[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56039-56045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 600, 622, and 697

[Docket No. 181009921-8921-01]
RIN 0648-BI46


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagics Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic 
Region; Amendment 31

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in 
Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Coastal Migratory 
Pelagics (CMP) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and Atlantic Region 
(Amendment 31), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf Council) and 
South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (South Atlantic Council) 
(Councils). This proposed rule would remove Atlantic migratory group 
cobia (Atlantic cobia) from Federal management under the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). 
At the same time, this proposed rule would implement comparable 
regulations under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management 
Act (Atlantic Coastal Act) to replace the existing Magnuson-Stevens Act 
based regulations in Atlantic Federal waters. The purpose of Amendment 
31 is to facilitate improved coordination of Atlantic cobia in state 
and Federal waters, thereby more effectively constraining harvest and 
preventing overfishing and decreasing adverse socio-economic effects to 
fishermen.

DATES: Written comments must be received by December 10, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed temporary rule, 
identified by ``NOAA-NMFS-2018-0114,'' by either of the following 
methods:
     Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-
NMFS-2018-0114 click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required 
fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, NMFS 
Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701.
     Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any 
other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment 
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part 
of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Electronic copies Amendment 31 may be obtained from the Southeast 
Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/coastal-migratory-pelagics-amendment-31-management-atlantic-migratory-group-cobia. Amendment 31 includes an environmental assessment, a 
fishery impact statement, a regulatory impact review, and a Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla Gore, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-551-5753, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The coastal migratory pelagics fishery in 
the Atlantic region is managed under the FMP and includes cobia, along 
with king and Spanish mackerel. The FMP was prepared by the Councils 
and is implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Background

    Through the CMP FMP, cobia is managed in two distinct migratory 
groups. The first is the Gulf migratory group of cobia that ranges both 
in the Gulf from Texas through Florida as well as in the Atlantic off 
the east coast of Florida (Gulf cobia). The second is the Atlantic 
migratory group of cobia that is managed from Georgia through New

[[Page 56040]]

York (Atlantic cobia). The boundary between these two migratory groups 
is the Georgia-Florida state boundary. Both the Gulf and the Atlantic 
migratory groups of cobia were assessed through SEDAR 28 in 2013 and 
neither stock was determined to be overfished or experiencing 
overfishing.
    The majority of Atlantic cobia landings occur in state waters and, 
despite closures in Federal water in recent years, recreational 
landings have exceeded the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) and 
the combined stock ACL. This has resulted in shortened fishing seasons, 
which have been ineffective at constraining harvest. Following overages 
of the recreational and combined stock ACLs in 2015 and 2016, Federal 
waters closures for recreational harvest occurred in both 2016 (June 
20) and 2017 (January 24). Additionally, Federal waters were closed to 
commercial harvest of Atlantic cobia in 2016 (December 5) and 2017 
(September 4), because the commercial ACL was projected to be reached 
during the fishing year.
    Allowable harvest in state waters following the Federal closures 
varied by time and area. Georgia did not close state waters to 
recreational harvest of Atlantic cobia in 2016 or 2017. South Carolina 
allowed harvest in 2016 during May in the Southern Cobia Management 
Zone and closed state waters in 2017 when Federal waters closed. Most 
harvest of Atlantic cobia off Georgia and South Carolina occurs in 
Federal waters. Off North Carolina recreational harvest of Atlantic 
cobia closed on September 30, 2016; in 2017, harvest was allowed May 1 
through August 31. Off Virginia in 2016, harvest was allowed until 
August 30, 2016, and in 2017, Virginia allowed harvest June 1 through 
September 15. Harvest in state waters during the Federal closures 
contributed to the overage of the recreational ACL and the combined 
stock ACL.
    The South Atlantic Council requested that the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) consider complementary management 
measures for Atlantic cobia, as constraining harvest in Federal waters 
has not prevented the recreational and combined ACLs from being 
exceeded. The ASMFC consists of 15 Atlantic coastal states that manage 
and conserve their shared coastal fishery resources. The majority of 
ASMFC's fisheries decision-making occurs through the Interstate 
Fisheries Management Program, where species management boards determine 
management strategies that the states implement through fishing 
regulations.
    In May 2016, the ASMFC started developing an interstate FMP for 
Atlantic cobia with the purpose of improving cobia management in the 
Atlantic. In April 2018, the ASFMC implemented the Interstate FMP, 
which established state management for Atlantic cobia. Each affected 
state developed an implementation plan that included regulations in 
their state waters. In addition, the ASMFC is currently amending the 
Interstate FMP for Atlantic cobia to establish a mechanism for 
recommending future management measures to NMFS. If Amendment 31 is 
implemented, such management measures would need to be implemented in 
Federal waters through the authority and process defined in the 
Atlantic Coastal Act.
    The management measures contained within the ASMFC's Interstate FMP 
are consistent with the current Federal regulations for Atlantic cobia. 
For the recreational sector, the management measures in the Interstate 
FMP include a recreational bag and possession limit of one fish per 
person, not to exceed six fish per vessel per day, and a minimum size 
limit of 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length. For the commercial sector, 
the management measures in the Interstate FMP include a commercial 
possession limit of two cobia per person, not to exceed six fish per 
vessel, and a minimum size limit of 33 inches (83.8 cm), fork length. 
Under the ASMFC plan, regulations in each state must match, or be more 
restrictive than, the Interstate FMP management measures. Georgia, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia have implemented more 
restrictive regulations for the recreational sector in their state 
waters than those specified in the Interstate FMP. Those regulations 
include recreational bag and vessel limits, and minimum size limits, in 
addition to allowable fishing seasons. The Interstate FMP also provides 
the opportunity for states to declare de minimis status for their 
Atlantic cobia recreational sector if a state's recreational landings 
for 2 of the previous 3 years is less than 1 percent of the coastwide 
recreational landings for the same time period. States in a de minimis 
status would be required to adopt the regulations (including season) of 
the closest adjacent non-de minimis state or accept a one fish per 
vessel per day trip limit and a minimum size limit of 29 inches (73.7 
cm), fork length. Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey have declared a de 
minimis status.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires a council to prepare an FMP for 
each fishery under its authority that requires conservation and 
management. Any stocks that are predominately caught in Federal waters 
and are overfished or subject to overfishing, or likely to become 
overfished or subject to overfishing, are considered to require 
conservation and management (50 CFR 600.305(c)(1)). Beyond such stocks, 
councils may determine that additional stocks require conservation and 
management. Thus, not every fishery requires Federal management and the 
NMFS National Standard Guidelines at 50 CFR 600.305(c) provide factors 
that NMFS and the councils should consider when considering removal of 
a stock from a FMP. This analysis is contained in Amendment 31.
    Based on this analysis, the Councils and NMFS have determined that 
Atlantic cobia is no longer in need of conservation and management 
within the South Atlantic Council's jurisdiction and the stock is 
eligible for removal from the CMP FMP. The majority of Atlantic group 
cobia landings are in state waters and the stock is not overfished or 
undergoing overfishing. Additionally, the CMP FMP has proven 
ineffective at resolving the primary ongoing user conflict between the 
recreational fishermen from different states, and it does not currently 
appear to be capable of promoting a more efficient utilization of the 
resource. Most significantly, the harvest of Atlantic cobia is 
adequately managed in state waters by the ASMFC and their Interstate 
FMP, which was implemented in April 2018. Georgia, South Carolina, 
North Carolina, and Virginia have implemented more restrictive 
recreational regulations than those specified in the Interstate FMP. 
Furthermore, the Interstate FMP requires that if a state's average 
annual landings over the 3-year time period are greater than their 
annual harvest target, then that state must adjust their recreational 
season length or recreational vessel limits for the following 3 years, 
as necessary, to prevent exceeding their harvest target in the future 
years. For the commercial sector, the ASMFC's Interstate FMP specified 
management measures for Atlantic cobia that are consistent with the 
current ACL and AM specified in the Federal regulations implemented 
pursuant to the CMP FMP.
    Therefore, NMFS and the Councils have determined that management by 
the states, in conjunction with the ASMFC and Secretary of Commerce, 
will be more effective at constraining harvest and preventing 
overfishing; thereby, offering greater biological protection to the 
stock and decreasing adverse socioeconomic effects to fishermen. 
Further, management of

[[Page 56041]]

Atlantic cobia by the ASMFC is expected to promote a more equitable 
distribution of harvest of the species among the states.

Management Measure Contained in This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would remove Atlantic cobia from Federal 
management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. At the same time, it would 
implement comparable regulations, in Federal waters, under the Atlantic 
Coastal Act.
    Current commercial management measures for Atlantic cobia include a 
minimum size limit of 33 inches (83.8 cm), fork length and a commercial 
trip limit of two fish per person per day, not to exceed six fish per 
vessel per day. Federal regulations for recreational harvest of 
Atlantic cobia in Federal waters include a minimum size limit of 36 
inches (91.4 cm), fork length and a bag and possession of one fish per 
person per day, not to exceed six fish per vessel per day.
    Under the authority of the Atlantic Coastal Act, this proposed rule 
would implement these same minimum size limits, recreational bag and 
possession limits, and commercial trip limits in Federal waters. 
Additionally, this proposed rule would implement regulations consistent 
with current CMP FMP regulations for the fishing year, general 
prohibitions, authorized gear, and landing fish intact provisions 
specific to Atlantic cobia.
    The current Atlantic cobia commercial ACL is 50,000 lb (22,680 kg) 
and the recreational ACL is 620,000 lb (281,227 kg). The proposed 
removal of Atlantic cobia from Federal management under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act would remove these sector ACLs. Under this proposed rule, a 
commercial quota of 50,000 lb (22,280 kg), would be implemented 
consistent with the current commercial ACL. The current commercial 
accountability measure (AM) requires that if commercial landings reach 
or are projected to reach the ACL, then commercial harvest will be 
prohibited for the remainder of the fishing year. This proposed rule 
would implement commercial quota closure provisions through the 
Atlantic Coastal Act to prohibit commercial harvest once the commercial 
quota is reached or projected to be reached.
    The ASMFC's Interstate FMP has specified a recreational harvest 
limit (RHL) of 613,800 lb (278,415 kg) in state and Federal waters and 
state-by-state recreational quota shares (harvest targets) of the 
coastwide RHL. During the development of the Interstate FMP, one 
percent of the amount of the recreational allocation of the current 
Federal ACL (initially 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)) was set aside to account 
for harvests in de minimis states (Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey). 
The harvest targets for each state, in both state and Federal waters, 
are 58,311 lb (26,449 kg) for Georgia, 74,885 lb (33,967 kg) for South 
Carolina, 236,316 lb (107,191 kg) for North Carolina and 244,292 lb 
(110,809 kg) for Virginia. Percentage allocations are based on states' 
percentages of the coastwide historical landings in numbers of fish, 
derived as 50 percent of the 10-year average landings from 2006-2015 
and 50 percent of the 5-year average landings from 2011-2015.
    The proposed removal of Atlantic cobia from Federal management 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act would remove the recreational sector AM 
for Atlantic cobia. The recreational AM requires that both the 
recreational ACL and the stock ACL are exceeded in a fishing year then 
in the following fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored 
for a persistence in increased landings, and, if necessary, the 
recreational vessel limit will be reduced to no less than 2 fish per 
vessel to ensure recreational landings achieve the recreational annual 
catch target, but do not exceed the recreational ACL in that fishing 
year. Additionally, if the reduction in the recreational vessel limit 
is determined to be insufficient to ensure that recreational landings 
will not exceed the recreational ACL, then the length of the 
recreational fishing season will also be reduced.
    In place of the current recreational AM, state-defined regulations 
and seasons implemented consistent with the ASMFC's Interstate FMP are 
designed to keep harvest within the state harvest targets. If a state's 
average annual landings over the 3-year time period are greater than 
their annual harvest target, then the Interstate FMP requires the state 
to adjust their recreational season length or recreational vessel 
limits for the following 3 years, as necessary, to prevent exceeding 
their harvest target in the future years.
    If Amendment 31 is subsequently approved and implemented, Atlantic 
cobia would be managed under the ASMFC's Interstate FMP in state waters 
and through Atlantic Coastal Act regulations in Federal waters. This 
will ensure that Atlantic cobia continues to be managed in Federal 
waters and that there would be no lapse in management of the stock. 
These regulations would be expected to be implemented concurrently with 
the removal of Atlantic cobia from the CMP FMP and serve essentially 
the same function as the current CMP FMP based management measures. It 
is expected that the Interstate FMP and Atlantic Coastal Act would 
provide adequate management of Atlantic cobia in state and Federal 
waters and ensure that the stock has sufficient conservation and 
management measures in place.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with Amendment 31, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
other applicable laws, subject to further consideration after public 
comment. Additionally, this proposed rule is compatible with the 
effective implementation of the ASMFC's Interstate Fishery management 
Plan for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866. NMFS expects this proposed rule 
would reduce regulatory complexity and administrative costs, as well as 
provide economic benefits to recreational anglers through expanded 
harvest opportunities in Federal waters and a more stable recreational 
fishing season for Atlantic cobia.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this determination follows.
    A description of this proposed rule, why it is being considered, 
and the objectives of this proposed rule are contained in the preamble. 
The Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Atlantic Coastal Act provide the 
statutory basis for this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule would apply to all commercial vessels, charter 
vessels and headboats (for-hire vessels), and recreational anglers that 
fish for or harvest Atlantic cobia in Federal waters of the Atlantic. 
Because no Federal permit is required for the commercial harvest or 
sale of Atlantic cobia, the distinction between commercial and 
recreational fishing activity for the purposes of this proposed rule is 
whether the fish are sold. Individuals that harvest Atlantic cobia 
under the recreational bag limit in Federal waters and who do not 
subsequently sell these fish are considered to be recreational anglers. 
Recreational anglers who would

[[Page 56042]]

be directly affected by this proposed rule are not considered small 
entities under the RFA, and are, therefore, outside the scope of this 
analysis. 5 U.S.C. 603. Small entities include ``small businesses,'' 
``small organizations,'' and ``small governmental jurisdictions.'' 5 
U.S.C. 601(6) and 601(3)-(5). Recreational anglers are not businesses, 
organizations, or governmental jurisdictions. In summary, only the 
impacts on businesses that engage in commercial fishing (i.e., those 
that sell their harvests of Atlantic cobia) will be discussed.
    For-hire vessels sell fishing services to recreational anglers. The 
proposed changes to the CMP FMP would not directly alter the services 
sold by these for-hire vessels. Any change in anglers' demand for these 
fishing services (and associated economic effects) as a result of the 
proposed action would be secondary to any direct effect on anglers and, 
therefore, would be an indirect effect of this proposed rule. Indirect 
effects are not germane to the RFA; however, because for-hire captains 
and crew are allowed to harvest and sell Atlantic cobia under the 
possession limit when the commercial season is open, for-hire 
businesses, or employees thereof, could be directly affected by this 
proposed rule as well.
    Data from 2012 through 2016 were used in Amendment 31 and these 
data provided the basis for the Councils' decisions. Although no 
Federal permit is required for the commercial harvest and sale of 
Atlantic cobia, vessels with other Federal commercial permits are 
required to report their catches for all species harvested, including 
Atlantic cobia. On average from 2012 through 2016, there were only 100 
commercial vessels with Federal permits that reported landings of 
Atlantic cobia in the South Atlantic (excluding east Florida, which is 
outside of the Atlantic cobia stock boundary). Their average annual 
vessel-level revenue from all species for 2012 through 2016 was 
approximately $62,000 (2017 dollars) and Atlantic cobia accounted for 
less than 1 percent of this revenue. The maximum annual revenue from 
all species reported by a single one of these vessels from 2012 through 
2016 was approximately $300,000 (2017 dollars). In the Mid-Atlantic, 
there were 28 vessels, on average, that harvested Atlantic cobia from 
2012 through 2016. Complete revenue profiles for these vessels are not 
available; however, on average, each vessel earned approximately $2,000 
(2017 dollars) per year from the sale of Atlantic cobia. Finally, it is 
unknown how many non-federally permitted vessels may have fished 
commercially for Atlantic cobia in Federal waters during this time.
    As of June 15, 2018, there were 1,757 valid Federal South Atlantic 
charter/headboat CMP permits. Although the for-hire permit application 
collects information on the primary method of operation, the resultant 
permit itself does not identify the permitted vessel as either a 
headboat or a charter vessel. Operation as either a headboat or charter 
vessel is not restricted by permitting regulations and vessels may 
operate in both capacities. However, only selected headboats are 
required to submit harvest and effort information to the NMFS Southeast 
Region Headboat Survey (SRHS). Participation in the SRHS is based on 
determination by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center that the vessel 
primarily operates as a headboat. As of June 11, 2018, 64 South 
Atlantic headboats were registered in the SRHS. As a result, of the 
1,757 vessels with South Atlantic charter/headboat CMP permits, up to 
64 may primarily operate as headboats and the remainder as charter 
vessels. The average charter vessel is estimated to receive 
approximately $120,000 (2017 dollars) in annual revenue. The average 
headboat is estimated to receive approximately $213,000 (2017 dollars) 
in annual revenue.
    For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size 
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary 
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily 
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a 
small business if independently owned and operated, is not dominant in 
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined 
annual receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its affiliated 
operations worldwide. All of the commercial vessels directly regulated 
by this proposed rule are believed to be small entities based on the 
NMFS size standard.
    The SBA has established size criteria for all major industry 
sectors in the U.S., including fish harvesters. A business involved in 
the for-hire fishing industry is classified as a small business if it 
is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of 
operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts 
not in excess of $7.5 million (NAICS code 487210, for-hire businesses) 
for all its affiliated operations worldwide. All for-hire businesses 
expected to be directly affected by this proposed rule are believed to 
be small business entities. NMFS has not identified any other small 
entities that would be directly affected by this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule would remove Atlantic cobia and associated 
regulatory measures from the CMP FMP. The ASMFC would manage Atlantic 
cobia in state waters and NMFS would promulgate regulations under the 
Atlantic Coastal Act to replace the existing Magnuson-Stevens Act based 
regulations in Federal waters. This would ensure that Atlantic cobia 
continues to be managed in Federal waters and there is no lapse in 
management of the stock. It is expected that commercial management 
measures for Atlantic cobia implemented in state waters through the 
ASMFC Interstate FMP, and in Federal waters through the Atlantic 
Coastal Act would remain consistent with those currently in place, 
thereby, not generating any direct economic effects on any small 
entities.
    The information provided above supports a determination that this 
proposed rule would not have a significant adverse economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Because this rule, if 
implemented, is not expected to have a significant adverse economic 
impact on any small entities, an initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis is not required and none has been prepared.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified. In addition, no new reporting, record-keeping, or other 
compliance requirements are introduced by this proposed rule. 
Accordingly, the Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply to this 
proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 600, 622 and 697

    Atlantic, Cobia, Fisheries, Fishing, South Atlantic.

    Dated: November 1, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 600, 622, and 
697 are proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 600--MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 600 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

0
2. In Sec.  600.725, in paragraph (v), in the table under heading 
``III. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council,'' remove

[[Page 56043]]

and reserve entry 8.C and add entry 25 to read as follows:


Sec.  600.725  General prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (v) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Fishery                       Authorized gear types
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              * * * * * * *
             III. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
25. Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia (Non-
 FMP):
    A. Commercial Fishery..............  A. Longline, handline, rod and
                                          reel, bandit gear, spear.
    B. Recreational Fishery............  B. Bandit gear, rod and reel,
                                          handline, spear.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

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

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

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

0
4. In Sec.  622.1, amend Table 1 to Sec.  622.1--FMPs Implemented Under 
Part 622 by revising the entry for ``FMP for Coastal Migratory Pelagic 
Resources'', and adding footnote 9 to read as follows:


Sec.  622.1  Purpose and scope.

* * * * *

        Table 1 to Sec.   622.1--FMPs Implemented Under Part 622
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Responsible
            FMP title             fishery management   Geographical area
                                      council(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FMP for Coastal Migratory         GMFMC/SAFMC.......  Gulf \1\ \9\, Mid-
 Pelagic Resources.                                    Atlantic \1\ \9\,
                                                       South Atlantic
                                                       \1\ \9\.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for purposes of data
  collection and quota monitoring.
* * * * * * *
\9\ Cobia is managed by the FMP in the Gulf EEZ and in the South
  Atlantic EEZ south of a line extending due east from the Florida/
  Georgia border.

* * * * *
0
5. In Sec.  622.375, revise paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  622.375  Authorized and unauthorized gear.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) Cobia, Gulf migratory group. Subject to the prohibitions on 
gear/methods specified in Sec.  622.9, the following are the only 
fishing gears that may be used in the Gulf EEZ, and in the South 
Atlantic EEZ south of a line extending due east from the Florida/
Georgia border for cobia--all gear except drift gillnet and long 
gillnet.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  622.380, revise paragraph (a)(1) and remove and reserve 
paragraph (a)(2).


Sec.  622.380  Size limits.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) In the Gulf and in the South Atlantic EEZ south of a line 
extending due east from the Florida/Georgia border--33 inches (83.8 
cm), fork length.
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec.  622.381, revise the first sentence of paragraph (a) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  622.381  Landing fish intact.

    (a) Cobia in or from the Gulf and in the South Atlantic EEZ south 
of a line extending due east from the Florida/Georgia border, and king 
mackerel and Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or 
South Atlantic EEZ, except as specified for king mackerel and Spanish 
mackerel in paragraph (b) of this section, must be maintained with head 
and fins intact. Such fish may be eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but 
must otherwise be maintained in a whole condition.* * *
* * * * *
0
8. In Sec.  622.382, revise the heading for paragraph (a) and remove 
paragraph (a)(1)(vi) to read as follows:


Sec.  622.382  Bag and possession limits.

* * * * *
    (a) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel--* * *
* * * * *


Sec.  622.384  [Amended]

0
9. In Sec.  622.384, remove and reserve paragraph (d)(2).


Sec.  622.385  [Amended]

0
10. In Sec.  622.385, remove paragraph (c).


Sec.  622.388  [Amended]

0
11. Sec.  622.388, remove paragraph (f).
0
12. Revise Figure 3 of Appendix G to part 622 to read as follows:

Appendix G to Part 622--Coastal Migratory Pelagics Zone Illustrations

* * * * *

[[Page 56044]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP09NO18.000

PART 697-ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

0
13. The authority citation for part 697 continues to read as follows:

     Authority: 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

0
14. In Sec.  697.2(a), add the definition for ``Atlantic migratory 
group cobia'' in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  697.2  Definitions.

    (a) * * *
* * * * *
    Atlantic migratory group cobia, means Rachycentron canadum, a whole 
fish or a part thereof, bounded by a line extending from the 
intersection point of New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island 
(41[deg]18'16.249'' N lat. and 71[deg]54'28.477'' W long.) southeast to 
37[deg]22'32.75'' N lat. and the intersection point with the outward 
boundary of the EEZ and south to a line extending due east of the 
Florida/Georgia border (30[deg]42'45.6'' N lat.).
* * * * *
0
15. In Sec.  697.7, add paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  697.7  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (g) Atlantic migratory group cobia. In addition to the prohibitions 
set forth in Sec.  600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any 
person to do any of the following:
    (1) Use or possess prohibited gear or methods or possess fish in 
association with possession or use of prohibited gear, as specified in 
this part.
    (2) Fish in violation of the prohibitions, restrictions, and 
requirements applicable to seasonal and/or area closures, including but 
not limited to: Prohibition of all fishing, gear restrictions, 
restrictions on take or retention of fish, fish release requirements, 
and restrictions on use of an anchor or grapple, as specified in this 
part or as may be specified under this part.
    (3) Possess undersized fish, fail to release undersized fish, or 
sell or purchase undersized fish, as specified in this part.
    (4) Fail to maintain a fish intact through offloading ashore, as 
specified in this part.
    (5) Exceed a bag or possession limit, as specified in this part.
    (6) Fail to comply with the species-specific limitations, as 
specified in this part.
    (7) Fail to comply with the restrictions that apply after closure 
of a fishery, sector, or component of a fishery, as specified in this 
part.
    (8) Possess on board a vessel or land, purchase, or sell fish in 
excess of the commercial trip limits, as specified in this part.
    (9) Fail to comply with the restrictions on sale/purchase, as 
specified in this part.
    (10) Interfere with fishing or obstruct or damage fishing gear or 
the fishing vessel of another, as specified in this part.
    (11) Fail to comply with any other requirement or restriction 
specified in this part or violate any provision(s) in this part.
0
16. Add Sec.  697.28 to 50 CFR part 697, Subpart B, to read as follows:


Sec.  697.28  Atlantic migratory group cobia.

    (a) Fishing year. The fishing year for Atlantic migratory cobia is 
January 1 through December 31.
    (b) Authorized gear. Subject to the prohibitions on gear/methods in 
Sec.  697.7,

[[Page 56045]]

the following are the only fishing gears that may be used for cobia in 
the EEZ of the Atlantic migratory group--automatic reel, bandit gear, 
handline, rod and reel, pelagic longline, and spear (including 
powerheads).
    (c) Size limits. All size limits in this section are minimum size 
limits. Atlantic migratory group cobia not in compliance with its size 
limit, as specified in this section, in or from the EEZ, may not be 
possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size 
limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator 
of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that 
fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this 
section. If a size limit in paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section 
differs from a size limit from an Atlantic state(s), then any vessel 
operator in the EEZ must comply with the more restrictive requirement 
or measure when in the waters off that state.
    (1) 33 inches (83.8), fork length, for cobia that are sold 
(commercial sector).
    (2) 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for cobia that are not sold 
(recreational sector).
    (d) Landing fish intact. Atlantic migratory group cobia in the EEZ, 
must be maintained with head and fins intact. Such fish may be 
eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a 
whole condition. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is 
responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are 
maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact 
through offloading ashore, as specified in this section.
    (e) Bag and possession limits. If a bag and/or possession limit in 
paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section differs from a bag and/or 
possession limit from an Atlantic state(s), then any vessel operator in 
the EEZ must comply with the more restrictive requirement or measure 
when in the waters off that state.
    (1) Atlantic migratory group cobia that are not sold (recreational 
sector)--1, not to exceed 6 fish per vessel per day.
    (2) Possession limits. A person who is on a trip that spans more 
than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided 
such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each 
passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of 
the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.
    (f) Quotas. All weights are in round and eviscerated weight 
combined.
    (1) The following quota applies to persons who fish for cobia and 
sell their catch--50,000 lb (22,680 kg). If the sum of the cobia 
landings that are sold, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected 
to reach the quota specified in this paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to prohibit the sale and purchase of cobia for the remainder of the 
fishing year.
    (2) Restrictions applicable after a quota closure. (i) If the 
recreational sector for Atlantic migratory group cobia is open, the bag 
and possession specified in paragraph (e) of this section apply to all 
harvest or possession in or from the EEZ. If the recreational sector is 
closed, all applicable harvest or possession in or from the EEZ is 
prohibited.
    (ii) The sale or purchase of Atlantic migratory group cobia in or 
from the EEZ during a closure is prohibited. The prohibition on the 
sale or purchase during a closure does not apply to Atlantic migratory 
group cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the 
effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer 
or processor.
    (g) Commercial trip limits. Commercial trip limits are limits on 
the amount of Atlantic migratory group cobia that may be possessed on 
board or landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel per day. A person who 
fishes in the EEZ may not combine a trip limit specified in this 
section with any trip or possession limit applicable to state waters. 
Atlantic migratory group cobia specified in this section taken in the 
EEZ may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer 
takes place, and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ. 
Commercial trip limits apply as follows--Until the commercial quota 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section is reached, 2 fish per 
person, not to exceed 6 fish per vessel.

[FR Doc. 2018-24343 Filed 11-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P