Etelis oculatus
    Mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis
    Blackfin snapper, Lutjanus buccanella
    Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus
    Cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus
    Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus
    Mahogany snapper, Lutjanus mahogoni
    Dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu
    Lane snapper, Lutjanus synagris
    Silk snapper, Lutjanus vivanus
    Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus
    Vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens
Malacanthidae--Tilefishes:
    Blueline tilefish, Caulolatilus microps
    Golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
    Sand tilefish, Malacanthus plumieri
Percichthyidae--Temperate basses:
    Wreckfish, Polyprion americanus
Serranidae--Groupers:
    Rock hind, Epinephelus adscensionis
    Graysby, Epinephelus cruentatus
    Speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi
    Yellowedge grouper, Epinephelus flavolimbatus
    Coney, Epinephelus fulvus
    Red hind, Epinephelus guttatus
    Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara
    Red grouper, Epinephelus morio
    Misty grouper, Epinephelus mystacinus
    Warsaw grouper, Epinephelus nigritus
    Snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus
    Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus
    Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci

[[Page 23043]]

    Yellowmouth grouper, Mycteroperca interstitialis
    Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis
    Scamp, Mycteroperca phenax
    Yellowfin grouper, Mycteroperca venenosa
Serranidae--Sea Basses:
    Black sea bass, Centropristis striata
Sparidae--Porgies:
    Grass porgy, Calamus arctifrons
    Jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado
    Saucereye porgy, Calamus calamus
    Whitebone porgy, Calamus leucosteus
    Knobbed porgy, Calamus nodosus
    Red porgy, Pagrus pagrus
    Scup, Stenotomus chrysops

The following species are designated as ecosystem component species:

    Cottonwick, Haemulon melanurum
    Bank sea bass, Centropristis ocyurus
    Rock sea bass, Centropristis philadelphica
    Longspine porgy, Stenotomus caprinus
    Ocean triggerfish, Canthidermis sufflamen
    Schoolmaster, Lutjanus apodus

Table 5 of Appendix A to Part 622--Caribbean Conch Resources

Queen conch, Strombus gigas

Appendix B to Part 622--Gulf Areas

 Table 1 of Appendix B to Part 622--Seaward Coordinates of the Longline
                      and Buoy Gear Restricted Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Point Number and reference
        location \1\               North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Seaward limit of Florida's  24[deg]48.0'          82[deg]48.0'
 waters north of Dry
 Tortugas.
2 North of Rebecca Shoal....  25[deg]07.5'          82[deg]34.0'
3 Off Sanibel Island--        26[deg]26.0'          82[deg]59.0'
 Offshore.
4 West of Egmont Key........  27[deg]30.0'          83[deg]21.5'
5 Off Anclote Keys--Offshore  28[deg]10.0'          83[deg]45.0'
6 Southeast corner of         28[deg]11.0'          84[deg]00.0'
 Florida Middle Ground.
7 Southwest corner of         28[deg]11.0'          84[deg]07.0'
 Florida Middle Ground.
8 West corner of Florida      28[deg]26.6'          84[deg]24.8'
 Middle Ground.
9 Northwest corner of         28[deg]42.5'          84[deg]24.8'
 Florida Middle Ground.
10 South of Carrabelle......  29[deg]05.0'          84[deg]47.0'
11 South of Cape St. George.  29[deg]02.5'          85[deg]09.0'
12 South of Cape San Blas     29[deg]21.0'          85[deg]30.0'
 lighted bellbuoy--20
 fathoms.
13 South of Cape San Blas     28[deg]58.7'          85[deg]30.0'
 lighted bell buoy--50
 fathoms.
14 De Soto Canyon...........  30[deg]06.0'          86[deg]55.0'
15 South of Pensacola.......  29[deg]46.0'          87[deg]19.0'
16 South of Perdido Bay.....  29[deg]29.0'          87[deg]27.5'
17 East of North Pass of the  29[deg]14.5'          88[deg]28.0'
 Mississippi River.
18 South of Southwest Pass    28[deg]46.5'          89[deg]26.0'
 of the Mississippi River.
19 Northwest tip of           28[deg]38.5'          90[deg]08.5'
 Mississippi Canyon.
20 West side of Mississippi   28[deg]34.5'          89[deg]59.5'
 Canyon.
21 South of Timbalier Bay...  28[deg]22.5'          90[deg]02.5'
22 South of Terrebonne Bay..  28[deg]10.5'          90[deg]31.5'
23 South of Freeport........  27[deg]58.0'          95[deg]00.0'
24 Off Matagorda Island.....  27[deg]43.0'          96[deg]02.0'
25 Off Aransas Pass.........  27[deg]30.0'          96[deg]23.5'
26 Northeast of Port          27[deg]00.0'          96[deg]39.0'
 Mansfield.
27 East of Port Mansfield...  26[deg]44.0'          96[deg]37.5'
28 Northeast of Port Isabel.  26[deg]22.0'          96[deg]21.0'
29 U.S./Mexico EEZ boundary.  26[deg]00.5'          96[deg]24.5'
Thence westerly along U.S./
 Mexico EEZ boundary to the
 seaward limit of Texas'
 waters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Nearest identifiable landfall, boundary, navigational aid, or
  submarine area.


 Table 2 of Appendix B to Part 622--Seaward Coordinates of the Stressed
                                  Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Point Number and reference
        location \1\               North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Seaward limit of Florida's  24[deg]45.5'          82[deg]41.5'
 waters northeast of Dry
 Tortugas.
2 North of Marquesas Keys...  24[deg]48.0'          82[deg]06.5'
3 Off Cape Sable............  25[deg]15.0'          82[deg]02.0'
4 Off Sanibel Island--        26[deg]26.0'          82[deg]29.0'
 Inshore.
5 Off Sanibel Island--        26[deg]26.0'          82[deg]59.0'
 Offshore.
6 West of Egmont Key........  27[deg]30.0'          83[deg]21.5'
7 Off Anclote Keys--Offshore  28[deg]10.0'          83[deg]45.0'
8 Off Anclote Keys--Inshore.  28[deg]10.0'          83[deg]14.0'
9 Off Deadman Bay...........  29[deg]38.0'          84[deg]00.0'
10 Seaward limit of           29[deg]35.5'          84[deg]38.6'
 Florida's waters east of
 Cape St. George.
Thence westerly along the
 seaward limit of Florida's
 waters to:
11 Seaward limit of           29[deg]32.2'          85[deg]27.1'
 Florida's waters south of
 Cape San Blas.
12 Southwest of Cape San      29[deg]30.5'          85[deg]52.0'
 Blas.
13 Off St. Andrew Bay.......  29[deg]53.0'          86[deg]10.0'
14 De Soto Canyon...........  30[deg]06.0'          86[deg]55.0'
15 South of Florida/Alabama   29[deg]34.5'          87[deg]38.0'
 border.
16 Off Mobile Bay...........  29[deg]41.0'          88[deg]00.0'
17 South of Alabama/          30[deg]01.5'          88[deg]23.7'
 Mississippi border.
18 Horn/Chandeleur Islands..  30[deg]01.5'          88[deg]40.5'
19 Chandeleur Islands.......  29[deg]35.5'          88[deg]37.0'
20 Seaward limit of           29[deg]16.3'          89[deg]00.0'
 Louisiana's waters off
 North Pass of the
 Mississippi River.
Thence southerly and
 westerly along the seaward
 limit of Louisiana's waters
 to:
21 Seaward limit of           28[deg]57.3'          89[deg]28.2'
 Louisiana's waters off
 Southwest Pass of the
 Mississippi River.
22 Southeast of Grand Isle..  29[deg]09.0'          89[deg]47.0'

[[Page 23044]]

 
23 Quick flashing horn buoy   28[deg]32.5'          90[deg]42.0'
 south of Isles Dernieres.
24 Southeast of Calcasieu     29[deg]10.0'          92[deg]37.0'
 Pass.
25 South of Sabine Pass--10   29[deg]09.0'          93[deg]41.0'
 fathoms.
26 South of Sabine Pass--30   28[deg]21.5'          93[deg]28.0'
 fathoms.
27 East of Aransas Pass.....  27[deg]49.0'          96[deg]19.5'
28 East of Baffin Bay.......  27[deg]12.0'          96[deg]51.0'
29 Northeast of Port          26[deg]46.5'          96[deg]52.0'
 Mansfield.
30 Northeast of Port Isabel.  26[deg]21.5'          96[deg]35.0'
31 U.S./Mexico EEZ boundary.  26[deg]00.5'          96[deg]36.0'
Thence westerly along U.S./
 Mexico EEZ boundary to the
 seaward limit of Texas'
 waters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Nearest identifiable landfall, boundary, navigational aid, or
  submarine area.

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

 
 
 
       Appendix C to Part 622--Fish Length Measurements
 


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AP13.000


[[Page 23045]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR17AP13.001

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

Appendix D to Part 622--Specifications for Certified BRDs

    A. Extended Funnel.
    1. Description. The extended funnel BRD consists of an extension 
with large-mesh webbing in the center (the large-mesh escape 
section) and small-mesh webbing on each end held open by a semi-
rigid hoop. A funnel of small-mesh webbing is placed inside the 
extension to form a passage for shrimp to the cod end. It also 
creates an area of reduced water flow to allow for fish escapement 
through the large mesh. One side of the funnel is extended 
vertically to form a lead panel and area of reduced water flow. 
There are two sizes of extended funnel BRDs, a standard size and an 
inshore size for small trawls.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements for 
Standard Size.
    (a) Extension Material. The small-mesh sections used on both 
sides of the large-mesh escape section are constructed of 1\5/8\ 
inch (4.13 cm), No. 30 stretched mesh, nylon webbing. The front 
section is 120 meshes around by 6\1/2\ meshes deep. The back section 
is 120 meshes around by 23 meshes deep.
    (b) Large-Mesh Escape Section. The large-mesh escape section is 
constructed of 8 to 10 inch (20.3 to 25.4 cm), stretched mesh, 
webbing. This section is cut on the bar to form a section that is 15 
inches (38.1 cm) in length by 95 inches (241.3 cm) in circumference. 
The leading edge is attached to the 6\1/2\-mesh extension section 
and the rear edge is attached to the 23-mesh extension section.
    (c) Funnel. The funnel is constructed of 1\1/2\ inch (3.81 cm), 
stretched mesh, No. 30 depth-stretched and heat-set polyethylene 
webbing. The circumference of the leading edge is 120 meshes and the 
back edge is 78 meshes. The short side of the funnel is 34 to 36 
inches (86.4 to 91.4 cm) long and the opposite side of the funnel 
extends an additional 22 to 24 inches (55.9 to 61.0 cm). The 
circumference of the leading edge of the funnel is attached to the 
forward small-mesh section three meshes forward of the large-mesh 
escape section and is evenly sewn, mesh for mesh, to the small-mesh 
section. The after edge of the funnel is attached to the after 
small-mesh section at its top and bottom eight meshes back from the 
large-mesh escape panel. Seven meshes of the top and seven meshes of 
the bottom of the funnel are attached to eight meshes at the top and 
bottom of the small-mesh section, such eight meshes being located 
immediately adjacent to the top and bottom centers of the small-mesh 
section on the side of the funnel's extended side. The extended side 
of the funnel is sewn at its top and bottom to the top and bottom of 
the small-mesh section, extending at an angle toward the top and 
bottom centers of the small-mesh section.
    (d) Semi-Rigid Hoop. A 30-inch (76.2-cm) diameter hoop 
constructed of plastic-coated trawl cable, swaged together with a 
\3/8\-inch (9.53-mm) micropress sleeve, is installed five meshes 
behind the trailing edge of the large-mesh escape section. The 
extension webbing must be laced to the ring around the entire 
circumference and must be equally distributed on the hoop, that is, 
30 meshes must be evenly attached to each quadrant.
    (e) Installation. The extended funnel BRD is attached 8 inches 
(20.3 cm) behind the posterior edge of the TED. If it is attached 
behind a soft TED, a second semi-rigid hoop, as prescribed in 
paragraph A.2.(d), must be installed in the front section of the BRD 
extension webbing at the leading edge of the funnel. The cod end of 
the trawl net is attached to the trailing edge of the BRD.
    3. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements for 
Inshore Size.

[[Page 23046]]

    (a) Extension Material. The small-mesh sections used on both 
sides of the large-mesh escape section are constructed of 1\3/8\ 
inch (3.5 cm), No. 18 stretched mesh, nylon webbing. The front 
section is 120 meshes around by 6\1/2\ meshes deep. The back section 
is 120 meshes around by 23 meshes deep.
    (b) Large-Mesh Escape Section. The large-mesh escape section is 
constructed of 8 to 10 inch (20.3 to 25.4 cm), stretched mesh, 
webbing. This section is cut on the bar to form a section that is 15 
inches (38.1 cm) by 75 inches (190.5 cm) in circumference. The 
leading edge is attached to the 6\1/2\-mesh extension section and 
the rear edge is attached to the 23-mesh extension section.
    (c) Funnel. The funnel is constructed of 1\3/8\ inch (3.5 cm), 
stretched mesh, No. 18 depth-stretched and heat-set polyethylene 
webbing. The circumference of the leading edge is 120 meshes and the 
back edge is 78 meshes. The short side of the funnel is 30 to 32 
inches (76.2 to 81.3 cm) long and the opposite side of the funnel 
extends an additional 20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.9 cm). The 
circumference of the leading edge of the funnel is attached to the 
forward small-mesh section three meshes forward of the large-mesh 
escape section and is evenly sewn, mesh for mesh, to the small-mesh 
section. The after edge of the funnel is attached to the after 
small-mesh section at its top and bottom eight meshes back from the 
large-mesh escape panel. Seven meshes of the top and seven meshes of 
the bottom of the funnel are attached to eight meshes at the top and 
bottom of the small-mesh section, such eight meshes being located 
immediately adjacent to the top and bottom centers of the small-mesh 
section on the side of the funnel's extended side. The extended side 
of the funnel is sewn at its top and bottom to the top and bottom of 
the small-mesh section, extending at an angle toward the top and 
bottom centers of the small-mesh section.
    (d) Semi-Rigid Hoop. A 24-inch (61.0-cm) diameter hoop 
constructed of plastic-coated trawl cable, swaged together with a 
\3/8\-inch (9.53-mm) micropress sleeve, is installed five meshes 
behind the trailing edge of the large mesh section. The extension 
webbing must be laced to the ring around the entire circumference 
and must be equally distributed on the hoop, that is, 30 meshes must 
be evenly attached to each quadrant.
    (e) Installation. The extended funnel BRD is attached 8 inches 
(20.3 cm) behind the posterior edge of the TED. If it is attached 
behind a soft TED, a second semi-rigid hoop, as prescribed in 
paragraph A.3.(d), must be installed in the front section of the BRD 
extension webbing at the leading edge of the funnel. The cod end of 
the trawl net is attached to the trailing edge of the BRD.
    B. Expanded Mesh. The expanded mesh BRD is constructed and 
installed exactly the same as the standard size extended funnel BRD, 
except that one side of the funnel is not extended to form a lead 
panel.
    C. Fisheye.
    1. Description. The fisheye BRD is a cone-shaped rigid frame 
constructed from aluminum or steel rod of at least \1/4\ inch (6.35-
mm) diameter, which is inserted into the cod end to form an escape 
opening.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The 
fisheye has a minimum escape opening dimension of 5 inches (12.7 cm) 
and a minimum total escape opening area of 36 in\2\ (91.4 cm\2\). 
When the fisheye BRD is installed, no part of the lazy line 
attachment system (i.e., any mechanism, such as elephant ears or 
choker straps, used to attach the lazy line to the cod end) may 
overlap the fisheye escape opening when the fisheye is installed aft 
of the attachment point of the cod end retrieval system.
    (a) In the Gulf EEZ, the fisheye BRD must be installed at the 
top center of the cod end of the trawl to create an opening in the 
trawl facing in the direction of the mouth of the trawl no further 
forward than 9 ft (2.7 m) from the cod end drawstring (tie-off 
rings).
    (b) In the South Atlantic EEZ, the fisheye BRD must be installed 
at the top center of the cod end of the trawl to create an escape 
opening in the trawl facing the direction of the mouth of the trawl 
no further forward than 11 ft (3.4 m) from the cod end tie-off 
rings.
    D. Gulf fisheye.
    1. Description. The Gulf fisheye is a cone-shaped rigid frame 
constructed from aluminum or steel rod of at least \1/4\ inch (6.35-
mm) diameter, which is inserted into the top center of the cod end, 
and is offset not more than 15 meshes perpendicular to the top 
center of the cod end to form an escape opening.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The Gulf 
fisheye has a minimum escape opening dimension of 5 inches (12.7 cm) 
and a minimum total escape opening area of 36 in\2\ (91.4 cm\2\). To 
be used in the South Atlantic EEZ, the Gulf fisheye BRD must be 
installed in the cod end of the trawl to create an escape opening in 
the trawl, facing in the direction of the mouth of the trawl, no 
less than 8.5 ft (2.59 m) and no further forward than 12.5 ft (3.81 
m) from the cod end tie-off rings, and may be offset no more than 15 
meshes perpendicular to the top center of the cod end. When the Gulf 
fisheye BRD is installed, no part of the lazy line attachment system 
(i.e., any mechanism, such as elephant ears or choker straps, used 
to attach the lazy line to the cod end) may overlap the fisheye 
escape opening when the fisheye is installed aft of the attachment 
point of the cod end retrieval system.
    E. Jones-Davis.
    1. Description. The Jones-Davis BRD is similar to the expanded 
mesh and the extended funnel BRDs except that the fish escape 
openings are windows cut around the funnel rather than large-mesh 
sections. In addition, a webbing cone fish deflector is installed 
behind the funnel.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The 
Jones-Davis BRD must contain all of the following.
    (a) Webbing extension. The webbing extension must be constructed 
from a single piece of 1\5/8\-inch (3.5-cm) stretch mesh number 30 
nylon 42 meshes by 120 meshes. A tube is formed from the extension 
webbing by sewing the 42-mesh side together.
    (b) 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop. A single hoop must be 
constructed of \1/2\-inch (1.3-cm) steel cable 88 inches (223.5 cm) 
in length. The cable must be joined at its ends by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) 
piece of \1/2\-inch (1.3-cm) aluminum pipe and pressed with a \3/8\-
inch (0.95-cm) die to form a hoop. The inside diameter of this hoop 
must be between 27 and 29 inches (68.6 and 73.7 cm). The hoop must 
be attached to the extension webbing 17\1/2\ meshes behind the 
leading edge. The extension webbing must be quartered and attached 
in four places around the hoop, and every other mesh must be 
attached all the way around the hoop using number 24 twine or 
larger. The hoop must be laced with \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) 
polypropylene or polyethylene rope for chaffing.
    (c) 24-inch (61.0-cm) hoop. A single hoop must be constructed of 
either number 60 twine 80 inches (203.2 cm) in length or \3/8\-inch 
(0.95-cm) steel cable 75\1/2\ inches (191.8 cm) in length. If twine 
is used, the twine must be laced in and out of the extension webbing 
39 meshes behind the leading edge, and the ends must be tied 
together. If cable is used, the cable must be joined at its ends by 
a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum pipe and 
pressed together with a \1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die to form a hoop. The 
inside diameter of this hoop must be between 23 and 25 inches (58.4 
and 63.4 cm). The hoop must be attached to the extension webbing 39 
meshes behind the leading edge. The extension webbing must be 
quartered and attached in four places around the hoop, and every 
other mesh must be attached all the way around the hoop using number 
24 twine or larger. The hoop must be laced with \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) 
polypropylene or polyethylene rope for chaffing.
    (d) Funnel. The funnel must be constructed from four sections of 
1\1/2\-inch (3.8-cm) heat-set and depth-stretched polypropylene or 
polyethylene webbing. The two side sections must be rectangular in 
shape, 29\1/2\ meshes on the leading edge by 23 meshes deep. The top 
and bottom sections are 29\1/2\ meshes on the leading edge by 23 
meshes deep and tapered 1 point 2 bars on both sides down to 8 
meshes across the back. The four sections must be sewn together down 
the 23-mesh edge to form the funnel.
    (e) Attachment of the funnel in the webbing extension. The 
funnel must be installed two meshes behind the leading edge of the 
extension starting at the center seam of the extension and the 
center mesh of the funnel's top section leading edge. On the same 
row of meshes, the funnel must be sewn evenly all the way around the 
inside of the extension. The funnel's top and bottom back edges must 
be attached one mesh behind the 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop (front 
hoop). Starting at the top center seam, the back edge of the top 
funnel section must be attached four meshes each side of the center. 
Counting around 60 meshes from the top center, the back edge of the 
bottom section must be attached 4 meshes on each side of the bottom 
center. Clearance between the side of the funnel and the 28-inch 
(71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop) must be at least 6 inches (15.2 
cm) when measured in the hanging position.
    (f) Cutting the escape openings. The leading edge of the escape 
opening must be located within 18 inches (45.7 cm) of the posterior 
edge of the turtle excluder device (TED) grid. The area of the 
escape opening must total at least 864 in\2\ (5,574.2 cm\2\). Two 
escape openings 10 meshes wide by 13 meshes deep must be cut 6 
meshes apart in

[[Page 23047]]

the extension webbing, starting at the top center extension seam, 3 
meshes back from the leading edge and 16 meshes to the left and to 
the right (total of four openings). The four escape openings must be 
double selvaged for strength.
    (g) Alternative Method for Constructing the Funnel and Escape 
Openings. The following method for constructing the funnel and 
escape openings may be used instead of the method described in 
paragraphs F.2.d., F.2.e., and F.2.f. of this section. With this 
alternative method, the funnel and escape openings are formed by 
cutting a flap in each side of the extension webbing; pushing the 
flaps inward; and attaching the top and bottom edges along the bars 
of the extension webbing to form the v-shape of the funnel. Minimum 
requirements applicable to this method include: The funnel's top and 
bottom back edges must be attached one mesh behind the 28-inch 
(71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop); clearance between the side of the 
funnel and the 28-inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop (front hoop) must be at 
least 6 inches (15.2 cm) when measured in the hanging position; the 
leading edge of the escape opening must be located within 18 inches 
(45.7 cm) of the posterior edge of the turtle excluder device (TED) 
grid; and, the area of the escape opening must total at least 864 
in\2\ (5,574.2 cm\2\). To construct the funnel and escape openings 
using this method, begin 3\1/2\ meshes from the leading edge of the 
extension, at the top center seam, count over 18 meshes on each 
side, and cut 13 meshes toward the back of the extension. Turn 
parallel to the leading edge, and cut 26 meshes toward the bottom 
center of the extension. Next, turn parallel to the top center seam, 
and cut 13 meshes forward toward the leading edge, creating a flap 
of webbing 13 meshes by 26 meshes by 13 meshes. Lengthen the flap to 
18 meshes by adding a 4\1/2\-mesh by 26-mesh rectangular section of 
webbing to the 26-mesh edge. Attach the 18-mesh edges to the top and 
bottom of the extension by sewing 2 bars of the extension to 1 mesh 
on the flap in toward the top center and bottom center of the 
extension, forming the exit opening and the funnel. Connect the two 
flaps together in the center with a 7-inch piece of number 42 twine 
to allow adequate clearance for fish escapement between the flaps 
and the side openings. On each side, sew a 6-mesh by 10\1/2\-mesh 
section of webbing to 6 meshes of the center of the 26-mesh cut on 
the extension and 6 meshes centered between the 13-mesh cuts 3\1/2\ 
meshes from the leading edge. This forms two 10-mesh by 13-mesh 
openings on each side.
    (h) Cone fish deflector. The cone fish deflector is constructed 
of 2 pieces of 1\5/8\-inch (4.13-cm) polypropylene or polyethylene 
webbing, 40 meshes wide by 20 meshes in length and cut on the bar on 
each side forming a triangle. Starting at the apex of the two 
triangles, the two pieces must be sewn together to form a cone of 
webbing. The apex of the cone fish deflector must be positioned 
within 10-14 inches (25.4-35.6 cm) of the posterior edge of the 
funnel.
    (i) 11-inch (27.9-cm) cable hoop for cone deflector. A single 
hoop must be constructed of \5/16\-inch (0.79-cm) or \3/8\-inch 
(0.95-cm) cable 34\1/2\ inches (87.6 cm) in length. The ends must be 
joined by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum 
pipe pressed together with a \1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die. The hoop must 
be inserted in the webbing cone, attached 10 meshes from the apex 
and laced all the way around with heavy twine.
    (j) Installation of the cone in the extension. The cone must be 
installed in the extension 12 inches (30.5 cm) behind the back edge 
of the funnel and attached in four places. The midpoint of a piece 
of number 60 twine 4 ft (1.22 m) in length must be attached to the 
apex of the cone. This piece of twine must be attached to the 28-
inch (71.1-cm) cable hoop at the center of each of its sides; the 
points of attachment for the two pieces of twine must be measured 20 
inches (50.8 cm) from the midpoint attachment. Two 8-inch (20.3-cm) 
pieces of number 60 twine must be attached to the top and bottom of 
the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone hoop. The opposite ends of these two 
pieces of twine must be attached to the top and bottom center of the 
24-inch (61-cm) cable hoop; the points of attachment for the two 
pieces of twine must be measured 4 inches (10.2 cm) from the points 
where they are tied to the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone hoop.
    F. Modified Jones-Davis.
    1. Description. The Modified Jones-Davis BRD is a variation to 
the alternative funnel construction method of the Jones-Davis BRD 
except the funnel is assembled by using depth-stretched and heat-set 
polyethylene webbing instead of the flaps formed from the extension 
webbing. In addition, no hoops are used to hold the BRD open.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The 
Modified Jones-Davis BRD must contain all of the following.
    (a) Webbing extension. The webbing extension must be constructed 
from a single rectangular piece of 1\5/8\-inch (4.1-cm) stretch mesh 
number 30 nylon with dimensions of 39\1/2\ meshes by 150 meshes. A 
tube is formed from the extension webbing by sewing the 39\1/2\-
mesh-sides together.
    (b) Funnel. The funnel must be constructed from two sections of 
1\5/8\-inch (4.1-cm) heat-set and depth-stretched polypropylene or 
polyethylene webbing. The two side sections must be rectangular in 
shape, 25 meshes on the leading edge by 21 meshes deep. The 25-mesh 
leading edge of each polyethylene webbing section must be sewn 
evenly two meshes in from the front of the extension webbing 
starting 25 meshes from the top center on each side. The 21-mesh 
edge must be sewn to the extension webbing on a 9-bar and 1-mesh 
angle in the top and bottom, forming a V-shape funnel.
    (c) Cutting the escape opening. The leading edge of the escape 
openings must be located within 18 inches (45.7 cm) of the posterior 
edge of the turtle excluder device (TED) grid. The area of the 
escape opening must total at least 635 in\2\ (4,097 cm\2\). Two 
escape openings, 6 meshes wide by 12 meshes deep, must be cut 4 
meshes apart in the extension webbing, starting at the top center 
extension seam, 7 meshes back from the leading edge, and 30 meshes 
to the left and to the right (total of four openings). The four 
escape openings must be double selvaged for strength.
    (d) Cone fish deflector. The cone fish deflector is constructed 
of 2 pieces of 1\5/8\-inch (4.1-cm) polypropylene or polyethylene 
webbing, 40 meshes wide by 20 meshes in length and cut on the bar on 
each side forming a triangle. Starting at the apex of the two 
triangles, the two pieces must be sewn together to form a cone of 
webbing. The apex of the cone fish deflector must be positioned 
within 12 inches (30.5 cm) of the posterior edge of the funnel.
    (e) 11-inch (27.9-cm) cable hoop for cone deflector. A single 
hoop must be constructed of \5/16\-inch (0.79-cm) or \3/8\-inch 
(0.95-cm) cable 34\1/2\ inches (87.6 cm) in length. The ends must be 
joined by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum 
pipe pressed together with a \1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die. The hoop must 
be inserted in the webbing cone, attached 10 meshes from the apex 
and laced all the way around with heavy twine.
    (f) Installation of the cone in the extension. The apex of the 
cone must be installed in the extension within 12 inches (30.5 cm) 
behind the back edge of the funnel and attached in four places. The 
midpoint of a piece of number 60 twine (or at least 4-mesh wide 
strip of number 21 or heavier webbing) 3 ft (1.22 m) in length must 
be attached to the apex of the cone. This piece of twine or webbing 
must be attached within 5 meshes of the aft edge of the funnel at 
the center of each of its sides. Two 12-inch (30.5-cm) pieces of 
number 60 (or heavier) twine must be attached to the top and bottom 
of the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone hoop. The opposite ends of these two 
pieces of twine must be attached to the top and bottom center of the 
extension webbing to keep the cone from inverting into the funnel.
    G. [Reserved]
    H. Cone Fish Deflector Composite Panel. 1. Description. The Cone 
Fish Deflector Composite Panel BRD is a variation to the alternative 
funnel construction method of the Jones-Davis BRD, except the funnel 
is assembled by using depth-stretched and heat-set polyethylene 
webbing with square mesh panels on the inside instead of the flaps 
formed from the extension webbing. In addition, no hoops are used to 
hold the BRD open.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The Cone 
Fish Deflector Composite Panel BRD must contain all of the 
following:
    (a) Webbing extension. The webbing extension must be constructed 
from a single rectangular piece of 1\1/2\-inch to 1\3/4\-inch (3.8-
cm to 4.5-cm) stretch mesh with dimensions of 24\1/2\ meshes by 150 
to 160 meshes. A tube is formed from the extension webbing piece by 
sewing the 24\1/2\-mesh sides together. The leading edge of the 
webbing extension must be attached no more than 4 meshes from the 
posterior edge of the TED grid.
    (b) Funnel. The V-shaped funnel consists of two webbing panels 
attached to the extension along the leading edge of the panels. The 
top and bottom edges of the panels are sewn diagonally across the 
extension toward the center to form the funnel. The panels are 2-ply 
in design, each with an inner layer of 1\1/2\-inch to 1\5/8\-inch 
(3.8-cm to 4.1-cm) heat-set and depth-

[[Page 23048]]

stretched polyethylene webbing and an outer layer constructed of no 
larger than 2-inch (5.1-cm) square mesh webbing (1-inch bar). The 
inner webbing layer must be rectangular in shape, 36 meshes on the 
leading edge by 20 meshes deep. The 36-mesh leading edges of the 
polyethylene webbing should be sewn evenly to 24 meshes of the 
extension webbing 1\1/2\ meshes from and parallel to the leading 
edge of the extension starting 12 meshes up from the bottom center 
on each side. Alternately sew 2 meshes of the polyethylene webbing 
to 1 mesh of the extension webbing then 1 mesh of the polyethylene 
webbing to 1 mesh of the extension webbing toward the top. The 
bottom 20-mesh edges of the polyethylene layers are sewn evenly to 
the extension webbing on a 2 bar 1 mesh angle toward the bottom back 
center forming a v-shape in the bottom of the extension webbing. The 
top 20-mesh edges of the polyethylene layers are sewn evenly along 
the bars of the extension webbing toward the top back center. The 
square mesh layers must be rectangular in shape and constructed of 
no larger than 2-inch (5.1-cm) webbing that is 18 inches (45.7 cm) 
in length on the leading edge. The depth of the square mesh layer 
must be no more than 2 inches (5.1 cm) less than the 20 mesh side of 
the inner polyethylene layer when stretched taught. The 18-inch 
(45.7-cm) leading edge of each square mesh layer must be sewn evenly 
to the 36-mesh leading edge of the polyethylene section and the 
sides are sewn evenly (in length) to the 20-mesh edges of the 
polyethylene webbing. This will form a v-shape funnel using the top 
of the extension webbing as the top of the funnel and the bottom of 
the extension webbing as the bottom of the funnel.
    (c) Cutting the escape opening. There are two escape openings on 
each side of the funnel. The leading edge of the escape openings 
must be located on the same row of meshes in the extension webbing 
as the leading edge of the composite panels. The lower openings are 
formed by starting at the first attachment point of the composite 
panels and cutting 9 meshes in the extension webbing on an even row 
of meshes toward the top of the extension. Next, turn 90 degrees and 
cut 15 points on an even row toward the back of the extension 
webbing. At this point turn and cut 18 bars toward the bottom front 
of the extension webbing. Finish the escape opening by cutting 6 
points toward the original starting point. The top escape openings 
start 5 meshes above and mirror the lower openings. Starting at the 
leading edge of the composite panel and 5 meshes above the lower 
escape opening, cut 9 meshes in the extension on an even row of 
meshes toward the top of the extension. Next, turn 90 degrees, and 
cut 6 points on an even row toward the back of the extension 
webbing. Then cut 18 bars toward the bottom back of the extension. 
To complete the escape opening, cut 15 points forward toward the 
original starting point. The area of each escape opening must total 
at least 212 in\2\ (1,368 cm\2\). The four escape openings must be 
double selvaged for strength.
    (d) Cone fish deflector. The cone fish deflector is constructed 
of 2 pieces of 1\5/8\-inch (4.1-cm) polypropylene or polyethylene 
webbing, 40 meshes wide by 20 meshes in length and cut on the bar on 
each side forming a triangle. Starting at the apex of the two 
triangles, the two pieces must be sewn together to form a cone of 
webbing. The apex of the cone fish deflector must be positioned 
within 12 inches (30.5 cm) of the posterior edge of the funnel.
    (e) 11-inch (27.9-cm) cable hoop for cone deflector. A single 
hoop must be constructed of \5/16\-inch (0.79-cm) or \3/8\-inch 
(0.95-cm) cable 34\1/2\ inches (87.6 cm) in length. The ends must be 
joined by a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of \3/8\-inch (0.95-cm) aluminum 
pipe pressed together with a \1/4\-inch (0.64-cm) die. The hoop must 
be inserted in the webbing cone, attached 10 meshes from the apex 
and laced all the way around with heavy twine.
    (f) Installation of the cone in the extension. The apex of the 
cone must be installed in the extension within 12 inches (30.5 cm) 
behind the back edge of the funnel and attached in four places. The 
midpoint of a piece of number 60 twine (or at least 4-mesh wide 
strip of number 21 or heavier webbing) 3 ft (1.22 m) in length must 
be attached to the apex of the cone. This piece of twine or webbing 
must be attached within 5 meshes of the aft edge of the funnel at 
the center of each of its sides. Two 12-inch (30.5-cm) pieces of 
number 60 (or heavier) twine must be attached to the top and bottom 
of the 11-inch (27.9-cm) cone hoop. The opposite ends of these two 
pieces of twine must be attached to the top and bottom center of the 
extension webbing to keep the cone from inverting into the funnel.
    I. Square Mesh Panel (SMP) Composite Panel
    1. Description. The SMP is a panel of square mesh webbing placed 
in the top of the cod end to provide finfish escape openings.
    2. Minimum Construction and Installation Requirements. The SMP 
Composite Panel BRD must contain all of the following:
    (a) Webbing extension. The webbing extension must be constructed 
from a single rectangular piece of 1\1/2\-inch to 1\3/4\-inch (3.8-
cm to 4.5-cm) stretch mesh with dimensions of 24\1/2\ meshes by 150 
to 160 meshes. A tube is formed from the extension webbing piece by 
sewing the 24\1/2\-mesh sides together. The leading edge of the 
webbing extension must be attached no more than 4 meshes from the 
posterior edge of the TED grid.
    (b) Funnel. The V-shaped funnel consists of two webbing panels 
attached to the extension along the leading edge of the panels. The 
top and bottom edges of the panels are sewn diagonally across the 
extension toward the center to form the funnel. The panels are 2-ply 
in design, each with an inner layer of 1\1/2\-inch to 1\5/8\-inch 
(3.8-cm to 4.1-cm) heat-set and depth-stretched polyethylene webbing 
and an outer layer constructed of no larger than 2-inch (5.1-cm) 
square mesh webbing (1-inch bar). The inner webbing layer must be 
rectangular in shape, 36 meshes on the leading edge by 20 meshes 
deep. The 36-mesh leading edges of the polyethylene webbing should 
be sewn evenly to 24 meshes of the extension webbing 1\1/2\ meshes 
from and parallel to the leading edge of the extension starting 12 
meshes up from the bottom center on each side. Alternately sew 2 
meshes of the polyethylene webbing to 1 mesh of the extension 
webbing then 1 mesh of the polyethylene webbing to 1 mesh of the 
extension webbing toward the top. The bottom 20-mesh edges of the 
polyethylene layers are sewn evenly to the extension webbing on a 2 
bar 1 mesh angle toward the bottom back center forming a v-shape in 
the bottom of the extension webbing. The top 20-mesh edges of the 
polyethylene layers are sewn evenly along the bars of the extension 
webbing toward the top back center. The square mesh layers must be 
rectangular in shape and constructed of no larger than 2-inch (5.1-
cm) webbing that is 18 inches (45.7 cm) in length on the leading 
edge. The depth of the square mesh layer must be no more than 2 
inches (5.1 cm) less than the 20 mesh side of the inner polyethylene 
layer when stretched taught. The 18-inch (45.7-cm) leading edge of 
each square mesh layer must be sewn evenly to the 36-mesh leading 
edge of the polyethylene section and the sides are sewn evenly (in 
length) to the 20-mesh edges of the polyethylene webbing. This will 
form a v-shape funnel using the top of the extension webbing as the 
top of the funnel and the bottom of the extension webbing as the 
bottom of the funnel.
    (c) Cutting the escape opening. There are two escape openings on 
each side of the funnel. The leading edge of the escape openings 
must be located on the same row of meshes in the extension webbing 
as the leading edge of the composite panels. The lower openings are 
formed by starting at the first attachment point of the composite 
panels and cutting 9 meshes in the extension webbing on an even row 
of meshes toward the top of the extension. Next, turn 90 degrees and 
cut 15 points on an even row toward the back of the extension 
webbing. At this point turn and cut 18 bars toward the bottom front 
of the extension webbing. Finish the escape opening by cutting 6 
points toward the original starting point. The top escape openings 
start 5 meshes above and mirror the lower openings. Starting at the 
leading edge of the composite panel and 5 meshes above the lower 
escape opening, cut 9 meshes in the extension on an even row of 
meshes toward the top of the extension. Next, turn 90 degrees, and 
cut 6 points on an even row toward the back of the extension 
webbing. Then cut 18 bars toward the bottom back of the extension. 
To complete the escape opening, cut 15 points forward toward the 
original starting point. The area of each escape opening must total 
at least 212 in\2\ (1,368 cm\2\). The four escape openings must be 
double selvaged for strength.
    (d) SMP. The SMP is constructed from a single piece of square 
mesh webbing with a minimum dimension of 5 squares wide and 12 
squares in length with a minimum mesh size of 3-inch (76-mm) 
stretched mesh. The maximum twine diameter of the square mesh is 
number 96 twine (4 mm).
    (e) Cutting the SMP escape opening. The escape opening is a 
rectangular hole cut in the top center of the cod end webbing. The 
posterior edge of the escape opening must be placed no farther 
forward that 8 ft (2.4 m) from the cod end drawstring (tie-off 
rings). The width of the escape opening, as

[[Page 23049]]

measured across the cod end, must be four cod end meshes per square 
of the SMP (i.e., a cut of 20 cod end meshes for a SMP that is 5 
meshes wide). The stretched mesh length of the escape opening must 
be equal to the total length of the SMP. No portion of the SMP 
escape opening may be covered with additional material or netting 
such as chaffing webbing, which might impede or prevent fish 
escapement.
    (f) Installation of the SMP. The SMP must be attached to the 
edge of the escape opening evenly around the perimeter of the escape 
opening cut with heavy twine.

Appendix E to Part 622--Caribbean Island/Island Group Management Areas

    Table 1 of Appendix E to Part 622--Coordinates of the Puerto 
Rico Management Area.
    The Puerto Rico management area is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (intersects with the        19[deg]37'29''        65[deg]20' 57''
 International/EEZ boundary).
B (intersects with the EEZ/   18[deg]25'46.3015''   65[deg]06'31.866''
 Territorial boundary).
From Point B, proceed
 southerly along the EEZ/
 Territorial boundary to
 Point C
C (intersects with the EEZ/   18[deg]13'59.0606''   65[deg]05'33.058''
 Territorial boundary).
D...........................  18[deg]01'16.9636''   64[deg]57'38.817''
E...........................  17[deg]30'00.000''    65[deg]20'00.1716''
F...........................  16[deg]02'53.5812''   65[deg]20'00.1716''
From Point F, proceed
 southwesterly, then
 northerly, then easterly,
 and finally southerly along
 the International/EEZ
 boundary to Point A
A (intersects with the        19[deg]37'29''        65[deg]20'57''
 International/EEZ boundary).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 2 of Appendix E to Part 622--Coordinates of the St. Croix 
Management Area.
    The St. Croix management area is bounded by rhumb lines 
connecting, in order, the following points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G...........................  18[deg]03'03''        64[deg]38'03''
From Point G, proceed
 easterly, then southerly,
 then southwesterly along
 the EEZ/Territorial
 boundary to Point F
F...........................  16[deg]02'53.5812''   65[deg]20'00.1716''
E...........................  17[deg]30'00.000''    65[deg]20'00.1716''
D...........................  18[deg]01'16.9636''   64[deg]57'38.817''
G...........................  18[deg]03'03''        64[deg]38'03''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 3 of Appendix E to Part 622--Coordinates of the St. 
Thomas/St. John Management Area.
    The St. Thomas/St. John management area is bounded by rhumb 
lines connecting, in order, the following points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  North lat.            West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (intersects with the        19[deg]37'29''        65[deg]20'57''
 International/EEZ boundary).
From Point A, proceed
 southeasterly along the EEZ/
 Territorial boundary to
 Point G
G...........................  18[deg]03'03''        64[deg]38'03''
D...........................  18[deg]01'16.9636''   64[deg]57'38.817''
C (intersects with the EEZ/   18[deg]13'59.0606''   65[deg]05'33.058''
 Territorial boundary).
From Point C, proceed
 northerly along the EEZ/
 Territorial boundary to
 Point B
B (intersects with the EEZ/   18[deg]25'46.3015''   65[deg]06'31.866''
 Territorial boundary).
A (intersects with the        19[deg]37'29''        65[deg]20'57''
 International/EEZ boundary).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix F to Part 622--Specifications for Sea Turtle Mitigation Gear 
and Sea Turtle Handling and Release Requirements

    A. Sea turtle mitigation gear.
    1. Long-handled line clipper or cutter. Line cutters are 
intended to cut high test monofilament line as close as possible to 
the hook, and assist in removing line from entangled sea turtles to 
minimize any remaining gear upon release. NMFS has established 
minimum design standards for the line cutters. The LaForce line 
cutter and the Arceneaux line clipper are models that meet these 
minimum design standards, and may be purchased or fabricated from 
readily available and low-cost materials. One long-handled line 
clipper or cutter and a set of replacement blades are required to be 
onboard. The minimum design standards for line cutters are as 
follows:
    (a) A protected and secured cutting blade. The cutting blade(s) 
must be capable of cutting 2.0-2.1 mm (0.078 in.-0.083 in.) 
monofilament line (400-lb test) or polypropylene multistrand 
material, known as braided or tarred mainline, and must be 
maintained in working order. The cutting blade must be curved, 
recessed, contained in a holder, or otherwise designed to facilitate 
its safe use so that direct contact between the cutting surface and 
the sea turtle or the user is prevented. The cutting instrument must 
be securely attached to an extended reach handle and be easily 
replaceable. One extra set of replacement blades meeting these 
standards must also be carried on board to replace all cutting 
surfaces on the line cutter or clipper.
    (b) An extended reach handle. The line cutter blade must be 
securely fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum 
length equal to, or greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or a 
minimum of 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, 
but not required, that the handle break down into sections. There is 
no restriction on the type of material used to construct this handle 
as long as it is sturdy and facilitates the secure attachment of the 
cutting blade.
    2. Long-handled dehooker for internal hooks. A long-handled 
dehooking device is

[[Page 23050]]

intended to remove internal hooks from sea turtles that cannot be 
boated. It should also be used to engage a loose hook when a turtle 
is entangled but not hooked, and line is being removed. The design 
must shield the barb of the hook and prevent it from re-engaging 
during the removal process. One long-handled device to remove 
internal hooks is required onboard. The minimum design standards are 
as follows:
    (a) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be 
constructed of approximately \3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) to \5/16\-inch 
(7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel or similar material and have a 
dehooking end no larger than 1\7/8\-inches (4.76 cm) outside 
diameter. The device must securely engage and control the leader 
while shielding the barb to prevent the hook from re-engaging during 
removal. It may not have any unprotected terminal points (including 
blunt ones), as these could cause injury to the esophagus during 
hook removal. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the 
range of hook sizes and styles used in the South Atlantic snapper-
grouper fishery.
    (b) Extended reach handle. The dehooking end must be securely 
fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length 
equal to or greater than 150 percent of the freeboard, or a minimum 
of 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, but not 
required, that the handle break down into sections. The handle must 
be sturdy and strong enough to facilitate the secure attachment of 
the hook removal device.
    3. Long-handled dehooker for external hooks. A long-handled 
dehooker is required for use on externally-hooked sea turtles that 
cannot be boated. The long-handled dehooker for internal hooks 
described in paragraph 2. of this Appendix F would meet this 
requirement. The minimum design standards are as follows:
    (a) Construction. A long-handled dehooker must be constructed of 
approximately \3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) to \5/16\-inch (7.94 mm) 316 L 
stainless steel rod and have a dehooking end no larger than 1\7/8\-
inches (4.76 cm) outside diameter. The design should be such that a 
fish hook can be rotated out, without pulling it out at an angle. 
The dehooking end must be blunt with all edges rounded. The device 
must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and 
styles used in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    (b) Extended reach handle. The handle must be a minimum length 
equal to the freeboard of the vessel or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is 
greater.
    4. Long-handled device to pull an ``inverted V''. This tool is 
used to pull a ``V'' in the fishing line when implementing the 
``inverted V'' dehooking technique, as described in the document 
entitled ``Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With 
Minimal Injury,'' for disentangling and dehooking entangled sea 
turtles. One long-handled device to pull an ``inverted V'' is 
required onboard. If a 6-ft (1.83 m) J-style dehooker is used to 
comply with paragraph 4. of this Appendix F, it will also satisfy 
this requirement. Minimum design standards are as follows:
    (a) Hook end. This device, such as a standard boat hook, gaff, 
or long-handled J-style dehooker, must be constructed of stainless 
steel or aluminum. The semicircular or ``J'' shaped end must be 
securely attached to a handle. A sharp point, such as on a gaff 
hook, is to be used only for holding the monofilament fishing line 
and should never contact the sea turtle.
    (b) Extended reach handle. The handle must have a minimum length 
equal to the freeboard of the vessel, or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is 
greater. The handle must be sturdy and strong enough to facilitate 
the secure attachment of the gaff hook.
    5. Dipnet. One dipnet is required onboard. Dipnets are to be 
used to facilitate safe handling of sea turtles by allowing them to 
be brought onboard for fishing gear removal, without causing further 
injury to the animal. Turtles must not be brought onboard without 
the use of a dipnet or hoist. The minimum design standards for 
dipnets are as follows:
    (a) Size of dipnet. The dipnet must have a sturdy net hoop of at 
least 31 inches (78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at 
least 38 inches (96.52 cm) to accommodate turtles below 3 ft (0.914 
m) carapace length. The bag mesh openings may not exceed 3 inches 
(7.62 cm) by 3 inches (7.62 cm). There must be no sharp edges or 
burrs on the hoop, or where it is attached to the handle. There is 
no requirement for the hoop to be circular as long as it meets the 
minimum specifications.
    (b) Extended reach handle. The dipnet hoop must be securely 
fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length 
equal to, or greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or at least 
6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. The handle must be made of a 
rigid material strong enough to facilitate the sturdy attachment of 
the net hoop and be able to support a minimum of 100 lb (34.1 kg) 
without breaking or significant bending or distortion. It is 
recommended, but not required, that the extended reach handle break 
down into sections.
    6. Cushion/support device. A standard automobile tire (free of 
exposed steel belts), a boat cushion, a large turtle hoist, or any 
other comparable cushioned elevated surface, is required for 
supporting a turtle in an upright orientation while the turtle is 
onboard. The cushion/support device must be appropriately sized to 
fully support a range of turtle sizes.
    7. Short-handled dehooker for internal hooks. One short-handled 
device for removing internal hooks is required onboard. This 
dehooker is designed to remove ingested hooks from boated sea 
turtles. It can also be used on external hooks or hooks in the front 
of the mouth. Minimum design standards are as follows:
    (a) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be 
constructed of approximately \3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) to \5/16\-inch 
(7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel, and must allow the hook to be 
secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal 
process. It must be no larger than 1\7/8\-inches (4.76 cm) outside 
diameter. It may not have any unprotected terminal points (including 
blunt ones), as this could cause injury to the esophagus during hook 
removal. A sliding PVC bite block must be used to protect the beak 
and facilitate hook removal if the turtle bites down on the 
dehooking device. The bite block should be constructed of a \3/4\-
inch (1.91 cm) inside diameter high impact plastic cylinder (e.g., 
Schedule 80 PVC) that is 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) long to 
allow for 5 inches (12.7 cm) of slide along the shaft. The device 
must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and 
styles used in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    (b) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 to 24 
inches (40.64 cm to 60.69 cm) in length, with approximately a 4 to 
6-inch (10.2 to 15.2-cm) long tube T-handle of approximately 1 inch 
(2.54 cm) in diameter.
    8. Short-handled dehooker for external hooks. One short-handled 
dehooker for external hooks is required onboard. The short-handled 
dehooker for internal hooks required to comply with paragraph 7. of 
this Appendix F will also satisfy this requirement. Minimum design 
standards are as follows:
    (a) Hook removal device. The dehooker must be constructed of 
approximately \3/16\-inch (4.76 cm) to \5/16\-inch (7.94 cm) 316 L 
stainless steel, and the design must be such that a hook can be 
rotated out without pulling it out at an angle. The dehooking end 
must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size 
appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    (b) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 to 24 
inches (40.64 to 60.69 cm) long with approximately a 5-inch (12.7 
cm) long tube T-handle, wire loop handle or similar, of 
approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.
    9. Long-nose or needle-nose pliers. One pair of long-nose or 
needle-nose pliers is required on board. Required long-nose or 
needle-nose pliers can be used to remove deeply embedded hooks from 
the turtle's flesh that must be twisted during removal or for 
removing hooks from the front of the mouth. They can also hold PVC 
splice couplings, when used as mouth openers, in place. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (a) General. They must be approximately 12 inches (30.48 cm) in 
length, and should be constructed of stainless steel material.
    (b) [Reserved]
    10. Bolt cutters. One pair of bolt cutters is required on board. 
Required bolt cutters may be used to cut hooks to facilitate their 
removal. They should be used to cut off the eye or barb of a hook, 
so that it can safely be pushed through a sea turtle without causing 
further injury. They should also be used to cut off as much of the 
hook as possible, when the remainder of the hook cannot be removed. 
Minimum design standards are as follows:
    (a) General. They must be approximately 14 to 17 inches (35.56 
to 43.18 cm) in total length, with approximately 4-inch (10.16 cm) 
long blades that are 2\1/4\ inches (5.72 cm) wide, when closed, and 
with approximately 10 to 13-inch (25.4 to 33.02-cm) long handles. 
Required bolt cutters must be able to cut hard metals, such as 
stainless or carbon steel hooks, up to \1/4\-inch (6.35 mm) 
diameter.

[[Page 23051]]

    (b) [Reserved]
    11. Monofilament line cutters. One pair of monofilament line 
cutters is required on board. Required monofilament line cutters 
must be used to remove fishing line as close to the eye of the hook 
as possible, if the hook is swallowed or cannot be removed. Minimum 
design standards are as follows:
    (a) General. Monofilament line cutters must be approximately 
7\1/2\ inches (19.05 cm) in length. The blades must be 1 inch (4.45 
cm) in length and \5/8\ inches (1.59 cm) wide, when closed.
    (b) [Reserved]
    12. Mouth openers/mouth gags. Required mouth openers and mouth 
gags are used to open sea turtle mouths, and to keep them open when 
removing internal hooks from boated turtles. They must allow access 
to the hook or line without causing further injury to the turtle. 
Design standards are included in the item descriptions. At least two 
of the seven different types of mouth openers/gags described below 
are required:
    (a) A block of hard wood. Placed in the corner of the jaw, a 
block of hard wood may be used to gag open a turtle's mouth. A 
smooth block of hard wood of a type that does not splinter (e.g. 
maple) with rounded edges should be sanded smooth, if necessary, and 
soaked in water to soften the wood. The dimensions should be 
approximately 11 inches (27.94 cm) by 1 inch (2.54 cm) by 1 inch 
(2.54 cm). A long-handled, wire shoe brush with a wooden handle, and 
with the wires removed, is an inexpensive, effective and practical 
mouth-opening device that meets these requirements.
    (b) A set of three canine mouth gags. Canine mouth gags are 
highly recommended to hold a turtle's mouth open, because the gag 
locks into an open position to allow for hands-free operation after 
it is in place. These tools are only for use on small and medium 
sized turtles, as larger turtles may be able to crush the mouth gag. 
A set of canine mouth gags must include one of each of the following 
sizes: small (5 inches) (12.7 cm), medium (6 inches) (15.24 cm), and 
large (7 inches) (17.78 cm). They must be constructed of stainless 
steel. The ends must be covered with clear vinyl tubing, friction 
tape, or similar, to pad the surface.
    (c) A set of two sturdy dog chew bones. Placed in the corner of 
a turtle's jaw, canine chew bones are used to gag open a sea 
turtle's mouth. Required canine chews must be constructed of durable 
nylon, zylene resin, or thermoplastic polymer, and strong enough to 
withstand biting without splintering. To accommodate a variety of 
turtle beak sizes, a set must include one large (5\1/2\-8 inches 
(13.97 cm-20.32 cm) in length), and one small (3\1/2\-4\1/2\ inches 
(8.89 cm-11.43 cm) in length) canine chew bones.
    (d) A set of two rope loops covered with protective tubing. A 
set of two pieces of poly braid rope covered with light duty garden 
hose or similar flexible tubing each tied or spliced into a loop to 
provide a one-handed method for keeping the turtle's mouth open 
during hook and/or line removal. A required set consists of two 3-ft 
(0.91 m) lengths of poly braid rope (\3/8\-inch (9.52 mm) diameter 
suggested), each covered with an 8-inch (20.32 cm) section of \1/2\ 
inch (1.27 cm) or \3/4\ inch (1.91 cm) tubing, and each tied into a 
loop. The upper loop of rope covered with hose is secured on the 
upper beak to give control with one hand, and the second piece of 
rope covered with hose is secured on the lower beak to give control 
with the user's foot.
    (e) A hank of rope. Placed in the corner of a turtle's jaw, a 
hank of rope can be used to gag open a sea turtle's mouth. A 6-ft 
(1.83 m) lanyard of approximately \3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) braided 
nylon rope may be folded to create a hank, or looped bundle, of 
rope. Any size soft-braided nylon rope is allowed, however it must 
create a hank of approximately 2-4 inches (5.08 cm-10.16 cm) in 
thickness.
    (f) A set of four PVC splice couplings. PVC splice couplings can 
be positioned inside a turtle's mouth to allow access to the back of 
the mouth for hook and line removal. They are to be held in place 
with the needle-nose pliers. To ensure proper fit and access, a 
required set must consist of the following Schedule 40 PVC splice 
coupling sizes: 1 inch (2.54 cm), 1\1/4\ inch (3.18 cm), 1\1/2\ inch 
(3.81 cm), and 2 inches (5.08 cm).
    (g) A large avian oral speculum. A large avian oral speculum 
provides the ability to hold a turtle's mouth open and to control 
the head with one hand, while removing a hook with the other hand. 
The avian oral speculum must be 9-inches (22.86 cm) long, and 
constructed of \3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) wire diameter surgical 
stainless steel (Type 304). It must be covered with 8 inches (20.32 
cm) of clear vinyl tubing (\5/16\-inch (7.9 mm) outside diameter, 
\3/16\-inch (4.76 mm) inside diameter), friction tape, or similar to 
pad the surface.
    B. Sea turtle handling and release requirements. Sea turtle 
bycatch mitigation gear, as specified in paragraphs A.1. through 4. 
of this Appendix F, must be used to disengage any hooked or 
entangled sea turtles that cannot be brought onboard. Sea turtle 
bycatch mitigation gear, as specified in paragraphs A.5. through 12. 
of this Appendix F, must be used to facilitate access, safe 
handling, disentanglement, and hook removal or hook cutting of sea 
turtles that can be brought onboard, where feasible. Sea turtles 
must be handled, and bycatch mitigation gear must be used, in 
accordance with the careful release protocols and handling/release 
guidelines provided by NMFS and in accordance with the onboard 
handling and resuscitation requirements specified in Sec.  
223.206(d)(1)of this title.
    1. Boated turtles. When practicable, active and comatose sea 
turtles must be brought on board, with a minimum of injury, using a 
dipnet as specified in paragraph A.5. of this Appendix F. All 
turtles less than 3 ft (.91 m) carapace length should be boated, if 
sea conditions permit.
    (a) A boated turtle should be placed on a cushioned/support 
device, as specified in paragraph A.6. of this Appendix F, in an 
upright orientation to immobilize it and facilitate gear removal. 
Then, it should be determined if the hook can be removed without 
causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks should be 
removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the 
turtle. No attempt to remove a hook should be made if it has been 
swallowed and the insertion point is not visible, or if it is 
determined that removal would result in further injury. If a hook 
cannot be removed, as much line as possible should be removed from 
the turtle using monofilament cutters as specified in paragraph 
A.11. of this Appendix F, and the hook should be cut as close as 
possible to the insertion point before releasing the turtle, using 
bolt cutters as specified in paragraph A.10. of this Appendix F. If 
a hook can be removed, an effective technique may be to cut off 
either the barb, or the eye, of the hook using bolt cutters, and 
then to slide the hook out. When the hook is visible in the front of 
the mouth, a mouth-opener, as specified in paragraph A.12. of this 
Appendix F, may facilitate opening the turtle's mouth and a gag may 
facilitate keeping the mouth open. Short-handled dehookers for 
internal hooks, or long-nose or needle-nose pliers, as specified in 
paragraphs A.7. and A.8. of this Appendix F, respectively, should be 
used to remove visible hooks from the mouth that have not been 
swallowed on boated turtles, as appropriate. As much gear as 
possible must be removed from the turtle without causing further 
injury prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols 
and handling/release guidelines required in Sec.  622.10(c)(1), and 
the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in Sec.  
223.206(d)(1) of this title, for additional information.
    (b) [Reserved]
    2. Non-boated turtles. If a sea turtle is too large, or hooked 
in a manner that precludes safe boating without causing further 
damage or injury to the turtle, sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear 
specified in paragraphs A.1. through 4. of this Appendix F must be 
used to disentangle sea turtles from fishing gear and disengage any 
hooks, or to clip the line and remove as much line as possible from 
a hook that cannot be removed, prior to releasing the turtle, in 
accordance with the protocols specified in Sec.  622.10(c)(1).
    (a) Non-boated turtles should be brought close to the boat and 
provided with time to calm down. Then, it must be determined whether 
or not the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All 
externally embedded hooks must be removed, unless hook removal would 
result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt should be made to 
remove a hook if it has been swallowed, or if it is determined that 
removal would result in further injury. If the hook cannot be 
removed and/or if the animal is entangled, as much line as possible 
must be removed prior to release, using a line cutter as specified 
in paragraph A.1. of this Appendix F. If the hook can be removed, it 
must be removed using a long-handled dehooker as specified in 
paragraphs A.2. and A.3. of this Appendix F. Without causing further 
injury, as much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle 
prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and 
handling/release guidelines required in Sec.  622.10(c)(1), and the 
handling and resuscitation requirements specified in Sec.  
223.206(d)(1) for additional information.
    (b) [Reserved]

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4. Effective April 17, 2013 through September 23, 2013, definitions for 
``Off Alabama'', ``Off Louisiana'', and ``Off

[[Page 23052]]

Mississippi'' are added to Sec.  622.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  622.2  Definitions and acronyms.

* * * * *
    Off Alabama means the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line at 
87[deg]31.1' W. long., which is a line directly south from the Alabama/
Florida boundary, to a rhumb line at 88[deg]23.1' W. long., which is a 
line directly south from the Mississippi/Alabama boundary.
* * * * *
    Off Louisiana means the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line at 
89[deg]10.0' W. long., which is a line extending directly south from 
South Pass Light, to a rhumb line beginning at 29[deg]32.1' N. lat., 
93[deg]47.7' W. long. and extending to 26[deg]11.4' N. lat., 
92[deg]53.0' W. long., which line is an extension of the boundary 
between Louisiana and Texas.
* * * * *
    Off Mississippi means the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line 
at 88[deg]23.1' W. long., which is a line directly south from the 
Mississippi/Alabama boundary, to a rhumb line at 89[deg]10.0' W. long., 
which is a line extending directly south from South Pass Light.
* * * * *

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5. Effective April 17, 2013 through May 15, 2013, Sec.  
622.39(a)(1)(vi) is suspended, and Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(vii) is added to 
read as follows:


Sec.  622.39  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vii) Gray triggerfish--60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
* * * * *

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6. Effective April 17, 2013 through September 23, 2013, Sec.  
622.39(c)(1) is suspended, and Sec.  622.39(c)(3) is added to read as 
follows:


Sec.  622.39  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) After closure of the recreational quota for red snapper. The 
bag and possession limit for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is 
zero.
* * * * *

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7. Effective April 17, 2013 through May 15, 2013, Sec.  622.41(b) is 
suspended, and Sec.  622.41(q) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.41  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

* * * * *
    (q) Gray triggerfish--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
applicable quota specified in Sec.  622.39(a)(1)(vi), the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. In addition, 
if despite such closure, commercial landings exceed the applicable 
annual catch limit (ACL), the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year, to reduce the quota for that following year by 
the amount the prior-year ACL was exceeded. The commercial ACL for 2010 
and subsequent fishing years is 138,000 lb (62,596 kg).
    (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register reducing the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational target catch for 
that following fishing year. The recreational ACL for 2010 and 
subsequent fishing years is 457,000 lb (207,291 kg). The recreational 
ACT for 2010 and subsequent fishing years is 405,000 lb (183,705 kg). 
Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a 
moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP.

0
8. Effective April 17, 2013 through May 6, 2013, Sec.  622.193(n)(1) is 
suspended, and Sec.  622.193(n)(3) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.193  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (3) Commercial sector--(i) If commercial landings for yellowtail 
snapper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL of 1,596,510 lb (724,165 kg), round weight, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close 
the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and 
after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase 
of yellowtail snapper is prohibited and harvest or possession of this 
species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limit. This bag and possession limit applies in the South 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has 
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., 
in state or Federal waters.
    (ii) If commercial landings exceed the ACL, and yellowtail snapper 
is overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report 
to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL for that following year by the amount of the 
overage in the prior fishing year.
* * * * *

PART 640--[REMOVED]

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9. Under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., part 640 is removed.

[FR Doc. 2013-08127 Filed 4-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P