[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39700-39703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15879]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 130403321-3321-01]
RIN 0648-BD16


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Regulatory 
Amendment 19

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 19 
to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the 
South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (Council). If implemented, Regulatory Amendment 19 
and this rule would revise the optimum yield (OY), the commercial and 
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and the recreational annual 
catch target (ACT) for black sea bass harvested in or from the South 
Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This rule would also establish 
an annual prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots in the South 
Atlantic from November 1 through April 30. The intent of this rule is 
to provide socio-economic benefits to snapper-grouper fishermen and 
communities that utilize the snapper-grouper resource, while 
maintaining fishing mortality at sustainable levels according to the 
best scientific information available. The rule would also prevent 
interactions between black sea bass pot gear and whales listed under 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) during periods of large whale 
migrations and during the northern right whale calving season off of 
the southeastern coast.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 1, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the amendment identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2013-0096'' by any of the following methods:
     Electronic submissions: Submit electronic comments via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0096, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Rick DeVictor, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: 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 Regulatory Amendment 19, which includes an 
environmental assessment, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
(IRFA), and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the 
Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/SGRegAmend19.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick DeVictor, Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic, which includes black sea bass, is managed under the FMP. The 
FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented through regulations 
at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery 
management councils to prevent overfishing and to achieve, on a 
continuing basis, the OY for federally managed fish stocks. These 
mandates are intended to ensure that fishery resources are managed for 
the greatest overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect 
to providing food production and recreational opportunities, and 
protecting marine ecosystems. To further this goal, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requires fishery managers to end overfishing of stocks 
while achieving OY from the fishery, and to minimize bycatch and 
bycatch mortality to the extent practicable. The black sea bass 
component of the snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic is 
managed through a variety of measures to achieve OY. These measures 
include restrictions on the total harvest, recreational and commercial 
allocations, recreational and commercial ACLs, and accountability 
measures (AMs).
    The black sea bass stock in the South Atlantic was assessed through 
the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment 
process in 2003 (SEDAR 2). SEDAR 2 determined that the South Atlantic 
black sea bass stock was overfished and undergoing overfishing. In 
2006, the Council implemented a 10-year rebuilding plan for black sea 
bass that included measures to end overfishing. The black sea bass 
stock was reassessed in 2011 (SEDAR 25) and determined to no longer be 
overfished or undergoing overfishing, but was not fully rebuilt. In 
2013, the SEDAR 25 Update assessment determined that the black sea bass 
stock is now rebuilt. The SEDAR 25 Update assessment indicates that the 
black sea bass ACLs can be increased without jeopardizing the health of 
the population. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC) reviewed the SEDAR 25 Update assessment in April 2013, and 
determined that the assessment was based on the best scientific 
information available and recommended new acceptable biological catch 
(ABC) levels for 2013, 2014, and 2015. These ABCs, which decrease over 
time, are higher than the current ABC. The Council approved the new 
ABCs at its May 2013 Council meeting.
    In Amendment 18A to the FMP (77 FR 32408, June 1, 2012), the 
Council established an OY formula of ABC = OY = ACL, using values from 
SEDAR 25 (2011) and the SSC's ABC recommendation at that time.

[[Page 39701]]

Regulatory Amendment 19 proposes to change the formula to ACL = OY. For 
3 consecutive fishing years beginning in 2013-2014 (fishing years 2013-
2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016), the Council decided to set the ACL 
value equal to the 2015-2016 fishing year ABC value, which is 1,814,000 
lb (822,817 kg). Thus, the stock ACLs for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 
fishing years would be set below their respective fishing year's ABC, 
and the stock ACL for the 2015-2016 fishing year would be equal to the 
ABC. The Council chose to include a buffer between the higher ABCs and 
ACL to account for management uncertainty and as a conservative 
management approach for a stock that was only recently rebuilt. Then, 
because no ABC recommendation was provided beyond 2015 and the black 
sea bass biomass is above OY at equilibrium, beginning with the 2016-
2017 fishing year the formula would remain at ACL = OY, but the stock 
ACL and OY values would be lowered to the yield at 75 percent 
FMSY, which equals 1,756,450 lb (796,712 kg), round weight.
    The stock ACL would be allocated between the commercial and 
recreational sectors based on the sector allocations established in 
Amendment 13C to the FMP (43 percent for the commercial sector and 57 
percent for the recreational sector) (71 FR 55096, September 21, 2006). 
Thus, the commercial ACL would increase from the current 309,000 lb 
(140,160 kg), gutted weight, 364,620 lb (165,389 kg), round weight, to: 
661,034 lb (299,840 kg), gutted weight, 780,020 lb (353,811 kg), round 
weight for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years; and 
640,063 lb (290,328 kg), gutted weight, 755,274 lb (342,587 kg), round 
weight, for the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing years. The 
recreational ACL would increase from the current 409,000 lb (185,519 
kg), gutted weight; 482,620 lb (218,913 kg), round weight to 876,254 lb 
(397,462 kg), gutted weight, 1,033,980 lb (469,005 kg), round weight 
for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years and 848,455 
lb (384,853 kg), gutted weight, 1,001,177 lb (454,126 kg), round weight 
for the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing years.
    The black sea bass recreational ACT was set at 357,548 lb (162,181 
kg) gutted weight, 421,907 lb (191,374 kg), round weight, in Amendment 
18A (75 FR 82280, December 30, 2010). Based upon the results of the 
SEDAR 25 Update assessment, Regulatory Amendment 19 would increase the 
recreational ACT to 766,021 lb (347,461 kg), gutted weight, 903,905 lb 
(410,004 kg), round weight for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 
fishing years and to 741,719 lb (336,438 kg), gutted weight, 875,228 
(396,997 kg), round weight for the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing 
years. Because the ACT would not be used to trigger AMs, it would not 
be codified in the regulatory text.
    Regulatory Amendment 19 and this rule would also establish a 
prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots from November 1 through 
April 30, each year. The large whale migration period and the right 
whale calving season in the South Atlantic extend from approximately 
November 1 through April 30, each year. Since 2010, black sea bass 
harvest levels have reached the commercial ACL, triggering AMs to close 
the commercial sector. Because these in-season commercial AM closures 
have occurred prior to November 1, actions to prevent black sea bass 
pot gear from being in the water during the higher whale concentrations 
have been unnecessary. However, NMFS has determined that the increase 
in the commercial ACL proposed in this rule could extend the commercial 
black sea bass fishing season beyond November 1 and into a time period 
when a higher concentration of endangered whales are known to migrate 
through black sea bass fishing grounds.
    According to the NMFS List of Fisheries, black sea bass pots are 
considered to pose an entanglement risk to marine mammals. The South 
Atlantic black sea bass pot sector is included in the Atlantic mixed 
species trap/pot fisheries grouping, which is classified as a Category 
II in the proposed rule for the 2013 List of Fisheries (78 FR 23708, 
April 22, 2013). Category II means that there is an occasional 
incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals associated 
with that specific fishing gear type. The seasonal sea bass pot 
prohibition would be a precautionary measure to prevent interactions 
between black sea bass pot gear and whales during large whale 
migrations and during the right whale calving season off the U.S. 
southeastern coast. During this closure, no person would be allowed to 
harvest or possess black sea bass in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
either with sea bass pots or from a vessel with sea bass pots on board. 
In addition, sea bass pots must be removed from the water in the South 
Atlantic EEZ before November 1, and may not be on board a vessel in the 
South Atlantic EEZ during this closure.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this rule is 
consistent with Regulatory Amendment 19, the FMP, other provisions of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.
    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an IRFA for this rule, as required by section 603 of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603. The IRFA describes the 
economic impact that this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on 
small entities. A description of the action, why it is being 
considered, and the objectives of and legal basis for this action are 
contained in the preamble. A copy of the full analysis is available 
from the NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this 
rule. No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have 
been identified. In addition, no new reporting, record-keeping, or 
other compliance requirements are introduced by this proposed rule.
    NMFS expects this proposed rule to directly affect commercial 
fishermen and for-hire vessel operators in the South Atlantic snapper-
grouper fishery. The Small Business Administration has established 
small entity size criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S., 
including fish harvesters. A business involved in fish harvesting is 
classified as a small business if independently owned and operated, is 
not dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and 
its combined annual receipts are not in excess of $4.0 million (NAICS 
code 114111, finfish fishing) for all of its affiliated operations 
worldwide. For for-hire vessels, all qualifiers apply except that the 
annual receipts threshold is $7.0 million (NAICS code 713990, 
recreational industries).
    From 2007 through 2011, an annual average of 240 vessels with valid 
commercial South Atlantic snapper-grouper permits landed at least 1 lb 
(0.45 kg) of black sea bass. These vessels generated dockside revenues 
of approximately $4.0 million (2011 dollars) from all species caught on 
the same trips as black sea bass, of which about $1.0 million (2011 
dollars) were attributable to black sea bass. Each vessel, therefore, 
generated an average of approximately $17,000 in gross revenues, of 
which $4,000 were from black sea bass. Based on revenue information, 
all commercial vessels

[[Page 39702]]

affected by the rule can be considered small entities.
    From 2007 through 2012, an annual average of 1,855 vessels had a 
valid South Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Snapper-Grouper permit to 
operate in the for-hire component of the recreational sector in the 
snapper-grouper fishery. As of April 23, 2013, 1,485 vessels held South 
Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Snapper-Grouper permits and about 75 of 
those are estimated to have operated as headboats in 2013. The for-hire 
fleet consists of charter boats, which charge a fee on a vessel basis, 
and headboats, which charge a fee on an individual angler (head) basis. 
Average annual revenues (2011 dollars) per charter boat are estimated 
to be $126,032 for Florida vessels, $53,443 for Georgia vessels, 
$100,823 for South Carolina vessels, and $101,959 for North Carolina 
vessels. For headboats, the corresponding estimates are $209,507 for 
Florida vessels and $153,848 for vessels in the other states. For state 
headboat estimates other than Florida, the headboat sample sizes were 
small and therefore providing more detailed revenue estimate 
information on a state-by-state basis would potentially disclose 
sensitive financial information and so aggregated economic information 
is provided. Based on these average revenue figures, all for-hire 
operations that would be affected by the rule can be considered small 
entities.
    NMFS expects that the proposed rule would directly affect all 
federally-permitted commercial vessels harvesting black sea bass and 
for-hire vessels that operate in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
fishery. All directly affected entities have been determined, for the 
purpose of this analysis, to be small entities. Therefore, NMFS 
determined that the proposed action would affect a substantial number 
of small entities.
    Because NMFS determined that all entities expected to be affected 
by the actions in this proposed rule are small entities, the issue of 
disproportional effects on small versus large entities does not arise 
in the present case.
    The proposed rule would increase the black sea bass stock ACL from 
its current level of 847,000 lb (384,193 kg), round weight, to 
1,814,000 lb (822,817 kg), round weight, for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 
and 2015-2016 fishing years and to 1,756,450 lb (796,713 kg), round 
weight, for the 2016-2017, and subsequent fishing years. In addition, 
the proposed rule would annually prohibit the retention, possession, 
and fishing for black sea bass using black sea bass pot gear, from 
November 1 through April 30, each year.
    Increasing the black sea bass stock ACL would also increase the 
commercial and recreational sector ACLs based on the current allocation 
rate of 43 percent for the commercial sector and 57 percent for the 
recreational sector. Current NMFS modeling projections suggest that, 
even with relatively large increases in the commercial ACL, the 
commercial fishing season for black sea bass would likely close before 
the end of each fishing year. If the commercial ACL were fully 
harvested each year, the commercial sector would be expected to 
generate additional revenues (in 2011 dollars) of about $939,000 in 
each of the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years and 
approximately $883,000 in the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing years. 
For the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years, the net 
present value of increased revenues to the commercial sector would be 
approximately $2.5 million. As a result of relatively large increases 
in commercial revenues, profits to commercial vessels would likely 
increase.
    The November through April prohibition on the use of black sea bass 
pots for harvesting black sea bass is intended to prevent interactions 
between black sea bass pot gear and whales listed under the ESA during 
large whale migrations and during the right whale calving season off 
the southeastern coast. In theory, this prohibition would be expected 
to negatively affect the revenues and profits of 32 commercial vessels 
which currently possess black sea bass pot endorsements. Since the 
2010-2011 fishing season, however, commercial fishing for black sea 
bass has closed before November 1 each year. Thus, the November through 
April prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots would mainly 
constrain the revenue increases associated with an increased commercial 
ACL of 32 commercial vessels which possess black sea bass pot 
endorsements.
    However, the seasonal black sea bass pot prohibition would greatly 
benefit vessels using other gear types, such as vertical lines, because 
their fishing season would be extended if this rule was implemented. 
Despite the proposed ACL increases, closures to commercial (and 
recreational) harvest of black sea bass are still projected to occur as 
a result of the sectors reaching their respective ACLs during the 
fishing year. Therefore, revenues forgone by vessels using black sea 
bass pot would likely be gained by vessels using other gear types. 
Thus, the black sea bass pot prohibition would mainly have 
distributional effects within the commercial sector, with the overall 
industry revenues and likely profits expected to increase.
    NMFS modeling projections suggest that even with large ACL 
increases, the recreational sector for black sea bass would experience 
fishing closures during the fishing year as a result of the sector 
reaching the recreational ACL. This closure would likely occur starting 
in December of each fishing year. Relative to the no action 
alternative, however, the ACL increases would extend the recreational 
fishing season each year, allowing for-hire vessels to take more 
fishing trips. These additional trips would increase total for-hire 
vessel profits (in 2011 dollars) by approximately $354,000 each year 
starting with the 2013-2014 fishing year, of which about $234,000 would 
be for headboats and $120,000 for charter boats. Over the 2013-2014, 
2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years, the net present value of these 
profit increases would be approximately $930,000, of which $614,000 
would be for headboats and $316,000 for charter boats.
    Additionally, Regulatory Amendment 19 would revise the recreational 
ACT. The formula for calculating the ACT from the ACL would not change, 
but the ACT level would increase with increases in the ACL. Up until 
now, the recreational ACT has been used by the Council and NMFS to 
monitor recreational harvest and not as a trigger for AMs. The proposed 
action would not change this, thus the revised ACT would be expected to 
have no effects on the revenues and profits of for-hire vessels. If, in 
the future, the ACT were to be used to trigger AMs, the ACT increase 
accompanying the proposed ACL increase would reduce the probability of 
triggering an AM associated with an in-season closure.
    The following discussion analyzes the alternatives that were not 
selected as preferred by the Council.
    Four alternatives, including the preferred alternative, were 
considered for revising the stock ACL for black sea bass. The first 
alternative, the no action alternative, would retain the current ACL of 
847,000 lb (384,193 kg) round weight. In principle, this alternative 
would have no effects on the revenues and profits of commercial and 
for-hire vessels. With the developing derby conditions in the 
commercial and recreational sectors that harvest black sea bass, both 
the commercial and recreational fishing seasons would continue to 
shorten over time, eventually adversely affecting the revenues and 
profits of commercial and for-hire vessels. Moreover, this alternative 
would result in forgoing the

[[Page 39703]]

economic benefits expected of the preferred alternative to increase the 
stock ACL.
    The second alternative to increase the stock ACL would increase the 
ACL from its current level of 847,000 lb (384,193 kg), round weight, to 
2,133,000 lb (967,513 kg), round weight, in the 2013-2014 fishing year, 
1,992,000 lb (903,557 kg), round weight, in the 2014-2015 fishing year, 
and 1,814,000 lb (822,817 kg), round weight, in the 2015-2016 fishing 
year and beyond. In addition, this alternative would prohibit the use 
of black sea bass pots for the same dates as the preferred alternative 
and increase the recreational ACT. This alternative would result in 
higher revenues and profits for commercial and for-hire vessels than 
the preferred alternative mainly because it would provide for higher 
ACLs in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 fishing years. Although the effects 
of this alternative on commercial vessels using black sea bass pots 
would be the same as those of the preferred alternative, the effects on 
commercial vessels using other gear types would be different. With the 
seasonal black sea bass pot prohibition in place, the 2013-2014 and 
2014-2015 fishing seasons for users of other gear types would be 
longer, thus affording them higher revenues and profits than the 
preferred alternative. A negative consequence of this alternative is 
its higher likelihood (relative to the preferred alternative) of 
overfishing the stock over time. As has been experienced in the 
snapper-grouper fishery, overfishing requires more restrictive 
regulations with their attendant adverse consequences on the revenues 
and profits of commercial and for-hire vessels. The revised 
recreational ACT levels would have no direct effects on the revenues 
and profits of for-hire vessels.
    The third alternative would increase the ACL from its current level 
of 847,000 lb (384,193 kg), round weight, to 1,756,450 lb (796,713 kg), 
round weight, in the 2013-2014 fishing year and beyond. In addition, 
this alternative would similarly prohibit the seasonal use of black sea 
bass pots as the preferred alternative and increase the recreational 
ACT. This alternative would maintain the same ACL starting in the 2013-
2014 fishing season but at lower levels in the initial 3 years than the 
preferred alternative. Thus, this alternative would be expected to 
result in lower revenues and profits than the preferred alternative. 
The prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots would extend the 
overall commercial fishing season but at a shorter duration than what 
would be expected under the preferred alternative. Revenue and profit 
increases to vessels using other gear types would be less than those 
under the preferred alternative. As with the preferred alternative, the 
revised recreational ACT level would have no direct effects on the 
revenues and profits of for-hire vessels.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, South Atlantic, Black Sea Bass.

    Dated: June 26, 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, 50 CFR part 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  622.183, paragraph (b)(5) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.183  Area and seasonal closures.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (5) Seasonal closure of the commercial black sea bass pot component 
of the snapper-grouper fishery. From November 1 through April 30, each 
year, the commercial black sea bass pot component of the snapper-
grouper fishery is closed. During this closure, no person may harvest 
or possess black sea bass in or from the South Atlantic EEZ either with 
sea bass pots or from a vessel with sea bass pots on board. In 
addition, sea bass pots must be removed from the water in the South 
Atlantic EEZ before November 1, and may not be on board a vessel in the 
South Atlantic EEZ during this closure.
0
3. In Sec.  622.190, paragraph (a)(5) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.190  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (5) Black sea bass. (i) For the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 
fishing years--661,034 lb (299,840 kg), gutted weight; 780,020 lb 
(353,811 kg), round weight.
    (ii) For the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing years--640,063 lb 
(290,328 kg), gutted weight; 755,274 lb (342,587 kg), round weight.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  622.193, paragraph (e)(2) is revised to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for black sea 
bass, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL specified in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section then 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) The recreational ACL for black sea bass is 876,254 lb (397,462 
kg), gutted weight, 1,033,980 lb (469,005 kg), round weight for the 
2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 fishing years and 848,455 lb 
(384,853 kg), gutted weight, 1,001,177 lb (454,126 kg), round weight 
for the 2016-2017 and subsequent fishing years.
    (iii) 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.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2013-15879 Filed 7-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P