[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 86878-86900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28775]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 229 and 697

[Docket No. 201221-0351]
RIN 0648-BJ09


Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing 
Operations; Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations; 
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; 
American Lobster Fishery

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 amend the regulations implementing the 
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce the incidental 
mortality and serious injury to North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena 
glacialis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) in northeast commercial lobster and crab trap/
pot fisheries to meet the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and 
the Endangered Species Act. In addition, this action also proposes a 
small revision to Federal regulations implemented under the Atlantic 
State Marine Fisheries Commissions' Interstate Fishery Management Plan 
for Lobster to increase the maximum length of a lobster trap trawl 
groundline. This action is necessary to reduce the risks to North 
Atlantic right whales and other large whales associated with the 
presence of fishing gear in waters used by these animals.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 1, 2021.
    Public Hearings: Eight or more remote public meetings will be held 
during the public comment period. See ADDRESSES to obtain public 
hearing notification details.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-0031, 
by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0031, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon 
and complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: All comments received that are timely and properly 
submitted 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. We will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous). 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 us.
    Oral Comments: Remote public meeting access information will be 
posted on the Plan website fisheries.noaa.gov/ALWTRP or contact Colleen 
Coogan for information on locations and dates. Contact information 
below.
    Copies of this action, including the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) and the Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (DEIS/RIR/IRFA) prepared in support of this 
action, are available via the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/ 
or by contacting Colleen Coogan at the contact information below.
    Several of the background documents for the Plan and the take 
reduction planning process can be downloaded from the Plan website. 
Copies of the DEIS/RIR/IRFA for this action can also be obtained from 
the Plan website. Information on the Decision Support Tool and Co-
Occurrence model used to support the development and analysis of the 
proposed regulations can be found in appendices to the DEIS. The 
complete text of current regulations implementing the Plan can be found 
in 50 CFR 229.32 or downloaded from the Plan's website, along with 
outreach compliance guides to current regulations. The complete text of 
current regulations implementing the Lobster Plan can be found at 50 
CFR part 697.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Coogan, NMFS, Greater Atlantic 
Regional Fisheries Office, 978-281-9181, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Background
Summary of Proposed Changes
Changes Proposed To Reduce the Number of Vertical Buoy Lines
Changes to Closure Areas
Gear Modifications To Include Weak Line or Weak Insertions in Buoy 
Lines
Gear Marking Changes
Addition to Definitions

[[Page 86879]]

Change in the Maximum Length of a Lobster Trap Trawl
Classification
References

Background

    The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP, or Plan) was 
originally developed pursuant to section 118 of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA, 16 U.S.C. 1387 to reduce the level of mortality 
and serious injury of three stocks of large whales (fin, humpback, and 
North Atlantic right) interacting with Category I and II fisheries. 
Under the MMPA a strategic stock of marine mammals is defined as a 
stock: (1) For which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds 
the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level; (2) which, based on the 
best available scientific information, is declining and is likely to be 
listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(ESA) within the foreseeable future; or (3) which is listed as a 
threatened or endangered species under the ESA or is designated as 
depleted under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1362(19)). When incidental mortality 
or serious injury of marine mammals from commercial fishing is over the 
PBR level, NMFS convenes a take reduction team made up of stakeholders 
from the fishing industry, fishery management councils and commissions, 
state and Federal resource management agencies, the scientific 
community and conservation organizations.
    The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (ALWTRT or Team) was 
established in 1996 and is made up of 60 members, including about 22 
trap/pot and gillnet fishermen or fishery representatives. Because both 
right whales and fin whales are listed as endangered, they are 
considered strategic stocks under the MMPA. Due to population growth, 
in 2016 certain stocks of humpback whales, which are taken in the 
Atlantic Category I and II fisheries regulated under the ALWTRP, are no 
longer listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species 
Act (81 FR 62259). However, although they are not currently a strategic 
stock, they continue to be included in the Plan because they are taken 
in Category I fisheries and will continue to benefit from Plan 
requirements and proposed revisions.
    Specific Category I and II fisheries addressed by the Plan include 
the Northeast sink gillnet, Northeast drift gillnet, Northeast anchored 
float gillnet, Southeast Atlantic gillnet, Mid-Atlantic gillnet, 
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet, Atlantic mixed species trap/
pot, Atlantic blue crab trap/pot, and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American 
lobster trap/pot. Proposed modifications for this rulemaking are 
limited in scope to the crab and trap/pot fisheries in the Northeast 
Region Trap/Pot Management Area (Northeast Region). The Northeast 
Region encompasses those waters where year-round trap/pot measures are 
required as described in 50 CFR 229.32. This area includes the Northern 
Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters, the Northern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters 
Areas, the Massachusetts Restricted Area, the Great South Channel 
Restricted Trap/Pot Area, the Jordan Basin, Jeffreys Ledge, and 
Stellwagen Bank Restricted Areas and the northeast Offshore Trap/Pot 
Waters Area that are within the area bounded on the west by a straight 
line running south from the coast at 41[deg]18.2' N latitude, 
71[deg]51.5' W longitude to 40[deg]00' N latitude, and then bounded on 
the south by a line running east along 40[deg]00' N latitude to the 
eastern edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (Figure 1).
    The background for the take reduction planning process and initial 
development of the Plan is provided in the preambles to the proposed 
(62 FR 16519, April 7, 1997), interim final (62 FR 39157, July 22, 
1997), and final (64 FR 7529, February 16, 1999) rules that implemented 
the original plan.
    Since its 1997 implementation, the Plan has been modified several 
times to reduce the risk of mortality and serious injury of large 
whales incidentally taken in commercial sink gillnet and trap/pot gear. 
The most recent final rule was published in May 2015 (80 FR 30367, May 
28, 2015). Because of the declining population and the persistent 
incidental entanglement mortalities and serious injuries above the 
stock's PBR, Plan modifications have, and continue to be, directed 
primarily at reducing the risk of commercial fisheries on the North 
Atlantic right whale.

Right Whale Population Decline

    In a peer-reviewed scientific paper published in 2017, Pace et al. 
(see References section at end of this preamble), confirmed that due to 
decreased calving rates and increased mortality, much of it unseen, the 
North Atlantic right whale population had been in decline since 2010 
(Pace et al. 2017). Seventeen right whale mortalities were documented 
in 2017, causing NMFS to declare an Unusual Mortality Event, which 
continues through 2020. Although most right whale mortalities in 2017 
occurred in Canadian waters and not all were confirmed to be 
entanglement related, three mortalities first seen in U.S. waters 
exhibited signs of entanglement. The evidence of a declining population 
exacerbated by high mortalities caused NMFS to convene subgroups of the 
ALWTRT in early 2018 to investigate the feasibility of risk reduction 
measures. A meeting of the full Team was held in October 2018 to 
develop recommendations for modifying the Take Reduction Plan.
    As described in detail in Chapter 3 of the DEIS prepared in support 
of this action and very briefly below, the location and exact fishery 
in which each entanglement incident occurs can rarely be determined. 
However, over 95 percent of vertical buoy lines fished along the U.S. 
East Coast in waters not currently exempt from Plan requirements are 
fished by the lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fishery--93 percent 
within the Northeast Region. For this reason and given the magnitude of 
the issue, NMFS is addressing this issue in phases to expedite 
rulemaking. The initial phase focused the scope of the Team meetings on 
developing recommendations for the Northeast Region lobster and Jonah 
crab trap/pot fisheries. In 2021, the ALWTRT will be asked to recommend 
modifications to the Take Reduction Plan to address risk in the 
remaining fixed gear fisheries that use buoy lines, including other 
trap/pot fisheries and gillnet fisheries coastwide. Table 2.3 in the 
DEIS provides additional information supporting prioritizing the 
lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries in the Northeast Region 
first.
    Team members submitted risk reduction proposals for the October 
2018 in-person ALWTRT meeting. The lack of agreement on whether or how 
much risk reduction was necessary, or metrics to compare the wide range 
of proposal elements, challenged the Team's ability to develop 
recommendations. In anticipation of a spring 2019 meeting, the Team 
created workplans for NMFS identifying data needs to support decision 
making on Plan modification recommendations.
    While the MMPA establishes PBR as a goal for take reduction, the 
Team identified the need for a risk reduction target that better 
described what their recommendations should achieve. NMFS estimated 
that to reduce serious injury and mortality below PBR, entanglement 
risk across U.S. fisheries needs to be reduced by 60 to 80 percent. 
There is much uncertainty regarding the source of entanglement 
mortality to the North Atlantic right whale population. There is no 
gear present or retrieved from most documented incidents of dead or 
seriously injured right whales. When gear is retrieved, it can rarely 
be identified to a fishery or to a location.

[[Page 86880]]

For the years 2009 through 2018, an average of five entanglement-
related serious injuries and mortalities a year were observed. Only 0.2 
a year could be attributed with certainty to U.S. fisheries and only 
0.7 a year to Canadian fisheries. An annual average of four documented 
incidental entanglement mortalities and serious injuries could not be 
attributed to a country.
    NMFS' has produced Guidelines for Assessing Marine Mammal Stocks to 
address how to consider PBR for transboundary stocks if certain 
information is available. Those Guidelines specify that in 
transboundary situations where a stock's range spans international 
boundaries or the boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 
the best approach is to establish an international management agreement 
for the species and to evaluate all sources of human-caused mortality 
and serious injury (U.S. and non-U.S.) relative to the PBR for the 
entire stock range. In the interim, if a transboundary stock is 
migratory and it is reasonable to do so, the fraction of time the stock 
spends in U.S. waters should be noted, and the PBR for U.S. fisheries 
should be apportioned from the total PBR based on this fraction. For 
non-migratory transboundary stocks (e.g., stocks with broad pelagic 
distributions that extend into international waters), if there are 
estimates of mortality and serious injury from U.S. and other sources 
throughout the stock's range, then PBR calculations should be based 
upon a range-wide abundance estimate for the stock whenever possible.
    Therefore, if a stock spends half its time in U.S. waters, PBR 
would be divided by two, resulting in a U.S. PBR for right whales of 
0.5. Thus, the U.S. fishery related mortality would need to be reduced 
to below 0.5 (instead of 0.9 as is currently the goal). The Atlantic 
Scientific Review Group (established under MMPA sec. 117) that advises 
NMFS on Stock Assessment Reports, including PBR calculations, does not 
support this approach yet because we do not have sufficient information 
to apportion time spent in U.S. versus Canadian waters. Therefore, the 
U.S. target goal remains 0.9; however, NMFS did consider the relative 
threat including the time right whales spend in U.S. and Canadian 
waters when apportioning the unattributed entanglement incidents to 
create the risk reduction target, as described below.
    For the purposes of creating a risk reduction target, NMFS assigned 
half of these right whale entanglement incidents of unknown origin to 
U.S. fisheries. Under this assumption, a 60 percent reduction in 
serious injury or mortality would be needed to reduce right whale 
serious injury and mortality in U.S. commercial fisheries, from an 
annual average of 2.2 to a PBR of 0.9 per year.
    The upper bound of the risk reduction target (80 percent) 
considered estimated but unseen right whale mortalities, generated by a 
new population model (described in Hayes et al. 2019). Because all 
observed mortalities that can be attributed to a source have been 
caused by either entanglements or vessel strikes (except for some 
natural neonate mortalities), estimated non-observed mortalities are 
likely caused primarily by entanglements and vessels strikes. However, 
there is no way to definitively apportion unseen but estimated 
mortality across causes or country of origin (United States or Canada). 
For the purposes of developing a conservative target, NMFS assumed that 
half of the unseen mortalities occurred in U.S. waters and were caused 
primarily by incidental entanglements.
    However, given the additional sources of uncertainty in the 80 
percent target, as well as the challenges achieving such a target 
without large economic impacts to the fishery, the Take Reduction Team 
focused on recommendations to achieve the lower 60 percent target.
    Additionally, to support the April 2019 Team meeting, the NMFS 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center created a preliminary decision 
support tool (DST): A model for analyzing and comparing how various 
proposal elements contributed toward the target risk reduction.
    Both the target risk reduction and the DST generated a common 
understanding of the scope of measures that NMFS determined were 
necessary to reduce mortality and serious injury to below the PBR level 
for right whales. After some discussion, there was general agreement 
that risk reduction should be shared across jurisdictions so that no 
one state or fishing area would bear the bulk of the restrictions. This 
encouraged adoption of measures across the Northeast Region that would 
be resilient to changes in North Atlantic right whale distribution 
within the region. All but one Team member agreed that NMFS should move 
forward on a framework of recommended modifications to achieve 60 
percent risk reduction. The dissenting Team member did not believe that 
the recommended modifications were sufficient to achieve PBR. The 
Team's recommendations was essentially a framework, largely dependent 
on extensive buoy line reduction goals and expansive requirements to 
use weak rope or weak insertions with breaking strengths of 1,700 lbs. 
(771 kgs.) or less that would allow large whales to break free of gear 
before a serious injury or mortality can occur (Knowlton et al. 2016).
    In acknowledgement of the regional diversity of the fisheries, New 
England states sought and were given the lead in developing measures 
and implementation details related to the Team's near-consensus 
recommendation. Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island 
conducted public meetings before and after drafting measures. NMFS also 
worked closely with the Team members that represent the Atlantic 
Offshore Lobster Association on measures for the northeast Offshore 
Trap/Pot Waters Area, widely referred to as Lobster Management Area 
(LMA) 3. NMFS conducted its own scoping in August 2019 (84 FR 37822, 
August 2, 2019), receiving over 130 unique written comments as well as 
over 89,000 form emails generated by about a dozen campaigns. Oral 
comments were also collected during eight public meetings attended by 
over 800 stakeholders. The measures proposed in this rule are drawn 
largely from proposals received from New England states. Those 
proposals can be found in Appendix 3.2 of the DEIS. As described in the 
DEIS associated with this action, some Plan modifications in state 
waters will be implemented by Maine and Massachusetts under state laws 
and so are not included in the proposed Federal measures. Additionally, 
some measures proposed by the states for this rulemaking were not 
adopted in the regulations proposed here because they were inconsistent 
between adjacent states. Public comments received during scoping were 
considered throughout the development of the DEIS and proposed rule 
(Appendix 3.3 of the DEIS).
    It should be noted that a draft population estimate developed by 
the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium for their October 2020 
meeting indicates that the right whale population has declined further, 
to about 366 right whales as of January 2019. Further peer review of 
this preliminary estimate is anticipated during Scientific Review Group 
meetings in early 2021 in preparation for an updated stock assessment. 
The updated stock assessment information along with other updates and 
analyses will be considered in drafting the final rule and 
environmental impact statement.

Summary of Proposed Changes

    NMFS proposes changes for lobster and crab trap/pot gear in the 
Northeast

[[Page 86881]]

Region. The proposed measures detailed below seek to reduce large whale 
entanglement largely through risk reduction measures consistent with 
the April 2019 Team recommendations, which can be found in Table 3.1 in 
the DEIS. The proposed changes fall into four primary categories: (1) 
Gear modifications to reduce the number of vertical lines; (2) seasonal 
restricted areas that allow ropeless fishing but would be seasonally 
closed to fishing with persistent buoy lines; (3) gear modifications to 
include replacement of buoy lines with weak rope or weak insertions 
placed in intervals in buoy lines; and (4) additional gear marking and 
expansion of gear marking requirements throughout the Northeast Region.
    Gear configuration changes to reduce line numbers include increases 
to the minimum number of traps per trawl (trawling up) in varying 
degrees related to distance from shore and area fished. In LMA 3, an 
extension of the maximum trawl length (distance between endlines) is 
also proposed to accommodate the increase in traps per trawl proposed 
for that area. Modified gear configuration to require weak rope in buoy 
lines or weak insertion at prescribed intervals in buoy lines are 
proposed across the Northeast Region crab/lobster fisheries. An 
alternative to allow fishermen the option of moving the weak link at 
the buoy connection to the surface system connect below the buoy is 
also proposed.
    We are co-proposing three alternatives, as described in more detail 
below, for consideration concerning seasonal restricted areas. Under 
the first alternative, analyzed in the DEIS, we propose two new 
seasonal restricted areas that would be open to harvest of lobster and 
Jonah crab using ropeless fishing technology that does not require the 
use of persistent buoy lines, as well as changes to existing Northeast 
Region seasonal restricted areas to allow fishing in those areas with 
ropeless technology. Northeast state-specific gear marking 
modifications are also proposed. Under the second alternative, there 
would be only one new seasonal restricted area south of Cape Cod and 
Nantucket Island. Under the third alternative, NMFS is co-proposing 
provisions under which the imposition of seasonal restrictions on 
fishing in an area proposed for seasonal restrictions in LMA1 offshore 
of Maine would be triggered only if certain determinations are made in 
the future. We are soliciting comment on the relative merits of the 
three co-proposed approaches, including comment concerning the factual 
justifications for each approach, the legal adequacy of each approach, 
and the impacts of each approach on fishermen and other affected 
stakeholders.
    In addition to the proposed Federal regulatory measures reflected 
in the proposed rule, modifications to the Plan to achieve at least a 
60 percent risk reduction includes some risk reduction measures that 
will be implemented by the states of Maine and Massachusetts in 
exempted or state waters. Specifically, in waters currently exempted 
from regulations under the ALWTRP, the Maine Department of Marine 
Resources (MEDMR) will require the use of a weak insertion that breaks 
at 1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.) or less halfway down the buoy line. Maine has 
already implemented gear marking requirements consistent with gear 
marking modifications proposed here. The gear marking changes in Maine 
become effective September 1, 2020 for all Maine lobster fishermen, 
including those in Maine exempted waters. The Massachusetts Department 
of Marine Fisheries (MADMF) will continue their recent practice of 
extending the state waters closure of the Massachusetts Restricted Area 
into May until surveys demonstrate right whales have left the area. The 
DEIS includes an analysis of the risk reduction of the Maine weak 
insertions and the Massachusetts closure of the state waters of the 
Massachusetts Restricted Area because they contribute to the required 
risk reduction. The economic impacts of state measures are not included 
in the economic analysis of the Federal rulemaking, however. 
Massachusetts will also restrict buoy line diameters to no greater than 
\3/8\ inch (0.95 cm) within state waters to restrain the introduction 
of larger diameter line into the fishery. Even \3/8\ inch (0.95 cm) 
diameter rope can break at strengths much greater than 1,700 lbs; 
therefore, while this measure may contribute to future risk reduction 
by constraining line diameter, that cannot be assumed, and it is 
difficult to estimate a quantitative risk reduction.
    As described fully in Chapter 3 of the DEIS, there are three 
categories of measures that contribute toward the target 60 percent 
risk reduction relative to the 2017 baseline:

 The proposed measures in this rulemaking
 the risk reduction measures that will be implemented by 
Massachusetts and Maine, and
 the lobster fishery management measures in LMA2 and LMA3 that 
have been implemented or are on a parallel regulatory track with ALWTRP 
modifications

    The measures in this proposed rule were selected because they 
include those developed by Maine, Massachusetts, and to a lesser extent 
Rhode Island after extensive stakeholder outreach, supplemented by 
additional proposed measures and estimated by the DST to, together with 
the state and existing and anticipated Federal fishery management 
measures, achieve the 60-percent risk reduction target. Additional 
analyses using a co-occurrence model developed by IEC Inc. for NMFS 
demonstrated that proposed plan modifications should reduce the co-
occurrence of North Atlantic right whales with lobster and crab buoy 
lines in the Northeast Region by about 69 percent.
    Estimating the risk reduction of the weak insertion measures is 
more difficult. Nearly all Northeast lobster and crab trap/pot buoy 
lines would be modified with weak insertion. However, following the 
state proposals, the proposed rule would not require the insertions at 
intervals of every 40 feet (12.2 m), which was discussed by the Team as 
the interval needed to ensure it is equivalent to weak rope. The depth 
of the lowest weak insertion is also significant, as a whale that 
encounters a line above the lowest weak insertion can break away from 
the trawl, reducing the burden of gear on the whale. The risk reduction 
analysis takes an average of a lower bound of risk reduction estimate 
that compares the number of insertions to the number that would be 
required to be equivalent to weak rope and an upper bound estimate that 
considers the amount of rope above the lowest weak insertion to be 
weak. By this estimate, the proposed weak rope measures would modify 
nearly 26 percent of the rope in buoy lines to break at 1,700 lbs. (771 
kgs.) or less.
    The economic analysis does not estimate the number of vessels 
affected under the Maine measures within Maine exempted waters. Beyond 
the Maine exemption area, 3,970 vessels would be impacted, with first 
year compliance costs estimated at $6.9 million to $15.4 million (DEIS 
Table 6.22). Over the first six years (selected as the average span of 
time between amendments and consistent with buoy line replacement 
timing), there will continue to be costs associated with catch losses 
due to trawl up and closure requirements. The average annual cost in 
those out years is estimated to be $5.7 million to $12.3 million at a 
three percent discount rate. If Maine and Massachusetts do not 
implement the state measures identified in their proposals, and 
upcoming LMA3 aggregated trap measures are not finalized, further 
modifications to the

[[Page 86882]]

Plan would be required to achieve at least the 60 percent target risk 
reduction in the Northeast Region lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot 
fisheries to reduce mortality and serious injury to below PBR for North 
Atlantic right whales. Compliance costs would increase if states did 
not take these actions and NMFS were to include in Federal regulation 
the Maine exemption area measures and the extension of the 
Massachusetts Restricted Area in state waters. As noted above, we are 
co-proposing three alternatives for consideration concerning seasonal 
restricted areas. As the first alternative, NMFS proposes two new 
seasonal restricted areas that would restrict buoy lines but would be 
open to ropeless fishing; that is, harvesting lobster and Jonah crabs 
would be allowed using trap/pot trawls that would be retrieved without 
the use of persistent buoy lines. The purpose of these restricted areas 
would be to achieve risk reduction and reduce mortalities and serious 
injuries to below PBR for right whales when combined with the other 
proposed measures described in this rulemaking. The addition of 
restricted areas open to ropeless fishing was not included in the 
ALWTRT framework recommendations, but a seasonal closure south of Cape 
Cod and Nantucket was proposed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to 
increase risk reduction in southern New England. A restricted area open 
to ropeless fishing in LMA1 was not included in any state proposal but 
is proposed here at Sec.  229.32(c)(6)(ii) to achieve sufficient risk 
reduction in the northern Gulf of Maine.
    While NMFS has included both seasonal restricted areas in the 
proposed regulatory text below, and analyzed them in the DEIS, NMFS has 
not yet made a final determination as to whether the LMA1 closure is 
necessary to meet the goal of a 60 percent risk reduction. Accordingly, 
NMFS is co-proposing two additional alternative options regarding this 
issue, and is seeking public comment as set forth below:
    Alternative 1-A (second co-proposed alternative): Not Including the 
LMA1 Seasonal Restricted Area.
    NMFS is seeking comment on the option to not include the LMA1 
seasonal restricted area in the final rule. Commenters that believe 
this additional restricted area is not warranted to achieve PBR are 
encouraged to provide specific information or analysis in support of 
not including the restricted area in the final rule. If NOAA receives 
information indicating that we can achieve the 60 percent risk 
reduction without the restricted area, we would consider not including 
the restricted area in the final rule. Additionally, if commenters 
believe that information will be available after issuance of the final 
rule on this topic, commenters should articulate the nature of that 
information, describe how the information might affect the decision, 
and propose a mechanism for evaluating that information in determining 
whether or not to continue with the restricted area.
    Alternative 1-B (third co-proposed alternative): Implementing the 
LMA1 Seasonal Restricted Areas Only If Certain Triggers are Met.
    NMFS is seeking comment on a proposal to provide that the Regional 
Administrator may implement the LMA1 closure only if certain triggers 
are met in the future. This option would require the Regional 
Administrator to examine the available information in advance of 
October in any given year and determine whether the closure is 
necessary. Specifically, the Regional Administrator would implement the 
closure if he or she determines that the frequency of entanglements has 
not been reduced below 60 percent from the effective date of the final 
rule. NMFS is considering the following specific language to implement 
this provision and is interested in any comments on this textual change 
(see Sec.  229.32(c)(6)(ii) Alternative 1-B).
    The Regional Administrator may determine whether the frequency of 
entanglements from the trap/pot gear in the Northeast region has been 
reduced by 60 percent from [the effective date of this rule] within a 
time period that allows meaningful analysis. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that the frequency of such entanglements has 
not been reduced by 60 percent, then from October 1 to January 31, it 
shall be prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in this 
area unless it is fished without buoy lines or with buoy lines that are 
stored on the bottom until they can be remotely released for hauling, 
or the trap/pot gear is stowed in accordance with Sec.  229.2. 
Authorizations for fishing without buoy lines must be obtained if such 
fishing would not be in accordance with surface marking requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84.
    As relevant to the first and third co-proposed alternatives, the 
proposed rule would also modify two existing restricted areas to allow 
fishing without buoy lines. This modification was also not in the Team 
recommendations or state proposals, but is proposed here to accelerate 
research and development of ropeless (buoyless) fishing methods so that 
in the future, commercial fishing using ropeless technology can be used 
instead of seasonal closures to allow trap pot fishing while protecting 
right whales. NOAA has invested a substantial amount of funding in the 
industry's development of ropeless gear, in specific geographic areas 
and in general. We anticipate that these efforts to facilitate and 
support the industry's development of ropeless gear will continue, 
pending appropriations.
    Finally, a number of housekeeping edits were made in the existing 
regulatory text. The initiation point was added as the final endpoint 
to the table describing the Great South Channel Area (see table 11 at 
50 CFR 229.32(c)(5)(i) in amended text) to fully enclose the restricted 
area. In a number of places, revisions were made describing the 
availability of guidance created to aid in compliance with gear 
configuration and marking measures. In a number of places, state 
abbreviations were replaced with the complete state names.
    See ADDRESSES for information on access to the DEIS for a detailed 
analysis of the impacts of the proposed measures and other measures 
considered.

Changes Proposed To Reduce the Number of Vertical Buoy Lines

    The proposed rule would reduce the number of vertical buoy lines 
fished outside of areas exempted under the Plan by increasing the 
minimum number of traps required per trawl (known as trawling-up), 
based on area fished and distance from shore as indicated in Table 1. 
Concerns have been raised that the trawling-up requirement of 45 traps 
per trawl in LMA3 may present a safety concern to a handful of LMA3 
vessels that have insufficient deck space or rope storage capacity. 
NMFS requests LMA3 fishery participants and other reviewers' comments 
on the feasibility of permit-specific conditions that would result in 
an average of 45 traps per trawl in LMA3, to achieve the same buoy line 
reduction.
    The trawling-up measures included in this proposed rule were 
proposed by the states or by LMA3 ALWTRT fishing industry participants. 
Outside of waters exempted from trawling up requirements under the 
ALWTRP, an estimated 19 percent reduction in buoy line numbers would be 
achieved by the proposed trawling-up measures described on Table 1. 
Note that MEDMR proposed an option for lobstermen to use fewer traps 
per trawl using one buoy line in a manner resulting in the same line 
proportion of buoy lines to pots (four traps on a single buoy between 
three and six miles, eight trap per single

[[Page 86883]]

buoy between 6 and 12 miles). NMFS is not proposing this at this time 
because past gear modifications allowing more than three pots per buoy 
were rescinded due to comments that those gear configurations resulted 
in gear conflicts and safety concerns. Outside of three miles, this 
option would also require modifications to regulations on lobster gear 
configuration found at 50 CFR 697.21(b)(2) requiring trawls of more 
than three traps to mark both ends of the trawl with buoys and radar 
reflectors. Although not proposed here, comments on this option are 
requested. Additionally, the proposed rule would require 45 traps per 
trawl in the Northeast LMA3 management area. This trawl configuration 
may pose logistic and safety concerns for a few smaller vessels 
permitted to fish in LMA3. Offshore lobster fishermen have suggested 
that they would consider individual permit conditions requiring some 
vessels to fish more traps/trawl to ensure that the average traps/trawl 
fished in the area, and therefore, the buoy line numbers will be the 
same as that analyzed for the proposed rule. Reviewers are asked to 
provide comments on whether equivalencies implemented through fishing 
permit conditions should be considered.

  Table 1--Proposed Regulatory Crab/Lobster Northeast Region Buoy Line Reduction Modifications to the Atlantic
                                         Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Distance from shore if
              Component                          Area                  applicable            Proposed measure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify minimum traps per trawl         Maine state waters.....  Maine Exemption line to  3 traps/trawl.
 requirements.                                                   3 nmi (5.56 km).
                                       Offshore Maine.........  3 nmi (5.56 km) to the   8 traps/trawl.
                                                                 6 mi line.
                                       All LMA1...............  6 mi line to 12 nmi      15 traps/trawl.
                                                                 (22.22 km).
                                       LMA2 and Outer Cape Cod  3-12 nmi (5.56-22.22     15 traps/trawl.
                                                                 km).
                                       LMA1 and LMA2..........  >12 nmi (22.22 km).....  25 traps/trawl.
                                       Northeast LMA3.........  .......................  45 traps/trawl.
Increase maximum trawl length to       Northeast LMA3.........  .......................  Extend maximum trawl
 accommodate traps/trawl.                                                                 length to 1.75 nm
                                                                                          (3.24 km).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: See 50 CFR 229.32 for delineations of regulated waters and associated terms, such as exempted waters. The
  ``6-mile line'' refers to an approximation, described in 50 CFR 229.32(a)(2)(ii).

Changes to Restricted Areas

    The proposed measures, summarized in Table 2, would modify current 
Northeast Region restricted areas to allow commercial trap/pot 
fisheries to harvest lobster and crabs if they fish with ropeless gear, 
without persistent buoy lines. The proposed modifications would affect 
two existing seasonal restricted areas currently closed to fishing: the 
Massachusetts Restricted Area (50 CFR 229.32(c)(3)) and the Great South 
Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area (50 CFR 229.32(c)(4)). However, no 
changes are proposed to the surface system requirements (buoys and 
radar reflectors required at either end of lobster trawls or bottom 
tending fixed gear) under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act (ACFCMA), 16 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. See 50 CFR 697.21. 
Therefore, fishermen harvesting lobster in these areas would need to 
get authorization from the appropriate state or Federal agency to be 
exempted from these surface marking requirements.
    This measure is not expected to introduce substantial fishing 
effort into the currently restricted areas, and any exempted fishing 
authorization would require methods, monitoring, and reporting that 
minimize the possibility of impacts on large whales. The purpose of 
this measure is to encourage fishermen to participate in the 
development of ropeless fishing, to improve operational feasibility and 
accelerate the timeline for adoption within commercial fishery 
operations. NMFS continues to prioritize ropeless fishing development 
and has initiated a pilot program to support ropeless experimentation 
and develop other innovative fishing gear technologies to reduce North 
Atlantic right whale entanglements in U.S. commercial fisheries as 
supported by fiscal year 2020 appropriations described in Senate Report 
116-127. We anticipate that these efforts to facilitate and support the 
industry's development of ropeless gear will continue, pending 
appropriation. Reviewers are asked to comment on this proposed measure.
    Two new seasonal restricted areas that would allow harvest of 
lobster and Jonah crab using bottom trap/pot trawl gear but without the 
use of persistent buoy lines are also proposed and summarized in Table 
2 and illustrated in Figure 1: (1) Offshore of Maine along the LMA1 and 
LMA3 border and (2) south of Cape Cod and Nantucket. The first proposed 
new seasonal lobster and crab trap/pot buoy line restricted area from 
October through January about 30 miles (48 km) offshore of Maine along 
the LMA1 and LMA3 border was discussed with MEDMR but was not included 
in their proposal to NMFS. This buoy line restricted area is proposed 
at 229.32(c)(6)(ii) to ensure that the risk reduction measures in LMA1 
approach the regional target risk reduction of 60 percent. The amount 
of risk reduction relative to the economic impact of the restricted 
area may vary in unpredictable ways during the restricted season. NMFS 
seeks comment as to whether restricted areas during certain months may 
have a disproportionately higher amount of economic impact. NMFS also 
seeks comment as to whether the proposed closure is necessary to 
achieve a sufficient level of risk reduction across the region or 
whether the buoy line closures should be excluded from the final rule. 
Additionally, as noted above and analyzed in the DEIS, while NMFS has 
included both proposed seasonal restricted areas in the proposed 
regulatory text below, NMFS has not yet made a final determination as 
to whether the LMA1 closure is necessary to meet the goal of a 60 
percent risk reduction. As such, NMFS is also considering two 
alternative options regarding this requirement, and is seeking public 
comment on these two options as well as the proposed restricted area as 
set forth below:
    Alternative Option 1-A. Invite Comment on not including the LMA1 
Seasonal Restricted Area.
    As an alternative to the proposed seasonal restricted areas, NMFS 
is also seeking comment on the option to not include the LMA1 seasonal 
restricted area. Commenters that believe this additional restricted 
area is not warranted to achieve PBR are encouraged to provide specific 
information or analysis in support of recommended removal of the 
restricted area from the proposed rule. If NOAA

[[Page 86884]]

receives information indicating that we can achieve the 60 percent risk 
reduction without the restricted area, we would consider not including 
the restricted area in the final rule. Additionally, if commenters 
believe that information will be available after issuance of the final 
rule on this topic, commenters should articulate the nature of that 
information, how the information might affect the decision, and propose 
a mechanism for evaluating that information in determining whether or 
not to continue with the restricted area.
    Alternative Option 1-B: Invite Comment on not including the LMA1 
Seasonal Restricted Areas Unless Certain Triggers are Met.
    As an alternative to the proposed seasonal restricted areas, NMFS 
is also seeking comment on the option to modify the regulatory 
structure such that the Regional Administrator may implement the LMA1 
closure if certain triggers are met in the future. This proposal would 
require the Regional Administrator to examine the available information 
in advance of October in any given year and determine whether the 
closure is necessary. Specifically, the Regional Administrator would 
implement the closure if he or she determines that the frequency of 
entanglements has not been reduced below 60 percent from the effective 
date of the final rule. NMFS is considering the following specific 
language to implement this provision and is interested in any comments 
on this textual change at Sec.  229.32(c)(6)(ii) Alternative 1-B.
    The Regional Administrator may determine whether the frequency of 
entanglements from the trap/pot gear in the Northeast region has been 
reduced by 60 percent from [the effective date of this rule] within a 
time period that allows meaningful analysis. If the Regional 
Administrator determines that the frequency of such entanglements has 
not been reduced by 60 percent, then from October 1 to January 31, it 
shall be prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in this 
area unless it is fished without buoy lines or with buoy lines that are 
stored on the bottom until they can be remotely released for hauling, 
or the trap/pot gear is stowed in accordance with Sec.  229.2. 
Authorizations for fishing without buoy lines must be obtained if such 
fishing would not be in accordance with surface marking requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84.
    The second proposed new seasonal lobster and crab trap/pot buoy 
line closure area was proposed by MADMF south of Cape Cod and Nantucket 
from February through April. These seasonal restricted areas closures 
are proposed as closures to buoy lines so that ropeless fishing for 
lobster and crab could occur with appropriate exemptions, as described 
above in discussion of changes to closure current restricted areas.
    Rhode Island fishermen may also be affected by the Massachusetts 
South Island Restricted Area in LMA2, and a restriction of buoy lines 
was not included in the Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries 
(RIDMF) proposal. RIDMF instead proposed that LMA2 fishermen fish with 
two weak buoy lines (considered to be top 75 percent of the buoy line, 
allowing 25 percent chafing line where the line makes contact with the 
ocean floor) to achieve 60 percent risk reduction. Although weak buoy 
lines are analyzed within Alternative 3 in the DEIS, the Massachusetts 
South of Island closure was selected for proposed rulemaking due to the 
demonstrated value of the Massachusetts Restricted Area to North 
Atlantic right whale protection and recent use by right whales in the 
area south of Nantucket.
    Through flexible state rulemaking, Massachusetts extends the 
current closure of state waters within the Massachusetts Restricted 
Area in May if whales remain. Taken together with line reduction 
measures and the two proposed buoy line closures, co-occurrence of 
trap/pot buoy lines with North Atlantic right whales would be reduced 
by an estimated 69 percent (Table 5.4, DEIS).

    Table 2--Proposed Regulatory Changes to Existing Northeast Region
  Restricted Areas and Addition of Two New Areas Prohibiting Persistent
                               Buoy Lines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Component              Proposed area           Measure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast Region Lobster and    Massachusetts      Would change the trap/
 Crab Trap/Pot Fishery           Restricted Area    pot fishery
 seasonal closures to            (50 CFR            restricted areas
 persistent buoy lines, open     229.32(c)(3))      from complete
 to harvest of lobster and       and Great South    fishing closures to
 Jonah crab using ropeless       Channel            closures to buoy
 technology; Ropeless fishing    Restricted Trap/   lines. Would allow
 would be allowed with           Pot Area (50 CFR   ropeless fishing for
 appropriate state and Federal   229.32(c)(4)).     crab and lobster
 authorizations for exemption                       with appropriate
 from Atlantic Coastal                              state and Federal
 Fisheries Cooperative                              authorization for
 Management Act and the                             exemption from the
 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery                           remaining surface
 Conservation and Management                        system marking
 Act surface marking                                requirements under
 requirements.                                      the Atlantic Coastal
                                                    Fisheries
                                                    Cooperative
                                                    Management Act and
                                                    the Magnuson-Stevens
                                                    Fishery Conservation
                                                    and Management Act.
                                New LMA1           October-January
                                 Restricted         proposed restricted
                                 Areas, across      area; open to
                                 Maine Lobster      fishing with
                                 Zones C/D/E.       ropeless technology
                                                    but closed to trap/
                                                    pot fishing with
                                                    persistent buoy
                                                    lines. See Figure 1.
                                                    Alternative 1-A No
                                                    Closure. Alternative
                                                    1-B Open unless a
                                                    determination is
                                                    made by the Regional
                                                    Administrator that
                                                    the frequency of
                                                    entanglements has
                                                    not been reduced by
                                                    60 percent, in which
                                                    case the area shall
                                                    be open from October-
                                                    January to fishing
                                                    with ropeless
                                                    technology but
                                                    closed to trap/pot
                                                    fishing with
                                                    persistent buoy
                                                    lines.
                                New Massachusetts  February-April
                                 South Island       proposed restricted
                                 Restricted Area.   area; open to
                                                    fishing with
                                                    ropeless technology
                                                    but closed to trap/
                                                    pot fishing with
                                                    persistent buoy
                                                    lines. See Figure 1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 86885]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP31DE20.046

Gear Modifications To Include Weak Line or Weak Insertions in Buoy 
Lines

    The proposed rule also identifies area-specific modifications to 
buoy lines to introduce weak rope or weak insertions breaking at 1,700 
lbs. (771 kgs.) or less at various depths on the buoy line to increase 
the likelihood that a large whale would break the line prior to 
becoming entangled in a manner that causes a serious injury or 
mortality (Table 3). NMFS has confirmed with gear manufacturers that 
they can include one alternate color in three-strand buoy lines that 
are manufactured to break at less than 1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.) to 
distinguish them from strong line of the same diameter. Publication of 
this proposed rule would be an indicator of future market demand that 
may spur the production of weak line that can be visibly 
differentiated.
    Weak insertions create places along the rope that have a breaking 
strength of 1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.) or less. The proposed regulations 
require a stipulation regarding the depths of weak insertions. Large 
whales including right whales appear to use the entire water column; 
therefore, encounters at depth can happen. We assume no risk reduction 
below the insertion. A large right whale encountering the rope above 
the weak insertion should be able to break free of the gear below the 
insertion with a lesser chance of serious injury. The closer the 
distance between weak insertions, the greater the benefit to right 
whales, with an ideal interval proposed by some Team members of 40 ft. 
(12.19 m), the average length of a right whale.
    The proposed weak rope and weak insertion measures included in the 
proposed rule are taken directly from state proposals. MEDMR is 
evaluating the breaking strength of weak insertion devices, and some 
that have effectively broken at or below 1,700 lbs (771 kgs) include: 
Use of an engineered rope designed to have a tensile strength of up to 
1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.); spliced insertion into a buoy line of a 3 to 6 
ft. (0.91 to 1.83 m) long length of rope engineered to break at 1,700 
lbs. (771 kgs.); and insertion of a 3 to 6 ft. (0.91 to 1.83 m) length 
of South Shore Lobster Fishermen's Association sleeve, a hollow braided 
sleeve that can be quickly integrated into typical three strand \5/16\ 
and \3/8\ inch (0.79 and 0.95 cm) diameter buoy line. Preliminary 
results of MEDMRs evaluations can be found in their proposal in 
Appendix 3.2 of the DEIS. Fishermen continue to test additional weak 
insertion configurations; therefore, additional options that 
demonstrate appropriate breaking strengths may be identified by the 
time of final rulemaking. The proposed rule requires inserts or weak 
line that has been demonstrated to break under forces greater than 
1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.), but allows the Regional Administrator to approve 
new weak insertion devices as they are developed and proven effective 
to respond to the diversity in fishing practices and available 
materials across the Northeast Region.
    The proposed requirements do not require weak insertions in the 
Maine exemption area because MEDMR will be requiring one insertion 
halfway down the buoy line in the exemption area through state 
regulations. The elements within the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 
2) were selected because the DST estimated together they would achieve 
a greater than 60-percent risk reduction. The analysis includes Maine's 
intention to require a weak insertion in their exemption waters. The 
weak line and weak insertion modifications proposed below estimates 
that outside of the Maine exemption area, all buoy lines in the 
Northeast Region would be modified under the proposed rule and more 
than 26 percent

[[Page 86886]]

of the rope in crab and lobster buoy lines would be weakened to 1,700 
lbs. (771 kgs.) or less. Planned state regulations would modify all 
buoy lines in Maine exempted waters so that an additional 31.7 percent 
of line would be equivalent to weak rope. If MEDMR does not implement 
weak insertion requirements in the exemption area, further 
modifications to the Plan may be needed to reduce risk of serious 
injury and mortality of North Atlantic right whales due to entanglement 
in the commercial Northeast Region lobster and crab trap/pot fisheries 
by 60 percent.
    In addition to weak rope and weak insertions along the length of 
the buoy lines, the proposed rule would also modify the current weak 
link requirement at the buoy. The rule would allow fishermen the option 
of inserting the weak links (at current area-specific strengths) where 
the surface system connects to the buoy line rather than requiring it 
at the buoy itself. This modification was requested by fishermen for 
operational reasons rather than risk reduction reasons. The change 
would not increase risk, and may allow a whale to break away from 
entire surface system, which can include multiple lines, buoys, and 
radar reflectors, rather than just releasing the buoys. This may have a 
positive benefits due to a reduction in entanglement complexity. 
Comments from fishermen and the public on this measure specifically are 
encouraged.
    We propose modifying the buoy weak link to provide fishermen with 
two options, the current connection close to the buoy or a weak link 
connecting the base of the surface system to the single buoy line. 
Moving the weak link to the base of the surface system could be 
required if there is information demonstrating this is a large risk 
reduction improvement. Finally, the non-preferred alternative in the 
DEIS (Alternative 3) considers removing the buoy weak link requirement 
for all buoy lines that would be required to have weak line or weak 
insertions farther down the buoy line. Under this configuration, a 
retained buoy could provide resistance that helps the buoy line to part 
lower down, or the buoy could pull the line away from the whale, 
increasing the possibility that it will fall from the whale. A retained 
buoy could also be helpful to large whale disentanglement responders, 
and buoys from commercial fisheries are usually required to be marked 
with vessel specific information that would provide information on the 
original location of entanglement. NMFS invites comments on all of 
these options.

     Table 3--Proposed Regulatory Changes To Require Weak Rope, Weak
     Insertions on Buoy Lines and Change to Weak Link Requirement on
          Northeast Region Crab and Lobster Trap/Pot Buoy Lines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Area including
          Component            distance from shore    Proposed measure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weak line/Weak Insertion....  From Maine exemption  2 weak insertions,
                               line to 3 nmi (5.56   at 25 percent and
                               km).                  50 percent down
                                                     buoy line.
                              New Hampshire/        1 weak insertion, at
                               Massachusetts/Rhode   50 percent down the
                               Island. From coast    buoy line.
                               to 3 nmi (5.56 km).
                              All Northeast         2 weak insertions,
                               Region. 3-12 nmi      at 25 percent and
                               (5.56 km-22.22 km).   50 percent down
                                                     line.
                              LMA1, LMA2, and       1 weak insertion, at
                               Outer Cape Cod. >12   35 percent down the
                               nmi (22.22 km).       line.
                              Northeast LMA 3.....  The top 75 percent
                                                     of one buoy line
                                                     weak.
Weak link placement option..  Entire Northeast      Allow option to
                               Region (Figure 1).    place weak link as
                                                     a connection
                                                     between the surface
                                                     system and the
                                                     single buoy line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gear Marking Changes

    Finally, the proposed rule would modify current gear marking 
requirements, introducing colored marks that identify state of permit 
issuance, as well as a 6-inch (15.24 cm) mark that distinguishes 
Northeast Region lobster and crab trap trawls in Federal waters from 
state waters. The rule would also add a 3 ft. (0.91 m) long mark within 
2 fathoms of the buoys to increase the possibility of detection and 
identification to state fishery from vessels and aerial survey 
aircraft. Proposed modifications are summarized in Table 4. The gear 
markings are based on proposals received from or discussed with New 
England States. Maine has already published gear marking requirements 
analogous to these measures, requiring gear marking on every Maine 
permitted lobster buoy line, effective in September 2020. Maine's gear 
marks for Federal waters are mirrored in these regulations. Multiple 
marking methods would be allowed including paint, tape, or colored rope 
insertions.
    While existing gear marking requirements have increased the amount 
of retrieved gear with marks, they do not provide sufficient 
entanglement location information. The proposed gear marking scheme 
would increase the number of marks present by approximately 56 percent 
(not including Maine exempt waters, which are regulated under state 
requirements and will substantially increase the number of marked 
lobster buoy lines there), increasing the chances that gear will be 
recovered with visible marks. The proposed gear marking would not 
impact the probability of whales becoming entangled in commercial 
fishing gear nor would they affect the severity of an entanglement 
should one occur. However, the markings would increase the information 
available regarding the fishery and state of origin of large whale 
entanglements to aid the efforts of NMFS and the ALWTRT in assessing, 
and if needed reducing, entanglements in U.S. commercial fisheries that 
cause mortalities and serious injuries of North Atlantic right whales 
and other large whales.

[[Page 86887]]



     Table 4--Proposed Regulatory Changes to Gear Marking on Northeast Crab and Lobster Trap/Pot Buoy Lines
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Area                                        Proposed gear marking measure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entire Northeast Management Area (see    3-ft long state-specific mark (see color below) within 2 fathoms of the
 figure 1) except Maine exemption area.   buoy. In Federal waters, an additional 6-inch green mark within 1 ft.
                                          of 3-ft mark.
Maine Exemption Area...................  3-ft long mark within 2 fathoms of the buoy. One or two additional 1-ft
                                          marks (depth dependent) through state regulation only.
Maine Non-Exempt.......................  Purple. Three 1-ft marks: At top, middle and bottom of line. In Federal
                                          waters, an additional 6-inch green buoy line mark within 2 fathoms of
                                          buoy.
New Hampshire..........................  Yellow. In state waters: Two 1-ft marks in the top half and bottom half
                                          of buoy line. Beyond state waters, three 1-ft marks: At top, middle
                                          and bottom of line. In Federal waters, an additional 6-inch green mark
                                          within 1 ft. of 3-ft mark within 2 fathoms of buoy.
Massachusetts..........................  Red. In state waters: Two 1-ft marks in the top half and bottom half of
                                          buoy line. Beyond state waters three 1-ft marks: At top, middle and
                                          bottom of line. In Federal waters, an additional 6-inch green mark
                                          within 1 ft. of 3-ft mark within 2 fathoms of buoy.
Rhode Island...........................  Silver/Gray. In state waters: Two 1-ft marks in the top half and bottom
                                          half of buoy line. Beyond state waters three 1-ft marks at top, middle
                                          and bottom of line. In Federal waters, an additional 6-inch green mark
                                          within 1 ft. of 3-ft mark within 2 fathoms of buoy.
LMA 3..................................  Retain Black. In Federal waters add a 3-ft long mark within 2 fathoms
                                          of the buoy, and an additional 6-inch green mark within 1 ft. of 3-ft
                                          mark within 2 fathoms of buoy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Addition to Definitions

    To ensure clarity related to the management areas that are 
referenced but were developed for the American lobster fishery, a 
definition for ``Lobster Management Area'' is provided, citing the 
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act regulations at 50 
CFR 697.18.
    For clarity related to proposed changes in weak link and gear 
marking requirements, the proposed rule would add a definition for 
``surface system'' to the definitions in Sec.  229.2.

Change in the Maximum Length of a Lobster Trap Trawl

    In addition to changes to 50 CFR part 229, the proposed rule would 
revise Federal regulations implemented under the Atlantic State Marine 
Fisheries Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Lobster 
at 50 CFR 697.21. The proposed modification would increase the maximum 
length of a lobster trap trawl from 1.5 nm (2.78 km) to 1.75 nm (3.24 
km) in LMA3 as measured from radar reflector to radar reflector, to 
accommodate a proposed increase in the minimum number of traps per 
trawl in LMA3.

Risk Reduction Target of 60 Percent

    The proposed changes are intended to achieve a regional risk 
reduction target of at least 60 percent within the Northeast Region 
lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries. The Team will be convened to 
develop recommendations to modify the Plan to reduce risk in other U.S. 
Atlantic fisheries in meetings in 2021. A 60 percent risk reduction 
across U.S. commercial fisheries is the minimum that NMFS believes is 
necessary to reduce the incidental mortalities and serious injuries to 
below the potential biological removal level for right whales (0.9 
potential biological removal level to 0.9 right whales (see Section 
2.1.5 of the DEIS) based on documented serious injuries and 
mortalities. This rulemaking is intended to reduce the risk of 
entanglement within the Northeast Region lobster and Jonah crab 
fisheries by 60 percent, which fish about 93 percent of the buoy lines 
that occur in areas in the United States where right whales occur. NMFS 
will develop measures to reduce the risk within other fisheries by a 
similar amount so that the risk reduction target of 60 percent across 
U.S. commercial fisheries is achieved. NMFS seeks comment as to whether 
the allocation of risk reduction in the proposed rule is appropriate 
relative to other fixed gear fisheries (e.g., gillnets) in the region 
that contribute to the risk of entanglement. Commenters that believe a 
lower target for risk reduction is warranted should provide specific 
information or analysis in support of any recommended level.

Classification

    The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed 
rule is consistent with the Plan and the provisions of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act, the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative 
Management Act, and other applicable law, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NMFS prepared a DEIS for this proposed rule that discusses the 
potential impacts of proposed changes to the ALWTRP on the environment. 
In addition to the status quo (Alternative 1), two alternatives are 
analyzed, Alternative 2 (preferred and the basis of this proposed rule) 
and Alternative 3. Alternatives 2 and 3 would both modify existing 
seasonal restricted areas from closure areas to areas closed to 
persistent buoy lines rather than closed to harvesting lobster and 
crab, reduce the number of vertical buoy lines fished in northeast 
lobster and crab trap/pot fisheries, deploy weak rope to allow whales 
to break free before being killed or seriously injured, seasonally 
close some areas to crab and lobster trap/pot fishing with persistent 
buoy lines, and increase gear marking requirements across the Northeast 
Region lobster and crab trap/pot fisheries. Alternative 2 would reduce 
buoy lines through an increase in minimum traps/trawl based on area 
fished. Alternative 3 would reduce lines by providing a line allocation 
in Federal waters capped at half the lines fished in 2017. While 
Alternative 2 weak buoy line provisions allow the use of a small number 
of weak insertions, under Alternative 3 those insertions would be 
required every 40 ft. along the buoy line or engineered weak rope would 
be required. Alternative 3 has more and larger seasonal restricted 
areas closed to buoy lines. An analysis of the impacts of the Federal 
portion of the two action alternatives estimates that Alternative 2 
would reduce the co-occurrence of North Atlantic right whales and buoy 
lines in these fisheries by 69 percent and would modify 26 percent of 
the rope in vertical buoy lines to be weakened lines. Co-occurrence of 
humpback and fin whales with vertical lines would also be reduced by 19 
and 27 percent, respectively. Alternative 3 would reduce the co-
occurrence of North Atlantic right whales by 86

[[Page 86888]]

percent or greater and would modify 75 percent of rope in remaining 
vertical buoy lines to be weakened lines. Co-occurrence of fin and 
humpback whales with buoy lines would also be reduced by over 56 
percent and 58 percent, respectively, in Alternative 3. Because of the 
extensive gear marking and weak rope provisions under both 
alternatives, 3,970 vessels would be affected. The estimated annualized 
compliance costs of each action alternative are $5.7 to $12.3 million 
for Alternative 2 and $16.3 to $31.8 million for Alternative 3. A copy 
of the DEIS is available in the docket or from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). 
Reviewers are asked to comment on and identify support for Alternative 
1, 2 or 3.

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and Executive 
Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs

    This proposed rule has been determined significant for the purposes 
of Executive Order 12866. This proposed rule is expected to be an 
Executive Order 13771 regulatory action. Depending on the assumptions 
used, the estimated total cost of this rule over the first six years of 
implementation, in 2020 dollars, is between $24.5 and $53.5 million.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NMFS prepared an IRFA as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA describes the economic impact this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A description 
of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this 
action are contained at the beginning of this section in the preamble 
and in the SUMMARY section of the preamble. A copy of this analysis is 
available in the docket or from NMFS (see ADDRESSES), and a summary 
follows.

Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities To Which This 
Proposed Rule Would Apply

    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 (North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) code 11411) is classified by NMFS as including those 
businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary industry is 
commercial fishing and who have $11 million or less in annual gross 
receipts. This standard applies to all businesses classified under 
NAICS code 11411 for commercial fishing, including all businesses 
classified as commercial finfish fishing (NAICS 114111), commercial 
shellfish fishing (NAICS 114112), and other commercial marine fishing 
(NAICS 114119) businesses. Data are not available to ascertain non-
ownership interests needed to confirm the Small Business Act definition 
of ``affiliations;'' therefore, the Social Sciences Branch (SSB) of the 
NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center created an affiliated database. 
There are three major components of this dataset: Vessel affiliation 
information, landing values by species, and vessel permits. All 
federally permitted vessels in the Northeast Region from 2016 to 2018 
are included in this dataset. Vessels are affiliated into entities 
according to common owners. The entity definition used by the SSB uses 
only unique combinations of owners.
    Since this proposed regulation applies only to the crab and lobster 
pot/trap vessels in the Northeast Region, entities that possess one or 
more of these permits are evaluated. For each affiliation, the revenues 
from all member vessels of the entity are summed into affiliation 
revenue in each year. On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule 
establishing a small business size standard of $11 million in annual 
gross receipts for all businesses primarily engaged in the commercial 
fishing industry (NAICS 11411) for RFA compliance purposes only. The 
$11 million standard became effective on July 1, 2016. Thus, the RFA 
defines a small business in the lobster fishery as a firm that is 
independently owned and operated with receipts of $11 million or less 
annually. Based on this size standard, if the three-year average (2016-
2018) affiliation revenue is greater than $11 million, the fishing 
business is considered to be a large entity, otherwise it is a small 
entity.
    Within the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) SSB database, 
1,591 distinct entities were identified as regulated entities. Using 
landings data, four of these entities are considered large entities. 
Because the regulations will also affect fishermen holding only state 
permits, the vertical buoy line estimates within the NMFS/IEC Co-
Occurrence model were used to identify an addition estimate of 1,913 
active vessels fishing in state waters that would be regulated by the 
proposed rule. In total, therefore, there are 3,504 regulated entities.
    While we do not have data to determine the dependence of state 
permitted vessels on lobster landings, if they are analogous to the 
small entities fishing under Federal permits, they are likely to be 
dependent on lobster landings, as further described below. To determine 
the number of impacted entities within the NEFSC data, we identified 
whether one or more members of an affiliation landed lobster in 2018. 
These are entities likely to be impacted by the proposed regulations. 
The determination of whether an entity is a large or small entity is 
based on three-year average affiliation revenue from 2016 to 2018. 
Based on these characteristics, we identified 1,591 distinct entities 
as regulated entities, including 259 entities with no fishing revenue 
in 2018, and 111 entities (one large, 110 small) with no 2018 lobster 
landings. That is, there are 1,221 federally permitted vessels that 
would be impacted by the proposed rule because at least one vessel in 
the entity landed lobster in the past year (Table 5). Only three of the 
affected entities would be considered large entities; 1,218 are 
Federally-permitted small entities. We assume that in addition to 
those, the 1,912 vessels in state waters would also be impacted, for a 
total of 3,130 impacted small entities.
    As estimated in Chapter 9 of the DEIS, Table 5 displays the average 
profit for all large and small entities, compared to their mean total 
revenue. Results indicate the profitability for large entities is 1.77 
percent and for small entities is 18.48 percent. As such, we could 
conclude that the action would not create more significant economic 
impact on small entities compared to large entities.

                               Table 5--Profitability of Large and Small Entities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Mean total     Profitability
                                                                    Mean profit       revenue           (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Entity....................................................        $469,784     $26,485,600            1.77
Small Entity....................................................          52,235         282,586           18.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 86889]]

    Under Alternative Two, a few measures are proposed to reduce the 
probability of serious injury and mortality of North Atlantic right 
whales including weak ropes, minimum trawl length requirement, and 
restricted areas. A gear marking requirement is also proposed to 
increase the chance of threat identification. All these measures 
generate a series of compliance costs for small entities.
    As discussed in Chapter 6 of the DEIS, we assume the rulemaking 
cycle is six years, considered the approximate replacement time for 
buoy lines. Table 6 displays the compliance costs for all affected 
entities from Year 1 to Year 6. Year 0 is the status quo, so the 
compliance cost is zero, and we do not include it in the table. The 
discount rate of three percent and seven percent are used for the 
annualized value calculation. Weak rope only generate costs in Year 1, 
while gear marking needs to be replaced every year. Trawling up and 
restricted area measures have costs in the subsequent years due to the 
catch reduction impacts. At seven percent discount rate, the trawling 
up measures have the highest annual cost of $2.8 to $9.4 million. Gear 
marking would cost $2.5 million each year. Weak rope and restricted 
areas (seasonal buoy line closures) cost less than half a million 
dollars annually. The total annual cost of all measures ranges from 
$5.9 million to $12.8 million. If applied to roughly 3,100 affected 
small entities, each entity would have to bear a compliance cost of 
$1,900 to $4,100 per year for six years. If we are applying a three 
percent discount rate, the final cost for each vessel would be around 
$1,700 to $3,600 per year. In terms of realized Year 1 costs, 
compliance costs would range between $2,200 and $5,000 but would be 
lower in Years 2-6. The Year 1 costs would result in an estimated 
reduction in profit ranging from 4.3 percent to 9.5 percent.

                                                Table 6--Yearly Compliance Cost of Preferred Alternative
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Gear                  Trawling up  Trawling up   Restricted   Restricted
                      Year                          marking     Weak rope      lower        upper      area lower   area upper  Total lower  Total upper
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...............................................   $2,017,283   $2,152,497   $2,660,792  $10,957,354     $106,259     $315,300   $6,936,831  $15,442,434
2...............................................    2,017,283            0    4,239,722   12,236,593      106,259      315,300    6,363,264   14,569,176
3...............................................    2,017,283            0    3,179,791    9,517,350      106,259      315,300    5,303,333   11,849,933
4...............................................    2,017,283            0    2,119,861    6,798,107      106,259      315,300    4,243,403    9,130,690
5...............................................    2,017,283            0    1,059,930    4,078,864      106,259      315,300    3,183,472    6,411,447
6...............................................    2,017,283            0            0    1,359,621      106,259      315,300    2,123,542    3,692,204
PV..............................................   12,103,698    2,152,497   13,260,096   44,947,889      637,554    1,891,800   28,153,845   61,095,884
AV (3%).........................................    2,234,312      397,346    2,447,781    8,297,268      117,691      349,222    5,197,129   11,278,147
AV (7%).........................................    2,539,305      451,585    2,781,912    9,429,878      133,756      396,892    5,906,558   12,817,660
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: 1. Year 1 to year 6 values are in 2017 dollars.
2. PV represents net present value of year 1 to year 6, also in 2017 dollars.
3. AV represents annualized value of the net present value. It is an equalized yearly cost during the 6-year time period with 3% and 7% discount rate.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The gear marking requirements in this proposed rule constitute a 
revision to the information collection burden estimates, subject to 
review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), OMB Control Number 0648-0364. The 
DEIS includes two alternatives which both include gear marking 
modifications and on which NMFS is soliciting comment here.
    Comments are requested on assumptions made in estimating the public 
reporting burden associated with gear marking, including proposed 
revisions. In addition to new marks that would be required under this 
proposed rulemaking, we have revised past assumptions that fishermen 
replace about 20 percent of their buoy lines each year and therefore 
replace 20 percent of the gear marks annually. Based on new information 
from a NMFS gear specialist, burden estimates now include an assumption 
that fishermen will recreate every mark each year. The estimated time 
required to mark buoy lines has also increased to account for the new 
marks required and based on new information that the estimated time to 
make each mark is about 8.4 minutes for each mark. We estimate an 
average of 334.4 marks for each vessel, for a total reporting burden of 
an average of 47 hours per year for each of the 1,670 vessels, 
including the time and costs in acquiring gear marking materials. The 
total labor cost is estimated to be $1,963,949. Previous burden 
estimates assumed that 3,672 fishermen (including Maine fishermen 
outside of the Maine exempted waters) would replace an average of about 
47 marks per vessel each year, with each mark taking 5 minutes, and a 
total burden cost estimate of $199,540 per year.
    Reviewers are asked to comment and provide data on whether this 
proposed revision to the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance and function of the agency, including: The practical 
utility of the information; the accuracy of the burden estimate; the 
opportunities to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and the ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to the NMFS 
Greater Atlantic Region at the ADDRESSES above. Notwithstanding any 
other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, and no 
person shall be subject to penalty for failure to comply with, a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, 
unless that collection of information is conducted under OMB Control 
Number 0648-0364.

Federal Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the 
Proposed Rule

    This action does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.

Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which 
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which 
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities

    This rule proposes to amend the ALWTRP to reduce the incidental 
mortality and serious injury to North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena 
glacialis), humpback (Megaptera Novaeangliae) and fin whales 
(Balaenoptera physalus) in the northeast commercial lobster and crab 
trap/pot fisheries to meet the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition, this 
action also proposes a small revision to Federal regulations

[[Page 86890]]

implemented under the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commissions' 
Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Lobster to increase the maximum 
length of a lobster trap trawl groundline to accommodate a gear 
configuration modification proposed in the Plan amendment.
    Because incidental entanglement-related serious injury and 
mortality of North Atlantic right whales is above PBR, and the 
population is declining, the primary purpose of the proposed 
modifications is to reduce mortality and serious injury of right whales 
incidental to northeast U.S. crab and lobster trap/pot gear to below by 
greater than 60 percent. A reduction in entanglement incidents and 
serious injuries would also reduce sub-lethal impacts to right whales. 
NMFS estimated that to reduce mortality and serious injury to below 
PBR, entanglement risk across U.S. fisheries needs to be reduced by 60 
to 80 percent. Non-preferred alternatives would likely not accomplish 
these objectives for this action or would be less cost effective.
    Alternative 1 (status quo) would not modify the Plan or reduce the 
risk of mortality or serious injury of right whales to below its PBR 
level as required by the MMPA.
    Alternative 3 would reduce the amount of line in the water via a 
line cap allocation to 50 percent of the lines fished in 2017, 
implemented in Federal and non-exempt waters except in LMA3. An 
increase in the minimum traps per trawl requirement would be 
implemented in LMA3. Under this alternative, existing closures to 
fishing would be modified to be closed to fishing with persistent buoy 
lines. The Massachusetts Bay Restricted area would also be extended 
with a soft closure through May, opening if surveys demonstrate that 
whales have left the restriction area. Three new seasonal restricted 
areas would allow ropeless fishing but be closed to buoy lines, 
including a longer restricted period for the LMA1 Restricted Area and a 
summer buoy line restriction in an area north of George's Bank at 
Georges Basin. Two alternative buoy line restricted area options are 
analyzed south of Cape Cod. Additional measures in Alternative 3 
include conversion of a portion of the top 75 percent of all lobster 
and crab trap/pot vertical buoy lines to weaker rope with a maximum 
breaking strength of 1, 700 lbs. (771.1 kgs.). The Alternative also 
includes a more robust gear marking requirement that differentiates 
buoy lines by state and fishery and expands into areas previously 
exempt from gear marking.
    Alternative 3 demonstrated better risk reduction than Alternative 
2, but at a much greater cost. The DST estimated the preferred 
alternative proposed in this rulemaking would achieve over 60 percent 
risk reduction for lobster and crab trap/pot buoys in the Northeast 
Region, within the target established for reaching right whale PBR. The 
Co-Occurrence model suggested that co-occurrence would be reduced by 
over 69 percent and that more than 26 percent of the buoy lines in the 
regulated area would be modified to weak lines. The estimated cost of 
bringing gear into compliance and lost landings in the first year 
ranges from $6.04 to $14.5 million.
    The DST estimated that Alternative 3 achieved a risk reduction 
score of nearly 70 percent, and the Co-occurrence Model estimated a co-
occurrence reduction of greater than 86 percent. This alternative would 
increase the likelihood of reducing mortality and serious injury to 
below PBR for right whales even when taking into account cryptic 
mortality (estimated but unseen). However, the estimated costs 
associated with Alternative Three are substantially higher; ranging 
from $35.0 million to $53.6 million in first year implementation costs.
    Alternative 2 was selected as the preferred alternative and is 
proposed for rule making because it addresses the Purpose and Need for 
Action stated in this DEIS, is made up primarily of measures proposed 
by New England states with extensive input from fishing industry 
stakeholders who will be directly affected by the measures, and 
includes measures that will help to conserve large whales by reducing 
the potential for and severity of interactions with commercial fishing 
gear that may lead to mortalities and serious injuries. In addition, 
NMFS believes that its preferred alternative achieves these goals while 
reducing, to the extent possible, the adverse socioeconomic impacts of 
the rule. On this basis, NMFS believes that Alternative 2 (Preferred) 
offers the best option for achieving compliance with MMPA requirements.

Coastal Zone Management

    NMFS has determined that this action is consistent to the maximum 
extent practicable with the approved coastal management programs of the 
U.S. Atlantic coastal states. This determination has been submitted for 
review by the responsible state agencies under section 307 of the 
Coastal Zone Management Act.

Federalism

    This proposed rule contains policies with federalism implications 
as that term is defined in Executive Order 13132. Accordingly, the 
Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs will 
provide notice and invite for appropriate participation in the 
proceedings for the proposed action to the appropriate official(s) of 
affected state, local, and/or tribal governments.

Endangered Species Act

    An Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation has been initiated 
and will be completed prior to publication of a final rule. Previously, 
NMFS completed an ESA Section 7 consultation on the implementation of 
the Plan on July 15, 1997, and concluded that the action was not likely 
to adversely affect any ESA-listed species under NMFS jurisdiction. 
Three subsequent consultations were concluded in 2004, 2008, 2014, and 
2015, when NMFS amended the Plan. NMFS, as both the action agency and 
the consulting agency, reviewed the changes and determined that the 
measures as revised through rulemaking would not affect ESA-listed 
species under NMFS jurisdiction in a manner that had not been 
previously considered.

References

Knowlton, A.R., J. Robbins, S. Landry, H.A. McKenna, S.D. Kraus, and 
T.B. Werner. 2016. Effects of fishing rope strength on the severity 
of large whale entanglements. Conserv Biol 30:318-328.
Pace, R.M., 3rd, P.J. Corkeron, and S.D. Kraus. 2017. State-space 
mark-recapture estimates reveal a recent decline in abundance of 
North Atlantic right whales. Ecology and Evolution 7:8730-8741.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 229

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Endangered species, Fisheries, Marine mammals, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

50 CFR Part 697

    Fisheries, Fishing.

    Dated: December 22, 2020.
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 229 and 697 
are proposed to be amended as follows:

[[Page 86891]]

PART 229--AUTHORIZATION FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERIES UNDER THE MARINE 
MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972

0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 229 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; Sec.  229.32(f) also issued 
under 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

0
2. In Sec.  229.2, add definitions for ``Lobster Management Area'' and 
``Surface system'' in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  229.2   Definitions.

* * * * *
    Lobster Management Area as used in this part means the management 
areas defined in the American Lobster Fishery regulations found at 
Sec.  697.18 of this title.
* * * * *
    Surface system, with reference to trap/pot and fixed gillnet gear, 
includes the components at the sea surface to identify the presence of 
stationary bottom fishing gear, and includes buoys, radar reflectors, 
and high flyers as well as the rope that connect these components to 
the vertical buoy line that connects to the bottom gear.
* * * * *
0
3. Revise Sec.  229.32 to read as follows:


Sec.  229.32   Atlantic large whale take reduction plan regulations.

    (a) Purpose and scope--(1) Whales and fixed gear fisheries. The 
purpose of this section is to implement the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan to reduce incidental mortality and serious injury of 
fin, humpback, and right whales in specific Category I and Category II 
commercial fisheries from Maine through Florida. Specific Category I 
and II commercial fisheries within the scope of the Plan are identified 
and updated in the annual List of Fisheries. The measures identified in 
the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan are also intended to 
benefit minke whales, which are not designated as a strategic stock, 
but are known to be taken incidentally in gillnet and trap/pot 
fisheries. The gear types affected by this plan include gillnets (e.g., 
anchored, drift, and shark) and traps/pots. The Assistant Administrator 
may revise the requirements set forth in this section in accordance 
with paragraph (i) of this section.
    (2) Regulated waters--(i) U.S. Atlantic waters. The regulations in 
this section apply to all U.S. waters in the Atlantic except for the 
areas exempted in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Six-mile line. The six-mile line referred to in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv) of this section is a line connecting the following points 
(Machias Seal to Provincetown):

                     Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(2)(ii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
44[deg]31.98' N lat., 67[deg]9.72' W long (Machias Seal)
44[deg]3.42' N lat., 68[deg]10.26' W long (Mount Desert Island)
43[deg]40.98' N lat., 68[deg]48.84' W long (Matinicus)
43[deg]39.24' N lat., 69[deg]18.54' W long (Monhegan)
43[deg]29.4' N lat., 70[deg]5.88' W long (Casco Bay)
42[deg]55.38' N lat., 70[deg]28.68' W long (Isle of Shoals)
42[deg]49.53' N lat., 70[deg]32.84' W long
42[deg]46.74' N lat., 70[deg]27.70' W long
42[deg]44.18' N lat., 70[deg]24.91' W long
42[deg]41.61' N lat., 70[deg]23.84' W long
42[deg]38.18' N lat., 70[deg]24.06' W long
42[deg]35.39' N lat., 70[deg]25.77' W long
42[deg]32.61' N lat., 70[deg]27.91' W long
42[deg]30.00' N lat., 70[deg]30.60' W long
42[deg]17.19' N lat., 70[deg]34.80' W long
42[deg]12.48' N lat., 70[deg]32.20' W long
42[deg]12.27' N lat., 70[deg]25.98' W long
42[deg]11.62' N lat., 70[deg]16.78' W long
42[deg]12.27' N lat., 70[deg]10.14' W long
42[deg]12.05' N lat., 70[deg]54.26' W long
42[deg]11.20' N lat., 70[deg]17.86' W long
42[deg]09.55' N lat., 69[deg]58.80' W long (Provincetown)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) Maine pocket waters. The pocket waters referred to in 
paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section are defined as follows:

                    Table 2 to Paragraph (a)(2)(iii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
West of Monhegan Island in the area north of the line 43[deg]42.17' N
 lat., 69[deg]34.27' W long and 43[deg]42.25' N lat., 69[deg]19.3' W
 long
East of Monhegan Island in the area located north of the line 43[deg]44'
 N lat., 69[deg]15.08' W long and 43[deg]48.17' N lat., 69[deg]8.02' W
 long
South of Vinalhaven Island in the area located west of the line
 43[deg]52.31' N lat., 68[deg]40' W long and 43[deg]58.12' N lat.,
 68[deg]32.95' W long
South of Bois Bubert Island in the area located northwest of the line
 44[deg]19.27' N lat., 67[deg]49.5' W long and 44[deg]23.67' N lat.,
 67[deg]40.5' W long
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Exempted waters--(i) COLREGS demarcation line. The regulations 
in this section do not apply to waters landward of the 72 COLREGS 
demarcation lines (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions 
at Sea, 1972), as depicted or noted on nautical charts published by the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Coast Charts 1:80,000 
scale), and as described in 33 CFR part 80 with the exception of the 
COLREGS lines for Casco Bay (Maine), Portsmouth Harbor (New Hampshire), 
Gardiners Bay and Long Island Sound (New York), and the State of 
Massachusetts.
    (ii) Other exempted waters--(A) Maine. The regulations in this 
section

[[Page 86892]]

do not apply to waters landward of a line connecting the following 
points (Quoddy Narrows/U.S.-Canada border to Odiornes Pt., Portsmouth, 
New Hampshire):

                   Table 3 to Paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(A)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
44[deg]49.67' N lat., 66[deg]57.77' W long. (R N ``2'', Quoddy Narrows)
44[deg]48.64' N lat., 66[deg]56.43' W long. (G ``1'' Whistle, West
 Quoddy Head)
44[deg]47.36' N lat., 66[deg]59.25' W long. (R N ``2'', Morton Ledge)
44[deg]45.51' N lat., 67[deg]02.87' W long. (R ``28M'' Whistle, Baileys
 Mistake)
44[deg]37.70' N lat., 67[deg]09.75' W long. (Obstruction, Southeast of
 Cutler)
44[deg]27.77' N lat., 67[deg]32.86' W long. (Freeman Rock, East of Great
 Wass Island)
44[deg]25.74' N lat., 67[deg]38.39' W long. (R ``2SR'' Bell, Seahorse
 Rock, West of Great Wass Island)
44[deg]21.66' N lat., 67[deg]51.78' W long. (R N ``2'', Petit Manan
 Island)
44[deg]19.08' N lat., 68[deg]02.05' W long. (R ``2S'' Bell, Schoodic
 Island)
44[deg]13.55' N lat., 68[deg]10.71' W long. (R ``8BI'' Whistle, Baker
 Island)
44[deg]08.36' N lat., 68[deg]14.75' W long. (Southern Point, Great Duck
 Island)
43[deg]59.36' N lat., 68[deg]37.95' W long. (R ``2'' Bell, Roaring Bull
 Ledge, Isle Au Haut)
43[deg]59.83' N lat., 68[deg]50.06' W long. (R ``2A'' Bell, Old Horse
 Ledge)
43[deg]56.72' N lat., 69[deg]04.89' W long. (G ``5TB'' Bell, Two Bush
 Channel)
43[deg]50.28' N lat., 69[deg]18.86' W long. (R ``2 OM'' Whistle, Old Man
 Ledge)
43[deg]48.96' N lat., 69[deg]31.15' W long. (GR C ``PL'', Pemaquid
 Ledge)
43[deg]43.64' N lat., 69[deg]37.58' W long. (R ``2BR'' Bell, Bantam
 Rock)
43[deg]41.44' N lat., 69[deg]45.27' W long. (R ``20ML'' Bell, Mile
 Ledge)
43[deg]36.04' N lat., 70[deg]03.98' W long. (RG N ``BS'', Bulwark Shoal)
43[deg]31.94' N lat., 70[deg]08.68' W long. (G ``1'', East Hue and Cry)
43[deg]27.63' N lat., 70[deg]17.48' W long. (RW ``WI'' Whistle, Wood
 Island)
43[deg]20.23' N lat., 70[deg]23.64' W long. (RW ``CP'' Whistle, Cape
 Porpoise)
43[deg]04.06' N lat., 70[deg]36.70' W long. (R N ``2MR'', Murray Rock)
43[deg]02.93' N lat., 70[deg]41.47' W long. (R ``2KR'' Whistle, Kittery
 Point)
43[deg]02.55' N lat., 70[deg]43.33' W long. (Odiornes Pt., Portsmouth,
 New Hampshire)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) New Hampshire. New Hampshire State waters are exempt from the 
minimum number of traps per trawl requirement in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) 
of this section. Harbor waters landward of the following lines are 
exempt from all the regulations in this section.

                   Table 4 to Paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A line from 42[deg]53.691' N lat., 70[deg]48.516' W long. to
 42[deg]53.516' N lat., 70[deg]48.748' W long. (Hampton Harbor)
A line from 42[deg]59.986' N lat., 70[deg]44.654' W long. to
 42[deg]59.956' N, 70[deg]44.737' W long. (Rye Harbor)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (C) Rhode Island. Rhode Island State waters are exempt from the 
minimum number of traps per trawl requirement in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) 
of this section. Harbor waters landward of the following lines are 
exempt from all the regulations in this section.

                   Table 4 to Paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A line from 41[deg]22.441' N lat., 71[deg]30.781' W long. to
 41[deg]22.447' N lat., 71[deg]30.893' W long. (Pt. Judith Pond Inlet)
A line from 41[deg]21.310' N lat., 71[deg]38.300' W long. to
 41[deg]21.300' N lat., 71[deg]38.330' W long. (Ninigret Pond Inlet)
A line from 41[deg]19.875' N lat., 71[deg]43.061' W long. to
 41[deg]19.879' N lat., 71[deg]43.115' W long. (Quonochontaug Pond
 Inlet)
A line from 41[deg]19.660' N lat., 71[deg]45.750' W long. to
 41[deg]19.660' N lat., 71[deg]45.780' W long. (Weekapaug Pond Inlet)
A line from 41[deg]26.550' N lat., 71[deg]26.400' W long. to
 41[deg]26.500' N lat., 71[deg]26.505' W long. (Pettaquamscutt Inlet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (D) New York. The regulations in this section do not apply to 
waters landward of a line that follows the territorial sea baseline 
through Block Island Sound (Watch Hill Point, RI, to Montauk Point, 
NY).
    (E) Massachusetts. The regulations in this section do not apply to 
waters landward of the first bridge over any embayment, harbor, or 
inlet in Massachusetts. The following Massachusetts State waters are 
exempt from the minimum number of traps per trawl requirement in 
paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section:
    (1) Exempt waters of Massachusetts Bay and Outer Cape. Heading From 
the New Hampshire border to 70[deg] W longitude south of Cape Cod, 
waters in EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1 and the Outer Cape Lobster 
Management Area (as defined in the American Lobster Fishery regulations 
under Sec.  697.18 of this title), from the shoreline to 3 nautical 
miles from shore, and including waters of Cape Cod Bay southeast of a 
straight line connecting 41[deg]55.8' N lat., 70[deg]8.4' W long. and 
41[deg]47.2' N lat., 70[deg]19.5' W long.
    (2) Exempt waters of southern Massachusetts. Heading From 70[deg] W 
longitude south of Cape Cod to the Rhode Island border, all 
Massachusetts State waters in EEZ Nearshore Management Area 2 and the 
Outer Cape Lobster Management Area (as defined in the American Lobster 
Fishery regulations under Sec.  697.18 of this title), including 
Federal waters of Nantucket Sound west of 70[deg] W longitude.
    (F) South Carolina. The regulations in this section do not apply to 
waters landward of a line connecting the following points from 
32[deg]34.717' N lat.,

[[Page 86893]]

80[deg]08.565' W long. to 32[deg]34.686' N lat., 80[deg]08.642' W long. 
(Captain Sams Inlet).
    (4) Sinking groundline exemption. The fisheries regulated under 
this section are exempt from the requirement to have groundlines 
composed of sinking line if their groundline is at a depth equal to or 
greater than 280 fathoms (1,680 ft or 512.1 m).
    (5) Net panel weak link and anchoring exemption. The anchored 
gillnet fisheries regulated under this section are exempt from the 
requirement to install weak links in the net panel and anchor each end 
of the net string if the float-line is at a depth equal to or greater 
than 280 fathoms (1,680 ft or 512.1 m).
    (6) Island buffer. Those fishing in waters within \1/4\ nautical 
miles of the following Maine islands are exempt from the minimum number 
of traps per trawl requirement in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section: 
Monhegan Island, Matinicus Island Group (Metinic Island, Small Green 
Island, Large Green Island, Seal Island, Wooden Ball Island, Matinicus 
Island, Ragged Island), and Isles of Shoals Island Group (Duck Island, 
Appledore Island, Cedar Island, Smuttynose Island).
    (b) Gear marking requirements--(1) Specified areas. Except for when 
fishing in LMA3 and Maine exempted waters, Maine, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island lobster and crab trap/pot fishermen 
will follow the color code scheme assigned to the state that permits 
their vessel, indicated in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. For all 
other trap/pot and gillnet gear, excluding shark gillnet, the following 
areas are specified for gear marking purposes: Northern Inshore State 
Trap/Pot Waters, Cape Cod Bay Restricted Area, Massachusetts Restricted 
Area, Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area, Northern 
Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area, Great South Channel Restricted Trap/Pot 
Area, Great South Channel Restricted Gillnet Area, Great South Channel 
Sliver Restricted Area, Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area, 
Offshore Trap/Pot Waters Area, Other Northeast Gillnet Waters Area, 
Mid/South Atlantic Gillnet Waters Area, Other Southeast Gillnet Waters 
Area, Southeast U.S. Restricted Areas, and Southeast U.S. Monitoring 
Area.
    (i) Jordan Basin. The Jordan Basin Restricted Area is bounded by 
the following points connected by straight lines in the order listed:

                     Table 5 to Paragraph (b)(1)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N lat.              W long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JBRA1..........................  43[deg]15'           68[deg]50'
JBRA2..........................  43[deg]35'           68[deg]20'
JBRA3..........................  43[deg]25'           68[deg]05'
JBRA4..........................  43[deg]05'           68[deg]20'
JBRA5..........................  43[deg]05'           68[deg]35'
JBRA1..........................  43[deg]15'           68[deg]50'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area. The Jeffreys Ledge Restricted 
Area is bounded by the following points connected by a straight line in 
the order listed:

                     Table 6 to Paragraph (b)(1)(ii)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N lat.              W long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JLRA1..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]25'
JLRA2..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]00'
JLRA3..........................  42[deg]50'           70[deg]00'
JLRA4..........................  42[deg]50'           70[deg]25'
JLRA1..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Markings. All specified gear in specified areas must be marked 
with the color code shown in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The 
color must be permanently marked on or along the line or lines 
specified under paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section. 
Each colored mark must be clearly visible when the gear is hauled or 
removed from the water, including if the color of the rope is the same 
as or similar to the respective color code.
    (i) Northeast crab and lobster buoy line markings. For all 
Northeast Region crab and lobster trap/pot gear regulated under this 
section, the surface system ropes must be marked with a solid 36-inch 
mark (91.4 cm) within two-fathoms (3.7 m) of the buoy. When fishing in 
Federal waters, all Northeast Region crab and lobster trap/pot surface 
system lines must have an additional 6-inch (15.24 cm) green mark one-
foot (30.05 cm) below the 36-inch (91.4 cm) mark. These surface system 
marks must be solid marks that may be dyed, painted, or heat-shrink 
tubing, insertion of a colored rope or braided sleeve, or the line may 
be marked as approved in writing by the Assistant Administrator. When 
fishing in state waters, the buoy line must be marked at least two 
additional times (top half, bottom half) and each mark must total 12-
inches (30.5 cm) for a total of four marks in state waters. When in 
Federal waters, the buoy line must be marked at least three additional 
times (top, middle, and bottom) and each mark must total 12-inches 
(30.5 cm) for a total of five marks in Federal waters. In marking or 
affixing the color code for buoy line below the surface system for gear 
regulated under this paragraph (b)(2)(i), the line may be: Dyed; 
painted, marked with thin colored whipping line, thin colored plastic, 
or heat-shrink tubing; spliced in insertion of a colored rope or 
braided sleeve or other material, or a thin line may be woven into or 
through the line; or the line may be marked as approved in writing by 
the Assistant Administrator.
    (ii) Other buoy line markings. For all other trap/pot and gillnet 
gear regulated under this section, the buoy line must be marked at 
least three times (top, middle, bottom) and each mark must total 12 
inches (30.5 cm) in length. If the mark consists of two colors then 
each color mark may be 6 inches (15.25 cm) for a total mark of 12 
inches (30.5 cm). In marking or affixing the color code for gear 
regulated under this paragraph (b)(2)(ii), the line may be: Dyed, 
painted, marked with thin colored whipping line, thin colored plastic, 
or heat-shrink tubing, spliced in insertion of a colored rope or 
braided sleeve or other material, or a thin line may be woven into or 
through the line, or the line may be marked as approved in writing by 
the Assistant Administrator. An outreach guide illustrating the 
techniques for marking gear is available from the Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Region upon request and posted on 
the NMFS, Greater Atlantic Region Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan website https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/atlantic-large-whale-take-reduction-plan#outreach.
    (iii) Net panel markings. Shark gillnet gear net panels in the 
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area S, Southeast U.S. Monitoring Area and 
Other Southeast Gillnet Waters is required to be marked. The net panel 
must be marked along both the floatline and the leadline at least once 
every 100 yards (91.4 m).
    (iv) Surface buoy markings. Trap/pot and gillnet gear regulated 
under this section must mark all surface buoys to identify the vessel 
or fishery with one of the following: The owner's motorboat 
registration number, the owner's U.S. vessel documentation number, the 
Federal commercial fishing permit number, or whatever positive 
identification marking is required by the vessel's home-port state. 
When marking of surface buoys is not already required by state or 
Federal regulations, the letters and numbers used to mark the gear to 
identify the vessel or fishery must be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in 
height in block letters or Arabic numbers in a color that contrasts 
with the background color of the buoy. An outreach guide illustrating 
the techniques for marking gear is available from the Regional

[[Page 86894]]

Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Region upon request and posted on 
the NMFS, Greater Atlantic Region Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan website https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/atlantic-large-whale-take-reduction-plan#outreach.
    (3) Color code. Gear must be marked with the appropriate colors to 
designate gear types and areas as follows.

                       Table 7 to Paragraph (b)(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Color code scheme
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Plan management area                         Color
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Northeast Region, Lobster and Crab Trap/Pot Gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Purple.
 state of Maine when fished in state
 waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Purple, Green (Surface
 state of Maine when fished in Federal LMA   System).
 1 waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Yellow.
 state of New Hampshire when fished in
 state waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Yellow, Green (Surface
 state of New Hampshire when fished in       System).
 Federal LMA 1 waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Red.
 state of Massachusetts when fished in
 state waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Red, Green (Surface System).
 state of Massachusetts in Federal waters
 of LMA 1, OC, LMA 2 (including \2/3\
 overlap).
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Silver/Gray.
 state of Rhode Island in state waters.
Trawls fished by vessels permitted by the   Silver/Gray Green (Surface
 state of Rhode Island in Federal waters     System).
 of LMA 2 (including \2/3\ overlap).
Trawls fished in the Northeast EEZ          Black, Green (Surface
 Offshore Management Area 3 (LMA3)           system).
 excluding the \2/3\ overlap.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Northeast Region, Other Trap/Pot Gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts Restricted Area.............  Red.
Northern Nearshore........................  Red.
Northern Inshore State....................  Red.
Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted   Red.
 Area.
Great South Channel Restricted Area         Red.
 overlapping with LMA 2 and/or Outer Cape.
Exempt Rhode Island state waters (single    Red and Blue.
 traps).
Exempt Massachusetts state waters in LMA 1  Red and White.
 (single traps).
Exempt Massachusetts state waters in LMA 2  Red and Black.
 (single traps).
Exempt Massachusetts state waters in Outer  Red and Yellow.
 Cape (single traps).
Isles of Shoals, ME (single traps)........  Red and Orange.
Great South Channel Restricted Area         Black.
 overlapping with LMA 2/3 and/or LMA 3.
Jordan Basin..............................  Black and Purple (LMA 3),
                                             Red and Purple (LMA 1).
Jeffreys Ledge............................  Red and Green.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Trap/Pot Gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern Nearshore........................  Orange.
Southeast Restricted Area North (State      Blue and Orange.
 Waters).
Southeast Restricted Area North (Federal    Green and Orange.
 Waters).
Offshore..................................  Black.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Gillnet Excluding Shark Gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cape Cod Bay Restricted Area..............  Green.
Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted   Green.
 Area.
Great South Channel Restricted Area.......  Green.
Great South Channel Restricted Sliver Area  Green.
Other Northeast Gillnet Waters............  Green.
Jordan Basin..............................  Green and Yellow.
Jeffreys Ledge............................  Green and Black.
Mid/South Atlantic Gillnet Waters.........  Blue.
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area South......  Yellow.
Other Southeast Gillnet Waters............  Yellow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Shark Gillnet (With Webbing of 5'' or Greater)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area South......  Green and Blue.
Southeast Monitoring Area.................  Green and Blue.
Other Southeast Waters....................  Green and Blue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Restrictions applicable to trap/pot gear in regulated waters--
(1) Universal trap/pot gear requirements. In addition to the gear 
marking requirements listed in paragraph (b) of this section and the 
area-specific measures listed in paragraphs (c)(2) through (12) of this 
section, all trap/pot gear in regulated waters, including the Northern 
Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area, must comply with the universal gear

[[Page 86895]]

requirements listed in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 
section.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Fishermen are also encouraged to maintain their buoy lines 
to be as knot-free as possible. Splices are considered to be less of 
an entanglement threat and are thus preferable to knots.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) No buoy line floating at the surface. No person or vessel may 
fish with trap/pot gear that has any portion of the buoy line floating 
at the surface at any time when the buoy line is directly connected to 
the gear at the ocean bottom. If more than one buoy is attached to a 
single buoy line or if a high flyer and a buoy are used together on a 
single buoy line, floating line may be used between these objects.
    (ii) No wet storage of gear. Trap/pot gear must be hauled out of 
the water at least once every 30 days.
    (iii) Groundlines. All groundlines must be composed entirely of 
sinking line. The attachment of buoys, toggles, or other floatation 
devices to groundlines is prohibited.
    (2) Area specific gear requirements. Trap/pot gear must be set 
according to the requirements outlined in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through 
(iii) of this section and in Table 8 to paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this 
section.
    (i) Single traps and multiple-trap trawls. All traps must be set 
according to the configuration outlined in Table 8 to paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv) of this section. Trawls up to and including five traps must 
only have one buoy line unless specified otherwise in Table 8 to 
paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (ii) Buoy line weak links. All buoys, flotation devices and/or 
weights (except traps/pots, anchors, and leadline woven into the buoy 
line), such as surface buoys, high flyers, radar reflectors, subsurface 
buoys, toggles, window weights, etc., must be attached to the buoy line 
with a weak link placed either as close to each individual buoy, 
flotation device and/or weight as operationally feasible, or at the 
base of the surface system where the surface system attaches to the 
single buoy line, and that meets the following specifications:
    (A) Weak link breaking strengths. The breaking strength of the weak 
links must not exceed the breaking strength listed in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv) of this section for a specified management area.
    (B) Approved weak links. The weak link must be chosen from the 
following list approved by NMFS: Swivels, plastic weak links, rope of 
appropriate breaking strength, hog rings, rope stapled to a buoy stick, 
or other materials or devices approved in writing by the Assistant 
Administrator. An outreach guide illustrating the techniques for making 
weak links is available from the Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater 
Atlantic Region upon request and posted on the NMFS, Greater Atlantic 
Region Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan website https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/atlantic-large-whale-take-reduction-plan#outreach.
    (C) Clean breaks. Weak links must break cleanly leaving behind the 
bitter end of the line. The bitter end of the line must be free of any 
knots when the weak link breaks. Splices are not considered to be knots 
for the purposes of this paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(C).
    (iii) Weak buoy lines and weak insertion devices. All crab and 
lobster trap buoy lines in the management areas and configurations 
outlined in Table 8 to paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section must use 
weak line or must insert weak devices along the buoy line as described 
in Table 8 to paragraph (c)(2)(iv). The weak line and weak insert 
devices must meet the following specifications:
    (A) Breaking strength. The breaking strength of the weak buoy lines 
and weak insert devices must not exceed 1,700 lbs. (771 kgs.).
    (B) Distance between weak insertions. Weak insertion devices must 
be inserted in the specified intervals from the surface system and must 
be devices chosen from the following list approved by NMFS: Three-foot 
long hollow braided sleeves such as those known as the South Shore 
Sleeve, spliced insert of three-foot long weak buoy line that is no 
thinner than five sixteenths inches (8mm) in diameter, three-foot (.91 
m) long ``lazy splice'' loop and double tuck of three eighths inch (9.5 
mm) diameter line with three eighths inch (9.5 mm) diameter line, or a 
loop and double tuck (lazy splice) of three eighths inch (9.5mm) 
diameter line with five sixteenths inch (8 mm) diameter line, or other 
materials or devices approved in writing by the Assistant 
Administrator. An outreach guide illustrating the techniques for making 
weak insert devices is available from the Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Region upon request and posted on the NMFS, Greater 
Atlantic Region Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan website 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/marine-mammal-protection/atlantic-large-whale-take-reduction-plan#outreach.
    (C) Clean breaks. Weak line and weak inserts must break cleanly 
leaving behind the bitter end of the line. The bitter end of the line 
must be free of any knots when the weak insert breaks. Splices are not 
considered to be knots for the purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii)(C).
    (iv) Table of area specific trap/pot gear requirements.

                                         Table 8 to Paragraph (c)(2)(iv)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Weak rope or weak
        Mgmt area; location         Minimum number traps/trawl    Weak link strength    insertion configuration
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Northeast Lobster/Crab Trap/Pot
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Inshore State; Maine       3 (1 buoy line)...........  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 State and Pocket Waters \1\.                                                           percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or two weak insertion
                                                                                        devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Nearshore; Maine Zones A-  8.........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 G (3-6 miles).                                                                         percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or two weak insertion
                                                                                        devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Inshore State and          No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Massachusetts Restricted Area;      per trawl. Trawls up to                            percent of the buoy line
 Massachusetts State Waters \2\.     and including 3 or fewer                           or one weak insertion
                                     traps must only have one                           device at 50 percent
                                     buoy line.                                         buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.

[[Page 86896]]

 
Northern Inshore State and          2 (1 buoy line) Trawls up   <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Massachusetts Restricted Area;      to and including 3 or                              percent of the buoy line
 Other Massachusetts State Waters.   fewer traps must only                              or one weak insertion
                                     have one buoy line.                                device at 50 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Inshore State; New         No minimum trap/trawl.....  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Hampshire State Waters.                                                                percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or one weak insertion
                                                                                        device at 50 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Nearshore; New Hampshire   10........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 and Massachusetts (3-6 miles).                                                         percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or two weak insertion
                                                                                        devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Nearshore, Massachusetts   15........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Restricted Area, and Stellwagen                                                        percent of the buoy line
 Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted                                                         or two weak insertion
 Area; LMA 1 (6-12 miles).                                                              devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Nearshore and LMA1         25........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 35
 Restricted Area; LMA1 (12 +                                                            percent of the buoy line
 miles).                                                                                or one weak insertion
                                                                                        device at 35 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Inshore State and          No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Massachusetts Restricted Area;      per trawl.                                         percent of the buoy line
 LMA1/OC Overlap (0-3 miles).                                                           or one weak insertion
                                                                                        device at 50 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Inshore State,             No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Massachusetts Restricted Area,      per trawl.                                         percent of the buoy line
 and Massachusetts South Island                                                         or one weak insertion
 Restricted Area; OC (0-3 miles).                                                       device at 50 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Nearshore and              15........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Massachusetts Restricted Area; OC                                                      percent of the buoy line
 (3-12 miles).                                                                          or two weak insertion
                                                                                        devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Nearshore and Great South  20........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 35
 Channel Restricted Area; OC (12 +                                                      percent of the buoy line
 miles).                                                                                or one weak insertion
                                                                                        device at 35 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Inshore State; RI State    No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 Waters.                             per trawl.                                         percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or one weak insertion
                                                                                        device at 50 percent
                                                                                        buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Northern Nearshore; LMA 2 (3-12     15........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 50
 miles).                                                                                percent of the buoy line
                                                                                        or two weak insertion
                                                                                        devices, one at 25
                                                                                        percent and one at 50
                                                                                        percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northern Nearshore, Great South     25........................  <=600 lbs............  Weak line for the top 35
 Channel Restricted Area, and                                                           percent of the buoy line
 Massachusetts South of Island                                                          or one weak insertion
 Restricted Area; LMA 2 (12 +                                                           device at 35 percent
 miles).                                                                                buoy line length from
                                                                                        top.
Offshore, Great South Channel       25........................  <=1500 lbs (2,000 lbs  Weak line for the top 35
 Restricted Area, and                                            if red crab trap/      percent portion of the
 Massachusetts South Island                                      pot).                  buoy line or one weak
 Restricted Area; LMA \2/3\                                                             insertion device at 35
 Overlap (12 + miles).                                                                  percent buoy line length
                                                                                        from top.
Northeast Offshore waters North of  45........................  <=1500 lbs (2,000 lbs  Weak line for the top 75
 40[deg], Great South Channel                                    if red crab trap/      percent of the buoy
 Restricted Area, and                                            pot).                  line.
 Massachusetts South Island
 Restricted Area; LMA 3 (12 +
 miles).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Other Trap/Pot
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Inshore State; Maine       2 (1 buoy line)...........  <=600 lbs............
 State and Pocket Waters \1\.
Northern Nearshore; Maine Zones A-  3 (1 buoy line)...........  <=600 lbs............
 G (3-6 miles) \1\.
Northern Nearshore; Maine Zones A-  5 (1 buoy line)...........  <=600 lbs............
 C (6-12 miles) \1\.
Northern Nearshore; Maine Zones D-  10........................  <=600 lbs............
 G (6-12 miles) \1\.
Northern Nearshore, Offshore, and   15........................  <=600 lbs (<=1500 lbs
 LMA1 Restricted Area; Maine Zones                               in offshore, 2,000
 A-E (12 + miles).                                               lbs if red crab trap/
                                                                 pot).

[[Page 86897]]

 
Northern Nearshore, Offshore, and   15 (Mar 1-Oct 31) 20 (Nov   <=600 lbs (<=1500 lbs
 LMA1 Restricted Area; Maine Zones   1-Feb 28/29).               in offshore, 2,000
 F-G (12 + miles).                                               lbs if red crab trap/
                                                                 pot).
Northern Inshore State and          No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area;      per trawl. Trawls up to
 Massachusetts State Waters \2\.     and including 3 or fewer
                                     traps must only have one
                                     buoy line.
Northern Inshore State,             2 (1 buoy line) Trawls up   <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area,      to and including 3 or
 and Massachusetts South Island      fewer traps must only
 Restricted Area; Other              have one buoy line.
 Massachusetts State Waters.
Northern Inshore State; New         No minimum trap/trawl.....  <=600 lbs............
 Hampshire State Waters.
Northern Nearshore and              10........................  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area and
 Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge
 Restricted Area; LMA 1 (3-12
 miles).
Northern Nearshore and LMA1         20........................  <=600 lbs............
 Restricted Area; LMA 1 (12 +
 miles).
Northern Inshore State and          No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area;      per trawl.
 LMA1/OC Overlap (0-3 miles).
Northern Inshore State and          No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area; OC   per trawl.
 (0-3 miles).
Northern Nearshore and              10........................  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts Restricted Area; OC
 (3-12 miles).
Northern Nearshore and Great South  20........................  <=600 lbs............
 Channel Restricted Area; OC (12 +
 miles).
Northern Inshore State; Rhode       No minimum number of traps  <=600 lbs............
 Island State Waters.                per trawl.
Northern Nearshore, and             10........................  <=600 lbs............
 Massachusetts South Island
 Restricted Area; LMA 2 (3-12
 miles).
Northern Nearshore, Great South     20........................  <=600 lbs............
 Channel Restricted Area; LMA 2
 (12 + miles).
Northeast Offshore and Great South  20........................  <=1500 lbs (2,000 lbs
 Channel Restricted Area, and                                    if red crab trap/
 Massachusetts South Island                                      pot).
 Restricted Area; LMA \2/3\
 Overlap (12 + miles).
Northeast Offshore waters, Great    20........................  <=1500 lbs (2,000 lbs
 South Channel Restricted Area,                                  if red crab trap/
 and Massachusetts South Island                                  pot).
 Restricted Area; LMA 3 (12 +
 miles).
Southern Nearshore; LMA 4,5,6.....  ..........................  <=600 lbs............
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area      1.........................  <=200 lbs............
 North; \3\ Florida State Waters.
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area      1.........................  <=600 lbs............
 North; \3\ Georgia State Waters.
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area      1.........................  <=600 lbs............
 North; \3\ South Carolina State
 Waters.
Southeast U.S. Restricted Area      1.........................  <=600 lbs............
 North; \3\ Federal Waters off
 Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The pocket waters and 6-mile line are defined in paragraphs (a)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
\2\ Massachusetts State waters as defined as paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section.
\3\ See paragraph (f)(1) of this section for description of area.

    (3) Massachusetts Restricted Area--(i) Area. The Massachusetts 
Restricted Area is bounded by the following points connected by 
straight lines in the order listed, and bounded on the west by the 
shoreline of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

                     Table 9 to Paragraph (c)(3)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N lat.              W long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MRA1...........................  42[deg]12'           70[deg]44'
MRA2...........................  42[deg]12'           70[deg]30'
MRA3...........................  42[deg]30'           70[deg]30'
MRA4...........................  42[deg]30'           69[deg]45'
MRA5...........................  41[deg]56.5'         69[deg]45'
MRA6...........................  41[deg]21.5'         69[deg]16'
MRA7...........................  41[deg]15.3'         69[deg]57.9'
MRA8...........................  41[deg]20.3'         70[deg]00'

[[Page 86898]]

 
MRA9...........................  41[deg]40.2'         70[deg]00'
MRA1...........................  42[deg]12'           70[deg]44'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Closure to fishing with buoy lines. From February 1 to April 
30, it is prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in the 
area in paragraph (c)(3)(i) unless it is fished without buoy lines or 
with buoy lines that are stored on the bottom until it can be remotely 
released for hauling, or it is stowed in accordance with Sec.  229.2. 
Authorizations for fishing without buoy lines must be obtained if such 
fishing would not be in accordance with surface marking requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84 of this chapter.
    (iii) Area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From May 1 through 
January 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear 
in the Massachusetts Restricted Area unless that gear complies with the 
gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, and the area-specific requirements listed in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, or unless the gear is stowed as specified in 
Sec.  229.2.
    (4) Massachusetts South Island Restricted Area--(i) Area. The 
Massachusetts South Island Restricted Area is bounded by the following 
points connected by straight lines in the order listed, and bounded on 
the north by the shoreline of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

                     Table 10 to Paragraph (c)(4)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N lat.              W long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MSI1...........................  41[deg]15.3'         70[deg]18.9'
MSI2...........................  41[deg]15.3'         70[deg]10.6'
MSI3...........................  41[deg]15.3'         69[deg]57.9'
MSI4...........................  41[deg]21.5'         69[deg]16'
MSI5...........................  40[deg]37.02'        69[deg]16'
MSI6...........................  40[deg]37.02'        70[deg]18.9'
MSI1...........................  41[deg]15.3'         70[deg]18.9'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Closure to fishing with buoy lines. From February 1 to April 
30, it is prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in the 
area in paragraph (c)(4)(i) unless it is fished without buoy lines or 
with buoy lines that are stored on the bottom until they can be 
remotely released for hauling, or the trap/pot gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec.  229.2. Authorizations for fishing without buoy 
lines must be obtained if such fishing would not be in accordance with 
surface marking requirements of Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84 of this 
chapter.
    (iii) Area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From May 1 through 
January 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear 
in the Massachusetts South Island Restricted Area unless that gear 
complies with the gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) 
of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the area-specific requirements 
listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or unless the gear is 
stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (5) Great South Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area--(i) Area. The 
Great South Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area consists of the area 
bounded by the following points.

                     Table 11 to Paragraph (c)(5)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N Lat.              W Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSC1...........................  41[deg]40'           69[deg]45'
GSC2...........................  41[deg]0'            69[deg]05'
GSC3...........................  41[deg]38'           68[deg]13'
GSC4...........................  42[deg]10'           68[deg]31'
GSC1...........................  41[deg]40'           69[deg]45'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Closure to fishing with buoy lines. From April 1 through June 
30, it is prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in the 
area in paragraph (c)(5)(i) unless it is fished without buoy lines or 
with buoy lines that are stored on the bottom until they can be 
remotely released for hauling, or the trap/pot gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec.  229.2. Authorizations for fishing without buoy 
lines must be obtained if such fishing would not be in accordance with 
surface marking requirements of Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84 of this 
chapter.
    (iii) Area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From July 1 
through March 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot 
gear in the Great South Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area unless that 
gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified in paragraph 
(b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the area-specific requirements 
listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or unless the gear is 
stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (6) Lobster Management Area One Restricted Area--(i) Area. The 
Lobster Management Area One Restricted Area (LMRA1) is bounded by the 
following points connected by straight lines in the order listed.

                     Table 12 to Paragraph (c)(6)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                      N lat.              W long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LMRA1 1........................  43[deg]06'           69[deg]36.77'
LMRA1 2........................  43[deg]44'           68[deg]21.6'
LMRA1 3........................  43[deg]32.68'        68[deg]17.27'
LMRA1 4........................  42[deg]53.52'        69[deg]32.16'
LMRA1 1........................  43[deg]06'           69[deg]36.77'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Restrictions to fishing with buoy lines. From October 1 to 
January 31, it is prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot 
gear in the area in paragraph (c)(6)(i) unless it is fished without 
buoy lines or with buoy lines that are stored on the bottom until they 
can be remotely released for hauling, or the trap/pot gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec.  229.2. Authorizations for fishing without buoy 
lines must be obtained if such fishing would not be in accordance with 
surface marking requirements of Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84 of this 
chapter.
Alternative 1-A (for Paragraph (c)(6)(ii))
    (ii) Restrictions to fishing with buoy lines. There are no seasonal 
restrictions to fishing with buoy lines.
Alternative 1-B (for Paragraph (c)(6)(ii))
    (ii) Restrictions to fishing with buoy lines. The Regional 
Administrator may determine whether the frequency of entanglements from 
trap/pot gear in the Northeast region has been reduced by 60 percent 
from [effective date of the final rule] within a time period that 
allows for meaningful analysis. If the Regional Administrator 
determines that the frequency of such entanglements has not been 
reduced by 60 percent, then from October 1 to January 31, it shall be 
prohibited to fish with, set, or possess trap/pot gear in the area in 
paragraph (c)(6)(i) unless it is fished without buoy lines or with buoy 
lines that are stored on the bottom until they can be remotely released 
for hauling, or the trap/pot gear is stowed in accordance with Sec.  
229.2. Authorizations for fishing without buoy lines must be obtained 
if such fishing would not be in accordance with surface marking 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  697.21 and 648.84 of this chapter.
    (iii) Area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From February 1 
through September 30, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Lobster Management Area One Restricted Area unless 
that gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the area-specific 
requirements listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or

[[Page 86899]]

unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (7) Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area--(i) Area. The 
Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area includes all Federal 
waters of the Gulf of Maine, except those designated as the 
Massachusetts Restricted Area in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, that 
lie south of 43[deg]15' N lat. and west of 70[deg]00' W long.
    (ii) Year round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear in the 
Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area unless that gear 
complies with the gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) 
of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the area-specific requirements 
listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or unless the gear is 
stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (8) Offshore Trap/Pot \2\ Waters Area--(i) Area. The Offshore Trap/
Pot Waters Area includes all Federal waters of the EEZ Offshore 
Management Area known as Lobster Management Area 3, including the area 
known as the Area \2/3\ Overlap and Area \3/5\ Overlap as defined in 
the American Lobster Fishery regulations at Sec.  697.18 of this title, 
with the exception of the Great South Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area 
and Southeast Restricted Area, and extending south along the 100-fathom 
(600-ft or 182.9-m) depth contour from 35[deg]14' N lat. South to 
27[deg]51' N lat., and east to the eastern edge of the EEZ.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Fishermen using red crab trap/pot gear should refer to 
paragraph (c)(12) of this section for the restrictions applicable to 
the red crab trap/pot fishery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Year-round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear in the 
northeast portion of Offshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that overlaps an 
area from the U.S./Canada border south to a straight line from 
41[deg]18.2' N lat., 71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, RI) south 
to 40[deg]00' N lat., and then east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, 
unless that gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified 
in paragraph (b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear 
requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the 
area-specific requirements listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iii) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
September 1 to May 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Offshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that overlaps an 
area bounded on the north by a straight line from 41[deg]18.2' N lat., 
71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, RI) south to 40[deg]00' N lat. 
and then east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, and bounded on the south 
by a line at 32[deg]00' N lat., and east to the eastern edge of the 
EEZ, unless that gear complies with the gear marking requirements 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear 
requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and area-
specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of this section or unless the 
gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iv) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
November 15 to April 15, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Offshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that overlaps an 
area from 32[deg]00' N lat. south to 29[deg]00' N lat. and east to the 
eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the gear 
marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the 
universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (v) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
December 1 to March 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Offshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that overlaps an 
area from 29[deg]00' N lat. south to 27[deg]51' N lat. and east to the 
eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the gear 
marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the 
universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) in 
this section, or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (vi) [Reserved]
    (9) Northern Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area--(i) Area. The 
Northern Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area includes the State waters 
of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, with the 
exception of Massachusetts Restricted Area and those waters exempted 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section. Federal waters west of 
70[deg]00' N lat. in Nantucket Sound are also included in the Northern 
Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area.
    (ii) Year-round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear in the Northern 
Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area unless that gear complies with the 
gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (10) Northern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area--(i) Area. The 
Northern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area includes all Federal waters of 
EEZ Nearshore Management Area 1, Area 2, and the Outer Cape Lobster 
Management Area (as defined in the American Lobster Fishery regulations 
at Sec.  697.18 of this title), with the exception of the Great South 
Channel Restricted Trap/Pot Area, Massachusetts Restricted Area, 
Stellwagen Bank/Jeffreys Ledge Restricted Area, and Federal waters west 
of 70[deg]00' N lat. in Nantucket Sound (included in the Northern 
Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters Area) and those waters exempted under 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Year-round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear in the Northern 
Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area unless that gear complies with the gear 
marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the 
universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section, or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (11) Southern Nearshore \3\ Trap/Pot Waters Area--(i) Area. The 
Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area includes all State and Federal 
waters that fall within EEZ Nearshore Management Area 4, EEZ Nearshore 
Management Area 5, and EEZ Nearshore Management Area 6 (as defined in 
the American Lobster Fishery regulations in Sec.  697.18 of this title, 
and excluding the Area \3/5\ Overlap), and inside the 100-fathom (600-
ft or 182.9-m) depth contour line from 35[deg]30' N lat. south to 
27[deg]51' N lat. and extending inshore to the shoreline or exemption 
line, with the exception of those waters exempted under paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section and those waters in the Southeast Restricted 
Area defined in paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Fishermen using red crab trap/pot gear should refer to 
paragraph (c)(12) of this section for the restrictions applicable to 
the red crab trap/pot fishery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Year-round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess trap/pot gear in the Southern 
Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that is east of a straight line from 
41[deg]18.2' N lat., 71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, RI) south 
to 40[deg]00' N

[[Page 86900]]

lat., unless that gear complies with the gear marking requirements 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear 
requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the area-
specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of this section or unless the 
gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iii) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
September 1 to May 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that 
overlaps an area bounded on the north by a straight line from 
41[deg]18.2' N lat., 71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, RI) south 
to 40[deg]00' N lat. and then east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, and 
bounded on the south by 32[deg]00' N lat., and east to the eastern edge 
of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the gear marking 
requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the universal 
trap/pot gear requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the 
area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of this section or 
unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iv) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
November 15 to April 15, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that 
overlaps an area from 32[deg]00' N lat. south to 29[deg]00' N lat. and 
east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the 
gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (v) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
December 1 to March 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
trap/pot gear in the Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters Area that 
overlaps an area from 29[deg]00' N lat. south to 27[deg]51' N lat. and 
east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the 
gear marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, the area-specific requirements in (c)(2) of this 
section or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (vi) [Reserved]
    (12) Restrictions applicable to the red crab trap/pot fishery--(i) 
Area. The red crab trap/pot fishery is regulated in the waters 
identified in paragraphs (c)(6)(i) and (c)(9)(i) of this section.
    (ii) Year-round area-specific gear or vessel requirements. No 
person or vessel may fish with or possess red crab trap/pot gear in the 
area identified in paragraph (c)(12)(i) of this section that overlaps 
an area from the U.S./Canada border south to a straight line from 
41[deg] 18.2' N lat., 71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, RI) south 
to 40[deg]00' N lat., and then east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, 
unless that gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified 
in paragraph (b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear 
requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the area-
specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of this section or unless the 
gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iii) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
September 1 to May 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess red 
crab trap/pot gear in the area identified in paragraph (c)(12)(i) of 
this section that overlaps an area bounded on the north by a straight 
line from 41[deg]18.2' N lat., 71[deg]51.5' W long. (Watch Hill Point, 
RI) south to 40[deg]00' N lat. and then east to the eastern edge of the 
EEZ, and bounded on the south by a line at 32[deg]00' N lat., and east 
to the eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that gear complies with the gear 
marking requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the 
universal trap/pot gear requirements specified in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, the area-specific requirements in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section or unless the gear is stowed as specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (iv) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
November 15 to April 15, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
red crab trap/pot gear in the area identified in paragraph (c)(12)(i) 
of this section that overlaps an area from 32[deg]00' N lat. south to 
29[deg]00' N lat. and east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that 
gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified in paragraph 
(b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the area-specific requirements in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section or unless the gear is stowed as 
specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (v) Seasonal area-specific gear or vessel requirements. From 
December 1 to March 31, no person or vessel may fish with or possess 
red crab trap/pot gear in the area identified in paragraph (c)(12)(i) 
of this section that overlaps an area from 29[deg]00' N lat. south to 
27[deg]51' N lat. and east to the eastern edge of the EEZ, unless that 
gear complies with the gear marking requirements specified in paragraph 
(b) of this section, the universal trap/pot gear requirements specified 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the area-specific requirements in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section or unless the gear is stowed as 
specified in Sec.  229.2.
    (vi) [Reserved]

PART 697--ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

0
4. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 697 continues to read as 
follows:

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

0
5. In Sec.  697.21, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  697.21   Gear identification and marking, escape vent, maximum 
trap size, and ghost panel requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) No American lobster trap trawl shall exceed 1.5 nautical miles 
(2.78 km) in length, as measured from radar reflector to radar 
reflector, except in the EEZ Offshore Management Area 3 where the 
maximum length of a lobster trap trawl shall not exceed 1.75 nautical 
miles (3.24 km).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2020-28775 Filed 12-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P