[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3731-3747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01258]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 140819686-5999-02]
RIN 0648-BE38


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery and Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic, 
and Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement management measures 
described in Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, Amendment 9 to 
the FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, and 
Amendment 8 to the FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the 
Atlantic; collectively referred to as the Generic Accountability 
Measures (AM) and Dolphin Allocation Amendment (Generic AM Amendment), 
as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council (Council). This final rule revises the commercial and 
recreational AMs for numerous snapper-grouper species and golden crab. 
This final rule also revises commercial and recreational sector 
allocations for dolphin in the Atlantic. The actions are intended to 
make the AMs consistent for snapper-grouper species addressed in the 
final rule and for golden crab, and revise the allocations between the 
commercial and recreational sectors for dolphin.

DATES: This final rule is effective February 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Generic AM Amendment, which 
includes an environmental assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA) analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from 
the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/2014/am_dolphin_allocation/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Janine Vara, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery in the South 
Atlantic is managed under the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of 
the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP). The golden crab 
fishery in the South Atlantic is managed under the FMP for the Golden 
Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Golden Crab FMP). The 
dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic is managed under the FMP for 
the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic (Dolphin Wahoo FMP). The 
FMPs were prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS through 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    On July 15, 2015, NMFS published a notice of availability for the 
Generic AM Amendment in the Federal Register and requested public 
comment (80 FR 41472). On September 29, 2015, NMFS published a proposed 
rule for the Generic AM Amendment in the Federal Register and requested 
public comment (80 FR 58448). On October 14, 2015, NMFS approved this 
amendment. The notice of availability, proposed rule, and the Generic 
AM Amendment set forth additional rationale for the actions contained 
in this final rule. A summary of the actions implemented by this final 
rule is provided below.

Management Measures Contained in This Final Rule

Modifications to Commercial and Recreational AMs for Snapper-Grouper 
Species and Golden Crab

    This final rule revises the AMs for golden tilefish, snowy grouper, 
gag grouper (gag), red grouper, black grouper, scamp, the other 
shallow-water grouper complex (SASWG: Red hind, rock hind, yellowmouth 
grouper, yellowfin grouper, coney, and graysby), greater amberjack, the 
other jacks complex (lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded 
rudderfish), bar jack, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, the other 
snappers complex (cubera snapper, gray snapper, lane snapper, dog 
snapper, and mahogany snapper), gray triggerfish, wreckfish 
(recreational sector), Atlantic spadefish, hogfish, red porgy, the 
other porgies complex (jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, whitebone porgy, 
scup, and saucereye porgy), and golden crab (commercial sector).
    This final rule modifies the AMs for these species, including those 
identified in the species complexes, to make them consistent with the 
majority of the AMs already in place for other snapper-grouper species. 
Specifically, the final rule updates the recreational AMs to allow NMFS 
to close the applicable recreational sector when the recreational 
annual catch limit (ACL) is met or projected to be met, unless NMFS 
determines that no closure is necessary based on the best scientific 
information available. This final rule also modifies the AMs to trigger 
post-season ACL reductions in the commercial and recreational sectors 
in the year following any ACL overage under certain situations.
    If the recreational sector exceeds its ACL, NMFS will monitor the 
recreational sector for a persistence in increased landings during the 
following fishing year. In the following fishing year, if the best 
scientific information available determines it necessary, NMFS will 
publish a notice in the Federal

[[Page 3732]]

Register to reduce the length of fishing season and the recreational 
ACL by the amount of the recreational ACL overage if the species, or 
one or more species in a species complex, is overfished and if the 
total ACL (commercial ACL and recreational ACL) was exceeded in the 
prior fishing year.
    If the commercial sector exceeds its ACL, NMFS will publish a 
notice in the Federal Register to reduce the commercial ACL in the 
following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage if 
the species, or one or more species in a species complex, is overfished 
and if the total ACL (commercial ACL and recreational ACL) was exceeded 
in the prior fishing year.
    Modifying the AMs in this manner creates regulatory consistency 
among the majority of federally managed snapper-grouper species and 
golden crab in the South Atlantic region.

Modifications to Commercial and Recreational Sector Allocations for 
Dolphin

    This final rule revises the commercial sector allocation to be 10 
percent of the dolphin stock ACL with the ACL set at 1,534,485 lb 
(696,031 kg), round weight, and the recreational sector allocation for 
dolphin to be 90 percent of the stock ACL with the ACL set at 
13,810,361 lb (6,264,274 kg), round weight. This change in sector 
allocations constitutes an equivalent ACL increase for the commercial 
sector and an ACL decrease for the recreational sector of 377,484 lb 
(171,224 kg), round weight.

Other Changes to the Codified Text

    In addition to the measures described in the Generic AM Amendment, 
this final rule clarifies the AM provisions in Sec.  622.193 (the ACLs/
AMs section of the regulations for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
species) that will reduce a season length in the following recreational 
fishing year. These clarifications will aid law enforcement efforts. 
For those snapper-grouper species that have a post-season AM if a 
recreational ACL is exceeded, under certain conditions NMFS will reduce 
the season length (i.e., implement a closure) for that species or 
species complex in the following fishing year by publishing an AM 
notification and closure date for the recreational sector for that 
species or species complex in the Federal Register. In this final rule, 
NMFS adds a closure provision to the regulations for these situations. 
Specifically, the provision states that when the closure becomes 
effective, the bag and possession limits for the applicable species or 
species complex in or from the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 
the South Atlantic will be reduced to zero.
    In addition, this final rule removes and consolidates language in 
Sec.  622.190(a)(6) for the red porgy commercial quota from past 
fishing years that is no longer applicable.
    Finally, this final rule fixes an error in Sec.  622.280 for 
Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Atlantic dolphin and wahoo are managed off 
the Atlantic states (Maine through the east coast of Florida) via the 
Dolphin Wahoo FMP; however, in the AMs section of the codified text, 
the closure provisions currently apply in the South Atlantic EEZ only. 
This inadvertent error was implemented in the rulemaking for the 
Comprehensive ACL Amendment (77 FR 15916, March 16, 2011). This final 
rule changes ``South Atlantic EEZ'' to ``Atlantic EEZ'' in the AMs for 
dolphin and wahoo in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(i) of Sec.  
622.280, which is consistent with the FMP for management of these 
species from Maine through the east coast of Florida.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received comments from individuals, fishing associations, a 
marine resource conservation group, a seafood dealer, and a municipal 
chamber of commerce on the notice of availability and the proposed rule 
for the Generic AM Amendment, along with other issues. NMFS received 
comments that were beyond the scope of the notice of availability and 
proposed rule, and therefore, they have not been addressed in this 
final rule. The 19 unique comments that relate to one or more of the 
management actions in the Generic AM Amendment and the proposed rule 
are summarized and responded to below.
    Comment 1: One commenter agreed that the commercial sector 
allocation for Atlantic dolphin (dolphin) should be increased, but 
suggested that the methods used to calculate the allocation changes 
need to be revisited. Another commenter suggested that the Council 
should select a different alternative that allocates 86 percent of the 
total ACL to the recreational sector and 14 percent to the commercial 
sector.
    Response: The Council did choose a different method than they used 
previously to determine the sector allocations for dolphin in the 
Generic AM Amendment and final rule. In this amendment, the Council 
used more recent commercial and recreational landings from 2008 through 
2012, which results in changing the allocation for the commercial 
sector from 7.54 percent to 10 percent and changing the allocation for 
the recreational sector from 92.46 percent to 90 percent. This revised 
allocation results in an increase in the commercial ACL from 1,157,001 
lb (524,807 kg), round weight, to 1,534,485 lb (696,031 kg), round 
weight. The Council determined that the revised allocation reduces the 
potential for exceeding the commercial ACL, since the increase shows 
that the dolphin commercial ACL would not have been exceeded during the 
2008 through 2014 fishing years. Additionally, as discussed below, the 
recreational sector has landed approximately 50 percent of their ACL 
during most of this time period. The Council determined that this 
change in allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors, 
and not the alternative that would allocate 14 percent of the total ACL 
to the commercial sector and 86 percent to the recreational sector, was 
the best management strategy to meet the objectives of the Generic AM 
Amendment and the Dolphin Wahoo FMP, while complying with the 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. If 
the Council decides that another allocation adjustment is required in 
the future, they may choose to consider allocation options in a future 
amendment.
    Comment 2: A commenter opposed the shift in the allocation from the 
recreational sector to the commercial sector, because when other 
commercial fisheries close, there will be increased commercial effort 
directed toward dolphin resulting in an increase in commercial harvest, 
causing overfishing of the stock.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the Council should not change the 
commercial and recreational allocations for dolphin, or that this 
allocation shift will cause overfishing of dolphin. From 2008 through 
2013, the latest complete 5-year data period available when the Council 
considered the actions in the amendment and in this final rule, the 
recreational sector landed approximately 50 percent of their ACL each 
year. In 2014, the recreational sector landed approximately 37 percent 
of their ACL, and 39 percent of the recreational ACL was landed through 
August 2015 (the latest data available as of December 7, 2015). 
However, the commercial sector met their ACL in both 2014 and 2015. The 
Council's decision to increase the commercial allocation for dolphin 
from 7.54 percent to 10 percent reduces the potential for the 
commercial sector to exceed its ACL. Sector-specific AMs are in place 
to limit harvest to the respective sector ACL, which will help to 
prevent overfishing of dolphin. Additionally,

[[Page 3733]]

based on their life history, dolphin is not as susceptible to 
overfishing because it is a short-lived species that is also highly 
productive.
    Comment 3: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 1 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because allocating 
more of the total ACL to the commercial sector would allow dolphin 
fishers to better achieve optimum yield (OY) for the stock.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the Generic AM Amendment is 
inconsistent with National Standard 1. National Standard 1 states that 
management and conservation measures shall prevent overfishing while 
achieving, on a continuing basis, the OY from a fishery. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act defines ``optimum,'' with respect to the yield from a 
fishery, in part, as the amount of fish that will provide the greatest 
overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to food 
production and recreational opportunities and taking into account the 
protection of marine ecosystems. The Council determined that the 
increase in allocation from 7.54 percent to 10 percent for the 
commercial sector helped best meet the definition of OY for the dolphin 
fishery, and is the best management strategy to meet the objectives of 
the Generic AM Amendment and the Dolphin Wahoo FMP.
    Comment 4: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 2 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because the sector 
allocations are based on flawed estimates of recreational landings 
derived from the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey 
(MRFSS).
    Response: NMFS disagrees. The recreational sector allocations and 
ACLs for dolphin and wahoo were established in the Comprehensive ACL 
Amendment (77 FR 15916, March 16, 2012), using data generated by MRFSS, 
which was the best scientific information available at that time. In 
2013, following an independent review by the National Research Council 
and as directed by Congress within the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS 
replaced MRFSS with the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) 
to provide more accurate recreational catch estimates. MRIP is expected 
to reduce potential bias and increase the accuracy, timeliness, and 
spatial resolution of recreational catch and effort estimates. 
Amendment 5 to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP (79 FR 32878, June 9, 2014) 
revised the ACLs using recreational data from MRIP. The ACLs in the 
Generic AM Amendment utilize MRIP data, which is now the best 
scientific information available. Furthermore, the Council chose to 
revise the allocations for dolphin based on data from a more recent 
time period, and the sector allocations are not based on flawed 
estimates of recreational landings. NMFS has determined that the 
actions in this amendment are based upon the best scientific 
information available, in accordance with National Standard 2.
    Comment 5: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 3 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because the stock 
structure of dolphin indicates a great deal of mixing, with harvest by 
fishermen from many other nations.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the amendment is inconsistent with 
National Standard 3. National Standard 3 states that to the extent 
practicable, an individual stock of fish shall be managed as a unit 
throughout its range. Furthermore, fishery management plans should 
include conservation and management measures for that part of the 
management unit within U.S. waters, as per the National Standard 3 
Guidelines. Although dolphin occur in tropical and subtropical waters 
worldwide, it is generally accepted that there is a single dolphin 
stock in the western central Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to Brazil and 
throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Samples of dolphin 
harvested throughout this area indicate no substantial genetic 
differences, and tagging information shows that dolphin move within 
this range. While dolphin may be genetically similar in the Gulf of 
Mexico, Caribbean, and South Atlantic, the Dolphin Wahoo FMP only 
addresses dolphin that occur in the Atlantic, as per the National 
Standard 3 Guidelines that allow for the dolphin management unit to be 
defined by a geographic area. Accordingly, the original Dolphin Wahoo 
FMP specified one management unit in the Atlantic ranging from New 
England to the U.S. South Atlantic for comprehensive management and 
protection.
    Comment 6: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 4 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because U.S. 
fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico are not restricted from access to 
dolphin. The commenter also questioned the use of J-style hooks instead 
of circle hooks on pelagic longline gear that harvests dolphin, and 
suggested restricting dolphin permits for those fishers using pelagic 
longline gear. The commenter also asked whether fishermen with 
commercial permits for dolphin and wahoo who use pelagic longline gear 
have to file logbook reports and carry observers, and whether they may 
retain highly migratory species (HMS).
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the Generic AM Amendment is 
inconsistent with National Standard 4. National Standard 4 states, in 
part, that conservation and management measures in a fishery management 
plan shall not discriminate between residents of different states. The 
actions in the Generic AM Amendment are applicable to all residents of 
each of the states affected by the Dolphin Wahoo FMP. Dolphin in the 
Gulf of Mexico are not subject to management through the Dolphin Wahoo 
FMP.
    Fishermen with Federal commercial vessel permits for dolphin and 
wahoo may not retain HMS species without the relevant Federal HMS 
permit. Fishing for dolphin with J-hooks is allowed under the Dolphin 
Wahoo FMP, and the use of circle hooks was not considered in the 
Generic AM Amendment, although the Council could consider measures in a 
future amendment to require the use of circle hooks. At this time, 
fishermen with Federal commercial vessel permits for dolphin and wahoo 
are not required to carry observers under the Dolphin Wahoo FMP, but 
they are required to complete logbooks for retained and discarded catch 
and report that information to NMFS. Additionally, at this time, the 
Council has not chosen to further restrict the number of commercial 
vessel permit holders who may fish for dolphin using pelagic longline 
gear.
    Comment 7: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 5 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because it will not 
promote efficiency to set a commercial limit that is unnecessarily low 
for dolphin.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the amendment is inconsistent with 
National Standard 5. National Standard 5 states that conservation and 
management measures shall, where practicable, consider efficiency in 
the utilization of fishery resources; except that no such measure shall 
have economic allocation as its sole purpose. The Council considered 
efficiency in its decision to increase the commercial allocation for 
dolphin from 7.54 percent to 10 percent of the total ACL, and the 
commercial ACL from 1,157,001 lb (524,807 kg), round weight, to 
1,534,485 lb (696,031 kg), round weight. The Council determined that 
the revised allocation and commercial ACL was more efficient in that it 
is expected to reduce the potential for the commercial sector to exceed 
its ACL.
    Comment 8: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with

[[Page 3734]]

National Standard 6 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because the sector 
reallocations are based on a short recent time frame that does not 
adequately take into account the cyclical nature of highly migratory 
species fisheries.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the amendment is inconsistent with 
National Standard 6. The Magnuson-Stevens Act does not define dolphin 
as a highly migratory species. National Standard 6 states that 
conservation and management measures shall take into account and allow 
for variations among, and contingencies in, fisheries, fishery 
resources, and catches. The Council did consider the variation in 
dolphin catches over a long time period (from 1999 through 2012) when 
choosing their preferred alternative for an allocation formula. In this 
amendment, the Council chose to use more recent commercial and 
recreational landings data from 2008 through 2012, rather than the 
landings data from 1999 through 2008 that the Council previously used. 
This change in the allocation formula results in changing the 
allocation for the commercial sector from 7.54 percent to 10 percent 
and changing the allocation for the recreational sector from 92.46 
percent to 90 percent. The Council determined that the revised 
allocation takes into account the variations in the fishery, and 
reduces the potential for the commercial sector to exceed its ACL while 
meeting the objectives of the FMP.
    Comment 9: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 7 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because dolphin 
should be managed under the Highly Migratory Species Division of NMFS, 
which would minimize costs, allow participants better opportunity to 
participate in the management process, avoid duplication by several 
interested Councils, and most importantly, lead the way for truly 
effective international management for these highly migratory fish 
harvested by many international fishermen.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the amendment is inconsistent with 
National Standard 7. The Magnuson-Stevens Act's definition of ``highly 
migratory species'' explicitly lists which species are to be included, 
and Congress did not include dolphin in the definition (16 U.S.C. 
1802(21)). In 2004, the Council, in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic 
and New England Councils, and with the approval of the Secretary of 
Commerce, developed the Dolphin Wahoo FMP for the Atlantic and manage 
those species under this FMP.
    Comment 10: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 8 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because the sector 
reallocation measure for dolphin is likely to have significant adverse 
impacts on commercial fishermen and the communities that rely on them, 
and the healthy condition of dolphin does not warrant this action at 
this time.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the amendment is likely to have 
significant adverse impacts on commercial fishermen and communities, 
and has determined that the amendment is consistent with National 
Standard 8. The preferred alternative in the Generic AM Amendment is 
expected to have positive economic and social impacts for commercial 
fishermen and the communities that rely on them, as it will increase 
the commercial allocation from 7.54 percent to 10 percent of the total 
ACL and increase in the commercial ACL from 1,157,001 lb (524,807 kg), 
round weight, to 1,534,485 lb (696,031 kg), round weight.
    Comment 11: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 9 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because the sector 
reallocation for dolphin should contain allocation for commercial 
fishermen at a level that is highly unlikely to lead to the regulatory 
discarding of dolphin.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. National Standard 9 states, in part, that 
management measures shall minimize bycatch to the extent practicable. 
The increase in commercial allocation from 7.54 percent to 10 percent 
of the total ACL and increase in the commercial ACL from 1,157,001 lb 
(524,807 kg), round weight, to 1,534,485 lb (696,031 kg), round weight, 
is expected to decrease the chance that a commercial closure will 
occur. With a longer commercial fishing season, fewer regulatory 
discards would be expected. The Council determined that the revised 
allocation will reduce the potential for the commercial sector to 
exceed its ACL, since this increase shows that the dolphin commercial 
ACL would not have been exceeded during the 2008 through 2014 fishing 
years.
    Comment 12: A commenter opposed the amendment as inconsistent with 
National Standard 10 under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, because commercial 
fishermen will be forced to discard perfectly saleable fish if the 
fishery closes and will have to fish longer trips when the fishery is 
open to attempt to make up those losses.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. National Standard 10 is intended to 
promote the safety of human life at sea to the maximum extent 
practicable, and that is what this amendment does. The Generic AM 
Amendment will increase the sector allocation and ACL for the 
commercial sector, so that the chance that a commercial closure will 
occur and that fishermen will have to make up for the lost opportunity 
to harvest dolphin by taking longer trips will be reduced.
    Comment 13: One commenter asked why the recreational sector ACL is 
larger than the commercial ACL.
    Response: The recreational ACL is larger than the commercial ACL 
because the allocations in the Dolphin Wahoo FMP are based on 
historical landings by commercial and recreational fishermen, and the 
recreational landings have historically greatly exceeded the commercial 
landings. In 2012, the Council established sector allocations for 
Atlantic dolphin through the final rule to implement the Comprehensive 
ACL Amendment (77 FR 15916, March 16, 2012). At that time, the Council 
determined the allocation for the sectors to be 7.54 percent for the 
commercial sector and 92.46 percent for the recreational sector, based 
on a methodology that used 50 percent of proportional commercial to 
recreational landings from 1999 through 2008 and 50 percent of 
proportional commercial to recreational landings from 2006 through 
2008. In the Generic AM Amendment, the Council changed the sector 
allocations of the total dolphin ACL to 10 percent commercial and 90 
percent recreational based on a revised methodology that used the more 
recent commercial and recreational landings data from 2008 through 
2012.
    Comment 14: A commenter asked about the methods used to gather 
dolphin recreational catch data, since recreational fishers do not use 
trip tickets or logbooks like the commercial sector.
    Response: Recreational landings for dolphin in the Atlantic are 
collected through MRIP and the Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS). 
With respect to dolphin, MRIP covers coastal Atlantic states from Maine 
to Florida. MRIP provides estimated landings and discards for six 2-
month periods (waves) each year. The survey provides estimates for 
three recreational fishing modes: Shore-based fishing, private and 
rental boat fishing, and for-hire charter and guide fishing. Catch data 
are collected through dockside angler intercept surveys of completed 
recreational fishing trips, and effort data are collected using 
telephone surveys. The SRHS estimates landings and discards for 
headboats in the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico from required 
electronic logbooks. Landings

[[Page 3735]]

data from MRIP and SRHS are compared to the respective recreational 
ACL. If the ACL has been met or exceeded, an AM is triggered, such as 
an in-season closure. If landings for either MRIP or SRHS are 
incomplete, projections of landings based on information from previous 
years are used to predict when the recreational ACL is expected to be 
met. Additional information of both commercial and recreational 
landings for dolphin can be found on the NMFS Southeast Regional ACL 
monitoring Web page at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/acl_monitoring/index.html.
    Comment 15: One commenter stated that the revised reallocation will 
reduce both large dolphin and the numbers of fish preferred by 
recreational fishermen, and that the correct age class and stock size 
of dolphin should be managed to a goal of maximum economic yield, 
rather than maximum sustainable yield.
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act establishes maximum sustainable 
yield as the basis for fishery management, not maximum economic yield. 
Harvest by either the commercial or recreational sector could affect 
the age class distribution as well as the stock size. This reallocation 
will allow the commercial sector to harvest a small portion of a 
relatively large amount of fish left unharvested by the recreational 
sector, and sector-specific ACLs and AMs have been established to 
control the adverse biological impacts of the harvests on the dolphin 
stock and maintain stock size at a sustainable level. Thus, it is 
expected that the reallocation being implemented through this final 
rule will have no negative effects on the health of the dolphin stock.
    Comment 16: A commenter stated that the proposed allocation shows a 
lack of fairness and transparency in the Council process, and that NMFS 
and the Council should follow their own scientific guidance when 
revising allocations.
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery management 
councils to make their management decisions through a very public 
process. The Council has an open decision-making process, and the 
public is afforded ample opportunity to comment and participate on 
topics being considered. This process includes review and advice from 
the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and advisory 
panels. Each meeting in which the Council, the SSC, or the Council's 
advisory panels discussed the Generic AM Amendment was noticed in the 
Federal Register and also publicized by the Council, and each meeting 
was open to the public and had public comment periods available. The 
Council also held public scoping meetings and public hearings on the 
actions contained in this amendment. The notice of availability for the 
Generic AM Amendment had a 60-day public comment period (80 FR 41472, 
July 15, 2015). The public also had a 30-day opportunity to comment on 
the proposed rule (80 FR 58448, September 29, 2015). Additionally, NMFS 
has determined that the actions in this amendment are based upon the 
best scientific information available.
    Comment 17: A commenter opposed the amendment because the 
reallocation would continue an unfair scenario facing the recreational 
sector, in which AMs are imposed if the recreational ACL is exceeded, 
and yet the allowable recreational catch is reallocated if the 
recreational quota is not achieved.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. The reallocation for the commercial 
sector from 7.54 percent to 10 percent and for the recreational sector 
from 92.46 percent to 90 percent of the total dolphin ACL does not 
represent an unfair scenario facing the recreational sector. The 
Council determined that the revised allocation reduces the potential 
for exceeding the commercial ACL, since the increase shows that the 
dolphin commercial ACL would not have been exceeded during the 2008 
through 2014 fishing years. Additionally, the recreational sector has 
landed approximately 50 percent of their ACL during most of this time 
period.
    Comment 18: A commenter opposed the amendment, stating that the 
economic analysis is not based on best scientific information 
available, because it ignores any value that recreational fishers might 
hold for the value of taking a dolphin trip without any harvest and the 
economic value recreational fishers hold for more robust stocks and 
larger fish. The commenter was concerned that the change in allocation 
and higher commercial harvest will result in reduced economic benefits 
to recreational fishers and the public.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. The Generic AM Amendment, including its 
economic analysis, is based on the best scientific information 
available, and it includes available information on recreational 
economic values for dolphin, such as values per fish kept, with higher 
values attached to larger fish; values per dolphin fish, per trip, and 
values per dolphin fish caught and released.
    Studies that consider the economic efficiency of allocating dolphin 
between the commercial and recreational sectors are not currently 
available. The absence of such studies precludes the determination of 
the economic efficiency gains and losses to the commercial or 
recreational sector, and net gains or losses to the public as a whole, 
from each of the allocation alternatives within the Generic AM 
Amendment. The economic analysis notes that, with the recreational 
sector's harvest being well below its allocation, decreasing the 
recreational allocation by 2.46 percentage points (with an equivalent 
increase to the commercial allocation) would have no adverse economic 
impacts on the recreational sector.
    Comment 19: A commenter opposed the amendment, stating that 
commercial trip limits should be adopted to prevent the development of 
a directed commercial dolphin fishery, especially the longline segment, 
which would happen if the allocation shifts sufficiently to the 
commercial sector. A directed commercial dolphin fishery raises the 
possibility of localized depletion of dolphin, thereby affecting 
recreational fishing success.
    Response: There is currently a trip limit of 200 lb (91 kg) of 
dolphin and wahoo, combined, for a vessel that does not have a Federal 
commercial vessel permit for dolphin and wahoo but has a Federal 
commercial vessel permit in any other fishery, provided that all 
fishing on and landings from that trip are north of 39[deg] North 
latitude (50 CFR 622.278(a)(2)). The Council did not consider any other 
commercial trip limits in the Generic AM Amendment, but they are 
developing an amendment to consider commercial trip limits specifically 
for dolphin (Dolphin Wahoo Regulatory Amendment 1). A review of dolphin 
and wahoo Federal commercial permits from 2008 through 2012 shows that 
Federal commercial permit holders predominantly used hook-and-line gear 
and trolling gear to harvest dolphin, and not longline gear.
    Because the commercial ACL is increasing, there is a chance the 
small portion of the fishery that uses longlines may increase or those 
that already use that gear type may increase their fishing effort. 
Since longline gear have the potential to catch a large number of 
dolphin at one time, an increase in longline effort could result in 
temporary localized depletion. However, NMFS does not expect localized 
depletion of dolphin since only a small subset of Federal dolphin wahoo 
commercial permit holders (11 vessels) use pelagic longlines to harvest 
dolphin and, given the small increase in the commercial allocation 
being implemented in this amendment, it is unlikely that longlining 
effort for dolphin would

[[Page 3736]]

substantially increase or significantly expand.
    Both the commercial and recreational sectors for dolphin are 
limited to their respective ACLs and the AMs that are in place. The 
current system of AMs is designed to prevent the ACLs from being 
exceeded, and to correct for any ACL overages if they occur.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS has determined 
that this final rule is consistent with the Generic AM Amendment, the 
FMPs, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this 
rule.
    In compliance with section 604 of the RFA, NMFS prepared a Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) for this final rule. The FRFA 
incorporates the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), a 
summary of the significant economic issues raised by public comment, 
NMFS' responses to those comments, and a summary of the analyses 
completed to support the action. The FRFA follows.
    A statement of the need for, and objectives of, the rule. The 
actions are intended to make the AMs consistent for snapper-grouper 
species addressed in the final rule and for golden crab, and revise the 
allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors for 
dolphin.
    A statement of significant issues raised by the public comments in 
response to the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. No public 
comments specific to the IRFA were received, and therefore, no public 
comments are addressed in this FRFA. Certain comments with general 
socio-economic implications are addressed in the comments and responses 
section. No changes in the final rule were made in response to public 
comments.
    Response to comments filed by the Chief Counsel for the Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration to the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis. No comments were received from the Chief Counsel for the 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to the Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis and, thus, no changes to the rule were made in 
response to such comments.
    A description of affected small entities. NMFS expects this final 
rule to directly affect federally permitted commercial fishermen 
harvesting snapper-grouper species or golden crab in the South 
Atlantic.
    NMFS also expects this final rule to directly affect federally 
permitted commercial fishermen harvesting dolphin in the South Atlantic 
and off states north of North Carolina (northeastern states).
    Charter vessels and headboats (for-hire vessels) sell fishing 
services, which include the harvest of any species considered in this 
final rule, to recreational anglers. These vessels provide a platform 
for the opportunity to fish and not a guarantee to catch or harvest any 
species, though expectations of successful fishing, however defined, 
likely factor into the decision to purchase these services. Any change 
in demand for these fishing services and associated economic affects as 
a result of regulatory changes will be a consequence of behavioral 
change by anglers, secondary to any direct effect on anglers and, 
therefore, an indirect effect of the regulatory action. Because the 
effects on for-hire vessels will be indirect, they fall outside the 
scope of the RFA. Recreational anglers, who may be directly affected by 
the changes in this final rule, are not small entities under the RFA.
    To serve as a benchmark for determining whether a business entity 
is a small entity, the Small Business Administration (SBA) established 
size criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S., including 
fish harvesters and for-hire operations. 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 
$20.5 million (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for all of its 
affiliated operations worldwide.
    The snapper-grouper fishery is a multi-species fishery and vessels 
generally land many species on the same trips. Vessels in the dolphin 
fishery also catch other species jointly with dolphin. The golden crab 
fishery is more specialized than either the snapper-grouper or dolphin 
fishery, and there is a comparatively lower proportion of bycatch; as a 
result, the target species, golden crab, dominates the total catch 
during a trip.
    Because of the possibility that some vessels land only species not 
affected by this final rule, the following provides a description of 
vessels and their revenues by focusing on the key species (black 
grouper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, greater amberjack, red 
porgy, gag, golden tilefish, red grouper, snowy grouper, wreckfish, 
golden crab, and dolphin) addressed in this final rule. These species 
provide higher landings and revenues than the other affected species, 
such that focusing on them should provide enough information to 
determine if certain small entities (i.e., vessels) meet the SBA 
threshold for small entities. Hogfish, a recently assessed species, is 
not included as a key species for this analysis as it is being 
addressed by the Council in Amendment 37 to the Snapper-Grouper FMP. 
However, revenue approximations for vessels landing hogfish are noted 
below. The number of vessels and revenues (2013 dollars) are annual 
averages for the period 2009 through 2013, unless otherwise noted. Data 
for the years 2009 through 2013 were the latest complete 5-year data 
available when the Council considered the actions in this rule.
    Approximately 188 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of black 
grouper generated approximately $54,000 in revenues from black grouper 
and other species; 266 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of 
mutton snapper had revenues of approximately $51,000 from mutton 
snapper and other species; 252 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) 
yellowtail snapper had revenues of approximately $38,000 from 
yellowtail snapper and other species; 295 vessels landing at least 1 lb 
(0.45 kg) of greater amberjack had revenues of approximately $53,000 
from greater amberjack and other species; 191 vessels landing at least 
1 lb (0.45 kg) of red porgy had revenues of approximately $60,000 from 
red porgy and other species; 273 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 
kg) of gag had revenues of approximately $49,000 from gag and other 
species; 63 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of golden tilefish 
had revenues of approximately $68,000 from golden tilefish and other 
species; 278 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of red grouper had 
revenues of approximately $50,000 from red grouper and other species; 
138 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of snowy grouper had 
revenues of approximately $78,000 from snowy grouper and other species; 
and 488 vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of dolphin had revenues 
of approximately $64,000 from dolphin and other species. Revenues for 
vessels landing at least 1 lb (0.45 kg) of wreckfish or golden crab can 
be approximated based on total revenues from landings of those species 
and the number of permits. As of August 6, 2015, there were 5 Federal 
wreckfish commercial permits and 11 Federal golden crab commercial 
permits. For fishing years 2009/2010 through 2013/2014, annual revenues 
from wreckfish landings averaged $752,881, implying average annual 
revenue per wreckfish

[[Page 3737]]

vessel of approximately $188,000. From 2009 through 2013, annual 
revenues from golden crab landings averaged $1,419,843, implying 
average annual revenue per golden crab vessel of approximately 
$142,000. Most of the unassessed snapper-grouper species (almaco jack, 
banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack, gray snapper, lane snapper, cubera 
snapper, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, white grunt, sailors choice, 
tomtate, margate, red hind, rock hind, yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin 
grouper, coney, graysby, jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, saucereye 
porgy, scup, whitebone porgy, Atlantic spadefish, bar jack, scamp, and 
gray triggerfish), and hogfish had lower dockside revenues than many of 
the key species. In fact, the highest dockside values of an unassessed 
species (scamp) were much lower than those of at least one assessed 
species (yellowtail snapper). Therefore, NMFS expects that revenues of 
vessels landing at least one lb (0.45 kg) of an unassessed species or 
hogfish will fall within the range of vessel revenues described above.
    Some vessels, other than those in the golden crab fishery, may have 
caught and landed a combination of the 12 key species, hogfish, and 
unassessed snapper-grouper species, and revenues therefrom are included 
in the foregoing estimates.
    Vessels that caught and landed any of the species addressed in this 
final rule may also operate in other fisheries, the revenues of which 
are not known due to lack of information and are not reflected in these 
totals.
    Based on the revenue information provided above, all commercial 
vessels expected to be affected by this final rule are assumed to be 
small entities.
    Because all entities expected to be affected by this final rule are 
assumed to be small entities, NMFS has determined that this rule will 
affect a substantial number of small entities. However, the issue of 
disproportionate effects on small versus large entities does not arise 
in the present case.
    Designating a species to be overfished presupposes a stock 
assessment has been completed, implying that the ACL payback action, 
i.e., a reduction in the following year's catch limit or quota by the 
amount of an ACL overage, in this final rule will not apply to any 
unassessed snapper-grouper species. Therefore, the harvest of 
unassessed snapper-grouper species and associated economic benefits 
will remain unaffected by this final rule. NMFS notes that a stock 
assessment underway for gray triggerfish, an unassessed species, is 
expected to be completed in 2016. Of the assessed snapper-grouper 
species subject to the AM action in this final rule, only red porgy and 
snowy grouper are considered overfished. The recent stock assessment 
for hogfish defined three separate stocks, one of which is considered 
overfished and undergoing overfishing (SEDAR 37 2014). Amendment 37 to 
the Snapper-Grouper FMP, currently under development by the Council, 
will address issues specifically related to hogfish. Since 2009, the 
commercial sector exceeded its ACL for red porgy in 2011 and 2013 by 
less than 3 percent each year. On the other hand, recreational landings 
of red porgy have been well below the sector's ACL. Recreational 
landings of red porgy were 51 percent in 2012 and 48 percent in 2013 of 
the red porgy recreational ACL. Based on past and recent landings 
history, it is unlikely that the total red porgy ACL (sum of commercial 
and recreational sector ACLs) will be reached in the near future, so 
the payback action in this final rule will not be expected to affect 
harvesters of red porgy in the short term. The case with snowy grouper 
is slightly different from the other overfished snapper-grouper 
species. The snowy grouper commercial ACL was exceeded by less than 10 
percent in 2012, 2013, and 2014, while the recreational ACL was 
exceeded by more than 200 percent in 2012 and 2013. For the 2014 
fishing season, recreational harvest of snowy grouper was closed on 
June 7, 2014, because NMFS projected the recreational ACL would be met.
    Based on landings history, it is likely that the payback action for 
snowy grouper in this final rule will adversely affect the profits of 
commercial vessels. The amount of payback for any ACL overages and 
resulting profit loss to the commercial vessels cannot be estimated due 
to lack of information. However, current Federal regulations enable 
NMFS to implement a snowy grouper in-season closure for the commercial 
sector and in-season monitoring and possible closure for the 
recreational sector if the respective sector's ACL is reached or 
projected to be reached. In addition, this final rule will implement an 
in-season closure for the snowy grouper recreational sector once the 
recreational ACL is reached or is projected to be reached.
    These current measures and this final rule are expected to limit 
the amount of any ACL overage, meaning that the resulting loss in 
profits to commercial vessels due to the ACL payback provision should 
be small.
    The commercial and recreational sector re-allocation of the ACL for 
dolphin will increase the ACL share of the commercial sector at the 
expense of the recreational sector. In theory, this would tend to 
increase the revenues or profits of commercial vessels and potentially 
reduce the revenues or profits of for-hire vessels. In practice, 
commercial vessels are not expected to experience any profit changes in 
the near-term based on historical landings for the sector from 2009 
through 2013. Relative to the new sector allocations, based on applying 
the new allocation ratios to the current total ACL, commercial landings 
of dolphin (based on 2009-2013 commercial landings) are projected to 
range from 33 percent to 80 percent of the commercial ACL. In the years 
2009 through 2013, the highest commercial landings occurred in 2009 and 
the lowest in 2013. However, commercial fishing for dolphin closed this 
fishing year on June 30, 2015, when the commercial sector reached its 
ACL. If future commercial landings of dolphin were equal to or greater 
than they were in 2015, the new allocation ratio may be expected to 
increase the revenues, and possibly profits, of commercial vessels. As 
noted earlier, for-hire vessels will only be affected indirectly by 
this final rule.
    Projected reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance 
requirements. This rule would not impose any new reporting, 
recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements.
    Minimizing impact on small entities and significant alternatives 
considered. Four alternatives, including the preferred alternative (as 
described in the preamble), were considered for the AMs of reducing the 
following year's commercial ACL by the amount of the commercial 
overage. The first alternative, the no-action alternative, would not 
impose an ACL payback provision for gag, golden tilefish, snowy 
grouper, wreckfish, and golden crab while retaining the ACL payback 
provision for the other species addressed in this action. This 
alternative would not address the need to create a consistent 
regulatory environment while preventing unnecessary negative socio-
economic impacts, and ensure overfishing does not occur in accordance 
with the provisions set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The second 
alternative would require an ACL payback for ACL overages only if the 
species is overfished, and the third alternative would require a 
payback only if the combined total of commercial and recreational ACLs 
is exceeded. These two alternatives are more restrictive than the 
preferred alternative and, therefore, would be expected to have 
potentially larger adverse short-term

[[Page 3738]]

economic effects on commercial entities than the preferred alternative.
    Because the commercial and recreational sector re-allocation of the 
ACL for dolphin is not expected to result in any negative effects on 
any directly affected entities, the issue of significant alternatives 
to reduce any significant negative effects is not relevant.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as small entity compliance 
guides. As part of the rulemaking process, NMFS prepared a fishery 
bulletin, which also serves as a small entity compliance guide. The 
fishery bulletin will be sent to all interested parties.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Accountability measure, Annual catch limit, Dolphin, Fisheries, 
Fishing, Golden crab, Snapper-grouper, South Atlantic.

    Dated: January 15, 2016.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is 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.  622.190, revise paragraph (a)(6) to read as follows:


Sec.  622.190  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (6) Red porgy--157,692 lb (71,528 kg), gutted weight; 164,000 lb 
(74,389 kg), round weight.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  622.193, revise paragraphs (a) through (d), (g), (i), (j) 
through (r), and (t) through (x) to read as follows:


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

    (a) Golden tilefish--(1) Commercial sector--(i) Hook-and-line 
component. If commercial landings for golden tilefish, as estimated by 
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL (commercial 
quota) specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(2)(ii), the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the hook-
and-line component of the commercial sector for the remainder of the 
fishing year. Applicable restrictions after a commercial quota closure 
are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) Longline component. If commercial landings for golden 
tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL (commercial quota) specified in Sec.  
622.190(a)(2)(iii), the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to close the longline component of the commercial 
sector for the remainder of the fishing year. After the commercial ACL 
for the longline component is reached or projected to be reached, 
golden tilefish may not be fished for or possessed by a vessel with a 
golden tilefish longline endorsement. Applicable restrictions after a 
commercial quota closure are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (iii) If commercial landings for golden tilefish, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL (including both the hook-and-line 
and longline component ACLs) specified in Sec.  622.190(a)(2)(i), and 
the combined commercial and recreational ACL of 558,036 lb (253,121 
kg), gutted weight, 625,000 lb (283,495 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year, and golden tilefish 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 
reduce the commercial ACL for that following fishing year by the amount 
of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) 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 regardless if the stock is 
overfished, unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based 
on the best scientific information available. On and after the 
effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession limits 
for golden tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 558,036 lb (253,121 kg), 
gutted weight, 625,000 lb (285,495 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year. The AA will use the best scientific 
information available to determine if reducing the length of the 
recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is necessary. When the 
recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length 
of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession 
limits for golden tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (b) Snowy grouper--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings for snowy grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL (commercial 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 sector for the remainder 
of the fishing year. Applicable restrictions after a commercial quota 
closure are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) If commercial landings for snowy grouper, as estimated by the 
SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL specified in Sec.  622.193(b)(1)(iii) is exceeded, and 
snowy 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that 
following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in 
the prior fishing year.
    (iii) The combined commercial and recreational ACL for snowy 
grouper is 139,098 lb (63,094 kg), gutted weight, 164,136 lb (74,451 
kg), round weight, for 2015; 151,518 lb (68,727 kg), gutted weight, 
178,791 lb (81,098 kg), round weight, for 2016; 163,109 lb (73,985 kg), 
gutted weight, 192,469 lb (87,302 kg), round weight, for 2017; 173,873 
lb (78,867 kg), gutted weight, 205,170 lb (93,064 kg), round weight, 
for 2018; 185,464 lb (84,125 kg), gutted weight, 218,848 lb (99,268 
kg), round weight, for 2019 and subsequent years.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for snowy 
grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to close

[[Page 3739]]

the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such notification, the 
bag and possession limits for snowy grouper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero. The recreational ACL for snowy grouper is 4,152 
fish for 2015; 4,483 fish for 2016; 4,819 fish for 2017, 4,983 fish for 
2018; 5,315 fish for 2019 and subsequent fishing years.
    (ii) If recreational landings for snowy grouper, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if snowy grouper are overfished based on 
the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL specified in Sec.  
622.193(b)(1)(iii) is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will 
use the best scientific information available to determine if reducing 
the length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for snowy grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.
    (c) Gag--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings for gag, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial 
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 sector 
for gag for the remainder of the fishing year. Applicable restrictions 
after a commercial quota closure are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) If the commercial landings for gag, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL specified in Sec.  622.193(c)(1)(iii), and 
the combined commercial and recreational ACL specified in Sec.  
622.193(c)(1)(iv), is exceeded during the same fishing year, 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 reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (iii) The commercial ACL for gag is 322,677 lb (146,364 kg), gutted 
weight, 380,759 lb (172,709 kg), round weight, for 2015; 325,100 lb 
(147,463 kg), gutted weight, 383,618 lb (174,006 kg), round weight, for 
2016; 345,449 lb (197,516 kg), gutted weight, 407,630 lb (184,898 kg), 
round weight, for 2017; 362,406 lb (164,385 kg), gutted weight, 427,639 
lb (193,974 kg), round weight, for 2018; and 374,519 lb (169,879 kg), 
gutted weight, 441,932 lb (200,457 kg), round weight, for 2019 and 
subsequent fishing years.
    (iv) The combined commercial and recreational ACL for gag is 
632,700 lb (286,988 kg), gutted weight, 746,586 lb (338,646 kg), round 
weight, for 2015; 637,451 lb (289,143 kg), gutted weight, 752,192 lb 
(341,189 kg), round weight, for 2016; 677,351 lb (307,241 kg), gutted 
weight, 799,274 lb (362,545 kg), round weight, for 2017; 710,600 lb 
(322,323 kg), gutted weight, 838,508 lb (380,341 kg), round weight, for 
2018; and 734,351 lb (333,096 kg), gutted weight, 866,534 lb (393,053 
kg), round weight, for 2019 and subsequent fishing years.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for gag, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL, 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 regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS 
determines that no closure is necessary based on the best scientific 
information available. On and after the effective date of such 
notification, the bag and possession limits for gag in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ are zero. The recreational ACL for gag is 310,023 lb 
(148,025 kg), gutted weight, 365,827 (165,936 kg), round weight, for 
2015; 312,351 lb (149,137 kg), gutted weight, 368,574 lb (175,981 kg), 
round weight, for 2016; 331,902 lb (158,472 kg), gutted weight, 391,644 
lb (186,997 kg), round weight, for 2017; 348,194 lb (166,251 kg), 
gutted weight, 410,869 lb (196,176 kg), round weight, for 2018; and 
359,832 lb (171,807 kg), gutted weight, 424,602 lb (202,733 kg), round 
weight, for 2019 and subsequent fishing years.
    (ii) If recreational landings for gag, 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 recreational 
fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of the 
recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL specified in Sec.  
622.193(c)(1)(iv) is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will 
use the best scientific information available to determine if reducing 
the length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are 
zero.
    (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 commercial ACL of 343,200 lb (155,673 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 red grouper is prohibited and harvest or possession of red 
grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If the commercial landings for red grouper, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 780,000 lb (353,802 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year, and the species 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 to 
reduce the commercial ACL in the following fishing year by the amount 
of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for red 
grouper, as estimated by the SRD, are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 436,800 lb (198,129 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for red grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.

[[Page 3740]]

    (ii) If recreational landings for red grouper, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 780,000 lb (353,802 kg), 
round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. The AA will use 
the best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational season and recreational ACL is necessary. 
When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag and 
possession limits for red grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are 
zero.
* * * * *
    (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 commercial ACL of 96,844 lb (43,928 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 black grouper is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of black grouper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and possession 
limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for black grouper, as estimated by the 
SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 262,594 lb (119,111 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year, and the species 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 to 
reduce the commercial ACL for that following fishing year by the amount 
of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for black 
grouper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 165,750 lb (75,183 kg), round weight, and the AA 
determines that a closure is necessary by using the best scientific 
information available, 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 regardless if the stock is overfished, 
unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for black grouper in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for black grouper, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if black grouper are overfished based on 
the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 262,594 lb (119,111 kg), 
round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use 
the best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for black grouper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.
* * * * *
    (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 219,375 lb (99,507 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 scamp in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits. 
These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for scamp, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and recreational 
ACL of 335,744 lb (152,291 kg), round weight, is exceeded, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for scamp, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational 
ACL of 116,369 lb (52,784 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 regardless if 
the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no closure is 
necessary based on the best scientific information available. On and 
after the effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession 
limits for scamp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for scamp, 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 recreational 
fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of the 
recreational ACL overage, if scamp are overfished based on the most 
recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 335,744 lb (152,291 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the 
best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for scamp in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are 
zero.
    (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 combined, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial 
ACL of 55,542 lb (25,193 kg), round weight, the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the

[[Page 3741]]

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 red hind, rock hind, 
yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, coney, and graysby is 
prohibited, and harvest or possession of any of these species in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession 
limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for other SASWG combined, as estimated 
by the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 104,190 lb (47,260 kg), round weight, is exceeded, 
and at least one of the species in other SASWG combined 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 
to reduce the commercial ACL for that following fishing year by the 
amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for other 
SASWG combined, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the recreational ACL of 48,648 lb (22,066 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 
regardless if any stock in other SASWG combined is overfished, unless 
NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for any species in 
the other SASWG combined in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for other SASWG combined, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if at least one of the 
species in other SASWG combined is overfished based on the most recent 
Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 104,190 lb (47,260 kg) is exceeded 
during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the best scientific 
information available to determine if reducing the length of the 
recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is necessary. When the 
recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length 
of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession 
limits for any species in the other SASWG combined in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (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 commercial ACL (commercial 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. Applicable restrictions after a commercial quota 
closure are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) If commercial landings for greater amberjack, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 1,968,001 lb (892,670 kg), round weight, is 
exceeded during the same fishing year, and the species 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 
to reduce the commercial ACL in the following fishing year by the 
amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for greater 
amberjack, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 1,167,837 lb (529,722 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for greater amberjack in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for greater amberjack, 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 recreational fishing season and recreational ACL by the 
amount of the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished 
based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, 
and if the combined commercial and recreational ACL of 1,968,001 lb 
(892,670 kg), round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. 
The AA will use the best scientific information available to determine 
if reducing the length of the recreational season and recreational ACL 
is necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of 
NMFS reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, 
the bag and possession limits for greater amberjack in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (l) Other jacks complex (including lesser amberjack, almaco jack, 
and banded rudderfish, combined)--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If 
commercial landings for the other jacks complex, as estimated by the 
SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL of 189,422 lb 
(85,920 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the 
other jacks 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 any of these species in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and 
possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for the other jacks complex, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 457,221 lb (207,392 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded, and at least one of the species in the other jacks 
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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for the other 
jacks complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach 
the recreational ACL of 267,799 lb (121,472 kg), round weight, the AA 
will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register

[[Page 3742]]

to close the recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year 
regardless if any stock in the other jacks complex is overfished, 
unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for any species in 
the other jacks complex in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for the other jacks complex, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if at least one of the 
species in the other jacks complex is overfished based on the most 
recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 457,221 lb (207,392 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the 
best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for any species in the other jacks complex in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (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 13,228 lb (6,000 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 bar jack in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits. These 
bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for bar jack, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and recreational 
ACL of 62,249 lb (28,236 kg), round weight, is exceeded, and bar jack 
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 reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for bar jack, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 49,021 lb (22,236 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for bar jack in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for bar jack, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if bar jack are overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 62,249 lb (28,236 kg), 
round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use 
the best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for bar jack in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
are zero.
    (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 1,596,510 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 yellowtail snapper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and 
possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for yellowtail snapper, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 3,037,500 lb (1,377,787 kg), round weight, is 
exceeded during the same fishing year, and yellowtail 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 reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for 
yellowtail snapper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the recreational ACL of 1,440,990 lb (653,622 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for yellowtail snapper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for yellowtail snapper, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if the species is 
overfished based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, and if the combined commercial and recreational ACL of 
3,037,500 lb (1,377,787 kg), round weight, is exceeded during the same 
fishing year. The AA will use the best scientific information available 
to determine if reducing the length of the recreational fishing season 
and recreational ACL is necessary. When the recreational sector is 
closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length of the recreational 
fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession limits for yellowtail 
snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.

[[Page 3743]]

    (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 mutton snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and possession 
limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for mutton snapper, as estimated by the 
SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 926,600 lb (420,299 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year, and the species 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 to 
reduce the commercial ACL in the following fishing year by the amount 
of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for mutton 
snapper, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 768,857 lb (348,748 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for mutton snapper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for mutton snapper, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 926,600 lb (420,299 kg), 
round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use 
the best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for mutton snapper in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.
    (p) Other snappers complex (including cubera snapper, gray snapper, 
lane snapper, dog snapper, and mahogany snapper)--(1) Commercial 
sector. (i) If commercial landings for the other snappers complex, as 
estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the complex 
commercial ACL of 344,884 lb (156,437 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 cubera snapper, gray snapper, lane snapper, dog snapper, 
and mahogany snapper is prohibited, and harvest or possession of any of 
these species in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag 
and possession limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for the other snappers complex, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 1,517,716 lb (688,424 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that 
following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in 
the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for the other 
snappers complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the recreational ACL of 1,172,832 lb (531,988 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 
regardless if any stock in the other snappers complex is overfished, 
unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for any species in 
the other snappers complex in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for the other snappers complex, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if 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, and the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 1,517,716 lb (688,424 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the 
best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for any species in the other snappers complex in 
or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (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 (commercial quota) specified in 
Sec.  622.190(a)(8)(i) or (ii), 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. Applicable restrictions after a 
commercial quota closure are specified in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) If commercial landings for gray triggerfish, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 716,999 lb (325,225 kg), round weight, is exceeded, 
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 to reduce the commercial ACL for 
that following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage 
in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for gray 
triggerfish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach 
the recreational ACL

[[Page 3744]]

of 404,675 lb (183,557 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 regardless if 
the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no closure is 
necessary based on the best scientific information available. On and 
after the effective date of such a notification, the bag and possession 
limits for gray triggerfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for gray triggerfish, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if gray triggerfish are overfished based 
on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if 
the combined commercial and recreational ACL of 716,999 lb (325,225 
kg), round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will 
use the best scientific information available to determine if reducing 
the length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for gray triggerfish in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (r) Wreckfish--(1) Commercial sector. (i) 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). Applicable 
restrictions after a commercial quota closure are specified in Sec.  
622.190(c).
    (ii) The combined commercial and recreational ACL for wreckfish is 
433,000 lb (196,405 kg), round weight, for 2015; 423,700 lb (192,187 
kg), round weight, for 2016; 414,200 lb (187,878 kg), round weight, for 
2017; 406,300 lb (184,295 kg), round weight, for 2018; 396,800 lb 
(179,985 kg), round weight, for 2019; and 389,100 lb (176,493 kg), 
round weight, for 2020 and subsequent fishing years.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for 
wreckfish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL specified in Sec.  622.193(r)(2)(iii), 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for wreckfish, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL specified in Sec.  
622.193(r)(1)(ii) is exceeded during the same fishing year. The AA will 
use the best scientific information available to determine if reducing 
the length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for wreckfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
are zero.
    (iii) The recreational ACL for wreckfish is 21,650 lb (9,820 kg), 
round weight, for 2015; 21,185 lb (9,609 kg), round weight, for 2016; 
20,710 lb (9,394 kg), round weight, for 2017; 20,315 lb (9,215 kg), 
round weight, for 2018; 19,840 lb (8,999 kg), round weight, for 2019; 
and 19,455 lb (8,825 kg), round weight, for 2020 and subsequent fishing 
years.
* * * * *
    (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 150,552 lb (68,289 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 Atlantic spadefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and possession 
limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for Atlantic spadefish, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the ACL, and the combined commercial and recreational 
ACL of 812,478 lb (368,534 kg), round weight, is exceeded, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that 
following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in 
the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for Atlantic 
spadefish, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 661,926 lb (300,245 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for Atlantic spadefish in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for Atlantic spadefish, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if Atlantic spadefish are 
overfished based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, and if the combined commercial and recreational ACL of 
812,478 lb (368,534 kg), round weight, is exceeded during the same 
fishing year. NMFS will use the best scientific information available 
to determine if reducing the length of the recreational fishing season 
and recreational ACL is necessary. When the recreational sector is 
closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length of the recreational 
fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession limits for Atlantic 
spadefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (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 49,469 lb (22,439 kg), round weight, the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close

[[Page 3745]]

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 hogfish in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession 
limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for hogfish, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and recreational 
ACL of 134,824 lb (61,155 kg), round weight, is exceeded, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for hogfish, 
as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 85,355 lb (38,716 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 
regardless if the stock is overfished, unless NMFS determines that no 
closure is necessary based on the best scientific information 
available. On and after the effective date of such a notification, the 
bag and possession limits for hogfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for hogfish, 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 recreational 
fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of the 
recreational ACL overage, if hogfish are overfished based on the most 
recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 134,824 lb (61,155 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the 
best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for hogfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are 
zero.
    (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 commercial ACL (commercial 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. 
Applicable restrictions after a commercial quota closure are specified 
in Sec.  622.190(c).
    (ii) If commercial landings for red porgy, as estimated by the SRD, 
exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and recreational 
ACL of 315,384 lb (143,056 kg), gutted weight, 328,000 lb (148,778 kg), 
round weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL in the following fishing 
year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing 
year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for red 
porgy, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the 
recreational ACL of 157,692 lb (71,528 kg), gutted weight, 164,000 lb 
(74,389 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 regardless if the stock is overfished, 
unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for red porgy in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for red porgy, 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 
recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by the amount of 
the recreational ACL overage, if the species is overfished based on the 
most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the 
combined commercial and recreational ACL of 315,384 lb (143,056 kg), 
gutted weight, 328,000 lb (148,778 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year. The AA will use the best scientific 
information available to determine if reducing the length of the 
recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is necessary. When the 
recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length 
of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession 
limits for red porgy in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (w) Other porgies complex (including jolthead porgy, knobbed porgy, 
whitebone porgy, scup, and saucereye porgy)--(1) Commercial sector. (i) 
If commercial landings for the other porgies complex, as estimated by 
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL of 36,348 
lb (16,487 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the 
other porgies 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 any of these species 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession 
limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for the other porgies complex, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 143,262 lb (64,983 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded, 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 to reduce the commercial ACL for that following 
fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior 
fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for the other 
porgies complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the recreational ACL of 106,914 lb (48,495 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 
regardless if any stock in the other porgies complex is overfished, 
unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for any

[[Page 3746]]

species in the other porgies complex in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for the other porgies complex, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if one of the species in 
the complex is overfished based on the most recent Status of U.S. 
Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 143,262 lb (64,983 kg), round weight, is exceeded 
during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the best scientific 
information available to determine if reducing the length of the 
recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is necessary. When the 
recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS reducing the length 
of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag and possession 
limits for any species in the other porgies complex in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (x) Grunts complex (including white grunt, sailor's choice, 
tomtate, and margate)--(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial 
landings for the grunts complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the commercial ACL of 217,903 lb (98,839 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 limits. These bag and possession limits 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.
    (ii) If commercial landings for the grunts complex, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, and the combined commercial and 
recreational ACL of 836,025 lb (379,215 kg), round weight, 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 commercial ACL 
for that following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL 
overage in the prior fishing year.
    (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for the 
grunts complex, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to 
reach the recreational ACL of 618,122 lb (280,375 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 
regardless if any stock in the grunts complex is overfished, unless 
NMFS determines that no closure is necessary based on the best 
scientific information available. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limits for any species in 
the grunts complex in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
    (ii) If recreational landings for the grunts complex, 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 recreational fishing season and the recreational ACL by 
the amount of the recreational ACL overage, if at least one of the 
species in the grunts complex is overfished based on the most recent 
Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the combined 
commercial and recreational ACL of 836,025 lb (379,215 kg), round 
weight, is exceeded during the same fishing year. NMFS will use the 
best scientific information available to determine if reducing the 
length of the recreational fishing season and recreational ACL is 
necessary. When the recreational sector is closed as a result of NMFS 
reducing the length of the recreational fishing season and ACL, the bag 
and possession limits for any species in the grunts complex in or from 
the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  622.251, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


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, possession, sale, 
or purchase of golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is 
prohibited.
    (2) If commercial landings for golden crab, as estimated by the 
SRD, exceed the ACL, and the species 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 to reduce the ACL 
in the following fishing year by the amount of the ACL overage in the 
prior fishing year.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  622.280, revise paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(i) and the 
last two sentences in paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows:


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

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) If commercial landings for Atlantic dolphin, as estimated by 
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL of 
1,534,485 lb (696,031 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 Atlantic 
dolphin in or from the Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and 
possession limits. These bag and possession limits apply in the 
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been 
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in 
state or Federal waters.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) If recreational landings for Atlantic dolphin, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL of 13,810,361 lb (6,264,274 kg), 
round weight, then during the following fishing year recreational 
landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings.
* * * * *

[[Page 3747]]

    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * * On and after the effective date of such a notification, 
all sale or purchase of Atlantic wahoo is prohibited and harvest or 
possession of Atlantic wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ is limited to 
the bag and possession limits. These bag and possession limits apply in 
the Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or 
charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been 
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in 
state or Federal waters.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-01258 Filed 1-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P