The SARs do not provide detailed information on observer coverage in Category III fisheries because, under the MMPA, Category III fisheries are not required to accommodate observers aboard vessels due to the remote likelihood of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. Literature citations should read as . Blainville's beaked whale, HI. West Coast groundfish fisheries, and fisheries that may take groundfish incidentally, are managed with a variety of closed areas. edition of the Federal Register. Only the Southern DPS is listed under the Endangered Species Act. However, U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline vessels operating in special areas designated by the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan implementing regulations (50 CFR 229.36(d)) will not be exempted from observer requirements, regardless of their size. 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. regulatory information on FederalRegister.gov with the objective of In 2011, NOAA Fisheries and the Council implemented catch shares management for portions of the commercial fishery. Although efforts are made to limit the issuance of authorization certificates to only those vessel or gear owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, not all state and Federal license or permit systems distinguish between fisheries as classified by the LOF. FLC also states that the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery is currently classified as a Category II based on a killer whale M/SI in 2012. Leatherback sea turtles that occur off the West Coast are most likely to originate from nesting aggregations of the western Pacific. List of Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Used in Table 3: CACalifornia; GMXGulf of Mexico; HIHawaii; OROregon; WAWashington; WNAWestern North Atlantic; *Fishery is an extension/component of an existing fishery operating within U.S. waters listed in Table 1 or 2. American Samoa bottomfish handline fishery from fewer than 30 to fewer than 20 vessels/persons. We review federal proposals for land and water development to make sure these activities do not further degrade habitat or harm protected species. 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. Wade, J.M. Further, gear marking and right whale monitoring efforts throughout Maine waters are insufficient to determine that the gear or area presents a different risk to large whales. However, 86 percent of known entanglements were in Canadian gear. 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. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the entanglement may have occurred off the coast of Maine in non-exempt waters. If the total annual mortality and serious injury of a marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III (unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) for which total annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). Recovery and conservation of ESA-listed fish species, like salmon, also support our sustainable fisheries goal by providing the long-term foundation for commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries. Baird, R.W., and D.L. London, S.A. Mizroch, R.R. Allocations, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines, Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN), Subscribe to the West Coast groundfish email list, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, Letter of concurrence on reinitiated consultation on continued operation of the groundfish fishery under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan and the effects of the fishery on Southern Resident killer whales (December 7, 2022), Biological Opinion on the Effects of the Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery on Humpback Whales (Reinitiation 2020), Adoption of Conference Opinion on Humpback Whale Critical Habitat for the Continued Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (2021), Biological Opinion on the Effects of the Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery on Eulachon (Reinitiation 2018), Biological Opinion on the Effects the Groundfish Fishery Management Plan on Listed Salmon (2017), Biological Opinion on the Effects of the Ongoing Operation of the Groundfish Fisheries on California Least Tern, Southern Sea Otter, Bull trout, Marbled Murrelet, and Short-tailed Albatross (2017), Biological Opinion on the Effects of the Continuing Operation of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery on Green Sturgeon, Leatherback Sea Turtles, and Other Listed Species (2012), Groundfish Endangered Species Act Workgroup Report (2021), Fishing Effort in the 2002-2019U.S. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries, Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Eulachon in 2002-2019 US West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Green Sturgeon in 2002-2019 US West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, Estimated Humpback Whale Bycatch in the U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, 2002-2019, Leatherback Sea Turtle Bycatch in U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries 2002-2019, Estimated Short-tailed Albatross Bycatch in U.S. West Coast Groundfish Fisheries 2002-2019, Webinar: Salmon Impacts in the Pacific Groundfish Fishery (2015), West Coast Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat, Fisheries Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division, Habitat and Groundfish Ecology Research in the California Current, Pacific Coast Fisheries Information Network, Recreational Fisheries Information Network. As part of her 20+ year tenure with NOAA Fisheries, Korie has worked on several marine and estuary habitat conservation programs nationally and along our West Coast, including national habitat policy for the Office of Habitat Con, Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries, Associate Deputy Regional Administrator (ADRA), (Acting), Assistant Regional Administrator, (Acting) Assistant Regional Administrator, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal, Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative, whales, pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sea turtles, fish, and mollusks, Report a Stranded or Entangled Marine Mammal. Partnership Profiles: A Queen Conch Hatchery and the Local Fish Initiative, The NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan (20232028) includes goals and objectives to sustainably develop the aquaculture industry in the United States. They also implement temporary and permanent area closures to protect salmon in the ocean and on their way back to their rivers to reproduce. Injury determinations for humpback whales and other cetaceans reported to NOAA response networks in the Hawaiian Islands during 2017. We work to recover and conserve threatened and endangered marine and anadromous species, as well as manage and conserve marine mammals. PORTLAND, OR 97232-1274. Groundfish inhabit a variety of depths, ranging from intertidal and nearshore to waters as deep as 3,500 meters (1,900 fathoms). Non-trawl (commercial, including limited entry and open access), Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery HG, Sablefish North of 36 N lat. Age structure of spawning salmon represents an example of portfolio effects such that the risks of experiencing unfavorable conditions are spread across time. Prior to that she was the Division Manager and Operations & Policy Branch Chief in the California Coastal Office. MLA also recommends NMFS reclassify the Maine Federal waters lobster fishery as Category II fishery. 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. How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery? Northeast mid-water trawl (including pair trawl), Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl. For example, the State of Hawaii does not issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at least once in a given year, without considering how many times the gear was used. Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries, Staff and volunteers from Feiro Marine Life Center and SR3 release a juvenile seal back to Port Angeles Harbor. Therefore, the 9/16 inch float rope that was recovered from E01-09/RW 3311, again, does not explicitly rule out Maine lobster fisheries. NMFS Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has authorized take of four species of marine mammals which are listed under the ESA, including the North Atlantic right, fin, sei, and sperm whale, and . by the Foreign Assets Control Office The portfolio effect plays a critical role in population productivity and stability. Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl). Document Drafting Handbook See 70 Fed. Australia and one reaching the north-west coast of the North Island, New Zealand. and Southern Oregon and Northern California Coastal Chinook Salmon as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (Draft) Atlantic highly migratory species longline fishery from 53 to 45 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) fishery from 145 to 143 HSFCA permits; South Pacific tuna purse seine fishery from 33 to 26 HSFCA permits; South Pacific tuna longline fishery from 2 to 3 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) fishery from 18 to 11 HSFCA permits; Atlantic highly migratory species handline/pole and line fishery from 2 to 1 HSFCA permits; Pacific highly migratory species handline/pole and line fishery from 41 to 43 HSFCA permits; South Pacific albacore troll handline/pole and line fishery from 11 to 10 HSFCA permits; South Pacific albacore troll fishery from 17 to 18 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic troll fishery from 5 to 4 HSFCA permits; Northwest Atlantic bottom longline fishery from 3 to 2 HSFCA permits; Pacific highly migratory species longline fishery from 108 to 105 HSFCA permits; and. Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. 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). 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? However, not all eulachon avoid the groundfish fishery's trawl nets and thus some are observed as bycatch. NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 . to the courts under 44 U.S.C. documents in the last year, 981 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. NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest specifications and management measures for the 2023-2024 biennium for most species managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007). documents in the last year. Information about this document as published in the Federal Register. 25 p. (Available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/webdam/download/64690366). This definition can also be found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2). Observed entanglements in the groundfish gear are rare but have been seen in the Limited Entry sablefish pot fishery and the Open Access Fixed Gear pot fishery. 2019. Those cases where we could identify lobster gear from right whale entanglements during the past 10 years were determined to result in non-serious injuries. Under the Endangered Species Act, we develop protections, designate critical habitat, implement recovery, and authorize scientific research permits for threatened and endangered species. Together with decision-makers at NOAA, other federal agencies, states, and others, we apply this scientific knowledge to make our environment healthier and improve peoples lives and livelihoods. 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. 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. NMFS adds three stocks to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot fishery: (1) Bristol Bay stock of harbor seal, (2) Western North Pacific stock of humpback whale, and (3) Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale. Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery from 3,950 to 4,020 vessels/person; Northeast sink gillnet fishery from 3,163 to 4,072 vessels/persons; Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery from 248 to 265 vessels/persons; Northeast bottom trawl fishery from 2,238 to 968 vessels/persons; Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery from 4,950 to 10,824 vessels/persons; Atlantic mixed species trap/pot fishery from 3,332 to 3,493 vessels/persons; Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery from 19 to 17 vessels/persons; Virginia pound net fishery from 26 to 20 vessels/persons; Caribbean gillnet fishery from >991 to 127 vessels/persons; Caribbean mixed species trap/pot fishery from >501 to 154 vessels/persons; Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot fishery from >197 to 40 vessels/persons; and. We work with partners to manage salmon and steelhead, groundfish, and coastal pelagic species in ocean and inland waters. We review federal proposals for land and water development to make sure these activities do not further degrade habitat or harm protected species. AOLA requests NMFS incorporate more timely data and recent information into the 2021 LOF. Table 4 provides a list of fisheries affected by TRPs and TRTs. However, in reviewing available data, there are no documented mortalities or injuries of pantropical spotted dolphins in similar fisheries. Once finalized, the analysis of these data will be helpful in addressing management concerns related to SEAK harbor porpoise and effects from commercial fishing. NMFS updates the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean (Table 2) as follows: NMFS notes there is variability in the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery. documents in the last year, 822 Habitat protection and restoration are critical components of species recovery and conservation. Back . We conserve and restore marine resources on the West Coast. This provides directives for consistently assigning M/SI to stocks, including times when the M/SI is documented in an area of overlapping stocks. Am I required to register under the MMPA? In addition, any animal that ingests fishing gear or any animal that is released with fishing gear entangling, trailing, or perforating any part of the body is considered injured, regardless of the presence of any wound or other evidence of injury, and must be reported. For the purposes of the LOF, the high seas fisheries are subdivided based on gear type (e.g., trawl, longline, purse seine, gillnet, troll, etc.) Because HSFCA permits are valid for 5 years, permits obtained in past years exist in the HSFCA permit database for gear types that are now unauthorized. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. Specifically, these offices implement protections and conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act, essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and actions under the Federal Power Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act in their geographic areas. NMFS reclassifies the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot fishery from a Category III to a Category II fishery. MLA states that according to the 2019 North Atlantic right whale SAR, PBR is 0.8, and M/SI for commercial fisheries is 5.55. MLA further states that there are several factors with disparity among the Northeast and mid-Atlantic lobster fisheries, as well as significant differences in potential overlap with North Atlantic right whales. We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Oregon Coast (OC) and Southern Oregon and Northern California Coastal (SONCC) Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or, alternatively, list only the spring-run Chinook salmon If you have questions related to these permits and licenses or the associated forms, please contact the West Coast Fisheries Permit Contact at (206) 526-4353. Current Maine state lobster management does not represent unique gear characteristics (e.g., the use of weak rope exclusively or exclusion of vertical lines). documents in the last year, 513 On the West Coast and in the watersheds of Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, we manage commercial and recreational fisheries for more than 100 species of salmon, groundfish, coastal pelagics such as anchovy and sardine, and highly migratory species such as billfish, sharks, and tunas. Education and Outreach Specialist, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Herrera Environmental Consultants Sep 2007 - Oct 2015 8 years 2 months The impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed in various biological opinions, and this rule will not affect the conclusions of those opinions. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. 2018. West Coast Region 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. electronic version on GPOs govinfo.gov. NMFS estimated that M/SI would be, at a minimum, approximately 2 percent of PBR, justifying the Category II classifications for both fisheries. . In February 2014, there was an observed interaction with a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) in the Category I HI deep-set longline fishery. 2017. there is a paucity of data on species-specific PRS rates in the WCPO region. The Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program freed fishermen from having to race each other to catch the most fish. documents in the last year, 35 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 30; 2023-24 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Correcting Amendment, 12865-12868 [2023-03889] Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi River Delta. This includes relying on the SARs, which are peer reviewed by the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Scientific Review Group. Learn more about key issues in our sub-regions. Comment 5: The Commission restates a previous comment and recommends NMFS reclassify both the Category II SE Alaska salmon drift gillnet and Yakutat salmon set gillnet fisheries as Category I fisheries. The Regional Administrator's Office establishes policies, principles and priorities for the West Coast Region. 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. Jacalen Printz . Starting with the 2005 SARs, each Pacific and Alaska SAR includes an appendix with detailed descriptions of each Category I and II fishery on the LOF, including the observer coverage in those fisheries. NMFS removes three stocks from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl fishery: (1) Alaska stock of ringed seal, (2) Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale and (3) Western North Pacific stock of humpback whale. Fishery information presented in the SARs' appendices and other resources referenced during the tier analysis may include: Level of observer coverage; target species; levels of fishing effort; spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort; characteristics of fishing gear and operations; management and regulations; and interactions with marine mammals. Federal Register provide legal notice to the public and judicial notice In this Issue, Documents Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery may qualify as one category for one marine mammal stock and another category for a different marine mammal stock. While floating groundline is prohibited in ALWTRP non-exempt management areas, there are waters along the east coast (including off the coast of Maine) that are exempted from this ALWTRP requirement. Sustainable Fisheries West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries and Gear Highly migratory species include Pacific tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. They note that the state of Massachusetts has a number of actions currently in place, as well as a number of additional actions that will be in place for the 2021 fishing season, that distinguish the Massachusetts state lobster trap/pot fishery as unique from the rest of the Category I Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery. Marine Mammal Science 31(2): 579-590. The MMPA (16 U.S.C. NMFS also determined The groundfish fishery may affect leatherback sea turtles by entanglement in fishing gear. in some extreme cases they may reach ages of 100 years or greater. Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/13/2022. Should Maine fisheries make significant changes to their gear configurations that differentiate these fisheries from other state and Federal lobster trap/pot fisheries, such as eliminating vertical lines, NMFS will reconsider this decision.Start Printed Page 3037. For high seas fisheries, Table 3 lists the number of valid HSFCA permits currently held. The commenter cites four cases of unknown entanglements they believe explicitly rule out Maine lobster fisheries from the origin of entanglement. 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. We harvestclose to a billion pounds of seafood, worth nearly $1 billion, each year. Send comments regarding these reporting burden estimates or any other aspect of the COI, including suggestions for reducing burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES). Forms may be submitted via any of the following means: (1) Online using the electronic form; (2) emailed as an attachment to nmfs.mireport@noaa.gov; (3) faxed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources at 301-713-0376; or (4) mailed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided on the postage-paid form that can be printed from the web address listed above). Comments were received from members of the public, Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association (AOLA), Freezer Longline Coalition (FLC), Hawaii Longline Association (HLA), Maine Lobstermen's Association (MLA), Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), Marine Mammal Commission (Commission) and Whale Safe USA. AOLA further states that the 2014 ALWTRP regulations as well as the American lobster fishery management plan regulations, reduced vertical lines and enhanced gear marking in the fishery. 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.