NOAA: Fishery management measures for U.S. Caribbean Region

Highly Migratory Species;
2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan;
Amendment 4

A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 03/16/2012

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY :

This fishery management plan (FMP) amendment addresses Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) fishery management measures in the U.S. Caribbean Region. There are substantial differences between some segments of the HMS fisheries in the Caribbean Region and the HMS fisheries that occur off the mainland of the United States, including: Limited fishing permit and dealer permit possession; smaller vessels; limited availability of processing and cold storage facilities; shorter trips; limited profit margins; and high local consumption of catches. These differences can sometimes create an awkward fit between current Federal HMS fishery regulations applicable to the whole Atlantic HMS fishery and the traditional operation of Caribbean fisheries, which has led to fewer Caribbean Region fishermen and vessels obtaining required permits and reporting data needed for effective fisheries management. NMFS is proposing management measures that would amend the HMS fishery management regulations for the U.S. Caribbean Region to better correspond with the traditional operation of the fishing fleet in the region and to provide NMFS with an improved capability to monitor and sustainably manage those fisheries. With this amendment, NMFS proposes to create an HMS Caribbean Small Boat Commercial Permit (CSBP) allowing fishing for and sales of bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack (BAYS) tunas, Atlantic swordfish, and Atlantic sharks within local Caribbean markets. The proposed CSBP management measures include specific authorized species and retention limits, modification of reporting requirements, authorization of specific gears, vessel size restrictions, and consideration of mandatory workshop training. Additionally, NMFS proposes to stipulate that the CSBP could not be held in combination with any other HMS permit.Show citation box

This proposed rule modifies regulatory text that is also proposed to be amended by the HMS Electronic Dealer Reporting System (E-dealer) rulemaking (RIN 0648-BA75). The proposed language included in the HMS E-dealer rulemaking is being utilized in the proposed rule for this action.

Source with all Supplementary Information ( PDF ) : Federal Register /Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012