[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16233-16238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07110]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 180713631-9275-01]
RIN 0648-BI11
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic;
Amendment 13
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf Council) and South Atlantic Fishery
Management Councils (South Atlantic Council) (Councils) have submitted
Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster in the
Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP), for review, approval, and
implementation by NMFS. The purpose of Amendment 13 and this proposed
rule is to align Federal regulations for spiny lobster that apply to
the EEZ off Florida with Florida state regulations, re-establish a
procedure for an enhanced cooperative management system, and update the
regulations to aid law enforcement and the public.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 20, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule identified by
``NOAA-NMFS-2018-0088'' by either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0088, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Susan Gerhart, Southeast
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any
other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part
of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Electronic copies of Amendment 13 may be obtained from the Southeast
Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-13-modifications-spiny-lobster-gear-requirements-and-cooperative-management. Amendment 13 includes an environmental
assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA) analysis, and a regulatory impact review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional
[[Page 16234]]
Office, NMFS, telephone: 727-824-5305; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS and the Councils manage the spiny
lobster fishery under the FMP. The Councils prepared the FMP and NMFS
implements the FMP through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.).
Background
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery
management councils to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing
basis, the optimum yield from federally managed fish stocks. These
mandates are intended to ensure that fishery resources are managed for
the greatest overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect
to providing food production and recreational opportunities, while also
protecting marine ecosystems. To further attain this goal, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery managers to consider, among other
things, efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources.
In the Gulf and South Atlantic, spiny lobster are harvested
primarily off the coast of Florida. The original FMP, implemented in
1982, largely complemented Florida's management measures and provided
protection for the fishery throughout its range in the Gulf and the
South Atlantic (47 FR 29202; July 2, 1982). However, it was difficult
to keep Federal regulations consistent with changing state regulations
because Florida can adjust its management measures more quickly than
the Councils and NMFS can change Federal regulations. As a result, NMFS
and the Councils developed Amendment 2 to the FMP (54 FR 48059;
November 20, 1989), which established a procedure to allow Florida to
directly propose to NMFS its state spiny lobster regulations for
subsequent implementation in the EEZ off Florida. That procedure was
developed to provide a more timely regulatory mechanism to implement
compatible regulations and a more formal process for state and Federal
coordination.
In 2017, representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission contacted the NMFS Southeast Regional Office
requesting that Federal regulations be aligned with Florida state
regulations concerning requirements for spiny lobster bully net gear
and for daily commercial possession limits of spiny lobster harvested
by bully net or diving. However, NMFS determined that the cooperative
management procedure that accompanied the spiny lobster protocol
established in Amendment 2 was removed in Amendment 10 to the FMP (76
FR 75488; December 2, 2011). Consequently, there is no procedure to
implement regulations proposed by Florida under the existing protocol
without a plan amendment or framework to the FMP developed by the
Councils. These more lengthy processes are inconsistent with promoting
compatible regulations for the fishery off Florida.
Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule
This proposed rule would implement measures to modify the Federal
regulations for the harvest of spiny lobster that apply in the EEZ off
Florida to be compatible with Florida regulations concerning bully net
gear requirements and commercial daily possession limits when using
bully nets or diving. This rule would also clarify outdated language in
the spiny lobster Federal regulations and update the incorporations by
reference to the Florida regulations. In addition, Amendment 13 would
re-establish a procedure for an enhanced cooperative management system
to provide Florida a mechanism to propose spiny lobster regulations
directly to NMFS for implementation, without the need to seek a full
amendment or framework action to the FMP.
Florida Bully Net Permit and Gear Marking Requirements and Prohibitions
In 2017, Florida implemented a bully net permit, gear marking
requirements, and gear prohibitions. There is limited information as to
how much spiny lobster bully netting effort occurs in the Federal
waters off Florida. However, stakeholders have expressed concerns that
spiny lobster bully net vessels are used to disguise unlawful
activities, and that there are growing conflicts between recreational
bully netters and commercial bully netters. This proposed rule would
align Federal and Florida bully net regulations to address these
concerns. In addition, consistency between Florida and Federal
regulations is expected to improve enforcement and reduce potential
confusion among fishers.
The proposed rule would require commercial bully net vessels in the
EEZ off Florida to have a bully net permit from Florida, require that
the vessel be marked with the harvester's Florida bully net permit
number using reflective paint or other reflective material, prohibit
commercial bully net vessels from having trap pullers onboard, and
prohibit the simultaneous possession of a bully net and any underwater
breathing apparatus (not including dive masks or snorkels) onboard a
vessel used to harvest or transport spiny lobster for commercial
purposes.
Commercial Spiny Lobster Bully Net and Diving Trip Limits
The Federal regulations do not include an express commercial daily
vessel harvest and possession limit for spiny lobster harvested by
bully net or diving. However, current Federal regulations require
commercial spiny lobster harvesters in the EEZ off Florida to have the
licenses and certificates specified to be a ``commercial harvester,''
as defined in Florida's regulations as of 2008. The 2008 version of
``commercial harvester'' included a person holding the appropriate
licenses and certificates for traps and dive gear.
This proposed rule would incorporate by reference the most recent
Florida regulations, which define a commercial harvester as a person
who holds a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species
endorsement issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) and (1) a valid crawfish license or trap number and
lobster trap certificates, if traps are used to harvest spiny lobster;
(2) a valid commercial dive permit if harvest is by diving; or (3) a
valid bully net permit if harvest is by bully net. Under Florida's
regulations, commercial harvesters are restricted to the commercial
harvest limits when bully net gear or dive gear is used. Therefore,
bully net and dive fishers would be restricted to the state bag limit
regardless of where the spiny lobster are harvested. However, to make
the requirements in the EEZ off Florida more clear, this proposed rule
would modify Federal regulations to specifically state that the
commercial vessel limit for spiny lobster harvested by bully net off
all Florida counties, and harvested by diving off Broward, Dade,
Monroe, Collier, and Lee Counties, Florida, is 250 spiny lobster per
vessel per day.
Clarifications and Updates to Regulatory Language
This proposed rule would also revise and clarify language in the
spiny lobster Federal regulations. The rule would update the phone
numbers and websites referenced in 50 CFR 622.413, and correct a
typographic mistake in 50 CFR 622.415 by changing ``forign'' to
``foreign.'' Last, this rule would remove the phrase ``during times
other than the authorized fishing season'' from 50 CFR 622.402(c)(1),
to clarify that unmarked
[[Page 16235]]
traps are illegal gear, regardless of the time of year, and may be
removed in accordance with Florida regulations.
Incorporation by Reference
The proposed rule would update the incorporation by reference in 50
CFR 622.400(a)(1)(i) which provides the definition of commercial
harvester.
The proposed rule would also update the incorporation by reference
of the Florida Administrative Code in 50 CFR 622.402(a)(1) and (2) to
reflect the effective dates of the current Florida regulations, which
mandate that vessel owners and/or operators who harvest spiny lobster
by traps in the EEZ off Florida comply with Florida vessel and gear
identification requirements. The proposed rule designates a new
incorporation by reference which specifies vessel identification
requirements for commercial spiny lobster harvesters who use bully nets
to the paragraph added at 50 CFR 622.402(a)(3). It would similarly
update the incorporation by reference of the Florida Administrative
Code in 50 CFR 622.403(b)(3)(i) and 622.405(b)(2)(i) to reflect the
effective dates of the current Florida regulations and address derelict
spiny lobster traps as well as the requirements for lawful spiny
lobster trap pulling, respectively. The proposed rule would add new
incorporation by reference of the Florida Administrative Code, in 50
CFR 622.404(e) and 622.404(f), which address the alignment of
management measures with Florida's regulations, including prohibiting
the simultaneous possession of a bully net and any underwater breathing
apparatus, and prohibiting the possession of trap pullers,
respectively, as discussed above.
The Florida regulations are available at http://www.flrules.org and
the Florida Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 620 South Meridian
Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 (telephone: 850-487-0554).
Measures in Amendment 13 Not Codified Through This Proposed Rule
In addition to the measures proposed in this rule, Amendment 13
would re-establish a procedure that is similar to the procedure
established in Amendment 2, and combine it with the existing
cooperative management protocol. The procedure established in Amendment
2 was removed in 2012 when Amendment 10 to the FMP established a new
framework procedure. Without such a procedure, Florida cannot propose
rules directly to NMFS, which, therefore, limits NMFS' ability to
implement consistent Federal regulations in a timely manner.
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 13, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and
other applicable laws, subject to further consideration after public
comment.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration 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 provides the statutory basis for this proposed
rule.
This proposed rule, if implemented, would apply to all commercial
vessels that fish for or harvest spiny lobster in Federal waters off
Florida. In the EEZ off Florida, anyone who possesses, sells, trades,
or barters or attempts to sell, trade, or barter spiny lobster must
have the appropriate licenses, permit, and certificates necessary to be
a ``commercial harvester,'' as defined in the Florida Administrative
Code. In the 2017/2018 fishing season, Florida issued 1,539 commercial
spiny lobster licenses; this includes 261 commercial dive permits, and
445 commercial bully net permits. Data from the years of 2012 through
2016 were used in Amendment 13, and these data provided the basis for
the Councils' decisions. Although this proposed rule would apply to all
commercial spiny lobster license holders in Florida, it is expected
that those with reported landings of spiny lobster would be the most
likely to be affected. On average from 2012 through 2016, there were
788 individual vessels identified that harvested spiny lobster in
Florida each year. During this time, these vessels earned an average
annual revenue of approximately $74,400 (2017 dollars), and spiny
lobster accounted for 69 percent of this revenue. It is important to
note that some commercial fishing businesses own (or lease) and operate
more than one vessel. On average, from 2012 through 2016, there were
770 commercial fishing businesses identified with reported landings of
spiny lobster in Florida. During this time, these businesses earned an
average annual revenue of approximately $82,000 (2017 dollars), and
spiny lobster accounted for 67 percent of this revenue. The maximum
annual revenue from all species reported by a single one of these
commercial fishing businesses from 2012 through 2016 was approximately
$1.88 million (2017 dollars).
For RFA purposes only, the 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 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 $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide. All of the commercial fishing
businesses directly regulated by this proposed rule are believed to be
small entities based on the NMFS size standard. No other small entities
that would be directly affected by this proposed rule have been
identified.
This proposed rule would align Federal regulations to be more
consistent with Florida regulations for spiny lobster harvesters. It
would require that commercial bully net harvesters in the EEZ off
Florida have a Florida bully net permit and properly mark their vessel
with their bully net permit number using reflective paint or other
reflective material. In addition, the proposed rule would prohibit
commercial bully net vessels from having trap pullers on board. It
would also prohibit the simultaneous possession of a bully net and
underwater breathing apparatus (not including dive masks or snorkels)
onboard a vessel used to harvest or transport spiny lobster for
commercial purposes. These requirements would not be expected to alter
the commercial harvest of spiny lobster and, therefore, no changes to
ex-vessel revenue would be anticipated. The requirements would impose
additional costs on bully net fishery participants if these
participants only use the bully net gear in Federal waters; however,
NMFS assumes there are few, if any, participants that fit this
description. Because commercial spiny lobster harvesters fishing in the
EEZ off Florida are already required to have both a Florida saltwater
product license and spiny lobster license, and there is no additional
cost for a bully net permit, this proposed rule would not be expected
to increase permitting costs. The labor and supply costs associated
with purchasing reflective paint or other reflective material and
applying it to the
[[Page 16236]]
vessel hull would be expected to be minimal, as well. Finally, the gear
prohibitions would reduce the flexibility of commercial vessels to
switch between bully nets and other gear while fishing for spiny
lobster in Federal waters. However, commercial vessels must already
comply with Florida gear regulations in order to transit through
Florida state waters while in possession of spiny lobster. Overall,
bully net gear is not useful for harvesting spiny lobster at depths
typically found in the EEZ, and it is highly likely that fishery
participants would also use the gear in state waters off Florida, and
thus would already need to comply with state regulations. In summary,
any direct negative economic effects associated with the proposed bully
net permitting requirements, vessel marking requirements, or gear
prohibitions would be negligible.
This proposed rule would also establish a commercial daily vessel
harvest and possession limit of 250 per day per vessel for spiny
lobsters harvested by bully net in or from the entire EEZ off Florida.
This limit would be consistent with the harvest and possession limit
for bully nets in Florida state waters. As discussed earlier, it is not
likely that bully net gear is used to harvest spiny lobster in the EEZ
off Florida, and most commercial bully netters would already be subject
to state regulations. As such, the proposed harvest and possession
limit would not be expected to alter the commercial harvest of spiny
lobster, nor would it result in direct economic effects on any small
entities.
This proposed rule would similarly establish a commercial daily
vessel harvest and possession limit of 250 per day per vessel for spiny
lobsters harvested by diving in or from the EEZ only off Broward, Dade,
Monroe, Collier, and Lee Counties, Florida. This limit would be
consistent with the harvest and possession limit for commercial dive
gear in Florida state waters off of those counties. Under existing
Federal regulations, vessels that harvest spiny lobster in the EEZ off
Florida using dive gear must have a Florida commercial spiny lobster
dive permit; thus, they are already subject to the state limit.
Therefore, the proposed harvest and possession limit would not be
expected to alter the commercial harvest of spiny lobster, nor would it
result in direct economic effects on any small entities.
Finally, this proposed rule would establish an enhanced cooperative
management procedure that allows Florida to request changes to the
spiny lobster Federal regulations through NMFS rulemaking, and combine
the procedure with the existing protocol as specified in Amendment 10
to the FMP. This would be expected to streamline the regulatory process
and result in a more timely implementation of regulatory changes
requested by Florida; however, it is an administrative change only,
and, as such, it would not have 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 or record-keeping
requirements are introduced by this proposed rule. Accordingly, the
Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply to this proposed rule.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
Bully nets, Fisheries, Fishing, Florida, Gear, Gulf, Incorporation
by reference, South Atlantic, Spiny lobster.
Dated: April 4, 2019.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 622.400, revise paragraph (a)(1)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.400 Permits and fees.
(a) * * * (1) * * * (i) EEZ off Florida and spiny lobster landed in
Florida. For a person to sell, trade, or barter, or attempt to sell,
trade, or barter, a spiny lobster harvested or possessed in the EEZ off
Florida, or harvested in the EEZ other than off Florida and landed from
a fishing vessel in Florida, or for a person to be exempt from the
daily bag and possession limit specified in Sec. 622.408(b)(1) for
such spiny lobster, such person must have the licenses and certificates
specified to be a ``commercial harvester,'' as defined in Rule 68B-
24.002(4), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017
(incorporated by reference, see Sec. 622.413).
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 622.402, revise paragraphs (a) and (c)(1) to read as
follows:
Sec. 622.402 Vessel and gear identification.
(a) EEZ off Florida. (1) An owner or operator of a vessel that is
used to harvest spiny lobster by traps in the EEZ off Florida must
comply with the vessel and gear identification requirements specified
in Rule 68B-24.006(3), (4), and (5), Florida Administrative Code, in
effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.
622.413).
(2) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny
lobster by diving in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel
identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny
lobsters by diving in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.006(6), Florida
Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by
reference, see Sec. 622.413).
(3) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny
lobster by bully net in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel
identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny
lobsters by bully net in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.006(7),
Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated
by reference, see Sec. 622.413).
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) EEZ off Florida. Such trap or buoy, and any connecting lines
will be considered derelict and may be disposed of in accordance with
Rules 68B-55.002 and 68B-55.004 of the Florida Administrative Code, in
effect as of October 15, 2007 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.
622.413). An owner of such trap or buoy remains subject to appropriate
civil penalties.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec. 622.403, revise paragraph (b)(3)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.403 Seasons.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * * (i) In the EEZ off Florida, the rules and regulations
applicable to the possession of spiny lobster traps in Florida's waters
in Rule 68B-24.005(3), (4), and (5), Florida Administrative Code, in
effect as of November 1, 2018 (incorporated by reference, see Sec.
622.413), apply in their entirety to the
[[Page 16237]]
possession of spiny lobster traps in the EEZ off Florida. A spiny
lobster trap, buoy, or rope in the EEZ off Florida, during periods not
authorized will be considered derelict and may be disposed of in
accordance with Rules 68B-55.002 and 68B-55.004 of the Florida
Administrative Code, in effect as of October 15, 2007 (incorporated by
reference, see Sec. 622.413). An owner of such trap, buoy, or rope
remains subject to appropriate civil penalties.
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec. 622.404, add paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.404 Prohibited gear and methods.
* * * * *
(e) In the EEZ off Florida, simultaneous possession of a bully net
and any underwater breathing apparatus, not including dive masks or
snorkels, onboard a vessel used to harvest or transport spiny lobster
for commercial purposes is prohibited in accordance with Rule 68B-
24.007(5), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017
(incorporated by reference, see Sec. 622.413). For the purpose of this
paragraph, an ``underwater breathing apparatus'' is any apparatus,
whether self-contained or connected to a distant source of air or other
gas, whereby a person wholly or partially submerged in water is able to
obtain or reuse air or any other gas or gasses for breathing without
returning to the surface of the water.
(f) In the EEZ off Florida, vessels that are or are required to be
marked with or have identification associated with a bully net permit
for the harvest of spiny lobster are prohibited from having trap
pullers aboard, in accordance with Rule 68B-24.006(8), the Florida
Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by
reference, see Sec. 622.413).
0
6. In Sec. 622.405, revise paragraph (b)(2)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.405 Trap construction specifications and tending
restrictions.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) For traps in the EEZ off Florida, by the Division of Law
Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in
accordance with the procedures in Rule 68B-24.006(9), Florida
Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by
reference, see Sec. 622.413).
* * * * *
0
7. Revise Sec. 622.408(b) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.408 Bag/possession limits.
(a) * * *
(b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida--
(1) Commercial and recreational fishing season. Except as specified in
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section, during the commercial and
recreational fishing season specified in Sec. 622.403(b)(1), the daily
bag or possession limit of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off Florida
and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is six per person.
(2) Special recreational fishing seasons. During the special
recreational fishing seasons specified in Sec. 622.403(b)(2), the
daily bag or possession limit of spiny lobster--
(i) In or from the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is
six per person;
(ii) In or from the EEZ off Florida other than off Monroe County,
Florida, is twelve per person; and
(iii) In or from the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, is six per
person.
(3) Exemption from the bag/possession limit. During the commercial
and recreational fishing season specified in Sec. 622.403(b)(1), a
person is exempt from the bag and possession limit specified in
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, provided--
(i) The harvest of spiny lobsters is by diving, or by the use of a
bully net, hoop net, or spiny lobster trap; and
(ii) The vessel from which the person is operating has on board the
required licenses, certificates, or permits, as specified in Sec.
622.400(a)(1).
(4) Harvest by net or trawl. During the commercial and recreational
fishing season specified in Sec. 622.403(b)(1), aboard a vessel with
the required licenses, certificates, or permits specified in Sec.
622.400(a)(1) that harvests spiny lobster by net or trawl or has on
board a net or trawl, the possession of spiny lobster in or from the
EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, may not
exceed at any time 5 percent, whole weight, of the total whole weight
of all fish lawfully in possession on board such vessel. If such vessel
lawfully possesses a separated spiny lobster tail, the possession of
spiny lobster in or from the EEZ may not exceed at any time 1.6
percent, by weight of the spiny lobster or parts thereof, of the total
whole weight of all fish lawfully in possession on board such vessel.
For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(4), the term ``net or trawl''
does not include a hand-held net, a loading or dip net, a bully net, or
a hoop net.
(5) Harvest by diving. (i) The commercial daily harvest and
possession limit of spiny lobster harvested by diving in or from the
EEZ off Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, and Lee Counties,
Florida, is 250 spiny lobster per vessel.
(ii) Diving at night. The provisions of paragraph (b)(3) of this
section notwithstanding, a person who harvests spiny lobster in the EEZ
by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after official sunset to 1
hour before official sunrise, is limited to the bag limit specified in
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, whether or not a Federal vessel
permit specified in Sec. 622.400(a)(1) has been issued to and is on
board the vessel from which the diver is operating.
(6) Harvest by bully nets in the EEZ off Florida. The commercial
daily harvest and possession limit of spiny lobster harvested by bully
net in the EEZ off Florida is 250 spiny lobsters per vessel.
* * * * *
0
8. Revise Sec. 622.412 introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 622.412 Adjustment of management measures.
In accordance with the framework procedures of the Fishery
Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and
South Atlantic, the RA may establish or modify the following items:
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec. 622.413 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b) introductory text;
0
b. Revising paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4);
0
c. Redesignating paragraphs (b)(5) through (7) as (b)(6) through (8);
0
d. Adding new paragraph (b)(5); and
0
e. Revising paragraph (c) introductory text.
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Sec. 622.413 Incorporation by reference (IBR).
* * * * *
(b) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): Florida Division of
Marine Fisheries Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL
32399; telephone: 850-487-0554; http://www.flrules.org.
* * * * *
(2) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper
lobster, Rule 68B-24.002: Definitions, in effect as of May 1, 2017, IBR
approved for Sec. 622.400(a).
(3) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper
lobster, Rule 68B-24.005: Seasons, in effect as of November 1, 2018,
IBR approved for Sec. 622.403(b).
[[Page 16238]]
(4) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper
lobster, Rule 68B-24.006: Gear: Traps, Buoys, Identification
Requirements, Prohibited Devices, in effect as of May 1, 2017, IBR
approved for Sec. 622.402(a), Sec. 622.404(f), and Sec. 622.405(b).
(5) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper
lobster, Rule 68B-24.007: Other Prohibitions, in effect as of May 1,
2017, IBR approved for Sec. 622.404(e).
* * * * *
(c) Florida Statute: Florida Division of Marine Fisheries
Management, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399;
telephone: 850-487-0554; http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/.
* * * * *
0
10. Amend Sec. 622.415 by revising paragraph (a) and reserving
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 622.415 Limited exemption regarding harvest in waters of a
foreign nation.
(a) An owner or operator of a vessel that has legally harvested
spiny lobsters in the waters of a foreign nation and possesses spiny
lobster, or separated tails, in the EEZ incidental to such foreign
harvesting is exempt from the requirements of this subpart, except for
Sec. 622.409 with which such an owner or operator must comply,
provided proof of lawful harvest in the waters of a foreign nation
accompanies such lobsters or tails.
(b) [Reserved]
[FR Doc. 2019-07110 Filed 4-17-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P