This rule contains existing collection-of-information (COI) requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act and would not impose additional or new COI requirements. Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). The information contained in the SARs is reviewed by regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs) representing Alaska, the Pacific (including Hawaii), and the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. These seabirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and some are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. US Department of Commerce, Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc. Towell, P.R. This site displays a prototype of a Web 2.0 version of the daily The mentioned study, (Baird and Webster, 2020) presented findings on the magnitude and nature of associations between fishing vessels and pantropical spotted dolphin stocks. Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/13/2022. 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. NMFS is proposing a schedule of RFDs for every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Tier 1: Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and serious injury for a particular stock. A bill introduced in Congress this week calls for a federal study on the possibilities of coastal seaweed farming, and creating a new seaweed farming fund to "reduce cost barriers for indigenous communities, emboldening them to participate in coastal seaweed farming," according to sponsors Reps. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., and Mary Peltola, D . Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the entanglement may have occurred off the coast of Maine in non-exempt waters. Revised stock boundaries for false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in Hawaiian waters. Habitat Restoration to Benefit Threatened Chinook Salmon in the Willamette River Basin. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. 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. Fishing industry in the United States - Wikipedia Affected Species and NMFS' Determinations: ESA-Listed Species Status . Response: This comment has been addressed previously (see 85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020). NMFS adds two stocks to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III CA squid purse seine fishery: (1) CA/OR/WA stock of Risso's dolphin and (2) U.S. stock of California sea lion. The main sectors of the West Coast Groundfish Fishery include: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region's office in Seattle, Washington, manages Pacific Coast groundfish limited entry permits, quota share permits and accounts, vessel accounts, first receiver site licenses, and cooperative applications for the at-sea whiting sectors. See 70 Fed. Our research encompasses the waters of the California Current and adjacent inland watersheds, bays and estuaries of California. 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. MLA also alleges that Maine's state and Federal lobster fisheries do not meet the criteria of a Category I fishery under the MMPA. As described in the 2019 LOF (84 FR 22051, May 16, 2019), six false killer whale M/SI incidental to the deep-set longline fishery were observed inside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Hawaii, including three that occurred close to the outer boundary of the Main Hawaiian Islands Longline Fishing Prohibited Area, in close proximity to the outer boundary of the MHI Insular false killer whale stocks' range. NMFS will continue to annually evaluate marine mammal interactions and risk posed by a variety of gear types and fisheries through the LOF process. Under the MMPA, we conserve and manage marine mammal populations along the West Coast. 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. Irma Lagomarsino Senior Policy Advisor at NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region 4d Report this post Report Report. Comment 12: AOLA expresses concern that data used in the LOF do not represent the current conditions of the Category I Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery nor marine mammal stocks. In one of the commenter's cited cases (E43-12/RW 4193), red tracers were identified in the recovered gear. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi River Delta. Credit: NOAA. How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery? on FederalRegister.gov We use science to improve peoples lives, save species, and protect ecosystems. As noted in the section of this rule and the LOF proposed rule describing how NMFS determines which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery, for fisheries with no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific fishery, and stranding network data include evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific fishery), stocks may be retained on the LOF for longer than 5 years. For fisheries with no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific Start Printed Page 3030fishery) species and stocks may be retained for longer than 5 years. Credit: NOAA/Liana Heberer. publication in the future. Steelhead are native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific basin in Northeast Asia and North America.Like other sea-run (anadromous) trout and salmon, steelhead spawn in . About Us Contact Us Our Location NMFS removes the Alaska stock of ringed seal from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl fishery. Scott joined NOAA Fisheries in 2001 and has served in several positions including as the Portland (Oregon) Branch Chief for the Protected Resources Division, and as the program manager for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The MHI insular, Hawaii pelagic, and NWHI stocks have partially overlapping ranges. Federal Register. In 2017, a spotted dolphin from the 4-Islands stock was observed with a band of debris around its rostrum preventing it from opening its mouth (Bradford and Lyman, 2019). Baird, R.W., S.D. 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. They experience more pronounced boom and bust population dynamics. DOCX NMFS Biological Assessment Checklist - California Department of Box 22668, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Suzie Teerlink; orStart Printed Page 3032. Groundfish Stock Assessments and Fishery Evaluations, NMFS will make a decision regarding an Amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management, Several types of closed areas, including Rockfish Conservation Areas, or RCAs, and Block Area, Federal Register Notices Establishing the Trawl Catch Share Program Cost Recovery Program and, Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries, Sustainable Fisheries, Sustainable Seafood, Rebound in Groundfish Leads to New Flexibility for Fishermen, Protection for Deep-Sea Corals, Devastating Collapse of Groundfish Fishery Forces a More Sustainable Future, NOAA Fisheries Releases Draft National Seafood Strategy, Requests Public Input, NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan for 20222025. Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) South of 4010' N Lat. NMFS works in partnership with industry, universities, and state, local, and tribal agencies to collect data about commercial species. edition of the Federal Register. They also implement temporary and permanent area closures to protect salmon in the ocean and on their way back to their rivers to reproduce. 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. 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. According to NMFS' Process for Distinguishing Serious from Non-Serious Injury of Marine Mammals (NMFS 2015, 02-238-01), cases that would have been serious injuries prior to disentanglement are not counted against PBR in the SAR, but they are included in the recorded takes for the LOF and associated management measures. Federal Register :: List of Fisheries for 2023 Learn more about Fisheries Management on the West Coast. . Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. Only the Southern DPS is listed under the Endangered Species Act. Comment 16: Whale Safe USA requests NMFS maintain the Category I classifications for Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery and Northeast sink gillnet fishery. | Find, read and cite all the research . At this time, we do not have enough information to suggest Maine's fisheries should be split from the Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery, because the gear used in Maine waters is not unique from other states. The West Coast groundfish recreational fisheries are managed by the coastal states with management coordinated in the Pacific Fishery Management Council process. The West Coast is home to the following endangered or threatened seabird species: Seabirds are attracted to fishing vessels and fishing operationsoffal and bait can be tempting sources of "free food." Additional detail on how gear would be considered unique to differentiate it from other state lobster and trap/pot fisheries is included in response to Comment #11. State and regional abbreviations used in the following paragraphs include: AK (Alaska), CA (California), HI (Hawaii), OR (Oregon), WA (Washington), and WNA (Western North Atlantic). In Tables 1 and 2, there are several fisheries classified as Category II that have no recent documented mortalities or serious injuries of marine mammals, or fisheries that did not result in a mortality or serious injury rate greater than 1 percent of a stock's PBR level based on known interactions. Many vessels/participants 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. 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. Injury determinations for humpback whales and other cetaceans reported to the Hawaiian Islands Disentanglement and Pacific Islands Marine Mammal Response Networks during 2013-2016. and services, go to Zerbini. For this reason, the number of HSFCA permits displayed in Table 3 is likely higher than the actual U.S. fishing effort on the high seas. Federal Register :: List of Fisheries for 2021 As stated above, we find that there is insufficient information to suggest that Maine's fisheries should be split from the Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery because the gear used in Maine waters and the manner in which the gear is used are not unique from other states. Steelhead - Wikipedia See response to comment #11 above about how cases that would have been serious injuries prior to disentanglement are not counted against PBR in the SAR, but are included in the LOF classification process. Our work covers a vast geography, including the inland and coastal waters of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. Federal Register :: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding 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 Participants in these fisheries are automatically registered under the MMAP and are not required to submit registration or renewal materials. 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. A fourth table, Table 4, lists all commercial fisheries managed under applicable TRPs or take reduction teams (TRT). This is relevant to the discussion since Maine state and Federal lobster fisheries are functionally equivalent to gear found in these entanglements; and, therefore, gear fished in Maine presents similar risks. 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. The U.S. west coast widow rockfish stock has declined since the mid-1980s, leading to implementation of increasingly stringent management restrictions upon the commercial fishery. Authorization certificates may also be obtained by visiting the MMAP website https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#obtaining-a-marine-mammal-authorization-certificate. MHI insular false killer whales have been satellite tracked as far as 115 km from the MHI, while pelagic stock animals have been tracked to within 11 kilometers (km) of the MHI and throughout the NWHI. Vessels are monitored using a vessel monitoring system (VMS). Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even though they are not required for Category III fisheries. There are two additional non-serious injury entanglement cases that involved Maine lobster gear. The NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region uses a variety of required methods to reduce the bycatch of seabirds in its fisheries. We provide a general overview of the fisheries and gear used to catch highly migratory species along the U.S. West Coast. U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species stop seine/weir/pound net (except the NC roe mullet stop net), Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge, U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico oyster dredge, New England and Mid-Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge, Southeastern U.S. Atlantic haul/beach seine, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean shellfish dive, hand/mechanical collection, Gulf of Maine urchin dive, hand/mechanical collection, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean cast net, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel. 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.