[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65699-65705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25619]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 191120-0085]
RIN 0648-BI93


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, 
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework Adjustment 14

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is implementing changes to aspects of the commercial and 
recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass management 
program, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. 
This action incorporates new management measures for the commercial and 
recreational fisheries for these species. The intent of this action is 
to allow for more management flexibility.

DATES: Effective December 30, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this framework adjustment, including the 
Environmental Assessment (EA) are available on request from Dr. 
Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, Suite 201, 800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901. 
These documents are also accessible via the internet at http://www.mafmc.org/s/SFSBSB_Framework14_EA.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
(978) 281-9244.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

General Background

    The summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries are managed 
cooperatively under the provisions of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and 
Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) developed by the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission, in consultation with the New England and South 
Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The management units specified in 
the FMP include summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) in U.S. waters 
of the Atlantic Ocean from the southern border of North Carolina 
northward to the U.S./Canada border, and scup (Stenotomus chrysops) and 
black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in U.S. waters of the Atlantic 
Ocean from 35[deg] 13.3' N. lat. (the approximate latitude of Cape 
Hatteras, North Carolina). States manage these three species within 3 
nautical miles (4.83 km) of their coasts, under the Commission's 
management plan for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The 
applicable species-specific Federal regulations govern vessels and 
individual fishermen commercially and recreationally fishing in Federal 
waters of the exclusive economic zone, as well as vessels possessing a 
summer flounder, scup, or black sea bass Federal charter/party vessel 
permit, regardless of where they fish. This rule implements management 
measures intended to provide more flexibility in the commercial and 
recreational fisheries for these species and includes the following 
changes to the FMP:
     Include conservation equivalency as an annual management 
option for the black sea bass recreational fishery;
     Create a Federal waters transit zone for non-federally 
permitted vessels fishing in state waters around Block Island Sound; 
and
     Incorporate a maximum recreational size limit in the list 
of potential specification measures for summer flounder and black sea 
bass to enable consideration of slot limits as a management tool.
    These measures, which are further explained below, are consistent 
with the recommendations of the Council and the Commission's Summer 
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board for this action.

Final Management Measures

Black Sea Bass Conservation Equivalency

    Framework Adjustment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea 
Bass FMP establishes a process for conservation equivalency for future 
use in the recreational black sea bass fishery based on the process 
used for summer flounder. Under conservation equivalency, the Council 
and Board will decide each year whether to use Federal coastwide 
measures or state-by-state or regional conservation equivalency to 
manage the recreational black sea bass

[[Page 65700]]

fishery. Conservation equivalency waives Federal measures so long as 
the states implement appropriate measures. If states agree to use 
conservation equivalency, they must also develop a set of non-preferred 
coastwide measures (minimum fish size limit, possession limit, and 
season) that would be expected to prevent harvest from exceeding the 
annual recreational harvest limit. The Council and Board must also 
recommend a suite of precautionary default measures that would apply to 
all recreational anglers and Federal party/charter permit holders 
fishing in Federal waters and landing black sea bass in states that do 
not develop and implement Commission-approved conservationally 
equivalent measures.
    If the Council and Board agree to use conservation equivalency in a 
given year, the Board will determine the management program to 
implement conservation equivalency for black sea bass in that year 
through a separate action. After reviewing and approving the state/
regional proposals, the Commission must submit a letter to us 
certifying that the combination of state and regional measures is 
expected to prevent harvest from exceeding that year's recreational 
harvest limit. Based on the Commission's certification, we would be 
able to approve conservation equivalency and waive Federal measures for 
the remainder of the calendar year in favor of the state or regional 
conservation equivalency measures. Federally permitted party/charter 
vessels and private recreational vessels fishing in Federal waters 
would then be subject to the regulations in the states where they land 
their catch. If the Commission submits a letter to us announcing that a 
state or states have not implemented appropriate measures, the state or 
states would be required to implement precautionary default measures in 
state waters through the Commission. We would also apply those 
precautionary default measures to Federal party/charter permit holders 
and recreational vessels fishing in Federal waters that are landing 
black sea bass in applicable states. If a state or region implements 
measures that are not approved, the Commission would require the 
precautionary default measures to be enforced in that state or region 
and would request that we apply those measures to federally permitted 
vessels landings in those states as well. Non-preferred coastwide 
measures would be implemented: (1) If we do not approve conservation 
equivalency; or (2) at the start of the next fishing year (i.e., when 
conservation equivalency for a given year has expired).

Block Island Sound Transit Zone

    This action creates a transit area for state-only permitted vessels 
fishing for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass around Block 
Island to address issues when Federal and state management measures 
differ. The transit zone mirrors the current transit area for striped 
bass and allows transit through Federal waters for state-only permitted 
commercial and party/charter vessels and private recreational anglers 
with summer flounder, scup, and/or black sea bass on board that were 
legally harvested in state waters (Figure 1). These vessels may transit 
between the Rhode Island state waters surrounding Block Island and the 
coastal state waters of Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, or 
Massachusetts while complying with the state waters measures for those 
species. Transit through the defined area is allowed, provided that 
fishermen are compliant with all applicable state regulations, 
including harvest limits; gear is stowed in accordance with Federal 
regulations; no fishing takes place from the vessel while in Federal 
waters; and the vessel is in continuous transit.
    This transit provision does not apply to federally permitted summer 
flounder, scup, or black sea bass vessels. There are no changes to 
current Federal regulations requiring all federally permitted vessels 
to abide by the measures of the state(s) in which they harvest or land 
their catch, or the Federal waters measures, whichever are more 
restrictive.

[[Page 65701]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29NO19.000

Inclusion of Maximum Size Limit

    This action specifies that a maximum size limit can be set through 
specifications for summer flounder and black sea bass recreational 
fisheries. By including a maximum size, the Council can recommend both 
a minimum and maximum recreational size limit to allow for 
consideration of regular slot limits, split slot limits, and/or trophy 
fish when setting recreational measures each year. This action does not 
change any current Federal recreational measures, but adds flexibility 
in specifying future recreational management measures.

Comments and Responses

    The public comment period for the proposed rule ended on September 
9, 2019, and a total of three relevant comments were received from the 
public. Two commenters stated that conservation equivalency should not 
be used in the black sea bass recreational fishery, or should only be 
used when Marine Recreational Information Program information is 
reliable. The other commenter noted that maximum size limits should not 
be used. In response to those three comments, this action is only 
allowing for consideration of conservation equivalency in the black sea 
bass recreational fishery and providing the ability to set a maximum 
size limit. The Council and Commission will make annual determinations 
on whether or not to utilize either of these management tools.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    There are no substantive changes from the proposed rule. Minor 
clarifications were made to the regulations to clarify references to 
moratorium permits included in the Block Island Sound transit 
provisions are specific to summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the NMFS 
Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is 
consistent with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP, 
other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    This final rule does not duplicate, conflict, or overlap with any 
existing Federal rules.
    This action does not contain a collection of information 
requirement for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    This final rule is considered an Executive Order 13771 deregulatory 
action.
    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 the certification was published in the 
proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received 
regarding this certification, and the initial certification remains 
unchanged. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required and none has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: November 21, 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 648 is amended 
as follows:

[[Page 65702]]

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 (n)(1)(i), (o)(1) introductory 
text, (p)(1) introductory text, (p)(1)(i) and (v), and (p)(2) 
introductory text to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Permit requirement. Possess summer flounder in or harvested 
from the EEZ, either in excess of the possession limit specified in 
Sec.  648.106, or before or after the time period specified in Sec.  
648.105, unless the vessel was issued a summer flounder moratorium 
permit and the moratorium permit is on board the vessel and has not 
been surrendered, revoked, or suspended. However, possession of summer 
flounder harvested from state waters is allowed for state-only 
permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block 
Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec.  
648.111.
* * * * *
    (o) * * *
    (1) All persons. Unless a vessel is participating in a research 
activity as described in Sec.  648.122(e) or unless a vessel has no 
Federal scup permit, possesses scup caught exclusively in state waters, 
and is transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit 
Area in accordance with the provisions at Sec.  648.131, it is unlawful 
for any person to do any of the following:
* * * * *
    (p) * * *
    (1) All persons. Unless participating in a research activity as 
described in Sec.  648.142(e), it is unlawful for any person to do any 
of the following:
    (i) Permit requirement. Possess black sea bass in or harvested from 
the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3' N. lat., either in excess of the 
possession limit established pursuant to Sec.  648.145, or before or 
after the time period established pursuant to Sec.  648.146, unless the 
person is operating a vessel issued a moratorium permit under Sec.  
648.4 and the moratorium permit is on board the vessel. However, 
possession of black sea bass harvested from state waters is allowed for 
state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the 
Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at 
Sec.  648.151.
* * * * *
    (v) Size limits. Fish for, possess, land, or retain black sea bass 
in or from the EEZ that does not comply with the minimum or maximum (as 
applicable) fish size specified in Sec.  648.147.
* * * * *
    (2) Vessel and operator permit holders. Unless participating in a 
research activity as described in Sec.  648.142(e), it is unlawful for 
any person owning or operating a vessel issued a black sea bass permit 
(including a moratorium permit) to do any of the following:
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.102, revise paragraphs (a)(7) and (d)(2)(ii) through 
(iv) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.102  Summer flounder specifications.

    (a) * * *
    (7) Recreational minimum and/or maximum fish size.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) The ASMFC will review conservation equivalency proposals and 
determine whether or not they achieve the necessary adjustment to 
recreational landings. The ASMFC will provide the Regional 
Administrator with the individual state and/or multi-state region 
conservation measures for the approved state and/or multi-state region 
proposals and, in the case of disapproved state and/or multi-state 
region proposals, the precautionary default measures that should be 
applied to a state or region. At the request of the ASMFC, 
precautionary default measures would apply to federally permitted 
party/charter vessels and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting 
summer flounder in or from the EEZ when landing in a state that 
implements measures not approved by the ASMFC.
    (iii) After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement either 
the state specific conservation equivalency measures or coastwide 
measures to ensure that the applicable specified target is not 
exceeded.
    (iv) The ASMFC may allow states assigned the precautionary default 
measures to resubmit revised management measures. The ASMFC will detail 
the procedures by which the state can develop alternate measures. The 
ASMFC will notify the Regional Administrator of any resubmitted state 
proposals approved subsequent to publication of the final rule and the 
Regional Administrator will publish a document in the Federal Register 
to notify the public.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.104, revise the section heading and paragraphs (b) and 
(c) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.104  Summer flounder size requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) Party/charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery 
participants. The minimum size for summer flounder is 19 inches (48.3 
cm) total length for all vessels that do not qualify for a summer 
flounder moratorium permit under Sec.  648.4(a)(3), and charter boats 
holding a summer flounder moratorium permit if fishing with more than 
three crew members, or party boats holding a summer flounder moratorium 
permit if fishing with passengers for hire or carrying more than five 
crew members, unless otherwise specified in the conservation 
equivalency regulations at Sec.  648.107. If conservation equivalency 
is not in effect in any given year, possession of smaller (or larger, 
if applicable) summer flounder harvested from state waters is allowed 
for state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within 
the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions 
at Sec.  648.111 and abide by state regulations.
    (c) Measurement. The size limits in this section apply to whole 
fish or to any part of a fish found in possession, e.g., fillets, 
except that party and charter vessels fishing exclusively in state 
waters possessing valid state permits authorizing filleting at sea may 
possess fillets smaller than the size specified if all state 
requirements are met.

0
5. Revise Sec.  648.105 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.105  Summer flounder recreational fishing season.

    No person may fish for summer flounder in the EEZ from May 15 
through September 15 unless that person is the owner or operator of a 
fishing vessel issued a commercial summer flounder moratorium permit, 
or is issued a summer flounder dealer permit, or unless otherwise 
specified in the conservation equivalency measures at Sec.  648.107. 
Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible for a summer 
flounder moratorium permit are subject to this recreational fishing 
season. This time period may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in 
Sec.  648.102. Possession of summer flounder harvested from state 
waters during this time is allowed for state-only permitted vessels 
when transiting Federal waters within the Block Island

[[Page 65703]]

Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec.  648.111 
and abide by state regulations.

0
6. In Sec.  648.106, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.106  Summer flounder possession restrictions.

    (a) Party/charter and recreational possession limits. No person 
shall possess more than four summer flounder in, or harvested from, the 
EEZ, per trip unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing 
vessel issued a summer flounder moratorium permit, or is issued a 
summer flounder dealer permit, or unless otherwise specified in the 
conservation equivalency measures at Sec.  648.107. Persons aboard a 
commercial vessel that is not eligible for a summer flounder moratorium 
permit are subject to this possession limit. The owner, operator, and 
crew of a charter or party boat issued a summer flounder moratorium 
permit are subject to the possession limit when carrying passengers for 
hire or when carrying more than five crew members for a party boat, or 
more than three crew members for a charter boat. This possession limit 
may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.  648.102. Possession 
of summer flounder harvested from state waters above this possession 
limit is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when transiting 
Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they 
follow the provisions at Sec.  648.111 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  648.107, revise paragraphs (a) introductory text and (b) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.107  Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder 
fishery.

    (a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational 
fishing measures proposed to be implemented by the states of Maine 
through North Carolina for 2019 are the conservation equivalent of the 
season, size limits, and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec.  
648.104(b), 648.105, and 648.106. This determination is based on a 
recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic States 
Marine Fisheries Commission.
* * * * *
    (b) Federally permitted vessels subject to the recreational fishing 
measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels 
registered in states and subject to the recreational fishing measures 
of this part, whose fishery management measures are not determined by 
the Regional Administrator to be the conservation equivalent of the 
season, size limits and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec.  
648.102, 648.103(b), and 648.105(a), respectively, due to the lack of, 
or the reversal of, a conservation equivalent recommendation from the 
Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
Commission shall be subject to the following precautionary default 
measures: Season--July 1 through August 31; minimum size--20 inches 
(50.8 cm); and possession limit--two fish.

0
8. Add Sec.  648.111 to subpart G to read as follows:


Sec.  648.111  Block Island Sound Transit Area.

    (a) Vessels not issued a summer flounder Federal moratorium or 
party/charter permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing 
exclusively in state waters may transit with summer flounder harvested 
from state waters on board through Federal waters of the EEZ within 
Block Island Sound, north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk 
Point, NY, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west 
of a line connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block 
Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI. Within this area, possession 
of summer flounder is permitted regardless of the minimum or maximum 
size (as applicable), possession limit, and seasons outlined in 
Sec. Sec.  648.104, 648.105, and 648.106, provided no fishing takes 
place from the vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel 
complies with state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During 
such transit through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in 
accordance with the definition of ``not available for immediate use'' 
found at Sec.  648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational 
participants must have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods, 
and any summer flounder on board must be stored in a cooler or 
container.
    (b) The requirements of this transit zone are not necessary or 
applicable for recreational fishery participants during years when 
conservation equivalency has been adopted under Sec.  648.107 
conservation equivalency measures and recreational Federal measures are 
waived.

0
9. In Sec.  648.126, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.126  Scup minimum fish sizes.

* * * * *
    (b) Party/Charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery 
participants. The minimum size for scup is 9 inches (22.9 cm) total 
length for all vessels that do not have a scup moratorium permit, or 
for party and charter vessels that are issued a scup moratorium permit 
but are fishing with passengers for hire, or carrying more than three 
crew members if a charter boat, or more than five crew members if a 
party boat. However, possession of smaller scup harvested from state 
waters is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when transiting 
Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they 
follow the provisions at Sec.  648.131 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *

0
10. Revise Sec.  648.127 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.127  Scup recreational fishing season.

    Fishermen and vessels that are not eligible for a scup moratorium 
permit under Sec.  648.4(a)(6), may possess scup year-round, subject to 
the possession limit specified in Sec.  648.128(a). The recreational 
fishing season may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.  
648.122. Should the recreational fishing season be modified, non-
federally scup permitted vessels abiding by state regulations may 
transit with scup harvested from state waters on board through the 
Block Island Sound Transit Area following the provisions outlined in 
Sec.  648.131.

0
11. In Sec.  648.128, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.128  Scup possession restrictions.

    (a) Party/Charter and recreational possession limits. No person 
shall possess more than 50 scup in, or harvested from, per trip the EEZ 
unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing vessel issued 
a scup moratorium permit, or is issued a scup dealer permit. Persons 
aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible for a scup moratorium 
permit are subject to this possession limit. The owner, operator, and 
crew of a charter or party boat issued a scup moratorium permit are 
subject to the possession limit when carrying passengers for hire or 
when carrying more than five crew members for a party boat, or more 
than three crew members for a charter boat. This possession limit may 
be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.  648.122. However, 
possession of scup harvested from state waters above this possession 
limit is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when transiting 
Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they 
follow the provisions at Sec.  648.131 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *

0
12. Add Sec.  648.131 to subpart H to read as follows:

[[Page 65704]]

Sec.  648.131  Block Island Sound Transit Area.

    Vessels not issued a scup Federal moratorium or party/charter 
permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing exclusively in 
state waters may transit with scup harvested from state waters on board 
through Federal waters of the EEZ within Block Island Sound, north of a 
line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island 
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line connecting Point 
Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block 
Island, RI. Within this area, possession of scup is permitted 
regardless of the minimum size, possession limit, and seasons outlined 
in Sec. Sec.  648.126, 648.127, and 648.128, provided no fishing takes 
place from the vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel 
complies with state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During 
such transit through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in 
accordance with the definition of ``not available for immediate use'' 
found at Sec.  648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational 
participants must have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods, 
and any scup on board must be stored in a cooler or container.

0
13. Revise Sec.  648.142 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.142  Black sea bass specifications.

    (a) Commercial quota, recreational landing limit, research set-
aside, and other specification measures. The Black Sea Bass Monitoring 
Committee will recommend to the Demersal Species Committee of the MAFMC 
and the ASMFC, through the specification process, for use in 
conjunction with the ACL and ACT, sector-specific research set-asides, 
estimates of the sector-related discards, a recreational harvest limit, 
a commercial quota, along with other measures, as needed, that are 
projected to ensure the sector-specific ACL for an upcoming year or 
years will not be exceeded. The following measures are to be considered 
by the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee:
    (1) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of the 
maximum allowed.
    (2) A commercial quota, allocated annually.
    (3) A commercial possession limit for all moratorium vessels, with 
the provision that these quantities be the maximum allowed to be landed 
within a 24-hour period (calendar day).
    (4) Commercial minimum fish size.
    (5) Minimum mesh size in the codend or throughout the net and the 
catch threshold that will require compliance with the minimum mesh 
requirement.
    (6) Escape vent size.
    (7) A recreational possession limit set after the reduction for 
research quota.
    (8) Recreational minimum and/or maximum fish size.
    (9) Recreational season.
    (10) Recreational state conservation equivalent and precautionary 
default measures utilizing possession limits, minimum fish sizes, and/
or seasons set after reductions for research quota.
    (11) Restrictions on gear other than otter trawls and pots or 
traps.
    (12) Total allowable landings on an annual basis for a period not 
to exceed 3 years.
    (13) Changes, as appropriate, to the SBRM, including the CV-based 
performance standard, the means by which discard data are collected/
obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer 
sea-day allocations, reports, and/or industry-funded observers or 
observer set aside programs.
    (14) Modification of the existing AM measures and ACT control rules 
utilized by the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee.
    (b) Specification fishing measures. The Demersal Species Committee 
shall review the recommendations of the Black Sea Bass Monitoring 
Committee. Based on these recommendations and any public comment, the 
Demersal Species Committee shall make its recommendations to the MAFMC 
with respect to the measures necessary to assure that the sector-
specific ACLs for an upcoming fishing year or years will not be 
exceeded. The MAFMC shall review these recommendations and, based on 
the recommendations and public comment, make recommendations to the 
Regional Administrator with respect to the measures necessary to assure 
that sector ACLs are not exceeded. Included in the recommendation will 
be supporting documents, as appropriate, concerning the environmental 
and economic impacts of the final rule. The Regional Administrator will 
review these recommendations and any recommendations of the ASMFC. 
After such review, the Regional Administrator will publish a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register to implement a commercial quota, a 
recreational harvest limit, and additional management measures for the 
commercial fishery.
    (c) Distribution of annual commercial quota. The black sea bass 
commercial quota will be allocated on a coastwide basis.
    (d) Recreational specification measures. The Demersal Species 
Committee shall review the recommendations of the Black Sea Bass 
Monitoring Committee. Based on these recommendations and any public 
comment, the Demersal Species Committee shall recommend to the MAFMC 
and ASMFC measures that are projected to ensure the recreational ACL 
for an upcoming fishing year or years will not be exceeded. The MAFMC 
shall review these recommendations and, based on the recommendations 
and any public comment, recommend to the Regional Administrator 
measures that are projected to ensure the recreational ACL for an 
upcoming fishing year or years will not be exceeded. The MAFMC's 
recommendations must include supporting documentation, as appropriate, 
concerning the environmental and economic impacts of the 
recommendations. The MAFMC and the ASMFC will recommend that the 
Regional Administrator implement either:
    (1) Coastwide measures. Annual coastwide management measures that 
constrain the recreational black sea bass fishery to the recreational 
harvest limit, or
    (2) Conservation equivalent measures. Individual states, or regions 
formed voluntarily by adjacent states (i.e., multi-state conservation 
equivalency regions), may implement different combinations of minimum 
and/or maximum fish sizes, possession limits, and closed seasons that 
achieve equivalent conservation as the coastwide measures. Each state 
or multi-state conservation equivalency region may implement measures 
by mode or area only if the proportional standard error of recreational 
landing estimates by mode or area for that state is less than 30 
percent.
    (i) After review of the recommendations, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register as soon as 
possible to implement the overall percent adjustment in recreational 
landings required for the fishing year, and the ASMFC's recommendation 
concerning conservation equivalency, the precautionary default 
measures, and coastwide measures.
    (ii) The ASMFC will review conservation equivalency proposals and 
determine whether or not they achieve the necessary adjustment to 
recreational landings. The ASMFC will provide the Regional 
Administrator with the individual state and/or multi-state region 
conservation measures for the approved state and/or multi-state region 
proposals and, in the case of disapproved state and/or multi-state 
region proposals, the precautionary default measures that should be 
applied to a state or region. At the request of the ASMFC, 
precautionary default measures

[[Page 65705]]

would apply to federally permitted party/charter vessels and other 
recreational fishing vessels harvesting summer flounder in or from the 
EEZ when landing in a state that implements measures not approved by 
the ASMFC.
    (iii) After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement either 
the state specific conservation equivalency measures or coastwide 
measures to ensure that the applicable specified target is not 
exceeded.
    (iv) The ASMFC may allow states assigned the precautionary default 
measures to resubmit revised management measures. The ASMFC will detail 
the procedures by which the state can develop alternate measures. The 
ASMFC will notify the Regional Administrator of any resubmitted state 
proposals approved subsequent to publication of the final rule and the 
Regional Administrator will publish a document in the Federal Register 
to notify the public.
    (e) Research quota. See Sec.  648.22(g).

0
14. In Sec.  648.144, revise paragraph (a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.144  Black sea bass gear restrictions.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Mesh sizes shall be measured pursuant to the procedure 
specified in Sec.  648.108(a)(2).
* * * * *

0
15. In Sec.  648.145, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.145  Black sea bass possession limit.

    (a) During the recreational fishing season specified at Sec.  
648.146, no person shall possess more than 15 black sea bass in, or 
harvested from, per trip the EEZ unless that person is the owner or 
operator of a fishing vessel issued a black sea bass moratorium permit, 
or is issued a black sea bass dealer permit, unless otherwise specified 
in the conservation equivalent measures described in Sec.  
648.148(d)(2). Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible 
for a black sea bass moratorium permit may not retain more than 15 
black sea bass during the recreational fishing season specified at 
Sec.  648.146. The owner, operator, and crew of a charter or party boat 
issued a black sea bass moratorium permit are subject to the possession 
limit when carrying passengers for hire or when carrying more than five 
crew members for a party boat, or more than three crew members for a 
charter boat. This possession limit may be adjusted pursuant to the 
procedures in Sec.  648.142. However, possession of black sea bass 
harvested from state waters above this possession limit is allowed for 
state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the 
Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at 
Sec.  648.150 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *

0
16. Revise Sec.  648.146 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.146  Black sea bass recreational fishing season.

    Vessels that are not eligible for a black sea bass moratorium 
permit under Sec.  648.4(a)(7), and fishermen subject to the possession 
limit specified in Sec.  648.145(a), may only possess black sea bass 
from February 1 through February 28, May 15 through December 31, unless 
otherwise specified in the conservation equivalent measures described 
in Sec.  648.1542(d)(2)or unless this time period is adjusted pursuant 
to the procedures in Sec.  648.142. However, possession of black sea 
bass harvested from state waters outside of this season is allowed for 
state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the 
Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at 
Sec.  648.151 and abide by state regulations.

0
17. In Sec.  648.147, revise the section heading and paragraphs (b) and 
(c) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.147  Black sea bass size requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) Party/Charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery 
participants. The minimum fish size for black sea bass is 12.5 inches 
(31.75 cm) total length for all vessels that do not qualify for a black 
sea bass moratorium permit, and for party boats holding a black sea 
bass moratorium permit, if fishing with passengers for hire or carrying 
more than five crew members, and for charter boats holding a black sea 
bass moratorium permit, if fishing with more than three crew members, 
unless otherwise specified in the conservation equivalent measures as 
described in Sec.  648.142(d)(2). However, possession of smaller black 
sea bass harvested from state waters is allowed for state-only 
permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block 
Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec.  
648.151 and abide by state regulations.
    (c) The size limits in this section applies to the whole fish or 
any part of a fish found in possession (e.g., fillets), except that 
party or charter vessels fishing exclusively in state waters possessing 
valid black sea bass state permits authorizing filleting at sea may 
possess fillets smaller than the size specified if skin remains on the 
fillet and all other state requirements are met.

0
18. Add Sec.  648.150 to subpart I to read as follows:


Sec.  648.150  Block Island Sound Transit Zone.

    (a) Vessels not issued a black sea bass Federal moratorium or 
party/charter permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing 
exclusively in state waters may transit with black sea bass harvested 
from state waters on board through Federal waters of the EEZ within 
Block Island Sound, north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk 
Point, NY, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west 
of a line connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block 
Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI. Within this area, possession 
of black sea bass is permitted regardless of the minimum and/or maximum 
(as applicable) size, possession limit, and seasons outlined in 
Sec. Sec.  648.145, 648.146, and 648.147, provided no fishing takes 
place from the vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel 
complies with state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During 
such transit through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in 
accordance with the definition of ``not available for immediate use'' 
found at Sec.  648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational 
participants must have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods, 
and any black sea bass on board must be stored in a cooler or 
container.
    (b) The requirements of this transit zone are not necessary or 
applicable for recreational fishery participants during years when 
conservation equivalency has been adopted under conservation 
equivalency measures and recreational Federal measures are waived.

[FR Doc. 2019-25619 Filed 11-27-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P