[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18985-19005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09148]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 180110022-8383-02]
RIN 0648-BH52


Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 57

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 57 to 
the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, as recommended by 
the New England Fishery Management Council. This rule sets 2018-2020 
catch limits for 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, adjusts 
allocations for several fisheries, revises accountability measures, and 
makes other minor changes to groundfish management measures. This 
action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and 
achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The 
final measures are intended to prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished 
stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are

[[Page 18986]]

based on the best scientific information available.

DATES: Effective on May 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Copies of Framework Adjustment 57, including the 
Environmental Assessment, the Regulatory Impact Review, and the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis prepared by the New England Fishery 
Management Council in support of this action are available from Thomas 
A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 
Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. The supporting documents 
are also accessible via the internet at: http://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/northeast-multispecies or http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Grant, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
phone: 978-281-9145; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

1. Summary of Approved Measures
2. Fishing Year 2018 Shared U.S./Canada Quotas
3. Catch Limits for Fishing Years 2018-2020
4. Default Catch Limits for Fishing Year 2021
5. Revisions to Common Pool Trimester Allocations
6. Adjustments Due to Fishing Year 2016 Overages
7. Revisions to Atlantic Halibut Accountability Measures
8. Revisions to Southern Windowpane Flounder Accountability Measures 
for Non-Groundfish Trawl Vessels
9. Revision to the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail 
Flounder Accountability Measures for Scallop Vessels
10. Recreational Fishery Measures
11. Fishing Year 2018 Annual Measures Under Regional Administrator 
Authority
12. Administrative Regulatory Corrections Under Secretarial 
Authority
13. Comments and Responses on Measures Proposed in the Framework 57 
Proposed Rule

1. Summary of Approved Measures

    This action approves the management measures in Framework 
Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP). The measures implemented in this final rule are:
     Fishing year 2018 shared U.S./Canada quotas for Georges 
Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder and eastern GB cod and haddock;
     Fishing year 2018-2020 specifications for 20 groundfish 
stocks;
     Revisions to the common pool trimester total allowable 
catch (TAC) allocations for several stocks;
     Revisions to the accountability measures (AM) for Atlantic 
halibut for vessels issued any Federal permit;
     Revisions to the AMs for southern windowpane flounder for 
non-groundfish trawl vessels;
     Revisions to the trigger for the scallop fishery's AM for 
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder; and
     Regional Administrator authority to adjust recreational 
measures for GB cod.
    This action also implements a number of other measures that are not 
part of Framework 57, but that are implemented under Regional 
Administrator authority included in the Northeast Multispecies FMP or 
Secretarial authority to address administrative matters under section 
305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 
We are implementing these measures in conjunction with the Framework 57 
measures for expediency purposes, and because these measures are 
related to the catch limits in Framework 57. The additional measures 
implemented by this action are listed below:
     Management measures for the common pool fishery--this 
action adjusts fishing year 2018 trip limits for the common pool 
fishery.
     Adjustments for fishing year 2016 catch overages--this 
action reduces the 2018 allocations of GB cod, Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod, 
and witch flounder due to catch limit overages that occurred in fishing 
year 2016.
     Other regulatory corrections--this action corrects a minor 
rounding error in the regulations for the common pool trimester TACs.

2. 2018 Fishing Year U.S./Canada Quotas

Management of Transboundary Georges Bank Stocks

    As described in the proposed rule, eastern GB cod, eastern GB 
haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder are jointly managed with Canada 
under the United States/Canada Resource Sharing Understanding. This 
action adopts shared U.S./Canada quotas for these stocks for fishing 
year 2018 based on 2017 assessments and the recommendations of the 
Transboundary Management Guidance Committee (TMGC). The 2018 shared 
U.S./Canada quotas, and each country's allocation, are listed in Table 
1. For a more detailed discussion of the TMGC's 2018 catch advice, see 
the TMGC's guidance document at: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/multispecies/announcements/2017tmgcguiddoc.pdf.

 Table 1--Fishing Year 2018 U.S./Canada Quotas (mt, live weight) and Percent of Quota Allocated to Each Country
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Eastern GB       GB Yellowtail
                         Quota                             Eastern GB cod        haddock            flounder
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shared Quota.....................................                951             40,000                300
U.S. Quota.............................................          257 (27%)       15,600 (39%)          213 (71%)
Canadian Quota.........................................          694 (73%)       24,400 (61%)           87 (29%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The regulations implementing the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing 
Understanding require deducting any overages of the U.S. quota for 
eastern GB cod, eastern GB haddock, or GB yellowtail flounder from the 
U.S. quota in the following fishing year. If catch information for the 
2017 fishing year indicates that the U.S. fishery exceeded its quota 
for any of the shared stocks, we will reduce the respective U.S. quotas 
for the 2018 fishing year in a future management action, as close to 
May 1, 2018, as possible. If any fishery that is allocated a portion of 
the U.S. quota (e.g., scallop fishery, sectors, or common pool) exceeds 
its allocation and causes an overage of the overall U.S. quota, the 
overage reduction would only be applied to that fishery's allocation in 
the following fishing year. This ensures that catch by one component of 
the overall fishery does not negatively affect another component of the 
overall fishery.

3. Catch Limits for the 2018-2020 Fishing Years

Summary of the Catch Limits

    Framework 55 (81 FR 26412; May 2, 2016) adopted fishing year 2016-
2018 catch limits for all groundfish stocks, except for the U.S./Canada 
stocks,

[[Page 18987]]

which are set annually. Framework 56 (82 FR 35660; August 1, 2017) 
implemented fishing year 2017-2019 catch limits for witch flounder and 
2017 U.S./Canada quotas. This rule adopts catch limits for the 2018-
2020 fishing years for all groundfish stocks. The catch limits 
implemented in this action, including overfishing limits (OFL), 
acceptable biological catches (ABC), and annual catch limits (ACL), can 
be found in Tables 2 through 9. A summary of how these catch limits 
were developed, including the distribution to the various fishery 
components, was provided in the proposed rule and in Appendix II 
(Calculation of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Limits, FY 2018--FY 
2020) to the Framework 57 Environmental Assessment, and is not repeated 
here.
    The sector and common pool sub-ACLs implemented in this action are 
based on fishing year 2018 potential sector contributions (PSC) and 
final fishing year 2017 sector rosters. All permits enrolled in a 
sector, and the vessels associated with those permits, have until April 
30, 2018, to withdraw from a sector and fish in the common pool for the 
2018 fishing year. In addition to the enrollment delay, all permits 
that change ownership after December 1, 2017, may join a sector through 
April 30, 2018. We will publish final sector and common pool sub-ACLs 
based on final 2018 sector rosters as soon as practicable after the 
start of the 2018 fishing year. Initial 2018 sector allocations are 
being established in a separate, concurrent rulemaking.

                                  Table 2--Fishing Years 2018-2020 Overfishing Limits and Acceptable Biological Catches
                                                                    [Mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       2018                                            2019                            2020
                  Stock                  -------------------------------- Percent change ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                OFL          U.S. ABC        from 2017          OFL          U.S. ABC           OFL          U.S. ABC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..................................           3,047           1,591             139           3,047           2,285           3,047           2,285
GOM Cod.................................             938             703              41             938             703             938             703
GB Haddock..............................          94,274          48,714             -15          99,757          48,714         100,825          73,114
GOM Haddock.............................          16,954          13,131             190          16,038          12,490          13,020          10,186
GB Yellowtail Flounder..................             UNK             213               3             UNK             300  ..............  ..............
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder..............              90              68             -75              90              68              90              68
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder..............             662             511              20             736             511             848             511
American Plaice.........................           2,260           1,732              30           2,099           1,609           1,945           1,492
Witch Flounder..........................             UNK             993              13             UNK             993             UNK             993
GB Winter Flounder......................           1,083             810               7           1,182             810           1,756             810
GOM Winter Flounder.....................             596             447             -45             596             447             596             447
SNE/MA Winter Flounder..................           1,228             727              -7           1,228             727           1,228             727
Redfish.................................          15,451          11,552               5          15,640          11,785          15,852          11,942
White Hake..............................           3,885           2,938             -20           3,898           2,938           3,916           2,938
Pollock.................................          51,680          40,172              88          53,940          40,172          57,240          40,172
N. Windowpane Flounder..................             122              92             -49             122              92             122              92
S. Windowpane Flounder..................             631             473             -24             631             473             631             473
Ocean Pout..............................             169             127             -23             169             127             169             127
Atlantic Halibut........................             UNK             104             -34             UNK             104             UNK             104
Atlantic Wolffish.......................             120              90              10             120              90             120              90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SNE/MA = Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic; CC = Cape Cod; N = Northern; S = Southern.
Note: An empty cell indicates no OFL/ABC is adopted for that year. These catch limits will be set in a future action.

Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program
    Overall fishing effort by both common pool and sector vessels in 
the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) is 
controlled by an overall TAC for GB haddock, which is the target 
species for this SAP. The GB haddock TAC for the SAP is based on the 
amount allocated to this SAP for the 2004 fishing year (1,130 mt) and 
adjusted according to the change of the western GB haddock biomass in 
relationship to its size in 2004. Based on this formula, the GB Haddock 
TAC for this SAP is 2,511 mt for the 2018 fishing year. Once this 
overall TAC is caught, the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock SAP will be 
closed to all groundfish vessels for the remainder of the fishing year.

                                                                         Table 3--Catch Limits for the 2018 Fishing Year
                                                                                        [Mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Preliminary   Preliminary                   Midwater                             State
                               Stock                                  Total    Groundfish   sector sub-   common pool   Recreational     trawl     Scallop    Small-mesh  waters sub- Other sub-
                                                                       ACL      sub-ACL         ACL         sub-ACL        sub-ACL      fishery    fishery    fisheries    component   component
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.............................................................    1,519        1,360         1,335            25  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          16         143
GOM Cod............................................................      666          610           377            13             220  .........  .........  ...........          47           9
GB Haddock.........................................................   46,312       44,659        44,348           311  ..............        680  .........  ...........         487         487
GOM Haddock........................................................   12,409       12,097         8,643            95           3,358        122  .........  ...........          95          95
GB Yellowtail Flounder.............................................      206          169           167             3  ..............  .........       33.1          4.0         0.0         0.0
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.........................................       66           42            34             8  ..............  .........          4  ...........           2          17

[[Page 18988]]

 
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.........................................      490          398           381            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          51          41
American Plaice....................................................    1,649        1,580         1,550            29  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          35          35
Witch Flounder.....................................................      948          849           830            19  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          40          60
GB Winter Flounder.................................................      787          731           725             6  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           0          57
GOM Winter Flounder................................................      428          357           339            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          67           4
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.............................................      700          518           456            62  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          73         109
Redfish............................................................   10,986       10,755        10,696            59  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         116         116
White Hake.........................................................    2,794        2,735         2,713            22  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          29          29
Pollock............................................................   38,204       37,400        37,163           237  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         402         402
N. Windowpane Flounder.............................................       86           63            na            63  ..............  .........         18  ...........           2           3
S. Windowpane Flounder.............................................      457           53            na            53  ..............  .........        158  ...........          28         218
Ocean Pout.........................................................      120           94            na            94  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           3          23
Atlantic Halibut...................................................      100           77            na            77  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          21           2
Atlantic Wolffish..................................................       84           82            na            82  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           1           1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                         Table 4--Catch Limits for the 2019 Fishing Year
                                                                                        [Mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Preliminary   Preliminary                   Midwater                             State
                               Stock                                  Total    Groundfish   sector sub-   common pool   Recreational     trawl     Scallop    Small-mesh  waters sub- Other sub-
                                                                       ACL      sub-ACL         ACL         sub-ACL        sub-ACL      fishery    fishery    fisheries    component   component
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.............................................................    2,182        1,954         1,918            36  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          23         206
GOM Cod............................................................      666          610           377            13             220  .........  .........  ...........          47           9
GB Haddock.........................................................   46,312       44,659        44,348           311  ..............        680  .........  ...........         487         487
GOM Haddock........................................................   11,803       11,506         8,222            90           3,194        116  .........  ...........          91          91
GB Yellowtail Flounder.............................................      291          239           235             4  ..............  .........         47            6           0           0
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.........................................       66           32            26             6  ..............  .........         15  ...........           2          17
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.........................................      490          398           381            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          51          41
American Plaice....................................................    1,532        1,467         1,440            27  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          32          32
Witch Flounder.....................................................      948          849           830            19  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          40          60
GB Winter Flounder.................................................      787          731           725             6  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           0          57
GOM Winter Flounder................................................      428          357           339            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          67           4
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.............................................      700          518           456            62  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          73         109
Redfish............................................................   11,208       10,972        10,911            60  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         118         118
White Hake.........................................................    2,794        2,735         2,713            22  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          29          29
Pollock............................................................   38,204       37,400        37,163           237  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         402         402
N. Windowpane Flounder.............................................       86           63  ............            63  ..............  .........         18  ...........           2           3
S. Windowpane Flounder.............................................      457           53  ............            53  ..............  .........        158  ...........          28         218
Ocean Pout.........................................................      120           94  ............            94  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           3          23
Atlantic Halibut...................................................      100           77  ............            77  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          21           2
Atlantic Wolffish..................................................       84           82  ............            82  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           1           1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                         Table 5--Catch Limits for the 2020 Fishing Year
                                                                                        [Mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Preliminary   Preliminary                   Midwater                             State
                               Stock                                  Total    Groundfish   sector sub-   common pool   Recreational     trawl     Scallop    Small-mesh  waters sub- Other sub-
                                                                       ACL      sub-ACL         ACL         sub-ACL        sub-ACL      fishery    fishery    fisheries    component   component
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.............................................................    2,182        1,954         1,918            36  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          23         206
GOM Cod............................................................      666          610           377            13             220  .........  .........  ...........          47           9
GB Haddock.........................................................   69,509       67,027        66,560           467  ..............      1,020  .........  ...........         731         731
GOM Haddock........................................................    9,626        9,384         6,705            74           2,605         95  .........  ...........          74          74
GB Yellowtail Flounder.............................................  .......  ...........  ............  ............  ..............  .........        0.0          0.0         0.0         0.0
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.........................................       66           31            25             6  ..............  .........         16  ...........           2          17
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.........................................      490          398           381            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          51          41
American Plaice....................................................    1,420        1,361         1,335            25  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          30          30
Witch Flounder.....................................................      948          849           830            19  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          40          60
GB Winter Flounder.................................................      787          731           725             6  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           0          57
GOM Winter Flounder................................................      428          357           339            18  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          67           4

[[Page 18989]]

 
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.............................................      700          518           456            62  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          73         109
Redfish............................................................   11,357       11,118        11,057            61  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         119         119
White Hake.........................................................    2,794        2,735         2,713            22  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          29          29
Pollock............................................................   38,204       37,400        37,163           237  ..............  .........  .........  ...........         402         402
N. Windowpane Flounder.............................................       86           63  ............            63  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           2           3
S. Windowpane Flounder.............................................      457           53  ............            53  ..............  .........        158  ...........          28         218
Ocean Pout.........................................................      120           94  ............            94  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           3          23
Atlantic Halibut...................................................      100           77  ............            77  ..............  .........  .........  ...........          21           2
Atlantic Wolffish..................................................       84           82  ............            82  ..............  .........  .........  ...........           1           1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                               Table 6--Fishing Years 2018-2020 Common Pool Trimester TACs
                                                                    [Mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             2018                                2019                                2020
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Stock                      Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester   Trimester
                                                   1           2           3           1           2           3           1           2           3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod......................................         6.1         7.4         8.3        10.1        12.3        13.7        10.1        12.3        13.7
GOM Cod.....................................         6.2         4.2         2.3         6.2         4.2         2.3         6.2         4.2         2.3
GB Haddock..................................        84.0       102.6       124.4        84.0       102.6       124.4       126.1       154.1       186.7
GOM Haddock.................................        25.6        24.7        44.6        24.4        23.5        42.4        19.9        19.1        34.6
GB Yellowtail Flounder......................         0.5         0.8         1.3         0.7         1.1         1.9  ..........  ..........  ..........
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder..................         1.7         2.3         4.2         1.3         1.7         3.2         1.3         1.7         3.1
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder..................        10.0         4.6         3.0        10.0         4.6         3.0        10.0         4.6         3.0
American Plaice.............................        21.8         2.4         5.3        20.3         2.2         4.9        18.8         2.0         4.6
Witch Flounder..............................        10.4         3.8         4.7        10.4         3.8         4.7        10.4         3.8         4.7
GB Winter Flounder..........................         0.5         1.4         4.1         0.5         1.4         4.1         0.5         1.4         4.1
GOM Winter Flounder.........................         6.5         6.7         4.4         6.5         6.7         4.4         6.5         6.7         4.4
Redfish.....................................        14.8        18.4        26.1        15.1        18.7        26.6        15.3        19.0        27.0
White Hake..................................         8.3         6.8         6.8         8.3         6.8         6.8         8.3         6.8         6.8
Pollock.....................................        66.4        83.0        87.7        66.4        83.0        87.7        66.4        83.0        87.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note. For tables 3-6, an empty cell indicates that no catch limit has been set yet for these stocks, or that stock is not allocated to a fishery. These
  catch limits will be set in a future management action.


                   Table 7--Common Pool Incidental Catch TACs for the 2018-2020 Fishing Years
                                                [Mt, live weight]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Percentage of
                      Stock                         common pool        2018            2019            2020
                                                      sub-ACL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..........................................               2            0.50            0.72            0.72
GOM Cod.........................................               1            0.13            0.13            0.13
GB Yellowtail Flounder..........................               2            0.05            0.07            0.00
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder......................               1            0.18            0.18            0.18
American Plaice.................................               5            1.47            1.37            1.27
Witch Flounder..................................               5            0.95            0.95            0.95
SNE/MA Winter Flounder..........................               1            0.62            0.62            0.62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Table 8--Percentage of Incidental Catch TACs Distributed to Each Special Management Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Closed Area I
                              Stock                                Regular B DAS     hook gear    Eastern  US/CA
                                                                      program       haddock SAP     haddock SAP
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..........................................................              50              16              34
GOM Cod.........................................................             100  ..............  ..............
GB Yellowtail Flounder..........................................              50  ..............              50
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder......................................             100  ..............  ..............
American Plaice.................................................             100  ..............  ..............
Witch Flounder..................................................             100  ..............  ..............
SNE/MA Winter Flounder..........................................             100  ..............  ..............
White Hake......................................................             100  ..............  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note. DAS = day-at-sea.


[[Page 18990]]


           Table 9--Fishing Years 2018-2020 Incidental Catch TACs for Each Special Management Program
                                                [Mt, live weight]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Regular B DAS program     Closed Area I hook gear      Eastern U.S./Canada
                                ---------------------------        haddock SAP                haddock SAP
             Stock                                         -----------------------------------------------------
                                   2018     2019     2020     2018     2019     2020     2018     2019     2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.........................     0.25     0.36     0.36     0.08     0.12     0.12     0.17     0.25     0.25
GOM Cod........................     0.13     0.13     0.13  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
GB Yellowtail Flounder.........     0.03     0.04     0.00  .......  .......  .......     0.03     0.04     0.00
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.....     0.18     0.18     0.18  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
American Plaice................     1.47     1.37     1.27  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
Witch Flounder.................     0.95     0.95     0.95  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.........     0.62     0.62     0.62  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Default Catch Limits for the 2021 Fishing Year

    Framework 53 (80 FR 25110; May 1, 2015) established a mechanism for 
setting default catch limits in the event a future management action is 
delayed. Additional description of the default catch limit mechanism is 
provided in the preamble to the Framework 53 final rule. The default 
catch limits for 2021 are shown in Table 10. This final rule also 
corrects transcription errors in the 2021 default specifications 
published in the proposed rule. In the proposed rule, Table 10 was 
missing GB cod from the list of stocks and, as a result, the remaining 
stocks were listed next to the incorrect values.
    The default limits would become effective May 1, 2021, until 
replaced by final specifications, although they will remain in effect 
only through July 31, 2021. The preliminary sector and common pool sub-
ACLs in Table 10 are based on existing 2017 sector rosters and will be 
adjusted for new specifications beginning in fishing year 2021 based on 
rosters from the 2020 fishing year. In addition, prior to the start of 
the 2021 fishing year, we will evaluate whether any of the default 
catch limits announced in this rule exceed the Council's ABC 
recommendations for 2021. If necessary, we will announce adjustments 
prior to May 1, 2021.

                                               Table 10--Default Specifications for the 2021 Fishing Year
                                                                    [Mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            Preliminary
                          Stock                              U.S. ABC        Total ACL      Groundfish      Preliminary     common pool      Midwater
                                                                                              sub-ACL     sector sub-ACL      sub-ACL     trawl  fishery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..................................................             800             764             684             671              13  ..............
GOM Cod.................................................             246             233             213             132               4  ..............
GB Haddock..............................................          25,590          24,328          23,460          23,296             163           1,020
GOM Haddock.............................................           3,565           3,369           3,284           2,347              26              95
GB Yellowtail Flounder..................................               0               0               0               0               0  ..............
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder..............................              24              23              11               9               2  ..............
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder..............................             179             172             139             133               6  ..............
American Plaice.........................................             522             497             476            4679               9  ..............
Witch Flounder..........................................             348             332             297             291               7  ..............
GB Winter Flounder......................................             284             276             256             254               2  ..............
GOM Winter Flounder.....................................             156             150             125             119               6  ..............
SNE/MA Winter Flounder..................................             254             245             181             160              22  ..............
Redfish.................................................           4,180           3,975           3,891           3,870              21  ..............
White Hake..............................................           1,028             978             957             950               9  ..............
Pollock.................................................          14,060          13,371          13,090          13,007              83  ..............
N. Windowpane Flounder..................................              32              30              22               0              22  ..............
S. Windowpane Flounder..................................             166             160              18               0              18  ..............
Ocean Pout..............................................              44              42              33               0              33  ..............
Atlantic Halibut........................................              36              35              27               0              27  ..............
Atlantic Wolffish.......................................              32              29              29               0              29  ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Revisions to Common Pool Trimester Allocations

    The common pool sub-ACL for each stock (except for SNE/MA winter 
flounder, windowpane flounder, ocean pout, Atlantic wolffish, and 
Atlantic halibut) is further divided into trimester TACs. The 
percentages of the common pool sub-ACL allocated to each trimester, as 
determined in Amendment 16 (75 FR 18262; April 9, 2010), are shown in 
Table 11. The Council developed this initial distribution based on 
recent fishing effort at the time after considering the influence of 
regulatory changes on recent landings patterns. Amendment 16 specified 
that the trimester TAC apportionment could be adjusted on a biennial 
basis with specifications based on the most recent 5-year period 
available. Framework 57 grants the Regional Administrator authority to 
modify the trimester TAC apportionments, for stocks that have 
experienced early closures in Trimester 1 or 2, on a biennial basis 
using the process specified in Amendment 16.
    Framework 57 also revises the apportionment of the common pool sub-
ACL among the trimesters, using the calculation method specified in 
Amendment 16, for stocks that have experienced early closure in 
Trimester 1 or 2 since the 2010 fishing year. The stocks that meet 
these criteria are: GB cod; GOM cod; SNE/MA yellowtail

[[Page 18991]]

flounder; Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder; American plaice; and witch 
flounder. The Trimester 1 portion of the sub-ACL for each of these 
stocks is increased, with the exception of SNE/MA yellowtail, which 
remains unchanged. The trimester 2 portion of the sub-ACL for each of 
these stocks is reduced. The trimester 3 portion of the TAC is 
unchanged for GB cod; increased for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder; and 
decreased for GOM cod, Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder, American 
plaice, and witch flounder. The new trimester TAC apportionments for 
these stocks are shown in Table 12 and were used in calculating the 
trimester TACs for 2018-2020 (see 3. Catch Limits for the 2018-2020 
Fishing Years).

       Table 11--Trimester TAC Apportionments Set in Amendment 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Trimester   Trimester   Trimester
                Stock                    1 (%)       2 (%)       3 (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..............................          25          37          38
GOM Cod.............................          27          36          37
GB Haddock..........................          27          33          40
GOM Haddock.........................          27          26          47
GB Yellowtail.......................          19          30          52
SNE/MA Yellowtail...................          21          37          42
CC/GOM Yellowtail...................          35          35          30
American Plaice.....................          24          36          40
Witch Flounder......................          27          31          42
GB Winter...........................           8          24          69
GOM Winter..........................          37          38          25
Redfish.............................          25          31          44
White Hake..........................          38          31          31
Pollock.............................          28          35          37
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Table 12--Revisions to Trimester TAC Apportionments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Trimester   Trimester   Trimester
                Stock                    1 (%)       2 (%)       3 (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..............................          28          34          38
GOM Cod.............................          49          33          18
SNE/MA Yellowtail...................          21          28          51
CC/GOM Yellowtail...................          57          26          17
American Plaice.....................          74           8          18
Witch Flounder......................          55          20          25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Adjustments Due to Fishing Year 2016 Overages

    If the overall ACL is exceeded due to catch from vessels fishing in 
state waters outside of the FMP or from vessels fishing in non-
groundfish fisheries that do not receive an allocation, the overage is 
distributed to the components of the fishery with an allocation. If a 
fishery component's catch and its share of the ACL overage exceed the 
component's allocation, then the applicable AMs must be implemented. In 
the case of the commercial groundfish fishery, the AMs require a 
reduction of the sector or common pool sub-ACL following an overage.
    In fishing year 2016, the overall ACL was exceeded for witch 
flounder, GB cod, and GOM cod (Table 13). The proposed rule included a 
description of fishing year 2016 catch overages and required 
adjustments to fishing year 2018 allocations, and is not repeated here. 
This final rule corrects transcription errors in the 2016 ABC and ACL 
for witch flounder published in the proposed rule. Table 13 includes 
the corrected values. Although the ABC and ACL values were listed 
incorrectly in the proposed rule, the catch, overage, and amount to be 
paid back were correct. The proposed revised 2018 allocations were 
correct. Therefore, this correction does not affect fishery operations. 
These adjustments to the 2018 allocations are not part of Framework 57. 
We are including them in conjunction with Framework 57 measures for 
expediency purposes, and because they relate to the catch limits 
included in Framework 57.
    Each sub-component's payback amounts for these stocks is shown in 
Table 14. Revised 2018 allocations, incorporating these payback 
amounts, are shown in Table 15. These revised allocations were 
incorporated in the quotas set for 2018 (see 3. Catch Limits for the 
2018-2020 Fishing Years).

                                 Table 13--2016 ABCs, ACLs, Catch, and Overages
                                                [Mt, live weight]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Amount to be
              Stock                  U.S. ABC        Total ACL         Catch          Overage        paid back
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..........................             762             730         1,132.1           402.1          165.97
GOM Cod.........................             500             473           633.7           160.7           37.66
Witch Flounder..................             460             441           460.3            19.3           19.20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 18992]]


                                         Table 14--2016 Payback Amounts
                                                [Mt, live weight]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Stock                            Total          Sector        Common pool    Recreational
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod..........................................           402.1          162.57            3.40             n/a
GOM Cod.........................................           160.7           21.05            0.00           16.61
Witch Flounder..................................            19.3           19.15            0.05             n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: ``n/a'' indicates that the stock is not allocated to that sub-component of the fishery. A value of 0.00
  indicates that no payback is required.


                                                           Table 15--Revised 2018 Allocations
                                                                    [Mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                               Initial
                                                           Groundfish sub-     Initial         Revised       preliminary     Revised preliminary common
                  Stock                       Total ACL          ACL         preliminary     preliminary     common pool            pool sub-ACL
                                                                           sector sub-ACL  sector sub-ACL      sub-ACL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod...................................           1,519           1,360        1,335.17        1,172.61           25.13  21.73.
GOM Cod..................................             666             610          376.92          355.87           12.73  unchanged.
Witch Flounder...........................             948             849          830.09          810.94           18.93  18.88.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Revisions to Atlantic Halibut Accountability Measures

    As described in the proposed rule and Environmental Assessment, the 
FMP includes two reactive AMs for Atlantic halibut that affect the 
Federal commercial groundfish fishery. If the Atlantic halibut ACL is 
exceeded by an amount greater than the uncertainty buffer (i.e., the 
ABC is exceeded), then commercial groundfish vessels are prohibited 
from retaining Atlantic halibut and are required to use selective gear 
in several areas (Figure 1). When the Atlantic halibut AM is triggered, 
trawl vessels fishing in the Atlantic Halibut Trawl Gear AM Area may 
only use a haddock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, a rope separator 
trawl, or other approved gear. When in effect, groundfish vessels with 
gillnet or longline gear may not fish or be in the Atlantic Halibut 
Fixed Gear AM Areas, unless transiting with gear stowed or using 
approved gear.
    This action extends the zero-possession AM to all Federal permit 
holders (including federally permitted scallop, lobster, and highly 
migratory species general category vessels). Vessels issued only a 
charter/party permit for any species, an Atlantic highly migratory 
species angling permit, and/or an Atlantic highly migratory species 
charter/headboat permit are exempt from the zero-possession AM. For 
example, a vessel issued a Northeast multispecies charter/party permit 
and a bluefish charter/party permit would be exempt from the AM, but a 
vessels issued a Northeast multispecies charter/party permit and a 
commercial bluefish permit would not be exempt from the AM. The intent 
of expanding the AM is to facilitate enforcement of Federal fishery 
limits and reduce the catch of halibut by federally permitted vessels 
not currently subject to the AM. This measure is expected to increase 
the probability that catch will be below the ACL by reducing 
potentially illegal catch in Federal waters and legal directed fishing 
effort by federally permitted vessels.
    Framework 57 also modifies the gear-restricted AM areas for Federal 
groundfish vessels based on the best available science. Based on an 
updated evaluation of Atlantic halibut encounter rates, the existing AM 
areas are changed to allow access to places and times where Atlantic 
halibut encounter rates are low while protecting areas and times where 
encounter rates are highest. This would allow groundfish trawl and 
fixed gear vessels additional flexibility while continuing to reduce 
catch of halibut when the AMs are triggered (Figure 2). This action 
eliminates the Fixed Gear AM Area 1 on Stellwagen Bank; exempts 
longline gear from Fixed Gear AM Area 2 on Platts Bank; allows gillnet 
gear in Fixed Gear AM Area 2 from November through February; and allows 
standard trawl gear in the Trawl Gear AM Area between 41 degrees 40 
minutes N latitude and 42 degrees N latitude from April through July 
(see dashed line in Figure 2). These modifications are expected to 
continue to protect the Atlantic halibut stock due to the low encounter 
rates and low catch rates in the seasons and areas included, and will 
preserve fishing opportunities for vessels targeting other species.
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8. Revisions to Southern Windowpane Flounder AMs for Non-Groundfish 
Trawl Vessels

    Based on an updated evaluation of the existing AM areas, the AM 
areas for non-groundfish vessels are revised to more closely tailor the 
areas to where southern windowpane are being encountered. Framework 57 
also applies measures, similar to those used in the groundfish fishery, 
to scale the size of the AM area based on the condition of the stock 
and catch in the year after the overage, but does not alter the AM 
trigger. Additionally, Framework 57 allows for reducing the duration of 
an AM for non-groundfish vessels when merited by biological or 
operational conditions, similar to how the AMs are applied to 
groundfish vessels.
    The southern windowpane flounder AMs are gear restricted areas that 
affect groundfish trawl vessels and non-groundfish trawl vessels using 
a codend mesh size of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or greater (see Figure 3). 
This includes vessels that target summer flounder, scup, and skates. 
The AM for large-mesh non-groundfish fisheries is implemented if the 
total ACL is exceeded by more than the management uncertainty buffer 
and catch by the other sub-component exceeds what was expected. When 
the AM is triggered, large-mesh non-groundfish vessels fishing with 
trawl gear with codend mesh size of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or greater are 
required to use selective trawl gear to minimize the catch of flatfish 
in the AM areas. Approved gears include the separator trawl, Ruhle 
trawl, mini-Ruhle trawl, and rope trawl, which are inefficient at 
catching the species targeted by the non-groundfish large-mesh trawl 
fleet. The FMP includes several provisions that allow a reduction in 
the size and duration of the AM for groundfish vessels if certain stock 
status criteria are met. This action implements similar areas and 
reduced duration provisions for the large mesh non-groundfish fleet and 
modifies the current gear restricted areas that would apply to the non-
groundfish fleet when an AM is triggered.

[[Page 18995]]

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Reducing the Size of the AM

    Framework 57 will scale the size of the AM areas based on the 
condition of the stock and catch in the year after the overage. Similar 
to the AM for the groundfish fishery, when the stock is rebuilt and the 
biomass criterion (described in the proposed rule and Environmental 
Assessment) is greater than the fishing year catch, the small AM areas 
may be implemented in lieu of the large AM areas. These modifications 
allow additional flexibility for affected vessels while continuing to 
reduce impacts on the southern windowpane stock, similar to provisions 
already implemented for the groundfish fishery.
    If we determine that the biological and catch criteria are met, the 
small AM area would be implemented rather than the large AM area. This 
AM trigger better accounts for the uncertainty associated with this 
index-based stock because it evaluates an overage in the context of the 
biomass and exploitation trends in the stock assessment. As explained 
in the Environmental Assessment, using survey information to determine 
the size of the AM is appropriate because windowpane flounder is 
assessed with an index-based method, possession is prohibited, and the 
ABCs and ACLs are not based on a projection that accounts for possible 
increases in biomass over time. This change is expected to minimize the 
economic impacts of the AM for a rebuilt stock, while still correcting 
for operational issues contributing to the overage and mitigating 
potential biological consequences.

Reducing the Duration of the AM

    Framework 57 also grants the Regional Administrator authority to 
remove the southern windowpane flounder AM early for non-groundfish 
trawl vessels if operational criteria are met. If an overage in year 1 
triggers the AM for year 3, and we determine that the applicable 
windowpane flounder ACL was not exceeded in year 2, then the Regional 
Administrator would be authorized to remove the AM on or after 
September 1 once year-end data for year 2 are complete. This reduced 
duration would not occur if we determine during year 3 that a year 3 
overage of the southern windowpane flounder ACL has occurred. This 
provision was already implemented for the groundfish fishery.

Modification of the Gear-Restricted Areas

    In addition to scaling the size of the AM area based on the 
condition of the stock and catch in the year after the overage, and 
allowing for reducing the duration of an AM for non-groundfish vessels 
when merited by current stock conditions and catch amounts, this action 
also revises the area and season of the AM areas for non-groundfish 
trawl vessels using a codend mesh size of 5 inches (12.7 cm) or greater 
based on an updated evaluation of the existing AM areas using recent 
data (see Figure 4). The geographic area of the small AM area remains 
unchanged, but the AM will be in effect from September through April, 
rather than the entire fishing year. The large AM area south of Long 
Island also remains unchanged, but the large AM area east of Long 
Island is reduced to a smaller geographic area made up of the small AM 
area and the eastern most 10-minute square of the current large AM 
area. Both large AM areas will be closed year-round when triggered. 
These changes do not affect the AM areas applicable to groundfish trawl 
vessels. Based on recent data, these modifications are likely to have 
minimal impacts on the southern windowpane flounder stock because of 
the low bycatch ratios documented in the areas that would no longer be 
closed. The revised areas are intended to provide additional 
opportunities for the non-groundfish fleet to pursue target stocks, 
while still maintaining the necessary conservation benefits of the AMs.
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9. Revision to the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder AMs for Scallop Vessels

    The scallop fishery is allocated sub-ACLs for four stocks: GB 
yellowtail flounder; SNE/MA yellowtail flounder; northern windowpane 
flounder; and southern windowpane flounder. If the scallop fishery 
exceeds its sub-ACL for these stocks, it is subject to AMs that, in 
general, restrict the scallop fishery in seasons and areas with high 
encounter rates for these stocks. Framework 47 (77 FR 26104; May 2, 
2012) established a policy for triggering scallop fishery AMs. 
Framework 56 (82 FR 35660; August 1, 2017) made a change to this policy 
for GB yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder for the 
2017 and 2018 fishing years. This action expands that change to the 
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock for the 2018 fishing year.
    For fishing year 2018, the AM for the scallop fishery's sub-ACL 
would be triggered only if the scallop fishery's sub-ACL and the 
overall ACL for the stock is exceeded. This change is intended to 
provide flexibility for the scallop fishery to better achieve optimal 
yield, despite a reduction in the ACL, while continuing to prevent 
overfishing. In recent years, a significant portion of the overall ACL 
has remained uncaught as groundfish vessels have reduced their catch. 
The likelihood of overfishing occurring significantly increases only if 
the total ACL is exceeded. Exceeding the total ACL would trigger the AM 
to prevent subsequent ACL overages and correct the cause of the 
overage. This measure provides the scallop fishery with flexibility to 
adjust to current catch conditions while still providing an incentive 
to avoid yellowtail flounder. To align with changes to the AM triggers 
for GB yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder, and to 
reduce the potential risk for the groundfish fishery, this change would 
be effective for 1 year.

10. Recreational Fishery Measures

    The recreational fishery does not have an allocation of GB cod, and 
as a result, no AMs apply to this fishery in the event of an ACL 
overage. Recreational fishery management measures were designed and put 
in place to control recreational catch in 2010 through Amendment 16. 
The current recreational minimum size for GB cod is 22 inches (55.9 
cm), and private recreational vessels have a possession limit of 10 
fish per person per day. There is no possession limit for charter or 
party vessels.
    In response to increasing recreational catch in recent years and an 
unusually high recreational catch estimate in 2016 that contributed to 
an ACL overage, the Council calculated a recreational catch target for 
GB cod of 138 mt for 2018-2020. This catch target was calculated using 
the average catch (landings and discards) of the most recent 5 calendar 
years included in the GB cod stock assessment. This catch target was 
used in setting the values of the state and other sub-components (see 
Appendix II of the Environmental Assessment) and helps to gauge what 
measures may be necessary to limit catch to the target amount to avoid 
future overages. To facilitate preventing future overages of the GB cod 
ACL, Framework 57 gives the Regional Administrator authority to set 
recreational measures for fishing years 2018 and 2019 to prevent the 
recreational catch target from being exceeded. After consultation with 
the Council, any changes to recreational measures would be made 
consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. However, no changes 
to recreational measures are included in this action. A separate rule 
published March 22, 2018, (83 FR 12551) proposed GOM cod and haddock 
and GB cod recreational management measures for the 2018 fishing year. 
Those measures will also be finalized in a separate rule.

11. Fishing Year 2018 Annual Measures Under Regional Administrator 
Regulatory Authority

    The Northeast Multispecies FMP regulations give us authority to 
implement certain types of management measures for the common pool 
fishery, the U.S./Canada Management Area, and Special Management 
Programs on an annual basis, or as needed. This action implements a 
number of these management measures for the 2018 fishing year. These 
measures are not

[[Page 18997]]

part of Framework 57, and were not specifically proposed by the 
Council. We are implementing them in conjunction with Framework 57 
measures in this action for expediency purposes, and because they 
relate to the catch limits in Framework 57.

Common Pool Trip Limits

    Tables 16 and 17 provide a summary of the current common pool trip 
limits for fishing year 2017 and the initial trip limits implemented 
for fishing year 2018. The 2018 trip limits were developed after 
considering changes to the common pool sub-ACLs and potential sector 
enrollment, trimester TACs for 2018, catch rates of each stock during 
2017, and other available information.
    The default cod trip limit is 300 lb (136 kg) for Handgear A 
vessels and 75 lb (34 kg) for Handgear B vessels. If the GOM or GB cod 
landing limit for vessels fishing on a groundfish day-at-sea (DAS) 
drops below 300 lb (136 kg), then the respective Handgear A cod trip 
limit must be reduced to the same limit. Similarly, the Handgear B trip 
limit must be adjusted proportionally (rounded up to the nearest 25 lb 
(11 kg)) to the DAS limit. This action implements a GOM cod landing 
limit of 50 lb (23 kg) per DAS for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS, 
which is 94 percent lower than the default limit specified in the 
regulations for these vessels (800 lb (363 kg) per DAS). As a result, 
the Handgear A trip limit for GOM cod is reduced to 50 lb (23 kg) per 
trip, and the Handgear B trip limit for GOM cod is maintained at 25 lb 
(11 kg) per trip. This action implements a GB cod landing limit of 100 
lb (45 kg) per DAS for vessels fishing on a groundfish DAS, which is 95 
percent lower than the 2,000-lb (907-kg) per DAS default limit 
specified in the regulations for these vessels. As a result, the 
Handgear A trip limit for GB cod is 100 lb (45 kg) per trip, and the 
Handgear B trip limit for GB cod is 25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
    Vessels with a Small Vessel category permit may possess up to 300 
lb (136 kg) of cod, haddock, and yellowtail, combined, per trip. For 
the 2018 fishing year, we are setting the maximum amount of GOM cod and 
haddock (within the 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit) equal to the possession 
limits applicable to multispecies DAS vessels (see Table 16). This 
adjustment is necessary to ensure that the trip limit applicable to the 
Small Vessel category permit is consistent with reductions to the trip 
limits for other common pool vessels, as described above.

       Table 16--Common Pool Trip Limits for the 2018 Fishing Year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Current 2017 trip
              Stock                      limit          2018 Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod (outside Eastern U.S./     Possession          100 lb (45 kg) per
 Canada Area).                     Prohibited.         DAS, up to 200 lb
                                                       (91 kg) per trip.
GB Cod (inside Eastern U.S./      ..................  100 lb (45 kg) per
 Canada Area).                                         DAS, up to 500
                                                       (227 kg) lb per
                                                       trip.
GOM Cod.........................  25 lb (11 kg) per   50 lb (23 kg) per
                                   DAS, up to 100 lb   DAS, up to 100 lb
                                   (45 kg) per trip.   (45 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
GB Haddock......................     100,000 lb (45,359 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
GOM Haddock.....................  500 lb (227 kg)     1,000 lb (454 kg)
                                   per DAS, up to      per DAS, up to
                                   1,000 lb (454 kg)   2,000 lb (907 kg)
                                   per trip.           per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
GB Yellowtail Flounder..........         100 lb (45 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder......  500 lb (227 kg)     100 lb (45 kg) per
                                   per DAS, up to      DAS, up to 200 lb
                                   1,000 lb per trip.  (91 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Cape Cod (CC)/GOM Yellowtail       750 lb (340 kg) per DAS, up to 1,500
 Flounder.                                 lb (680 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
American plaice.................  500 lb (227 kg)     750 lb (340 kg)
                                   per trip.           per DAS, up to
                                                       1,500 lb (680 kg)
                                                       per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Witch Flounder..................         400 lb (181 kg) per trip.
GB Winter Flounder..............         250 lb (113 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
GOM Winter Flounder.............  2,000 lb (907 kg)   1,000 lb (454 kg)
                                   per trip.           per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
SNE/MA Winter Flounder..........  2,000 lb (907 kg) per DAS, up to 4,000
                                          lb (1,814 kg) per trip.
Redfish.........................                Unlimited.
White hake......................        1,500 lb (680 kg) per trip.
Pollock.........................                Unlimited.
Atlantic Halibut................             1 fish per trip.
Windowpane Flounder.............          Possession Prohibited.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Ocean Pout......................
Atlantic Wolffish...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 18998]]


 Table 17--Cod Trip Limits for Handgear A, Handgear B, and Small Vessel
               Category Permits for the 2018 Fishing Year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Current 2017 trip
             Permit                      limit          2018 Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Handgear A GOM Cod..............  25 lb (11 kg) per   50 lb (23 kg) per
                                   trip.               trip.
Handgear A GB Cod...............  Possession          100 lb (45 kg) per
                                   Prohibited.         trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Handgear B GOM Cod..............          25 lb (11 kg) per trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Handgear B GB Cod...............  Possession          25 lb (11 kg) per
                                   Prohibited.         trip.
                                 ---------------------------------------
Small Vessel Category...........   300 lb (136 kg) of cod, haddock, and
                                       yellowtail flounder combined;
                                    additionally, vessels are limited to
                                     the common pool DAS limit for all
                                                  stocks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP

    This action allocates zero trips for common pool vessels to target 
yellowtail flounder within the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/
Haddock SAP for fishing year 2018. Vessels may still fish in this SAP 
in 2018 to target haddock, but must fish with a haddock separator 
trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or hook gear. Vessels may not fish in this SAP 
using flounder trawl nets. This SAP is open from August 1, 2018, 
through January 31, 2019.
    We have the authority under the FMP's regulations to determine the 
allocation of the total number of trips into the Closed Area II 
Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP based on several criteria, including 
the GB yellowtail flounder catch limit and the amount of GB yellowtail 
flounder caught outside of the SAP. The FMP specifies that no trips 
should be allocated to the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock 
SAP if the available GB yellowtail flounder catch is insufficient to 
support at least 150 trips with a 15,000-lb (6,804-kg) trip limit (or 
2,250,000 lb (1,020,600 kg)). This calculation accounts for the 
projected catch from the area outside the SAP. Based on the fishing 
year 2018 GB yellowtail flounder groundfish sub-ACL of 372,581 lb 
(169,000 kg), there is insufficient GB yellowtail flounder to allocate 
any trips to the SAP, even if the projected catch from outside the SAP 
area is zero. Further, given the low GB yellowtail flounder catch 
limit, catch rates outside of this SAP are more than adequate to fully 
harvest the 2018 GB yellowtail flounder allocation.

12. Administrative Regulatory Corrections Under Secretarial Authority

    The following change is being made using Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act section 305(d) authority to ensure that 
FMPs or amendments are implemented in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This rule corrects a minor error in the regulations that 
specify the apportionment of the common pool sub-ACLs among the 
trimesters. This change to the regulations is necessary to correct a 
rounding error and ensure that not more than 100 percent of the common 
pool sub-ACL is allocated among the trimesters. In Sec.  648.82(n), the 
proportions of the common pool sub-ACLs allocated to each trimester for 
GB yellowtail flounder and GB winter flounder are corrected to sum to 
100 percent to address a previous rounding error.

13. Comments and Responses on Measures Proposed in the Framework 57 
Proposed Rule

    We received 15 comments on the Framework 57 proposed rule. Public 
comments were submitted by the Conservation Law Foundation, the 
National Party Boat Owners Alliance, the New England Fishery Management 
Council, the Northeast Hook Fisherman's Association, the Northeast 
Seafood Coalition, and ten individuals. Only comments that were 
applicable to the proposed measures are addressed below. Comments 
received on the proposed recreational measures for fishing year 2018 
(83 FR 12551; March 22, 2018) that related to measures in Framework 57 
are included in the comments and responses below. Consolidated 
responses are provided to similar comments on the proposed measures.

Catch Limits for Fishing Years 2018-2020

    Comment 1: Two individuals generally opposed increasing any stock's 
ABC. The Conservation Law Foundation opposed the ABC increases for GB 
cod and GOM cod; and stated the increases were inconsistent with 
National Standards 1 and 2, and that a precautionary approach was 
necessary due to warming in the Gulf of Maine and illegal discarding. 
The Northeast Seafood Coalition commented in support of the catch 
limits included in Framework 57, but also raised concerns about using 
3-year constant ABCs as a replacement for ABC projections. Further, it 
stated that, in the future, the constant catch approach should be 
reevaluated in the context of the cost of forfeited yields measured 
against realized and quantifiable biomass responses.
    Response 1: We disagree that the ABCs in this action are not 
consistent with National Standards 1 and 2. The approved 2018-2020 ABCs 
and ACLs are based on peer-reviewed 2017 stock assessments and the 
recommendations of the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC), consistent with the National Standard 2 requirement to use the 
best scientific information available. Further, the ABCs and ACLs were 
calculated to prevent overfishing while achieving optimum yield, as 
required by National Standard 1, and they are consistent with current 
rebuilding programs.
    The 2017 assessments for GB cod and GOM cod cite accuracy and 
completeness of catch (including discards) along with the estimate of 
natural mortality (which could include effects from warming in the Gulf 
of Maine) as important sources of uncertainty. The SSC considered 
scientific uncertainty, including accuracy of catch and natural 
mortality estimates, in setting catch advice for both cod stocks and 
used the Council's ABC control rule in the absence of better 
information that would allow a more explicit determination of 
scientific uncertainty. In both cases, the SSC recommended a 3-year 
constant catch to help account for uncertainty in the catch projections 
that are often overly optimistic in the out years. Future stock growth 
is often projected to be higher than what is realized. As a result, the 
SSC's ABC recommendations in many cases are lower than the projected 
output. Future benchmark assessments would be expected to consider any 
additional information on catch

[[Page 18999]]

estimate accuracy and estimates of natural mortality that are not 
included in operational assessment updates.
    As explained in Appendix I to the Environmental Assessment, in 
recent years, the SSC has either used the default control rule for a 
groundfish stock or applied other approaches tailored to address 
particular elements of scientific uncertainty. One example of a 
tailored approach is the use of constant catch levels. The Council's 
Groundfish Plan Development Team (PDT) used the outcomes of operational 
assessments to develop OFL and ABC alternatives for the SSC to consider 
using either the defined ABC control rule, approaches tailored for 
particular stocks in recent specification setting, or recommendations 
from the peer review panel. The SSC also developed new approaches for 
some stocks based on its evaluation of uncertainty and attributes of 
the available science. The SSC routinely uses a constant catch approach 
and has recommended formally adopting this approach as part of the 
SSC's control rules.
    The catch limits implemented in this rule, based on the SSC's 
recommendation, practicably mitigate economic impacts consistent with 
Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements. Ignoring an alternative that meets 
conservation objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that could help 
mitigate some of the substantial economic impacts of recent groundfish 
management actions would not be consistent with National Standard 8. 
Groundfish vessels catch cod along with other stocks in this 
multispecies fishery. As a result, a lower ABC could also jeopardize 
achieving optimum yield for the groundfish fishery compared to the ABCs 
approved in this final rule.
    Comment 2: Two individuals commented that the GOM cod quota for 
2018-2020 is too low, with one individual stating that the rapid quota 
decreases and increases cannot reflect real circumstances, and that it 
is hard to avoid cod while fishing for haddock, pollock, and flounders. 
The Northeast Seafood Coalition also stated that the 2017 stock 
assessments do not explain why fishermen see different fish populations 
than the assessments.
    Response 2: We disagree. Information from multiple fishery-
independent surveys conducted by independent groups show similar trends 
in the GOM cod stock. According to the 2017 assessment, the GOM cod 
stock shows a truncated size and age structure, consistent with a 
population experiencing high mortality. Additionally, there are no 
positive signs of incoming recruitment, continued low survey indices, 
and the current spatial distribution of the stock is considerably less 
than its historical range within the Gulf of Maine. Because the GOM cod 
population has contracted to concentrated areas near the coast, 
fishermen encounter these fish in what may be higher numbers than they 
have recently experienced. However, that does not accurately represent 
the overall population because cod are absent from large areas of their 
historic range. As explained in the Environmental Assessment (see 
ADDRESSES), projections show an increase in spawning stock biomass 
after fishing year 2018 if the approved ABC is caught.

Revisions to Common Pool Trimester Allocations

    Comment 3: The Northeast Hook Fisherman's Association supported the 
revised trimester allocations based on recent data to address closures 
in Trimesters 1 and 2.
    Response 3: We agree. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we 
have approved the changes to the trimester allocations. These changes 
are intended to ensure the trimester allocations reflect recent fishing 
effort and help avoid inseason fishery closures. As a result, this 
improvement to common pool management measures will likely provide 
additional fishing opportunities for common pool vessels compared to 
the current trimester allocation.

Adjustments Due to Fishing Year 2016 Overages

    Comment 4: Two individuals commented that the commercial sub-ACL 
for GB cod is being reduced for an overage that might not have happened 
because of errors in the recreational catch data from the Marine 
Recreational Information Program (MRIP).
    Response 4: Based on the final report for the 2016 fishing year, 
catch of GB cod exceeded the ACL by 54 percent (396 mt) and the ABC by 
48 percent (364 mt). A minimal overage of the common pool sub-ACL and 
higher than expected catches by the state and other subcomponents also 
contributed to the GB cod overage. The majority of state waters catch 
and the other sub-component catch is from the recreational fishery. As 
described in our March 20, 2018, letter to the Council, we revised the 
method for calculating the recreational GB cod catch that we consider 
when determining if an overage has occurred. The 3-year average was 
used to estimate recreational GB cod catch in the state and other sub-
components to better account for the variability and uncertainty 
associated with the MRIP recreational catch estimates. This method is 
consistent with how we evaluate catch from other recreational fisheries 
that do not have a sub-ACL.

Revisions to Atlantic Halibut Accountability Measures

    Comment 5: The Northeast Seafood Coalition supported all of the 
changes to the Atlantic halibut AMs.
    Response 5: We agree. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we 
have approved the changes to the Atlantic halibut AMs. Extending the 
zero-possession halibut AM to all Federal permit holders will reduce 
the catch of halibut by federally-permitted vessels not currently 
subject to the AM and facilitate enforcement of Federal fishery limits 
to increase the probability that catch will be below the ACL. Modifying 
the gear-restricted halibut AM areas for Federal groundfish vessels 
will provide groundfish vessels additional flexibility while continuing 
to reduce catch of halibut when the AMs are triggered.
    Comment 6: The Northeast Seafood Coalition commented that many 
fishermen affected by the changes to the Atlantic halibut AMs were not 
aware of the potential changes until late in the development of 
Framework 57 because updated data was provided late in the development 
of the framework. The Northeast Seafood Coalition recommended 
addressing this by considering further modifications in the future.
    Response 6: We agree that the Council may consider further 
modifications in the future if it chooses to do so. We encourage 
individuals to raise these concerns to the Council. For Framework 57, 
there was ample opportunity for public participation and comment on 
these matters. Potentially applying halibut AMs to all Federal permit 
holders was discussed in at least five public meetings and available 
for public participation over the entire 5\1/2\-month period of the 
Framework beginning in June 2017, and culminating in the Council's 
final vote to submit Framework 57 on December 5, 2017. During that 
time, these matters were first discussed at the June 20, 2017, Council 
meeting that initiated Framework 57, then developed and discussed by 
the PDT and the Groundfish Oversight Committee. The PDT provided the 
Committee with written information about expanding the zero-possession 
AM to other Federal permit holders in a September 20, 2017, memorandum. 
The Council voted on September 27, 2017, to include these measures in 
Framework 57, but did not take a final vote to submit Framework

[[Page 19000]]

57 to NMFS until December 5, 2017. Each of these meetings provided 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to the halibut 
AMs, in addition to the comment period provided by this rulemaking.
    Comment 7: One individual commented that exclusion from the zero-
possession AM should apply to all recreational groundfish trips, 
including charter or party trips by vessels issued a limited access 
Northeast multispecies permit, and suggested that had been the 
Council's intent.
    Response 7: We disagree. On Tuesday December 5, 2017, the Council 
discussed revising the Atlantic halibut AMs to apply to all vessels 
issued a Federal permit. The Council specifically considered the impact 
of this issue on commercial Federal groundfish vessels operating as 
for-hire vessels during development of the rule and approved the AM, as 
written in the proposed rule and approved in this final rule, as 
necessary to implement Framework 57. The application of the zero-
possession halibut AM is reasonably calibrated to facilitate 
enforcement and limit Federal catch to the stock's ACL. The Council's 
deliberations involved a careful consideration of the measure's 
effectiveness in achieving its goals, the measure's impacts compared to 
reasonable alternatives, and supports their decision.

Revisions to Southern Windowpane Flounder Accountability Measures

    Comment 8: One individual opposed the changes to the southern 
windowpane flounder AMs. The commenter stated that to prevent 
overfishing, the size of the AM area that is implemented should be 
based on the stock conditions during the overage, rather than at the 
time the AMs are implemented.
    Response 8: We disagree. Accountability measures are management 
controls to prevent ACLs from being exceeded and correct or mitigate 
overages if they occur. When an ACL is exceeded, the AM must be 
implemented as soon as possible to correct the operational issue that 
caused the overage as well as any known biological consequences from 
the overage. As explained in the Environmental Assessment, using survey 
information to determine the size of the AM is appropriate because 
windowpane flounder is assessed with an index-based method, possession 
is prohibited, and the ABCs and ACLs are not based on a projection that 
accounts for possible increases in biomass over time. Using the most up 
to date information for the revised AM better accounts for potential 
biological consequences of the overage. It evaluates an overage in the 
context of the biomass and exploitation trends in the most recent stock 
assessment and is consistent with using the best available science. As 
a result, the AM mitigation is more closely tailored to the biological 
effect from the overage.
    Comment 9: The Northeast Seafood Coalition supported the revisions 
to the southern windowpane flounder AMs.
    Response 9: We agree. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we 
have approved the changes to the southern windowpane flounder AMs. 
These changes are expected to minimize the economic impacts of the AM 
for a rebuilt stock, consistent with National Standards, while still 
correcting for any overage and mitigating potential biological 
consequences. The additional flexibility this provides to non-
groundfish vessels, including vessels that target summer flounder, 
scup, and skates, will provide additional opportunities to achieve 
optimal yield in those fisheries while preventing overfishing.

Revision to the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder 
Accountability Measures

    Comment 10: The Northeast Seafood Coalition supported the revisions 
to the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder AMs.
    Response 10: We agree. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, 
we have approved the changes to the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder AMs. 
This change provides flexibility for the scallop fishery to better 
achieve optimal yield, despite a reduction in the SNE/MA yellowtail 
flounder ACL, while continuing to prevent overfishing. This measure 
provides the scallop fishery with flexibility to adjust to current 
catch conditions while still providing an incentive to avoid yellowtail 
flounder.

Recreational Fishery Measures

    Comment 11: The Northeast Seafood Coalition supported setting a 
recreational catch target for GB cod, using the average of the most 
recent five calendar years of catch to set the target, and granting the 
Regional Administrator authority to set recreational measures for GB 
cod for fishing years 2018 and 2019 to prevent the target from being 
exceeded. One individual supported reducing recreational fishing when 
there are sudden spikes in catch, but only if failing to constrain the 
recreational catch would cause significant economic or environmental 
harm. Two individuals commented that no action is needed on 
recreational measures for GB cod because the fishing year 2017 data 
shows that catch is down significantly from 2016.
    Response 11: For the reasons explained in the preamble, we have 
approved the 138-mt recreational catch target, and granting the 
Regional Administrator authority to set recreational measures for GB 
cod for fishing years 2018 and 2019 to prevent the target from being 
exceeded. Preliminary recreational catch data from 2017 does show a 
reduction in catch from 2016, but the Council chose to set a 
recreational catch target to limit recreational catch to recent levels 
based on the trend of increasing recreational catch and the impact that 
increased catch has had on the commercial fishery. This action alone 
does not constrain recreational fishing. Instead, it provides authority 
to the Regional Administrator to constrain catch when necessary to 
prevent ACLs from being exceeded and to prevent overfishing. The 
Regional Administrator will be able to carefully consider the degree to 
which recreational fishing may need to be constrained using the most up 
to date information. This will provide an opportunity to use measures 
that are well designed to address the nature and extent of the 
recreational fishery's contribution to any potential overage.
    Comment 12: One individual commented that the Council should have 
used the most recent five fishing years, rather than calendar years, to 
set the GB cod catch target for 2018-2020. Two individuals commented in 
opposition to setting a constant GB cod recreational catch target for 
three years and commented that the target should increase annually 
along with sub-ACLs and sub-components. Two individuals commented that 
the GB cod recreational catch target should not be based on the 
recreational catch data from MRIP because the data is flawed and 
variable.
    Response 12: We disagree. The Council specifically chose to use the 
most recent five calendar years of recreational catch used in the 2017 
stock assessment to be consistent with the MRIP source of data for 
setting sub-ACLs and sub-components. As explained in the Environmental 
Assessment and the preamble, the Council used a 5-year average to 
reflect the recent character of the fishery, and to account for the 
variability of catch and uncertainty of catch data. The Council's 
decision to set a catch target provides an objective metric that 
facilitates the Regional Administrator determining whether to use the 
authority granted to liberalize or constrain the recreational fishery 
to achieve, but not exceed, the catch target

[[Page 19001]]

based on the most up to date information.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    This final rule contains a number of minor corrections from the 
proposed rule. In section 4 Default Catch Limits for the 2021 Fishing 
Year, Table 10 of this final rule corrects transcription errors in the 
2021 default specifications published in the proposed rule. Table 10 in 
the proposed rule was missing GB cod from the list of stocks and, as a 
result, the default specifications for the remaining stocks were listed 
next to the incorrect values.
    In section 6, Adjustments Due to Fishing Year 2016 Overages, Table 
13 of this final rule corrects transcription errors in the 2016 ABC and 
ACL for witch flounder that were published in the proposed rule. 
Although the 2016 ABC and ACL values were listed incorrectly in Table 
13 in the proposed rule, the 2016 catch and overage, the amount to be 
paid back in 2018 (Table 14), and the revised 2018 allocations (Table 
15) were correct.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has 
determined that the management measures implemented in this final rule 
are necessary for the conservation and management of the Northeast 
multispecies fishery and consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
other applicable law.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866.
    This rule is not an E.O. 13771 regulatory action because this rule 
is not significant under E.O. 12866.
    This final rule does not contain policies with Federalism or 
takings implications as those terms are defined in E.O. 13132 and E.O. 
12630, respectively.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds that there is good 
cause, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delayed 
effectiveness of this action. This action relies on the best available 
science to set 2018 catch limits for 20 groundfish stocks and adopts 
several other measures to improve the management of the groundfish 
fishery. If the final rule is not effective on May 1, 2018, the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area would be closed, until this rule is effective, because 
there are no default quotas specified for eastern GB Cod or eastern GB 
haddock. Groundfish vessels would also be unable to benefit from the 
increased quotas (particularly GOM cod, GOM haddock, Cape Cod/GOM 
yellowtail flounder, and American plaice) for the first portion of the 
fishing year, which occurs during the important summer fishing season. 
To fully capture the conservation and economic benefits of Framework 57 
and prevent the negative economic impacts that would result from the 
closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, it is necessary to waive the 
30-day delayed effectiveness of this rule. In addition to potentially 
preventing the fishery from fully benefitting from catch limit 
increases, a delay could substantially disrupt business planning and 
fishing practices that would also result in direct economic loss for 
the groundfish fleet because of disruption to the fishery. Delaying 
effectiveness this rule would undermine the intent of the rule to set 
2018 catch limits using the best available science.
    This rulemaking incorporates information from updated stock 
assessments for the 20 groundfish stocks. The development of Framework 
57 was timed to rely on the best available science by incorporating the 
results of these assessments, the last of which was finalized in 
December 2017. This required Council action and analysis that could not 
be completed until January 2018, and an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed rule that did not close until April 6, 2018. The 
regulatory changes resulting from this best available information are 
regularly made in, and anticipated by, the fishery. Quotas for 11 
stocks will increase with the implementation of this rule, which 
notably includes a 41-percent increase for GOM cod and a 139-percent 
increase for GB cod. In recent years, low quotas for these two key 
groundfish stocks have constrained catch of other stocks because cod is 
caught along with other stocks in this mixed fishery and fishing must 
stop in an area when catch of any one stock reaches its quota. Delaying 
the increases in the quotas would result in lost fishing opportunities 
and constrain catch of all other stocks.
    Failure to waive the 30-day delayed effectiveness would result in 
no catch limits being specified for eastern GB cod and haddock, which 
are jointly managed with Canada. Without an allocation for these 
groundfish stocks, groundfish vessels would be unable to fish in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Management Area until this rule is effective. This 
would result in direct economic losses for the groundfish fleet. 
Delaying implementation of this rule would not only limit the benefits 
of an increased quota in 2018, but cause vessels to miss part of the 
summer season. The milder weather associated with the summer season is 
important for offshore fishing trips to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, 
which extends out to 200 miles from shore. When the opening of the 
Eastern Area was delayed until August during the 2017 fishing year, 
vessels that normally fish in that area reported revenue losses of 50 
percent. While the summer season is important to all vessels, it is 
particularly important to the small groundfish vessels with the most 
limited range and least sea-keeping ability because it is the season 
when many stocks are available nearest to shore. For smaller vessels, 
missing a month of the summer season could effectively curtail the 
entirety of their groundfish season.
    In addition to the catch limit increases, quotas for nine stocks 
will decrease with implementation of this rule. These decreases range 
from 7 percent to 75 percent. Delaying these reductions could lead to 
catch at a rate that would result in an early closure, or quota 
overages, once the reduced quotas are implemented. This would have 
future negative economic impacts on the fishery. Further, delaying 
required reductions in ACLs increases the likelihood of overages and 
negative biological impacts to groundfish stocks, including many which 
are overfished and subject to a rebuilding plan.
    For the reasons laid out above, delaying the effectiveness past the 
beginning of the fishing season on May 1, 2018, will result in a direct 
economic loss for the groundfish fleet. The groundfish fishery already 
faced substantial catch limit reductions for many key groundfish stocks 
over the past 7 years. Any further disruption to the fishery would 
diminish the benefits of these specifications and other approved 
measures and create additional and unnecessary economic impacts and 
confusion to the groundfish fishery. Delaying effectiveness may result 
in the fishery not fully benefitting from the quota increases in this 
final rule.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration, during the proposed rule stage, that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this certification was published in the 
proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received 
regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory flexibility 
analysis was not required and none was prepared.

[[Page 19002]]

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: April 26, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended 
as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraphs (k)(18) and (20) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (18) Trimester TAC AM. It is unlawful for any person, including any 
owner or operator of a vessel issued a valid Federal NE multispecies 
permit or letter under Sec.  648.4(a)(1)(i), unless otherwise specified 
in Sec.  648.17, to fish for, harvest, possess, or land regulated 
species or ocean pout in or from the closed areas specified in Sec.  
648.82(n)(2)(ii) once such areas are closed pursuant to Sec.  
648.82(n)(2)(i).
* * * * *
    (20) AMs for both stocks of windowpane flounder, ocean pout, 
Atlantic halibut, and Atlantic wolffish. It is unlawful for any person, 
including any owner or operator of a vessel issued a valid Federal NE 
multispecies permit or letter under Sec.  648.4(a)(1)(i), unless 
otherwise specified in Sec.  648.17, to fail to comply with the 
restrictions on fishing and gear specified in Sec.  648.90(a)(5)(i)(D) 
through (H).
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.82, revise paragraph (n)(2)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.82  Effort-control program for NE multispecies limited access 
vessels.

* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Trimester TACs--(A) Trimester TAC distribution. With the 
exception of SNE/MA winter flounder, any sub-ACLs specified for common 
pool vessels pursuant to Sec.  648.90(a)(4) shall be apportioned into 
4-month trimesters, beginning at the start of the fishing year (i.e., 
Trimester 1: May 1-August 31; Trimester 2: September 1-December 31; 
Trimester 3: January 1-April 30), as follows:

                  Portion of Common Pool Sub-ACLs Apportioned to Each Stock for Each Trimester
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Trimester 1     Trimester 2     Trimester 3
                              Stock                                  (percent)       (percent)       (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB cod..........................................................              28              34              38
GOM cod.........................................................              49              33              18
GB haddock......................................................              27              33              40
GOM haddock.....................................................              27              26              47
GB yellowtail flounder..........................................              19              30              51
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder......................................              21              28              51
CC/GOM yellowtail flounder......................................              57              26              17
American plaice.................................................              74               8              18
Witch flounder..................................................              55              20              25
GB winter flounder..............................................               8              24              68
GOM winter flounder.............................................              37              38              25
Redfish.........................................................              25              31              44
White hake......................................................              38              31              31
Pollock.........................................................              28              35              37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Trimester TAC adjustment. For stocks that have experienced 
early closures (e.g., Trimester 1 or Trimester 2 closures), the 
Regional Administrator may use the biennial adjustment process 
specified in Sec.  648.90 to revise the distribution of trimester TACs 
specified in paragraph (n)(2)(i)(A) of this section. Future adjustments 
to the distribution of trimester TACs shall use catch data for the most 
recent 5-year period prior to the reevaluation of trimester TACs.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.89, add paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.89  Recreational and charter/party vessel restrictions.

* * * * *
    (g) Regional Administrator authority for 2018 and 2019 Georges Bank 
cod recreational measures. For the 2018 or 2019 fishing years, the 
Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, may adjust 
recreational measures for Georges Bank cod to prevent the recreational 
fishery from exceeding the annual catch target of 138 mt. Appropriate 
measures, including adjustments to fishing seasons, minimum fish sizes, 
or possession limits, may be implemented in a manner consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act, with the final measures published in 
the Federal Register prior to the start of the fishing year when 
possible. Separate measures may be implemented for the private and 
charter/party components of the recreational fishery. Measures in place 
in fishing year 2019 will be in effect beginning in fishing year 2020, 
and will remain in effect until they are changed by a Framework 
Adjustment or Amendment to the FMP, or through an emergency action.

0
5. Section 648.90 is amended by:
0
a. Removing reserved paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E);
0
b. Redesignating paragraph (a)(5)(i)(D)(1) through (4) as paragraphs 
(a)(5)(i)(E) through (H);
0
c. Revising newly redesignated paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(E) through (H); and
0
d. Adding paragraph (a)(5)(iv)(C).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  648.90  NE multispecies assessment, framework procedures and 
specifications, and flexible area action system.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (E) Windowpane flounder. Unless otherwise specified in paragraphs 
(a)(5)(i)(E)(5) and (6) of this section, if NMFS determines the total 
catch exceeds the overall ACL for either stock of windowpane flounder, 
as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E), by any amount greater than 
the management uncertainty buffer, up to 20 percent

[[Page 19003]]

greater than the overall ACL, the applicable small AM area for the 
stock shall be implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of 
this section, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the 
overall ACL is exceeded by more than 20 percent, the applicable large 
AM area(s) for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in this 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E), consistent with the Administrative Procedure 
Act. Vessels fishing with trawl gear in these areas may only use a 
haddock separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a 
Ruhle trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope 
separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.84(e); or any other gear 
approved consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6).
    (1) Multispecies Fishery. If an overage of the overall ACL for 
southern windowpane flounder is a result of an overage of the sub-ACL 
allocated to the multispecies fishery pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section, the applicable AM area(s) shall be 
in effect year-round for any limited access NE multispecies permitted 
vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or sector trip.
    (2) Exempted Fisheries. If an overage of the overall ACL for 
southern windowpane flounder is a result of an overage of the sub-ACL 
allocated to exempted fisheries pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(F) of 
this section, the applicable AM area(s) shall be in effect for any 
trawl vessel fishing with a codend mesh size of greater than or equal 
to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, non-specified sub-components of the 
fishery, including, but not limited to, exempted fisheries that occur 
in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting exempted species specified 
in Sec.  648.80(b)(3). If triggered, the Southern Windowpane Flounder 
Small AM Area will be implemented from September 1 through April 30; 
the Southern Windowpane Flounder Large AM Areas 2 and 3 will be 
implemented year-round.
    (3) Combined Overage. If an overage of the overall ACL for southern 
windowpane flounder is a result of overages of both the multispecies 
fishery and exempted fishery sub-ACLs, the applicable AM area(s) shall 
be in effect for both the multispecies fishery and exempted fisheries 
as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E). If a sub-ACL for either 
stock of windowpane flounder is allocated to another fishery, 
consistent with the process specified at paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, and there are AMs for that fishery, the multispecies fishery 
AM shall only be implemented if the sub-ACL allocated to the 
multispecies fishery is exceeded (i.e., the sector and common pool 
catch for a particular stock, including the common pool's share of any 
overage of the overall ACL caused by excessive catch by other sub-
components of the fishery pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section 
exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall ACL is also exceeded.
    (4) Windowpane AM Areas. The AM areas defined below are bounded by 
the following coordinates, connected in the order listed by rhumb 
lines, unless otherwise noted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Northern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Small AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    67[deg]40'
2...........................................    41[deg]10'    67[deg]20'
3...........................................    41[deg]00'    67[deg]20'
4...........................................    41[deg]00'    67[deg]00'
5...........................................    40[deg]50'    67[deg]00'
6...........................................    40[deg]50'    67[deg]40'
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    67[deg]40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Northern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    42[deg]10'    67[deg]40'
2...........................................    42[deg]10'    67[deg]20'
3...........................................    41[deg]00'    67[deg]20'
4...........................................    41[deg]00'    67[deg]00'
5...........................................    40[deg]50'    67[deg]00'
6...........................................    40[deg]50'    67[deg]40'
1...........................................    42[deg]10'    67[deg]40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Small AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]30'
2...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]20'
3...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]20'
4...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]30'
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]50'
2...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]10'
3...........................................    41[deg]00'    71[deg]10'
4...........................................    41[deg]00'    71[deg]20'
5...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]20'
6...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]50'
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]50'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................  ([hairsp]\1\    73[deg]30'
                                                 [hairsp])
2...........................................    40[deg]30'    73[deg]30'
3...........................................    40[deg]30'    73[deg]50'
4...........................................    40[deg]20'    73[deg]50'
5...........................................    40[deg]20'  ([hairsp]\2\
                                                               [hairsp])
6...........................................  ([hairsp]\3\  73[deg]58.5'
                                                 [hairsp])
7...........................................  ([hairsp]\4\  73[deg]58.5'
                                                 [hairsp])
8...........................................           \5\           \5\
                                              40[deg]32.6'  73[deg]56.4'
1...........................................  ([hairsp]\1\    73[deg]30'
                                                 [hairsp])
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Southern Windowpane Flounder Large AM Area 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]30'
2...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]10'
3...........................................    41[deg]00'    71[deg]10'
4...........................................    41[deg]00'    71[deg]20'
5...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]20'
6...........................................    40[deg]50'    71[deg]30'
1...........................................    41[deg]10'    71[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The southernmost coastline of Long Island, NY, at 73[deg]30' W
  longitude.
\2\ The easternmost coastline of NJ at 40[deg]20' N latitude, then
  northward along the NJ coastline to Point 6.
\3\ The northernmost coastline of NJ at 73[deg]58.5' W longitude.
\4\ The southernmost coastline of Long Island, NY, at 73[deg]58.5' W
  longitude.
\5\ The approximate location of the southwest corner of the Rockaway
  Peninsula, Queens, NY, then eastward along the southernmost coastline
  of Long Island, NY (excluding South Oyster Bay), back to Point 1.

    (5) Reducing the size of an AM. If the overall northern or southern 
windowpane flounder ACL is exceeded by more than 20 percent and NMFS 
determines that the stock is rebuilt, and the biomass criterion, as 
defined by the Council, is greater than the most recent fishing year's 
catch, then only the small AM may be implemented as described in 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(D)(1) of this section, consistent with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. This provision applies to a limited 
access NE multispecies permitted vessel fishing on a NE multispecies 
DAS or sector trip, and to all vessels fishing with trawl gear with a 
codend mesh size equal to or greater than 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, 
non-specified sub-components of the fishery, including, but not limited 
to, exempted fisheries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries 
harvesting exempted species specified in Sec.  648.80(b)(3).
    (6) Reducing the duration of an AM. If the northern or southern 
windowpane flounder AM is implemented in the third fishing year 
following the year of an overage, as described in paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(D) of this section, and NMFS subsequently determines that the 
applicable windowpane flounder ACL was not exceeded by any amount the 
year immediately after which the overage occurred (i.e., the second 
year), on or after September 1 the AM can be removed once year-end data 
are complete. This reduced duration does not apply if NMFS determines 
during year 3 that a year 3 overage of the applicable windowpane 
flounder ACL has occurred. This provision applies to a limited access 
NE multispecies permitted vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or 
sector trip, and to

[[Page 19004]]

all vessels fishing with trawl gear with a codend mesh size equal to or 
greater than 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, non-specified sub-components 
of the fishery, including, but not limited to, exempted fisheries that 
occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting exempted species 
specified in Sec.  648.80(b)(3).
    (F) Atlantic halibut. If NMFS determines the overall ACL for 
Atlantic halibut is exceeded, as described in this paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(F), by any amount greater than the management uncertainty 
buffer, the applicable AM areas shall be implemented and any vessel 
issued a Federal permit for any fishery management plan may not fish 
for, possess, or land Atlantic halibut for the fishing year in which 
the AM is implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(F) of this 
section. Vessels issued only a charter/party permit, and/or an Atlantic 
highly migratory species angling permit, and/or an Atlantic highly 
migratory species charter/headboat permit are exempt from the AM. A 
vessel issued a permit that is not exempt from the AM in addition to an 
exempt permit may not fish for, possess, or land Atlantic halibut for 
the fishing year in which the AM is implemented. If the overall ACL is 
exceeded by more than 20 percent, the applicable AM area(s) for the 
stock shall be implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(F) of 
this section, and the Council shall revisit the AM in a future action. 
The AM areas defined below are bounded by the following coordinates, 
connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. 
Any vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing 
with trawl gear in the Atlantic Halibut Trawl Gear AM Area may only use 
a haddock separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); 
a Ruhle trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope 
separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.84(e); or any other gear 
approved consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6); 
except that selective trawl gear is not required in the portion of the 
Trawl Gear AM Area between 41 degrees 40 minutes and 42 degrees from 
April 1 through July 31. When in effect, a limited access NE 
multispecies permitted vessel with gillnet gear may not fish or be in 
the Atlantic Halibut Fixed Gear AM Area from March 1 through October 
31, unless transiting with its gear stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2, or such gear was approved 
consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6). If a sub-ACL 
for Atlantic halibut is allocated to another fishery, consistent with 
the process specified at Sec.  648.90(a)(4), and there are AMs for that 
fishery, the multispecies fishery AM shall only be implemented if the 
sub-ACL allocated to the multispecies fishery is exceeded (i.e., the 
sector and common pool catch for a particular stock, including the 
common pool's share of any overage of the overall ACL caused by 
excessive catch by other sub-components of the fishery pursuant to 
Sec.  648.90(a)(5), exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall 
ACL is also exceeded.

                   Atlantic Halibut Trawl Gear AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    42[deg]00'    69[deg]20'
2...........................................    42[deg]00'    68[deg]20'
3...........................................    41[deg]30'    68[deg]20'
4...........................................    41[deg]30'    69[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Atlantic Halibut Gillnet Gear AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    43[deg]10'    69[deg]40'
2...........................................    43[deg]10'    69[deg]30'
3...........................................    43[deg]00'    69[deg]30'
4...........................................    43[deg]00'    69[deg]40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (G) Atlantic wolffish. If NMFS determines the overall ACL for 
Atlantic wolffish is exceeded, as described in this paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(G), by any amount greater than the management uncertainty 
buffer, the applicable AM areas shall be implemented, as specified in 
this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(G). If the overall ACL is exceeded by more 
than 20 percent, the applicable AM area(s) for the stock shall be 
implemented, as specified in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(G), and the 
Council shall revisit the AM in a future action. The AM areas defined 
below are bounded by the following coordinates, connected in the order 
listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. Any vessel issued a 
limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing with trawl gear in 
the Atlantic Wolffish Trawl Gear AM Area may only use a haddock 
separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle 
trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator 
trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.84(e); or any other gear approved 
consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6). When in 
effect, a limited access NE multispecies permitted vessel with gillnet 
or longline gear may not fish or be in the Atlantic Wolffish Fixed Gear 
AM Areas, unless transiting with its gear stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2, or such gear was approved 
consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6). If a sub-ACL 
for Atlantic wolffish is allocated to another fishery, consistent with 
the process specified at Sec.  648.90(a)(4), and AMs are developed for 
that fishery, the multispecies fishery AM shall only be implemented if 
the sub-ACL allocated to the multispecies fishery is exceeded (i.e., 
the sector and common pool catch for a particular stock, including the 
common pool's share of any overage of the overall ACL caused by 
excessive catch by other sub-components of the fishery pursuant to 
Sec.  648.90(a)(5), exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall 
ACL is also exceeded.

                  Atlantic Wolffish Trawl Gear AM Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    42[deg]30'    70[deg]30'
2...........................................    42[deg]30'    70[deg]15'
3...........................................    42[deg]15'    70[deg]15'
4...........................................    42[deg]15'    70[deg]10'
5...........................................    42[deg]10'    70[deg]10'
6...........................................    42[deg]10'    70[deg]20'
7...........................................    42[deg]20'    70[deg]20'
8...........................................    42[deg]20'    70[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 Atlantic Wolffish Fixed Gear AM Area 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    41[deg]40'    69[deg]40'
2...........................................    41[deg]40'    69[deg]30'
3...........................................    41[deg]30'    69[deg]30'
4...........................................    41[deg]30'    69[deg]40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                 Atlantic Wolffish Fixed Gear AM Area 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Point                      N latitude    W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................................    42[deg]30'    70[deg]20'
2...........................................    42[deg]30'    70[deg]15'
3...........................................    42[deg]20'    70[deg]15'
4...........................................    42[deg]20'    70[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (H) Ocean pout. Unless otherwise specified in paragraphs 
(a)(5)(i)(E)(5) and (6) of this section, if NMFS determines the total 
catch exceeds the overall ACL for ocean pout, as described in paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, by any amount greater than the management 
uncertainty buffer up to 20 percent greater than the overall ACL, the 
applicable small AM area for the stock shall be implemented, as 
specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, consistent with 
the Administrative Procedure Act. If the overall ACL is exceeded by 
more than 20 percent, large AM area(s) for the stock shall be

[[Page 19005]]

implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, 
consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. The AM areas for 
ocean pout are defined in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E)(4) of this section, 
connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. 
Vessels fishing with trawl gear in these areas may only use a haddock 
separator trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle 
trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator 
trawl, as specified in Sec.  648.84(e); or any other gear approved 
consistent with the process defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(6).
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (C) 2018 fishing year threshold for implementing the Atlantic sea 
scallop fishery AM for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder. For the 2018 fishing 
year, if the scallop fishery catch exceeds its SNE/MA yellowtail 
flounder sub-ACL specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and 
total catch exceeds the overall ACL for that stock, then the applicable 
scallop fishery AM will take effect, as specified in Sec.  648.64 of 
the Atlantic sea scallop regulations. Beginning in fishing year 2019, 
the threshold for implementing scallop fishery AMs for SNE/MA 
yellowtail flounder listed in paragraph (a)(5)(iv)(A) of this section 
will be in effect.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-09148 Filed 4-30-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P