[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11309-11311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03867]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 200221-0061]
RTID 0648-XX019


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; 2020 Specifications

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Through this rule, NMFS maintains previously approved Illex 
squid, longfin squid, and butterfish specifications for the 2020 
fishing year and maintains the 2019 Atlantic mackerel acceptable 
biological catch for 2020 based on updated scientific advice. This 
action is required to promote the sustainable utilization and 
conservation of the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish resources.

DATES: Effective February 27, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents used by the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, including the Environmental Assessment 
(EA), the Supplemental Information Report (SIR), the Regulatory Impact 
Review (RIR), and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis are 
available from: Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, 
Dover, DE 19901, telephone (302) 674-2331. The EA/SIR/RIR/RFA analysis 
is also accessible via the internet at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyson Pitts, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The regulations implementing the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) require the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council's Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 
Monitoring Committee to develop specification recommendations for each 
species based upon the acceptable biological catch (ABC) advice of the 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The FMP 
regulations also require the specification of annual catch limits (ACL) 
and accountability measure (AM) provisions for butterfish. Both squid 
species are exempt from the ACL/AM requirements because they have a 
life cycle of less than one year. In addition, the regulations require 
the specification of domestic annual harvest (DAH), the butterfish 
mortality cap in the longfin squid fishery, and initial optimum yield 
(IOY) for both squid species.
    On December 17, 2019 (84 FR 68871), we published a proposed rule in 
the Federal Register seeking public comment on revising the previously 
approved 2020 Atlantic mackerel specifications to maintain the 2019 
specifications with a modification to the recreational catch deduction 
and change the river herring and shad catch cap in the Atlantic 
mackerel fishery. This rule also proposed maintaining the previously 
approved Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish specifications. The 
proposed rule for this action included additional background on 
specifications and the details of how the Council derived its 
recommended specifications for Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, longfin 
squid and butterfish. Those details are not repeated here. For 
additional information, please refer to the proposed rule for this 
action.
    On August 2, 2019 (84 FR 37778), we published a final rule in the 
Federal Register implementing Illex squid, longfin squid, and 
butterfish specifications for 2019. The Atlantic mackerel 
specifications for 2019-2021 were developed in May 2018 as part of the 
final rule for Framework Adjustment 13 (84 FR 58053; October 30, 2019). 
The Council's SSC met in May 2019 to reevaluate the 2020 specifications 
based upon the latest information. At that meeting, the SSC concluded 
that no adjustments to the Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish 
specifications were warranted. However, the the SSC recommended to 
change to the Atlantic mackerel ABC, update the recreational catch, and 
modify the river herring and shad catch cap.
    Until new specifications are implemented, the existing 2019 
Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish 
specifications will continue pursuant to 50 CFR 648.22(d)(1).

2020 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications

    The original 2020 Atlantic mackerel ABC recommended by the SSC for 
Framework 13 was based on projections that recognized a strong 2015 
year class in the assessment results. At its May 2019 meeting, the SSC 
considered preliminary results from the 2019 Canadian Atlantic mackerel 
assessment, which indicated lower than expected recruitment. As a 
result, the SSC recommended maintaining the more conservative 2019 ABC. 
Based on the recommendations of the Council's SSC and the Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee, the Council 
recommended and this action implements the revised 2020 mackerel 
specifications outlined in Table 1. These specifciations are nearly 
identical to those set in 2019, with the exception of a higher 
recreational catch deduction based on an updated recreational catch 
accounting methodology. There is an Atlantic mackerel stock assessment 
update scheduled for 2020 that will inform future ABC specifications.

[[Page 11310]]



     Table 1--2019 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications Compared to 2020
                             Specifications
                                  [mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Specification                    2019            2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................          31,764              NA
ABC.....................................          29,184          29,184
Canadian Deduction......................          10,000          10,000
U.S. ABC................................          19,184          19,184
Recreational Allocation.................           1,209           1,270
Commerical Allocation...................          17,975          17,914
Management Uncertainty Buffer (3                     539             537
 percent)...............................
Commercial Annual Catch Target..........          17,436          17,377
DAH.....................................          17,371          17,312
------------------------------------------------------------------------

River Herring and Shad Catch Cap in the Atlantic Mackerel Fishery

    Consistent with maintaining the Atlantic mackerel ABC in 2020 as in 
2019, this action maintains the 2019 river herring and shad catch cap 
(129 mt) for 2020. This action also eliminates the 89-mt trigger 
provision that was implemented in Framework 13. If the 89-mt trigger 
were reached, a 20,000-lb (9,071.84-kg) possession limit for limited 
access permit holders would become effective. Eliminating the initial 
89-mt trigger allows for additional landings by the Atlantic mackerel 
fishery, without compromising the 129-mt catch cap, which serves as an 
incentive to avoid river herring and shad.

Longfin Squid Specifications

    This action maintains the existing longfin squid ABC of 23,400 mt 
for 2020, as implemented on March 1, 2018 (83 FR 8764). The background 
for this ABC is discussed in the proposed rule to implement the 2018-
2020 squid and butterfish specifications (82 FR 58583; December 13, 
2017) and is not repeated here.

        Table 2--2020 Longfin Squid Specifications in Metric Tons
                                  [mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................................         Unknown
ABC.....................................................          23,400
IOY.....................................................          22,932
DAH/DAP.................................................          22,932
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Table 3--2020 Longfin Quota Trimester Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Trimester                     Percent       Metric tons
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I (Jan-Apr).............................              43           9,861
II (May-Aug)............................              17           3,898
III (Sep-Dec)...........................              40           9,173
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2020 Butterfish Specifications

    This action also maintains the previously approved 2020 butterfish 
specifications outlined in Table 4, as initially published on March 1, 
2018 (83 FR 8764). The background for these specifications is discussed 
in the proposed rule to implement 2019 squid and butterfish 
specifications (82 FR 58583; December 13, 2017) and is not repeated 
here. These specifications maintain the existing butterfish mortality 
cap in the longfin squid fishery (3,884 mt) and the existing allocation 
of the butterfish mortality cap among longfin squid trimesters (Table 
5).

         Table 4--2020 Butterfish Specifications in Metric Tons
                                  [mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................................          39,592
ACL = ABC...............................................          32,063
Commercial ACT (ABC-management uncertainty buffers for            28,857
 each year).............................................
DAH (ACT minus butterfish cap and discards).............          23,752
Directed Fishery closure limit (DAH-1,000 mt incidental           22,752
 landings buffer).......................................
Butterfish Cap (in the longfin squid fishery)...........           3,884
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table 5--Trimester Allocation of Butterfish Mortality Cap on the Longfin
                         Squid Fishery for 2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Trimester                     Percent       Metric tons
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I (Jan-Apr).............................              43           1,670
II (May-Aug)............................              17             660
III (Sep-Dec)...........................              40           1,554
                                         -------------------------------

[[Page 11311]]

 
    Total...............................             100           3,844
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2020 Illex Squid Specifications

    This action maintains the previously approved 2019 Illex squid 
specifications for 2020, outlined in Table 6, as published on August 2, 
2019 (84 FR 37778). The background for these specifications is 
discussed in the proposed rule to implement the 2019 Illex squid, 
longfin squid, and butterfish specifications (May 1, 2019, 84 FR 
18471). The Council will set specifications for 2021 and beyond in 
2020.

         Table 6--2020 Illex Squid Specifications in Metric Tons
                                  [mt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................................         Unknown
ABC.....................................................          26,000
IOY.....................................................          24,825
DAH/DAP.................................................          24,825
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments and Responses

    We received five relevant comments on the proposed rule from three 
members of the public and two commercial fishing industry members. Two 
comments from the general public were supportive of this action due to 
the precautionary measures taken to conserve the Atlantic mackerel 
stock. One comment from a member of the public suggested we cut quotas 
by 50 percent but provided no rationale. Both members of the commercial 
fishing industry were supportive of eliminating the 89-mt river herring 
and shad catch cap trigger provision in order to maximize fishing 
opportunity in the Atlantic mackerel fishery. However, they both 
recommended we keep the higher catch cap originally set for 2020 (i.e., 
152 mt) to avoid another closure. We agree that removing the 89-mt 
trigger provision increases the opportunity to fish for Atlantic 
mackerel; however, the 129-mt river herring and shad catch cap was set 
in relation to the 2020 ABC and is based on the best scientific 
information available.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is 
consistent with the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP, other 
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day 
delay in effective date. The start of the fishing year began on January 
1, 2020, and is currently operating under a higher mackerel ABC than 
what will be implemented under this rule. There is a need to implement 
this action in a timely manner to ensure this more conservative ABC is 
not exceeded and to avoid public confusion. These specifications could 
not have been put into place sooner to allow for a 30-day delayed 
effectiveness because the information and data necessary for the 
Council to develop this action was not available in time for it to be 
forwarded to NMFS and implemented by January 1, 2020, the beginning of 
the fishing year.
    Additionally, because this rule relieves a restriction by removing 
the initial 89-mt river herring and shad catch cap trigger provision, 
it is not subject to the 30-day delayed effectiveness provision of the 
APA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1). If implementation of this action is 
delayed, the 89-mt river herring and shad catch cap trigger may be 
reached early in the fishing year for the third consecutive year, 
resulting in a greatly reduced possession limit that effectively closes 
the directed fishery. This would prevent the economic benefits from 
this rule from being realized. Therefore, it is in the public interest 
to implement this final action as soon as possible.
    This final rule is exempt from review under 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 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 no other information has been obtained 
that suggests any other conclusion. As a result, a regulatory 
flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared.

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

    Dated: February 21, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03867 Filed 2-26-20; 8:45 am]
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