1361 et seq. Therefore, the HI troll fishery cannot be classified by analogy to other fisheries that use similar fishing techniques that are known to cause mortality or serious injury of pantropical spotted dolphins. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. We assimilated more than 4500 unique estimates of published juvenile densities (e.g., fish/m2) in estuarine and floodplain habitats. The groundfish fishery may affect leatherback sea turtles by entanglement in fishing gear. Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay, Bonsecour Bay. Covering 317,690 square miles of the eastern Pacific Ocean, and more than 7,000 miles of tidal coastline, as well as the ecological functions within the states vast rivers and estuaries, we build sustainable fisheries, recover endangered and threatened species, maintain healthy ecosystems, and protect human health. Given NMFS's assessment in 2012 proposed LOF that interactions were likely `occasional', combined with more recent information, the Commission recommends that NMFS reclassify the Category III Hawaii troll fishery as a Category II fishery. The commenter notes that the primary information used in the 2021 LOF comes from 2019 SARs, which are based on data from 2013-2017. Injury is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical harm. HI deep-set longline fishery from 145 to 143 vessels/persons; HI shallow-set longline fishery from 18 to 11 vessels/persons; American Samoa longline fishery from 15 to 13 vessels/persons; and. Most individual species tend to localize by depth more than latitude. Additional information about HSFCA permits can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/high-seas-fishing-permits. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50 CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal authorization to lawfully take non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. HLA notes that (a) the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP) closed the deep-set longline fishery for almost the entire range of the MHI insular stock, (b) since this change was made in 2013 there have been no false killer whale interactions in the fishery, and (c) there has never been a deep-set longline fishery interaction in the very small area of the stocks' range where the fishery operates. Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA. With our partners, we are working on hundreds of projects to protect and restore vital habitat for West Coast fish and wildlife populations. NOAA Fisheries. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Changes made to Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not affect observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data. publication in the future. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region. Comment 10: MLA states that NMFS has the flexibility to consider a variety of criteria, such as differences in gear and fishing techniques, and the distribution of endangered stocks relative to individual fisheries when classifying fisheries on the LOF. WestCoast Region, NMFS, NOAA| 7600Sand Point Way NE| Seattle | WA | 98115. These tribes, all located in Washington State, include the Quinault Indian Nation, the Hoh Tribe, the Quileute Nation, and the Makah Tribe. Our work covers a vast geography, including the inland and coastal waters of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. The management change resulted in a substantial reduction in discarded catch.It led to the full rebuilding of several groundfish species, some of them a decade or more ahead of expectations. Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce, through its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has awarded grants of up to $30 million, over a five-year period, to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Florida A&M University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 1387(c)(1)). Northern elephant seal, California breeding. by the Foreign Assets Control Office Scott most recently served as the Deputy Regional Administrator for the region since 2017. Ferguson, L.W. Response: For determining a fishery's classification on the LOF, NMFS must assess the M/SI with respect to a stock's PBR. Additionally, no data is currently available to suggest state fisheries should be separated from the Category I Northeast sink gillnet fishery, therefore NMFS retains the Category I classification for the Northeast sink gillnet fishery. and services, go to The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). NMFS adds two stocks to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl fishery: (1) California Start Printed Page 3039breeding stock of northern elephant seal and (2) CA/OR/WA stock of northern right whale dolphin. on NARA's archives.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the hearing impaired may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Irma Lagomarsino Senior Policy Advisor at NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region 4d Report this post Report Report. There are several fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a portion of the fishing vessels cross the EEZ boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high seas. The number of permits listed in Table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high seas component of the fishery; **These gear types are not authorized under the Pacific HMS FMP (2004), the Atlantic HMS FMP (2006), or without a South Pacific Tuna Treaty license (in the case of the South Pacific Tuna fisheries). That final rule was effective January 1, 2023. NOAA Fisheries - Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI, USA . NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Counciloversee the management of West Coast groundfish in U.S. federal waters. The best available scientific information included in these reports is based on data through 2017. Humpback whales can become entrapped and entangled in fishing gear, which can result in serious injury and mortality. Jaclyn Taylor, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402; Allison Rosner, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-281-9328; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Dan Lawson, West Coast Region, 206-526-4740; Suzie Teerlink, Alaska Region, 907-586-7240; Diana Kramer, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5167. AOLA recommends NMFS take a more equitable approach when assessing entanglement risk across fisheries, countries, and non-fishery sources, and also notes this would assist in assuring fishermen are treated fairly. This rule contains existing collection-of-information (COI) requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act and would not impose additional or new COI requirements. By list-ing subdivisions of an ESU, NMFS was able to protect declin-ing steelhead populations while acceding to FWS . Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries until the next LOF is published (50 CFR 229.2). For example, in case E25-10/RW 3911, the gear analysis found wire mesh is likely the remains of wire traps that parted off from themselves. should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official Any vessel owner or operator participating in a fishery listed on the LOF must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations within 48 hours of the end of the fishing trip. "no effect" on several other species. The number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the high seas components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters does not necessarily represent additional effort that is not accounted for in Tables 1 and 2. Marine Mammal Science 31(2): 579-590. Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP? Many vessels holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2. Start Fiscal YearEnd Fiscal YearRegionAll RegionsAlaskaNortheastSoutheastWest CoastWest PacificStock List:All StocksFSSI Stocks Select Years to Include in the Report:hiddenStart Calendar Year: End Calendar Year: Report most recent assessment available? Fish and Wildlife Service, NMFS adds the Antillean subspecies (Puerto Rico stock) of West Indian manatee to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in Category III Caribbean haul/beach seine fishery. The Western North Atlantic stock of pantropical spotted dolphins' total annual estimated fishery-related M/SI is presumed to be zero, as there were no reports of mortalities or serious injuries (2019 SAR). Committed to conserving and protecting our trust resources, the West Coast Region provides science-based conservation and management for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine mammals, sea turtles, and endangered species, and their habitats. Therefore, while HSFCA permits exist for these gear types, it does not represent effort. documents in the last year. Iron Gate Dam on the Klamath River is one of several expected to be removed in 2024. Credit: Thomas Dunklin. American Samoa bottomfish handline fishery from fewer than 30 to fewer than 20 vessels/persons. Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. The SARs referenced in this LOF include: 2016 (82 FR 29039; June 27, 2017), 2018 (84 FR 28489; June 19, 2019), and 2019 (84 FR 65353; November 27, 2019). These estimates include the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the COI. Dahle, M.E. This checklist is intended to clarify and streamline coordination for Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations between NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries) and the California Department of Transportation 333 SW First Avenue . Bradford A.L. Fishermen from Washington, Oregon, and California catch them year-round using a variety of gear types. National Marine Fisheries Service West Coast Region Science, Service, Stewardship U.S. Department of Commerce I National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration I National Marine Fisheries Service 5-Year Review: Snake River Basin Steelhead NOAA Fisheries i July 26, 2022 5-Year Review: Snake River Basin Steelhead Species Reviewed Once finalized, the analysis of these data will be helpful in addressing management concerns related to SEAK harbor porpoise and effects from commercial fishing. (2020):105652. Register documents. They note that the following marine mammal stocks are included on the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery: Killer whale (Eastern North Pacific AK resident); killer whale (Gulf of Alaska, BSAI transient); Northern fur seal (Eastern Pacific); spotted seal (AK) and Steller sea lion (Western U.S). McSweeney, E.M. Oelson, A.L. The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan provides the framework for managing the groundfish fishery. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. Below are links to learn about a few of our West Coast species. The MMPA established this SRG, along with two others, to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure, uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other issues. Below we provide further detail as to why the information presented by the MLA is insufficient for the requested changes. Participants in these fisheries are automatically registered under the MMAP and are not required to submit registration or renewal materials. that agencies use to create their documents. There is a very low amount of eulachon bycatch in West Coast groundfish fisheries. Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) North of 4010' N Lat. Life history information continues to be evaluated and incorporated into the stock assessments which provide the basis for fishery management decisions. Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl). These waters support valuable commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries and are also home to many protected species of marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds. NMFS has designated those fisheries listed by analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by adding a 2 after the fishery's name. Comment 3: FLC recommends NMFS re-evaluate how a single marine mammal M/SI is assigned to multiple stocks when stock ranges overlap. NMFS is proposing that the nearshore fishery be open every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday beginning Monday May 8 until the nearshore allocation is taken, or on September 30, whichever is earlier. Any closure will be announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63 (c) and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal. In one of the commenter's cited cases (E43-12/RW 4193), red tracers were identified in the recovered gear. We participate in the implementation of numerous international treaties and other agreements to sustainably conserve fisheries for cross-boundary species including highly migratory fish, particularly tuna; whiting; halibut, and salmon; and protect marine mammals of mutual interest to nations of the Pacific. Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring purse seine. "In February 1994, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a petition seeking protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for 178 populations of steelhead (anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. Webster. The Communications and External Affairs Branch creates stories/content, graphics, presentations, brochures, and literature that engage stakeholders, promote understanding of NOAA Fisheries trust resources, convey the science behind our decisions, and advance NOAA Fisheries mission. AOLA recommends NMFS split undetermined North Atlantic right whale M/SI between the two countries based on the percentage of known entanglements from each country and this prorated distribution of M/SI should be used when classifying fisheries on the LOF. 1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population (OSP). The SARs are based on the best scientific information available at the time of preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. The species and/or stocks are found, and the fishery remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary. For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of relevant information to determine when it is appropriate to remove a species or stock from the LOF. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. The following summarizes changes to the LOF for 2021, including the classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, the estimated number of vessels/persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. This killer whale M/SI occurred in 2012, and no additional M/SI have been observed or reported for the 2013-2017 data analysis timeframe for this fishery. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline. Fadely, M.C. Refer to NMFS No. from 36 agencies. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. We conserve and restore marine resources on the West Coast. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species status and the completion of recovery tasks. Limited Entry Trawl North of 4010' N Lat. Many of the closed areas are gear-specific, meaning that they are closed to some particular gear types but not others. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot. Rainbow in the dusk sky at San Diego Harbor. that improve habitat. These species are key elements of the ecosystem and are critically important for our culture, recreation, and economy. NMFS reclassifies the AK BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery from a Category II to Category III fishery. Additionally, unless a rope diameter is explicitly prohibited in an area, rope diameter does not rule out the potential for an entanglement to have occurred in Maine waters, even if it does not represent the majority's normal fishing practices. The HI shallow-set longline fishery has 100 percent observer coverage and therefore, the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale stock should be removed the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II HI shallow-set longline fishery. MMPA, 16 U.S.C. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Species diversity is part of the natural legacy we leave for future generations. 02-204-01. Fishing the Pacific lifts spirits, feeds families and supports the economies of California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The Commission also notes that the case for reclassifying the troll fisheries as Category II fisheries has strengthened since serious injuries due to hooking or entanglement in fishing line have been documented, and reliable estimates of rates of troll vessels fishing in and through spotted dolphin groups have been published (Baird and Webster, 2020). ESUs/DPSs of west coast anadromous salmonids was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2015 (80 FR 6695). West Coast Region . List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 2: DEDelaware; FLFlorida; GAGeorgia; GME/BFGulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy; GMXGulf of Mexico; MAMassachusetts; NCNorth Carolina; NYNew York; RIRhode Island; SCSouth Carolina; VAVirginia; WNAWestern North Atlantic; *Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in Table 3. Information about this document as published in the Federal Register. CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine, WA/OR herring, smelt, squid purse seine or lampara, WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and line/troll, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands groundfish hand troll and dinglebar troll, AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish hand troll and dinglebar troll, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands tuna troll, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot longline, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish longline, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands halibut longline, AK state-managed waters longline/setline (including sablefish, rockfish, lingcod, and miscellaneous finfish), WA/OR/CA groundfish, bottomfish longline/set line. Roundfish: The six species are lingcod, cabezon, kelp greenling, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting (hake), and sablefish. Some species are long-lived, with life spans exceeding 30 years. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center produces an annual report on salmon bycatch. With our partners, we are working on hundreds of projects to protect and restore vital habitat for West Coast fish and wildlife populations. A complete explanation of the variability is available in the Environmental Impact Statement to Reduce the Incidental Bycatch and Mortality of Sea Turtles in the Southeastern U.S. Shrimp Fisheries (November 4, 2019). For additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on Table 1 or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information included above in Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP? To determine which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery, NMFS annually reviews the information presented in the current SARs and injury determination reports. An additional case from 2011, previously noted in our 2020 Final LOF response to comments (85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020) but not mentioned in MLA's comment, also included recovered gear with these red tracers, though the location of that entanglement remains unknown (E11-11/RW 4040).