50 CFR § 648.80-648.97 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States — Management Measures for the NE Multispecies and Monkfish Fisheries

790 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 measures adopted following their im plementation as a final rule. (3) NMFS action. If the MAFMC’s rec ommendation includes adjustments or additions to management measures and after reviewing the MAFMC’s rec ommendation and supporting informa tion: (i) If NMFS concurs with the MAFMC’s recommended management measures and determines that the rec ommended management measures should be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (ii) If NMFS concurs with the MAFMC’s recommended management measures and determines that the rec ommended management measures should be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as a proposed rule in the FEDERAL REG ISTER. After additional public com ment, if NMFS concurs with the MAFMC recommendation, the meas ures will be published as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (iii) If NMFS does not concur, the MAFMC will be notified in writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence. (4) Emergency actions. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under section 305(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. (b) [Reserved] [76 FR 60625, Sept. 29, 2011, as amended at 76 FR 81848, Dec. 29, 2011; 80 FR 37194, June 30, 2015; 81 FR 38974, June 15, 2016] Subpart F—Management Meas ures for the NE Multispecies and Monkfish Fisheries § 648.80 NE Multispecies regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and methods of fishing. Except as provided in § 648.17, all ves sels must comply with the following minimum mesh size, gear and methods of fishing requirements, unless other wise exempted or prohibited. (a) Gulf of Maine (GOM) and GB Regu lated Mesh Areas—(1) GOM Regulated Mesh Area. The GOM Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request) is that area: (i) Bounded on the east by the U.S. Canada maritime boundary, defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: Point N. lat. W. long. G1 ...................................... (1) (1) G2 ...................................... 43°58′ 67°22′ G3 ...................................... 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ G4 ...................................... 42°31′ 67°28.1′ CII3 .................................... 42°22′ 67°20′ 2 1 The intersection of the shoreline and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. 2 The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. (ii) Bounded on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: Point N. lat. W. long. CII3 .................................... 42°22′ 67°20′ 1 G6 ...................................... 42°20′ 67°20′ G7 ...................................... 42°20′ 69°30′ G8 ...................................... 42°00′ 69°30′ G9 ...................................... 42°00′ (2) 1 The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. 2 The intersection of the Cape Cod, MA, coastline and 42°00′ N. lat. (2) GB Regulated Mesh Area. The GB Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon re quest) is that area: (i) Bounded on the north by the southern boundary of the GOM Regu lated Mesh Area as defined in para graph (a)(1)(ii) of this section; and (ii) Bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB REGULATED MESH AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude CII3 ............................... 42°22′ 67°20′ 1 SNE1 ............................. 40°24′ 65°43′ 2 1 The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. 2 The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary as it intersects with the EEZ. (iii) Bounded on the west by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: Point N. lat. W. long. G12 .................................... (1) 70°00′ G11 .................................... 40°50′ 70°00′ NL1 .................................... 40°50′ 69°40′ NL2 .................................... 40°18.7′ 69°40′ NL3 .................................... 40°22.7′ 69°00′ ....................................... (2) 69°00′ 1 South facing shoreline of Cape Cod. 791 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 2 Southward to its intersection with the EEZ. (3) GOM Regulated Mesh Area minimum mesh size and gear restrictions—(i) Ves sels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(i) and (vi) of this sec tion and § 648.85(b)(6), and unless other wise restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, except a midwater trawl, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under the NE multispe cies DAS program or on a sector trip in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 6 inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh, applied through out the body and extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5 inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh or square mesh applied to the codend of the net as defined in paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, provided the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (A) For vessels greater than 45 ft (13.7 m) in length overall, a diamond mesh codend is defined as the first 50 meshes counting from the terminus of the net, and a square mesh codend is defined as the first 100 bars counting from the ter minus of the net. (B) For vessels 45 ft (13.7 m) or less in length overall, a diamond mesh codend is defined as the first 25 meshes count ing from the terminus of the net, and a square mesh codend is defined as the first 50 bars counting from the ter minus of the net. (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii) and (vi) of this section, and unless other wise restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS pro gram in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5 inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout the net, or any combina tion thereof, provided the vessel com plies with the requirements of para graph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This re striction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the Large-mesh DAS program, speci fied in § 648.82(b)(4), is 8.5-inch (21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (iv) Gillnet vessels—(A) Trip gillnet ves sels—(1) Mesh size. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(iv) and (vi) of this section, and unless otherwise restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this sec tion, for any vessel that obtains an an nual designation as a Trip gillnet ves sel, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet when fishing in the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sec tor trip in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (2) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fath oms (91.4 m) in length. (B) Day gillnet vessels—(1) Mesh size. Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(3)(iv) and (vi) of this section, and unless otherwise restricted under para graph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, for any vessel that obtain an annual designa tion as a Day gillnet vessel, the min imum mesh size for any sink gillnet when fishing under the NE multispe cies DAS program or on a sector trip in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), 792 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (2) Number of nets. A day gillnet ves sel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 50 roundfish sink gillnets or 100 flatfish (tie-down) sink gillnets, each of which must be tagged pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this sec tion, except as provided in § 648.92(b)(8)(i). Vessels may fish any combination of roundfish and flatfish gillnets up to 100 nets, and may stow additional nets not to exceed 160 nets, counting deployed nets. (3) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fath oms (91.4 m) in length. (4) Tags. Roundfish nets must be tagged with two tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net, within a string of nets, and flatfish nets must have one tag per net, with one tag secured to every other bridle of every net within a string of nets. Gillnet vessels must also abide by the tagging requirements in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. Tags must be obtained as described in § 648.4(c)(2)(iii), and vessels must have on board written confirmation issued by the Regional Administrator, indi cating that the vessel is a Day gillnet vessel or a Trip gillnet vessel. The ves sel operator must produce all net tags upon request by an authorized officer. A vessel may have tags on board in ex cess of the number of tags cor responding to the allowable number of nets, provided such tags are onboard the vessel and can be made available for inspection. (1) Lost tags. Vessel owners or opera tors are required to report lost, de stroyed, and missing tag numbers as soon as feasible after tags have been discovered lost, destroyed or missing, by letter or fax to the Regional Admin istrator. (2) Replacement tags. Vessel owners or operators seeking replacement of lost, destroyed, or missing tags must re quest replacement of tags by letter or fax to the Regional Administrator. A check for the cost of the replacement tags must be received by the Regional Administrator before tags will be re issued. (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (a)(3)(v) or § 648.87(c), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip, and vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Ves sel permit in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 2,000 rigged hooks. All longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An unbaited hook and gangion that has not been secured to the ground line of the trawl on board a vessel during the fishing trip is deemed to be a replace ment hook and is not counted toward the 2,000-hook limit. A ‘‘snap-on’’ hook is deemed to be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited during the fishing trip. The use of de-hookers (‘‘crucifer’’) with less than 6-inch (15.2 cm) spacing between the fairlead roll ers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Hook Gear permit and fishing under a multispecies DAS or on a sector trip in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel. Vessels fish ing with a valid NE multispecies lim ited access Handgear A permit, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from fishing, or possessing on board the vessel, gear other than handgear. Vessels fishing with tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel more than 250 hooks. (vi) Other restrictions and exemptions. A vessel is prohibited from fishing in the GOM or GB Exemption Area as de fined in paragraph (a)(17) of this sec tion, except if fishing with exempted gear (as defined under this part) or under the exemptions specified in para graphs (a)(5) through (a)(7), (a)(9) through (a)(16) and (a)(18) through (a)(19), (d), (e), (h), and (i) of this sec tion; or if fishing under a NE multispe cies DAS; or if fishing on a sector trip; or if fishing under the Small Vessel or 793 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 Handgear A permit specified in § 648.82(b)(5) and (6), respectively; or if fishing under a Handgear B permit specified in § 648.88(a); or if fishing under the scallop state waters exemp tions specified in § 648.54 and paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section; or if fishing under a scallop DAS or general cat egory trip in accordance with para graph (h) of this section; or if fishing pursuant to a NE multispecies open ac cess Charter/Party or Handgear permit specified in § 648.88; or if fishing as a charter/party or private recreational vessel in compliance with § 648.89. Any gear used by a vessel in this area must be authorized under one of these ex emptions. Any gear on a vessel that is not authorized under one of these ex emptions must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (vii) Rockhopper and roller gear restric tions. For all trawl vessels fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or sector trip in the GOM/GB Inshore Restricted Roller Gear Area, the diameter of any part of the trawl footrope, including discs, rollers, or rockhoppers, must not ex ceed 12 inches (30.5 cm). The GOM/GB Inshore Restricted Roller Gear Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: INSHORE RESTRICTED ROLLER GEAR AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ......................................... 42°00′ (1) 2 ......................................... 42°00′ (2) 3 ......................................... 42°00′ (3) 4 ......................................... 42°00′ 69°50′ 5 ......................................... 43°00′ 69°50′ 6 ......................................... 43°00′ 70°00′ 7 ......................................... 43°30′ 70°00′ 8 ......................................... 43°30′ (4) 1 Massachusetts shoreline. 2 Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay. 3 Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. 4 Maine shoreline. (4) GB regulated mesh area minimum mesh size and gear restrictions—(i) Ves sels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of this section, this paragraph (a)(4)(i), § 648.85(b)(6) and (8), and § 648.87(c)(2)(ii), and unless other wise restricted under paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, except a midwater trawl, and the minimum mesh size for any trawl net when fish ing in that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as described in para graph (b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under the NE multi species DAS program or on a sector trip in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5 inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout the body and extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh or square mesh applied to the codend of the net as defined in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, provided the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of this section, and this paragraph (a)(4)(ii), and unless otherwise re stricted under paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, and the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, when fishing in that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemp tion Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2 cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout the net, or any combination thereof, pro vided the vessel complies with the re quirements of paragraph (a)(3)(vii) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh Area, the 794 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, and the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, or sink gillnet, when fishing in that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for im mediate use as defined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the Large-mesh DAS pro gram, specified in § 648.82(b)(5), is 8.5 inch (21.6-cm) diamond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This restric tion does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multi species permit and that are fishing ex clusively in state waters. (iv) Gillnet vessels. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(vi) of this section and this paragraph (a)(4)(iv), for Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet, and the minimum mesh size for any roundfish or flatfish gillnet when fishing in that portion of the GB Regulated Mesh Area that lies within the SNE Exemption Area, as described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, that is not stowed and available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, when fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the GB Regulated Mesh Area is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restric tion does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multi species permit and that are fishing ex clusively in state waters. (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with nets longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length. (B) Day gillnet vessels—(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the GB Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 50 nets, except as provided in § 648.92(b)(8)(i). (2) Net size requirements. Vessels may fish any combination of roundfish and flatfish gillnets, up to 50 nets. Such vessels, may stow additional nets not to exceed 150, counting the deployed net. Such vessels may stow additional nets in accordance with the definition of not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2 not to exceed 150 nets, counting the deployed net. (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish nets must be tagged with two tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a string of nets. (4) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (a)(4)(v), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Ves sel permit, in the GB Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel and prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 3,600 rigged hooks. All longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement hook and is not counted toward the 3,600-hook limit. A ‘‘snap-on’’ hook is deemed to be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. The use of de-hookers (‘‘crucifer’’) with less than 6-inch (15.2 cm) spacing between the fairlead roll ers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Hook gear permit and fishing under a multispecies DAS in the GB Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such ves sels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Handgear A permit are prohibited from fishing or possessing on board the vessel, gear other than hand gear. Vessels fishing with tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the ves sel more than 250 hooks. (vi)–(viii) [Reserved] (5) Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fish ery Exemption. Vessels subject to the 795 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 minimum mesh size restrictions speci fied in this paragraph (a) may fish for, harvest, possess, or land northern shrimp in the GOM, GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as described under paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and (c)(1) of this section, respectively, with nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(5)(i) through (iii) of this section. (i) Restrictions on fishing for, pos sessing, or landing fish other than shrimp. An owner or operator of a vessel fish ing in the northern shrimp fishery under the exemption described in this paragraph (a)(5) may not fish for, pos sess on board, or land any species of fish other than shrimp, except for the following, with the restrictions noted, as allowable incidental species: Long horn sculpin; combined silver hake and offshore hake—up to an amount equal to the total weight of shrimp possessed on board or landed, not to exceed 3,500 lb (1,588 kg); and American lobster—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, which ever is less, unless otherwise restricted by landing limits specified in § 697.17 of this chapter. Silver hake and offshore hake on board a vessel subject to this possession limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspec tion. (ii) Requirement to use a finfish ex cluder device (FED). A vessel must have a rigid or semi-rigid grate consisting of parallel bars of not more than 1-inch (2.54-cm) spacing that excludes all fish and other objects, except those that are small enough to pass between its bars into the codend of the trawl, se cured in the trawl, forward of the codend, in such a manner that it pre cludes the passage of fish or other ob jects into the codend without the fish or objects having to first pass between the bars of the grate, in any net with mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section. The net must have an out let or hole to allow fish or other ob jects that are too large to pass between the bars of the grate to exit the net. The aftermost edge of this outlet or hole must be at least as wide as the grate at the point of attachment. The outlet or hole must extend forward from the grate toward the mouth of the net. A funnel of net material is allowed in the lengthening piece of the net for ward of the grate to direct catch to wards the grate. (Copies of a schematic example of a properly configured and installed FED are available from the Regional Administrator upon request.) (iii) Time restrictions. A vessel may only fish under this exemption during the northern shrimp season, as estab lished by the Commission and an nounced in the Commission’s letter to participants. (6) Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area. Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions speci fied in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in para graph (a)(6)(i) of this section. The Cul tivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemp tion Area (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: CULTIVATOR SHOAL WHITING FISHERY EXEMPTION AREA Point N. lat. W. long. C1 ...................................... 42°10′ 68°10′ C2 ...................................... 41°30′ 68°41′ CI4 ..................................... 41°30′ 68°30′ C3 ...................................... 41°12.8′ 68°30′ C4 ...................................... 41°05′ 68°20′ C5 ...................................... 41°55′ 67°40′ C1 ...................................... 42°10′ 68°10′ (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fish ery Exemption Area under this exemp tion must have on board a valid letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator. (B) An owner or operator of a vessel fishing in this area may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than whiting and offshore hake combined—up to a maximum of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg), except for the fol lowing, with the restrictions noted, as allowable incidental species: Atlantic 796 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 herring, up to the amount specified in § 648.204; longhorn sculpin; squid, butterfish, and Atlantic mackerel, up to the amounts specified in § 648.26; spiny dogfish, up to the amount speci fied in § 648.235; red hake, up to the amount specified in § 648.86(d), monkfish and monkfish parts—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight/146 lb (66 kg) whole-weight of monkfish per trip, as specified in § 648.94(c)(4), whichever is less; and American lobster—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less, unless otherwise restricted by landing limits specified in § 697.17 of this chapter. (C) Counting from the terminus of the net, all nets must have a minimum mesh size of 3-inch (7.6-cm) square or diamond mesh applied to the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and applied to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) in length. (D) Fishing is confined to a season of June 15 through October 31, unless oth erwise specified by notification in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (E) When a vessel is transiting through the GOM or GB Regulated Mesh Areas specified under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, any nets with a mesh size smaller than the min imum mesh specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, unless the ves sel is fishing for small-mesh multispe cies under another exempted fishery specified in this paragraph (a). (F) A vessel fishing in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area may fish for small-mesh multispecies in exempted fisheries outside of the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Ex emption Area, provided that the vessel complies with the more restrictive gear, possession limit, and other re quirements specified in the regulations of that exempted fishery for the entire participation period specified on the vessel’s letter of authorization and consistent with paragraph (a)(15)(i)(G) of this section. For example, a vessel may fish in both the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area and the Southern New England or Mid-At lantic Exemption Areas, and would be restricted to a minimum mesh size of 3 in (7.62 cm) and a maximum trip limit of 30,000 lb (13,607.77 kg) for silver hake and offshore hake, combined, as re quired in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area. (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Ad ministrator shall conduct periodic sea sampling to determine if there is a need to change the area or season des ignation, and to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species, especially had dock. (iii) Annual review. The NEFMC shall conduct an annual review of data to de termine if there are any changes in area or season designation necessary, and to make appropriate recommenda tions to the Regional Administrator following the procedures specified in § 648.90. (7) Transiting. (i) Vessels fishing in the Small Mesh Area 1/Small Mesh Area 2 fishery, as specified in para graph (a)(9) of this section, may transit through the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area as specified in para graph (a)(11) of this section with nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section, provided that the nets are stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. Ves sels fishing in the Small Mesh North ern Shrimp Fishery, as specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, may transit through the GOM, GB, SNE, and MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as de scribed in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and (c)(1) of this section, respec tively, with nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2), and (c)(2) of this section, provided the nets are stowed and not available for imme diate use as defined in § 648.2. (ii) Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in para graphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may transit through the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Areas defined in paragraphs (a)(11) and (18) of this sec tion with nets on board with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, provided that the nets are stowed and not available for immediate 797 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 use as defined in § 648.2, and provided the vessel has no fish on board. (iii) Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in para graphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may transit through the GOM and GB Regu lated Mesh Areas defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section with nets on board with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified and with small mesh exempted species on board, provided that the following con ditions are met: (A) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this sec tion are stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (B) A letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator is on board. (C) Vessels do not fish for, possess on board, or land any fish, except when fishing in the areas specified in para graphs (a)(6), (a)(10), (a)(15), (b), and (c) of this section. Vessels may retain ex empted small-mesh species as provided in paragraphs (a)(6)(i), (a)(10)(i), (a)(15)(i), (b)(3), and (c)(3) of this sec tion. (8) Addition or deletion of exemptions— (i) Exemption allowing no incidental catch of regulated multispecies. An ex emption may be added in an existing fishery for which there are sufficient data or information to ascertain the amount of regulated species bycatch, if the Regional Administrator, after con sultation with the NEFMC, determines that the percentage of regulated spe cies caught as bycatch is, or can be re duced to, less than 5 percent, by weight, of total catch, unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(8)(i) of this section, and that such exemption will not jeopardize fishing mortality objectives. The 5-percent regulated spe cies incidental bycatch standard could be modified for a stock that is not in an overfished condition, or if over fishing is not occurring on that stock. When considering modifications of the standard, it must be shown that the change will not delay a rebuilding pro gram, or result in overfishing or an overfished condition. In determining whether exempting a fishery may jeop ardize meeting fishing mortality objec tives, the Regional Administrator may take into consideration various factors including, but not limited to, juvenile mortality, sacrifices in yield that will result from that mortality, the ratio of target species to regulated species, sta tus of stock rebuilding, and recent re cruitment of regulated species. A fish ery can be defined, restricted, or al lowed by area, gear, season, or other means determined to be appropriate to reduce bycatch of regulated species. The Regional Administrator may mod ify or delete an existing exemption if he/she determines that the catch of regulated species is equal to or greater than 5 percent, by weight of total catch, or another pertinent approved amount, or that continuing the exemp tion may jeopardize meeting fishing mortality objectives. Notification of additions, deletions, or modifications will be made through issuance of a rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (ii) Exemption allowing incidental catch of regulated species. An exemption may be added in an existing fishery that would allow vessels to retain and land regulated multispecies, under the re strictions specified in paragraphs (a)(8)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section, if the Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, con siders the status of the regulated spe cies stock or stocks caught in the fish ery, the risk that this exemption would result in a targeted regulated species fishery, the extent of the fishery in terms of time and area, and the possi bility of expansion in the fishery. Inci dental catch in exempted fisheries under this paragraph (a)(8)(ii) are sub ject, at a minimum, to the following restrictions: (A) A prohibition on the possession of regulated multispecies that are over fished or where overfishing is occur ring; (B) A prohibition on the possession of regulated species in NE multispecies closure areas; and (C) A prohibition on allowing an ex empted fishery to occur that would allow retention of a regulated multi species stock under an ongoing rebuild ing program, unless it can be deter mined that the catch of the stock in the exempted fishery is not likely to result in exceeding the rebuilding mor tality rate. 798 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 (iii) For exemptions allowing no inci dental catch of regulated species, as defined under paragraph (a)(8)(i) of this section, the NEFMC may recommend to the Regional Administrator, through the framework procedure spec ified in § 648.90(c), additions or dele tions to exemptions for fisheries, either existing or proposed, for which there may be insufficient data or informa tion for the Regional Administrator to determine, without public comment, percentage catch of regulated species. For exemptions allowing incidental catch of regulated species, as defined under paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this sec tion, the NEFMC may recommend to the Regional Administrator, through the framework procedure specified in § 648.90(c), additions or deletions to ex emptions for fisheries, either existing or proposed, for which there may be in sufficient data or information for the Regional Administrator to determine, without public comment, the risk that this exemption would result in a tar geted regulated species fishery, the ex tent of the fishery in terms of time and area, and the possibility of expansion in the fishery. (iv) Unless otherwise specified within the exempted fisheries authorized under this paragraph (a)(8), incidental catch is restricted, at a minimum, to the following: (A) With the exception of fisheries authorized under paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this section, a prohibition on the pos session of regulated species; (B) A limit on the possession of monkfish or monkfish parts of 10 per cent, by weight, of all other species on board or as specified by § 648.94(c)(3), (4), (5) or (6), as applicable, whichever is less; (C) A limit on the possession of lob sters of 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less; and (D) A limit on the possession of skate or skate parts in the SNE Exemption Area described in paragraph (b)(10) of this section of 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board. (9) Small Mesh Area 1/Small Mesh Area 2—(i) Description. (A) Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, a vessel subject to the min imum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with or possess nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size, provided the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraph (a)(5)(ii) or (a)(9)(ii) of this section, and § 648.86(d), from July 15 through No vember 15, when fishing in Small Mesh Area 1; and from January 1 through June 30, when fishing in Small Mesh Area 2. While lawfully fishing in these areas with mesh smaller than the min imum size, an owner or operator of any vessel may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than: Silver hake and offshore hake, combined, and red hake—up to the amounts specified in § 648.86(d); butterfish, Atlantic mackerel, or squid, up the amounts specified in § 648.26; spiny dogfish, up to the amount speci fied in § 648.235; Atlantic herring, up to the amount specified in § 648.204; and scup, up to the amount specified in § 648.128. (B) Small-mesh Areas 1 and 2 are de fined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting these areas are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request): SMALL MESH AREA I Point N. lat. W. long. SM1 ................................... 43°03′ 70°27′ SM2 ................................... 42°57′ 70°22′ SM3 ................................... 42°47′ 70°32′ SM4 ................................... 42°45′ 70°29′ SM5 ................................... 42°43′ 70°32′ SM6 ................................... 42°44′ 70°39′ SM7 ................................... 42°49′ 70°43′ SM8 ................................... 42°50′ 70°41′ SM9 ................................... 42°53′ 70°43′ SM10 ................................. 42°55′ 70°40′ SM11 ................................. 42°59′ 70°32′ SM1 ................................... 43°03′ 70°27′ SMALL MESH AREA II Point N. lat. W. long. SM13 ................................. 43°05.6′ 69°55′ SM14 ................................. 43°10.1′ 69°43.3′ SM15 ................................. 42°49.5′ 69°40′ SM16 ................................. 42°41.5′ 69°40′ SM17 ................................. 42°36.6′ 69°55′ SM13 ................................. 43°05.6′ 69°55′ (ii) Raised footrope trawl. Vessels fish ing in the Small Mesh Areas I and II Exemption Programs described in § 648.80(a)(9)) must configure the ves sel’s gear with a raised footrope trawl, 799 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 configured in such a way that, when towed, the gear is not in contact with the ocean bottom. Vessels are pre sumed to be fishing in such a manner if their trawl gear is designed as specified in paragraphs (a)(9)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section and is towed so that it does not come into contact with the ocean bottom. (A) Eight-inch (20.3-cm) diameter floats must be attached to the entire length of the headrope, with a max imum spacing of 4 ft (122.0 cm) between floats. (B) The ground gear must all be bare wire not larger than 1⁄2 inch (1.2 cm) for the top leg, not larger than 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) for the bottom leg, and not larger than 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) for the ground ca bles. The top and bottom legs must be equal in length, with no extensions. The total length of ground cables and legs must not be greater than 40 fath oms (73 m) from the doors to wing ends. (C) The footrope must be longer than the length of the headrope, but not more than 20 ft (6.1 m) longer than the length of the headrope. The footrope must be rigged so that it does not con tact the ocean bottom while fishing. (D) The raised footrope trawl may be used with or without a chain sweep. If used without a chain sweep, the drop chains must be a maximum of 3⁄8-inch (0.95-cm) diameter bare chain and must be hung from the center of the footrope and each corner (the quarter, or the junction of the bottom wing to the belly at the footrope). Drop chains must be hung at intervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) along the footrope from the corners to the wing ends. If used with a chain sweep, the sweep must be rigged so it is behind and below the footrope, and the footrope is off the bottom. This is ac complished by having the sweep longer than the footrope and having long drop chains attaching the sweep to the footrope at regular intervals. The for ward end of the sweep and footrope must be connected to the bottom leg at the same point. This attachment, in conjunction with the headrope flota tion, keeps the footrope off the bottom. The sweep and its rigging, including drop chains, must be made entirely of bare chain with a maximum diameter of 5⁄16 inches (0.8 cm). No wrapping or cookies are allowed on the drop chains or sweep. The total length of the sweep must be at least 7 ft (2.1 m) longer than the total length of the footrope, or 3.5 ft (1.1 m) longer on each side. Drop chains must connect the footrope to the sweep chain, and the length of each drop chain must be at least 42 inches (106.7 cm). One drop chain must be hung from the center of the footrope to the center of the sweep, and one drop chain must be hung from each corner. The attachment points of each drop chain on the sweep and the footrope must be the same distance from the center drop chain attachments. Drop chains must be hung at intervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) from the corners toward the wing ends. The distance of the drop chain that is nearest the wing end to the end of the footrope may differ from net to net. However, the sweep must be at least 3.5 ft (1.1m) longer than the footrope between the drop chain closest to the wing ends and the end of the sweep that attaches to the wing end. (10) Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area. Vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions speci fied in paragraph (a)(3) or paragraph (a)(4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets of mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in the Nan tucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemp tion Area, if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in para graph (a)(10)(i) of this section. The Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Ex emption Area (copies of a map depict ing this area are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: NANTUCKET SHOALS DOGFISH EXEMPTION AREA Point N. lat. W. long. NS1 .................................... 41°45′ 70°00′ NS2 .................................... 41°45′ 69°20′ NS3 .................................... 41°30′ 69°20′ Cl1 ..................................... 41°30′ 69°23′ NS5 .................................... 41°26.5′ 69°20′ NS6 .................................... 40°50′ 69°20′ NS7 .................................... 40°50′ 70°00′ NS1 .................................... 41°45′ 70°00′ 800 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fish ery Exemption Area, under the exemp tion, must have on board a letter of au thorization issued by the Regional Ad ministrator and may not fish for, pos sess on board, or land any species of fish other than dogfish, except as pro vided under paragraph (a)(10)(i)(D) of this section. (B) Fishing is confined to June 1 through October 15. (C) When transiting the GOM or GB Regulated Mesh Areas, specified under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, any nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (D) Incidental species provisions. The following species may be possessed and landed, with the restrictions noted, as allowable incidental species in the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Ex emption Area: Longhorn sculpin; silver hake—up to 200 lb (90.7 kg); monkfish and monkfish parts—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail-weight/146 lb (66 kg) whole-weight of monkfish per trip, as specified in § 648.94(c)(4), which ever is less; American lobster—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less, unless otherwise restricted by landing limits specified in § 697.17 of this chapter; and skate or skate parts— up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board.. (E) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area, under the exemption, must com ply with any additional gear restric tions specified in the letter of author ization issued by the Regional Admin istrator. (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Ad ministrator may conduct periodic sea sampling to determine if there is a need to change the area or season des ignation, and to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species. (11) [Reserved] (12) Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, a vessel may fish with a dredge in the Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemp tion Area, provided that any dredge on board the vessel does not exceed 8 ft (2.4 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge, and the vessel does not fish for, harvest, possess, or land any species of fish other than mussels and sea urchins. The area co ordinates of the Nantucket Shoals Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemp tion Area are the same coordinates as those of the Nantucket Shoals Dogfish Fishery Exemption Area specified in paragraph (a)(10) of this section. (13) GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, a vessel may fish with gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemp tion Area when not under a NE multi species DAS if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in para graph (a)(13)(i) of this section. The GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: N lat. W long. 41°35′ .................................................... 70°00′ 42°49.5′ ................................................. 70°00′ 42°49.5′ ................................................. 69°40′ 43°12′ .................................................... 69°00′ (1) .......................................................... 69°00′ 1 Due north to Maine shoreline. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than monkfish, or lobsters in an amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of the total catch on board, or 200 lobsters, whichever is less. (B) All gillnets must have a min imum mesh size of 10-inch (25.4-cm) di amond mesh throughout the net. (C) Fishing is confined to July 1 through September 14. (ii) [Reserved] (14) GOM/GB Dogfish Gillnet Exemp tion. Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, a vessel may fish with gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel com plies with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(14)(i) of this section. The area coordinates of the GOM/GB 801 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area are specified in para graph (a)(13) of this section. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than dogfish, or lobsters in an amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of the total catch on board, or 200 lobsters, whichever is less. (B) All gillnets must have a min imum mesh size of 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) di amond mesh throughout the net. (C) Fishing is confined to July 1 through August 31. (ii) [Reserved] (15) Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. Unless otherwise pro hibited in § 648.370 or § 648.371, vessels subject to the minimum mesh size re strictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets in the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(15)(i) of this section. This exemption does not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Areas or the Western GOM Area Closure specified in § 648.81(a)(3) and (4), respectively. The Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fish ery Area (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: RAISED FOOTROPE TRAWL WHITING FISHERY EXEMPTION AREA [September 1 through November 20] Point N lat. W long. RF 1 .................. 42°14.05′ 70°08.8′ RF 2 .................. 42°09.2′ 69°47.8′ RF 3 .................. 41°54.85′ 69°35.2′ RF 4 .................. 41°41.5′ 69°32.85′ RF 5 .................. 41°39′ 69°44.3′ RF 6 .................. 41°45.6′ 69°51.8′ RF 7 .................. 41°52.3′ 69°52.55′ RF 8 .................. 41°55.5′ 69°53.45′ RF 9 .................. 42°08.35′ 70°04.05′ RF 10 ................ 42°04.75′ 70°16.95′ RF 11 ................ 42°00′ 70°13.2′ RF 12 ................ 42°00′ 70°24.1′ RF 13 ................ 42°07.85′ 70°30.1′ RF 1 .................. 42°14.05′ 70°08.8′ RAISED FOOTROPE TRAWL WHITING FISHERY EXEMPTION AREA [November 21 through December 31] Point N lat. W long. RF 1 .................. 42°14.05′ 70°08.8′ RF 2 .................. 42°09.2′ 69°47.8′ RF 3 .................. 41°54.85′ 69°35.2′ RF 4 .................. 41°41.5′ 69°32.85′ RF 5 .................. 41°39′ 69°44.3′ RF 6 .................. 41°45.6′ 69°51.8′ RF 7 .................. 41°52.3′ 69°52.55′ RF 8 .................. 41°55.5′ 69°53.45′ RF 9 .................. 42°08.35′ 70°04.05′ RF 1 .................. 42°14.05′ 70°08.8′ (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery under this exemption must have on board a valid letter of author ization issued by the Regional Admin istrator. To obtain a letter of author ization, vessel owners must write to or call during normal business hours the Northeast Region Permit Office and provide the vessel name, owner name, permit number, and the desired period of time that the vessel will be enrolled. Since letters of authorization are effec tive the day after they are requested, vessel owners should allow appropriate processing and mailing time. To with draw from a category, vessel owners must write to or call the Northeast Re gion Permit Office. Withdrawals are ef fective the day after the date of re quest. Withdrawals may occur after a minimum of 7 days of enrollment. (B) All nets must be no smaller than a minimum mesh size of 2.5-in (6.35-cm) square or diamond mesh, subject to the restrictions as specified in paragraph (a)(15)(i)(D) of this section. An owner or operator of a vessel enrolled in the raised footrope whiting fishery may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than silver hake, offshore hake, and red hake, sub ject to the applicable possession limits as specified in § 648.86(d), except for the following allowable incidental species: Butterfish, Atlantic mackerel, and squid, up to the amounts specified in § 648.26; scup, up to the amount speci fied in § 648.128; spiny dogfish, up to the amount specified in § 648.235, and Atlan tic herring, up to the amount specified in § 648.204. (C) [Reserved] 802 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 (D) All nets must comply with the minimum mesh sizes specified in para graphs (a)(15)(i)(B) of this section. Counting from the terminus of the net, the minimum mesh size is applied to the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus of the net for vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and is applied to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus of the net for vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) in length. (E) Raised footrope trawl gear is re quired and must be configured as speci fied in paragraphs (a)(9)(ii)(A) through (D) of this section. (F) Fishing may only occur from Sep tember 1 through November 20 of each fishing year, except that it may con tinue to occur in the eastern portion only of the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area, which remains open through December 31 of each fishing year. (G) A vessel enrolled in the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery may fish for small-mesh multispecies in ex empted fisheries outside of the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery ex emption area, provided that the vessel complies with the more restrictive gear, possession limit and other re quirements specified in the regulations of that exempted fishery for the entire participation period specified on the vessel’s letter of authorization. For ex ample, a vessel may fish in both the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fish ery and the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area, and would be restricted to a minimum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), as required in the Cul tivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemp tion Area; the use of the raised footrope trawl; and the catch and by catch restrictions of the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery, ex cept for scup. (ii) Sea sampling. The Regional Ad ministrator shall conduct periodic sea sampling to evaluate the bycatch of regulated species. (16) GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. Unless other wise prohibited in § 648.370 or § 648.371, vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with, use, and possess in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area from July 1 through No vember 30 of each year, nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraphs (a)(16)(i) and (ii) of this sec tion. The GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Area (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM GRATE RAISED FOOTROPE TRAWL WHITING FISHERY EXEMPTION AREA [July 1 through November 30] Point N lat. W long. GRF1 ................ 43°15′ 70°35.4′ GRF2 ................ 43°15′ 70°00′ GRF3 ................ 43°25.2′ 70°00′ GRF4 ................ 43°41.8′ 69°20′ GRF5 ................ 43°58.8′ 69°20′ (i) Mesh requirements and possession restrictions. (A) All nets must comply with a minimum mesh size of 2.5-in (6.35-cm) square or diamond mesh, sub ject to the restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(B) of this section. An owner or operator of a vessel par ticipating in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish, other than silver hake and offshore hake, subject to the applicable possession limits as specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(C) of this section, and red hake, subject to the possession limit specified in § 648.86, except for the fol lowing allowable incidental species: Butterfish, Atlantic mackerel, and squid, up to the amounts specified in § 648.26; Atlantic herring, up to the amount specified in § 648.204; and ale wife. (B) All nets must comply with the minimum mesh size specified in para graph (a)(16)(i)(A) of this section. Counting from the terminus of the net, the minimum mesh size is applied to the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) from the terminus of the net for vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length and is applied to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of 803 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 square mesh) from the terminus of the net for vessels less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) in length. (C) An owner or operator of a vessel participating in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery may fish for, possess, and land combined silver hake and offshore hake only up to 7,500 lb (3,402 kg). An owner or operator fishing with mesh larger than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph (a)(16)(i)(A) of this section may not fish for, possess, or land silver hake or offshore hake in quantities larger than 7,500 lb (3,402 kg). (ii) Gear specifications. In addition to the requirements specified in para graph (a)(16)(i) of this section, an owner or operator of a vessel fishing in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery must con figure the vessel’s trawl gear as speci fied in paragraphs (a)(16)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. (A) An owner or operator of a vessel fishing in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery must configure the vessel’s gear with a raised footrope trawl as specified in paragraphs (a)(9)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. In addition, the restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(16)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section apply to vessels fishing in the GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempt ed Whiting Fishery. (B) The raised footrope trawl must be used without a sweep of any kind (chain, roller frame, or rockhopper). The drop chains must be a maximum of 3⁄8-inch (0.95 cm) diameter bare chain and must be hung from the center of the footrope and each corner (the quar ter, or the junction of the bottom wing to the belly at the footrope). Drop chains must be at least 42 inches (106.7 cm) in length and must be hung at in tervals of 8 ft (2.4 m) along the footrope from the corners to the wing ends. (C) The raised footrope trawl net must have a rigid or semi-rigid grate consisting of parallel bars of not more than 50 mm (1.97 inches) spacing that excludes all fish and other objects, ex cept those that are small enough to pass between its bars into the codend of the trawl. The grate must be secured in the trawl, forward of the codend, in such a manner that it precludes the passage of fish or other objects into the codend without the fish or objects hav ing to first pass between the bars of the grate. The net must have an outlet or hole to allow fish or other objects that are too large to pass between the bars of the grate to exit the net. The after most edge of this outlet or hole must be at least as wide as the grate at the point of attachment. The outlet or hole must extend forward from the grate to ward the mouth of the net. A funnel of net material is allowed in the length ening piece of the net forward of the grate to direct catch towards the grate. (iii) Annual review. On an annual basis, the Groundfish PDT will review data from this fishery, including sea sampling data, to determine whether adjustments are necessary to ensure that regulated species bycatch remains at a minimum. If the Groundfish PDT recommends adjustments to ensure that regulated species bycatch remains at a minimum, the Council may take action prior to the next fishing year through the framework adjustment process specified in § 648.90(c), and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. (17) GOM/GB Exemption Area—Area definition. The GOM/GB Exemption Area (copies of a map depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request) is that area: (i) Bounded on the east by the U.S. Canada maritime boundary, defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GULF OF MAINE GEORGES BANK EXEMPTION AREA Point N. lat. W. long. G1 ...................................... (1) (1) G2 ...................................... 43°58′ 67°22′ G3 ...................................... 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ G4 ...................................... 42°31′ 67°28.1′ G5 ...................................... 41°18.6′ 66°24.8′ 1The intersection of the shoreline and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary (ii) Bounded on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: 804 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 GULF OF MAINE/GEORGES BANK EXEMPTION AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude G6 ................................. 40°55.5′ 66°38′ G7 ................................. 40°45′ 68°00′ G8 ................................. 40°37′ 68°00′ G9 ................................. 40°30′ 69°00′ NL3 ............................... 40°22.7′ 69°00′ NL2 ............................... 40°18.7′ 69°40′ NL1 ............................... 40°50′ 69°40′ G11 ............................... 40°50′ 70°00′ G12 ............................... (1) 70°00′ 1Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of mainland Massachusetts. (18) [Reserved] (19) Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Areas. Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.370 or § 648.371, vessels issued a NE multispecies limited access permit that have declared out of the DAS pro gram as specified in § 648.10, or that have used up their DAS allocations, may fish in the Eastern or Western Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Area as defined under paragraphs (a)(19)(i) and (ii) of this section, when not under a NE multispecies or scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the requirements for the Eastern or Western area, specified in paragraphs (a)(19)(i) and (ii) of this section, respec tively. (i) Eastern area definition. The East ern Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depict ing the area are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request): Eastern Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Ex emption Area [June 1 through Decem ber 31, unless otherwise specified in paragraph (a)(19)(i)(A) of this section] Point N. latitude W. longitude CCD 1 ................................ 42/00′ 70/00′ CCD 2 ................................ 42/00′ 69/47.5′ CCD 3 ................................ 41/40′ 69/47.5′ CCD 4 ................................ 41/29.5′ 69/35.5′ CCD 5 ................................ 41/29.5′ 69/23′ CCD 6 ................................ 41/26′ 69/20′ CCD 7 ................................ 41/20′ 69/20′ CCD 8 ................................ 41/20′ (1) CCD 9 ................................ (2) 70/00′ CCD 10 .............................. (3) 70/00′ CCD 11 .............................. (4) 70/00′ CCD 1 ................................ 42/00′ 70/00′ 1 The eastern coastline of Nantucket, MA at 41°20′ N. lat. 2 The northern coastline of Nantucket, MA at 70°00′ W. long. 3 The southern coastline of Cape Cod, MA at 70°00′ W. long., then along the eastern coastline of Cape Cod, MA to Point—11 4 The northern coastline of Cape Cod, MA, at 70°00′ W. long. (A) Requirements. (1) A vessel fishing in the Eastern Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Area specified in this para graph (a)(19) may not fish for, possess on board, or land any NE regulated spe cies in accordance with the require ments of paragraph (a)(19) of this sec tion. (2) Vessels may use gillnet gear, as specified in § 648.80(a)(4)(iv), or longline gear as specified in § 648.80(a)(4)(v), from June 1 through December 31. (3) Vessels may use handgear from June 1 through August 31. (B) [Reserved] (ii) Western area definition. The West ern Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Area is bounded on the north by 42°11.5′ N. lat., bounded on the east by 70°00 W. long., and bounded on the south and west by the coast of Massachusetts (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request). (A) Requirements. (1) A vessel fishing in the Western Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Area specified in this para graph (a)(19) may not fish for, possess on board, or land any NE regulated spe cies in accordance with the require ments of paragraph (a)(19) of this sec tion. (2) Vessels may use longline gear as specified in § 648.80(a)(4)(v), and handgear from June 1 through August 31. (B) [Reserved] (b) Southern New England (SNE) Regu lated Mesh Area—(1) Area definition. The SNE Regulated Mesh Area (copies of a map depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request) is that area: (i) Bounded on the east by the west ern boundary of the GB Regulated Mesh Area described under paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section; and (ii) Bounded on the west by a line be ginning at the intersection of 74°00′ W. long. and the south facing shoreline of Long Island, NY, and then running southward along the 74°00′ W. long. line. (2) Gear restrictions—(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in para graphs (b)(2)(i) and (vi) of this section, and § 648.85(b)(6), and unless otherwise 805 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 restricted under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, not stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, except midwater trawl, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh, applied throughout the body and exten sion of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square or diamond mesh applied to the codend of the net, as defined in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (vi) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area is 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) square mesh applied throughout the net, or any combination thereof. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, not stowed and not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2 on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the Large-mesh DAS program, specified in § 648.82(b)(4), is 8.5-inch (21.6-cm) dia mond or square mesh throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (iv) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet not stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, when fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This restric tion does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), to vessels fish ing with gillnet gear under a monkfish only DAS in the SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemption Area in accordance with the provisions specified under paragraph (b)(7)(i)(A) of this section; to vessels fishing with gillnet gear under a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlan tic Exemption Area in accordance with the provisions specified under para graph (c)(5)(ii) of this section; or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. Day gillnet vessels must also abide by the tagging requirements in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with nets longer than 300 ft(91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length. (B) Day gillnet vessels—(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 75 nets, except as provided in § 648.92(b)(8)(i). Such vessels may stow additional nets in accordance with the definition of not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2 not to exceed 150 nets, counting the deployed net. (2) Net size requirements. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fath oms (91.4 m), in length. (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish gillnets must be tagged with two tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a string of nets. (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. (v) Hook gear restrictions. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (b)(2)(v), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access permit and 806 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small-Ves sel permit, in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 2,000 rigged hooks. All longline gear hooks must be circle hooks, of a minimum size of 12/0. An unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a replacement hook and is not counted toward the 2,000-hook limit. A ‘‘snap-on’’ hook is deemed to be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. The use of de-hookers (‘‘crucifer’’) with less than 6-inch (15.2 cm) spacing between the fairlead roll ers is prohibited. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Hook Gear permit and fishing under a multispecies DAS in the SNE Regu lated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Handgear A permit are prohibited from fishing, or possessing on board the vessel, gears other than handgear. Vessels fishing with tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the ves sel more than 250 hooks. (vi) Other restrictions and exemptions. A vessel is prohibited from fishing in the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, except if fishing with exempted gear (as de fined under this part) or under the ex emptions specified in paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(5) through (9), (b)(12), (c), (e), (h), and (i) of this section; or if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS; or if fishing on a sector trip; or if fishing under the Small Vessel or Handgear A permit specified in § 648.82(b)(5) and (6), respectively; or if fishing under a Handgear B permit specified in § 648.88(a); or if fishing under a scallop state waters exemption specified in § 648.54; or if fishing under a scallop DAS or General Category scallop per mit in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section; or if fishing pursuant to a NE multispecies open access Charter/ Party or Handgear permit specified in § 648.88; or if fishing as a charter/party or private recreational vessel in com pliance with the regulations specified in § 648.89. Any gear on a vessel, or used by a vessel, in this area must be au thorized under one of these exemptions or must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (3) Exemptions—(i) Species exemption. Unless otherwise restricted in § 648.86, owners and operators of vessels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section may fish for, harvest, possess, or land butterfish, dogfish (caught by trawl only), herring, Atlan tic chub mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, ocean pout, scup, shrimp, squid, sum mer flounder, silver hake and offshore hake, and weakfish with nets of a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified in the GB and SNE Regulated Mesh Areas when fishing in the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, provided such vessels comply with requirements spec ified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this sec tion and with the mesh size and posses sion limit restrictions specified under § 648.86(d). (ii) Possession and net stowage require ments. Vessels may possess regulated species while in possession of nets with mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section when fishing in the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this section, provided that such nets are stowed and are not avail able for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, and provided that regulated spe cies were not harvested by nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraphs (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section. Vessels fishing for the exempted species identified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section may also possess and retain the following species, with the restrictions noted, as incidental take to these exempted fish eries: Conger eels; sea robins; black sea bass; red hake; tautog (blackfish); blowfish; cunner; John Dory; mullet; bluefish; tilefish; longhorn sculpin; fourspot flounder; alewife; hickory shad; American shad; blueback herring; sea raven; Atlantic croaker; spot; swordfish; monkfish and monkfish parts—up to 10 percent, by weight, of 807 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 all other species on board or up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail-weight/146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per trip, as speci fied in § 648.94(c)(4), whichever is less; American lobster—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board or 200 lobsters, whichever is less; and skate and skate parts (except for barndoor skate and other prohibited skate species (see §§ 648.14(v)(2) and 648.322(g))—up to 10 percent, by weight, of all other species on board. (4) Addition or deletion of exemptions. Same as in paragraph (a)(8) of this sec tion. (5) SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl Ex emption Area. Unless otherwise required or prohibited by monkfish or skate reg ulations under this part, a vessel may fish with trawl gear in the SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl Fishery Ex emption Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section, and the monkfish and skate regulations, as applicable, under this part. The SNE Monkfish and Skate Trawl Fishery Exemption Area is de fined as the area bounded on the north by a line extending eastward along 40°10′ N. lat., and bounded on the west by the western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area as defined in para graph (b)(10)(ii) of this section. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may only fish for, possess on board, or land monkfish and incidentally caught species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (B) All trawl nets must comply with the minimum mesh size specified under § 648.91(c)(1)(i). (C) A vessel not operating under a multispecies DAS may fish for, possess on board, or land skates, provided: (1) The vessel is called into the monkfish DAS program (§ 648.92) and complies with the skate possession limit restrictions at § 648.322; (2) The vessel has a valid letter of au thorization on board to fish for skates as bait, and complies with the require ments specified at § 648.322(c); or (3) The vessel possesses and/or lands skates or skate parts in an amount not to exceed 10 percent by weight of all other species on board as specified at paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (ii) [Reserved] (6) SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Ex emption Area. Unless otherwise required by monkfish regulations under this part, a vessel may fish with gillnet gear in the SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with the re quirements specified in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section; the monkfish regulations, as applicable, under §§ 648.91 through 648.94; and the skate regulations, as applicable, under §§ 648.4 and 648.322. The SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area is defined by a line running from the Massachusetts shoreline at 41°35′ N. lat. and 70°00′ W. long., south to its inter section with the outer boundary of the EEZ, southwesterly along the outer boundary of the EEZ, and bounded on the west by the western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10)(ii) of this section. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under the SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet Exemption may only fish for, possess on board, or land monkfish as specified in § 648.94(b), spiny dogfish up to the amount specified in § 648.235, and other incidentally caught species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (B) All gillnets must have a min imum mesh size of 10-inch (25.4-cm) di amond mesh throughout the net. (C) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph (b)(6)(i)(B) of this section must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (D) A vessel not operating under a NE multispecies DAS may fish for, pos sess on board, or land skates, provided: (1) The vessel is called into the monkfish DAS program (§ 648.92) and complies with the skate possession limit restrictions at § 648.322; (2) The vessel has a valid letter of au thorization on board to fish for skates as bait, and complies with the require ments specified at § 648.322(c); or (3) The vessel possesses and/or lands skates or skate parts in an amount not to exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all 808 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 other species on board as specified at paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (ii) [Reserved] (7) SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemption Area. Unless otherwise required by monkfish regulations under this part, a gillnet vessel may fish in the SNE Dogfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel com plies with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section and the applicable dogfish regulations under subpart L of this part. The SNE Dogfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area is defined by a line running from the Massachusetts shoreline at 41°35′ N. lat. and 70°00′ W. long., south to its intersection with the outer boundary of the EEZ, southwesterly along the outer boundary of the EEZ, and bound ed on the west by the western boundary of the SNE Exemption Area as defined in paragraph (b)(10)(ii) of this section. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under the SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemp tion may only fish for, possess on board, or land dogfish and the bycatch species and amounts specified in para graph (b)(3) of this section, unless fish ing under a monkfish DAS. A vessel fishing under this exemption while on a monkfish-only DAS may also fish for, possess on board, and land monkfish up to the amount specified in § 648.94. (B) All gillnets must have a min imum mesh size of 6-inch (15.2-cm) dia mond mesh throughout the net. A ves sel fishing under this exemption while on a monkfish-only DAS may not fish with, possess, haul, or deploy more than 50 roundfish gillnets, as defined in § 648.2. (C) Fishing is confined to May 1 through October 31. (ii) [Reserved] (8) SNE Mussel and Sea Urchin Dredge Exemption. A vessel may fish with a dredge in the SNE Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(10) of this sec tion, provided that any dredge on board the vessel does not exceed 8 ft (2.4 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge, and the vessel does not fish for, harvest, possess, or land any species of fish other than mussels and sea urchins. (9) SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area. A vessel may fish with gillnet gear in the SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area when not operating under a NE multispecies DAS with mesh size smaller than the minimum required in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, if the vessel complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(9)(i) of this section. The SNE Little Tunny Gillnet Exemption Area is de fined by a line running from the Rhode Island shoreline at 41°18.2′ N. lat. and 71°51.5′ W. long. (Watch Hill, RI), south westerly through Fishers Island, NY, to Race Point, Fishers Island, NY; and from Race Point, Fishers Island, NY, southeasterly to 41°06.5′ N. lat. and 71°50.2′ W. long.; east-northeastly through Block Island, RI, to 41°15′ N. lat. and 71°07′ W. long.; then due north to the intersection of the RI-MA shore line. (i) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing under this exemption may fish only for, possess on board, or land little tunny and the allowable incidental spe cies and amounts specified in para graph (b)(3) of this section and, if appli cable, paragraph (b)(9)(i)(B) of this sec tion. Vessels fishing under this exemp tion may not possess regulated species. (B) A vessel may possess bonito as an allowable incidental species. (C) The vessel must have a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator on board. (D) All gillnets must have a min imum mesh size of 5.5-inch (14.0-cm) di amond mesh throughout the net. (E) All nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph (b)(9)(i)(D) of this section must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2 while fishing under this exemption. (F) Fishing is confined to September 1 through October 31. (ii) The Regional Administrator shall conduct periodic sea sampling to evalu ate the likelihood of gear interactions with protected resources. (10) SNE Exemption Area—Area defini tion. The SNE Exemption Area (copies of a map depicting this area are avail able from the Regional Administrator upon request) is that area: (i) Bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: 809 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND EXEMPTION AREA Point N. lat. W. long. G5 ...................................... 41°18.6′ 66°24.8′ G6 ...................................... 40°55.5′ 66°38′ G7 ...................................... 40°45.5′ 68°00′ G8 ...................................... 40°37′ 68°00′ G9 ...................................... 40°30.5′ 69°00′ NL3 .................................... 40°22.7′ 69°00′ NL2 .................................... 40°18.7′ 69°40′ NL1 .................................... 40°50′ 69°40′ G11 .................................... 40°50′ 70°00′ G12 .................................... ........................ 70°00′ 1 1 Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of mainland Massachusetts. (ii) Bounded on the west by a line running from the Rhode Island shore line at 41°18.2′ N. lat. and 71°51.5′ W. long. (Watch Hill, RI), southwesterly through Fishers Island, NY, to Race Point, Fishers Island, NY; and from Race Point, Fishers Island, NY; south easterly to the intersection of the 3 nautical mile line east of Montauk Point; southwesterly along the 3-nau tical mile line to the intersection of 72°30′ W. long.; and south along that line to the intersection of the outer boundary of the EEZ. (11) [Reserved] (12) SNE Skate Bait Trawl Exemption Area. Vessels issued an open access skate permit and a skate bait Letter of Authorization as specified in § 648.322(c) that have declared out of the DAS pro gram as specified in § 648.10, or that have used up their DAS allocations, may fish in the SNE Skate Bait Trawl Exemption Area as defined under para graph (b)(12)(i) of this section, when not under a NE multispecies or scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the requirements specified in para graph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. (i) Area definition. The SNE Skate Bait Trawl Exemption Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request): SNE SKATE BAIT TRAWL EXEMPTION AREA [July 1 through October 31] Point N. lat. W. long. SBT 1 ......................... Southeastern MA ....... 71°00′ SBT 2 ......................... 41°00′ ........................ 71°00′ SBT 3 ......................... 41°00′ ........................ 72°05′ SBT 4 ......................... Southern CT .............. 72°05′ (ii) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the SNE Skate Bait Trawl Exemp tion Area specified in this paragraph (b)(12) may not fish for, possess on board, or land any NE regulated spe cies. (B) Vessels must use trawl gear, as specified in § 648.80(b)(2)(i). (C) Vessels must possess an active skate bait letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, as specified in § 648.322(c) and fish pur suant to the terms of authorization. (D) Fishing may only occur from July 1 through October 31 of each fish ing year. (c) Mid-Atlantic (MA) Regulated Mesh Area—(1) Area definition. The MA Regu lated Mesh Area is that area bounded on the east by the western boundary of the SNE Regulated Mesh Area, de scribed under paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. (2) Gear restrictions—(i) Vessels using trawls. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, and § 648.85(b)(6), the minimum mesh size for any trawl net not stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, shall be that specified by § 648.104(a), applied throughout the body and extension of the net, or any combination thereof, and 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond or square mesh applied to the codend of the net, as defined in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. (ii) Vessels using Scottish seine, midwater trawl, and purse seine. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet, Scottish seine, midwater trawl, or purse seine, not stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS program in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, shall be that specified in § 648.104(a). This re striction does not apply to nets or 810 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. (iii) Large-mesh vessels. When fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net vessel, or sink gillnet, not stowed and not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2, on a vessel or used by a vessel fishing under a DAS in the Large-mesh DAS program, specified in § 648.82(b)(4), is 7.5-inch (19.0-cm) dia mond mesh or 8.0-inch (20.3-cm) square mesh, throughout the entire net. This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. (iv) Hook gear restrictions. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (c)(2)(iv), vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Small Vessel permit, in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, and persons on such ves sels, are prohibited from using de hookers (‘‘crucifer’’) with less than 6 inch (15.2-cm) spacing between the fairlead rollers. Vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access Hook gear permit and fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the MA Regu lated Mesh Area, and persons on such vessels, are prohibited from possessing gear other than hook gear on board the vessel and are prohibited from fishing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 4,500 rigged hooks. An unabated hook and gangions that has not been secured to the ground line of the trawl on board a vessel is deemed to be a re placement hook and is not counted to ward the 4,500-hook limit. A ‘‘snap-on’’ hook is deemed to be a replacement hook if it is not rigged or baited. Ves sels fishing with a valid NE multispe cies limited access Handgear permit are prohibited from fishing, or pos sessing on board the vessel gears other than handgear. Vessels fishing with tub-trawl gear are prohibited from fish ing, setting, or hauling back, per day, or possessing on board the vessel, more than 250 hooks. (v) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum mesh size for any sink gillnet, not stowed and not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2, when fishing under a DAS in the NE multispecies DAS pro gram or on a sector trip in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This re striction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), to vessels fishing with gillnet gear under a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlan tic Exemption Area in accordance with the provisions specified under para graph (c)(5)(ii) of this section, or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies permit and that are fish ing exclusively in state waters. (A) Trip gillnet vessels. A Trip gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh Area may not fish with nets longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms (91.4 m) in length. (B) Day gillnet vessels—(1) Number of nets. A Day gillnet vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip and fishing in the MA Regulated Mesh Area, may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 75 nets, except as provided in § 648.92(b)(8)(i). Such vessels may stow additional nets in accordance with the definition of not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2 not to exceed 150 nets, counting the deployed net. (2) Net size requirement. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fath oms (91.4 m), in length. (3) Tags. Roundfish or flatfish gillnets must be tagged with two tags per net, with one tag secured to each bridle of every net within a string of nets. (C) Obtaining and replacing tags. See paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section. (3) Net stowage exemption. Vessels may possess regulated species while in pos session of nets with mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in para graph (c)(2)(i) of this section, provided that such nets are stowed and are not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, and provided that regulated species were not harvested by nets of mesh size smaller than the minimum 811 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 mesh size specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section. (4) Addition or deletion of exemptions. See paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this section. (5) MA Exemption Area. (i) The MA Exemption Area is that area that lies west of the SNE Exemption Area de fined in paragraph (b)(10) of this sec tion. (ii) Monkfish/Spiny Dogfish Exempted Gillnet Fishery. A vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS may fish with, use, or possess gillnets in the MA Exemp tion Area with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size specified in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) or (c)(2)(v) of this section, provided the vessel complies with the following requirements: (A) Number of nets. Notwithstanding the provisions specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(v)(A) and (B) of this section and § 648.92(b)(8), a vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS within the MA Ex emption Area may not fish with, pos sess, haul, or deploy more than 50 roundfish gillnets, as defined in § 648.2. (B) Minimum mesh size. The minimum mesh size for any roundfish gillnet not stowed and available for immediate use by a vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS within the MA Exemption Area is 5 inches (12.7 cm) throughout the entire net. (C) Possession limits. A vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS within the MA Exemption Area may fish for, pos sess on board, or land monkfish up to the amount specified in § 648.94, spiny dogfish up to the amount specified in § 648.235, and other incidentally caught species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (iii) Atlantic chub mackerel fishery ex emption. Owners and operators of ves sels subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (c)(2) of this section may fish for, harvest, possess, or land Atlantic chub mackerel with nets of a mesh size smaller than the minimum size speci fied in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area when fishing in the MA Exemption Area defined in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, provided such vessels com ply with the following requirements: (A) Gear restrictions. A vessel fishing for Atlantic chub mackerel within the MA Exemption Area must comply with the gear restrictions specified in § 648.23. (B) Possession limits. A vessel fishing for Atlantic chub mackerel within the MA Exemption Area may fish for, pos sess on board, or land Atlantic chub mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, Illex squid, and longfin squid up to the amount specified in § 648.26, and other incidentally caught species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (d) Midwater trawl gear exempted fish ery. Fishing may take place through out the fishing year with midwater trawl gear of mesh size less than the applicable minimum size specified in this section, provided that: (1) Midwater trawl gear is used exclu sively; (2) When fishing under this exemp tion in the GOM/GB Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (a)(17) of this section, the vessel has on board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, and complies with the following restrictions: (i) The vessel only fishes for, pos sesses, or lands Atlantic herring, blueback herring, or mackerel in areas north of 42°20′ N lat. and in the areas described in § 648.81(c)(3) and (4); and Atlantic herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or squid in all other areas south of 42°20′ N. lat.; and (ii) The vessel is issued a letter of au thorization for a minimum of 7 days. The vessel can be issued LOAs for the midwater trawl exempted fishery and the purse seine exempted fishery at the same time. (3) The vessel carries a NMFS-cer tified observer, if requested by the Re gional Administrator; (4) The vessel does not fish for, pos sess or land NE. multispecies, except that a vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Permit and fishing on a de clared herring trip, regardless of gear or area fished, or a vessel issued a Cat egory C, D, or E Herring Permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear pur suant to paragraph (d) of this section, may possess and land haddock and other regulated multispecies con sistent with the catch caps and posses sion restrictions in § 648.86(a)(3) and (k). Such haddock or other regulated NE 812 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 multispecies may not be sold, pur chased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred, or attempted to be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for, or intended for, human consumption. Haddock or other regulated NE multispecies that are sep arated out from the herring catch pur suant to § 648.15(d) may not be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred, or attempted to be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred for any purpose. A vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Per mit fishing on a declared herring trip, regardless of gear or area fished, or a vessel issued a Category C, D, or E Her ring Permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear pursuant to this paragraph (d), may not discard haddock that has been brought on the deck or pumped into the hold; (5) To fish for herring under this ex emption, a vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Permit fishing on a de clared herring trip, or a vessel issued a Category C, D, or E Herring Permit fishing with midwater trawl gear in Management Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined in § 648.200(f)(1) and (3), must provide notice of the following infor mation to NMFS at least 48 hr prior to beginning any trip into these areas for the purposes of observer deployment: Vessel name; contact name for coordi nation of observer deployment; tele phone number for contact; the date, time, and port of departure; and (6) A vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Permit fishing on a declared herring trip with midwater trawl gear, or a vessel issued a Category C or E Herring Permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear in Management Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined at § 648.200(f)(1) and (3), must notify NMFS Office of Law Enforcement through VMS of the time and place of off loading at least 6 hours prior to land ing or, if fishing ends less than 6 hours before landing, as soon as the vessel stops catching fish. The Regional Ad ministrator may adjust the prior noti fication minimum time through publi cation of a document in the FEDERAL REGISTER consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. (7) [Reserved] (e) Purse seine gear exempted fishery. Fishing may take place throughout the fishing year with purse seine gear of mesh size smaller than the applicable minimum size specified in this section, provided that: (1) The vessel uses purse seine gear exclusively; (2) When fishing under this exemp tion in the GOM/GB Exemption Area, as defined in paragraph (a)(17) of this section, the vessel has on board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator and complies with the following: (i) The vessel only fishes for, pos sesses, or lands Atlantic herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or menha den; and (ii) The vessel must carry a NMFS certified observer, if requested to do so by the Regional Administrator; (3) The vessel is issued a letter of au thorization for a minimum of 7 days, and cancels it only as instructed by the Regional Administrator. The vessel can be issued LOAs for the midwater trawl exempted fishery and the purse seine exempted fishery at the same time; and (4) The vessel does not fish for, pos sess, or land NE multispecies, except that vessels that have a Category A or B Herring Permit fishing on a declared herring trip may possess and land had dock or other regulated species con sistent with possession restrictions in § 648.86(a)(3) and (k), respectively. Such haddock or other regulated multispe cies may not be sold, purchased, re ceived, traded, bartered, or transferred, or attempted to be sold, purchased, re ceived, traded, bartered, or transferred for, or intended for, human consump tion. Haddock or other regulated spe cies that are separated out from the herring catch pursuant to § 648.15(d) may not be sold, purchased, received, traded, bartered, or transferred, or at tempted to be sold, purchased, re ceived, traded, bartered, or transferred for any purpose. A vessel issued a Cat egory A or B Herring Permit may not discard haddock that has been brought on the deck or pumped into the hold; (5) To fish for herring under this ex emption, vessels that have a Category A or B Herring Permit must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel name; 813 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 contact name for coordination of ob server deployment; telephone number for contact; and the date, time, and port of departure, at least 48 hr prior to beginning any trip into these areas for the purposes of observer deployment; and (6) All vessels that have a Category A or B Herring Permit must notify NMFS Office of Law Enforcement through VMS of the time and place of off loading at least 6 hours prior to land ing or, if fishing ends less than 6 hours before landing, as soon as the vessel stops catching fish. The Regional Ad ministrator may adjust the prior noti fication minimum time through publi cation of a document in the FEDERAL REGISTER consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. (f) Mesh measurements—(1) Gillnets. Mesh size of gillnet gear shall be meas ured by lining up 5 consecutive knots perpendicular to the float line and, with a ruler or tape measure, meas uring 10 consecutive measures on the diamond, inside knot to inside knot. The mesh shall be the average of the measurements of 10 consecutive meas ures. (2) All other nets. With the exception of gillnets, mesh size is measured by a wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 2 cm (0.79 inches) in 8 cm (3.15 inches), and a thickness of 2.3 mm (0.09 inches), inserted into the meshes under a pres sure or pull of 5 kg (11.02 lb) for mesh size less than 120 mm (4.72 inches) and under a pressure or pull of 8 kg (17.64 lb) for mesh size at, or greater, than 120 mm (4.72 inches). (i) Square-mesh measurement. Square mesh in the regulated portion of the net is measured by placing the net gauge along the diagonal line that con nects the largest opening between op posite corners of the square. The square-mesh size is the average of the measurements of 20 consecutive adja cent meshes from the terminus forward along the long axis of the net. The square mesh is measured at least five meshes away from the lacings of the net. (ii) Diamond-mesh measurement. Dia mond mesh in the regulated portion of the net is measured running parallel to the long axis of the net. The diamond mesh size is the average of the meas urements of any series of 20 consecu tive meshes. The mesh is measured at least five meshes away from the lacings of the net. (g) Restrictions on gear and methods of fishing—(1) Net obstruction or constric tion. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(5) of this section, a fishing vessel subject to minimum mesh size restric tions shall not use, or attach any de vice or material, including, but not limited to, nets, net strengtheners, ropes, lines, or chafing gear, on the top of a trawl net, except that one splitting strap and one bull rope (if present), consisting of line and rope no more than 3 in (7.6 cm) in diameter, may be used if such splitting strap and/or bull rope does not constrict, in any manner, the top of the trawl net. ‘‘The top of the trawl net’’ means the 50 percent of the net that (in a hypothetical situa tion) would not be in contact with the ocean bottom during a tow if the net were laid flat on the ocean floor. For the purpose of this paragraph, head ropes are not considered part of the top of the trawl net. (2) Net obstruction or constriction. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(5) of this section, a fishing vessel may not use, or attach, any mesh configuration, mesh construction, or other means on or in the top of the net, as defined in paragraph (g)(1), subject to minimum mesh size restrictions, as defined in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, if it ob structs the meshes of the net in any manner. (ii) A fishing vessel may not use a net capable of catching NE multispecies if the bars entering or exiting the knots twist around each other. (3) Pair trawl prohibition. No vessel may fish for NE multispecies while pair trawling, or possess or land NE multi species that have been harvested by means of pair trawling, except as au thorized under paragraph (d) of this section. (4) Brush-sweep trawl prohibition. No vessel may fish for, possess, or land NE multispecies while fishing with, or while in possession of, brush-sweep trawl gear. (5) Net strengthener restrictions when fishing for or possessing small-mesh multi species—(i) Nets of mesh size less than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm). A vessel lawfully fishing 814 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.80 for small-mesh multispecies in the GOM/GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, with nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm), as measured by methods specified in paragraph (f) of this section, may use net strengtheners (covers, as de scribed at § 648.23(a)(3)), provided that the net strengthener for nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) complies with the provisions specified under § 648.23(a)(3)(iii). (ii) Nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.6 cm). A vessel lawfully fishing for small-mesh multispecies in the GOM/GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh Areas, as defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, with nets with mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.6 cm) (as measured by methods speci fied in paragraph (f) of this section, and as applied to the part of the net speci fied in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this sec tion) may use a net strengthener (i.e., outside net), provided the net strength ener does not have an effective mesh opening of less than 6 inches (15.2 cm), diamond or square mesh, as measured by methods specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The inside net (as applied to the part of the net specified in para graph (d)(1)(iv) of this section) must not be more than 2 ft (61 cm) longer than the outside net, must be the same circumference or smaller than the smallest circumference of the outside net, and must be the same mesh con figuration (i.e., both square or both di amond mesh) as the outside net. (6) Gillnet requirements to reduce or prevent marine mammal takes—(i) Re quirements for gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies to reduce harbor porpoise takes. In addition to the re quirements for gillnet fishing identi fied in this section, all persons owning or operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, with the exception of sin gle pelagic gillnets (as described in § 648.81(b)(2)(ii) and (d)(5)(ii)), must comply with the applicable provisions of the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan found in § 229.33 of this title. (ii) Requirements for gillnet gear capa ble of catching NE multispecies to prevent large whale takes. In addition to the re quirements for gillnet fishing identi fied in this section, all persons owning or operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, with the exception of sin gle pelagic gillnets (as described in § 648.81(b)(2)(ii) and (d)(5)(ii)), must comply with the applicable provisions of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Re duction Plan found in § 229.32 of this title. (h) Scallop vessels—(1) Scallop DAS. Except as provided in paragraphs (h)(2) and (3) of this section, a scallop vessel that possesses a limited access scallop permit and either a NE multispecies Combination vessel permit or a scallop/ multispecies possession limit permit, and that is fishing under a scallop DAS allocated under § 648.53, may possess and land up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of regu lated species per trip, provided that the amount of regulated species on board the vessel does not exceed the trip lim its specified in § 648.86, and provided the vessel has at least one standard tote on board, unless otherwise restricted by § 648.86(a)(2). (2) NE Multispecies DAS. Limited ac cess scallop vessels issued a limited ac cess NE multispecies permit and fish ing under a NE multispecies DAS are subject to the gear restrictions speci fied in this section and may possess and land unlimited amounts of regu lated species or ocean pout, unless oth erwise restricted by § 648.86. Such ves sels may simultaneously fish under a scallop DAS, but are prohibited from using scallop dredge gear on such trips. (3) Scallop dredge exemption areas for general category scallop permits—(i) GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, vessels with a lim ited access scallop permit that have de clared out of the DAS program as spec ified in § 648.10, or that have used up their DAS allocations, and vessels issued a General Category scallop per mit, may fish in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, when not under a NE multispecies DAS, providing the vessel 815 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.80 fishes in the GOM Scallop Dredge Ex emption Area and complies with the re quirements specified in paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this section. The GOM Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area is bounded on the west and north by the coastlines of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, bounded on the east by the U.S.-Canada Mari time Boundary, and bounded on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM SCALLOP DREDGE EXEMPTION AREA Point N lat. W long. GOM1 ................................................ 43°58′ (1) GOM2 ................................................ 43°58′ 67°22′ GOM3 ................................................ 43°41′ 68°00′ GOM4 ................................................ 43°12′ 69°00′ GOM5 ................................................ 42°49.5′ 69°40′ GOM6 ................................................ 42°20′ 69°40′ GOM7 ................................................ 42°20′ (2) 1 The intersection of 43°58′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime boundary. 2 The intersection of 42°20′ N lat. and the coastline of Massachusetts. (ii) Georges Bank/Southern New Eng land Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Un less otherwise prohibited in § 648.81, § 648.370, or § 648.371, vessels issued a LAGC scallop permit, including limited access scallop permits that have used up their DAS allocations, may fish in the Georges Bank/Southern New Eng land Scallop Dredge Exemption Area, as defined under paragraph (h)(3)(ii)(A) of this section, when not under a NE multispecies or scallop DAS or on a sector trip, provided the vessel com plies with the requirements specified in paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this section and applicable scallop regulations in sub part D of this part. (A) Area definition. The Georges Bank/Southern New England dredge ex emption area is bounded on the north by 42°20′ N lat.; bounded on the east by the U.S.-Canada Maritime boundary and the outer limit of the US EEZ; bounded on the west by 72°30′ W long. from the outer limit of the US EEZ to the south-facing coastline of Long Is land; and bounded on the northwest by the following points, connected as noted in the order listed: GB/SNE SCALLOP DREDGE EXEMPTION AREA Point N lat. W long. Note 1 ............... The south-facing coastline of Long Island. 72°30′ W ............................ From Point 1 to Point 2 following the coastline of Long Island. 2 ............... 41°00′ N ............................. The southeast-facing coast of Long Island. From Point 2 to Point 3 following a straight line. 3 ............... 41°00′ N ............................. The 3 nautical mile line, approximately 71°51.841′ W long. From Point 3 to Point 4 following the Submerged Lands Act (3 nautical mile) line. 4 ............... 41°4.25′ N .......................... The 3 nautical mile line, approximately 71°47.384′ W long. From Point 4 to Point 5 following a straight line. 5 ............... 41°15′ N ............................. 72°2.25′ W ......................... Point 5 represents Race Point, Fishers Island, NY. From Point 5 to Point 6 following a straight line northeasterly through Fishers Island, NY. 6 ............... 41°18.2′ N .......................... 71°51.5′ W ......................... Point 6 represents Watch Hill, RI. From Point 6 to Point 7 following the coastlines of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 7 ............... 42°20′ N ............................. The coastline of Massachu setts. (B) [Reserved] (iii) Requirements. (A) A vessel fishing in the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemp tion Areas specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than Atlantic sea scallops and up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per trip. (B) The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board, vessels fishing in the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Areas may not exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge. (C) The exemption does not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Area or the Western GOM Area Closure specified in § 648.81(a)(3) and (4), respectively. 816 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.81 (i) State waters winter flounder exemp tion. Any vessel issued a NE multispe cies permit may fish for, possess, or land winter flounder while fishing with nets of mesh smaller than the min imum size specified in paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c)(2) of this section, provided that: (1) The vessel has on board a certifi cate approved by the Regional Admin istrator and issued by the state agency authorizing the vessel’s participation in the state’s winter flounder fishing program and is in compliance with the applicable state laws pertaining to minimum mesh size for winter floun der. (2) Fishing is conducted exclusively in the waters of the state from which the certificate was obtained. (3) The state’s winter flounder plan has been approved by the Commission as being in compliance with the Com mission’s winter flounder fishery man agement plan. (4) The state elects, by a letter to the Regional Administrator, to participate in the exemption program described by this section (for a particular fishing year). (5) The vessel does not enter or tran sit the EEZ. (6) The vessel does not enter or tran sit the waters of another state, unless such other state is participating in the exemption program described by this section and the vessel is enrolled in that state’s program. (7) The vessel, when not fishing under the DAS program, does not fish for, possess, or land more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of winter flounder, and has at least one standard tote on board. (8) The vessel does not fish for, pos sess, or land any species of fish other than winter flounder and the exempted small-mesh species specified under paragraphs (a)(5)(i), (a)(9)(i), (b)(3), and (c)(4) of this section when fishing in the areas specified under paragraphs (a)(5), (a)(9), (b)(10), and (c)(5) of this section, respectively. Vessels fishing under this exemption in New York and Con necticut state waters and permitted to fish for skates may also possess and land skates in amounts not to exceed 10 percent, by weight, of all other spe cies on board. [69 FR 22951, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.80, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.81 NE multispecies year-round and seasonal closed areas. (a) Year-round groundfish closed areas—(1) Restrictions. No fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capa ble of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, the, Cashes Ledge, Western Gulf of Maine, or Closed Area II Closure Areas, unless otherwise allowed by or exempted under this part. Charts of the areas de scribed in this section are available from the Regional Administrator upon request. (2) Exemptions. Unless restricted by the requirements of subpart P of this part or elsewhere in this part, para graph (a)(1) of this section does not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel when fishing under the following conditions: (i) Fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under this part, except for pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless fish ing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided that: (A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-thirds of the water column; (B) The net is marked with the own er’s name and vessel identification number; (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board; (ii) Fishing in the Midwater Trawl Gear Exempted Fishery as specified in § 648.80(d); (iii) Fishing in the Purse Seine Gear Exempted Fishery as specified in § 648.80(e); (iv) Fishing under charter/party or recreational regulations specified in § 648.89, provided that: (A) A letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator is on board the vessel, which is valid from 817 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.81 the date of enrollment until the end of the fishing year; (B) No harvested or possessed fish species managed by the NEFMC or MAFMC are sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of where the fish are caught; (C) Only rod and reel or handline gear is on board the vessel; and (D) No NE multispecies DAS are used during the entire period for which the letter of authorization is valid. (3) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. The Cashes Ledge Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the fol lowing points in the order stated: CASHES LEDGE CLOSURE AREA Point N lat. W long. CL1 ................... 43°07′ N 69°02′ W CL2 ................... 42°49.5′ N 68°46′ W CL3 ................... 42°46.5′ N 68°50.5′ W CL4 ................... 42°43.5′ N 68°58.5′ W CL5 ................... 42°42.5′ N 69°17.5′ W CL6 ................... 42°49.5′ N 69°26′ W CASHES LEDGE CLOSURE AREA—Continued Point N lat. W long. CL1 ................... 43°07′ N 69°02′ W (4) Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area. The Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area is defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: WESTERN GULF OF MAINE CLOSURE AREA Point N latitude W longitude WGM1 ............................... 43°15′ 70°15′ WGM2 ............................... 42°15′ 70°15′ WGM3 ............................... 42°15′ 70°00′ WGM4 ............................... 43°15′ 70°00′ WGM1 ............................... 43°15′ 70°15′ (5) Closed Area II Closure Area. (i) The Closed Area II Closure Area is defined by straight lines, unless otherwise noted, connecting the following points in the order stated: CLOSED AREA II CLOSURE AREA Point N lat. W long. Note CAII1 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ CAII2 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 66°35.8′ CAII3 ................................................................................................. 41°18.45′ (1) (2) CAII4 ................................................................................................. (3) 67°20′ (2) CAII5 ................................................................................................. 42°22′ 67°20′ CAII1 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ 1 The intersection of 41°18.45′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°18.45′ N lat. and 66°24.89′ W long. 2 From Point CAII3 to Point CAII4 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. 3 The intersection of 67°20′ W long. And the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 42°22.06′ N lat. and 67°20′ W long. (ii) Unless otherwise restricted under the EFH Closure(s) specified in para graph (h) of this section, paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section does not apply to persons on fishing vessels or fishing vessels— (A) Fishing with gears as described in paragraph (a)(2) this section. (B) Fishing with tuna purse seine gear outside of the portion of Closed Area II known as the Habitat Area of Particular Concern, as described in § 648.370(g). (C) Fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program as specified in § 648.85(b)(3)(ii) or (b)(7)(ii), respectively. (D) Transiting the area, provided the vessel’s fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2; and (1) The operator has determined, and a preponderance of available evidence indicates, that there is a compelling safety reason; or (2) The vessel has declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(ii) and is transiting CA II in accordance with the provisions of § 648.85(a)(3)(vii). (E) Fishing for scallops within the Closed Area II Access Area defined in § 648.59(c)(3), during the season specified in § 648.59(c)(4), and pursuant to the provisions specified in § 648.60. (b) Gulf of Maine spawning groundfish closures—(1) Restrictions. Unless allowed in this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or 818 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.81 be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, the spawning closure areas described in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, during the times specified in this section. Charts depicting the areas defined here are available from the RA upon request. (2) Exemptions. Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel: (i) That has not been issued a NE multispecies permit that is fishing ex clusively in state waters; (ii) That is fishing with or using ex empted gear as defined under this part, excluding pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, except for a vessel fishing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided: (A) The net is attached to the vessel and fished in the upper two-thirds of the water column; (B) The net is marked with the vessel owner’s name and vessel identification number; (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board; (iii) That is fishing as a charter/party or recreational fishing vessel, provided that: (A) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the vessel are not sold or intended for trade, bar ter, or sale, regardless of where the species are caught; (B) Any gear other than pelagic hook and line gear, as defined in this part, is properly stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2; and (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and (iv) That is transiting pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section. (3) GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, from April through June of each year, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: GOM COD SPAWNING PROTECTION AREA Point N latitude W longitude CSPA1 .............. 42°50.95′ 70°32.22′ CSPA2 .............. 42°47.65′ 70°35.64′ CSPA3 .............. 42°54.91′ 70°41.88′ CSPA4 .............. 42°58.27′ 70°38.64′ CSPA1 .............. 42°50.95′ 70°32.22′ (4) Winter Massachusetts Bay Spawn ing Protection Area. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, from November 1 through January 31 of each year, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or be on board a vessel in, the Massachusetts Bay Protection Area, as defined on the west and south by the outer limit of Massachusetts waters and on the northeast by a straight line connecting the following points, which fall along the Massachusetts state waters bound ary: WINTER MASSACHUSETTS BAY SPAWNING PROTECTION AREA Point N latitude W longitude WSPA1 ............. 42° 23.61′ 70° 39.21′ WSPA2 ............. 42° 07.68′ 70° 26.79′ (5) Spring Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area. (i) From April 15 through April 30 of each year, no fish ing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispe cies may be used or on board a vessel in the thirty-minute block defined by straight lines, unless otherwise noted, connecting the following points in the order stated: SPRING MASSACHUSETTS BAY SPAWNING PROTECTION AREA Point N latitude W longitude Note SSPA1 .............................................................................................. 42°30′ (1) SSPA2 .............................................................................................. 42°30′ 70°30′ SSPA3 .............................................................................................. 42°00′ 70°30′ 819 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.81 SPRING MASSACHUSETTS BAY SPAWNING PROTECTION AREA—Continued Point N latitude W longitude Note SSPA4 .............................................................................................. 42°00′ (2) (3) SSPA5 .............................................................................................. (4) 71°00′ (3) SSPA6 .............................................................................................. (5) 71°00′ (6) SSPA1 .............................................................................................. 42°30′ (1) (6) 1 The intersection of 42°30′ N lat. and the coastline at Marblehead, MA. 2 The intersection of 42°00′ N lat. and the coastline at Kingston, MA. 3 From Point SSPA4 to Point SSPA5 following the coastline of Massachusetts. 4 The intersection of 71°00′ W long. and the coastline at Quincy, MA. 5 The intersection of 71°00′ W long. and the northernmost coastline at East Boston, Boston, MA. 6 From Point SSPA6 back to Point SSPA 1 following the coastline of Massachusetts. (ii) Unless otherwise restricted in this part, the Spring Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area closure does not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel that meets the criteria in paragraphs (d)(5)(ii) through (vi) and (x) of this section (listed under the exemptions for the GOM Cod Protection Closures). This in cludes recreational vessels meeting the criteria specified in paragraphs (d)(5)(v)(A) through (D) of this section. (c) Georges Bank Spawning Groundfish Closures—(1) Restrictions. Unless other wise allowed in this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used on board a vessel in the spawning closure areas described in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, and during the times specified in this section. Charts depicting the areas de fined here are available from the RA upon request. (2) Exemptions. Paragraph (c)(1) of this section does not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel: (i) That is fishing with or using ex empted gear as defined under this part, excluding pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, except for vessels fishing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided: (A) The net is attached to the vessel and fished in the upper two-thirds of the water column; (B) The net is marked with the vessel owner’s name and vessel identification number; (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board. (ii) That is fishing for scallops con sistent with the requirements of the scallop fishery management plan, in cluding rotational access program re quirements specified in § 648.59. (iii) That is fishing in the mid-water trawl exempted fishery. (iv) That is transiting pursuant to the requirements described in § 648.2. (3) Closed Area I North. Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this sec tion, from February 1 through April 15 of each year, no fishing vessel or per son on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in; and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, Closed Area I North, as defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: CLOSED AREA I—NORTH Point N lat. W long. CIN1 .................. 41°30′ 69°23′ CIN2 .................. 41°30′ 68°30′ CIN3 .................. 41°26′ 68°30′ CIN4 .................. 41°04′ 69°01′ CIN1 .................. 41°30′ 69°23′ (4) Closed Area II. Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, from February 1 through April 15 of each year, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, Closed Area II, as de fined by straight lines, unless other wise noted, connecting the following points in the order stated: 820 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.81 CLOSED AREA II Point N lat. W long. Note CAII1 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ CAII2 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 66°35.8′ CAII3 ................................................................................................. 41°18.45 (1) (2) CAII4 ................................................................................................. (3) 67°20′ (2) CAII5 ................................................................................................. 42°22′ 67°20′ CAII1 ................................................................................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ 1 The intersection of 41°18.45′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°18.45′ N lat. and 66°24.89′ W long. 2 From Point CAII3 to Point CAII4 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. 3 The intersection of 67°20′ W long. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 42°22.06′ N lat. and 67°20′ W long. (d) GOM Cod Protection Closures—(1) Restrictions. Unless otherwise allowed in this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, GOM Cod Pro tection Closures I through V as de scribed, and during the times specified, in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (v) of this section. (2) Review of closure. The New Eng land Fishery Management Council shall review the GOM Cod Protection Closures Areas specified in this section when the spawning stock biomass for GOM cod reaches the minimum bio mass threshold specified for the stock (50 percent of SSBMSY). (3) Seasons. (i) GOM Cod Protection Closure I is in effect from May 1 through May 31. (ii) GOM Cod Protection Closure II is in effect from June 1 through June 30. (iii) GOM Cod Protection Closure III is in effect from November 1 through January 31. (iv) GOM Cod Protection Closure IV is in effect from October 1 through Oc tober 31. (v) GOM Cod Protection Closure V is in effect from March 1 through March 31. (4) GOM Cod Protection Closure Areas. Charts depicting these areas are avail able from the Regional Administrator upon request. (i) GOM Cod Protection Closure I. GOM Cod Protection Closure I is the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the order stated by straight lines, unless otherwise noted: GOM COD PROTECTION CLOSURE I [May 1–May 31] Point N latitude W longitude CPCI 1 .............. 43°30′ N (1) CPCI 2 .............. 43°30′ N 69°30′ W CPCI 3 .............. 43°00′ N 69°30′ W CPCI 4 .............. 43°00′ N 70°00′ W CPCI 5 .............. 42°30′ N 70°00′ W CPCI 6 .............. 42°30′ N 70°30′ W CPCI 7 .............. 42°20′ N 70°30′ W CPCI 8 .............. 42°20′ N (2) (3) CPCI 1 .............. 43°30′ N (1) (3) 1 The intersection of 43°30′ N latitude and the coastline of Maine. 2 The intersection of 42°20′ N latitude and the coastline of Massachusetts. 3 From Point 8 back to Point 1 following the coastline of the United States. (ii) GOM Cod Protection Closure II. GOM Cod Protection Closure II is the area bounded by the following coordi nates connected in the order stated by straight lines, unless otherwise noted: GOM COD PROTECTION CLOSURE II [June 1–June 30] Point N latitude W longitude CPCII 1 ............. (1) 69°30′ W CPCII 2 ............. 43°30′ N 69°30′ W CPCII 3 ............. 43°30′ N 70°00′ W CPCII 4 ............. 42°30′ N 70°00′ W CPCII 5 ............. 42°30′ N 70°30′ W CPCII 6 ............. 42°20′ N 70°30′ W CPCII 7 ............. 42°20′ N (2)(3) CPCII 8 ............. 42°30′ N ((4))(3) CPCII 9 ............. 42°30′ N 70°30′ W CPCII 10 ........... 43°00′ N 70°30′ W CPCII 11 ........... 43°00′ N (5) (6) CPCII 1 ............. (1) 69°30′ W (6) 1 The intersection of 69°30′ W longitude and the coastline of Maine. 2 The intersection of 42°20′ N latitude and the coastline of Massachusetts. 3 From Point 7 to Point 8 following the coastline of Massa chusetts. 4 The intersection of 42°30′ N latitude and the coastline of Massachusetts. 5 The intersection of 43°00′ N latitude and the coastline of New Hampshire. 6 From Point 11 back to Point 1 following the coastlines of New Hampshire and Maine. 821 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.81 (iii) GOM Cod Protection Closure III. GOM Cod Protection Closure III is the area bounded by the following coordi nates connected in the order stated by straight lines, unless otherwise noted: GOM COD PROTECTION CLOSURE III [November 1–January 31] Point N latitude W longitude CPCIII 1 ............ 42°30′ N (1) CPCIII 2 ............ 42°30′ N 70°30′ W CPCIII 3 ............ 42°15′ N 70°30′ W CPCIII 4 ............ 42°15′ N 70°24′ W CPCIII 5 ............ 42°00′ N 70°24′ W CPCIII 6 ............ 42°00′ N (2) (3) CPCIII 1 ............ 42°30′ N (1) (3) 1 The intersection of 42°30′ N latitude and the Massachu setts coastline. 2 The intersection of 42°00′ N latitude and the mainland Massachusetts coastline at Kingston, MA. 3 From Point 6 back to Point 1 following the coastline of Massachusetts. (iv) GOM Cod Protection Closure IV. GOM Cod Protection Closure IV is the area bounded by the following coordi nates connected in the order stated by straight lines, unless otherwise noted: GOM COD PROTECTION CLOSURE IV [October 1–October 31] Point N latitude W longitude CPCIV 1 ............ 42°30′ N (1) CPCIV 2 ............ 42°30′ N 70°00′ W CPCIV 3 ............ 42°00′ N 70°00′ W CPCIV 4 ............ 42°00′ N (2) (3) CPCIV 1 ............ 42°30′ N (1) (3) 1 The intersection of 42°30′ N latitude and the Massachu setts coastline. 2 The intersection of 42°00′ N latitude and the mainland Massachusetts coastline at Kingston, MA. 3 From Point 4 back to Point 1 following the coastline of Massachusetts. (v) GOM Cod Protection Closure V. GOM Cod Protection Closure V is the area bounded by the following coordi nates connected in the order stated by straight lines: GOM COD PROTECTION CLOSURE V [March 1–March 31] Point N latitude W longitude CPCV 1 ............. 42°30′ N 70°00′ W CPCV 2 ............. 42°30′ N 68°30′ W CPCV 3 ............. 42°00′ N 68°30′ W CPCV 4 ............. 42°00′ N 70°00′ W CPCV 1 ............. 42°30′ N 70°00′ W (5) Exemptions. The GOM cod protec tion closures specified in this section do not apply to a fishing vessel or per son on board a fishing vessel under any of the following conditions: (i) No multispecies permit has been issued and the vessel is fishing exclu sively in state waters; (ii) Fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under this part, except for pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless fish ing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided that: (A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-thirds of the water column; (B) The net is marked with the own er’s name and vessel identification number; (C) No regulated species are retained; and (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board; (iii) Fishing in the Midwater Trawl Gear Exempted Fishery as specified in § 648.80(d); (iv) Fishing in the Purse Seine Gear Exempted Fishery as specified in § 648.80(e); (v) Fishing under charter/party or recreational regulations specified in § 648.89, provided that: (A) A vessel fishing under charter/ party regulations in a GOM cod protec tion closure described under paragraph (f)(4) of this section, has on board a let ter of authorization issued by the Re gional Administrator that is valid from the date of enrollment through the du ration of the closure or 3 months dura tion, whichever is greater; (B) No harvested or possessed fish species managed by the NEFMC or MAFMC are sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of where the fish are caught; (C) Only rod and reel or handline gear is on board; and (D) No NE multispecies DAS are used during the entire period for which the letter of authorization is valid; (vi) Fishing with scallop dredge gear under a scallop DAS or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area as described in § 648.80(a)(11), provided the vessel does not retain any regulated NE multispe cies during a trip, or on any part of a trip; 822 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.81 (vii) Fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery, as specified in § 648.80(a)(15), or in the Small Mesh Area II Exemption Area, as specified in § 648.80(a)(9); (viii) Fishing on a sector trip, as de fined in this part, and in the GOM Cod Protection Closures IV or V, as speci fied in paragraphs (f)(4)(iv) and (v) of this section; or (ix) Fishing under the provisions of a Northeast multispecies Handgear A permit, as specified at § 648.82(b)(6), and in the GOM Cod Protection Closures IV or V, as specified in paragraphs (f)(4)(iv) and (v) of this section. (x) Transiting the area, provided it complies with the requirements speci fied in paragraph (e) of this section. (e) Transiting. (1) Unless otherwise re stricted or specified in this paragraph (e), a vessel may transit the Cashes Ledge Closed Area, the Western GOM Closure Area, the GOM Cod Protection Closures, and the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as defined in para graphs (a)(3) and (4), (d)(4), and (b)(3), of this section, respectively, provided that its gear is stowed and not avail able for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (2) Private recreational or charter/ party vessels fishing under the North east multispecies provisions specified at § 648.89 may transit the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, pro vided all bait and hooks are removed from fishing rods, and any regulated species on board have been caught out side the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area and has been gutted and stored. (f) Restricted Gear Areas—(1) Restricted Gear Area Seasons. No fishing vessel with mobile gear on board, or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear on board, may fish or be in the specified Restricted Gear Areas, unless transiting, during the seasons below. No fishing vessel with lobster pot gear on board, or person on a fishing vessel with lobster pot gear on board, may fish in, and no lobster pot gear may be deployed or remain in the specified Re stricted Gear Areas. Vessels with lob ster pot gear on board may transit dur ing the seasons listed in the table in this paragraph (f)(1). Mobile gear Lobster pot gear Restricted Gear Area I ................................. October 1–June 15 ..................................... June 16–September 30. Restricted Gear Area II ................................ November 27–June 15 ............................... June 16–November 26. Restricted Gear Area III ............................... June 16–November 26 ............................... January 1–April 30. Restricted Gear Area IV .............................. June 16–September 30 .............................. n/a. (2) Transiting. Vessels with mobile gear may transit this area, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area, and is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (3) Restricted Gear Area I. Restricted Gear Area I is defined by the following points connected in the order listed by straight lines (points followed by an as terisk are shared with an adjacent Re stricted Gear Area): Point Latitude Longitude Note AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) AB ..................................................................................................... 40°02.45′ N 70°14.10′ W (*) AC ..................................................................................................... 40°05.20′ N 70°10.90′ W (*) AD ..................................................................................................... 40°03.75′ N 70°10.15′ W (*) AE ..................................................................................................... 40°00.70′ N 70°08.70′ W (*) AF ..................................................................................................... 39°59.20′ N 70°04.90′ W (*) AG ..................................................................................................... 39°58.25′ N 70°03.00′ W (*) AH ..................................................................................................... 39°56.90′ N 69°57.45′ W (*) AI ...................................................................................................... 39°57.40′ N 69°55.90′ W (*) AJ ...................................................................................................... 39°57.55′ N 69°54.05′ W (*) AK ..................................................................................................... 39°56.70′ N 69°53.60′ W (*) AL ..................................................................................................... 39°55.75′ N 69°41.40′ W (*) AM .................................................................................................... 39°56.20′ N 69°40.20′ W (*) AN ..................................................................................................... 39°58.80′ N 69°38.45′ W (*) AO ..................................................................................................... 39°59.15′ N 69°37.30′ W (*) AP ..................................................................................................... 40°00.90′ N 69°37.30′ W (*) AQ ..................................................................................................... 40°00.65′ N 69°36.50′ W (*) AR ..................................................................................................... 39°57.85′ N 69°35.15′ W (*) 823 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.81 Point Latitude Longitude Note AS ..................................................................................................... 39°56.80′ N 69°34.10′ W (*) AT ..................................................................................................... 39°56.50′ N 69°26.35′ W (*) AU ..................................................................................................... 39°56.75′ N 69°24.40′ W (*) AV ..................................................................................................... 39°57.80′ N 69°20.35′ W (*) AW .................................................................................................... 40°00.05′ N 69°14.60′ W (*) AX ..................................................................................................... 40°02.65′ N 69°11.15′ W (*) AY ..................................................................................................... 40°02.00′ N 69°08.35′ W (*) AZ ..................................................................................................... 40°02.65′ N 69°05.60′ W (*) BA ..................................................................................................... 40°04.10′ N 69°03.90′ W (*) BB ..................................................................................................... 40°05.65′ N 69°03.55′ W (*) BC ..................................................................................................... 40°08.45′ N 69°03.60′ W (*) BD ..................................................................................................... 40°09.75′ N 69°04.15′ W (*) BE ..................................................................................................... 40°10.25′ N 69°04.40′ W (*) BF ..................................................................................................... 40°11.60′ N 69°05.40′ W (*) BG ..................................................................................................... 40°11.00′ N 69°03.80′ W (*) BH ..................................................................................................... 40°08.90′ N 69°01.75′ W (*) BI ...................................................................................................... 40°05.30′ N 69°01.10′ W (*) BJ ...................................................................................................... 40°05.20′ N 69°00.50′ W (*) BK ..................................................................................................... 40°04.35′ N 69°00.50′ W (*) BL ..................................................................................................... 40°03.65′ N 69°00.00′ W (*) BM .................................................................................................... 40°03.60′ N 68°57.20′ W (*) BN ..................................................................................................... 40°05.70′ N 68°52.40′ W (*) BO ..................................................................................................... 40°08.10′ N 68°51.00′ W (*) BP ..................................................................................................... 40°08.70′ N 68°49.60′ W (*) BQ ..................................................................................................... 40°06.90′ N 68°46.50′ W (*) BR ..................................................................................................... 40°07.20′ N 68°38.40′ W (*) BS ..................................................................................................... 40°07.90′ N 68°36.00′ W (*) BT ..................................................................................................... 40°06.40′ N 68°35.80′ W BU ..................................................................................................... 40°05.25′ N 68°39.30′ W BV ..................................................................................................... 40°05.40′ N 68°44.50′ W BW .................................................................................................... 40°06.00′ N 68°46.50′ W BX ..................................................................................................... 40°07.40′ N 68°49.60′ W BY ..................................................................................................... 40°05.55′ N 68°49.80′ W BZ ..................................................................................................... 40°03.90′ N 68°51.70′ W CA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.25′ N 68°55.40′ W CB ..................................................................................................... 40°02.60′ N 69°00.00′ W CC ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 69°00.75′ W CD ..................................................................................................... 40°04.20′ N 69°01.75′ W CE ..................................................................................................... 40°06.15′ N 69°01.95′ W CF ..................................................................................................... 40°07.25′ N 69°02.00′ W CG .................................................................................................... 40°08.50′ N 69°02.25′ W CH ..................................................................................................... 40°09.20′ N 69°02.95′ W CI ...................................................................................................... 40°09.75′ N 69°03.30′ W CJ ..................................................................................................... 40°09.55′ N 69°03.85′ W CK ..................................................................................................... 40°08.40′ N 69°03.40′ W CL ..................................................................................................... 40°07.20′ N 69°03.30′ W CM .................................................................................................... 40°06.00′ N 69°03.10′ W CN ..................................................................................................... 40°05.40′ N 69°03.05′ W CO .................................................................................................... 40°04.80′ N 69°03.05′ W CP ..................................................................................................... 40°03.55′ N 69°03.55′ W CQ .................................................................................................... 40°01.90′ N 69°03.95′ W CR ..................................................................................................... 40°01.00′ N 69°04.40′ W CS ..................................................................................................... 39°59.90′ N 69°06.25′ W CT ..................................................................................................... 40°00.60′ N 69°10.05′ W CU ..................................................................................................... 39°59.25′ N 69°11.15′ W CV ..................................................................................................... 39°57.45′ N 69°16.05′ W CW .................................................................................................... 39°56.10′ N 69°20.10′ W CX ..................................................................................................... 39°54.60′ N 69°25.65′ W CY ..................................................................................................... 39°54.65′ N 69°26.90′ W CZ ..................................................................................................... 39°54.80′ N 69°30.95′ W DA ..................................................................................................... 39°54.35′ N 69°33.40′ W DB ..................................................................................................... 39°55.00′ N 69°34.90′ W DC ..................................................................................................... 39°56.55′ N 69°36.00′ W DD ..................................................................................................... 39°57.95′ N 69°36.45′ W DE ..................................................................................................... 39°58.75′ N 69°36.30′ W DF ..................................................................................................... 39°58.80′ N 69°36.95′ W DG .................................................................................................... 39°57.95′ N 69°38.10′ W DH ..................................................................................................... 39°54.50′ N 69°38.25′ W DI ...................................................................................................... 39°53.60′ N 69°46.50′ W DJ ..................................................................................................... 39°54.70′ N 69°50.00′ W DK ..................................................................................................... 39°55.25′ N 69°51.40′ W DL ..................................................................................................... 39°55.20′ N 69°53.10′ W DM .................................................................................................... 39°54.85′ N 69°53.90′ W DN ..................................................................................................... 39°55.70′ N 69°54.90′ W 824 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.81 Point Latitude Longitude Note DO .................................................................................................... 39°56.15′ N 69°55.35′ W DP ..................................................................................................... 39°56.05′ N 69°56.25′ W DQ .................................................................................................... 39°55.30′ N 69°57.10′ W DR ..................................................................................................... 39°54.80′ N 69°58.60′ W DS ..................................................................................................... 39°56.05′ N 70°00.65′ W DT ..................................................................................................... 39°55.30′ N 70°02.95′ W DU ..................................................................................................... 39°56.90′ N 70°11.30′ W DV ..................................................................................................... 39°58.90′ N 70°11.50′ W DW .................................................................................................... 39°59.60′ N 70°11.10′ W DX ..................................................................................................... 40°01.35′ N 70°11.20′ W DY ..................................................................................................... 40°02.60′ N 70°12.00′ W DZ ..................................................................................................... 40°00.40′ N 70°12.30′ W EA ..................................................................................................... 39°59.75′ N 70°13.05′ W EB ..................................................................................................... 39°59.30′ N 70°14.00′ W (*) AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) (4) Restricted Gear Area II. Restricted Gear Area II is defined by the following points connected in the order listed by straight lines (points followed by an as terisk are shared with an adjacent Re stricted Gear Area): Point N latitude W longitude Note AA .......... 40°02.75′ 70°16.10′ (*) EB .......... 39°59.30′ 70°14.00′ (*) EC .......... 39°58.85′ 70°15.20′ ED .......... 39°59.30′ 70°18.40′ EE .......... 39°58.10′ 70°19.40′ EF .......... 39°57.00′ 70°19.85′ EG ......... 39°57.55′ 70°21.25′ EH .......... 39°57.50′ 70°22.80′ EI ........... 39°57.10′ 70°25.40′ EJ .......... 39°57.65′ 70°27.05′ EK .......... 39°58.58′ 70°27.70′ EL .......... 40°00.65′ 70°28.80′ EM ......... 40°02.20′ 70°29.15′ EN .......... 40°01.00′ 70°30.20′ EO ......... 39°58.58′ 70°31.85′ EP .......... 39°57.05′ 70°34.35′ EQ ......... 39°56.42′ 70°36.80′ ER .......... 39°58.15′ 70°48.00′ ES .......... 39°58.30′ 70°51.10′ ET .......... 39°58.10′ 70°52.25′ EU .......... 39°58.05′ 70°53.55′ EV .......... 39°58.40′ 70°59.60′ EW ......... 39°59.80′ 71°01.05′ EX .......... 39°58.20′ 71°05.85′ EY .......... 39°57.45′ 71°12.15′ EZ .......... 39°57.20′ 71°15.00′ FA .......... 39°56.30′ 71°18.95′ FB .......... 39°51.40′ 71°36.10′ FC .......... 39°51.75′ 71°41.50′ FD .......... 39°50.05′ 71°42.50′ FE .......... 39°50.00′ 71°45.00′ FF .......... 39°48.95′ 71°46.05′ FG .......... 39°46.60′ 71°46.10′ Point N latitude W longitude Note FH .......... 39°43.50′ 71°49.40′ FI ........... 39°41.30′ 71°55.00′ FJ ........... 39°39.00′ 71°55.60′ FK .......... 39°36.72′ 71°58.25′ FL .......... 39°35.15′ 71°58.55′ FM ......... 39°34.50′ 72°00.75′ FN .......... 39°32.20′ 72°02.25′ FO .......... 39°32.15′ 72°04.10′ FP .......... 39°28.50′ 72°06.50′ FQ .......... 39°29.00′ 72°09.25′ FR .......... 39°29.75′ 72°09.80′ (*) FS .......... 39°32.65′ 72°06.10′ (*) FT .......... 39°35.45′ 72°02.00′ (*) FU .......... 39°41.15′ 71°57.10′ (*) FV .......... 39°46.95′ 71°49.00′ (*) FW ......... 39°53.10′ 71°42.70′ (*) FX .......... 39°52.60′ 71°40.35′ (*) FY .......... 39°53.10′ 71°36.10′ (*) FZ .......... 39°57.50′ 71°20.60′ (*) GA ......... 40°00.70′ 71°19.80′ (*) GB ......... 39°59.30′ 71°18.40′ (*) GC ......... 40°02.00′ 71°01.30′ (*) GD ......... 40°00.50′ 70°57.60′ (*) GE ......... 40°00.10′ 70°45.10′ (*) GF .......... 39°58.90′ 70°38.65′ (*) GG ......... 39°59.15′ 70°34.45′ (*) GH ......... 40°00.55′ 70°32.10′ (*) GI ........... 40°03.85′ 70°28.75′ (*) GJ .......... 39°59.75′ 70°25.50′ (*) GK ......... 39°59.80′ 70°21.75′ (*) GL .......... 40°00.70′ 70°18.60′ (*) AA .......... 40°02.75′ 70°16.10′ (*) (5) Restricted Gear Area III. Restricted Gear Area III is defined by the fol lowing points connected in the order listed by straight lines (points followed by an asterisk are shared with an adja cent Restricted Gear Area): Point Latitude Longitude Note AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) GL ..................................................................................................... 40°00.70′ N 70°18.60′ W (*) GK ..................................................................................................... 39°59.80′ N 70°21.75′ W (*) GJ ..................................................................................................... 39°59.75′ N 70°25.50′ W (*) GI ...................................................................................................... 40°03.85′ N 70°28.75′ W (*) GH .................................................................................................... 40°00.55′ N 70°32.10′ W (*) GG .................................................................................................... 39°59.15′ N 70°34.45′ W (*) GF ..................................................................................................... 39°58.90′ N 70°38.65′ W (*) GE ..................................................................................................... 40°00.10′ N 70°45.10′ W (*) 825 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.81 Point Latitude Longitude Note GD .................................................................................................... 40°00.50′ N 70°57.60′ W (*) GC .................................................................................................... 40°02.00′ N 71°01.30′ W (*) GB ..................................................................................................... 39°59.30′ N 71°18.40′ W (*) GA ..................................................................................................... 40°00.70′ N 71°19.80′ W (*) FZ ..................................................................................................... 39°57.50′ N 71°20.60′ W (*) FY ..................................................................................................... 39°53.10′ N 71°36.10′ W (*) FX ..................................................................................................... 39°52.60′ N 71°40.35′ W (*) FW .................................................................................................... 39°53.10′ N 71°42.70′ W (*) FV ..................................................................................................... 39°46.95′ N 71°49.00′ W (*) FU ..................................................................................................... 39°41.15′ N 71°57.10′ W (*) FT ..................................................................................................... 39°35.45′ N 72°02.00′ W (*) FS ..................................................................................................... 39°32.65′ N 72°06.10′ W (*) FR ..................................................................................................... 39°29.75′ N 72°09.80′ W (*) GM .................................................................................................... 39°33.65′ N 72°15.00′ W GN .................................................................................................... 39°47.20′ N 72°01.60′ W GO .................................................................................................... 39°53.75′ N 71°52.25′ W GP ..................................................................................................... 39°55.85′ N 71°45.00′ W GQ .................................................................................................... 39°55.60′ N 71°41.20′ W GR .................................................................................................... 39°57.90′ N 71°28.70′ W GS ..................................................................................................... 40°10.70′ N 71°10.25′ W GT ..................................................................................................... 40°12.75′ N 70°55.05′ W GU .................................................................................................... 40°11.05′ N 70°45.80′ W GV ..................................................................................................... 40°06.50′ N 70°40.05′ W GW .................................................................................................... 40°05.60′ N 70°17.70′ W AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) (6) Restricted Gear Area IV. Restricted Gear Area IV is defined by the fol lowing points connected in the order listed by straight lines (points followed by an asterisk are shared with an adja cent Restricted Gear Area): Point Latitude Longitude Note AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) GX ..................................................................................................... 40°07.80′ N 70°09.20′ W GY ..................................................................................................... 40°07.60′ N 70°04.50′ W GZ ..................................................................................................... 40°02.10′ N 69°45.00′ W HA ..................................................................................................... 40°01.30′ N 69°45.00′ W HB ..................................................................................................... 40°00.50′ N 69°38.80′ W HC ..................................................................................................... 40°01.70′ N 69°37.40′ W HD ..................................................................................................... 40°01.70′ N 69°35.40′ W HE ..................................................................................................... 40°00.40′ N 69°35.20′ W HF ..................................................................................................... 39°57.30′ N 69°25.10′ W HG .................................................................................................... 40°05.50′ N 69°09.00′ W HH ..................................................................................................... 40°14.30′ N 69°05.80′ W HI ...................................................................................................... 40°14.00′ N 69°04.70′ W HJ ..................................................................................................... 40°11.60′ N 68°53.00′ W HK ..................................................................................................... 40°13.60′ N 68°40.60′ W BS ..................................................................................................... 40°07.90′ N 68°36.00′ W (*) BR ..................................................................................................... 40°07.20′ N 68°38.40′ W (*) BQ ..................................................................................................... 40°06.90′ N 68°46.50′ W (*) BP ..................................................................................................... 40°08.70′ N 68°49.60′ W (*) BO ..................................................................................................... 40°08.10′ N 68°51.00′ W (*) BN ..................................................................................................... 40°05.70′ N 68°52.40′ W (*) BM .................................................................................................... 40°03.60′ N 68°57.20′ W (*) BL ..................................................................................................... 40°03.65′ N 69°00.00′ W (*) BK ..................................................................................................... 40°04.35′ N 69°00.50′ W (*) BJ ...................................................................................................... 40°05.20′ N 69°00.50′ W (*) BI ...................................................................................................... 40°05.30′ N 69°01.10′ W (*) BH ..................................................................................................... 40°08.90′ N 69°01.75′ W (*) BG ..................................................................................................... 40°11.00′ N 69°03.80′ W (*) BF ..................................................................................................... 40°11.60′ N 69°05.40′ W (*) BE ..................................................................................................... 40°10.25′ N 69°04.40′ W (*) BD ..................................................................................................... 40°09.75′ N 69°04.15′ W (*) BC ..................................................................................................... 40°08.45′ N 69°03.60′ W (*) BB ..................................................................................................... 40°05.65′ N 69°03.55′ W (*) BA ..................................................................................................... 40°04.10′ N 69°03.90′ W (*) AZ ..................................................................................................... 40°02.65′ N 69°05.60′ W (*) AY ..................................................................................................... 40°02.00′ N 69°08.35′ W (*) AX ..................................................................................................... 40°02.65′ N 69°11.15′ W (*) AW .................................................................................................... 40°00.05′ N 69°14.60′ W (*) AV ..................................................................................................... 39°57.80′ N 69°20.35′ W (*) 826 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 Point Latitude Longitude Note AU ..................................................................................................... 39°56.75′ N 69°24.40′ W (*) AT ..................................................................................................... 39°56.50′ N 69°26.35′ W (*) AS ..................................................................................................... 39°56.80′ N 69°34.10′ W (*) AR ..................................................................................................... 39°57.85′ N 69°35.15′ W (*) AQ ..................................................................................................... 40°00.65′ N 69°36.50′ W (*) AP ..................................................................................................... 40°00.90′ N 69°37.30′ W (*) AO ..................................................................................................... 39°59.15′ N 69°37.30′ W (*) AN ..................................................................................................... 39°58.80′ N 69°38.45′ W (*) AM .................................................................................................... 39°56.20′ N 69°40.20′ W (*) AL ..................................................................................................... 39°55.75′ N 69°41.40′ W (*) AK ..................................................................................................... 39°56.70′ N 69°53.60′ W (*) AJ ...................................................................................................... 39°57.55′ N 69°54.05′ W (*) AI ...................................................................................................... 39°57.40′ N 69°55.90′ W (*) AH ..................................................................................................... 39°56.90′ N 69°57.45′ W (*) AG ..................................................................................................... 39°58.25′ N 70°03.00′ W (*) AF ..................................................................................................... 39°59.20′ N 70°04.90′ W (*) AE ..................................................................................................... 40°00.70′ N 70°08.70′ W (*) AD ..................................................................................................... 40°03.75′ N 70°10.15′ W (*) AC ..................................................................................................... 40°05.20′ N 70°10.90′ W (*) AB ..................................................................................................... 40°02.45′ N 70°14.10′ W (*) AA ..................................................................................................... 40°02.75′ N 70°16.10′ W (*) [83 FR 15266, Apr. 9, 2018, as amended at 83 FR 17313, Apr. 19, 2018; 84 FR 68799, Dec. 17, 2019; 85 FR 44221, July 22, 2020; 86 FR 62494, Nov. 10, 2021] § 648.82 Effort-control program for NE multispecies limited access vessels. (a) Except as provided in §§ 648.17 and 648.82(a)(2), a vessel issued a limited ac cess NE multispecies permit may not fish for, possess, or land regulated spe cies, except during a DAS, as allocated under, and in accordance with, the ap plicable DAS program described in this section, unless otherwise provided else where in this part. (1) End-of-year carry-over. With the exception of vessels that held a Con firmation of Permit History, as de scribed in § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(J), for the en tire fishing year preceding the carry over year, limited access vessels that have unused DAS on the last day of April of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 DAS into the next year. Unused leased DAS may not be carried over. Vessels that have been sanctioned through enforcement proceedings will be credited with unused DAS based on their DAS allocation minus any total DAS that have been sanctioned through enforcement proceedings. For the 2004 fishing year only, DAS carried over from the 2003 fishing year will be classified as Regular B DAS, as speci fied under paragraph (d)(2) of this sec tion. Beginning with the 2005 fishing year, for vessels with a balance of both unused Category A DAS and unused Category B DAS at the end of the pre vious fishing year (e.g., for the 2005 fishing year, carry-over DAS from the 2004 fishing year), Category A DAS will be carried over first, than Regular B DAS, than Reserve B DAS. Category C DAS cannot be carried over. (2) Notwithstanding any other provi sion of this part, any vessel issued a NE multispecies limited access permit may not call into the DAS program and fish under a DAS, fish on a sector trip, or fish under the provisions of a limited access Small Vessel Category or Handgear A permits pursuant to paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) of this section, respectively, if such vessel carries pas sengers for hire for any portion of a fishing trip. (b) Permit categories. All limited ac cess NE multispecies permit holders shall be assigned to one of the fol lowing permit categories, according to the criteria specified. Permit holders may request a change in permit cat egory, as specified in § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2). Each fishing year shall begin on May 1 and extend through April 30 of the following year. Beginning May 1, 2004, with the excep tion of the limited access Small Vessel and Handgear A vessel categories de scribed in paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) of this section, respectively, NE multispe cies DAS available for use will be cal culated pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. (1) Individual DAS category. This cat egory is for vessels allocated individual 827 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 DAS that are not fishing under the Hook Gear, Combination, or Large mesh individual categories. Beginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Individual DAS category, the base line for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated based upon the fish ing history associated with the vessel’s permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The number and cat egories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this section. (2) Hook Gear category. To be eligible for a Hook Gear category permit, the vessel must have been issued a limited access multispecies permit for the pre ceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a Hook Gear category per mit for the preceding year, or be re placing a vessel that was issued a Hook Gear category permit that was issued a Confirmation of Permit History. Begin ning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Hook Gear category, the baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated based upon the fish ing history associated with the vessel’s permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The number and cat egories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this section. A ves sel fishing under this category in the DAS program must meet or comply with the gear restrictions specified under § 648.80(a)(3)(v), (a)(4)(v), (b)(2)(v) and (c)(2)(iv) when fishing in the re spective regulated mesh areas. (3) Combination vessel category. To be eligible for a Combination vessel cat egory permit, a vessel must have been issued a Combination vessel category permit for the preceding year, be re placing a vessel that was issued a Com bination vessel category permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued a Combination vessel category permit that was also issued a Confirmation of Permit History. Begin ning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Combination vessel category, the baseline for determining the num ber of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associated with the vessel’s permit, as specified in para graph (c)(1) of this section. The number and categories of DAS that are allo cated for use in a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this sec tion. (4) Large Mesh Individual DAS cat egory. This category is for vessels allo cated individual DAS that area not fishing under the Hook Gear, Combina tion, or Individual DAS categories. Be ginning May 1, 2004, for a vessel fishing under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, the baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available for use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associ ated with the vessel’s permit, as speci fied in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this section. The number of Cat egory A DAS shall be increased by 36 percent. To be eligible to fish under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, a vessel, while fishing under this cat egory, must fish under the specific reg ulated mesh area minimum mesh size restrictions, as specified in § 648.80(a)(3)(iii), (a)(4)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), and (c)(2)(ii). (5) Small Vessel category—(i) DAS allo cation. A vessel qualified and electing to fish under the Small Vessel category may retain up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, combined, and one Atlantic halibut per trip, without being subject to DAS re strictions, provided the vessel does not exceed the yellowtail flounder posses sion restrictions specified at § 648.86(g). Such a vessel is subject to the posses sion limits specified for other regu lated species and ocean pout, as speci fied at § 648.86. Any vessel may elect to switch into the Small Vessel category, as provided in § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(I)(2), if the vessel meets or complies with the fol lowing: (A) The vessel is 30 ft (9.1 m) or less in length overall, as determined by measuring along a horizontal line drawn from a perpendicular raised from the outside of the most forward portion of the stem of the vessel to a perpen dicular raised from the after most por tion of the stern. (B) If construction of the vessel was begun after May 1, 1994, the vessel 828 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 must be constructed such that the quotient of the length overall divided by the beam is not less than 2.5. (C) Acceptable verification for ves sels 20 ft (6.1 m) or less in length shall be USCG documentation or state reg istration papers. For vessels over 20 ft (6.1 m) in length overall, the measure ment of length must be verified in writing by a qualified marine surveyor, or the builder, based on the vessel’s construction plans, or by other means determined acceptable by the Regional Administrator. A copy of the verification must accompany an appli cation for a NE multispecies permit. (D) Adjustments to the Small Vessel category requirements, including changes to the length requirement, if required to meet fishing mortality goals, may be made by the Regional Administrator following framework procedures of § 648.90. (ii) [Reserved] (6) Handgear A category. A vessel qualified and electing to fish under the Handgear A category, as described in § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(A), may retain, per trip, up to 300 lb (135 kg) of cod, one Atlantic halibut, and the daily possession limit for other regulated species and ocean pout, as specified under § 648.86. If ei ther the GOM or GB cod trip limit ap plicable to a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS permit, as specified in § 648.86(b)(1) and (2), respectively, is reduced below 300 lb (135 kg) per DAS by NMFS, the cod trip limit specified in this paragraph (b)(6) shall be ad justed to be the same as the applicable cod trip limit specified for NE multi species DAS permits. For example, if the GOM cod trip limit for NE multi species DAS vessels was reduced to 250 lb (113.4 kg) per DAS, then the cod trip limit for a vessel issued a Handgear A category permit that is fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area would also be reduced to 250 lb (113.4 kg). Qualified vessels electing to fish under the Handgear A category are subject to the following restrictions: (i) The vessel must not use or possess on board gear other than handgear while in possession of, fishing for, or landing NE multispecies; (ii) Tub-trawls must be hand-hauled only, with a maximum of 250 hooks; and (iii) Declaration. For any such vessel that is not required to use VMS pursu ant to § 648.10(b)(4), to fish for GB cod south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, as defined at § 648.80(a)(1), a ves sel owner or operator must obtain, and retain on board, a letter of authoriza tion from the Regional Administrator stating an intent to fish south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area and may not fish in any other area for a min imum of seven consecutive days from the effective date of the letter of au thorization. For any such vessel that is required, or elects, to use VMS pursu ant to § 648.10(b)(4), to fish for GB cod south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, as defined at § 648.80(a)(1), a ves sel owner or operator must declare an intent to fish south of the GOM Regu lated Mesh Area on each trip through the VMS prior to leaving port, in ac cordance with instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. Such ves sels may transit the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, as defined at § 648.80(a)(1), provided that their gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as de fined in § 648.2. (c) Used DAS baseline—(1) Calculation of used DAS baseline. For all valid lim ited access NE multispecies DAS ves sels, vessels issued a valid small vessel category permit, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit Histories, be ginning with the 2004 fishing year, a vessel’s used DAS baseline shall be based on the fishing history associated with its permit and shall be determined by the highest number of reported DAS fished during a single qualifying fish ing year, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, during the 6–year period from May 1, 1996, through April 30, 2002, not to ex ceed the vessel’s annual allocation prior to August 1, 2002. A qualifying year is one in which a vessel landed 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) or more of regulated multispecies, based upon landings re ported through dealer reports (based on live weights of landings submitted to NMFS prior to April 30, 2003). If a ves sel that was originally issued a limited access NE multispecies permit was lawfully replaced in accordance with the replacement restrictions specified in § 648.4(a), then the used DAS baseline shall be defined based upon the DAS 829 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 used by the original vessel and by sub sequent vessel(s) associated with the permit during the qualification period specified in this paragraph (c)(1). The used DAS baseline shall be used to cal culate the number and category of DAS that are allocated for use in a given fishing year, as specified in paragraph (d) of this section. (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this section, the vessel’s used DAS baseline shall be determined by calculating DAS use re ported under the DAS notification re quirements in § 648.10. (ii) For a vessel exempt from, or not subject to, the DAS notification sys tem specified in § 648.10 during the pe riod May 1996 through June 1996, the vessel’s used DAS baseline for that pe riod will be determined by calculating DAS use from vessel trip reports sub mitted to NMFS prior to April 9, 2003. (iii) For a vessel enrolled in a Large Mesh DAS category, as specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the cal culation of the vessel’s used DAS base line may not include any DAS allo cated or used by the vessel pursuant to the provisions of the Large Mesh DAS category. (2) [Reserved] (d) DAS categories and allocations. For all valid limited access NE multispe cies DAS permits, and NE multispecies Confirmation of Permit Histories, be ginning with the 2004 fishing year, DAS shall be allocated and available for use for a given fishing year according to the following DAS Categories (unless otherwise specified, ‘‘NE multispecies DAS’’ refers to any authorized cat egory of DAS): (1) Category A DAS. Calculation of Category A DAS for each fishing year is specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section. An addi tional 36 percent of Category A DAS will be added and available for use for participants in the Large Mesh Indi vidual DAS permit category, as de scribed in paragraph (b)(4) of this sec tion, provided the participants comply with the applicable gear restrictions. Category A DAS may be used in the NE multispecies fishery to harvest and land stocks of regulated species or ocean pout, in accordance with all of the conditions and restrictions of this part. (i) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Category A DAS are defined as 60 per cent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (ii) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Category A DAS are defined as 55 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (iii) For fishing year 2009 (May 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010), Category A DAS are defined as 45 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (iv) Starting in fishing year 2010 (be ginning May 1, 2010), Category A DAS are defined as follows: (A) For a vessel fishing under the provisions of the common pool, as de fined in this part, Category A DAS are defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified in para graph (c)(1) of this section, unless oth erwise revised pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of this section, or reduced pursu ant to § 648.87(b)(1)(iii). (B) For a sector vessel, Category A DAS allocated for use when fishing in other fisheries that require the concur rent use of a NE multispecies DAS are defined as 45 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified in para graph (2) Category B DAS. Category B DAS are divided into Regular B DAS and Reserve B DAS. Calculation of Cat egory B DAS for each fishing year, and restrictions on use of Category B DAS, are specified in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section. (i) Regular B DAS—(A) Restrictions on use. Regular B DAS can only be used by NE multispecies vessels in an approved SAP or in the Regular B DAS Program as specified in § 648.85(b)(6). Unless oth erwise restricted under the Regular B DAS Program as described in § 648.85(b)(6)(i), vessels may fish under both a Regular B DAS and a Reserve B DAS on the same trip (i.e., when fish ing in an approved SAP as described in § 648.85(b)). Vessels that are required by the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan to utilize a NE multispecies DAS, as specified under § 648.92(b)(2), may not 830 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 elect to use a NE multispecies Cat egory B DAS to satisfy that require ment. (B) Calculation. Regular B DAS are calculated as follows: (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Regular B DAS are defined as 20 per cent of the vessel’s DAS baseline speci fied under paragraph (c)(1) of this sec tion. (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Regular B DAS are defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel’s DAS base line specified under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (3) For fishing year 2009 (May 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010), Regular B DAS are defined as 27.5 percent of the ves sel’s used DAS baseline specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (4) Starting in fishing year 2010 (be ginning May 1, 2010), Regular B DAS are defined as follows: (i) For a common pool vessel, Regular B DAS are defined as 36.25 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline speci fied in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unless otherwise revised pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of this section. (ii) For a sector vessel, Regular B DAS are defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (ii) Reserve B DAS—(A) Restrictions on use. Reserve B DAS can only be used in an approved SAP, as specified in § 648.85. (B) Calculation. Reserve B DAS are calculated as follows: (1) For the 2004 and 2005 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are defined as 20 per cent of the vessel’s DAS baseline speci fied under paragraph (c)(1) of this sec tion. (2) For the 2006 through 2008 fishing years, Reserve B DAS are defined as 22.5 percent of the vessel’s DAS base line specified under paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (3) For fishing year 2009 (May 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010), Reserve B DAS are defined as 27.5 percent of the ves sel’s used DAS baseline specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (4) Starting in fishing year 2010 (be ginning May 1, 2010), Reserve B DAS are defined as follows: (i) For a common pool vessel, Reserve B DAS are defined as 36.25 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline speci fied in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unless otherwise revised pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of this section. (ii) For a sector vessel, Reserve B DAS are defined as 27.5 percent of the vessel’s used DAS baseline specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. (3) Category C DAS—(i) Restriction on use. Category C DAS are reserved and may not be fished. (ii) Calculation. Category C DAS are defined as the difference between a ves sel’s used DAS baseline, as described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, and the number of DAS allocated to the vessel as of May 1, 2001. (e) Accrual of DAS. (1) When a vessel is participating in the NE multispecies DAS program, as required by the regu lations in this part, NE multispecies DAS shall accrue as specified in para graphs (e)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section and shall be based upon the time called, or logged into the DAS pro gram, consistent with the DAS notifi cation requirements specified in § 648.10. For the purpose of calculating trip limits specified in this part, the amount of DAS deducted from a ves sel’s DAS allocation shall determine the amount of fish the vessel can land legally. (i) Common pool vessels. For a common pool vessel, Category A DAS shall ac crue in 24-hr increments, unless other wise required under paragraphs (n) or (o) of this section. For example, a ves sel that fished from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. would be charged 24 hr of Category A DAS, not 16 hr; a vessel that fished for 25 hr would be charged 48 hr of Cat egory A instead of 25 hr. (ii) [Reserved] (2) [Reserved] (3) Regular B DAS Program 24-hr clock. For a vessel electing to fish in the Reg ular B DAS Program, as specified at § 648.85(b)(6), that remains fishing under a Regular B DAS for the entire fishing trip (without a DAS flip), DAS shall ac crue at the rate of 1 full DAS for each calendar day, or part of a calendar day fished. For example, a vessel that fished on 1 calendar day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. would be charged 24 hr of Reg ular B DAS, not 16 hr; a vessel that left on a trip at 11 p.m. on the first cal endar day and returned at 10 p.m. on 831 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 the second calendar day would be charged 48 hr of Regular B DAS instead of 23 hr, because the fishing trip would have spanned 2 calendar days. For the purpose of calculating trip limits speci fied under § 648.86, the amount of DAS deducted from a vessel’s DAS alloca tion shall determine the amount of fish the vessel can land legally. For a vessel electing to fish in the Regular B DAS Program, as specified at § 648.85(b)(6), while also fishing in an area subject to differential DAS counting pursuant to paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section, Cat egory B DAS shall accrue at the rate described in this paragraph (e)(3), un less the vessel flips to a Category A DAS, in which case the vessel is sub ject to the pertinent DAS accrual re strictions of paragraph (n)(1) of this section for the entire trip. For vessels electing to fish in both the Regular B DAS Program, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6), and in the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area, as specified in § 648.85(a), DAS counting will begin and end ac cording to the DAS rules specified in § 648.10(e)(5)(iv). (f) DAS credits—(1) Good Samaritan credit. A limited access vessel fishing under the DAS program and that spends time at sea assisting in a USCG search and rescue operation or assist ing the USCG in towing a disabled ves sel, and that can document the occur rence through the USCG, shall not ac crue DAS for the time documented. (2) Canceled trip DAS credit. A limited access vessel operating under the DAS program and that ends a fishing trip prior to setting and/or hauling fishing gear for any reason may request a can celled trip DAS credit for the trip based on the following conditions and requirements: (i) There is no fish onboard the vessel and no fishing operations on the vessel were initiated, including setting and/or hauling fishing gear; and (ii) The owner or operator of the ves sel fishing under a DAS program and required to use a VMS as specified under § 648.10(b) makes an initial trip cancelation notification from sea, at the time the trip was canceled, or at the earliest opportunity prior to cross ing the demarcation line as defined at § 648.10(a). These reports are in the form of an email to NMFS Office of Law Enforcement and include at least the following information: Operator name; vessel name; vessel permit num ber; port where vessel will return; date trip started; estimated date/time of re turn to port; and a statement from the operator must that no fish were on board and no fishing activity occurred; and (iii) The owner or operator of the ves sel operating under the DAS program required to use the IVR call in as speci fied under § 648.10(h) makes an initial trip cancelation notification to NMFS by calling the IVR back at the time the trip was canceled, or at the earliest op portunity prior to returning to port. This request must include at least the following information: Operator name; vessel name; vessel permit number; port where vessel will return; date trip started; estimated date/time of return to port; and a statement from the oper ator that no fish were onboard and no fishing activity occurred; and (iv) The owner or operator of the ves sel requesting a canceled trip DAS credit, in addition to the requirements in paragraphs (f)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section, submits a written DAS credit request form to NMFS within 30 days of the vessel’s return to port from the canceled trip. This application must include at least the following informa tion: Date and time when the vessel canceled the fishing trip; date and time of trip departure and landing; operator name; owner/corporation name; permit number; hull identification number; vessel name; date and time notification requirements specified under para graphs (f)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section were made; reason for canceling the trip; and owner/operator signature and date; and (v) The vessel trip report for the can celed trip as required under § 648.7(b) is submitted along with the DAS credit request form; and (vi) For DAS credits that are re quested near the end of the fishing year as defined at § 648.2, and approved by the Regional Administrator, the cred ited DAS apply to the fishing year in which the canceled trip occurred. Cred ited DAS that remain unused at the end of the fishing year or are not cred ited until the following fishing year 832 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 may be carried over into the next fish ing year, not to exceed the maximum number of carryover DAS as specified under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (3) DAS credit for standing by entan gled whales. A limited access vessel fishing under the DAS program that re ports and stands by an entangled whale may request a DAS credit for the time spent standing by the whale. The fol lowing conditions and requirements must be met to receive this credit: (i) At the time the vessel begins standing by the entangled whale, the vessel operator must notify the USCG and the Center for Coastal Studies, or another organization authorized by the Regional Administrator, of the loca tion of the entangled whale and that the vessel is going to stand by the en tangled whale until the arrival of an authorized response team; (ii) Only one vessel at a time may re ceive credit for standing by an entan gled whale. A vessel standing by an en tangled whale may transfer its stand by status to another vessel while wait ing for an authorized response team to arrive, provided it notifies the USCG and the Center for Coastal Studies, or another organization authorized by the Regional Administrator, of the trans fer. The vessel to which stand-by sta tus is transferred must also notify the USCG and the Center for Coastal Stud ies or another organization authorized by the Regional Administrator of this transfer and comply with the condi tions and restrictions of this part; (iii) The stand-by vessel must be available to answer questions on the condition of the animal, possible spe cies identification, severity of entan glement, etc., and take photographs of the whale, if possible, regardless of the species of whale or whether the whale is alive or dead, during its stand-by status and after terminating its stand by status. The stand-by vessel must re main on scene until the USCG or an authorized response team arrives, or the vessel is informed that an author ized response team will not arrive. If the vessel receives notice that a re sponse team is not available, the vessel may discontinue standing-by the en tangled whale and continue fishing op erations; and (iv) To receive credit for standing by an entangled whale, a vessel must sub mit a written request to the Regional Administrator. This request must in clude at least the following informa tion: Date and time when the vessel began its stand-by status; date of first communication with the USCG; and date and time when the vessel termi nated its stand-by status. DAS credit shall not be granted for the time a ves sel fishes when standing by an entan gled whale. Upon a review of the re quest, NMFS shall consider granting the DAS credit based on information available at the time of the request, re gardless of whether an authorized re sponse team arrives on scene or a res cue is attempted. NMFS shall notify the permit holder of any DAS adjust ment that is made or explain the rea sons why an adjustment will not be made. (g) Spawning season restrictions. A ves sel issued a valid Small Vessel cat egory permit specified in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, or a vessel issued an open access Handgear B permit, as specified in § 648.88(a), may not fish for, possess, or land regulated species or ocean pout from March 1 through March 20 of each year. A common pool vessel must declare out and be out of the NE multispecies DAS program, and a sector must declare that the vessel will not fish with gear capable of catching NE multispecies (i.e., gear that is not defined as exempted gear under this part), for a 20-day period be tween March 1 and May 31 of each cal endar year, using the notification re quirements specified in § 648.10. A ves sel fishing under a Day gillnet category designation is prohibited from fishing with gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies during its declared 20 day spawning block, unless the vessel is fishing in an exempted fishery, as de scribed in § 648.80. If a vessel owner has not declared and been out of the fish ery for a 20-day period between March 1 and May 31 of each calendar year on or before May 12 of each year, the ves sel is prohibited from fishing for, pos sessing or landing any regulated spe cies, ocean pout, or non-exempt species during the period from May 12 through May 31. 833 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 (h) Declaring DAS and blocks of time out. A vessel’s owner or authorized rep resentative shall notify the Regional Administrator of a vessel’s participa tion in the DAS program; declaration of its 120 days out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery, if designated as a Day gillnet category vessel, as specified in paragraph (j) of this section; and dec laration of its 20-day period out of the NE multispecies DAS program, or, for a sector vessel that the vessel will not fish with gear capable of catching NE multispecies, using the notification re quirements specified in § 648.10. (i) [Reserved] (j) Gillnet restrictions. A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies per mit may fish under a NE multispecies DAS, under the provisions of the small vessel permit category, or on a sector trip with gillnet gear, provided the owner of the vessel obtains an annual designation as either a Day or Trip gillnet vessel, as described in § 648.4(c)(2)(iii), and provided the vessel complies with the gillnet vessel gear requirements and restrictions specified in § 648.80. (1) Day gillnet vessels. Unless other wise exempted in this part, a Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet gear under a NE multispecies DAS, the pro visions of a small vessel permit cat egory, or on a sector trip is not re quired to remove gear from the water upon returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, as appro priate, provided the vessel complies with the restrictions specified in para graphs (j)(1)(i) through (iii) of this sec tion. Vessels electing to fish under the Day gillnet designation must have on board written confirmation, issued by the Regional Administrator, that the vessel is a Day gillnet vessel. (i) Removal of gear. All gillnet gear must be brought to port prior to the vessel fishing in an exempted fishery. (ii) Declaration of time out of the gillnet fishery. (A) During each fishing year, a Day gillnet vessel must declare, and take, a total of 120 days out of the non exempt gillnet fishery. Each period of time declared and taken must be a minimum of 7 consecutive days. At least 21 days of this time must be taken between June 1 and September 30 of each fishing year. The spawning sea son time out period required by para graph (g) of this section shall be cred ited toward the 120 days time out of the non-exempt gillnet fishery. If a vessel owner has not declared and taken any or all of the remaining peri ods of time required to be out of the fishery by the last possible date to meet these requirements, the vessel is prohibited from fishing for, possessing, or landing regulated multispecies, ocean pout, or non-exempt species har vested with gillnet gear and from hav ing gillnet gear on board the vessel that is not stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2 while fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, the provisions of the small vessel category permit, or on a sector trip from that date through the end of the period between June 1 and September 30, or through the end of the fishing year, as applicable, unless otherwise exempt pursuant to § 648.87. (B) Any such vessel shall declare its required time periods through the noti fication procedures specified in § 648.10(j)(2). (C) During each period of time de clared out, any such vessel is prohib ited from fishing with non-exempted gillnet gear and must remove such gear from the water. However, the vessel may fish in an exempted fishery, as de scribed in § 648.80, or it may fish under a NE multispecies DAS, under the pro visions of the small vessel category permit, or on a sector trip, provided it fishes with gear other than non-ex empted gillnet gear. (iii) Method of counting DAS. A Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet gear under a NE multispecies DAS shall ac crue DAS as follows: (A) A Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet gear that has elected to fish in the Regular B DAS Program, as speci fied in § 648.85(b)(6), under a Category B DAS, is subject to the DAS accrual provisions of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section. (B) A Day gillnet vessel fishing with gillnet gear under a NE multispecies Category A DAS shall accrue DAS as follows: (1) A Day gillnet vessel on a common pool trip is subject to the DAS accrual provisions of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section. 834 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 (2) A Day gillnet vessel on a sector trip is subject to the DAS accrual pro visions of paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. (2) Trip gillnet vessels. When fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, under the provisions of the small vessel cat egory permit, or on a sector trip, a Trip gillnet vessel is required to re move all gillnet gear from the water before returning to port upon the com pletion of a fishing trip and calling out of a NE multispecies DAS, as applica ble, under § 648.10(e)(5) or (h)(5), respec tively. When not fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, Trip gillnet vessels may fish in an exempted fishery with gillnet gear, as authorized by § 648.80. Vessels electing to fish under the Trip gillnet designation must have on board written confirmation issued by the Re gional Administrator that the vessel is a Trip gillnet vessel. (k) NE Multispecies DAS Leasing Pro gram—(1) Program description. Eligible vessels, as specified in paragraph (k)(2) of this section, may lease Category A DAS to and from other eligible vessels, in accordance with the restrictions and conditions of this section. The Re gional Administrator has final ap proval authority for all NE multispe cies DAS leasing requests. (2) Eligible vessels. (i) A vessel issued a valid limited access NE multispecies permit is eligible to lease Category A DAS to or from another such vessel, subject to the conditions and require ments of this part, unless the vessel was issued a valid Small Vessel or Handgear A permit specified under paragraphs (b)(5) and (6) of this section, respectively. (ii) Subject to the conditions and re quirements of this part, DAS associ ated with a confirmation of permit his tory may be leased to another vessel without placing the permit on an ac tive vessel. (3) Application to lease NE multispecies DAS—(i) Application information require ments. An application to lease Category A DAS must contain the following in formation: Lessor’s owner name, vessel name, permit number and official num ber or state registration number; Les see’s owner name, vessel name, permit number and official number or state registration number; number of NE multispecies DAS to be leased; total priced paid for leased DAS; signatures of Lessor and Lessee; and date form was completed. Information obtained from the lease application will be held confidential, according to applicable Federal law. Aggregate data may be used in the analysis of the DAS Leas ing Program. (ii) Approval of lease application. Un less an application to lease Category A DAS is denied according to paragraph (k)(3)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall issue confirmation of application approval to both Lessor and Lessee within 45 days of receipt of an application. (iii) Denial of lease application. The Regional Administrator may deny an application to lease Category A DAS for any of the following reasons, in cluding, but not limited to: The appli cation is incomplete or submitted past the April 30 deadline; the Lessor or Lessee has not been issued a valid lim ited access NE multispecies permit or is otherwise not eligible; the Lessor’s or Lessee’s DAS are under sanction pursuant to an enforcement pro ceeding; the Lessor’s or Lessee’s vessel is prohibited from fishing; the Lessor’s or Lessee’s limited access NE multispe cies permit is sanctioned pursuant to an enforcement proceeding; the Lessor or Lessee vessel is determined not in compliance with the conditions, re strictions, and requirements of this part; or the Lessor has an insufficient number of allocated or unused DAS available to lease. Upon denial of an application to lease NE multispecies DAS, the Regional Administrator shall send a letter to the applicants describ ing the reason(s) for application rejec tion. The decision by the Regional Ad ministrator is the final agency deci sion. (4) Conditions and restrictions on leased DAS—(i) Confirmation of permit history. Pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of this section, DAS associated with a con firmation of permit history may be leased. (ii) Sub-leasing. In a fishing year, a Lessor or Lessee vessel may not sub lease DAS that have already been leased to another vessel. Any portion of a vessel’s DAS may not be leased 835 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 more than one time during a fishing year. (iii) Carry-over of leased DAS. Leased DAS that remain unused at the end of the fishing year may not be carried over to the subsequent fishing year by the Lessor or Lessee vessel. (iv) [Reserved] (v) History of leased DAS use. The his tory of leased DAS use shall be pre sumed to remain with the Lessor ves sel. In the case of multiple leases to one vessel, the history of leased DAS use shall be presumed to remain with the Lessor in the order in which such leases were approved by NMFS. For the purpose of accounting for leased DAS use, leased DAS will be accounted for (subtracted from available DAS) prior to allocated DAS. (vi) Monkfish Category C, D, F, G and H vessels. A vessel that possesses a valid limited access NE multispecies DAS permit and a valid limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H per mit and leases NE multispecies DAS to or from another vessel is subject to the restrictions specified in § 648.92(b)(2). (vii) DAS Category restriction. A vessel may lease only Category A DAS, as de scribed under paragraph (d)(1) of this section. (viii) Duration of lease. A vessel leas ing DAS may only fish those leased DAS during the fishing year in which they were leased. (ix) Size restriction of Lessee vessel. A Lessor vessel only may lease DAS to a Lessee vessel with a baseline main en gine horsepower rating that is no more than 20 percent greater than the base line engine horsepower of the Lessor vessel. A Lessor vessel may only lease DAS to a Lessee vessel with a baseline length overall that is no more than 10 percent greater than the baseline length overall of the Lessor vessel. For the purposes of this program, the base line horsepower and length overall specifications of vessels are those asso ciated with the permit as of January 29, 2004, unless otherwise modified ac cording to paragraph (k)(4)(xi) of this section. (x) Leasing by vessels fishing under a sector allocation. A sector vessel may not lease DAS to or from common pool vessels, but may lease DAS to or from another sector vessel during the fishing year in which the vessel is a member of a sector. (xi) One-time downgrade of DAS Leas ing Program baseline. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (k)(4)(xi)(B) and (C) of this section, for the purposes of determining eligibility for leasing DAS only, a vessel owner may elect to make a one-time downgrade to the vessel’s DAS Leasing Program baseline length and horsepower as specified in para graph (k)(4)(ix) of this section to match the length overall and horsepower spec ifications of the vessel that is cur rently issued the permit. (A) Application for a one-time DAS Leasing Program baseline downgrade. To downgrade the DAS Leasing Program baseline, eligible NE multispecies ves sels must submit a completed applica tion form obtained from the Regional Administrator. An application to downgrade a vessel’s DAS Leasing Pro gram baseline must contain at least the following information: Vessel own er’s name, vessel name, permit number, official number or state registration number, current vessel length overall and horsepower specifications, an indi cation whether additional information is included to document the vessel’s current specifications, and the signa ture of the vessel owner. (B) Applicability of the one-time DAS Leasing Program baseline downgrade. The downgraded DAS Leasing Program baseline may only be used to determine eligibility for the DAS Leasing Pro gram and does not affect or change the baseline associated with the DAS Transfer Program specified in para graph (l)(1)(ii) of this section, or the vessel replacement or upgrade restric tions specified at § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(E) and (F), or any other provision. (C) Duration of the one-time DAS Leas ing Program baseline downgrade. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (k)(4)(xi)(C) of this section, the down graded DAS Leasing Program baseline remains in effect until the DAS Leas ing Program expires or the permit is transferred to another vessel via a ves sel replacement, or through a DAS transfer. With the exception of vessels combining DAS Leasing Program base lines from two different vessels through the DAS Transfer Program as outlined in paragraph (k)(4)(xi)(C)(2) of 836 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 this section, once the DAS Leasing Program baseline is downgraded for a particular permit, no further down grades may be authorized for that per mit. (1) Vessel replacement. If the permit is transferred to another vessel via a ves sel replacement, the DAS Leasing Pro gram baseline reverts to the baseline horsepower and length overall speci fications associated with the permit prior to the one-time downgrade. (2) DAS Transfer Program. For vessels involved in a DAS Transfer Program transaction as described in paragraph (l) of this section, if the transferee ves sel baseline is adopted, consistent with the regulations under paragraph (l)(1)(ii) of this section, and the DAS Leasing Program baseline of the trans feree vessel was previously down graded, consistent with the regulations under this paragraph (k)(4)(xi), the downgraded DAS Leasing Program baseline specifications remain valid. For vessels involved in a DAS Transfer Program transaction where a combina tion of the transferor and transferee vessel baselines is adopted resulting in a new vessel baseline, any previous DAS Leasing Program baseline down grade for either the transferor or trans feree vessel will be voided and the transferee vessel would have an addi tional opportunity to downgrade its combined DAS Leasing Program base line. (l) DAS Transfer program. Except for vessels fishing under a sector alloca tion as specified in § 648.87, or a vessel that acted as a lessee or lessor in the DAS Leasing Program transaction, a vessel issued a valid limited access NE multispecies permit may transfer all of its NE multispecies DAS for an indefi nite time to another vessel with a valid NE multispecies permit, in accordance with the conditions and restrictions de scribed under this section. The Re gional Administrator has final ap proval authority for all NE multispe cies DAS transfer requests. (1) DAS transfer conditions and restric tions. (i) The transferor vessel must transfer all of its DAS. Upon approval of the DAS transfer, all history associ ated with the transferred NE multispe cies DAS (moratorium right history, DAS use history, and catch history) shall be associated with the permit rights of the transferee. Neither the in dividual permit history elements, nor total history associated with the trans ferred DAS may be retained by the transferor. (ii) NE multispecies DAS may be transferred only to a vessel with a baseline main engine horsepower rat ing that is no more than 20 percent greater than the baseline engine horse power of the transferor vessel. NE multispecies DAS may be transferred only to a vessel with a baseline length overall that is no more than 10 percent greater than the baseline length over all of the transferor vessel. For the purposes of this program, the baseline horsepower and length overall are those associated with the permit as of January 29, 2004. Upon approval of the transfer, the baseline of the transferee vessel would be the smaller baseline of the two vessels or the vessel owner could choose to adopt the larger base line of the two vessels provided such an upgrade is consistent with provisions of this paragraph (l)(1)(ii). A vessel that has executed a one-time down grade of a DAS Leasing Program base line in accordance with paragraph (k)(4)(xi) of this section is subject to the restrictions of paragraph (k)(4)(xi)(C) of this section. (iii) The transferor vessel must trans fer all of its Federal limited access per mits for which it is eligible to the transferee vessel in accordance with the vessel replacement restrictions under § 648.4, or permanently cancel such permits. When duplicate permits exist, i.e., those permits for which both the transferor and transferee vessel are eligible, one of the duplicate permits must be permanently cancelled. (iv) [Reserved] (v) In any particular fishing year, a vessel may not execute a DAS transfer as a transferor if it previously partici pated in the DAS Leasing Program as either a lessee or a lessor, as described under paragraph (k) of this section. A vessel may participate in DAS lease transaction (as a lessee or a lessor) and submit an application for a DAS trans fer (as a transferor) during the same fishing year, but the transfer, if ap proved, would not be effective until the beginning of the following fishing year. 837 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 Other combinations of activities under the DAS Leasing and DAS Transfer programs are permissible during the same fishing year (i.e., act as a trans feree, or act as transferor and subse quently conduct a DAS lease). (vi) Confirmation of permit history. NE multispecies DAS associated with a Confirmation of Permit History may be transferred. (vii) Transfer by sector vessels. A sec tor vessel may not transfer DAS to or from vessels that are fishing under the provisions of the common pool or an other sector, but may transfer DAS to or from another vessel participating in that vessel’s sector during the fishing year in which the vessel is a member of a particular sector. (viii) Unless otherwise restricted by this part, a vessel with a NE multispe cies limited access Category D permit may transfer DAS only to a vessel with a NE multispecies limited access Cat egory D permit, but may receive trans ferred DAS from any eligible NE multi species vessel. (2) Application to transfer DAS. Owners of the vessels applying to transfer and receive DAS must submit a completed application form obtained from the Re gional Administrator. The application must be signed by both seller/trans feror and buyer/transferee of the DAS, and submitted to the Regional Office at least 45 days before the date on which the applicant desires to have the DAS effective on the buying vessel. The Re gional Administrator will notify the applicants of any deficiency in the ap plication pursuant to this section. Ap plications may be submitted at any time during the fishing year, up until March 1. (i) Application information require ments. An application to transfer NE multispecies DAS must contain the fol lowing information: Seller’s/trans feror’s name, vessel name, permit num ber and official number or state reg istration number; buyer’s/transferee’s name, vessel name, permit number and official number or state registration number; total price paid for purchased DAS; signatures of seller and buyer; and date the form was completed. In formation obtained from the transfer application will be held confidential, and will be used only in summarized form for management of the fishery. (ii) Approval of transfer application. Unless an application to transfer NE multispecies DAS is denied according to paragraph (l)(2)(iii) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall issue confirmation of application approval to both seller/transferor and buyer/trans feree within 45 days of receipt of an ap plication. (iii) Denial of transfer application. The Regional Administrator may reject an application to transfer NE multispecies DAS for the following reasons: The ap plication is incomplete or submitted past the March 1 deadline; the seller/ transferor or buyer/transferee does not possess a valid limited access NE multispecies permit; the seller’s/trans feror’s or buyer’s/transferee’s DAS is sanctioned, pursuant to an enforce ment proceeding; the seller’s/trans feror’s or buyer/transferee’s vessel is prohibited from fishing; the seller’s/ transferor’s or buyer’s/transferee’s lim ited access NE multispecies permit is sanctioned pursuant to enforcement proceedings; or the seller/transferor has a DAS baseline of zero. Upon denial of an application to transfer NE multi species DAS, the Regional Adminis trator shall send a letter to the appli cants describing the reason(s) for appli cation rejection. The decision by the Regional Administrator is the final agency decision and there is no oppor tunity to appeal the Regional Adminis trator’s decision. (m) [Reserved] (n) NE multispecies common pool ac countability measure (AM). Common pool vessels are subject to the fol lowing AMs, in addition to the DAS ac crual provisions specified in paragraph (e) of this section and other measures specified in this part. (1) Differential DAS counting AM for fishing years 2010 and 2011. Unless other wise specified pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5), based upon catch and other informa tion available to NMFS by February of each year, the Regional Administrator shall project the catch of regulated species or ocean pout by common pool vessels for the fishing year ending on April 30 to determine whether such catch will exceed any of the sub-ACLs 838 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 specified for common pool vessels pur suant to § 648.90(a)(4)(iii). This initial projection of common pool catch shall be updated shortly after the end of each fishing year, once information be comes available regarding the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by vessels fishing for groundfish in state waters outside of the FMP, vessels fish ing in exempted fisheries, and vessels fishing in the Atlantic sea scallop fish ery; and the catch of Atlantic halibut, SNE/MA winter flounder, ocean pout, windowpane flounder, and Atlantic wolffish by sector vessels to determine if excessive catch by such vessels re sulted in the overall ACL for a par ticular stock to be exceeded. If such catch resulted in the overall ACL for a particular stock being exceeded, the common pool’s catch of that stock shall be increased by an amount equal to the amount of the overage of the overall ACL for that stock multiplied by the common pool’s share of the overall ACL for that stock calculated pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(H)(2). For example, if the 2010 overall ACL for GOM cod was exceeded by 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) due to excessive catch of that stock by vessels fishing in state waters outside the FMP, and the common pool’s share of the 2010 overall GOM cod ACL was 5 percent, then the com mon pool’s 2010 catch of GOM cod shall be increased by 500 lb (226.8 kg) (10,000 lb (4,536 kg) × 0.05 of the overall GOM cod ACL). If, based on the initial pro jection completed in February, the Re gional Administrator projects that any of the sub-ACLs specified for common pool vessels will be exceeded or under harvested, the Regional Administrator shall implement a differential DAS counting factor to all Category A DAS used within the stock area in which the sub-ACL was exceeded or underhar vested, as specified in paragraph (n)(1)(i) of this section, during the fol lowing fishing year, in a manner con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. Any differential DAS count ing implemented at the start of the fishing year will be reevaluated and re calculated, if necessary, once updated information is obtained. The differen tial DAS counting factor shall be based upon the projected proportion of the sub-ACL of each NE multispecies stock caught by common pool vessels, round ed to the nearest even tenth, as speci fied in paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this sec tion, unless otherwise specified pursu ant to § 648.90(a)(5). For example, if the Regional Administrator projects that common pool vessels will catch 1.18 times the sub-ACL for GOM cod during fishing year 2010, the Regional Admin istrator shall implement a differential DAS counting factor of 1.2 to all Cat egory A DAS used by common pool ves sels only within the Inshore GOM Dif ferential DAS Area during fishing year 2011 (i.e., Category A DAS will be charged at a rate of 28.8 hr for every 24 hr fished—1.2 times 24-hr DAS count ing). If it is projected that catch in a particular fishing year will exceed or underharvest the sub-ACLs for several regulated species stocks within a par ticular stock area, including both ex ceeding and underharvesting several sub-ACLs within a particular stock area, the Regional Administrator shall implement the most restrictive dif ferential DAS counting factor derived from paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this section for the sub-ACLs exceeded or underhar vested to any Category A DAS used by common pool vessels within that par ticular stock area. For example, if it is projected that common pool vessels will be responsible for 1.2 times the GOM cod sub-ACL and 1.1 times the CC/ GOM yellowtail flounder sub-ACL, the Regional Administrator shall imple ment a differential DAS counting fac tor of 1.2 to any Category A DAS fished by common pool vessels only within the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area during the following fishing year. For any differential DAS counting fac tor implemented in fishing year 2011, the differential DAS counting factor shall be applied against the DAS ac crual provisions specified in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section for the time spent fishing in the applicable differen tial DAS counting area based upon the first VMS position into the applicable differential DAS counting area and the first VMS position outside of the appli cable differential DAS counting area, pursuant to § 648.10. For example, if a vessel fished 12 hr inside a differential DAS counting area where a differential 839 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 DAS counting factor of 1.2 would be ap plied, and 12 hr outside of the differen tial DAS counting area, the vessel would be charged 48 hr of DAS use be cause DAS would be charged in 24-hr increments ((12 hr inside the area × 1.2 = 14.4 hr) + 12 hr outside the area, rounded up to the next 24-hr increment to determine DAS charged). For any differential DAS counting factor imple mented in fishing year 2012, the dif ferential DAS counting factor shall be applied against the DAS accrual provi sions in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this sec tion, or if a differential DAS counting factor was implemented for that stock area during fishing year 2011, against the DAS accrual rate applied in fishing year 2011. For example, if a differential DAS counting factor of 1.2 was applied to the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area during fishing year 2011 due to a 20-percent overage of the GOM cod sub ACL, yet the GOM cod sub-ACL was ex ceeded again, but by 50 percent during fishing year 2011, an additional dif ferential DAS factor of 1.5 would be ap plied to the DAS accrual rate applied during fishing year 2012 (i.e., the DAS accrual rate in the Inshore GOM Dif ferential DAS Counting Area during fishing year 2012 would be 43.2 hr charged for every 24-hr fished—1.2 × 1.5 × 24-hr DAS charge). If the Regional Administrator determines that similar DAS adjustments are necessary in all stock areas, the Regional Adminis trator will adjust the ratio of Category A:Category B DAS specified in para graph (d)(1) of this section to reduce the number of available Category A DAS available based upon the amount of the overage, rather than apply a dif ferential DAS counting factor to all Category A DAS used in all stock areas. (i) Differential DAS counting areas. The following differential DAS count ing areas shall be used for the purposes of implementing the differential DAS counting AM specified in paragraph (n)(1) of this section: (A) Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area. The Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area applies to the following stocks of regulated species: White hake, pollock, GOM cod, GOM haddock, CC/GOM yellowtail flounder, GOM win ter flounder, and Atlantic wolffish. The Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area is defined as the area bounded on the west by the shoreline of the United States and bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: INSHORE GOM DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude INGOM1 ................... (1) 69°30′ INGOM2 ................... 43°00′ 69°30′ INGOM3 ................... 43°00′ 70°00′ INGOM4 ................... (2) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (B) Offshore GOM Differential DAS Area. The Offshore GOM Differential DAS Area applies to the following stocks of regulated species: GOM had dock, white hake, pollock, redfish, witch flounder, American plaice, and Atlantic halibut. The Offshore GOM Differential DAS Area is defined as the area bounded on the north by the shoreline of Maine, bounded on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime bound ary, and bounded on the south and west by straight lines connecting the fol lowing points in the order stated: OFFSHORE GOM DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude CII3 ........................... 42°22′ 67°20′ OFFGOM1 ............... 42°20′ 67°20′ OFFGOM2 ............... 42°20′ 70°00′ OFFGOM5 ............... 43°00′ 70°00′ INGOM2 ................... 43°00′ 69°30′ INGOM1 ................... (1) 69°30′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. (C) Inshore GB Differential DAS Area. The Inshore GB Differential DAS Area applies to the following stocks of regu lated species: Witch flounder, Amer ican plaice, white hake, Atlantic hal ibut, redfish, pollock, CC/GOM yellowtail flounder, GB cod, GB had dock, SNE/MA winter flounder, and At lantic wolffish. The Inshore GB Dif ferential DAS Area is defined as the area bounded by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: INSHORE GB DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude G9 ............................ (1) 70°00′ G10 .......................... 42°20′ 70°00′ IGB1 ......................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 840 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 INSHORE GB DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA— Continued Point N. latitude W. longitude IGB2 ......................... 41°00′ 68°50′ IGB3 ......................... 41°00′ 69°30′ IGB4 ......................... 41°10′ 69°30′ IGB5 ......................... 41°10′ 69°50′ IGB6 ......................... 41°20′ 69°50′ IGB7 ......................... 41°20′ 70°00′ G12 .......................... (2) 70°00′ 1 The intersection of the Cape Cod, MA, coastline and 70°00′ W. longitude. 2 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (D) Offshore GB Differential DAS Area. The Offshore GB Differential DAS Area applies to the following stocks of regu lated species: Witch flounder, Amer ican plaice, Atlantic halibut, northern windowpane flounder, GB cod, GB had dock, GB yellowtail flounder, and GB winter flounder. The Offshore GB Dif ferential DAS Area is defined as the area bounded on the east by the U.S./ Canadian maritime boundary and straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: OFFSHORE GB DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude IGB1 ......................... 42°20′ 68°50′ OGB1 ....................... 42°20′ 67°20′ CII3 ........................... (1) 67°20′ OGB2 ....................... 40°10′ (1) OGB3 ....................... 40°10′ 68°50′ IGB1 ......................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 1 The U.S./Canada maritime boundary as it intersects with the EEZ. (E) SNE/MA Differential DAS Area. The SNE/MA Differential DAS Area ap plies to the following stocks of regu lated species or ocean pout: SNE/MA winter flounder, SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, southern windowpane floun der, and ocean pout. The SNE/MA Dif ferential DAS Area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, bounded on the east and south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: SNE/MA DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude G12 .......................... (1) 70°00′ IGB7 ......................... 41°20′ 70°00′ IGB6 ......................... 41°20′ 69°50′ IGB5 ......................... 41°10′ 69°50′ IGB4 ......................... 41°10′ 69°30′ IGB3 ......................... 41°00′ 69°30′ IGB2 ......................... 41°00′ 68°50′ SNE/MA DIFFERENTIAL DAS AREA—Continued Point N. latitude W. longitude SNEDA1 ................... 40°10′ 68°50′ SNEDA2 ................... 40°10′ 73°10′ SNEDA3 ................... 39°50′ 73°10′ SNEDA4 ................... 39°50′ (2) 1 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 2 East-facing shoreline of NJ. (ii) Differential DAS counting factor. For determining the differential DAS counting AM specified in this para graph (n)(1), or the inseason differen tial DAS counting adjustment specified in paragraph (o) of this section, the fol lowing differential DAS factor shall, except as provided in paragraph (n)(1)(iii) of this section, be applied to the DAS accrual rate specified in para graph (e)(1) of this section, and imple mented in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. Proportion of ACL caught Differential DAS factor 0.5 .......................................... 0.5 0.6 .......................................... 0.6 0.7 .......................................... 0.7 0.8 .......................................... 0.8 0.9 .......................................... No change 1.0 .......................................... No change 1.1 .......................................... 1.1 1.2 .......................................... 1.2 1.3 .......................................... 1.3 1.4 .......................................... 1.4 1.5 .......................................... 1.5 1.6 .......................................... 1.6 1.7 .......................................... 1.7 1.8 .......................................... 1.8 1.9 .......................................... 1.9 2.0 .......................................... 2.0 (iii) Mixed-stock exception. When de termining the differential DAS count ing AM specified in this paragraph (n)(1), the Regional Administrator shall conduct an analysis to determine whether the mixed-stock exception, as specified in § 600.310(m), may be appli cable. If the analysis concludes that the mixed-stock exception is applica ble, the Regional Administrator shall modify or not apply a differential DAS counting AM on specific stocks, as ap propriate, in accordance with the mixed-stock exception. (iv) Fishing year 2012. Any adjust ments to DAS counting necessary as a result of either underharvesting or overharvesting any of the sub-ACLs specified for common pool vessels dur ing the 2011 fishing year pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4) shall become effective and 841 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 remain effective for the duration of fishing year 2012 in addition to the im plementation of the trimester TAC AM specified in paragraph (n)(2) of this sec tion. (2) Trimester TAC AM for fishing years 2012 and beyond. Beginning in fishing year 2012, common pool vessels shall be subject to the following restrictions: (i) Trimester TACs—(A) Trimester TAC distribution. With the exception of SNE/ MA winter flounder, any sub-ACLs specified for common pool vessels pur suant to § 648.90(a)(4) shall be appor tioned into 4-month trimesters, begin ning at the start of the fishing year (i.e., Trimester 1: May 1–August 31; Tri mester 2: September 1–December 31; Trimester 3: January 1–April 30), as fol lows: PORTION OF COMMON POOL SUB-ACLS APPORTIONED TO EACH STOCK FOR EACH TRIMESTER Stock Trimester 1 (percent) Trimester 2 (percent) Trimester 3 (percent) GB cod .............................................................................................................. 28 34 38 GOM cod ........................................................................................................... 49 33 18 GB haddock ....................................................................................................... 27 33 40 GOM haddock ................................................................................................... 27 26 47 GB yellowtail flounder ....................................................................................... 19 30 51 SNE/MA yellowtail flounder ............................................................................... 21 28 51 CC/GOM yellowtail flounder .............................................................................. 57 26 17 American plaice ................................................................................................. 74 8 18 Witch flounder ................................................................................................... 55 20 25 GB winter flounder ............................................................................................ 8 24 68 GOM winter flounder ......................................................................................... 37 38 25 Redfish .............................................................................................................. 25 31 44 White hake ........................................................................................................ 38 31 31 Pollock ............................................................................................................... 28 35 37 (B) Trimester TAC adjustment. For stocks that have experienced early clo sures (e.g., Trimester 1 or Trimester 2 closures), the Regional Administrator may use the biennial adjustment proc ess specified in § 648.90 to revise the dis tribution of trimester TACs specified in paragraph (n)(2)(i)(A) of this section. Future adjustments to the distribution of trimester TACs shall use catch data for the most recent 5-year period prior to the reevaluation of trimester TACs. (ii) Stock area closures. Unless other wise specified in this paragraph (n)(2)(ii), if the Regional Administrator projects that 90 percent of the tri mester TACs specified in paragraph (n)(2)(i) of this section will be caught based upon available information, the Regional Administrator shall close the area where 90 percent of the catch for each such stock occurred to all com mon pool vessels on a NE multispecies DAS using gear capable of catching such stocks for the remainder of that trimester, as specified in paragraphs (n)(2)(ii)(A) through (N) of this section, in a manner consistent with the Ad ministrative Procedure Act. For exam ple, if the Regional Administrator projects that 90 percent of the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder Trimester 1 TAC will be caught, common pool vessels using trawl and gillnet gear shall be prohibited from fishing in the CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Closure Area spec ified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii)(G) of this section until the beginning of Tri mester 2 on September 1 of that fishing year. Based upon all available informa tion, the Regional Administrator is au thorized to expand or narrow the areas closed under this paragraph (n)(2)(ii) in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. If it is not pos sible to identify an area where only 90 percent of the catch occurred, the Re gional Administrator shall close the smallest area possible where greater than 90 percent of the catch occurred. Common pool vessels holding either a Handgear A or B permit and fishing with handgear or tub trawls are ex empt from stock area closures for white hake. The Regional Adminis trator may exempt Handgear A and B permitted vessels from stock area clo sures for other stocks pursuant to this paragraph (n)(2)(ii) if it is determined that catches of the respective species 842 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 or stock by these vessels are less than 1 percent of the common pool catch of that species or stock. The Regional Ad ministrator shall make such deter mination prior to the start of the fish ing year through a notice published in the FEDERAL REGISTER, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, and any such determination shall remain in effect until modified. (A) GB Cod Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GB Cod Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear within the area bounded by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: GB COD TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 42° 20′ 70° 00′ 2 ................. 42° 20′ (1) 3 ................. 41° 50′ (1) 4 ................. 41° 50′ 67° 40′ 5 ................. 41° 10′ 67° 40′ 6 ................. 41° 10′ 67° 10′ 7 ................. 41° 00′ 67° 10′ 8 ................. 41° 00′ 67° 00′ 9 ................. 40° 50′ 67° 00′ 10 ............... 40° 50′ 66° 50′ 11 ............... 40° 40′ 66° 50′ 12 ............... 40° 40′ 66° 40′ 13 ............... 39° 50′ 66° 40′ 14 ............... 39° 50′ 68° 50′ 15 ............... 41° 00′ 68° 50′ 16 ............... 41° 00′ 69° 30′ 17 ............... 41° 10′ 69° 30′ 18 ............... 41° 10′ 69° 50′ 19 ............... 41° 20′ 69° 50′ 20 ............... 41° 20′ (2) 21 ............... (3) 70° 00′ 22 ............... (4) 70° 00′ 23 ............... (5) 70° 00′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 2 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 3 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 5 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (B) GOM Cod Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GOM Cod Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear within the area bounded on the south, west, and north by the shoreline of the United States and bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM COD TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. (1) 69° 20′ 2 ................. 43° 40′ 69° 20′ 3 ................. 43° 40′ 69° 00′ 4 ................. 43° 10′ 69° 00′ 5 ................. 43° 10′ 69° 10′ 6 ................. 43° 00′ 69° 10′ 7 ................. 43° 00′ 69° 20′ 8 ................. 42° 50′ 69° 20′ 9 ................. 42° 50′ 69° 40′ 10 ............... 42° 20′ 69° 40′ 11 ............... 42° 20′ 70° 00′ 12 ............... (2) 70° 00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (C) GB Haddock Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GB Had dock Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/ hook gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB HADDOCK TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GB1 .......................... 42°20′ 70°00′ GB2 .......................... 42°20′ (1) GB3 .......................... 40°30′ (1) GB4 .......................... 40°30′ 66°40′ GB5 .......................... 39°50′ 66°40′ GB6 .......................... 39°50′ 68°50′ GB7 .......................... 41°00′ 68°50′ GB8 .......................... 41°00′ 69°30′ GB9 .......................... 41°10′ 69°30′ GB10 ........................ 41°10′ 69°50′ GB11 ........................ 41°20′ 69°50′ GB12 ........................ 41°20′ (2) GB13 ........................ (3) 70°00′ GB14 ........................ (4) 70°00′ GB15 ........................ (5) 70°00′ GB1 .......................... 42°20′ 70°00′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 2 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 3 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 5 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (D) GOM Haddock Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GOM Had dock Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/ hook gear within the area bounded on the south, west, and north by the shoreline of the United States and bounded on the east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: 843 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 GOM HADDOCK TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GOM1 ....................... (1) 69°20′ GOM2 ....................... 43°40′ 69°20′ GOM3 ....................... 43°40′ 69°00′ GOM4 ....................... 43°20′ 69°00′ GOM5 ....................... 43°20′ 67°40′ GOM6 ....................... (2) 67°40′ GOM7 ....................... 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ GOM8 ....................... (2) 67°40′ GOM9 ....................... 42°20′ 67°40′ GOM10 ..................... 42°20′ 70°00′ GOM12 ..................... (3) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (E) GB Yellowtail Flounder Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the tri mester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GB Yellowtail Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool ves sels using trawl gear and sink gillnet gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GB1 .......................... 42°20′ 68°50′ GB2 .......................... 42°20′ (1) GB3 .......................... 40°30′ (1) GB4 .......................... 40°30′ 66°40′ GB5 .......................... 39°50′ 66°40′ GB6 .......................... 39°50′ 68°50′ GB1 .......................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (F) SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Tri mester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure speci fied in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this sec tion, the SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear and sink gillnet gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: SNE/MA YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude SNEMA1 .................. (1) 70°00′ SNEMA2 .................. (2) 70°00′ SNEMA3 .................. (3) 70°00′ SNEMA4 .................. 39°50′ 70°00′ SNEMA5 .................. 39°50′ 71°40′ SNEMA6 .................. 40°00′ 71°40′ SNEMA7 .................. 40°00′ 73°00′ SNEMA8 .................. (4) 73°00′ SNE/MA YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA—Continued Point N. latitude W. longitude SNEMA9 .................. 41°00′ (5) SNEMA10 ................ 41°00′ 71°40′ SNEMA11 ................ (6) 71°40′ 1 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 2 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 3 South-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 South-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. 5 East-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. 6 Intersection with RI shoreline. (G) CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Tri mester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure speci fied in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this sec tion, the CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear and sink gillnet gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: CC/GOM YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude CCGOM1 ................. 42°50’ (1) CCGOM2 ................. 42°50′ 69°40′ CCGOM3 ................. 42°20′ 69°40′ CCGOM4 ................. 42°20′ 68°50′ CCGOM5 ................. 41°00′ 68°50′ CCGOM6 ................. 41°00′ 69°30′ CCGOM7 ................. 41°10′ 69°30′ CCGOM8 ................. 41°10′ 69°50′ CCGOM9 ................. 41°20′ 69°50′ CCGOM10 ............... 41°20′ (2) CCGOM11 ............... (3) 70°00′ CCGOM12 ............... (4) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with MA shoreline. 2 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 3 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 South-facing shoreline of MA. (H) American Plaice Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the American Plaice Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: AMERICAN PLAICE TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. (1) 68°00′ 2 ................. 44°10′ 67°50′ 3 ................. 44°00′ 67°50′ 4 ................. 44°00′ 67°40′ 5 ................. (2) 67°40′ 6 ................. 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ 7 ................. (2) 67°40′ 844 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 AMERICAN PLAICE TRIMESTER TAC AREA— Continued Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 8 ................. 41°10′ 67°40′ 9 ................. 41°10′ 67°10′ 10 ............... 41°00′ 67°10′ 11 ............... 41°00′ 67°00′ 12 ............... 40°50′ 67°00′ 13 ............... 40°50′ 66°50′ 14 ............... 40°40′ 66°50′ 15 ............... 40°40′ 66°40′ 16 ............... 39°50′ 66°40′ 17 ............... 39°50′ 68°50′ 18 ............... 41°00′ 68°50′ 19 ............... 41°00′ 69°30′ 20 ............... 41°10′ 69°30′ 21 ............... 41°10′ 69°50′ 22 ............... 41°20′ 69°50′ 23 ............... 41°20′ (3) 24 ............... (4) 70°00′ 25 ............... (5) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 5 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (I) Witch Flounder Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the Witch Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: WITCH FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. (1) 68°00′ 2 ................. 44°10′ 67°50′ 3 ................. 44°00′ 67°50′ 4 ................. 44°00′ 67°40′ 5 ................. (2) 67°40′ 6 ................. 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ 7 ................. (2) 67°40′ 8 ................. 41°10′ 67°40′ 9 ................. 41°10′ 67°10′ 10 ............... 41°00′ 67°10′ 11 ............... 41°00′ 67°00′ 12 ............... 40°50′ 67°00′ 13 ............... 40°50′ 66°50′ 14 ............... 40°40′ 66°50′ 15 ............... 40°40′ 66°40′ 16 ............... 39°50′ 66°40′ 17 ............... 39°50′ 68°50′ 18 ............... 41°00′ 68°50′ 19 ............... 41°00′ 69°30′ 20 ............... 41°10′ 69°30′ 21 ............... 41°10′ 69°50′ 22 ............... 41°20′ 69°50′ 23 ............... 41°20′ (3) 24 ............... (4) 70°00′ 25 ............... (5) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 5 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (J) GB Winter Flounder Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GB Winter Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB WINTER FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 42°20′ 68°50′ 2 ................. 42°20′ (1) 3 ................. 40°30′ (1) 4 ................. 40°30′ 66°40′ 5 ................. 39°50′ 66°40′ 6 ................. 39°50′ 68°50′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (K) GOM Winter Flounder Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the tri mester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the GOM Winter Flounder Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool ves sels using trawl gear and sink gillnet gear within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM WINTER FLOUNDER TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GOM1 ....................... 42°50′ (1) GOM2 ....................... 42°50′ 69°40′ GOM3 ....................... 42°20′ 69°40′ GOM4 ....................... 42°20′ 70°00′ GOM5 ....................... (2) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with MA shoreline 2 North-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA (L) Redfish Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the Redfish Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear within the area bounded by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: REDFISH TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude RF1 .......................... (1) 69°20′ RF2 .......................... 43°40′ 69°20′ RF3 .......................... 43°40′ 69°00′ RF4 .......................... 43°20′ 69°00′ RF5 .......................... 43°20′ 67°40′ RF6 .......................... (2) 67°40′ RF7 .......................... 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ RF8 .......................... (2) 67°40′ 845 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 REDFISH TRIMESTER TAC AREA—Continued Point N. latitude W. longitude RF9 .......................... 41°20′ 67°40′ RF10 ........................ 41°20′ 68°10′ RF11 ........................ 41°10′ 68°10′ RF12 ........................ 41°10′ 68°20′ RF13 ........................ 41°00′ 68°20′ RF14 ........................ 41°00′ 69°30′ RF15 ........................ 41°10′ 69°30′ RF16 ........................ 41°10′ 69°50′ RF17 ........................ 41°20′ 69°50′ RF18 ........................ 41°20′ (3) RF19 ........................ (4) 70°00′ RF20 ........................ (5) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 5 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (M) White Hake Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the White Hake Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/ hook gear, except for Handgear A and B permitted vessels using handgear or tub trawls, within the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: WHITE HAKE TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. (1) 69°20′ 2 ................. 43°40′ 69°20′ 3 ................. 43°40′ 69°00′ 4 ................. 43°20′ 69°00′ 5 ................. 43°20′ 67°40′ 6 ................. (2) 67°40′ 7 ................. 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ 8 ................. (2) 67°40′ 9 ................. 41°20′ 67°40′ 10 ............... 41°20′ 68°10′ 11 ............... 41°10′ 68°10′ 12 ............... 41°10′ 68°20′ 13 ............... 41°00′ 68°20′ 14 ............... 41°00′ 69°30′ 15 ............... 41°10′ 69°30′ 16 ............... 41°10′ 69°50′ 17 ............... 41°20′ 69°50′ 18 ............... 41°20′ (3) 19 ............... (4) 70°00′ 20 ............... (5) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 5 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (N) Pollock Trimester TAC Area. For the purposes of the trimester TAC AM closure specified in paragraph (n)(2)(ii) of this section, the Pollock Trimester TAC Area shall apply to common pool vessels using trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear within the area bounded by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: POLLOCK TRIMESTER TAC AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude RF1 .......................... (1) 69°20′ RF2 .......................... 43°40′ 69°20′ RF3 .......................... 43°40′ 69°00′ RF4 .......................... 43°20′ 69°00′ RF5 .......................... 43°20′ 67°40′ RF6 .......................... (2) 67°40′ RF7 .......................... 42°53.1′ 67°44.4′ RF8 .......................... (2) 67°40′ RF9 .......................... 41°20′ 67°40′ RF10 ........................ 41°20′ 68°10′ RF11 ........................ 41°10′ 68°10′ RF12 ........................ 41°10′ 68°20′ RF13 ........................ 41°00′ 68°20′ RF14 ........................ 41°00′ 69°30′ RF15 ........................ 41°10′ 69°30′ RF16 ........................ 41°10′ 69°50′ RF17 ........................ 41°20′ 69°50′ RF18 ........................ 41°20′ (3) RF19 ........................ (4) 70°00′ RF20 ........................ (5) 70°00′ 1 Intersection with ME shoreline. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 4 North-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 5 South-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. (iii) Trimester TAC overage/underage. If any trimester TAC, as specified in paragraph (n)(2)(i) of this section, is not caught during Trimester 1 or 2, the uncaught portion of the trimester TAC shall be carried forward into the next trimester. Uncaught portions of any trimester TAC following Trimester 3 may not be carried over into the fol lowing fishing year. If any trimester TAC is exceeded during the Trimesters 1 or 2, the overage shall be deducted from the Trimester 3 TAC for that stock. If the entire sub-ACL for a par ticular stock that is allocated to the common pool is exceeded (i.e., the com mon pool catch of that stock at the end of the fishing year, including the com mon pool’s share of any overage of the overall ACL for a particular stock caused by excessive catch by other sub components of the fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5), exceeds all three tri mester TACs for that stock combined), an amount equal to the overage shall be deducted from the sub-ACL for that stock that is allocated to common pool vessels pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4) for the following fishing year. (iv) [Reserved] 846 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.82 (v) Adjustments to trimester TACs. The distribution of trimester TACs speci fied in paragraph (n)(2)(i) of this sec tion may be revised pursuant to the bi ennial adjustment or framework proc ess specified in § 648.90(a)(2) and shall use the distribution of landings of the most recent 5-year period available. (vi) Trip limit adjustment. When 60 per cent of the northern or southern win dowpane flounder, ocean pout, or At lantic halibut sub-ACLs specified for common pool vessels pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) is projected to be caught, the Regional Administrator may specify, consistent with the APA, a possession limit for these stocks that is calculated to prevent the yearly sub ACL from being exceeded prior to the end of the fishing year. (vii) SNE/MA winter flounder AM. If the common pool fishery sub-ACL for SNE/MA winter flounder is exceeded, including the common pool’s share of any overage of the total ACL, as speci fied at § 648.90(a)(5), by an amount that exceeds the management uncertainty buffer, the AM described in this para graph would be implemented in the fol lowing fishing year. The AM would be effective for the entire fishing year. Common pool vessels fishing on a NE Multispecies DAS with trawl gear may only use a haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6) in the SNE/MA Winter Flounder Trawl Gear AM Areas. The AM areas are de fined below, and are bounded by the following coordinates, connected in the order listed by straight lines, unless otherwise noted. SNE/MA WINTER FLOUNDER TRAWL GEAR AM AREA 1 Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 41°10′ 71°40′ 1 2 ................. 41°10′ 71°20′ 3 ................. 41°00′ 71°20′ 4 ................. 41°00′ 71°40′ 1 Point 1 connects to Point 2 along 41°10′ N or the southern coastline of Block Island, RI, whichever is farther south. SNE/MA WINTER FLOUNDER TRAWL GEAR AM AREA 2 Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 41°20′ 70°30′ 2 ................. 41°20′ 70°20′ 3 ................. 41°00′ 70°20′ 4 ................. 41°00′ 70°30′ SNE/MA WINTER FLOUNDER TRAWL GEAR AM AREA 3 Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 41°20′ 69°20′ 2 ................. 41°20′ 69°10′ 3 ................. 41°10′ 69°10′ 4 ................. 41°10’ 69°20’ SNE/MA WINTER FLOUNDER TRAWL GEAR AM AREA 4 Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 41°20′ 69°20′ 2 ................. 41°20′ (1) 3 ................. (1) 69°00′ 4 ................. 41°00′ 69°00′ 5 ................. 41°00′ 69°10′ 6 ................. 41°10′ 69°10′ 7 ................. 41°10′ 69°20′ (1) The southwest-facing boundary of Closed Area I. (o) Inseason adjustment to differential DAS counting for NE multispecies com mon pool vessels. (1) In addition to the DAS accrual provisions specified in paragraphs (e) and (n) of this section, and other measures specified in this part, common pool vessels are subject to the following restrictions: The Re gional Administrator shall project the catch of regulated species or ocean pout by common pool vessels and shall determine whether such catch will ex ceed any of the sub-ACLs specified for common pool vessels as described in § 648.90(a)(4). This projection shall in clude catch by common pool vessels, as well as available information, regard ing the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by vessels fishing for NE multispecies in State waters outside of the authority of the FMP, vessels fish ing in exempted fisheries, and vessels fishing in the Atlantic sea scallop fish ery. If it is projected that catch will exceed or under-harvest the common pool sub-ACL, the Regional Adminis trator may, at any time during the fishing year, implement a differential DAS counting factor to all Category A DAS used within the pertinent stock area(s), as specified in paragraph 847 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.82 (n)(1)(i) of this section, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. Notwithstanding the fact that the differential DAS account ability measures described in para graph (n)(1) of this section are intended to address potential over-harvests in fishing year 2010 and 2011, the scope of the Regional Administrator authority specified in this paragraph (o) is not limited to FY 2010 and 2011. (2) The differential DAS counting factor shall be based on the projected proportion of the sub-ACL of each NE multispecies stock caught by common pool vessels, rounded to the nearest even tenth, as specified in paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this section, unless other wise specified in § 648.90(a)(5). For ex ample, if the Regional Administrator projects that common pool vessels will catch 1.18 times the sub-ACL for GOM cod by the end of fishing year 2010, the Regional Administrator may imple ment a differential DAS counting fac tor of 1.2 to all Category A DAS used by common pool vessels within the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area during fishing year 2010 (i.e., Category A DAS will be charged at a rate of 28.8 hr for every 24 hr fished—1.2 times 24 hr DAS counting). If it is projected that catch will simultaneously exceed or underharvest the sub-ACLs for sev eral regulated species stocks within a particular stock area, the Regional Ad ministrator may implement the most restrictive differential DAS counting factor derived from paragraph (n)(1)(ii) of this section for the sub-ACLs exceed ed or underharvested to any Category A DAS used by common pool vessels within that particular stock area. For example, if it is projected that the common pool vessel catch will exceed the GOM cod sub-ACL by a factor of 1.2 and the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder sub-ACL by a factor of 1.1, the Re gional Administrator may implement a differential DAS counting factor of 1.2 to any Category A DAS fished by com mon pool vessels within the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area during the fishing year. For any inseason differen tial DAS counting factor implemented, the differential DAS counting factor shall be applied against the DAS ac crual provisions specified in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section for the time spent fishing in the applicable differen tial DAS counting area based upon the first VMS position into the applicable differential DAS counting area and the first VMS position outside of the appli cable differential DAS counting area pursuant to § 648.10. For example, if a vessel fished 12 hr inside a differential DAS counting area where a differential DAS counting factor of 1.2 would be ap plied, and 12 hr outside of the differen tial DAS counting area, the vessel would be charged 48 hr of DAS, because DAS would be charged in 24-hr incre ments ((12 hr inside the area × 1.2 = 14.4 hr) + 12 hr outside the area, rounded to the next 24-hr increment to determine DAS charged). (3) For any inseason differential DAS counting factor implemented in fishing year 2011, the inseason differential DAS counting factor shall be applied in ac cordance with the DAS accrual provi sions specified in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, and, if pursuant to para graph (n)(1) of this section, in conjunc tion with a differential DAS counting factor also implemented for the same differential DAS area during fishing year 2011 as an AM. For example, if a differential DAS counting factor of 1.2 was applied to the Inshore GOM Dif ferential DAS Area during fishing year 2011, as an AM due to a 20-percent over age of the GOM cod sub-ACL in fishing year 2010, and during fishing year 2011 the GOM cod sub-ACL was projected to be exceeded by 30 percent, an addi tional differential DAS factor of 1.3 would be applied to the DAS accrual rate as an inseason action during fish ing year 2011. Under this example, the DAS accrual rate after both the AM and the inseason differential DAS rate is applied to FY 2011 in the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Counting Area would be 37.4 hr charged for every 24 hr fished—1.2 × 1.3 × 24-hr DAS charge. [69 FR 22969, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTES: 1. For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 648.82, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. 2. At 75 FR 18319, Apr. 9, 2010, in § 648.82, paragraph (e)(1)(ii) was revised, however no (e)(1)(ii) existed, so it could not be revised. 848 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.83 § 648.83 Multispecies minimum fish sizes. (a) Minimum fish sizes. (1) Minimum fish sizes for recreational vessels and charter/party vessels that are not fish ing under a NE multispecies DAS are specified in § 648.89. Except as provided in § 648.17, all other vessels are subject to the following minimum fish sizes, determined by total length (TL): MINIMUM FISH SIZES (TL) FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS Species Size (inches) Cod .................................................... 19 (48.3 cm) Haddock ............................................. 16 (40.6 cm) Pollock ............................................... 19 (48.3 cm) Witch flounder (gray sole) ................. 13 (33 cm) Yellowtail flounder ............................. 12 (30.5 cm) American plaice (dab) ....................... 12 (30.5 cm) Atlantic halibut ................................... 41 (104.1 cm) Winter flounder (blackback) ............... 12 (30.5 cm) Redfish ............................................... 7 (17.8 cm) (2) The minimum fish size applies to whole fish or to any part of a fish while possessed on board a vessel, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this sec tion, and to whole, whole-gutted or gilled fish only, after landing. For pur poses of determining compliance with the possession limits in § 648.86, the weight of fillets and parts of fish, other than whole-gutted or gilled fish, will be multiplied by 3. Fish fillets, or parts of fish, must have skin on while possessed on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet minimum size requirements. ‘‘Skin on’’ means the en tire portion of the skin normally at tached to the portion of the fish or to fish parts possessed is still attached. (b) Exceptions. (1) Each person aboard a vessel issued a NE multispecies lim ited access permit and fishing under the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip may possess up to 25 lb (11.3 kg) of fillets that measure less than the minimum size, if such fillets are from legal-sized fish and are not of fered or intended for sale, trade, or bar ter. The weight of fillets and parts of fish, other than whole-gutted or gilled fish, shall be multiplied by 3. For the purposes of accounting for all catch by sector vessels as specified at § 648.87(b)(1)(v), the weight of all fillets and parts of fish, other than whole-gut ted or gilled fish reported for at-home consumption shall be multiplied by a factor of 3. (2) Recreational, party, and charter vessels may possess fillets less than the minimum size specified, if the fillets are taken from legal-sized fish and are not offered or intended for sale, trade or barter. (3) Vessels fishing exclusively with pot gear may possess NE multispecies frames used, or to be used, as bait, that measure less than the minimum fish size, if there is a receipt for purchase of those frames on board the vessel. (4) Vessels that have a Category A or B Herring Permit may possess and land haddock and other regulated species that are smaller than the minimum size specified under § 648.83, consistent with the bycatch caps specified in § 648.86(a)(3) and (k). Such fish may not be sold for human consumption. (c) Adjustments. (1) At any time when information is available, the NEFMC will review the best available mesh se lectivity information to determine the appropriate minimum size for the spe cies listed in paragraph (a) of this sec tion, except winter flounder, according to the length at which 25 percent of the regulated species would be retained by the applicable minimum mesh size. (2) Upon determination of the appro priate minimum sizes, the NEFMC shall propose the minimum fish sizes to be implemented following the proce dures specified in § 648.90. (3) Additional adjustments or changes to the minimum fish sizes specified in paragraph (a) of this sec tion, and exemptions specified in para graph (b) of this section, may be made at any time after implementation of the final rule as specified under § 648.90. [69 FR 22974, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 46876, Aug. 15, 2006; 72 FR 11276, Mar. 12, 2007; 75 FR 18328, Apr. 9, 2010; 76 FR 42585, July 19, 2011; 78 FR 26158, May 3, 2013; 85 FR 26885, May 6, 2020] § 648.84 Gear-marking requirements and gear restrictions. (a) Bottom-tending fixed gear, in cluding, but not limited to, gillnets and longlines designed for, capable of, or fishing for NE multispecies or monkfish, must have the name of the owner or vessel or the official number of that vessel permanently affixed to 849 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.84 any buoys, gillnets, longlines, or other appropriate gear so that the name of the owner or vessel or the official num ber of the vessel is visible on the sur face of the water. (b) Bottom-tending fixed gear, in cluding, but not limited to gillnets or longline gear, must be marked so that the westernmost end (measuring the half compass circle from magnetic south through west to, and including, north) of the gear displays a standard 12-inch (30.5-cm) tetrahedral corner radar reflector and a pennant posi tioned on a staff at least 6 ft (1.8 m) above the buoy. The easternmost end (meaning the half compass circle from magnetic north through east to, and including, south) of the gear need dis play only the standard 12-inch (30.5-cm) tetrahedral radar reflector positioned in the same way. (c) Continuous gillnets must not ex ceed 6,600 ft (2,011.7 m) between the end buoys. (d) In the GOM and GB regulated mesh area specified in § 648.80(a), gillnet gear set in an irregular pattern or in any way that deviates more than 30° from the original course of the set must be marked at the extremity of the deviation with an additional mark er, which must display two or more visible streamers and may either be at tached to or independent of the gear. (e) Rope separator trawl. A rope sepa rator trawl is defined as a four-seam bottom trawl net (i.e., a net with a top and bottom panel and two side panels) modified to include both a horizontal separator panel and an escape opening in the bottom belly of the net below the separator panel, as further speci fied in paragraphs (e)(1) through (3) of this section. (1) Mesh size. The minimum mesh size applied throughout the body and exten sion of a rope separator trawl must be 6-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh or 6.5 inch (16.5-cm) square mesh, or any combination thereof. Mesh in the bot tom belly of the net must be 13-inch (33-cm) diamond mesh. Unless other wise specified in this part, the codend mesh size must be consistent with mesh size requirements specified in § 648.80. The mesh size of a particular section of the rope separator trawl is measured in accordance with § 648.80(f)(2), unless insufficient num bers of mesh exist, in which case the maximum total number of meshes in the section will be measured (between 2 and 20 meshes). (2) Separator panel. The separator panel must consist of parallel lines made of fiber rope, the ends of which are attached to each side of the net starting at the forward edge of the square of the net and running aft to ward the extension of the net. The leading rope must be attached to the side panel at a point at least 1⁄3 of the number of meshes of the side panel above the lower gore, and the panel of ropes shall slope downward toward the extension of the net. For example, if the side panel of the net is 42 meshes tall, the leading rope must be attached at least 14 meshes above the lower gore. The forward 2⁄3 of the separator ropes that comprise the separator panel must be no farther than 26 inches (66 cm) apart, with the after 1⁄3 of the separator ropes that comprise the sepa rator panel being no farther than 13 inches (33 cm) apart. The ends of the aftermost rope shall be attached to the bottom belly at a point 1⁄6 of the num ber of meshes of the after end of the bottom belly below the lower gore. The separator ropes should be of sufficient length not to impinge upon the overall shape of the net without being too long to compromise the selectivity of the net. The separator ropes may not be manipulated in any way that would in hibit the selectivity of the net by caus ing the separator ropes to dip toward the bottom belly of the net and obscure the escape opening, as defined in para graph (e)(3) of this section. (3) Escape opening. The escape open ing must be positioned in the bottom belly of the net behind the sweep and terminate under the separator panel, as described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section. Longitudinal lines may be used to maintain the shape of the es cape opening, as necessary. The escape opening shall be at least 18 meshes in both length and width. (f) Large-mesh belly panel trawl. A large-mesh belly panel trawl is defined as a four-seam bottom trawl net (i.e., a net with a top and bottom panel and two side panels) modified to include a large-mesh panel to replace the first 850 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 bottom belly, as further specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this sec tion. (1) Mesh size. The minimum mesh size applied throughout the body of the trawl, as well as the codend mesh size, must be consistent with mesh size re quirements specified in § 648.80. If a ves sel is fishing in an exemption area or an exempted fishery, it must comply with all of the requirements and condi tions of the exemption. (2) Large-mesh belly panel. The large mesh belly panel must have a min imum mesh size of 30 in (76.2 cm) meas ured using the standard defined in § 648.80(f)(2). The owner or operator of a fishing vessel shall not use any mesh construction, mesh configuration, or other means on, in, or attached to the regulated portion of the net, as defined in this paragraph (f)(2), if it obstructs or constricts the meshes of the net in any manner. The width of the panel must extend the full width of the bot tom panel (i.e., from one bottom gore to the other bottom gore). To deter mine the width of the large-mesh panel please see the explanation, and exam ple provided below. The depth must be at least 90 in (228.6 cm) and at least three meshes deep (two meshes deep with a 15-in (38.1-cm) sewing seam on top and bottom). No more than six meshes of the small-mesh net may be left behind the sweep, before the large mesh panel is sewn in. (3) Determining panel width example. Assume the large-mesh twine is 30 in (76.2 cm) knot center to knot center (KKFM), two meshes deep with a 15-in (38.1-cm) sewing seam on the top and bottom. In most cases, the existing first bottom-belly twine sizes are 12 cm (4.7 in) KKFM and 16 cm (6.3 in) KKFM yielding ratios of 20:3 and 5:1, respec tively. Therefore, to determine the re quired width of large mesh panel, take the number of meshes of the existing belly and divide by the ratio. If the ex isting twine is 16 cm (6.3 in) KKFM, and the belly, six meshes behind the sweep is 150 meshes wide, you would di vide 150 by 5:1 to get the width of the large-mesh panel, 30 meshes. [69 FR 22974, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 78 FR 26158, May 3, 2013; 85 FR 13073, Mar. 6, 2020] § 648.85 Special management pro grams. (a) U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Un derstanding. No NE multispecies fishing vessel, or person on such vessel, may enter, fish in, or be in the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding Man agement Areas (U.S./Canada Manage ment Areas), as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, unless the vessel is fishing in accordance with the re strictions and conditions of this sec tion. These restrictions do not preclude fishing under an approved Special Ac cess Program specified under para graph (b) of this section. (1) U.S./Canada Management Areas. A vessel issued a NE multispecies permit that meets the requirements of para graph (a)(3) of this section may fish in the U.S./Canada Management Areas de scribed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section. (i) Western U.S./Canada Area. The Western U.S./Canada Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (a chart depicting this area is available from the Regional Administrator upon request): WESTERN U.S./CANADA AREA Point N. lat. W. long. USCA 1 .............................. 42°20′ 68°50′ USCA 2 .............................. 39°50′ 68°50′ USCA 3 .............................. 39°50′ 66°40′ USCA 4 .............................. 40°40′ 66°40′ USCA 5 .............................. 40°40′ 66°50′ USCA 6 .............................. 40°50′ 66°50′ USCA 7 .............................. 40°50′ 67°00′ USCA 8 .............................. 41°00′ 67°00′ USCA 9 .............................. 41°00′ 67°20′ USCA 10 ............................ 41°10′ 67°20′ USCA 11 ............................ 41°10′ 67°40′ USCA 12 ............................ 42°20′ 67°40′ USCA 1 .............................. 42°20′ 68°50′ (ii) Eastern U.S./Canada Area. The Eastern U.S./Canada Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (a chart depicting this area is available from the Regional Administrator upon request): EASTERN U.S./CANADA AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude USCA 12 ....................... 42°20′ 67°40′ USCA 11 ....................... 41°10′ 67°40′ USCA 10 ....................... 41°10′ 67°20′ USCA 9 ......................... 41°00′ 67°20′ 851 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 EASTERN U.S./CANADA AREA—Continued Point N. latitude W. longitude USCA 8 ......................... 41°00′ 67°00′ USCA 7 ......................... 40°50′ 67°00′ USCA 6 ......................... 40°50′ 66°50′ USCA 5 ......................... 40°40′ 66°50′ USCA 4 ......................... 40°40′ 66°40′ USCA 15 ....................... 40°30′ 66°40′ USCA 14 ....................... 40°30′ 65°44.3′ USCA 13 ....................... 42°20′ 67°18.4′ USCA 12 ....................... 42°20′ 67°40′ (2) TAC allocation—(i) Process for es tablishing TACs. The amount of GB cod and haddock TAC that may be har vested from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, and the amount of GB yellowtail flounder TAC that may be harvested from the Western U.S./Can ada Area and the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, com bined, shall be determined by the proc ess specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through (D) of this section. (A) To the extent practicable, by June 30 of each year, the Terms of Ref erence for the U.S./Canada shared re sources for GB cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder shall be established by the Steering Committee and the Transboundary Management Guidance Committee (TMGC). (B) To the extent practicable, by July 31 of each year, a Transboundary Resource Assessment Committee (TRAC) joint assessment of the U.S./ Canada shared resources for GB cod, haddock and yellowtail flounder shall occur. (C) To the extent practicable, by Au gust 31 of each year, the TMGC shall recommend TACs for the U.S./Canada shared resources for GB cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder. Prior to Octo ber 31 of each year, the Council may refer any or all recommended TACs back to the TMGC and request changes to any or all TACs. The TMGC shall consider such recommendations and re spond to the Council prior to October 31. (D) To the extent practicable, by Oc tober 31 of each year, the Council shall review the TMGC recommended TACs for the U.S. portion of the U.S./Canada Management Area resources for GB cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder. Based on the TMGC recommendations, the Council shall recommend to the Regional Administrator the U.S. TACs for the shared stocks for the subse quent fishing year as a subset of the ACLs for these stocks available to the commercial fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4). NMFS shall review the Council’s recommendations and shall publish the proposed TACs in the FED ERAL REGISTER and provide a 30-day public comment period. NMFS shall make a final determination concerning the TACs and publish notification of the approved TACs and responses to public comments in the FEDERAL REG ISTER. The Council, at this time, may also consider modification of manage ment measures in order to ensure com pliance with the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding. Any changes to management measures will be modi fied pursuant to § 648.90. (ii) TAC Overages. Any overages of the overall Eastern GB cod, Eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail floun der U.S. TACs caused by an overage of the component of the U.S. TAC speci fied for either the common pool, indi vidual sectors, the scallop fishery, or any other fishery, pursuant to this paragraph (a)(2) and § 648.90(a)(4), that occur in a given fishing year shall be subtracted from the respective TAC component responsible for the overage in the following fishing year and may be subject to the overall groundfish AM provisions as specified in § 648.90(a)(5)(ii) if the overall ACL for a particular stock in a given fishing year, specified pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4), is exceeded. (iii) Distribution of TACs. For stocks managed by the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the TAC allocation determined pursuant to this paragraph (a)(2) shall be distrib uted between sectors approved pursu ant to § 648.87(c), common pool vessels, scallop vessels, and other applicable fisheries, as specified in § 648.90(a)(4). Approved sectors will be allocated ACE for Eastern GB cod and Eastern GB haddock proportional to the sector’s allocation of the overall ACL for these stocks, based upon the fishing histories of sector vessels, as specified in § 648.87(b)(1)(i). Any ACE for Eastern 852 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 GB cod and Eastern GB haddock allo cated to an individual sector is consid ered a subset of the overall GB cod and GB haddock ACE allocated to that sec tor and may only be harvested from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, while the remaining ACE for GB cod and GB haddock available to that sector may only be harvested outside of the East ern U.S./Canada Area. For example, if a sector is allocated 10 percent of the GB haddock ACL, it will also be allocated 10 percent of the Eastern GB haddock TAC for that particular fishing year. (iv) Inseason TAC Adjustments. For FY 2014 only, the Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, may adjust the FY 2014 TACs for the U.S./ Canada shared resources inseason con sistent with any quota trade rec ommendations made by the TMGC and/ or Steering Committee, and approved by the Regional Administrator. Any such inseason adjustment to the FY 2014 TACs may only increase the TAC available to the U.S. fishery, and may not reduce the TAC amount distributed in FY 2014 to any fishery component as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section. The revised FY 2014 TAC(s) shall be distributed consistent with the process specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section. For example, if the U.S. receives additional yellowtail flounder TAC in FY 2014, and trades away a por tion of its FY 2015 haddock TAC, the Regional Administrator would increase the FY 2014 U.S. TAC for yellowtail flounder inseason consistent with the process specified in this paragraph (a)(2)(iv). The adjustment to the FY 2015 U.S. TAC for haddock would be made as part of the process for estab lishing TACs, as described in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section. (3) Requirements for vessels in U.S./ Canada Management Areas. Any com mon pool or sector vessel, provided the sector to which a vessel belongs is allo cated ACE for stocks caught in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section and § 648.87(b)(1)(i), may fish in the U.S./ Canada Management Areas, provided it complies with conditions and restric tions of this section. A vessel other than a NE multispecies vessel may fish in the U.S./Canada Management Area, subject to the restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section and all other applicable regulations for such vessels. (i) VMS requirement. A NE multispe cies vessel fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Areas described in para graph (a)(1) of this section must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum perform ance criteria specified in §§ 648.9 and 648.10. (ii) Declaration. To fish in the U.S./ Canada Management Area under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip, a NE multispecies vessel must declare through the VMS the specific area within the U.S./Canada Management Areas, as described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, or the specific SAP within the U.S./Canada Management Areas, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, the vessel will be fishing in prior to leaving the dock, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional Admin istrator, and must comply with the re strictions and conditions in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. Vessels other than NE multispecies vessels are not required to declare into the U.S./Canada Management Areas. (A) A common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area may fish both inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the most re strictive DAS counting requirements specified in § 648.10(e)(5), trip limits, and reporting requirements for the areas fished for the entire trip, and the restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (4) of this sec tion. A vessel on a sector trip may fish both inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the restric tions specified in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (3) of this sec tion. When a vessel operator elects to fish both inside and outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, all cod and haddock caught on that trip will be ap portioned by area fished, as determined by all available data sources, and those portions of the catch taken inside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area shall count 853 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 toward the applicable hard TAC speci fied for the U.S./Canada Management Area. (1) The vessel operator must notify NMFS via VMS prior to leaving the Eastern U.S./Canada Area (including at the time of initial declaration into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area) that it is also electing to fish outside the East ern U.S./Canada Area, as instructed by the Regional Administrator. With the exception of vessels participating in the Regular B DAS Program and fish ing under a Regular B DAS and vessels on a sector trip that are not fishing under a NE multispecies DAS for the purposes of complying with the restric tions of other fisheries, once a vessel elects to fish outside of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, Category A DAS shall accrue from the time the vessel crosses the VMS Demarcation Line at the start of its fishing trip until the time the vessel crosses the VMS De marcation Line on its return to port, in accordance with § 648.10(e)(5)(iii). (2) Unless otherwise exempted pursu ant to this part, the vessel must com ply with the reporting requirements of the U.S./Canada Management Area specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(v) for the dura tion of the trip. (3) [Reserved] (4) If a common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS possesses yellowtail flounder in excess of the trip limits for CC/GOM yellowtail flounder or SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, as specified in § 648.86(g), the vessel may not fish in either the CC/GOM or SNE/ MA yellowtail flounder stock area dur ing that trip (i.e., may not fish outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area). (B) A common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Western U.S./Canada Area may fish in side and outside the Western U.S./Can ada Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the more restrictive reg ulations applicable to the area fished for the entire trip (e.g., the possession restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(C)(4) of this section), and the reporting requirements specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(v). A vessel on a sector trip in the Western U.S./Canada Area may fish inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, provided it complies with the more re strictive reporting requirements speci fied in § 648.85(a)(3)(v), unless otherwise exempted pursuant to this part. (C) For the purposes of selecting ves sels for observer deployment, a vessel fishing in either of the U.S./Canada Management Areas specified in para graph (a)(1) of this section must pro vide notice to NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone num ber for contact; and the date, time, and port of departure, at least 48 hr prior to the beginning of any trip that it de clares into the U.S./Canada Manage ment Area as required under this para graph (a)(3)(ii). (iii) Gear requirements. A NE multi species vessel fishing with trawl gear in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area de fined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this sec tion, unless otherwise provided in para graphs (b)(6) and (8) of this section, must fish with a Ruhle trawl, as de scribed in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(1) of this section, or a haddock separator trawl, or a flounder trawl net, as de scribed in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of this section (all three nets may be onboard the fishing vessel simulta neously). Unless otherwise restricted by § 648.80(n), gear other than the Ruhle trawl, haddock separator trawl, or the flounder trawl net, or gear authorized under paragraphs (b)(6) and (8) of this section, may be on board the vessel during a trip to the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area, provided the gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. The description of the haddock separator trawl and the floun der trawl net, and the description of the Ruhle trawl may be further speci fied by the Regional Administrator through publication of such specifica tions in the FEDERAL REGISTER, in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. (A) Haddock Separator Trawl. A had dock separator trawl is defined as a groundfish trawl modified to a vertically-oriented trouser trawl con figuration, with two extensions ar ranged one over the other, where a codend shall be attached only to the upper extension, and the bottom exten sion shall be left open and have no codend attached. A horizontal large mesh separating panel constructed 854 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 with a minimum of 6.0-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh must be installed be tween the selvedges joining the upper and lower panels, as described in para graphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of this sec tion, extending forward from the front of the trouser junction to the aft edge of the first belly behind the fishing cir cle. The horizontal large-mesh sepa rating panel must be constructed with mesh of a contrasting color to the upper and bottom extensions of the net that it separates. (1) Two-seam bottom trawl nets. For two seam nets, the separator panel will be constructed such that the width of the forward edge of the panel is 80–85 percent of the width of the after edge of the first belly of the net where the panel is attached. For example, if the belly is 200 meshes wide (from selvedge to selvedge), the separator panel must be no wider than 160–170 meshes wide. (2) Four-seam bottom trawl nets. For four seam nets, the separator panel will be constructed such that the width of the forward edge of the panel is 90– 95 percent of the width of the after edge of the first belly of the net where the panel is attached. For example, if the belly is 200 meshes wide (from sel vedge to selvedge), the separator panel must be no wider than 180–190 meshes wide. The separator panel will be at tached to both of the side panels of the net along the midpoint of the side pan els. For example, if the side panel is 100 meshes tall, the separator panel must be attached at the 50th mesh. (B) Flounder Trawl Net. A flounder trawl net is defined as bottom trawl gear meeting one of the following two net descriptions: (1) A two-seam, low-rise net con structed with mesh size in compliance with § 648.80(a)(4), where the maximum footrope length is not greater than 105 ft (32.0 m) and the headrope is at least 30 percent longer than the footrope. The footrope and headrope lengths shall be measured from the forward wing end. (2) A two-seam, low-rise net con structed with mesh size in compliance with § 648.80(a)(4), with the exception that the top panel of the net contains a section of mesh at least 10 ft (3.05 m) long and stretching from selvedge to selvedge, composed of at least 12–in (30.5–cm) mesh that is inserted no far ther than 4.5 meshes behind the headrope. (iv) Harvest controls. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(3)(iv), any NE multispecies vessel fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Areas is subject to the following restrictions. For common pool vessels, the trip lim its specified in this paragraph (a)(3)(iv) are in addition to any other possession or landing limits applicable to vessels not fishing in the U.S./Canada Manage ment Areas. A sector vessel is subject to the trip limits specified in § 648.87(b)(1)(ix). (A) Cod landing limit restrictions. Not withstanding other applicable posses sion and landing restrictions under this part, a common pool vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section may not land more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of cod per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) per trip. A vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area may be further restricted by participation in other Special Manage ment Programs, as required under this section. (1) Initial cod landing limit. Unless modified pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, notwith standing other applicable possession and landing restrictions under this part, a common pool vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section may not land more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of cod per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) per trip. A vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area may be further restricted by participation in other Special Manage ment Programs, as required under this section. (2) Possession restriction when 100 per cent of TAC is harvested. When the Re gional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the TAC allocation for cod specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this sec tion will be harvested, NMFS shall, in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act, close the East ern U.S./Canada Area to all limited ac cess NE multispecies DAS and sector vessels subject to that particular TAC allocation, as specified in paragraph 855 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section, by prohib iting such vessels and all other vessels not issued a limited access NE multi species permit from entering or being in this area and from harvesting, pos sessing, or landing cod in or from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area during the closure period. (B) Haddock landing limit—(1) Initial haddock landing limit. The initial had dock landing limit for common pool vessels is specified in § 648.86(a), unless adjusted pursuant to paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(B)(2) and (3) of this section. (2) Implementation of haddock landing limit for Eastern U.S./Canada Area. When the Regional Administrator projects that 70 percent of the haddock TAC al location specified for common pool ves sels, as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, will be harvested, NMFS shall implement, in a manner con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act, a haddock trip limit for com mon pool vessels fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area of 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) per day, and 15,000 lb (6,804.1 kg) per trip. (3) Possession restriction when 100 per cent of TAC is harvested. When the Re gional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the TAC allocation for had dock distributed to either common pool vessels or a particular sector, as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this sec tion, will be harvested, NMFS shall, in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act, close the East ern U.S./Canada Area to all limited ac cess NE multispecies vessels subject to that particular TAC allocation, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section, and prohibit such vessels and all other vessels not issued a lim ited access NE multispecies permit from harvesting, possessing, or landing haddock in or from the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area. (C) Yellowtail flounder landing limit— (1) Initial yellowtail flounder landing limit. Unless further restricted under paragraphs (a)(3)(iv)(C)(2) or (D) of this section (gear performance incentives), or modified pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, there is no initial limit to the amount of yellowtail flounder that could be land ed for each fishing year. (2) Regional Administrator authority to adjust the yellowtail flounder landing limit mid-season. If, based upon avail able information, the Regional Admin istrator projects that the yellowtail flounder catch may exceed the yellowtail flounder TAC for a fishing year, the Regional Administrator may implement, adjust, or remove the yellowtail flounder landing limit at any time during that fishing year in order to prevent yellowtail flounder catch from exceeding the TAC, or to fa cilitate harvesting the TAC, in a man ner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If, based upon available information, the Regional Adminis trator projects that the yellowtail flounder catch is less than 90 percent of the TAC, the Regional Administrator may adjust or remove the yellowtail flounder landing limit at any time dur ing the fishing year in order to facili tate the harvest of the TAC, in a man ner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. The Regional Adminis trator may specify yellowtail flounder trip limits that apply to the entire U.S./Canada Management Area or to only the Western or Eastern Area. (3) Possession restriction when 100 per cent of TAC is harvested. When the Re gional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the TAC allocation for yellowtail flounder distributed to ei ther common pool vessels or a par ticular sector, as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, will be harvested, NMFS shall, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, close the Eastern U.S./Canada Area to all limited access NE multispe cies vessels subject to that particular TAC allocation, as specified in para graph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section, and prohibit such vessels and all other ves sels not issued a limited access NE multispecies permit from harvesting, possessing, or landing yellowtail floun der from the U.S./Canada Management Area. (4) Yellowtail flounder landing limit for vessels fishing both inside and outside the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip. A vessel fishing both inside and outside of the Western U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, as allowed under paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this sec tion, is subject to the most restrictive 856 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 landing limits that apply to any of the areas fished, for the entire trip. (D) Other restrictions or inseason ad justments. In addition to the possession restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section, the Regional Administrator, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, may modify the gear require ments, modify or close access to the U.S./Canada Management Areas, or modify the total number of trips into the U.S./Canada Management Area, to prevent over-harvesting or to facilitate achieving the TAC specified in para graph (a)(2) of this section. Such ad justments may be made at any time during the fishing year, or prior to the start of the fishing year. If necessary to give priority to using Category A DAS versus using Category B DAS, the Regional Administrator may imple ment different management measures for vessels using Category A DAS than for vessels using Category B DAS. If the Regional Administrator, under this authority, requires use of a particular gear type in order to reduce catches of stocks of concern, unless further re stricted elsewhere in this part, the fol lowing gear performance incentives will apply: Possession of flounders (all species combined), monkfish, and skates is limited to 500 lb (226.8 kg) (whole weight) each (i.e., no more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of all flounders, no more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of monkfish, and no more than 500 lb (226.8 kg) of skates), and possession of lobsters is prohibited. (E) Closure of Eastern U.S./Canada Area. Based upon available informa tion, when the Regional Administrator projects that any individual TAC allo cation for NE multispecies common pool or sectors specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section will be caught, NMFS shall close, in a manner con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act, the Eastern U.S./Canada Area to all vessels subject to that particular TAC allocation, unless otherwise al lowed under this paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E). For example, if the East ern GB cod TAC specified for common pool vessels is projected to be caught, NMFS shall close the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area to all common pool vessels operating under a NE multispecies DAS. Should the Eastern U.S./Canada Area close as described in this para graph (a)(3)(iv)(E), common pool ves sels fishing under a DAS may continue to fish in a SAP within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, provided that the TAC for the target stock identified for that particular SAP (i.e., haddock for the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP or haddock or yellowtail flounder for the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP) has not been fully harvested. A vessel fishing on a sector trip may only fish in a SAP if that vessel’s sector has ACE available for all stocks caught in that SAP. For example, should the GB cod TAC allocation specified for com mon pool vessels in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section be attained, and the Eastern U.S./Canada Area closure im plemented for common pool vessels, common pool vessels could continue to fish for yellowtail flounder within the SAP identified as the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, de scribed in paragraph (b)(3) of this sec tion, in accordance with the require ments of that program. Upon closure of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, vessels may transit through this area as de scribed in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, provided that its gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, unless other wise restricted under this part. (v) Reporting. (A) The owner or oper ator of a common pool vessel must sub mit reports via VMS, in accordance with instructions provided by the Re gional Administrator, for each day of the fishing trip when declared into ei ther of the U.S./Canada Management Areas. The owner or operator of a sec tor vessel must submit daily reports via VMS, in accordance with instruc tions provided by the Regional Admin istrator, for each day of the fishing trip when declared into the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area. Vessels subject to the daily reporting requirement must re port daily for the entire fishing trip, regardless of what areas are fished. The reports must be submitted in 24-hr in tervals for each day, beginning at 0000 hr and ending at 2359 hr, and must be submitted by 0900 hr of the following day, or as instructed by the Regional 857 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 Administrator. The reports must in clude at least the following informa tion: (1) VTR serial number or other uni versal ID specified by the Regional Ad ministrator; (2) Date fish were caught and statis tical area in which fish were caught; and (3) Total pounds of cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, winter flounder, witch flounder, pollock, American plaice, redfish, Atlantic halibut, ocean pout, Atlantic wolffish, and white hake kept (in pounds, live weight) in each statistical area, as instructed by the Regional Administrator. (B) The Regional Administrator may remove or modify the reporting re quirement for sector vessels in § 648.85(a)(3)(v) in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (vi) Withdrawal from U.S./Canada Re source Sharing Understanding. At any time, the Regional Administrator, in consultation with the Council, may withdraw from the provisions of the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Under standing described in this section, if the Understanding is determined to be inconsistent with the goals and objec tives of the FMP, the Magnuson-Ste vens Act, or other applicable law. If the United States withdraws from the Un derstanding, the implementing meas ures, including TACs, remain in place until changed through the framework or FMP amendment process. (vii) Transiting. A NE multispecies vessel that has declared into the East ern U.S./Canada Area, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, and that is not fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP de scribed in paragraph (b)(3) of this sec tion, may transit the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP Area, as de scribed in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, provided all fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (b) Special Access Programs. A SAP is a narrowly defined fishery that results in increased access to a stock that, in the absence of such authorization, would not be allowed due to broadly applied regulations. A SAP authorizes specific fisheries targeting either NE multispecies stocks or non-multispe cies stocks in order to allow an in creased yield of the target stock(s) without undermining the achievement of the goals of the NE Multispecies FMP. A SAP should result in a harvest level that more closely approaches OY, without compromising efforts to re build overfished stocks, end over fishing, minimize bycatch, or minimize impact on EFH. Development of a SAP requires a relatively high level of fish ery dependent and fishery independent information in order to be consistent with this rationale. (1) SAPs harvesting NE multispecies. A SAP to harvest NE multispecies may be proposed by the Council and ap proved by NMFS through the frame work process described under § 648.90. (2) SAPs harvesting stocks other than NE multispecies. A SAP to harvest stocks of fish other than NE multispe cies (non-multispecies SAP) may be proposed by the Council and approved by NMFS through the framework proc ess described under § 648.90. (3) Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP—(i) Eligibility. Any vessel issued a valid limited access NE multi species permit fishing under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip, provided the sector to which the vessel belongs has been allocated ACE for all stocks that may be caught within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i), are eligible to partici pate in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, and may fish in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Floun der/Haddock Access Area, as described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, for the period specified in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section, provided the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, is not closed according to the provisions specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section, or that the sector to which a vessel belongs no longer has ACE available for all stocks caught within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i). All eligible vessels must comply with the require ments of this section, unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (b)(3). (ii) Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP Area. The Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP 858 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: CLOSED AREA II YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER/ HADDOCK SAP AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude Ytail 1 ....................... 41°30′ 67°20′ Ytail 2 ....................... 41°30′ 66°34.8′ G5 ............................ 41°18.6′ 66°24.8′1 CII 2 ......................... 41°00′ 66°35.8′ CII 1 ......................... 41°00′ 67°20′ Ytail 1 ....................... 41°30′ 67°20′ (iii) Season—(A) Season when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail flounder. When the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail floun der, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, eligible vessels may fish in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP from July 1 through December 31. (B) Season when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open only to target haddock. When the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open only to target haddock, as speci fied in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this sec tion, eligible vessels may fish in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP from August 1 through January 31. (iv) VMS requirement. All NE multi species vessels fishing in the U.S./Can ada Management Areas described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria specified in §§ 648.9 and 648.10. (v) Declaration. For the purposes of selecting vessels for observer deploy ment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer de ployment; telephone number for con tact; date, time and port of departure; and special access program to be fished, at least 48 hr prior to the begin ning of any trip that it declares into the SAP as required under this para graph (b)(3)(v). To fish in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, a vessel must declare into this area through the VMS prior to depar ture from port, in accordance with in structions provided by the Regional Administrator. A vessel declared into the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP may also fish in the area outside the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, on the same trip, provided the vessel also declares into this area prior to departure from port and fishes under the most restrictive DAS counting re quirements specified in § 648.10(e)(5), trip limits, and reporting requirements for the areas fished during the entire trip. (vi) Number of trips per vessel—(A) Number of trips allowed when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail flounder. When the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail floun der, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, eligible common pool vessels are restricted to one trip per calendar month during the season de scribed in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section. (B) Number of trips allowed when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open only to target haddock. When the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open only to target haddock, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, there is no limit on the num ber of trips that can be taken by eligi ble vessels during the season described in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section. (vii) Opening criteria—(A) Opening the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP to target yellowtail flounder. Unless oth erwise authorized by the Regional Ad ministrator, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, the total number of allowed trips by common pool vessels that may be declared into the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP for each fishing year shall be as announced by the Regional Administrator on or about June 1, after consultation with the Council, in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. Except as pro vided in paragraph (b)(3)(vii)(B) of this section, the total number of trips by all common pool vessels that may be declared into this SAP when the SAP is open to target yellowtail flounder shall not exceed 320 per year. When de termining the total number of trips, the Regional Administrator shall con sider the available yellowtail flounder TAC under the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding, the potential 859 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 catch of GB yellowtail flounder by all vessels fishing outside of the SAP, re cent discard estimates in all fisheries that catch yellowtail flounder, the ex pected number of SAP participants, and any other available information. If the Regional Administrator determines that the available catch, as determined by subtracting the potential catch of GB yellowtail flounder by all vessels outside of the SAP from the GB yellowtail flounder TAC allocation specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this sec tion, is insufficient to allow for at least 150 trips with a possession limit of 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) of yellowtail floun der per trip, the Regional Adminis trator may choose not to authorize any trips into the SAP during a fishing year. (B) Opening the CA II Yellowtail/Had dock SAP to only target haddock. If the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is not open to targeting yellowtail flounder due to an insufficient amount of yellowtail flounder TAC, or because the maximum number of trips allowed into the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP to target yellowtail flounder has been achieved pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(vii)(A) of this section, eligible vessels may target haddock in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Access Area, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, provided the Eastern GB haddock TAC specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section has not been caught, the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is not closed pursuant to para graph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section; and, for vessels on a sector trip, the sector to which the sector vessel belongs has ACE remaining for the stocks caught in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. (viii) Trip limits. Vessels subject to the provisions of the common pool that are fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP are subject to the following trip limits, un less otherwise restricted in this part. Vessels subject to the restrictions and conditions of an approved sector oper ations plan fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP are subject to the trip limits specified in § 648.87(b)(1)(ix). (A) Yellowtail flounder trip limit—(1) Trip limits when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail flounder. Unless otherwise au thorized by the Regional Adminis trator as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail floun der, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, a vessel subject to the provisions of the common pool that is fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Floun der/Haddock SAP may fish for, possess, and land up to 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of yellowtail flounder per trip. The Re gional Administrator may adjust this limit to a maximum of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per trip after considering the fac tors listed in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section for the maximum number of trips. (2) Trip limits when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is open to target haddock. Unless otherwise specified by the Regional Adminis trator pursuant to paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(D) of this section, when the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is only open to target haddock, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, the trip limit for yellowtail flounder is specified in paragraph (b)(3)(viii)(C) of this section. (B) Cod and haddock trip limit. Unless otherwise restricted, a common pool vessel fishing any portion of a trip in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/ Haddock SAP on a NE multispecies DAS may not fish for, possess, or land more than 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod per trip, regardless of trip length. A com mon pool vessel fishing on a NE multi species DAS in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP is subject to the haddock requirements described in § 648.86(a), unless further restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section. (C) Other species trip limits. A common pool vessel fishing on a NE multispe cies DAS in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP using a had dock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or any other gear specified pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(x)(B) must comply with the trip limits specified in § 648.86, unless further restricted by the trip limits specified in paragraph (e) of this section. (ix) Area fished. Eligible vessels that have declared a trip into the Closed 860 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, and other areas as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this section, may not fish for, possess, or land fish in or from outside of the declared area dur ing the same trip. (x) Gear requirements—(A) Approved gear. When the CA II Yellowtail Floun der/Haddock SAP is open to target yellowtail flounder, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, NE multispecies vessels fishing with trawl gear must use a haddock separator trawl or a flounder trawl net, as de scribed in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, or the Ruhle trawl, as de scribed in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) of this section (all three nets may be on board the fishing vessel simulta neously). When this SAP is only open to target haddock, NE multispecies vessels must use a haddock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or hook gear. Gear other than the haddock separator trawl, the flounder trawl, or the Ruhle trawl may be on board the vessel dur ing a trip to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area outside of the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, provided the gear is stowed and not available for im mediate use as defined in § 648.2. (B) Approval of additional gear. The Regional Administrator may authorize additional gear for use in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP in accordance with the standards and re quirements specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2) of this section. (xi) No-discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip may not discard legal-sized regulated NE multispecies, unless the possession of the species is prohibited pursuant to § 648.86, or unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (b)(3)(xi). A vessel may discard Atlantic halibut exceeding the one fish per trip possession limit. If a vessel fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP exceeds an ap plicable trip limit, the vessel must exit the SAP. If a common pool vessel oper ator fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP under a Cat egory B DAS harvests and brings on board more legal-sized regulated NE multispecies or Atlantic halibut than the maximum landing limits allowed per trip, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(iv) or (viii) of this section, or in § 648.86, the vessel operator must imme diately notify NMFS via VMS to ini tiate a DAS flip (from a Category B DAS to a Category A DAS). Once this notification has been received by NMFS, the vessel’s entire trip will ac crue as a Category A DAS trip. For a vessel that notifies NMFS of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have ac crued between the time the vessel started accruing Category B DAS (i.e., either at the beginning of the trip, or at the time the vessel crossed into the Eastern U.S./Canada Area) and the time the vessel declared its DAS flip shall be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Category B DAS. (xii) Minimum Category A DAS. For vessels fishing under a Category B DAS, the number of Category B DAS that can be used on a trip cannot ex ceed the number of available Category A DAS the vessel has at the start of the trip. (xiii) Catch distribution. All catch of GB haddock from vessels declared into the CA II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP shall be applied against the East ern GB haddock TAC, as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, for ei ther common pool vessels or individual approved sectors. (4) [Reserved] (5) Incidental Catch TACs. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (b)(5), Incidental Catch TACs shall be based upon the portion of the ACL for a stock specified for the common pool vessels pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4), and al located as described in this paragraph (b)(5), for each of the following stocks: GOM cod, GB cod, GB yellowtail floun der, CC/GOM yellowtail flounder, American plaice, SNE/MA winter floun der, and witch flounder. Because GB yellowtail flounder and GB cod are transboundary stocks, the incidental catch TACs for these stocks shall be based upon the common pool portion of the ACL available to U.S. vessels. NMFS shall send letters to limited ac cess NE multispecies permit holders notifying them of such TACs. (i) Stocks other than GB cod and GB yellowtail flounder. With the exception of GB cod and GB yellowtail flounder, 100 percent of the Incidental Catch 861 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 TACs specified in this paragraph (b)(5) shall be allocated to the Regular B DAS Program described in paragraph (b)(6) of this section. (ii) GB cod. The Incidental Catch TAC for GB cod specified in this paragraph (b)(5) shall be subdivided as follows: 60 percent to the Regular B DAS Program described in paragraph (b)(6) of this section and 40 percent to the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP described in paragraph (b)(7) of this section. (iii) GB yellowtail flounder. The Inci dental Catch TAC for GB yellowtail flounder specified in this paragraph (b)(5) shall be subdivided as follows: 50 percent to the Regular B DAS Program described in paragraph (b)(6) of this section and 50 percent to the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP described in paragraph (b)(8) of this section. (6) Regular B DAS Pilot Program—(i) Eligibility. Vessels issued a valid lim ited access NE multispecies DAS per mit and allocated Regular B DAS are eligible to participate in the Regular B DAS Program, and may elect to fish under a Regular B DAS, provided they comply with the requirements and re strictions of this paragraph (b)(6), and provided the use of Regular B DAS is not restricted according to paragraphs (b)(6)(iv)(G) or (H), or paragraph (b)(6)(vi) of this section. Vessels are re quired to comply with the no dis carding and DAS flip requirements specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(E) of this section, and the DAS balance and accrual requirements specified in para graph (b)(6)(iv)(F) of this section. Ves sels may fish under the B Regular DAS Program and in the U.S./Canada Man agement Area on the same trip, but may not fish under the Regular B DAS Program and in a SAP on the same trip. (ii) [Reserved] (iii) Quarterly Incidental Catch TACs. The Incidental Catch TACs specified in accordance with paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be divided into quar terly catch TACs as follows: The first quarter shall receive 13 percent of the Incidental Catch TACs and the remain ing quarters shall each receive 29 per cent of the Incidental Catch TACs. NMFS shall send letters to all limited access NE multispecies permit holders notifying them of such TACs. (iv) Program requirements—(A) VMS re quirement. A NE multispecies DAS ves sel fishing in the Regular B DAS Pro gram described in paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance cri teria specified in §§ 648.9 and 648.10. (B) Observer notification. For the pur poses of selecting vessels for observer deployment, a vessel must provide no tice to NMFS of the vessel name; con tact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone number for con tact; the date, time, and port of depar ture; and the planned fishing area or areas (GOM, GB, or SNE/MA) at least 48 hr prior to the beginning of any trip declared into the Regular B DAS Pro gram as required by paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(C) of this section, and in ac cordance with the Regional Adminis trator’s instructions. Providing notice of the area that the vessel intends to fish does not restrict the vessel’s activ ity on that trip to that area only (i.e., the vessel operator may change his/her plans regarding planned fishing areas). (C) VMS declaration. To participate in the Regular B DAS Program under a Regular B DAS, a vessel must declare into the Program via VMS prior to de parture from port, in accordance with instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. A vessel declared into the Regular B DAS Program cannot fish in an approved SAP described under this section on the same trip. Mere declaration of a Regular B DAS Program trip does not reserve a ves sel’s right to fish under the Program, if the vessel has not crossed the VMS de marcation line. (D) Landing limits. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(D), or restricted pursuant to § 648.86, a NE multispecies vessel fishing in the Reg ular B DAS Program described in this paragraph (b)(6), and fishing under a Regular B DAS, may not land more than 100 lb (45.5 kg) per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb (454 kg) per trip, of any of the following species/stocks from the areas specified in paragraph (b)(6)(v) of this section: Cod (both GOM and GB), American plaice, witch flounder, SNE/ MA winter flounder, and GB yellowtail flounder; and may not land more than 862 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 25 lb (11.3 kg) per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a maximum of 250 lb (113 kg) per trip of CC/GOM yellowtail flounder. In addition, trawl vessels, which are required to fish with a had dock separator trawl, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section, or a Ruhle trawl, as specified in para graph (b)(6)(iv)(J) of this section, and other gear that may be required in order to reduce catches of stocks of concern as described in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J) of this section, are re stricted to the trip limits specified in paragraph (e) of this section. (E) No-discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the Regular B DAS Program under a Regular B DAS may not discard legal-sized regulated spe cies, ocean pout, or monkfish. This pro hibition on discarding does not apply in areas or times where the possession or landing of regulated species or ocean pout is prohibited, as specified in §§ 648.85 and 648.86. If such a vessel har vests and brings on board legal-sized regulated species or ocean pout in ex cess of the allowable landing limits specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(D) of this section or § 648.86, the vessel oper ator must notify NMFS immediately via VMS to initiate a DAS flip from a B DAS to an A DAS. Once this notifica tion has been received by NMFS, the vessel shall automatically be switched by NMFS to fishing under a Category A DAS for its entire fishing trip. Thus, any Category B DAS that accrued be tween the time the vessel declared into the Regular B DAS Program at the be ginning of the trip (i.e., at the time the vessel crossed the demarcation line at the beginning of the trip) and the time the vessel declared its DAS flip shall be accrued as Category A DAS, and not Regular B DAS. After flipping to a Cat egory A DAS, the vessel is subject to the applicable trip limits specified in § 648.85(a) or § 648.86 and may discard fish in excess of the applicable trip lim its. (F) Minimum Category A DAS and B DAS accrual. For a vessel fishing under the Regular B DAS Program, the num ber of Regular B DAS that may be used on a trip cannot exceed the number of Category A DAS that the vessel has at the start of the trip. If a vessel is fish ing in an area subject to differential DAS counting pursuant to § 648.82(n)(1), the number of Regular B DAS that may be used on a trip cannot exceed the number of Category A DAS that the vessel has at the start of the trip divided by the applicable differential DAS counting factor specified in § 648.82(n)(1)(ii). For example, if a vessel plans a trip under the Regular B DAS Program in the Inshore GOM Differen tial DAS Area during a fishing year in which the area is subject to a differen tial DAS counting factor of 1.2, and the vessel has 10 Category A DAS available at the start of the trip, the maximum number of Regular B DAS that the ves sel may fish under the Regular B Pro gram is 8 (10 divided by 1.2 = 8.33, but since Regular B DAS are charged in 24 hr intervals, 8 Regular B DAS is the maximum that can be used for this trip). A vessel fishing in the Regular B DAS Program for its entire trip shall accrue DAS in accordance with § 648.82(e)(1). (G) Restrictions when 100 percent of the incidental catch TAC is harvested. With the exception of white hake, when the Regional Administrator provides noti fication through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, that 100 percent of one or more of quarterly incidental TACs specified under paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this sec tion has projected to have been har vested, the use of Regular B DAS shall be prohibited in the pertinent stock area(s) as defined under paragraph (b)(6)(v) of this section for the duration of the calendar quarter. The closure of a stock area to all Regular B DAS use will occur even if the quarterly inci dental catch TACs for other stocks in that stock area have not been com pletely harvested. When the Regional Administrator projects that 100 percent of the quarterly white hake incidental catch TAC specified under paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this section has been har vested, vessels fishing under a Regular B DAS, or that complete a trip under a Regular B DAS, will be prohibited from retaining white hake. (H) Closure of Regular B DAS Program and quarterly DAS limits. Unless other wise closed as a result of the harvest of an Incidental Catch TAC as described in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(G) of this sec tion, or as a result of an action by the 863 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 Regional Administrator under para graph (b)(6)(vi) of this section, the use of Regular B DAS shall, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, be prohibited when 500 Regular B DAS have been used during the first quarter of the fishing year (May–July), or when 1,000 Regular B DAS have been used during any of the remaining quarters of the fishing year, in accordance with § 648.82(e)(1). (I) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a NE multispecies DAS vessel must submit catch reports via VMS in accordance with instructions provided by the Regional Adminis trator, for each day fished when de clared into the Regular B DAS Pro gram. The reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, begin ning at 0000 hr and ending at 2359 hr. The reports must be submitted by 0900 hr of the following day. For vessels that have declared into the Regular B DAS Program in accordance with para graph (b)(6)(iv)(C) of this section, the reports must include at least the fol lowing information: VTR serial number or other universal ID specified by the Regional Administrator; date fish were caught; statistical area fished; and the total pounds of cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, winter flounder, witch flounder, pollock, American plaice, redfish, Atlantic halibut, and white hake kept in each statistical area (in pounds, live weight), as in structed by the Regional Adminis trator. Daily reporting must continue even if the vessel operator is required to flip, as described in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(E) of this section. (J) Gear requirement. (1) Vessels fish ing with trawl gear in the Regular B DAS Program must use the haddock separator trawl or Ruhle trawl, as de scribed in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) of this section, respec tively, or other type of gear if approved as described in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J). When the vessel is fishing under the Regular B DAS Program other gear may be on board provided it is stowed and not available for imme diate use as defined in § 648.2. (2) Approval of additional gear. At the request of the Council or the Council’s Executive Committee, the Regional Administrator may authorize addi tional gear for use in the Regular B DAS Program, through notice con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. The proposed gear must sat isfy standards specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section in a completed experiment that has been reviewed according to the standards es tablished by the Council’s research pol icy before the gear can be considered and approved by the Regional Adminis trator. Comparisons of the criteria specified in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2) will be made to an appro priately selected control gear. (i) The gear must show a statistically significant reduction in catch of at least 50 percent (by weight, on a trip by-trip basis) of each regulated species stock of concern, unless otherwise al lowed in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2)(i), or other non-ground fish stocks that are overfished or sub ject to overfishing identified by the Council. This requirement does not apply to regulated species identified by the Council as not being subject to gear performance standards; or (ii) The catch of each regulated spe cies stock of concern, unless otherwise allowed in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2)(ii), or other non-ground fish stocks that are overfished or sub ject to overfishing identified by the Council, must be less than 5 percent of the total catch of regulated groundfish (by weight, on a trip-by-trip basis). This requirement does not apply to regulated species identified by the Council as not being subject to gear performance standards. (iii) The Council may recommend to the Regional Administrator an addi tion or modification to the gear stand ards specified in paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section, and the Regional Administrator may approve the Council’s recommendation in a manner consistent with the Ad ministrative Procedure Act. If the Re gional Administrator does not approve an addition or modification to the gear standards as recommended by the Council, NMFS must provide a written rationale to the Council regarding its decision not to do so. (3) Ruhle Trawl. The Ruhle Trawl is a four-seam bottom groundfish trawl de signed to reduce the bycatch of cod 864 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 while retaining or increasing the catch of haddock, when compared to tradi tional groundfish trawls. A Ruhle Trawl must be constructed in accord ance with the standards described and referenced in this paragraph § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3). The mesh size of a particular section of the Ruhle Trawl is measured in accordance with § 648.80(f)(2), unless insufficient num bers of mesh exist, in which case the maximum total number of meshes in the section will be measured (between 2 and 20 meshes). (i) The net must be constructed with four seams (i.e., a net with a top and bottom panel and two side panels), and include at least the following net sec tions as depicted in Figure 1 of this part (this figure is also available from the Administrator, Northeast Region): Top jib, bottom jib, jib side panels ( × 2), top wing, bottom wing, wing side panels ( × 2), bunt, square, square side panels ( × 2), first top belly, first bot tom belly, first belly side panels ( × 2), and second bottom belly. (ii) The top and bottom jibs, jib side panels, top and bottom wings, and wing side panels, bunt, and first bottom belly (the first bottom belly and all portions of the net in front of the first bottom belly, with the exception of the square and the square side panels) must be at least two meshes long in the fore and aft direction. For these net sections, the stretched length of any single mesh must be at least 7.9 ft (240 cm), measured in a straight line from knot to knot. (iii) Mesh size in all other sections must be consistent with mesh size re quirements specified under § 648.80 and meet the following minimum specifica tions: Each mesh in the square, square side panels, and second bottom belly must be 31.5 inches (80 cm); each mesh in the first top belly, and first belly side panels must be at least 7.9 inches (20 cm); and 6 inches (15.24 cm) or larg er in sections following the first top belly and second bottom belly sections, all the way to the codend. The mesh size requirements of the top sections apply to the side panel sections. (iv) The trawl must have at least 15 meshes (240 cm each) at the wide end of the first bottom belly, excluding the gore. (v) The trawl must have a single or multiple kite panels with a total sur face area of at least 19.3 sq. ft. (1.8 sq. m) on the forward end of the square to help maximize headrope height, for the purpose of capturing rising fish. A kite panel is a flat structure, usually semi flexible, used to modify the shape of trawl and mesh openings by providing lift when a trawl is moving through the water. (4) Mesh size. An eligible vessel fish ing in the Regular B DAS Program within the GB Cod Stock Area as de fined in paragraph (b)(6)(v)(B) of this section pursuant to paragraph (b)(6) of this section must use trawl gear de scribed in this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J) with a minimum codend mesh size of 6 inch (15.24-cm) square or diamond mesh. (v) Definition of stock areas. The spe cies stock areas associated with the in cidental catch TACs for the Regular B DAS Program are defined in para graphs (b)(6)(v)(A) through (K) of this section. Where specified, these areas also identify stock areas applicable for trip limits specified in § 648.86 and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b). Copies of a chart depicting these areas are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request. (A) GOM cod stock area. The GOM cod stock area, for the purposes of the Reg ular B DAS Program and determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is de fined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Cana dian maritime boundary, and on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM COD STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GOM1 ....................... (1) 70°00′ GOM2 ....................... 42°20′ 70°00′ GOM3 ....................... 42°20′ 67°40′ GOM4 ....................... (2) 67°40′ GOM5 ....................... (3) 67°40′ GOM6 ....................... 43°50′ 67°40′ GOM7 ....................... 43°50′ (4) GOM8 ....................... (4) 67°00′ GOM9 ....................... (5) 67°00′ 1 Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ W. long.). 865 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 3 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ W. long.). 4 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 5 Intersection of the south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W. long. (B) GB cod stock area. The GB cod stock area, for the purposes of the Reg ular B DAS Program and determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: GB COD STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude GB1 .......................... (1) 70°00′ GB2 .......................... 42°20′ 70°00′ GB3 .......................... 42°20′ (2) GB4 .......................... 35°00′ (2) GB5 .......................... 35°00′ (3) 1 Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 Intersection of the east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N. lat. (C) CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area. For the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program, the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the fol lowing points in the order stated: CC/GOM YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude CCGOM 1 ................ 43°00′ (1) CCGOM 2 ................ 43°00′ 70°00′ CCGOM 3 ................ 42°30′ 70°00′ CCGOM 4 ................ 42°30′ 69°30′ CCGOM 5 ................ 41°30′ 69°30′ CCGOM 6 ................ 41°30′ 69°00′ CCGOM 7 ................ 41°00′ 69°00′ CCGOM 8 ................ 41°00′ 69°30′ CCGOM 5 ................ 41°30′ 69°30′ CCGOM 9 ................ 41°30′ 70°00′ CCGOM 10 .............. (2) 70°00′ CCGOM 11 .............. 42°00′ 70°00′ CCGOM 12 .............. 42°00′ (3) CCGOM 13 .............. 42°00′ (4) CCGOM 14 .............. 42°00′ (5) 1 Intersection with the NH coastline. 2 Intersection of the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 3 Intersection with the east-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 4 Intersection with the west-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 5 Intersection with the east-facing shoreline of Massachusetts. (D) American plaice stock area. The American plaice stock area, for the purposes of the Regular B DAS Pro gram and determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: AMERICAN PLAICE STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude AMP1 ....................... (1) 67°00′ AMP2 ....................... (2) 67°00′ AMP3 ....................... 43°50′ (2) AMP4 ....................... 43°50′ 67°40′ AMP5 ....................... (3) 67°40′ AMP6 ....................... (4) 67°40′ AMP7 ....................... 42°30′ 67°40′ AMP8 ....................... 42°30′ (2) AMP9 ....................... 35°00′ (2) AMP10 ..................... 35°00′ (5) 1 Intersection of south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.). 4 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.) 5 Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N. lat. (E) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock area. For the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program, the SNE/MA stock area is the area bounded on the north, east, and south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed: SNE/MA YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude SNEMA1 .................. 40°00′ 74°00′ SNEMA2 .................. 40°00′ 72°00′ SNEMA3 .................. 40°30′ 72°00′ SNEMA4 .................. 40°30′ 69°30′ SNEMA5 .................. 41°10′ 69°30′ SNEMA6 .................. 41°10′ 69°50′ SNEMA7 .................. 41°20′ 69°50′ SNEMA8 .................. 41°20′ (1) SNEMA9 .................. (2) 70°00′ SNEMA10 ................ 41°00′ 70°00′ SNEMA11 ................ 41°00′ 70°30′ SNEMA12 ................ (3) 70°30′ SNEMA13 ................ (4) 72°00′ SNEMA14 ................ (5) 72°00′ SNEMA15 ................ (6) 73°00′ SNEMA16 ................ 40°30′ 73°00′ SNEMA17 ................ 40°30′ 74°00′ SNEMA1 .................. 40°00′ 74°00′ 1 East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 2 South-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. 3 Intersection of the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. 4 South-facing shoreline of CT. 5 North-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. 6 South-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. (F) SNE/MA winter flounder stock area. The SNE winter flounder stock area, for the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program and identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in §§ 648.86 and 648.89 is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: 866 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 SNE/MA WINTER FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude 1 ............................... (1) 70°00′ 2 ............................... 42°20′ 70°00′ 3 ............................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 4 ............................... 39°50′ 68°50′ 5 ............................... 39°50′ 69°00′ 6 ............................... 39°00′ 69°00′ 7 ............................... 39°00′ (2) 8 ............................... 35°00′ (2) 9 ............................... 35°00′ (3) 1 Intersection of the north-facing Coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 The intersection of the east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N. lat. (G) Witch flounder stock area. The witch flounder stock area, for the pur poses of the Regular B DAS Program and determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, bounded on the south and east by a line running east from the intersection of the east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, at 35°00′ N. lat. to the boundary of the EEZ, and running northward to the U.S.-Canada border. (H) GB yellowtail flounder stock area. The GB yellowtail flounder stock area, for the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program, identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86, and de termining areas applicable to sector al locations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude USCA1 ..................... 42°20′ 68°50′ USCA16 ................... 42°20′ (1) USCA5 ..................... 39°00′ (1) USCA17 ................... 39°00′ 69°00′ USCA18 ................... 39°50′ 69°00′ USCA2 ..................... 39°50′ 68°50′ USCA1 ..................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (I) GB winter flounder stock area. The GB winter flounder stock area, for the purposes of the Regular B DAS Pro gram, identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86, and deter mining areas applicable to sector allo cations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GB WINTER FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude USCA1 ..................... 42°20′ 68°50′ USCA16 ................... 42°20′ (1) USCA5 ..................... 39°00′ (1) USCA17 ................... 39°00′ 69°00′ USCA18 ................... 39°50′ 69°00′ USCA2 ..................... 39°50′ 68°50′ USCA1 ..................... 42°20′ 68°50′ 1 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (J) White hake stock area. The white hake stock area, for the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program, identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86, and determining areas applica ble to sector allocations of ACE pursu ant to § 648.87(b), is the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, bounded on the south and east by a line running east from the intersection of the east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, at 35°00′ N. lat. to the boundary of the EEZ, and running northward to the U.S.-Canada border. (K) Pollock stock area. The pollock stock area, for the purposes of the Reg ular B DAS Program and determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), is the area defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: POLLOCK STOCK AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude P1 ............................. (1) 67°00′ P2 ............................. (2) 67°00′ P3 ............................. 43°50′ (2) P4 ............................. 43°50′ 67°40′ P5 ............................. (3) 67°40′ P6 ............................. (4) 67°40′ P7 ............................. 42°30′ 67°40′ P8 ............................. 42°30′ (2) P9 ............................. 35°00′ (2) P10 ........................... 35°00′ (5) 1 Intersection of south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.). 4 U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.). 5 Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N. lat. (vi) Closure of the Regular B DAS Pro gram. The Regional Administrator, based upon information required under §§ 648.7, 648.9, 648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information may, in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act, prohibit the use 867 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 of Regular B DAS for the duration of a quarter or fishing year, if it is pro jected that continuation of the Regular B DAS Program would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the FMP or Regular B DAS Program. Rea sons for terminating the program in clude, but are not limited to the fol lowing: Inability to constrain catches to the Incidental Catch TACs; evidence of excessive discarding; a significant difference in flipping rates between ob served and unobserved trips; or insuffi cient observer coverage to adequately monitor the program. (7) Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP—(i) Eligibility. A vessel issued a valid limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing with trawl gear as specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(E) of this section while operating under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip, provided the sector to which the vessel belongs has been allocated ACE for all stocks caught within the East ern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i), is eligible to participate in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP and may fish in the Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP Area, as de scribed in paragraph (b)(8)(ii) of this section, during the season specified in paragraph (b)(8)(iv) of this section, pro vided such vessel complies with the re quirements of this section and provided the SAP is not closed according to the provisions specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(K) or (L) of this section, the Eastern U.S./Canada Area is not closed as described under paragraph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section, or the sec tor to which the vessel belongs no longer has ACE available for all stocks caught within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i). (ii) Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area. The Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP Area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: EASTERN U.S./CANADA HADDOCK SAP AREA Point N. Lat. W. Long. CAII3 .................................. 42° 22′ 67° 20′ (1) SAP1 ................................. 42° 20′ 67° 20′ SAP2 ................................. 42° 20′ 67° 40′ SAP3 ................................. 41° 10′ 67° 40′ SAP4 ................................. 41° 10′ 67° 20′ SAP5 ................................. 42° 10′ 67° 20′ SAP6 ................................. 42° 10′ 67° 10′ EASTERN U.S./CANADA HADDOCK SAP AREA— Continued Point N. Lat. W. Long. CAII3 .................................. 42° 22′ 67° 20′ (1) (1) U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (iii) [Reserved] (iv) Season. An eligible vessel may fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP from August 1 through De cember 31. (v) Program restrictions—(A) Area and DAS use restrictions. A common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP may elect to fish under a Category A or Category B DAS in ac cordance with § 648.82(d)(2), or in mul tiple areas in accordance with the re strictions of this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A). A vessel on a sector trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP may elect to fish in multiple areas in accordance with the restrictions of this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A). (1) If fishing under a Category B DAS, a vessel is required to comply with the no discarding and DAS flip re quirements specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(I) of this section, and the min imum Category A DAS requirements of paragraph (b)(8)(v)(J) of this section. (2) A vessel that is declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP de scribed in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section may fish, on the same trip, in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Area and in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP Area, as described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, and, for com mon pool vessels fishing a NE multi species DAS, while under either a Cat egory A DAS or a Category B DAS. (3) A vessel may choose, on the same trip, to fish in either/both the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program and the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP Area, and in the portion of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section that lies outside of these two SAPs, provided a common pool vessel fishes under a Category A DAS and all eligible vessels comply with the VMS restrictions of paragraph (b)(8)(v)(D) of this section. Such a ves sel may also elect to fish outside of the 868 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 Eastern U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, in accordance with the restric tions of paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(A) of this section. (4) A common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS that elects to fish in multiple areas, as de scribed in this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A), must fish under the most restrictive DAS counting requirements specified in § 648.10(e)(5), trip limits, and report ing requirements of the areas fished for the entire trip. A vessel on a sector trip that elects to fish in multiple areas, as described in this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A), must comply with the most restrictive reporting require ments of the areas fished for the entire trip, unless otherwise specified by the Regional Administrator in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (B) VMS requirement. A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program specified in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria specified in §§ 648.9 and 648.10. (C) Observer notifications. For the pur pose of selecting vessels for observer deployment, a vessel must provide no tice to NMFS of the vessel name; con tact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone number for con tact; areas to be fished; and date, time, and port of departure at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of any trip that it declares into the Eastern U.S./Can ada Haddock SAP Program specified in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section, as re quired under paragraph (b)(8)(v)(D) of this section, and in accordance with in structions provided by the Regional Administrator. (D) VMS declaration. To fish in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, a vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit must declare into the SAP via VMS and provide informa tion on the areas within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area that it intends to fish and the type of DAS (Category A, Regular B, or Reserve B) that it in tends to fish, if operating under the provisions of the common pool, prior to departure from port, in accordance with paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A) of this sec tion and any instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. (E) Gear requirement—(1) Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(E)(1), a vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must use the haddock separator trawl or the Ruhle Trawl, as described in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) of this section, respec tively, or another type of gear, if ap proved as described in this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(E). A vessel on a sector trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP is not restricted to only using the had dock separator trawl or the Ruhle trawl, but may use any gear authorized in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, unless otherwise restricted by a sector operations plan approved pursuant to § 648.87(c). Other gear may be on board the vessel when on a trip in the East ern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, pro vided that the gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (2) Approval of additional gear. The Regional Administrator may authorize additional gear for use in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP in accord ance with the standards and require ments specified at § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(2). (F) Landing limits. Unless otherwise restricted under this part, a vessel fish ing any portion of a trip in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP under a NE multispecies DAS may not fish for, possess, or land more than 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of cod, per trip, regardless of trip length. A common pool vessel fish ing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP under a NE multispecies DAS is subject to the haddock require ments described in § 648.86(a), unless further restricted under paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section. A common pool vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP may not land more than 100 lb (45.5 kg) per DAS, or any part of a DAS, of GB yellowtail flounder, up to a maximum of 500 lb (227 kg) of all flatfish species, com bined. Possession of monkfish (whole weight) and skates (whole weight) is limited to 500 lb (227 kg) each, unless otherwise restricted by § 648.94(b)(3), and possession of lobsters is prohibited. 869 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 Possession limits for all other stocks are as specified in § 648.86. (G) Reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a vessel declared into the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, as described in paragraph (b)(8) of this section, must submit reports in accord ance with the reporting requirements described in paragraph (a)(3)(v) of this section. (H) Incidental TACs. The maximum amount of GB cod and GB yellowtail flounder, both landings and discards, that may be caught when fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Program in a fishing year by vessels fishing under a Category B DAS, as au thorized in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(A) of this section, is the amount specified in paragraphs (b)(5)(ii) and (iii) of this section. All regulated species and ocean pout caught by a vessel on a sec tor trip will be applied against the ACE for each stock that is specified for the sector in which the vessel participates. (I) No discard provision and DAS flips. A vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP Program may not discard legal-sized regulated or ocean pout unless otherwise required due to a prohibition of the possession of such species specified in this part. If a common pool vessel fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP under a Category B DAS exceeds the applicable maximum landing limit per trip specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(F) of this section, or in § 648.86, the vessel operator must retain the fish and im mediately notify NMFS via VMS to initiate a DAS flip (from a Category B DAS to a Category A DAS). After flip ping to a Category A DAS, the vessel is subject to all applicable landing limits specified in § 648.85(a) or § 648.86. If a common pool vessel fishing in this SAP while under a Category B DAS or a Category A DAS exceeds a trip limit specified in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(F) of this section or § 648.86, or other applica ble trip limit, the vessel must imme diately exit the SAP area defined in paragraph (b)(8)(ii) of this section for the remainder of the trip. For a com mon pool vessel that notifies NMFS of a DAS flip, the Category B DAS that have accrued between the time the ves sel started accruing Category B DAS and the time the vessel declared its DAS flip will be accrued as Category A DAS pursuant to § 648.82(e)(1), and not Category B DAS. (J) Minimum Category A DAS. To fish under a Category B DAS, the number of Category B DAS that can be used on a trip cannot exceed the number of available Category A DAS the vessel has at the start of the trip. (K) Mandatory closure of Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP. When the Re gional Administrator projects that one or more of the TAC allocations speci fied in paragraph (b)(8)(v)(H) of this section has been caught by vessels fish ing under Category B DAS, NMFS shall prohibit the use of Category B DAS in the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, through publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. In addition, the closure regulations described in para graph (a)(3)(iv)(E) of this section shall apply to the Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP Program. (L) General closure of the Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP Area. The Re gional Administrator, based upon in formation required under § 648.7, 648.9, 648.10, or 648.85, and any other relevant information may, through rulemaking consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, close the Eastern U.S./ Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program for the duration of the season, if it is determined that continuation of the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the FMP or the Eastern U.S./Canada Had dock SAP Pilot Program. (c) Scallop fishery closed area access program. Limited access scallop vessels operating under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program, as defined in § 648.59, and fishing in accordance with the reg ulations at § 648.60 may possess and land up to 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of all NE multispecies combined, as provided in § 648.60(a)(5)(ii), unless otherwise re stricted in this section. (d) Authorized gear performance stand ards. Unless otherwise restricted in this part, in areas and times when a special management program, as speci fied in this section, requires the use of gear authorized by that program to re duce catches of stocks of concern, par ticipating vessels are restricted to the 870 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 following trip limits: 500 lb (227 kg) of all flatfish species (American plaice, witch flounder, winter flounder, win dowpane flounder, and GB yellowtail flounder), combined; 500 lb (227 kg) of monkfish (whole weight); 500 lb (227 kg) of skates (whole weight); and zero pos session of lobsters, unless otherwise re stricted by § 648.94(b)(3). (e) Universal exemption programs for sector vessels—(1) Redfish Exemption Pro gram—(i) Eligibility. Any vessel enrolled in a NMFS approved Northeast multi species sector and issued a limited ac cess Northeast multispecies permit that allows the use of trawl gear con sistent with paragraph (e)(1)(vii) of this section may fish in compliance with the provisions of the Redfish Exemp tion Program described in paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) through (viii) of this section, except those vessels enrolled in a sec tor whose members have been prohib ited from doing so by the Regional Ad ministrator under paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(C) of this section, or those vessels ineligible or prohibited for any other reason. Letters of authorization issued pursuant to § 648.87(c)(2) shall authorize or prohibit participation in the program by sector vessels con sistent with paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(C) of this section. (ii) Redfish Exemption Area. The Redfish Exemption Area is the area de fined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated, ex cept between points D and E and E and F, the boundary follows the outer lim its of the U.S. EEZ. (A chart depicting this area is available from the Re gional Administrator upon request): TABLE 14 TO PARAGRAPH (e)(1)(ii) INTRODUCTORY TEXT Point N lat. W long. A .................................................... 43°00′ 69°55′ B .................................................... 43°00′ 69°30′ C .................................................... 43°20′ 69°30′ D .................................................... 43°20′ (1) E .................................................... 42°53.24′ 67°44.55′ F .................................................... 42°20′ (2) G .................................................... 42°20′ 67°40′ H .................................................... 42°00′ 67°40′ I ...................................................... 42°00′ 69°37′ J ..................................................... 42°20′ 69°55′ A .................................................... 43°00′ 69°55′ 1 U.S. EEZ longitude, approximately 67°35.07′. 2 U.S. EEZ longitude, approximately 67°18.17′. (A) Redfish Exemption Area Cod Clo sure. No vessel may participate in the Redfish Exemption Program inside the Redfish Exemption Area Cod Closure from February 1 through March 31 of each year. The Redfish Exemption Area Cod Closure is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: TABLE 15 TO PARAGRAPH (e)(1)(ii)(A) Point N Lat. W Long. A ................ 43°00′ 69°55′ B ................ 43°00′ 69°30′ K ................ 42°30′ 69°30′ L ................. 42°30′ 69°55′ A ................ 43°00′ 69°55′ (B) Redfish Exemption Area Seasonal Closure II. No vessel may participate in the Redfish Exemption Program inside the Redfish Exemption Area Seasonal Closure II from September 1 through December 31 of each year. The Redfish Exemption Area Seasonal Closure II is the area defined by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated, except between points F and G the boundary follows the outer limits of the U.S. EEZ: TABLE 16 TO PARAGRAPH (e)(1)(ii)(B) Point N lat. W long. M .................................................... 42°47.17′ 67°40′ F .................................................... 42°20′ (1) G .................................................... 42°20′ 67°40′ M .................................................... 42°47.17′ 67°40′ 1 U.S. EEZ longitude, approximately 67°18.17′. (C) No vessel may participate in the Redfish Exemption Program in any areas that are otherwise closed to fish ing for Northeast multispecies or fish ing with trawl gear, including but not limited to year-round closed areas, sea sonal closed areas, or habitat closures. (iii) Season. An eligible vessel as de scribed in paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section may participate in the Redfish Exemption Program from May 1 through April 30 of each year as au thorized in the vessel’s letter of au thorization issued pursuant to § 648.87(c)(2), unless otherwise prohib ited in the letter of authorization under paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(C) of this section. (iv) Declaration. To participate in the Redfish Exemption Program on a sec tor trip, an eligible vessel must declare 871 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.85 its intent to do so through the VMS prior to leaving the dock, in accord ance with instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. (A) Pre-trip notification. For the pur poses of selecting vessels for observer deployment or electronic monitoring, a vessel participating in the Redfish Ex emption Program must comply with all pre-trip notification requirements at § 648.11(l). (B) [Reserved] (v) Reporting—(A) Daily catch report ing. The owner or operator of a vessel that has declared into the Redfish Ex emption Program as required in para graph (e)(1)(iv) of this section must submit catch reports via VMS, for each day of the fishing trip. Vessels subject to the daily reporting requirement must report daily for the entire fishing trip, including any portion fished out side of the Redfish Exemption Area. The reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day, beginning at 0000 hr and ending at 2359 hr, and must be submitted by 0900 hr of the following day, or as instructed by the Regional Administrator. The reports must in clude at least the following informa tion: (1) VTR serial number or other uni versal ID specified by the Regional Ad ministrator; (2) Date fish were caught and statis tical area in which fish were caught; and (3) Total pounds of each regulated Northeast multispecies and ocean pout kept (in pounds, live weight) as well as the total pounds of other kept catch (in pounds, live weight) in each statistical area, as instructed by the Regional Ad ministrator. (B) Redfish exemption fishing notifica tion. After the vessel has entered the Redfish Exemption Area, the owner or operator of a vessel must submit a redfish exemption fishing notification before switching to a smaller mesh codend allowed under the Redfish Ex emption Program. This notification is provided with an additional catch re port submitted via VMS, reporting all catch on board and indicating that the vessel is switching to a smaller mesh codend. This notification indicates that the vessel is now fishing under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program. Vessels that fail to declare into the Redfish Exemption Program as required in paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section may not fish under the Redfish Exemption Program even if this notification is sent. The notifica tion must include at least the fol lowing information: (1) VTR serial number or other uni versal ID specified by the Regional Ad ministrator; (2) Date fish were caught and statis tical area in which fish were caught; (3) Total pounds of each regulated Northeast multispecies and ocean pout kept (in pounds, live weight) as well as the total pounds of other kept catch (in pounds, live weight) in each statistical area, as instructed by the Regional Ad ministrator; and (4) Indication that the vessel is now switching to a smaller mesh codend. (vi) Area fished. (A) A vessel that has declared its intent to fish under the Redfish Exemption Program consistent with paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section may conduct the first part of its trip outside the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program, subject to all other Northeast multispecies regula tions including codend mesh size, prior to sending a redfish exemption fishing notification as described in paragraph (e)(1)(v)(B) of this section. (B) Once a vessel has sent a redfish exemption fishing notification as de scribed in paragraph (e)(1)(v)(B) of this section, the vessel is prohibited from fishing outside of the Redfish Exemp tion Area for the remainder of its trip. (vii) Gear requirements. Vessels may only use trawl gear when declared into and fishing in the Redfish Exemption Program. Vessels may fish in the Redfish Exemption Program with any trawl gear, including, but not limited to, otter trawl, haddock separator trawl, flounder trawl, or Ruhle trawl. (A) Minimum codend mesh size. The minimum codend mesh size for vessels fishing in the Redfish Exemption Pro gram is 5.5-inch square or diamond mesh. All other trawl net restrictions listed in § 648.80(a)(3)(i) and (a)(4)(i), in cluding minimum mesh sizes for the net body and extensions, still apply. (B) Gear stowage. Codends with mesh smaller than otherwise permitted by regulation at § 648.80(a)(3)(i) and 872 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.85 (a)(4)(i), or § 648.87(c)(2)(ii)(D), must be stowed during transit to and from the Redfish Exemption Area, and when not in use under the Redfish Exemption Program. Any non-trawl fishing gear must be stowed for the duration of any trip for which a vessel declared its in tent to fish under the Redfish Exemp tion Program consistent with para graph (e)(1)(iv) of this section. Stowed gear must be not available for imme diate use consistent with definitions in § 648.2 (viii) Catch Thresholds—(A) Monthly Performance Thresholds. (1) Monthly Redfish Landings Threshold—Monthly redfish landings by a sector whose member vessels fish under the provi sions of the Redfish Exemption Pro gram may not be less than 50 percent of all the allocated Northeast multi species stocks landed each month while fishing under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program. (2) Monthly Discards Threshold— Monthly observed discards of regulated Northeast multispecies and ocean pout by a sector whose member vessels fish under the provisions of the Redfish Ex emption Program may not exceed 5 percent of total observed kept catch, for those portions of trips fished each month under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program. (B) Annual Performance Thresholds. (1) Annual Redfish Landings Threshold— Annual fishing year redfish landings by a sector whose member vessels fish under the provisions of the Redfish Ex emption Program may be no less than 55 percent of all the allocated North east multispecies stocks landed while fishing under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program. (C) Administration of Thresholds. (1) If a sector fails to meet the monthly redfish landings threshold or the monthly discards threshold described in paragraphs (e)(1)(viii)(A)(1) and (2) of this section for four or more months total, or three or more consecutive months, in a fishing year, the Regional Administrator shall prohibit all vessels in that sector from fishing under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program for the remainder of the fish ing year, and place the sector and its vessels in a probationary status for one fishing year beginning the following fishing year. (2) If a sector fails to meet the an nual redfish landings threshold de scribed in paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(B)(1) of this section in a fishing year, the Re gional Administrator shall place the sector and its vessels in a probationary status for one fishing year beginning the following fishing year. (3) While in probationary status as described in paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(C)(1) or (2) of this section, if the sector fails to meet the monthly redfish landings threshold or the monthly discards threshold described in paragraphs (e)(1)(viii)(A)(1) and (2) of this section for four or more months total, or three or more consecutive months, in that fishing year, the Regional Adminis trator shall prohibit all vessels in that sector from fishing under the provi sions of the Redfish Exemption Pro gram for the remainder of the fishing year and the following fishing year. (4) If a sector fails to meet the an nual redfish landings threshold in (e)(1)(viii)(B)(1) of this section for any fishing year during which the sector is in a probationary status as described in paragraph (e)(1)(viii)(C)(1) or (2) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall prohibit all vessels in that sector from fishing under the provisions of the Redfish Exemption Program for the following fishing year. (5) The Regional Administrator may determine a sector has failed to meet required monthly or annual thresholds described in paragraphs (e)(1)(viii)(A) and (B) of this section using available information including, but not limited to, vessel declarations and notifica tions, vessel trip reports, dealer re ports, and observer and electronic mon itoring records. (6) The Regional Administrator shall notify a sector of a failure to meet the required monthly or annual thresholds and the sector’s vessels prohibition or probation status consistent with the provisions in paragraphs (e)(1)(viii)(C)(1) through (5) of this sec tion. The Regional Administrator shall also make administrative amendments to the approved sector operations plan and issue sector vessel letters of au thorization consistent with the provi sions in paragraphs (e)(1)(viii)(C)(1) 873 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.86 through (5) of this section. These ad ministrative amendments may be made during a fishing year or during the sec tor operations plan and sector contract approval process. (7) A sector may request in writing that the Regional Administrator re view and reverse a determination made under the provisions of this section within 30 days of the date of the Re gional Administrator’s determination. Any such request must be based on in formation showing the sector complied with the required thresholds, includ ing, but not limited to, landing, dis card, observer or electronic monitoring records. The Regional Administrator will review and maintain or reverse the determination and notify the sector of this decision in writing. Any deter mination resulting from a review con ducted under this provision is final and may not be reviewed further. (ix) Program review. The Council will review the Redfish Exemption Program after the first peer-reviewed redfish stock assessment following implemen tation of the program. The Council will prepare a report, which may include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of threshold performance, vessel-level performance, bycatch of non-redfish stocks, and changes in catch selec tivity, and will consider the goals and objectives of the Redfish Exemption Program and the FMP. The Council may decide, as needed, to conduct addi tional reviews following the review outlined in this section. (2) [Reserved] [69 FR 22975, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.85, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.86 NE Multispecies possession re strictions. Except as provided in § 648.17 or else where in this part, the following pos session restrictions apply: (a) Haddock—(1) NE multispecies com mon pool vessels. Haddock possession re strictions for such vessels may be im plemented through Regional Adminis trator authority, as specified in para graph (r) of this section. (2) Scallop dredge vessels. (i) No person owning or operating a scallop dredge vessel issued a NE multispecies permit may land haddock from, or possess haddock on board, a scallop dredge ves sel from January 1 through June 30. (ii) No person owning or operating a scallop dredge vessel without an NE multispecies permit may possess had dock in, or harvested from, the EEZ from January 1 through June 30. (iii) Unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator as speci fied in paragraph (f) of this section, scallop dredge vessels or persons own ing or operating a scallop dredge vessel that is fishing under a scallop DAS al located under § 648.53 may land or pos sess on board up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of haddock, except as specified in § 648.88(c), provided that the vessel has at least one standard tote on board. This restriction does not apply to ves sels also issued limited access NE multispecies permits that are fishing under a multispecies DAS. Haddock on board a vessel subject to this posses sion limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection. (3)(i) Incidental catch allowance for some Atlantic herring vessels. A vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Per mit fishing on a declared herring trip, regardless of gear or area fished, or a vessel issued a Category C, D, or E Her ring Permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear pursuant to § 648.80(d), may only possess and land haddock, in ac cordance with requirements specified in § 648.80(d) and (e). (ii) Haddock incidental catch cap. (A)(1) Haddock incidental catch cap. When the Regional Administrator has determined that the incidental catch allowance for a given haddock stock, as specified in § 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(D), has been caught, no vessel issued an Atlan tic herring permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear in the applicable stock area, i.e., the Herring GOM Had dock Accountability Measure (AM) Area or Herring GB Haddock AM Area, as defined in paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A)(2) and (3) of this section, may fish for, possess, or land herring in excess of 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) per trip in or from that area, unless all herring possessed and landed by the vessel were caught 874 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.86 outside the applicable AM Area and the vessel’s gear is stowed and not avail able for immediate use as defined in § 648.2 while transiting the AM Area. Upon this determination, the haddock possession limit is reduced to 0 lb (0 kg) for a vessel issued a Federal Atlan tic herring permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear or for a vessel issued a Category A or B Herring Per mit fishing on a declared herring trip, regardless of area fished or gear used, in the applicable AM area, unless the vessel also possesses a NE multispecies permit and is operating on a declared (consistent with § 648.10(g)) NE multi species trip. In making this determina tion, the Regional Administrator shall use haddock catches observed by NMFS-certified observers or monitors by herring vessel trips using midwater trawl gear in Management Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined in § 648.200(f)(1) and (3), expanded to an estimate of total haddock catch for all such trips in a given haddock stock area. (2) Herring GOM Haddock Account ability Measure Area. The Herring GOM Haddock AM Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): HERRING GOM HADDOCK ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude HGA1 ............ (1) 69°20′ HGA .............. 43°40′ 69°20′ HGA3 ............ 43°40′ 69°00′ HGA4 ............ 43°20′ 69°00′ HGA5 ............ 43°20′ (2) HGA6 ............ 42°20′ (3) HGA7 ............ 42°20′ 70°00′ HGA8 ............ (4) 70°00′ 1 The intersection of the Maine coastline and 69°20′ W. long. 2 The intersection of the U.S./Canada maritime boundary and 43°20′ N. lat. 3 The intersection of the U.S./Canada maritime boundary and 42°20′ N. lat. 4 The intersection of the north-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W. long. (3) The Herring GB Haddock Account ability Measure Area. The Herring GB Haddock AM Area is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): HERRING GB HADDOCK ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................. 42° 20′ 70° 00′ 2 ................. 42° 20′ (1) 3 ................. 40° 30′ (1) 4 ................. 40° 30′ 66° 40′ 5 ................. 39° 50′ 66° 40′ 6 ................. 39° 50′ 68° 50′ 7 ................. (2) 68° 50′ 8 ................. 41° 00′ (3) 9 ................. 41° 00′ 69° 30′ 10 ............... 41° 10′ 69° 30′ 11 ............... 41° 10′ 69° 50′ 12 ............... 41° 20′ 69° 50′ 13 ............... 41° 20′ (4) 14 ............... (5) 70° 00′ 15 ............... (6) 70° 00′ 16 ............... (7) 70° 00′ 1 The intersection of the U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 2 The intersection of the boundary of Closed Area I and 68° 50′ W. long. 3 The intersection of the boundary of Closed Area I and 41° 00′ N. lat. 4 The intersection of the east-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA, and 41° 20′ N. lat. 5 The intersection of the north-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 6 The intersection of the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 7 The intersection of the north-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. (4) The haddock incidental catch caps specified are for the NE multispecies fishing year (May 1–April 30), which differs from the herring fishing year (January 1–December 31). If the had dock incidental catch allowance is at tained by the herring midwater trawl fishery for the GOM or GB, as specified in § 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(D), the 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) limit on herring possession in the applicable AM Area, as described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(A)(2) or (3) of this section, shall be in effect until the end of the NE multispecies fishing year. For example, the 2011 haddock inci dental catch cap is specified for the pe riod May 1, 2011–April 30, 2012, and the 2012 haddock catch cap would be speci fied for the period May 1, 2012–April 30, 2013. If the catch of haddock by herring midwater trawl vessels reached the 2011 incidental catch cap at any time prior to the end of the NE multispecies fish ing year (April 30, 2012), the 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) limit on possession of herring in the applicable AM Area would ex tend through April 30, 2012. Beginning May 1, 2012, the 2012 catch cap would go into effect. (B) [Reserved] (b) Cod—(1) GOM cod landing limit. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) 875 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.86 of this section, or unless otherwise re stricted under § 648.85, a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS permit, including a vessel issued a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, may land up to 800 lb (362.9 kg) of cod for each DAS, or part of a DAS, up to 4,000 lb (1,818.2 kg) per trip. Cod on board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection. (2) GB cod landing and maximum pos session limits. Unless otherwise re stricted under § 648.85, a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS permit, including a vessel issued a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, may land up to 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of cod per DAS, or part of a DAS, up to 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) provided it complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this sec tion and this paragraph (b)(2). Cod on board a vessel subject to this landing limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection. (3) [Reserved] (4) Exemption. A common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS is exempt from the landing limit de scribed in paragraph (b)(1) of this sec tion when fishing south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, defined in § 648.80(a)(1), provided that it complies with the requirement of this paragraph (b)(4). (i) Declaration. With the exception of a vessel declared into the U.S./Canada Management Area, as described in § 648.85(a)(3)(ii), a common pool vessel that fishes or intends to fish under a NE multispecies DAS south of the line described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, under the cod trip limits de scribed in paragraph (b)(2) of this sec tion, must, prior to leaving port, de clare its intention to do so through the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional Admin istrator. In lieu of a VMS declaration, the Regional Administrator may au thorize such vessels to obtain a letter of authorization. If a letter of author ization is required, such vessel may not fish north of the exemption area for a minimum of 7 consecutive days (when fishing under the multispecies DAS program), and must carry the letter of authorization on board. (ii) A common pool vessel exempt from the GOM cod landing limit pursu ant to paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section may not fish north of the line specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section for the duration of the trip, but may tran sit the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, pro vided that its gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. A vessel fishing north and south of the line on the same trip is subject to the most restrictive applica ble cod trip limit. (c) Atlantic halibut. A vessel issued a NE multispecies permit under § 648.4(a)(1) may land or possess on board no more than one Atlantic hal ibut per trip, provided the vessel com plies with other applicable provisions of this part, unless otherwise specified in § 648.90(a)(5)(i)(D)(2). (d) Small-mesh multispecies. (1) Vessels issued a valid Federal NE multispecies permit specified under § 648.4(a)(1) are subject to the following possession lim its for small-mesh multispecies, which are based on the mesh size used by, or on board vessels fishing for, in posses sion of, or landing small-mesh multi species. (i) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size smaller than 3 in (7.62 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel may possess and land not more than 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake, if either of the following conditions apply: (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on board the vessel is smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured in accordance with § 648.80(f); or (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel not incor porated into a fully constructed net is smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). ‘‘Incorporated into a fully constructed net’’ means that any mesh smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm) that is incorporated into a fully constructed net may occur only in the part of the 876 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.86 net not subject to the mesh size re strictions specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, and the net into which the mesh is incorporated must be available for immediate use. (ii) [Reserved] (iii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 3 in (7.62 cm). An owner or oper ator of a vessel that is not subject to the possession limits specified in para graphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section may possess and land not more than 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake when fishing in the GOM or GB Exemption Areas, as described in § 648.80(a), and not more than 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake when fishing in the SNE or MA Exemption Areas, as described in § 648.80(b)(10) and (c)(5), respectively, if both of the fol lowing conditions apply: (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on board the vessel is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f); and (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel not incor porated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). ‘‘Incorporated into a fully constructed net’’ means that any mesh smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm) that is incorporated into a fully constructed net may occur only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size re strictions as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, and the net into which the mesh is incorporated must be available for immediate use. (iv) Application of mesh size. Counting from the terminus of the net, the mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section are only applicable to the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels greater than 60 ft (18.3 m) in length, and to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels 60 ft (18.3 m) or less in length. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the restrictions and condi tions pertaining to mesh size do not apply to nets or pieces of net smaller than 3 ft by 3 ft (0.9 m by 0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)). (v) Possession of southern red hake while under a rebuilding plan. When the southern red hake stock, defined as statistical areas 525–526, 533–534, 541– 543, 537–539, 562, 611–616, 621–623, 625–628, 631–634, 635–638, is under a rebuilding plan, the year-round possession limit for southern red hake shall be the fol lowing: (A) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size smaller than 5.5 in (13.97 cm). Owners and operators of vessels may possess and land no more than 600 lb (272 kg) of southern red hake per trip when: (1) Using trawls with diamond or square mesh size less than 5.5 in (13.97 cm); and/or (2) A vessel is in possession of a net with mesh size smaller than 5.5 in (13.97 cm), unless it is properly stowed and not available for immediate use in ac cordance with § 648.2 and not used on that trip. (B) Vessels using nets of mesh size greater than or equal to 5.5 in (13.97 cm), using small-mesh selective trawls, or gear other than trawl. Owners and operators may possess and land no more than 1,000 lb (453 kg) of southern red hake per trip when: (1) Using trawls with diamond or square mesh size 5.5 in (13.97 cm) or larger; (2) Using small-mesh selective gear, including raised-footrope trawls as de fined in § 648.80(a)(9)(ii), large-mesh belly panel trawls as defined in § 648.84(f), rope separator trawls as de fined in § 648.84(e), and other selective gears deemed by the Regional Adminis trator to adequately reduce the catch of red hake; or (3) When using gears other than trawls. (vi) Possession of northern red hake. Vessels participating in the small mesh multispecies fishery and fishing on the northern red hake stock, defined as statistical areas 464–465, 467, 511–515, 521–522, and 561, may possess and land no more than 3,000 lb 91,361 kg) of red hake when fishing in the GOM/GB Ex emption area, as described in § 648.80(a)(17). (2) Possession limit for vessels partici pating in the northern shrimp fishery. 877 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.86 Owners and operators of vessels par ticipating in the Small-Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption Area, as de scribed in § 648.80(a)(3), with a vessel issued a valid Federal NE multispecies permit specified under § 648.4(a)(1), may possess and land silver hake and off shore hake, combined, up to an amount equal to the weight of shrimp on board, not to exceed 3,500 lb (1,588 kg). Silver hake and offshore hake on board a ves sel subject to this possession limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection. (3) Possession restriction for vessels electing to transfer small-mesh NE multi species at sea. Owners and operators of vessels issued a valid Federal NE multispecies permit and issued a letter of authorization to transfer small-mesh NE multispecies at sea according to the provisions specified in § 648.13(b) are subject to a combined silver hake and offshore hake possession limit that is 500 lb (226.8 kg) less than the possession limit the vessel otherwise receives. This deduction shall be noted on the transferring vessel’s letter of author ization from the Regional Adminis trator. (4) Accountability Measure In-season adjustment of small-mesh multispecies possession limits. If the Regional Admin istrator projects that an in-season ad justment TAL trigger level for any small-mesh multispecies stock, as specified in § 648.90(b)(5)(iii), has been reached or exceeded, the Regional Ad ministrator shall reduce the possession limit of that stock to the incidental level for that stock, as specified in this paragraph (d)(4), for the remainder of the fishing year through notice con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act, unless such a reduction in the possession limit would be expected to prevent the TAL from being reached. (i) Red hake. If a possession limit re duction is needed for a stock area, the incidental possession limit for red hake in that stock area will be 400 lb (181.44 kg) for the remainder of the fishing year. (ii) Silver hake and offshore hake. If a possession limit reduction is needed for a stock area, the incidental possession limit for silver hake and offshore hake, combined, in that stock area will be 2,000 lb (907 kg) for the remainder of the fishing year. (e) White hake. Unless otherwise re stricted under this part, a common pool vessel fishing under a NE multi species DAS, a limited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions is not restricted in the amount of white hake the vessel may land per trip dur ing fishing years 2010 and 2011. Starting in fishing year 2012, unless otherwise restricted under this part, a common pool vessel fishing under a NE multi species DAS, a limited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions may land up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) of white hake per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) per trip. (f) Calculation of weight of fillets or parts of fish. The possession limits de scribed under this part are based on the weight of whole, whole-gutted, or gilled fish. For purposes of determining com pliance with the possession limits spec ified in paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section, the weight of fillets and parts of fish, other than whole-gutted or gilled fish, as allowed under § 648.83(a) and (b), will be multiplied by 3. (g) Yellowtail flounder—(1) CC/GOM and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder landing limit. Unless otherwise restricted under this part, a common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, a lim ited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, and fishing ex clusively outside of the U.S./Canada Management Area, as defined in § 648.85(a)(1), may land or possess on board up to 250 lb (113.6 kg) of yellowtail flounder per DAS, or any part of a DAS, up to a maximum pos session limit of 1,500 lb (680.4 kg) per trip. A vessel fishing outside and inside of the U.S./Canada Management Area on the same trip is subject to the more restrictive yellowtail flounder trip limit (i.e., that specified by this para graph (g) or § 648.85(a)(3)(iv)(C)). 878 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.86 (2) GB yellowtail flounder landing limit. Unless otherwise restricted under this part, a common pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, a lim ited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions, and fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area de fined in § 648.85(a)(1) is subject to the GB yellowtail flounder limit described in paragraph § 648.85(a)(3)(iv)(c). (h) Other possession restrictions. Ves sels are subject to any other applicable possession limit restrictions of this part. (i) Offloading requirement for vessels possessing species regulated by a daily possession limit. A vessel that has ended a trip as specified in § 648.10(e)(2)(iii) or (h)(5) that possesses on board species regulated by a daily possession limit (i.e., pounds per DAS), as specified at § 648.85 or § 648.86, must offload species in excess of the daily landing limit prior to leaving port on a subsequent trip. A vessel may retain on board up to one day’s worth of such species prior to the start of a subsequent trip. Other species regulated by an overall trip limit may be retained on board for a subsequent trip. For example, a vessel that possesses cod and winter flounder harvested from Georges Bank is subject to a daily possession limit for cod of 1,000 lb (453 kg)/DAS and an overall trip limit of 5,000 lb (2,267 kg)/trip for win ter flounder. In this example, the ves sel would be required to offload any cod harvested in excess of 1,000 lb (453 kg) (i.e., the vessel may retain up to 1,000 lb (453 kg) of Georges Bank cod, but must offload any additional cod), but may retain on board winter flounder up to the maximum trip limit prior to leav ing port and crossing the VMS Demar cation Line to begin a subsequent trip. (j) GB winter flounder. Unless other wise restricted under this part, a com mon pool vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, a limited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish lim ited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit provisions and fishing in the U.S./Can ada Management Area defined in § 648.85(a)(1) is not restricted in the amount of GB winter flounder the ves sel may land per trip. (k) Other regulated NE multispecies possession restrictions for some Atlantic herring vessels. A vessel issued a Cat egory A or B Herring Permit on a de clared herring trip, regardless of area fished or gear used, or a vessel issued a Category C, D, or E Herring Permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear pur suant to § 648.80(d), may possess and land haddock, and up to 100 lb (45 kg), combined, of other regulated NE. multispecies, other than haddock, in accordance with the requirements in § 648.80(d) and (e). Such fish may not be sold for human consumption. (l) Ocean pout, windowpane flounder, and Atlantic wolffish. A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit, an open access NE multispecies Handgear B permit, or a limited access monkfish permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit pro visions may not fish for, possess, or land ocean pout, windowpane flounder, or Atlantic wolffish. (m) Additional possession restrictions— (1) Daily landing restriction. A vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit, an open access NE multispecies Handgear B permit, or a limited access monkfish permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C or D permit pro visions may only land regulated species or ocean pout once in any 24-hr period, based upon the time the vessel lands following the end of the previous trip. For example, if a vessel lands 1,600 lb (725.7 kg) of GOM cod at 6 p.m. on Tues day, that vessel cannot land any more regulated species or ocean pout until at least 6 p.m. on the following Wednes day. (2) Possession limits for vessels fishing in multiple areas. If a vessel fishes in more than one stock area on the same trip, as defined in § 648.85(b)(6)(v) or § 648.87(b)(1)(ii), the most restrictive trip limit for a species applies for the entire trip. (n) Pollock. Unless otherwise re stricted under this part, a vessel issued a NE multispecies DAS permit, a lim ited access Handgear A permit, an open access Handgear B permit, or a monkfish limited access permit and fishing under the monkfish Category C 879 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 or D permit provisions, may not pos sess or land more than 1,000 lb (450 kg) of pollock for each DAS or part of a DAS fished, up to 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) per trip. (o) Regional Administrator authority to implement possession limits—(1) Posses sion restrictions to prevent exceeding com mon pool sub-ACLs. If the Regional Ad ministrator projects that the catch of any NE multispecies stock allocated to common pool vessels pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4) will exceed the pertinent sub-ACL, NMFS may implement or ad just, at any time prior to or during the fishing year, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, a per-DAS possession limit and/or a maximum trip limit in order to pre vent exceeding the common pool sub ACL in that fishing year. (2) Possession restrictions to facilitate harvest of sub-ACLs allocated to the com mon pool. If the Regional Adminis trator projects that the sub-ACL of any stock allocated to the common pool pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4) will not be caught during the fishing year, the Re gional Administrator may remove or adjust, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, a per DAS possession limit and/or a max imum trip limit in order to facilitate harvest and enable the total catch to approach, but not exceed, the pertinent sub-ACL allocated to the common pool for that fishing year. [69 FR 22978, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.86, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.87 Sector allocation. (a) Procedure for approving/imple menting a sector allocation proposal. (1) Any person may submit a sector allo cation proposal for a group of limited access NE multispecies vessels to NMFS. The sector allocation proposal must be submitted to the Council and NMFS in writing by the deadline for submitting an operations plan and pre liminary sector contract that is speci fied in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The proposal must include a cover let ter requesting the formation of the new sector, a complete sector operations plan and preliminary sector contract, prepared as described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, and ap propriate analysis that assesses the im pact of the proposed sector, in compli ance with the National Environmental Policy Act. (2) Upon receipt of a proposal to form a new sector allocation, and following the deadline for each sector to submit an operations plan, as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, NMFS will notify the Council in writing of its intent to consider a new sector alloca tion for approval. The Council will re view the proposal(s) and associated NEPA analyses at a Groundfish Com mittee and Council meeting, and pro vide its recommendation on the pro posed sector allocation to NMFS in writing. NMFS will make final deter minations regarding the approval of the new sectors based on review of the proposed operations plans, associated NEPA analyses, and the Council’s rec ommendations, and in a manner con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. NMFS will only approve a new sector that has received the Coun cil’s endorsement. (3) Eligibility. Any valid limited ac cess NE multispecies permit, including a Handgear A permit and those permits held in confirmation of permit history pursuant to § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(J) as of May 1, 2008, is eligible to join a NE multi species sector, provided the permit complies with the restrictions specified in this section. Any valid limited ac cess Category A or B monkfish permit may be eligible to join a NE multispe cies sector, as described in this section, pursuant to any measures adopted by a future revision to the Monkfish FMP by both the New England and Mid-At lantic Fishery Management Councils. Vessels that do not join a sector re main subject to the NE multispecies regulations for common pool vessels. (4) Minimum size. To be authorized to operate as a sector under this section, a sector must be comprised of at least three NE multispecies permits issued to at least three different persons, none of whom have any common ownership interests in the permits, vessels, or businesses associated with the permits issued the other two or more persons in 880 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 that sector. Having an ownership inter est in a permit includes, but is not lim ited to, persons or entities who are shareholders, officers, or partners in a corporation owning a permit; who are partners (general or limited) to a per mit owner; who, in any way, partly own a permit; or who derive any finan cial benefit, or exercises any control over, another permit. As long as at least three persons issued a NE multi species permit meet these require ments, permit owners may have com mon ownership interests in other per mits, vessels, or businesses associated with such permits. (b) General requirements applicable to all approved Sectors. (1) All sectors ap proved under the provisions of para graph (a) of this section must submit the documents specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section, and comply with the conditions and re strictions of this paragraph (b)(1). (i) TAC allocation—(A) Allocated stocks. Each sector shall be allocated a TAC in the form of an ACE for each NE multispecies stock, with the exception of Atlantic halibut, ocean pout, win dowpane flounder (both the GOM/GB and the SNE/MA stocks), and Atlantic wolffish based upon the cumulative PSCs of vessels/permits participating in each sector during a particular fish ing year, as described in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E) of this section. (B) Eastern GB stocks—(1) Allocation. Each sector allocated ACE for stocks managed under the terms of the U.S./ Canada Resource Sharing Under standing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as specified in § 648.85(a), shall be allocated a specific portion of the ACE for such stocks that can only be har vested from the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as specified in § 648.85(a)(1). The ACE specified for the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area portions of these stocks shall be proportional to the sector’s alloca tion of the overall ACL available to all vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit for these stocks pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4). For example, if a sector is allocated 10 percent of the GB cod ACL available to all vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit, that sector would also be allo cated and may harvest 10 percent of that ACE from the Eastern U.S./Can ada Area. In this example, if the over all GB cod ACL available to all vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit is 1,000 mt, of which 100 mt is specified to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, the sector would be allocated 100 mt of GB cod, of which no more than 10 mt could be harvested from the East ern U.S./Canada Area and no more than 90 mt could be harvested from the rest of the GB cod stock area. (2) Re-allocation of haddock or cod ACE. A sector may re-allocate all, or a portion, of its haddock or cod ACE specified to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(1) of this section, to the Western U.S./Canada Area at any time during the fishing year, and up to 2 weeks into the following fishing year (i.e., through May 14), unless otherwise instructed by NMFS, to cover any overages during the previous fishing year. Re-allocation of any ACE only becomes effective upon approval by NMFS, as specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(B)(2)(i) through (iii) of this sec tion. Re-allocation of haddock or cod ACE may only be made within a sector, and not between sectors. For example, if 100 mt of a sector’s GB haddock ACE is specified to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, the sector could re-allocate up to 100 mt of that ACE to the Western U.S./ Canada Area. (i) Application to re-allocate ACE. GB haddock or GB cod ACE specified to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area may be re-allocated to the Western U.S./Can ada Area through written request to the Regional Administrator. This re quest must include the name of the sector, the amount of ACE to be re-al located, and the fishing year in which the ACE re-allocation applies, as in structed by the Regional Adminis trator. (ii) Approval of request to re-allocate ACE. NMFS shall approve or dis approve a request to re-allocate GB haddock or GB cod ACE provided the sector, and its participating vessels, are in compliance with the reporting requirements specified in this part. The Regional Administrator shall inform the sector in writing, within 2 weeks of the receipt of the sector’s request, whether the request to re-allocate ACE has been approved. 881 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 (iii) Duration of ACE re-allocation. GB haddock or GB cod ACE that has been re-allocated to the Western U.S./Can ada Area pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(2) is only valid for the fish ing year in which the re-allocation is approved, with the exception of any re quests that are submitted up to 2 weeks into the subsequent fishing year to address any potential ACE overages from the previous fishing year, as pro vided in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this sec tion, unless otherwise instructed by NMFS. (C) Carryover. (1) With the exception of GB yellowtail flounder, a sector may carryover an amount of ACE equal to 10 percent of its original ACE for each stock that is unused at the end of one fishing year into the following fishing year, provided that the total unused sector ACE plus the overall ACL for the following fishing year does not ex ceed the ABC for the fishing year in which the carryover may be harvested. If this total exceeds the ABC, NMFS shall adjust the maximum amount of unused ACE that a sector may carry over (down from 10 percent) to an amount equal to the ABC of the fol lowing fishing year. Any adjustments made would be applied to each sector based on its total unused ACE and pro portional to the cumulative PSCs of vessels/permits participating in the sector for the particular fishing year, as described in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E) of this section. (i) Eastern GB Stocks Carryover. Any unused ACE allocated for Eastern GB stocks in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) of this section shall con tribute to the carryover allowance for each stock, as specified in this para graph (b)(1)(i)(C)(1), but shall not in crease individual sector’s allocation of Eastern GB stocks during the following year. (ii) This carryover ACE remains ef fective during the subsequent fishing year even if vessels that contributed to the sector allocation during the pre vious fishing year are no longer par ticipating in the same sector for the subsequent fishing year. (2) Carryover accounting. (i) If the overall ACL for a particular stock is exceeded, the allowed carryover of a particular stock harvested by a sector, minus the NMFS-specified de minimis amount, shall be counted against the sector’s ACE for purposes of deter mining an overage subject to the AM in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. (ii) De Minimis Carryover Amount. The de minimis carryover amount is one per cent of the overall sector sub-ACL for the fishing year in which the carryover would be harvested. NMFS may change this de minimis carryover amount for any fishing year through notice con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. The overall de minimis carry over amount would be applied to each sector proportional to the cumulative PSCs of vessels/permits participating in the sector for the particular fishing year, as described in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E) of this section. (D) Maximum ACE allocation. There is no maximum amount of ACE that can be allocated to a particular sector dur ing each fishing year. (E) Potential sector contribution (PSC). For the purposes of allocating a share of the available ACL for each NE multispecies stock to approved sectors pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4), the landings history of all limited access NE multi species permits shall be evaluated to determine each permit’s share of the overall landings for each NE multispe cies stock as specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i)(E)(1) and (2) of this section. When calculating an individual per mit’s share of the overall landings for a particular regulated species or ocean pout stock, landed weight shall be con verted to live weight to maintain con sistency with the way ACLs are cal culated pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4) and the way ACEs are allocated to sectors pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(i). This calculation shall be performed on July 1 of each year, unless another date is specified by the Regional Ad ministrator, to redistribute the land ings history associated with permits that have been voluntarily relin quished or otherwise canceled among all remaining valid limited access NE multispecies permits as of that date during the following fishing year. The PSC calculated pursuant to this para graph (b)(1)(i)(E) shall remain with the permit indefinitely, but may be perma nently reduced or eliminated due to a 882 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 permit sanction or other enforcement action. (1) Calculation of PSC for all NE multi species stocks except GB cod. Unless oth erwise specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2) of this section, for each valid limited access NE multispecies permit, including limited access NE multispecies Handgear A permits, land ings recorded in the NMFS dealer data base of each stock of NE multispecies determined by NMFS to be the land ings history associated with that per mit while subject to the NE multispe cies regulations based on whether the vessel fishing under that permit was issued a limited access NE multispecies permit or subsequently qualified for a limited access NE multispecies permit pursuant to § 648.4(a)(1)(i), including regulated species or ocean pout caught under a NE multispecies DAS when participating in the skate or monkfish fisheries, but excluding, for example, landings by scallop vessels operating under a scallop DAS, shall be summed for fishing years 1996 through 2006. This sum shall then be divided by the total landings of each NE multispecies stock during the same period by all permits eligible to join sectors as of May 1, 2008. The resulting figure shall then be multiplied by a factor of 1/PSC of re maining permits as of June 1 of each year, unless another date is specified by the Regional Administrator, to cal culate the PSC for each individual valid limited access NE multispecies permit for each regulated species or ocean pout stock allocated to sectors in the NE multispecies fishery for the following fishing year pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(1). (2) Calculation of GB cod PSC. The GB cod PSC shall be calculated as specified in this paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2) and shall remain with the permit indefi nitely regardless whether the vessel participates in either the GB Cod Hook Gear Sector or the GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector, as defined in § 648.87(d)(1) or (2), joins a new sector, or fishes pursuant to the provisions of the common pool. (i) GB cod PSC for permits committed to participate in the GB Cod Hook Gear Sec tor or GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector. For each owner of a valid NE multispecies permit, or CPH, that committed to par ticipate in either the GB Cod Hook Gear Sector or the GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector as evidenced by a valid author ized signature executed on or before March 1, 2008, on a preliminary roster for either of these sectors, the PSC for GB cod shall be equal to the sum of dealer landings of GB cod for fishing years 1996 through 2001, divided by the total landings of GB cod by permits eli gible to join sectors as of May 1, 2008, during that period. The PSC for all other regulated species or ocean pout stocks specified for these permits shall be calculated pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(1) of this section. The PSC calculated pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2)(i) shall then be multiplied by a factor of 1/PSC of remaining per mits as of June 1 of each year, unless another date is specified by the Re gional Administrator, to calculate the GB cod PSC for each permit for the fol lowing fishing year. (ii) GB cod PSC for all other permits. For each owner of a valid NE multispe cies permit or CPH that has not com mitted to participate in either the GB Cod Hook Gear Sector or GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2)(i) of this section, the GB cod PSC for each such permit or CPH shall be based upon the GB cod PSC available after accounting for the GB cod PSC calculated pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2)(i) of this section. To determine the GB cod PSC for each of these permits, the sum of the indi vidual permit’s landings of GB cod available in the NMFS dealer database for fishing years 1996 through 2006 shall be divided by the total landings of GB cod during that period by the total landings of GB cod by permits eligible to join sectors as of May 1, 2008, during that period, after subtracting the total landings of GB cod by permits that committed to participate in either the GB Cod Hook Sector or GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector as of March 1, 2008. This individual share shall then be multi plied by the available GB cod PSC cal culated by subtracting the GB cod PSC allocated pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2)(i) of this section from one. The PSC calculated pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(i)(E)(2)(ii) shall then be multiplied by a factor of 1/PSC of remaining permits as of July 1 of 883 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 each year, unless another date is speci fied by the Regional Administrator, to calculate the GB cod PSC for each per mit. (ii) Areas that can be fished. Vessels in a sector may only fish in a particular stock area, as specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(A) through (F) of this section, and § 648.85(b)(6)(v), or the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area, as specified in § 648.85(a)(1), if the sector has been allo cated, or acquires, pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(viii) of this section, ACE for all stocks allocated to sectors pur suant to paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this section that are caught in that stock area. A sector must project when its ACE for each stock will be exceeded and must ensure that all vessels in the sector cease fishing operations prior to exceeding it. Once a sector has har vested its ACE for a stock, all vessels in that sector must cease fishing oper ations in that stock area on a sector trip unless and until it acquires addi tional ACE from another sector pursu ant to paragraph (b)(1)(viii) of this sec tion, or as otherwise specified in an ap proved operations plan pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(xiv) of this section. For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(1)(ii), an ACE overage means catch of regulated species or ocean pout by vessels participating in a particular sector that exceeds the ACE allocated to that sector, as of the date received or purchased by the dealer, whichever occurs first, after considering all ACE transfer requests ultimately approved by NMFS during the current fishing year, pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(viii) of this section, unless otherwise speci fied pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5). (A) CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area. The CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area, for the purposes of identi fying stock areas for trip limits speci fied in § 648.86, and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this sec tion, is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and on the south by rhumb lines con necting the following points in the order stated: CC/GOM YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................ (1) ....................................... 70° 00′ 2 ................ (2) ....................................... 70° 00′ 3 ................ 41° 20′ ............................... (3) 4 ................ 41° 20′ ............................... 69° 50′ 5 ................ 41° 10′ ............................... 69° 50′ 6 ................ 41° 10′ ............................... 69° 30′ 7 ................ 41° 00′ ............................... 69° 30′ 8 ................ 41° 00′ ............................... 68° 50′ 9 ................ 42° 20′ ............................... 68° 50′ 10 .............. 42° 20′ ............................... (4) 1 Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 2 Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 3 Intersection of east-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 41° 20′ N. lat. 4 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (B) SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area. The SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area, for the purposes of identi fying stock areas for trip limits speci fied in § 648.86, and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of SNE/MA yellowtail flounder ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this sec tion, is the area bounded by rhumb lines connecting the following points in the order stated: SNE/MA YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................ 35° 00′ ............................... (1) 2 ................ 35° 00′ ............................... (2) 3 ................ 39° 00′ ............................... (2) 4 ................ 39° 00′ ............................... 69° 00′ 5 ................ 39° 50′ ............................... 69° 00′ 7 ................ 39° 50′ ............................... 68° 50′ 8 ................ 41° 00′ ............................... 68° 50′ 9 ................ 41° 00′ ............................... 69° 30′ 10 .............. 41° 10′ ............................... 69° 30′ 11 .............. 41° 10′ ............................... 69° 50′ 12 .............. 41° 20′ ............................... 69° 50′ 13 .............. 41° 20′ ............................... (3) 14 .............. (4) ....................................... 70° 00′ 15 .............. (5) ....................................... 70° 00′ 1 Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35° 00′ N. lat. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 3 Intersection of east-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 41° 20′ N. lat. 4 Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 5 Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. (C) GOM Haddock Stock Area. The GOM Haddock Stock Area, for the pur poses of identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86 and for deter mining areas applicable to sector allo cations of GOM haddock ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, is de fined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United 884 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 States, on the east by the U.S./Cana dian maritime boundary, and on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM HADDOCK STOCK AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................ (1) ....................................... 70° 00′ 2 ................ 42° 20′ ............................... 70° 00′ 3 ................ 42° 20′ ............................... 67° 40′ 4 ................ (2) ....................................... 67° 40′ 5 ................ (3) ....................................... 67° 40′ 6 ................ 43° 50′ ............................... 67° 40′ 7 ................ 43° 50′ ............................... (4) 8 ................ (4) ....................................... 67° 00′ 9 ................ (5) ....................................... 67° 00′ 1 Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary southern intersection with 67° 40′ W. long.). 3 U.S./Canada maritime boundary northern intersection with 67° 40′ W. long.). 4 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. 5 Intersection of the south-facing ME coastline and 67° 00′ W. long. (D) GB Haddock Stock Area. The GB Haddock Stock Area, for the purposes of identifying stock areas for trip lim its specified in § 648.86 and for deter mining areas applicable to sector allo cations of GB haddock ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, is de fined as the area bounded on the west by the coastline of the United States, on the south by a line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N. lat. until its intersection with the EEZ, on the east by the U.S./Cana dian maritime boundary, and bounded on the north by straight lines con necting the following points in the order stated: GB HADDOCK STOCK AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ................ (1) ....................................... 70° 00′ 2 ................ 42° 20′ ............................... 70° 00′ 3 ................ 42° 20′ ............................... (2) 1 Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70° 00′ W. long. 2 U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (E) Redfish Stock Area. The Redfish Stock Area, for the purposes of identi fying stock areas for trip limits speci fied in § 648.86 and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of redfish ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a rhumb line running from the east facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N. lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. (F) GOM Winter Flounder Stock Area. The GOM Winter Flounder Stock Area, for the purposes of identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86 and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of GOM winter floun der ACE pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated: GOM WINTER FLOUNDER STOCK AREA Point N. Latitude W. Longitude 1 ..................... (1) 70°00′ 2 ..................... 42°20′ 70°00′ 3 ..................... 42°20′ 67°40′ 4 ..................... (2) 67°40′ 5 ..................... (3) 67°40′ 6 ..................... 43°50′ 67°40′ 7 ..................... 43°50′ 4 8 ..................... (4) 67°00′ 9 ..................... (5) 67°00′ (1) Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W. long. (2) U.S./Canada maritime boundary (south ern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.) (3) U.S./Canada maritime boundary (north ern intersection with 67°40′ N. lat.) (4) U.S./Canada maritime boundary. (5) Intersection of the south-facing ME coast line and 67°00′ W. long. (iii) Sector AMs. At the end of the fishing year, NMFS shall evaluate sec tor catch using VTR, VMS, IVR, and any other available information to de termine whether a sector has exceeded any of its ACE allocations based upon the cumulative catch by participating permits/vessels, as identified in the final operations plan approved by the Regional Administrator pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, and each sector’s share of any overage of the overall ACL for any stock caused by excessive catch by other sub-compo nents of the fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5), if necessary. Should an ACE allocated to a sector be exceeded in a given fishing year, the sector’s ACE shall be reduced by the overage on a pound-for-pound basis during the fol lowing fishing year, and the sector, each vessel, vessel operator and/or ves sel owner participating in the sector 885 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 may be charged, as a result of said overages, jointly and severally for civil penalties and permit sanctions pursu ant to 15 CFR part 904. If an ACE allo cated to a sector is not exceeded in a given fishing year pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(iii), the sector’s ACE allocation shall not be reduced for the following fishing year as a result of an overage of an ACE by non-compliant sectors or an overage of sub-ACLs allo cated to common pool vessels, but may be reduced if the excessive catch of a particular stock by other sub-compo nents of the fishery causes the overall ACL of a particular stock to be exceed ed pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5). If declining stock conditions result in a need to re duce fishing mortality, and all sectors and common pool vessels have operated within their ACE or sub-ACL limits, a sector’s percentage share shall not be changed, but the amount this share represents may be reduced due to re duced overall ACL for a particular stock. If stock conditions improve, and certain sectors stay within their ACE while other sectors or the common pool exceed their respective ACEs or sub ACLs, the sectors that stay within their ACEs shall receive a temporary increase in ACE equal to the amount that other sectors or the common pool exceeded their ACE or sub-ACL, di vided among such sectors proportional to each sector’s share of the ACL avail able to vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit. (A) Overage penalty if there is suffi cient ACE to cover the overage. If a sec tor exceeds an ACE allocated to it dur ing the previous fishing year, but has sufficient ACE to address the overage pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(iii) based upon the cumulative PSCs of participating vessels during the fishing year following the overage, no overage penalty shall be applied to any member permit/vessel that leaves that sector to fish under the provisions of the com mon pool or in another sector in the year following the overage. Any im pacts to departing member permits/ vessels may be specified and addressed by the sector operations plan and asso ciated sector contract. (B) Overage penalty if there is insuffi cient ACE to cover an overage. If a sector exceeds an ACE allocated to it during the previous fishing year, but disbands in the year following the overage, or otherwise does not have sufficient ACE to address the overage pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(iii) based upon the cu mulative PSCs of permits/vessels par ticipating in that sector during the fishing year following the overage, in dividual permit holders that partici pated in the sector during the fishing year in which the overage occurred shall be responsible for reducing their DAS/PSC to account for that overage in the subsequent fishing year, as fol lows: (1) PSC reduction. If a sector disbands following an overage, and the owner of an individual permit joins another sec tor for the subsequent fishing year, that permit’s contribution toward the ACE for the stock for which the over age occurred to the other sector in the subsequent fishing year shall be re duced by an amount equal to the over age divided by the number of permits/ vessels participating in the sector dur ing the fishing year in which the over age occurred. For example, if a sector comprised of 10 permits/vessels exceed ed its GB cod ACE by 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) during the previous fishing year, but later disbands, each permit/vessel that was in that sector, but then joins an other sector during the following fish ing year shall have its contribution of GB cod to another sector temporarily reduced by 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) during the subsequent fishing year for the pur poses of calculating the available GB cod ACE allocated to another sector during that fishing year. (2) DAS reduction. If a sector disbands following an overage and the owner of an individual permit elects to fish under the provisions of the common pool during the subsequent fishing year, that permit/vessel’s NE multispe cies Category A DAS allocation for the subsequent fishing year shall be tempo rarily reduced by an amount propor tional to the highest percentage over age by that sector of any of the stocks for which an overage occurred. For ex ample, if a sector exceeded its GB cod ACE by 10 percent and its pollock ACE 886 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 by 15 percent, each permit would re ceive a 15-percent reduction in its Cat egory A DAS allocation for the subse quent fishing year if fishing under the provisions of the common pool. (3) Fishing prohibition. If a sector does not disband following an overage, but otherwise does not have sufficient ACE to cover an overage based upon the PSC of participating permits, that sec tor’s ACE for the stock for which the overage occurred shall be temporarily reduced to zero for the following fish ing year, and that sector shall be pro hibited from fishing on a sector trip in the stock area associated with the stock for which the ACE was exceeded during the following year, unless and until that sector can acquire sufficient ACE from another sector to cover the remaining overage from the previous fishing year. For example, if a sector comprised of 10 permits/vessels was al located 10 mt of GB cod ACE, but caught 25 mt during the previous fish ing year (i.e., it exceeded its GB cod ACE by 15 mt), each permit/vessel that participating in that sector during the following fishing year would have its GB cod PSC temporarily reduced to zero during the subsequent fishing year, and that sector would not be able to fish on a sector trip in the GB cod stock area until it could acquire at least an additional 5 mt of GB cod ACE from another sector (i.e., 15 mt over age—10 mt ACE for the following year = 5 mt overage remaining). (C) ACE buffer. At the beginning of each fishing year, NMFS shall withhold 20 percent of a sector’s ACE for each stock for a period of up to 61 days (i.e., through June 30), unless otherwise specified by NMFS, to allow time to process any ACE transfers submitted at the end of the fishing year pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(viii) of this section and to determine whether the ACE al located to any sector needs to be re duced, or any overage penalties need to be applied to individual permits/vessels in the current fishing year to accom modate an ACE overage by that sector during the previous fishing year, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. NMFS shall not withhold 20 percent of a sector’s ACE at the begin ning of a fishing year in which default specifications are in effect, as specified in § 648.90(a)(3). (iv) Sector enforcement—(A) Sector compliance and joint/several liability. Un less exempted through a letter of au thorization specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, each vessel operator and/or vessel owner fishing under an approved sector must comply with all NE multispecies management meas ures of this part and other applicable law. Each vessel and vessel operator and/or vessel owner participating in a sector must also comply with all appli cable requirements and conditions of the operations plan specified in para graph (b)(2) of this section and the let ter of authorization issued pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section. Pursu ant to 15 CFR part 904, each sector, per mit/vessel owner, and vessel operator participating in the sector may be charged jointly and severally for viola tions of the following sector operations plan requirements, which may result in an assessment of civil penalties and permit sanctions: ACE overages, dis carding of legal-sized NE multispecies, and misreporting of catch, including both landings and discards. For the purposes of enforcement, a sector is a legal entity that can be subject to NMFS enforcement action for viola tions of the regulations pertaining to sectors, as specified in this paragraph (b)(1)(iv). (B) Commitment to a sector. A permit/ vessel participating in a sector must remain in the sector for the remainder of the fishing year. Such permits/ves sels cannot fish under both the sector provisions and the provisions of the common pool during that same fishing year for any reason, including, but not limited to, expulsion from the sector pursuant to enforcement actions or other measures specified in an ap proved sector operations plan, vessel replacement, or permit/vessel sale to another owner. For example, if a per mit/vessel is sold by a sector partici pant during the fishing year, the new owner must comply with the sector regulations and the conditions of the sector operations plan, sector contract, or any other binding agreements among participating sector vessels for the remainder of the fishing year. If a permit/vessel has been expelled from a 887 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 sector, the sector must notify NMFS of such an expulsion immediately. Any permit/vessel, vessel operator, or vessel owner removed from a sector during a specific fishing year consistent with sector rules shall not be eligible to fish in another sector or under the NE multispecies regulations for common pool vessels specified in this part for the remainder of that fishing year. For the purposes of this paragraph, ‘‘per mit/vessel’’ refers to the fishing and landings history associated with a par ticular permit/vessel enrolled in a spe cific sector at the start of the fishing year that was used to calculate the PSC for that permit/vessel and con tribute to the ACE for each stock allo cated to that specific sector. (v) Sector monitoring. Each sector shall monitor catch by participating sector vessels to ensure that ACEs are not exceeded during the fishing year, as specified in this paragraph (b)(1)(v). The sector shall summarize trips vali dated by dealer reports; oversee the use of electronic monitoring equipment and review of associated data; main tain a database of VTR, dealer, ob server, and electronic monitoring re ports; determine all species landings by stock areas; apply discard estimates to landings; deduct catch from ACEs allo cated to sectors; and report sector catch on a weekly basis to NMFS, as required in paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (b)(1)(v), all catches of stocks allocated to sectors by vessels on a sector trip shall be deducted from the sector’s ACE for each NE multispe cies stock regardless of what the fish ery the vessel was participating in when the fish was caught. For the pur poses of this paragraph (b)(1)(v), any regulated species or ocean pout caught using gear capable of catching NE multispecies (i.e., gear not listed as ex empted gear under this part) would be deducted from a sector’s ACE if such catch contributed to the specification of PSC, as described in § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(E), and would not apply to another ACL sub-component pursu ant to § 648.90(a)(4). For example, any regulated species or ocean pout landed while fishing for or catching skates or monkfish pursuant to the regulations for those fisheries would be deducted from the sector’s ACE for each stock because such regulated species or ocean pout were caught while also operating under a NE multispecies DAS. How ever, if a sector vessel is issued a lim ited access General Category Atlantic Sea Scallop permit and fishes for scal lops under the provisions specific to that permit, any yellowtail flounder caught by the vessel on such trips would be deducted from the other sub component of the appropriate stock of yellowtail flounder’s ACL specified for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery and not from the yellowtail flounder ACE for the sector. (A) Discards. A sector vessel may not discard any legal-sized regulated spe cies or ocean pout allocated to sectors pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, unless otherwise required pur suant to § 648.86(l). Discards of under sized regulated species or ocean pout by a sector vessel must be reported to NMFS consistent with the reporting requirements specified in paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. Discards shall not be included in the information used to calculate a vessel’s PSC, as de scribed in § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(E), but shall be counted against a sector’s ACE for each NE multispecies stock allocated to a sector. (B) Independent third-party monitoring program. A sector must develop and im plement an at-sea or electronic moni toring program that is satisfactory to, and approved by, NMFS for monitoring catch and discards and utilization of sector ACE, as specified in this para graph (b)(1)(v)(B). The primary goal of the at-sea/electronic monitoring pro gram is to verify area fished, as well as catch and discards by species and gear type, in the most cost-effective means practicable. All other goals and objec tives of groundfish monitoring pro grams at § 648.11(l) are considered equally-weighted secondary goals. The details of any at-sea or electronic mon itoring program must be specified in the sector’s operations plan, pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(xi) of this section, and must meet the operational stand ards specified in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. Electronic monitoring may be used in place of at-sea monitors if the technology is deemed sufficient by NMFS for a specific trip type based 888 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 on gear type and area fished, in a man ner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. The level of coverage for trips by sector vessels is specified in paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1) of this sec tion. The at-sea/electronic monitoring program shall be reviewed and ap proved by the Regional Administrator as part of a sector’s operations plans in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. A service pro vider providing at-sea or electronic monitoring services pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B) must meet the service provider standards specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, and be approved by NMFS in a manner con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. (1) Coverage levels. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1)(i) of this section, any service provider providing at-sea or electronic monitoring serv ices required under this paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1) must provide coverage that is fair and equitable, and distrib uted in a statistically random manner among all trips such that coverage is representative of fishing activities by all vessels within each sector and by all operations of vessels operating in each sector throughout the fishing year. Coverage levels for an at-sea or electronic monitoring program, includ ing video review requirements, shall be specified by NMFS, pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1)(i) of this section, but shall be less than 100 percent of all sector trips. In the event that a NMFS sponsored observer and a third-party at-sea monitor are assigned to the same trip, only the NMFS observer must observe that trip. If an at-sea monitor is assigned to a particular trip, a vessel may not leave port with out the at-sea monitor on board. If a vessel is using electronic monitoring to comply with the monitoring require ments of this part, it may not leave port without an operational electronic monitoring system on board. (i) At-sea/electronic monitoring. Cov erage levels must be sufficient to at least meet the coefficient of variation specified in the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology at the overall stock level for each stock of regulated species and ocean pout, and to monitor sector operations, to the extent prac ticable, in order to reliably estimate overall catch by sector vessels. In mak ing its determination, NMFS shall take into account the primary goal of the at-sea/electronic monitoring program to verify area fished, as well as catch and discards by species and gear type, in the most cost-effective means prac ticable, the equally-weighted sec ondary goals and objectives of ground fish monitoring programs detailed at § 648.11(l), the National Standards and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and any other relevant factors. NMFS will determine the total target coverage level (i.e., combined NEFOP coverage and at-sea/electronic moni toring coverage) for the upcoming fish ing year using the criteria in this para graph. Annual coverage levels will be based on the most recent 3-year aver age of the total required coverage level necessary to reach the required coeffi cient of variation for each stock. For example, if data from the 2012 through 2014 fishing years are the most recent three complete fishing years available for the fishing year 2016 projection, NMFS will use data from these three years to determine 2016 target coverage levels. For each stock, the coverage level needed to achieve the required co efficient of variation would be cal culated first for each of the 3 years and then averaged (e.g., (percent coverage necessary to meet the required coeffi cient of variation in year 1 + year 2 + year 3)/3). The coverage level that will apply is the maximum stock-specific rate after considering the following criteria. For a given fishing year, stocks that are not overfished, with overfishing not occurring according to the most recent available stock assess ment, and that in the previous fishing year have less than 75 percent of the sector sub-ACL harvested and less than 10 percent of catch comprised of dis cards, will not be used to predict the annual target coverage level. A stock must meet all of these criteria to be eliminated as a predictor for the an nual target coverage level for a given year. (ii) A sector vessel that declares its intent to exclusively fish using gillnets with a mesh size of 10-inch (25.4-cm) or greater in either the Inshore GB Stock Area, as defined at § 648.10(k)(3)(ii), and/ 889 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 or the SNE Broad Stock Area, as de fined at § 648.10(k)(3)(iv), is not subject to the coverage level specified in this paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1) of this section provided that the trip is limited to the Inshore GB and/or SNE Broad Stock Areas and that the vessel only uses gillnets with a mesh size of 10-inches (25.4-cm) or greater. When on such a trip, other gear may be on board pro vided that it is stowed and not avail able for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. A sector trip fishing with 10 inch (25.4-cm) mesh or larger gillnets will still be subject to the annual cov erage level if the trip declares its in tent to fish in any part of the trip in the GOM Stock area, as defined at § 648.10(k)(3)(i), or the Offshore GB Stock Area, as defined at § 648.10(k)(3)(iii). (2) Hail reports. For the purposes of the at-sea monitoring requirements specified in paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B) of this section, sector vessels must sub mit all hail reports for a sector trip in which the NE multispecies catch ap plies against the ACE allocated to a sector, as specified in this part, to serv ice providers offering at-sea moni toring services. The mechanism and timing of the transmission of such hail reports must be consistent with in structions provided by the Regional Administrator for any at-sea or elec tronic monitoring program required by paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B) of this section, or specified in the annual sector oper ations plan, consistent with paragraph (b)(5) of this section. (3) Notification of service provider change. If, for any reason, a sector de cides to change approved service pro viders used to provide at-sea or elec tronic monitoring services required in this paragraph (b)(1)(v), the sector manager must first inform NMFS in writing in advance of the effective date of the change in approved service pro viders in conjunction with the submis sion of the next weekly sector catch re port specified in paragraph (b)(1)(vi)(B) of this section. A sector may employ more than one service provider at any time, provided any service provider employed by a sector meets the stand ards specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section. (vi) Sector reporting requirements. In addition to the other reporting/record keeping requirements specified in this part, a sector’s vessels must comply with the reporting requirements speci fied in this paragraph (b)(1)(vi). (A) VMS declarations and trip-level catch reports. Prior to each sector trip, a sector vessel must declare into broad stock areas in which the vessel fishes and submit the VTR serial number as sociated with that trip pursuant to § 648.10(k). The sector vessel must also submit a VMS catch report detailing regulated species and ocean pout catch by statistical area when fishing in mul tiple broad stock areas on the same trip, pursuant to § 648.10(k). (B) Weekly catch report. Each sector must submit weekly reports to NMFS stating the remaining balance of ACE allocated to each sector based upon regulated species and ocean pout land ings and discards of vessels partici pating in that sector and any compli ance/enforcement concerns. These re ports must include at least the fol lowing information, as instructed by the Regional Administrator: Week end ing date; species, stock area, gear, number of trips, reported landings (landed pounds and live pounds), dis cards (live pounds), total catch (live pounds), status of the sector’s ACE (pounds remaining and percent remain ing), and whether this is a new or up dated record of sector catch for each NE multispecies stock allocated to that particular sector; sector enforce ment issues; and a list of vessels land ing for that reporting week. These weekly catch reports must be sub mitted no later than 0700 hr on the sec ond Monday after the reporting week, as defined in this part. The frequency of these reports must be increased to more than a weekly submission when the balance of remaining ACE is low, as specified in the sector operations plan and approved by NMFS. If re quested, sectors must provide detailed trip-by-trip catch data to NMFS for the purposes of auditing sector catch monitoring data based upon guidance provided by the Regional Adminis trator. (C) Year-end report. An approved sec tor must submit an annual year-end re port to NMFS and the Council, no later 890 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 than 60 days after the end of the fish ing year, that summarizes the fishing activities of participating permits/ves sels, which must include at least the following information: Catch, includ ing landings and discards, of all species by sector vessels; the permit number of each sector vessel that fished for regu lated species or ocean pout; the number of vessels that fished for non-regulated species or ocean pout; the method used to estimate discards by sector vessels; the landing port used by sector vessels; enforcement actions; and other rel evant information required to evaluate the biological, economic, and social impacts of sectors and their fishing op erations consistent with confiden tiality requirements of applicable law. (vii) Interaction with other fisheries— (A) Use of DAS. A sector vessel must comply with all measures specified for another fishery pursuant to this part, including any requirement to use a NE multispecies DAS. If the regulations of another fishery require the use of a NE multispecies DAS, the DAS allocation and accrual provisions specified in § 648.82(d) and (e), respectively, apply to each trip by a sector vessel, as applica ble. For example, if a sector vessel is also issued a limited access monkfish Category C permit and is required to use a NE multispecies DAS concurrent with a monkfish DAS under this part, any NE multispecies DAS used by the sector vessel accrues, as specified in § 648.82(e)(1)(ii) based upon the vessel’s NE multispecies DAS allocation cal culated pursuant to § 648.82(d)(1)(iv)(B). (B) Availability of ACE. Notwith standing the requirements in para graph (b)(1)(vii)(A) of this section, if a sector has not been allocated or does not acquire sufficient ACE available to cover the catch of a particular stock of NE multispecies while participating in another fishery in which such catch would apply to the ACE allocated to a sector, vessels participating in that sector cannot participate in those other fisheries unless NMFS has ap proved a sector operations plan that ensures that regulated species or ocean pout will not be caught while partici pating in these other fisheries. (viii) ACE transfers. All or a portion of a sector’s ACE for any NE multispe cies stock may be transferred to an other sector at any time during the fishing year and up to 2 weeks into the following fishing year (i.e., through May 14), unless otherwise instructed by NMFS, to cover any overages during the previous fishing year. A sector is not required to transfer ACE to an other sector. An ACE transfer only be comes effective upon approval by NMFS, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(viii)(B) of this section. (A) Application to transfer ACE. ACE may be transferred from one sector to another through written request to the Regional Administrator. This request must include the name of the sectors involved, the amount of each ACE to be transferred, the fishing year in which the ACE transfer applies, and the amount of compensation received for any ACE transferred, as instructed by the Regional Administrator. (B) Approval of an ACE transfer re quest. NMFS shall approve/disapprove a request to transfer ACE based upon compliance by each sector and its par ticipating vessels with the reporting requirements specified in this part. The Regional Administrator shall inform both sectors in writing whether the ACE transfer request has been ap proved within 2 weeks of the receipt of the ACE transfer request. (C) Duration of transfer. Notwith standing ACE carried over into the next fishing year pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(i)(C) of this section, ACE transferred pursuant to this paragraph (b)(1)(viii) is only valid for the fishing year in which the transfer is approved, with the exception of ACE transfer re quests that are submitted up to 2 weeks into the subsequent fishing year to address any potential ACE overages from the previous fishing year, as pro vided in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this sec tion, unless otherwise instructed by NMFS. (ix) Trip limits. With the exception of stocks listed in § 648.86(1) and the At lantic halibut trip limit at § 648.86(c), a sector vessel is not limited in the amount of allocated NE multispecies stocks that can be harvested on a par ticular fishing trip, unless otherwise specified in the operations plan. (2) Operations plan and sector contract. To be approved to operate, each sector must submit an operations plan and 891 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 preliminary sector contract to the Re gional Administrator no later than September 1 prior to the fishing year in which the sector intends to begin oper ations, unless otherwise instructed by NMFS. A final roster, sector contract, and list of Federal and state permits held by participating vessels for each sector must be submitted by December 1 prior to the fishing year in which the sector intends to begin operations, un less otherwise instructed by NMFS. The operations plan may cover a 1- or 2-year period, provided the analysis re quired in paragraph (b)(3) of this sec tion is sufficient to assess the impacts of sector operations during the 2-year period and that sector membership, or any other parameter that may affect sector operations during the second year of the approved operations plan, does not differ to the point where the impacts analyzed by the supporting NEPA document are compromised. Each vessel and vessel operator and/or vessel owner participating in a sector must agree to and comply with all ap plicable requirements and conditions of the operations plan specified in this paragraph (b)(2) and the letter of au thorization issued pursuant to para graph (c)(2) of this section. It shall be unlawful to violate any such conditions and requirements unless such condi tions or restrictions are identified in an approved operations plan as admin istrative only. If a proposed sector does not comply with the requirements of this paragraph (b)(2), NMFS may de cline to propose for approval such sec tor operations plans, even if the Coun cil has approved such sector. At least the following elements must be con tained in either the final operations plan or sector contract submitted to NMFS: (i) A list of all parties, vessels, and vessel owners who will participate in the sector; (ii) A list of all Federal and state per mits held by persons participating in the sector, including an indication for each permit whether it is enrolled and will actively fish in a sector, or will be subject to the provisions of the com mon pool; (iii) A contract signed by all sector participants indicating their agree ment to abide by the operations plan; (iv) The name of a designated rep resentative or agent of the sector for service of process; (v) If applicable, a plan for consolida tion or redistribution of ACE detailing the quantity and duration of such con solidation or redistribution within the sector; (vi) A list of the specific management rules the sector participants will agree to abide by in order to avoid exceeding the allocated ACE for each stock, in cluding a plan of operations or ces sation of operations once the ACEs of one or more stocks are harvested and detailed plans for enforcement of the sector rules; (vii) A plan that defines the proce dures by which members of the sector that do not abide by the rules of the sector will be disciplined or removed from the sector, and a procedure for notifying NMFS of such expulsions from the sector; (viii) If applicable, a plan of how the ACE allocated to the sector is assigned to each vessel; (ix) If the operations plan is incon sistent with, or outside the scope of the NEPA analysis associated with the sec tor proposal/framework adjustment as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this sec tion, a supplemental NEPA analysis may be required with the operations plan; (x) Detailed information about over age penalties or other actions that will be taken if a sector exceeds its ACE for any stock; (xi) Detailed plans for the monitoring and reporting of landings and discards by sector participants, including, but not limited to, detailed information de scribing the sector’s at-sea/electronic monitoring program for monitoring utilization of ACE allocated to that sector; identification of the inde pendent third-party service providers employed by the sector to provide at sea/electronic monitoring services; the mechanism and timing of any hail re ports; a list of specific ports where par ticipating vessels will land fish, with specific exemptions noted for safety, weather, etc., allowed, provided the sector provides reasonable notification to NMFS concerning a deviation from 892 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 the listed ports; and any other infor mation about such a program required by NMFS; (xii) ACE thresholds that may trigger revisions to sector operations to ensure allocated ACE is not exceeded, and de tails regarding the sector’s plans for notifying NMFS once the specified ACE threshold has been reached; (xiii) Identification of any potential redirection of effort into other fish eries expected as a result of sector op erations, and, if necessary, proposed limitations to eliminate any adverse effects expected from such redirection of effort; (xiv) If applicable, description of how regulated species and ocean pout will be avoided while participating in other fisheries that have a bycatch of regu lated species or ocean pout if the sector does not have sufficient ACE for stocks of regulated species or ocean pout caught as bycatch in those fisheries, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(vii)(B) of this section; and (xv) A list of existing regulations that the sector is requesting exemption from during the following fishing year pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this sec tion. (3) NEPA analysis. In addition to the documents required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, before NMFS can approve a sector to operate during a particular fishing year, each sector must develop and submit to NMFS, in conjunction with the yearly operations plan and sector contract, an appropriate NEPA analysis assessing the impacts of forming the sector and operating under the measures described in the sector operations plan. (4) Independent third-party monitoring provider standards. Any service provider intending to provide at-sea/electronic monitoring services described in para graph (b)(1)(v) of this section must apply to and be approved/certified by NMFS in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. NMFS shall approve/certify service providers, at-sea monitors, or video reviewers as eligible to provide sector monitoring services specified in this part and can disapprove/decertify service providers, individual at-sea monitors, or video re viewers through notice in writing to individual service providers/monitors/ video reviewers if the following criteria are no longer being met: (i) Service provider information. As part of the application for service pro vider approval/certification, potential service providers must include at least the following information: (A) Identification of corporate struc ture, including the names and duties of controlling interests in the company such as owners, board members, au thorized agents, and staff; and articles of incorporation, or a partnership agreement, as appropriate; (B) Contact information for official correspondence and communication with any other office; (C) A statement, signed under pen alty of perjury, from each owner, board member, and officer that they are free from a conflict of interest with fishing related parties including, but not lim ited to, vessels, dealers, shipping com panies, sectors, sector managers, advo cacy groups, or research institutions and will not accept, directly or indi rectly, any gratuity, gift, favor, enter tainment, loan, or anything of mone tary value from such parties; (D) A statement, signed under pen alty of perjury, from each owner, board member, and officer describing any criminal convictions, Federal con tracts they have had, and the perform ance rating they received on the con tract, and previous decertification ac tion while working as an observer, at sea monitor, or video reviewer; or as an observer, at-sea, or electronic moni toring service provider; (E) A description of any prior experi ence the applicant may have in placing individuals or monitoring equipment in remote field and/or marine work envi ronments including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, deployment, equip ment installation and maintenance, and personnel administration; (F) A description of the applicant’s ability to carry out the responsibilities and duties of a sector monitoring serv ice provider and the arrangements to be used, including whether the service provider is able to offer at-sea or elec tronic monitoring services; (G) Evidence of holding insurance specified at § 600.748(b) and (c) of this chapter. 893 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 (H) Proof of benefits and personnel services provided in accordance with the terms of each monitor’s or elec tronic monitoring staff’s contract or employment status; (I) Proof that the service provider’s at-sea monitors or video reviewers have passed an adequate training course sponsored by the service pro viders to the extent not funded by NMFS that is consistent with the cur riculum used in the current yearly NEFOP training course, unless other wise specified by NMFS; (J) An Emergency Action Plan de scribing the provider’s response to an emergency with any at-sea monitor or electronic monitoring staff, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, harassment, or intimidation; and (K) Evidence that the company is in good financial standing; (ii) Service provider performance re quirements. At-sea and electronic moni toring service providers must be able to document compliance with the fol lowing criteria and requirements: (A) A service provider must establish and carry out a comprehensive plan to deploy NMFS-certified at-sea mon itors, or other at-sea monitoring mech anism, such as electronic monitoring equipment that is approved by NMFS, according to a prescribed coverage level (or level of precision for catch es timation), as specified by NMFS, in cluding all of the necessary vessel re porting/notice requirements to facili tate such deployment, as follows: (1) A service provider must be avail able to industry 24 hr per day, 7 days per week, with the telephone system monitored a minimum of four times daily to ensure rapid response to indus try requests; (2) A service provider must be able to deploy at-sea monitors, or other ap proved at-sea monitoring mechanism to all ports in which service is required by sectors, or a subset of ports as part of a contract with a particular sector; (3) A service provider must report at sea monitors and other approved at-sea monitoring mechanism deployments to NMFS and the sector manager in a timely manner to determine whether the predetermined coverage levels are being achieved for the appropriate sec tor; (4) A service provider must assign at sea monitors and other approved at-sea monitoring mechanisms without re gard to any preference by the sector manager or representatives of vessels other than when the service is needed and the availability of approved/cer tified monitors and other at-sea moni toring mechanisms; (5) A service provider’s at-sea mon itor assignment must be fair, equi table, representative of fishing activi ties within each sector, and able to monitor fishing activity throughout the fishing year; (6) For service providers offering catch estimation or at-sea or elec tronic monitoring services, a service provider must be able to determine an estimate of discards for each trip and provide such information to the sector manager and NMFS, as required by this section. (B) The service provider must ensure that at-sea monitors or video reviewers remain available to NMFS, including NMFS Office for Law Enforcement, for debriefing for at least 2 weeks fol lowing any monitored trip/offload or electronic monitoring trip report sub mission. Electronic monitoring service providers must ensure that electronic monitoring data and reports are re tained for a minimum of 12 months after catch data is finalized for the fishing year. NMFS will notify pro viders of the catch data finalization date each year. The service provider must provide NMFS access to elec tronic monitoring data upon request; (C) The service provider must report possible at-sea or electronic moni toring staff harassment; discrimina tion; concerns about vessel safety or marine casualty; injury; and any infor mation, allegations, or reports regard ing at-sea or electronic monitoring staff conflict of interest or breach of the standards of behavior to NMFS and/or the sector manager, as specified by NMFS; (D) The service provider must submit to NMFS, if requested, a copy of each signed and valid contract (including all attachments, appendices, addendums, and exhibits incorporated into the con tract) between the service provider and 894 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 those entities requiring services (i.e., sectors and participating vessels) and between the service provider and spe cific dockside, roving, at-sea, or elec tronic monitoring staff; (E) The service provider must submit to NMFS, if requested, copies of any in formation developed and used by the service providers distributed to vessels, such as informational pamphlets, pay ment notification, description of du ties, etc.; (F) A service provider may refuse to deploy an at-sea monitor or other ap proved at-sea monitoring mechanism on a requesting fishing vessel for any reason including, but not limited to, the following: (1) If the service provider does not have an available at-sea monitor or other at-sea monitoring mechanism ap proved by NMFS within the advanced notice requirements established by the service provider; (2) If the service provider is not given adequate notice of vessel departure or landing from the sector manager or participating vessels, as specified by the service provider; (3) For the purposes of at-sea moni toring, if the service provider has de termined that the requesting vessel is inadequate or unsafe pursuant to the reasons described in § 600.746; and (4) Failure to pay for previous de ployments of at-sea monitors, or other approved at-sea monitoring mecha nism. (G) With the exception of a service provider offering reporting, dockside, at-sea, or electronic monitoring serv ices to participants of another fishery managed under Federal regulations, a service provider’s owner(s), board member(s), and officers must not have a direct or indirect interest in a fishery managed under Federal regulations, in cluding, but not limited to, fishing ves sels, dealers, shipping companies, sec tors, sector managers, advocacy groups, or research institutions and may not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gratuity, gift, favor, en tertainment, loan, or anything of mon etary value from anyone who conducts fishing or fishing-related activities that are regulated by NMFS, or who has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non performance of the official duties of service providers; (H) A system to record, retain, and distribute the following information to NMFS, as requested, for a period speci fied by NMFS, including: (1) At-sea monitor and other ap proved monitoring equipment deploy ment or video review levels, including the number of refusals and reasons for such refusals; (2) Incident/non-compliance reports (e.g., failure to offload catch); and (3) Hail reports, landings records, and other associated interactions with ves sels and dealers. (4) Electronic monitoring data and reports. (I) A means to protect the confiden tiality and privacy of data submitted by vessels, as required by the Magnu son-Stevens Act; and (J) A service provider must be able to supply at-sea monitors with sufficient safety and data-gathering equipment, as specified by NMFS. (iii) Standards for individual at-sea monitors. For an individual to be ap proved/certified as an at-sea monitor, the service provider must demonstrate that each potential monitor meets the following criteria: (A) A high school diploma or legal equivalent; (B) Successful completion of all NMFS-required training and briefings before deployment; (C) Physical and mental capacity for carrying out the responsibilities of an at-sea monitor on board fishing vessels, pursuant to standards established by NMFS such as being certified by a phy sician to be physically fit to work as an at-sea monitor after consideration of at least the following work-related issues: (1) Susceptibility to chronic motion sickness; (2) Ability to live in confined quar ters; (3) Ability to tolerate stress; (4) Ability to lift and carry heavy ob jects up to 50 lb (22.7 kg); (5) Ability to drag heavy objects up to 200 lb (90.7 kg); and (6) Ability to climb a ladder. (D) A current Red Cross (or equiva lent) CPR/first aid certification; 895 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 (E) Absence of fisheries-related con victions, based upon a thorough back ground check; and (F) Independence from fishing-related parties including, but not limited to, vessels, dealers, shipping companies, sectors, sector managers, advocacy groups, or research institutions to pre vent conflicts of interest. (iv) Standards for individual electronic monitoring video reviewers. For an indi vidual to be approved/certified as an electronic monitoring video reviewer, the service provider must demonstrate that each potential reviewer meets the requirements described in paragraphs (b)(4)(iii)(A), (B), (E), and (F) of this section. (5) At-sea/electronic monitoring oper ational standards. In addition to the independent third-party monitoring provider standards specified in para graph (b)(4) of this section, any at-sea/ electronic monitoring program devel oped as part of a sector’s yearly oper ations plan pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B) of this section must meet the following operational standards to be approved by NMFS: (i) Gear. Each at-sea monitor must be provided with all of the equipment specified by the Northeast Fisheries At-sea Monitoring Program. A list of such equipment is available from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center upon request. At-sea/electronic moni toring service providers are responsible for the cost of providing such gear to at-sea monitors to the extent not fund ed by NMFS. This gear shall be in spected by NMFS upon the completion of training required pursuant to para graph (b)(4)(i)(I) of this section. (ii) Vessel selection protocol. An at-sea/ electronic monitoring program service provider must develop a formal vessel selection protocol to deploy at-sea monitors and electronic monitoring equipment in a statistically random manner consistent with the coverage levels required pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1) of this section. This pro tocol must include a method to allow for waivers in specific circumstances, including how waivers would be re quested, assessed, and recorded. (iii) Reporting/recordkeeping require ments—(A) Vessel requirements—(1) Pre trip notification. In addition to all other reporting/recordkeeping requirements specified in this part, to facilitate the deployment of at-sea monitors and electronic monitoring equipment pur suant to paragraph (b)(1)(v)(B)(1) of this section, the operator of a vessel fishing on a sector trip must provide at-sea/electronic monitoring service providers with at least the following information: The vessel name, permit number, trip ID number in the form of the VTR serial number of the first VTR page for that trip or another trip iden tifier specified by NMFS, whether a monkfish DAS will be used, and an es timate of the date/time of departure in advance of each trip. The timing of such notice shall be sufficient to allow ample time for the service provider to determine whether an at-sea monitor or electronic monitoring equipment will be deployed on each trip and allow the at-sea monitor or electronic moni toring equipment to prepare for the trip and get to port, or to be installed on the vessel, respectively. The details of the timing, method (e.g., phone, email, etc.), and information needed for such pre-trip notifications shall be included as part of a sector’s yearly op erations plan. If a vessel has been in formed by a service provider that an at-sea monitor or electronic moni toring equipment has been assigned to a particular trip pursuant to paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, the ves sel may not leave port to begin that trip until the at-sea monitor has ar rived and boarded the vessel, or the electronic monitoring equipment has been properly installed. (2) Electronic monitoring system re quirements. A vessel operator using electronic monitoring to meet sector monitoring requirements must ensure that the electronic monitoring system is operational for every trip, including: (i) Ensuring that the electronic moni toring system is operating, recording, and retaining the recording for the du ration of every trip. A vessel must not fish without an operational electronic monitoring system recording and re taining the recording of activity on board, unless issued a waiver by NMFS; (ii) Conducting a system check of the electronic monitoring system prior to departing on a fishing trip to ensure it is fully operational, including ensuring 896 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 there is sufficient video storage capac ity to retain the recording of the entire fishing trip; (iii) Ensuring camera views are unob structed and clear, including ensuring lighting is sufficient in all cir cumstances to illuminate catch, so that catch and discards are visible and may be identified and quantified as re quired; and (iv) Ensuring that no person tampers with, disconnects, or destroys any part of the electronic monitoring system, associated equipment, or recorded data. (3) Vessel monitoring plan requirements for electronic monitoring vessels. A vessel must have a NMFS-approved vessel monitoring plan to meet sector moni toring requirements. (i) The vessel monitoring plan must be onboard the vessel at all times. (ii) The vessel operator and crew must comply with all catch handling protocols and other requirements de scribed in the vessel monitoring plan, including sorting catch and processing any discards within view of the cam eras and consistent with the vessel monitoring plan. (iii) Modifications to any vessel mon itoring plan must be approved by NMFS prior to such vessel fishing under the conditions of the new vessel monitoring plan. (iv) A vessel owner or operator using electronic monitoring to meet sector monitoring requirements must submit all electronic monitoring data to the service provider in accordance with the electronic monitoring program require ments specified by NMFS. (v) A vessel owner or operator must make the electronic monitoring sys tem, associated equipment, electronic monitoring data, or vessel monitoring plan available to NMFS for inspection, upon request. (B) At-sea/electronic monitoring service provider requirements—(1) Confirmation of pre-trip notification. Upon receipt of a pre-trip notification pursuant to para graph (b)(5)(iii)(A) of this section, the service provider shall inform the vessel operator whether the vessel will be monitored by an at-sea observer or electronic monitoring equipment for that trip, or will be issued an at-sea/ electronic monitoring waiver for that trip based upon the vessel selection protocol specified in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section. (2) At-sea/electronic monitoring report. A report detailing area fished and the amount of each species kept and dis carded shall be submitted electroni cally in a standard acceptable form to the appropriate sector and NMFS with in 48 hour of the completion of the trip, or as otherwise instructed by the Re gional Administrator. The data ele ments to be collected and the format for submission shall be specified by NMFS and distributed to all approved at-sea/electronic monitoring service providers and sectors. At-sea/electronic monitoring data shall not be accepted until such data pass automated NMFS data quality checks. (iv) Safety hazards—(A)Vessel require ments. The operator of a sector vessel must detail and identify any safety hazards to any at-sea monitor assigned pursuant to paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(B)(1) of this section prior to leaving port. A vessel cannot begin a trip if it has failed a review of safety issues pursu ant to paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B) of this section, until the identified safety defi ciency has been resolved, pursuant to § 600.746(i). (B) At-sea monitoring service provider requirements. An at-sea monitor must complete a pre-trip vessel safety checklist provided by NMFS before an at-sea monitor can leave port onboard a vessel on a sector trip. If the vessel fails a review of safety issues pursuant to this paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B), an at sea monitor cannot be deployed on that vessel for that trip. (v) Adjustment to operational stand ards. The at-sea/electronic monitoring operational standards specified in para graph (b)(5) of this section may be re vised by the Regional Administrator in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. (c) Approval of a sector and granting of exemptions by the Regional Adminis trator. (1) Once the Regional Adminis trator has made a preliminary deter mination that the documents sub mitted pursuant to paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section appear to comply with the requirements of this section, NMFS may consult with the Council and approve or disapprove 897 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 sector operations consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable law. (2) If a sector is approved, the Re gional Administrator shall issue a let ter of authorization to each vessel op erator and/or vessel owner partici pating in the sector. The letter of au thorization shall authorize participa tion in the sector operations and may exempt participating vessels from any Federal fishing regulation imple menting the NE multispecies FMP, ex cept those specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, in order to allow vessels to fish in accordance with an approved operations plan, pro vided such exemptions are consistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP. The letter of authorization may also include requirements and condi tions deemed necessary to ensure effec tive administration of, and compliance with, the operations plan and the sec tor allocation. Solicitation of public comment on, and NMFS final deter mination on such exemptions shall be consistent with paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section. (i) Regulations that may not be exempt ed for sector participants. The Regional Administrator may not exempt partici pants in a sector from the following Federal fishing regulations: Specific times and areas within the NE multi species year-round closure areas; per mitting restrictions (e.g., vessel up grades, etc.); gear restrictions designed to minimize habitat impacts (e.g., roll er gear restrictions, etc.); reporting re quirements; and AMs specified in § 648.90(a)(5)(i)(D). For the purposes of this paragraph (c)(2)(i), the DAS re porting requirements specified in § 648.82, the SAP-specific reporting re quirements specified in § 648.85, VMS requirements for Handgear A category permitted vessels as specified in § 648.10, and the reporting requirements associated with a dockside monitoring program are not considered reporting requirements, and the Regional Admin istrator may exempt sector partici pants from these requirements as part of the approval of yearly operations plans. For the purpose of this para graph (c)(2)(i), the Regional Adminis trator may not grant sector partici pants exemptions from the NE multi species year-round closures areas de fined as Habitat Management Areas as defined in § 648.370; Closed Area I North and Closed Area II, as defined in § 648.81(c)(3) and (4), respectively, dur ing the period February 16 through April 30; and the Western GOM Closure Area, as defined at § 648.81(a)(4), where it overlaps with GOM Cod Protection Closures I through III, as defined in § 648.81(d)(4). This list may be modified through a framework adjustment, as specified in § 648.90. (A) Fippennies Ledge Area. The Fippennies Ledge Area is bounded by the following coordinates, connected by straight lines in the order listed: FIPPENNIES LEDGE AREA Point N. latitude W. longitude 1 ......................................... 42°50.0′ 69°17.0′ 2 ......................................... 42°44.0′ 69°14.0′ 3 ......................................... 42°44.0′ 69°18.0′ 4 ......................................... 42°50.0′ 69°21.0′ 1 ......................................... 42°50.0′ 69°17.0′ (B) [Reserved] (ii) Universal sector exemptions. All sector vessels are exempt from the fol lowing Federal fishing regulations under this part: (A) Trip limits on NE multispecies stocks for which a sector receives an allocation of ACE pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(i) of this section (i.e., all stocks except Atlantic halibut, ocean pout, windowpane flounder, and Atlan tic wolffish); (B) The GOM Cod Protection Closures IV and V specified in § 648.81(d)(4)(iv) and (v); (C) NE multispecies DAS restrictions other than those required to comply with effort controls in other fisheries, as specified in §§ 648.92 and 648.322; (D) The minimum codend mesh size restrictions for trawl gear specified in § 648.80(a)(4)(i) when using a haddock separator trawl defined in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii) or the Ruhle trawl de fined in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) within the GB RMA, as defined in § 648.80(a)(2), provided sector vessels use a codend with 6-inch (15.2-cm) minimum mesh; and (E) The minimum codend mesh size restrictions for trawl gear specified in § 648.80(a)(3)(i) or (a)(4)(i) when fishing in compliance with the provisions of 898 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.87 the Redfish Exemption Program de fined in § 648.85(e)(1). (3) The Regional Administrator may withdraw approval of a sector, after consultation with the Council, at any time, if it is determined that sector participants are not complying with the requirements of an approved oper ations plan or that the continuation of the operations plan will undermine achievement of fishing mortality ob jectives of the FMP. Withdrawal of ap proval of a sector may only be done in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act and other appli cable law. (4) Any sector may submit a written request to amend its approved oper ations plan to the Regional Adminis trator. If the amendment is adminis trative in nature, within the scope of and consistent with the actions and impacts previously considered for cur rent sector operations, the Regional Administrator may approve an admin istrative amendment in writing. The Regional Administrator may approve substantive changes to an approved op erations plan in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable law. All approved operations plan amendments will be published on the regional office Web site and will be provided to the Coun cil. (d) Approved sector allocation pro posals. Eligible NE multispecies ves sels, as specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, may participate in the sectors identified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (26) of this section, provided the operations plan is approved by the Regional Administrator in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section and each participating vessel and vessel op erator and/or vessel owner complies with the requirements of the oper ations plan, the requirements and con ditions specified in the letter of au thorization issued pursuant to para graph (c) of this section, and all other requirements specified in this section. All operational aspects of these sectors shall be specified pursuant to the oper ations plan and sector contract, as re quired by this section. (1) GB Cod Hook Sector. (2) GB Cod Fixed Gear Sector. (3) Mooncusser Sector. (4) Sustainable Harvest Sector. (5) Sustainable Harvest Sector II. (6) Sustainable Harvest Sector III. (7) Port Clyde Community Ground fish Sector. (8) Northeast Fishery Sector I. (9) Northeast Fishery Sector II. (10) Northeast Fishery Sector III. (11) Northeast Fishery Sector IV. (12) Northeast Fishery Sector V. (13) Northeast Fishery Sector VI. (14) Northeast Fishery Sector VII. (15) Northeast Fishery Sector VIII. (16) Northeast Fishery Sector IX. (17) Northeast Fishery Sector X. (18) Northeast Fishery Sector XI. (19) Northeast Fishery Sector XII. (20) Northeast Fishery Sector XIII. (21) Tristate Sector. (22) Northeast Coastal Communities Sector. (23) State of Maine Permit Banking Sector. (24) State of Rhode Island Permit Bank Sector. (25) State of New Hampshire Permit Bank Sector. (26) State of Massachusetts Permit Bank Sector. (e) State-operated permit bank. A state operated permit bank must meet and is subject to the following requirements and conditions: (1) The state-operated permit bank must be initially established using a Federal grant award from NOAA through a valid Memorandum of Agree ment (MOA) with NMFS and the state must maintain and comply with such MOA. The MOA must contain and the state must comply with at least the following requirements and conditions: (i) The state may not associate a state-operated permit bank permit with a vessel engaged in any fishing or other on-the-water activities; (ii) The state must establish the min imum eligibility criteria to determine whether a sector and its associated ves sels are qualified to receive either ACE or DAS from the state-operated permit bank; (iii) The state must identify a pro gram contact person for the state agen cy administering the state-operated permit bank; (iv) The state must provide to NMFS a list of all permits held by the state under the aegis of the state-operated 899 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.87 permit bank, and declare which per mits will be used in the coming fishing year for exclusively DAS leasing to common pool vessels and which per mits are to be used exclusively for transferring ACE to sectors (including the leasing of DAS to sector vessels for the purpose of complying with the re quirements of other FMPs); and (v) The state must prepare and sub mit an annual performance report to NMFS, and that said performance re port must include, at a minimum, the following elements: (A) A comprehensive listing of all permits held by the state-operated per mit bank, identifying whether a permit was used for ACE transfers to sectors (including DAS leases to the sector members) or DAS leases to common pool vessels, the total amount of ACE, by stock, and DAS available to the state-operated permit bank for trans fers and leases to sectors and common pool vessels; (B) A comprehensive listing of all sectors to which ACE was transferred from the state-operated permit bank, including the amount, by stock, of ACE transferred to each sector, including a list of all vessels that harvested the ACE transferred to the sector and the amounts harvested; (C) A comprehensive listing of all sector vessels to which DAS were leased from the state-operated permit bank, including the number of DAS leased to each sector vessel; and (D) A comprehensive listing of all common pool vessels to which DAS were leased from the state-operated permit bank, including the number of DAS leased to each common pool ves sel. (2) Eligibility. If a state is issued a permit that meets sector eligibility re quirements, as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, such permit may be held by a state-operated permit bank. (3) Allocation and utilization of ACE— (i) Allocation of ACE. The amount of ACE allocated to a state-operated per mit bank shall be derived from the per mits appropriately declared by the state to be ‘‘ACE permits,’’ pursuant to paragraph (e)(1)(i)(v) of this section, for the fishing year and allocated on a stock-by-stock basis pursuant to para graph (b)(1)(i) of this section. (ii) Acquiring ACE. Except as provided in this paragraph, a state-operated per mit bank may not acquire ACE for a fishing year through a transfer from a sector. If ACE is transferred to a sector from a state-operated permit bank, NMFS may authorize the return of the unused portion of such ACE (up to the total originally transferred) to the state-operated permit bank upon writ ten agreement by both parties. The state-operated permit bank may then redistribute the available ACE to an other qualifying sector during that fishing year. (iii) Transferring ACE. Subject to the terms and conditions of the state-oper ated permit bank’s MOAs with NMFS, as well as ACE transfer restrictions de scribed in paragraph (b)(1)(viii) of this section, a state-operated permit bank may transfer ACE, on a stock-by-stock basis, to other state-operated permit banks. (iv) Reallocation of GB haddock or GB cod ACE. Subject to the terms and con ditions of the state-operated permit bank’s MOAs with NMFS, a state-oper ated permit bank may re-allocate all, or a portion, of its GB haddock or GB cod ACE specified for the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area to the Western U.S./Can ada Area provided it complies with the requirements in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B)(2) of this section. (4) Allocation and utilization of days at-sea—(i) Allocation of DAS. The num ber of DAS available for a state-oper ated permit bank to provide to sector or common pool vessels shall be the ac cumulated NE Multispecies Category A DAS assigned to the fishing vessel per mits held by the state and appro priately declared by the state pursuant to paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section to be either ‘‘ACE permits’’ or ‘‘common pool permits’’ for that fishing year, consistent with the terms of the state’s permit bank MOA. (ii) Acquiring DAS. A state-operated permit bank may not acquire DAS through a lease from a vessel permit (including permits held by other state operated permit banks), as described in § 684.82(k). If a vessel leases DAS from a state-operated permit bank, NMFS may authorize the return of the unused 900 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.88 portion of such DAS to the state-oper ated permit bank upon written agree ment by both parties, provided none of the DAS had been used. The state-oper ated permit bank may then redis tribute the available DAS to another vessel during the same fishing year. (5) Annual report. A state-operated permit bank shall report to the Council annually on the performance of the state-operated permit bank. Such re ports shall include at a minimum and to the extent that the information does not conflict with any regulations re garding the protection of personal and/ or proprietary information, all ele ments listed in paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section. (6) Use of additional funds. If addi tional funds from any source become available to a state-operated permit bank, the state-operated permit bank may not allocate or transfer any ACE that may be associated with any new permit purchased with those funds, until the state-operated permit bank provides the Council the opportunity to review the implications of the ex panded state-operated permit bank to the goals and objectives of the NE Multispecies FMP. (7) Violation of the terms and conditions applicable to a state-operated permit bank. If a state or state-operated per mit bank violates or fails to comply with any of the requirements and con ditions specified in this section or in the MOA referenced in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the state or state-oper ated permit bank is subject to the ac tions and penalties specified in § 648.4(n) or the MOA. [75 FR 18338, 18374, Apr. 9, 2010] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.87, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.88 Multispecies open access per mit restrictions. (a) Handgear permit. A vessel issued a valid open access NE multispecies Handgear permit is subject to the fol lowing restrictions: (1) The vessel may possess and land up to 75 lb (90.7 kg) of cod, and up to the landing and possession limit re strictions for other NE multispecies specified in § 648.86, provided the vessel complies with the restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. If ei ther the GOM or GB cod trip limit ap plicable to a vessel fishing under a NE multispecies DAS permit, as specified in § 648.86(b)(1) and (2), respectively, is adjusted by NMFS, the cod trip limit specified in this paragraph (a)(1) shall be adjusted proportionally (rounded up to the nearest 25 lb (11.3 kg)). For ex ample, if the GOM cod trip limit speci fied at § 648.86(b)(1) doubled, then the cod trip limit for the Handgear B cat egory fishing in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area would also double to 150 lb (68 kg). (2) Restrictions: (i) The vessel may not use or possess on board gear other than handgear while in possession of, fishing for, or landing NE multispecies, and must have at least one standard tote on board; (ii) The vessel may not fish for, pos sess, or land regulated species from March 1 through March 20 of each year; and (iii) The vessel, if fishing with tub trawl gear, may not fish with more than a maximum of 250 hooks. (iv) Declaration. To fish for GB cod south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, as defined at § 648.80(a)(1), a ves sel owner or operator must obtain, and retain on board, a letter of authoriza tion from the Regional Administrator declaring an intent to fish south of the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, and may not fish in any other area for a min imum of 7 consecutive days from the effective date of the letter of author ization. Such a vessel may transit the GOM Regulated Mesh Area, provided that their gear is stowed and not avail able for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (b) Charter/party permit. A vessel that has been issued a valid open access NE multispecies charter/party permit is subject to the additional restrictions on gear, recreational minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and prohibi tions on sale specified in § 648.89, and any other applicable provisions of this part. (c) Scallop NE multispecies possession limit permit. With the exception of ves sels fishing in the Sea Scallop Access Areas as specified in § 648.59(b) through 901 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.89 (d), a vessel that has been issued a valid open access scallop NE multispe cies possession limit permit may pos sess and land up to 300 lb (136.1 kg) of regulated NE multispecies when fishing under a scallop DAS allocated under § 648.53, provided the vessel does not fish for, possess, or land haddock from January 1 through June 30, as specified under § 648.86(a)(2)(i), and provided that the amount of regulated NE multispe cies on board the vessel does not exceed any of the pertinent trip limits speci fied under § 648.86, and provided the ves sel has at least one standard tote on board. A vessel fishing in the Sea Scal lop Access Areas as specified in § 648.59(b) through (d) is subject to the possession limits specified in § 648.60(a)(5)(ii). (d) Non-regulated NE multispecies per mit. A vessel issued a valid open access non-regulated NE multispecies permit may possess and land one Atlantic hal ibut and unlimited amounts of the other non-regulated NE multispecies, unless otherwise restricted by § 648.86. The vessel is subject to restrictions on gear, area, and time of fishing specified in § 648.80 and any other applicable pro visions of this part. [69 FR 22983, Apr. 27, 2004, as amended at 69 FR 63481, Nov. 2, 2004; 71 FR 62195, Oct. 23, 2006; 75 FR 18348, Apr. 9, 2010; 76 FR 23075, Apr. 25, 2011; 77 FR 19143, Mar. 30, 2012; 79 FR 52580, Sept. 4, 2014; 79 FR 67375, Nov. 13, 2014; 80 FR 25141, May 1, 2015] § 648.89 Recreational and charter/ party vessel restrictions. (a) Recreational gear restrictions. Per sons aboard charter/party vessels per mitted under this part and not fishing under the DAS program or under the restrictions and conditions of an ap proved sector operations plan, as speci fied in § 648.87(c), and recreational fish ing vessels in the EEZ, are prohibited from fishing with more than one line per angler, and all other gear on board must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (b) Recreational minimum and max imum fish sizes—(1) Minimum and max imum fish sizes. Unless further re stricted under this section, persons aboard charter or party boats per mitted under this part and not fishing under the NE multispecies DAS pro gram or under the restrictions and con ditions of an approved sector oper ations plan, and private recreational fishing vessels may not possess fish in or from the EEZ that are smaller than the minimum fish sizes or larger than the maximum fish sizes, measured in total length, as follows: TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (b)(1) Species Minimum size Maximum size Inches cm Inches cm Cod: Inside GOM Regulated Mesh Area 1 ...................................................... 22 55.9 N/A N/A Outside GOM Regulated Mesh Area 1 ................................................... 22 55.9 28 71.1 Haddock: Inside GOM Regulated Mesh Area 1 ...................................................... 17 43.2 N/A N/A Outside GOM Regulated Mesh Area 1 ................................................... 18 45.7 N/A N/A Pollock ................................................................................................................... 19 48.3 N/A N/A Witch Flounder (gray sole) .................................................................................... 14 35.6 N/A N/A Yellowtail Flounder ................................................................................................ 13 33.0 N/A N/A American Plaice (dab) ........................................................................................... 14 35.6 N/A N/A Atlantic Halibut ...................................................................................................... 41 104.1 N/A N/A Winter Flounder (black back) ................................................................................ 12 30.5 N/A N/A Redfish .................................................................................................................. 9 22.9 N/A N/A 1 GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in § 648.80(a). (2) Exceptions—(i) Fillet size. Vessels may possess fillets less than the min imum size specified, if the fillets are taken from legal-sized fish and are not offered or intended for sale, trade or barter. (ii) Transiting. Vessels in possession of cod or haddock caught outside the 902 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.89 GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in § 648.80(a)(1) may transit this area with cod and haddock that meet the min imum size specified for fish caught out side the GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in § 648.80(b)(1), provided all bait and hooks are removed from fish ing rods, and any cod and haddock on board has been gutted and stored. (3) Fillets. Fish fillets, or parts of fish, must have at least 2 square inches (5.1 square cm) of skin on while possessed on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet minimum size requirements. The skin must be contig uous and must allow ready identifica tion of the fish species. (c) Possession Restrictions—(1) Private recreational vessels. Persons aboard pri vate recreational fishing vessels during the open season listed in the column ti tled ‘‘Open Season’’ in Table 2 to para graph (c)(1)(i), may not possess more fish in or from the EEZ than the amount listed in the column titled ‘‘Possession Limit’’ in Table 2 to para graph (c)(1)(i). (i) Closed season. Persons aboard pri vate recreational fishing vessels may not possess species, as specified in the column titled ‘‘Species’’ in Table 2 to paragraph (c)(1)(i), in or from the EEZ during that species closed season as specified in the column titled ‘‘Closed Season’’ in Table 2 to paragraph (c)(1)(i). TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (c)(1)(i) Stock Open season Possession limit Closed season GB Cod .................................... August 1–April 30 .................... 5 .......................................... May 1–July 31. GOM Cod ................................. September 1–October 7, April 1–14. 1 .......................................... April 15–August 31, October 8–March 31. GB Haddock ............................. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GOM Haddock ......................... May 1–February 28 (or 29), April 1–30. 20 ........................................ March 1–March 31. GB Yellowtail Flounder ............ All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder .... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder ... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. American Plaice ....................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Witch Flounder ......................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GB Winter Flounder ................. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GOM Winter Flounder .............. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. SNE/MA Winter Flounder ......... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Redfish ..................................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. White Hake ............................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Pollock ...................................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. N. Windowpane Flounder ........ CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. S. Windowpane Flounder ......... CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. Ocean Pout .............................. CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. Atlantic Halibut ......................... See paragraph (c)(3) Atlantic Wolffish ........................ CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. (ii) [Reserved] (2) Charter or Party Boats. Persons aboard party or charter boats during the open season listed in the column ti tled ‘‘Open Season’’ in Table 3 to para graph (c)(2), may not possess more fish in or from the EEZ than the amount listed in the column titled ‘‘Possession Limit’’ in Table 3 to paragraph (c)(2). TABLE 3 TO PARAGRAPH (c)(2) Stock Open season Possession limit Closed season GB Cod .................................... August 1–April 30 .................... 5 .......................................... May 1–July 31. GOM Cod ................................. September 1–October 7, April 1–14. 1 .......................................... April 15–August 31, October 8–March 31. GB Haddock ............................. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GOM Haddock ......................... May 1–February 28 (or 29), April 1–30. 20 ........................................ March 1–March 31. GB Yellowtail Flounder ............ All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder .... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. 903 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.89 TABLE 3 TO PARAGRAPH (c)(2)—Continued Stock Open season Possession limit Closed season CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder ... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. American Plaice ....................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Witch Flounder ......................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GB Winter Flounder ................. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. GOM Winter Flounder .............. All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. SNE/MA Winter Flounder ......... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Redfish ..................................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. White Hake ............................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. Pollock ...................................... All Year .................................... Unlimited ............................. N/A. N. Windowpane Flounder ........ CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. S. Windowpane Flounder ......... CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. Ocean Pout .............................. CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. Atlantic Halibut ......................... See Paragraph (c)(3) Atlantic Wolffish ........................ CLOSED .................................. No retention ........................ All Year. (3) Atlantic halibut. Vessels permitted under this part, and recreational fish ing vessels fishing in the EEZ, may not possess more than one Atlantic halibut on board the vessel. (4) Accounting of daily possession limit. For the purposes of determining the per day trip limit for cod and haddock for private recreational fishing vessels and charter or party boats, any trip in excess of 15 hours and covering 2 con secutive calendar days will be consid ered more than 1 day. Similarly, any trip in excess of 39 hours and covering 3 consecutive calendar days will be considered more than 2 days and, so on, in a similar fashion. (5) Fillet conversion. For purposes of counting fish for cod and haddock for private recreational fishing vessels and charter or party boats, if fish are filleted, fillets will be converted to whole fish by dividing the number of fillets by two. If fish are filleted into a single (butterfly) fillet, such fillet shall be deemed to be from one whole fish. (6) Application of daily possession limit. Compliance with the daily possession limit for cod and haddock harvested by party, charter, and private recreational fishing vessels, in or from the EEZ, with more than one person aboard, will be determined by dividing the number of fish on board by the number of per sons on board. If there is a violation of the daily possession limit on board a vessel carrying more than one person the violation shall be deemed to have been committed by the owner or oper ator of the vessel. (7) Storage. Cod and haddock must be stored so as to be readily available for inspection. (d) Restrictions on sale. It is unlawful to sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose, or to attempt to sell, barter, trade, or otherwise transfer for a commercial purpose, NE multispecies caught in or landed from the EEZ by recreational, charter, or party vessels permitted under this part not fishing under a DAS, on a sector trip, or under a Handgear A permit, Handgear B per mit, or Small Vessel Category C per mit. (e) Charter/party vessel restrictions on fishing in GOM closed areas and the Nan tucket Lightship Closed Area—(1) GOM closed areas. (i) A vessel fishing under charter/party regulations may not fish in the GOM closed areas specified in § 648.81(a)(3) and (4) and (d)(4) during the time periods specified in those paragraphs, unless the vessel has on board a valid letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator pursuant to § 648.81(d)(5)(v) and para graph (e)(3) of this section. The condi tions and restrictions of the letter of authorization must be complied with for a minimum of 3 months if the ves sel fishes or intends to fish in the GOM cod protection closures; or for the rest of the fishing year, beginning with the start of the participation period of the letter of authorization, if the vessel fishes or intends to fish in the year round GOM closure areas. (ii) A vessel fishing under charter/ party regulations may not fish in the 904 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.89 GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area specified at § 648.81(b)(3) during the time period specified in that para graph, unless the vessel complies with the requirements specified at § 648.81(b)(2)(iii). (2) [Reserved] (3) Letters of authorization. To obtain either of the letters of authorization specified in paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this section, a vessel owner must re quest a letter from the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, ei ther in writing or by phone (see Table 1 to 50 CFR 600.502). As a condition of these letters of authorization, the ves sel owner must agree to the following: (i) The letter of authorization must be carried on board the vessel during the period of participation; (ii) Fish species managed by the NEFMC or MAFMC that are harvested or possessed by the vessel, are not sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, re gardless of where the fish are caught; (iii) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline gear on board; and (iv) For the GOM charter/party closed area exemption only, the vessel may not fish on a sector trip, under a NE multispecies DAS, or under the pro visions of the NE multispecies Small Vessel Category or Handgear A or Handgear B permit categories, as speci fied at § 648.82, during the period of par ticipation. (f) Recreational fishery AM—(1) Catch evaluation. As soon as recreational catch data are available for the entire previous fishing year, the Regional Ad ministrator will evaluate whether rec reational catches exceed any of the sub-ACLs specified for the recreational fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(4). When evaluating recreational catch, the components of recreational catch that are used shall be the same as those used in the most recent assessment for that particular stock. To determine if any sub-ACL specified for the rec reational fishery was exceeded, the Re gional Administrator shall compare the 3-year average of recreational catch to the 3-year average of the rec reational sub-ACL for each stock. (2) Reactive AM adjustment. If it is de termined that any recreational sub ACL was exceeded, as specified in para graph (f)(1) of this section, the Re gional Administrator, after consulta tion with the NEFMC, shall develop measures necessary to prevent the rec reational fishery from exceeding the appropriate sub-ACL in future years. Appropriate AMs for the recreational fishery, including adjustments to fish ing season, minimum fish size, or pos session limits, may be implemented in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act, with final meas ures published in the FEDERAL REG ISTER no later than January when pos sible. Separate AMs shall be developed for the private and charter/party com ponents of the recreational fishery. (3) Proactive AM adjustment. When necessary, the Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, may adjust recreational measures to ensure the recreational fishery achieves, but does not exceed any rec reational fishery sub-ACL in a future fishing year. Appropriate AMs for the recreational fishery, including adjust ments to fishing season, minimum fish size, or possession limits, may be im plemented in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, with final measures published in the FEDERAL REGISTER prior to the start of the fishing year where possible. In specifying these AMs, the Regional Ad ministrator shall take into account the non-binding prioritization of possible measures recommended by the NEFMC: For cod, first increases to minimum fish sizes, then adjustments to seasons, followed by changes to bag limits; and for haddock, first increases to min imum size limits, then changes to bag limits, and then adjustments to sea sons. (g) Regional Administrator authority for Georges Bank cod recreational meas ures. For the 2023 and 2024 fishing years, the Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, may adjust recreational measures for Georges Bank cod to prevent the rec reational fishery from exceeding the annual catch target as determined by the NEFMC. Appropriate measures, in cluding adjustments to fishing seasons, minimum fish sizes, or possession lim its, may be implemented in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, with the final measures 905 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 published in the FEDERAL REGISTER prior to the start of the fishing year when possible. Separate measures may be implemented for the private and charter/party components of the rec reational fishery. Measures in place in fishing year 2024 will be in effect begin ning in fishing year 2025, and will re main in effect until they are changed by a Framework Adjustment or Amendment to the FMP, or through an emergency action. [69 FR 22984, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.89, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.90 NE multispecies assessment, framework procedures and speci fications, and flexible area action system. For the NE multispecies framework specification process described in this section, the regulated species and ocean pout biennial review is consid ered a separate process from the small mesh species annual review, as de scribed in paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(1), respectively, of this section. In addi tion, the process for specifying ABCs and associated ACLs for regulated spe cies and ocean pout, as described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, is con sidered a separate process from the small-mesh species ABC and ACL proc ess described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (a) NE multispecies. For the purpose of this paragraph (a), the term ‘‘NE multispecies fishery’’ is defined as common pool vessels, sector vessels, and private recreational and charter/ party vessels, as defined in this part; the term ‘‘NE multispecies commercial fishery’’ is defined as vessels issued a limited access NE multispecies permit, or an open access NE multispecies Handgear B permit; and the term ‘‘NE multispecies recreational fishery’’ is defined as private recreational vessels and charter or party boats, as further defined in this part. (1) NE Multispecies annual SAFE Re port. The NE Multispecies Plan Devel opment Team (PDT) shall prepare an annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the NE multispecies fishery. The SAFE Report shall be the primary vehicle for the presentation of all updated biological and socio-economic information re garding the NE multispecies complex and its associated fisheries. The SAFE report shall provide source data for any adjustments to the management meas ures that may be needed to continue to meet the goals and objectives of the FMP. (2) Biennial review. (i) At a minimum, the NE multispecies PDT shall meet on or before September 30 every other year to perform a review of the fishery, using the most current scientific infor mation available provided primarily from the NEFSC. Data provided by states, ASMFC, the USCG, and other sources may also be considered by the PDT. The PDT shall review available data pertaining to: Catch and landings, discards, DAS allocations, DAS use, sector operations, and other measures of fishing effort; survey results; stock status; current estimates of fishing mortality and overfishing levels; social and economic impacts; enforcement issues; and any other relevant informa tion. The PDT may also review the per formance of different user groups or fleet sectors. (ii) Based on this review, the PDT shall recommend ACLs for the upcom ing fishing year(s), as described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and de velop options for consideration by the Council, if necessary, on any changes, adjustments, or additions to DAS allo cations, closed areas, or other meas ures necessary to rebuild overfished stocks and achieve the FMP goals and objectives, which may include a pre ferred option. The range of options de veloped by the PDT may include any of the management measures in the FMP, including, but not limited to: ACLs, which must be based on the projected fishing mortality levels required to meet the goals and objectives outlined in the FMP for the 12 regulated species and ocean pout if able to be deter mined; identifying and distributing ACLs and other sub-components of the ACLs among various segments of the fishery; AMs; DAS changes; possession limits; gear restrictions; closed areas; permitting restrictions; minimum fish sizes; recreational fishing measures; 906 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 describing and identifying EFH; fishing gear management measures to protect EFH; designating habitat areas of par ticular concern within EFH; and changes to the SBRM, including the CV-based performance standard, the means by which discard data are col lected/obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer sea-day allocations, reports, and/or in dustry-funded observers or observer set aside programs. The PDT must dem onstrate through analyses and docu mentation that the options it develops are expected to meet the FMP goals and objectives. (iii) In addition, the PDT may de velop ranges of options for any of the management measures in the FMP and the following conditions that may be adjusted through a framework adjust ment to achieve FMP goals and objec tives including, but not limited to: Re visions to DAS measures, including DAS allocations (such as the distribu tion of DAS among the four categories of DAS), future uses for Category C DAS, and DAS baselines, adjustments for steaming time, etc.; accumulation limits due to a permit buyout or buyback; modifications to capacity measures, such as changes to the DAS transfer or DAS leasing measures; cal culation of area-specific ACLs (includ ing sub-ACLs for specific stocks and areas (e.g., Gulf of Maine cod)), area management boundaries, and adoption of area-specific management measures including the delineation of inshore/ offshore fishing practices, gear restric tions, declaration time periods; sector allocation requirements and specifica tions, including the establishment of a new sector, the disapproval of an exist ing sector, the allowable percent of ACL available to a sector through a sector allocation, an optional sub-ACL specific to Handgear A permitted ves sels, and the calculation of PSCs; sec tor administration provisions, includ ing at-sea and dockside monitoring measures; sector reporting require ments; state-operated permit bank ad ministrative provisions; measures to implement the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding, including any specified TACs (hard or target); changes to administrative measures; additional uses for Regular B DAS; re porting requirements; declaration re quirements pertaining to when and what time period a vessel must declare into or out of a fishery management area; the GOM Inshore Conservation and Management Stewardship Plan; ad justments to the Handgear A or B per mits; gear requirements to improve se lectivity, reduce bycatch, and/or reduce impacts of the fishery on EFH; SAP modifications; revisions to the ABC control rule and status determination criteria, including, but not limited to, changes in the target fishing mortality rates, minimum biomass thresholds, numerical estimates of parameter val ues, and the use of a proxy for biomass may be made either through a biennial adjustment or framework adjustment; changes to the SBRM, including the CV-based performance standard, the means by which discard data are col lected/obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer sea-day allocations, reports, and/or in dustry-funded observers or observer set aside programs; and any other meas ures currently included in the FMP. (iv) Rebuilding plan review for GOM cod and American plaice. Based on this review of the most current scientific information available, the PDT shall determine whether the following condi tions are met for either stock: The total catch limit has not been exceeded during the rebuilding program; new sci entific information indicates that the stock is below its rebuilding trajectory (i.e., rebuilding has not progressed as expected); and Frebuild becomes less than 75% FMSY. If all three of these criteria are met, the PDT, and/or SSC, shall un dertake a rebuilding plan review to provide new catch advice that includes the following, in priority order: Review of the biomass reference points and calculation of Frebuild ACLs based on the review of the biomass reference points and the existing rebuilding plan. (v) The Council shall review the ACLs recommended by the PDT and all of the options developed by the PDT and other relevant information; con sider public comment; and develop a recommendation to meet the FMP ob jectives pertaining to regulated species or ocean pout that is consistent with applicable law. If the Council does not submit a recommendation that meets 907 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 the FMP objectives and is consistent with applicable law, the Regional Ad ministrator may adopt any option de veloped by the PDT, unless rejected by the Council, as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section, provided the option meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with applicable law. (vi) Based on this review, the Council shall submit a recommendation to the Regional Administrator of any changes, adjustments or additions to DAS allocations, closed areas or other measures necessary to achieve the FMP’s goals and objectives. The Coun cil shall include in its recommendation supporting documents, as appropriate, concerning the environmental and eco nomic impacts of the proposed action and the other options considered by the Council. (vii) If the Council submits, on or be fore December 1, a recommendation to the Regional Administrator after one Council meeting, and the Regional Ad ministrator concurs with the rec ommendation, the Regional Adminis trator shall publish the Council’s rec ommendation in the FEDERAL REG ISTER as a proposed rule with a 30-day public comment period. The Council may instead submit its recommenda tion on or before February 1, if it chooses to follow the framework proc ess outlined in paragraph (c) of this section, and requests that the Regional Administrator publish the rec ommendation as a final rule, in a man ner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Admin istrator concurs that the Council’s rec ommendation meets the FMP objec tives and is consistent with other ap plicable law, and determines that the recommended management measures should be published as a final rule, the action will be published as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER, in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Regional Admin istrator concurs that the recommenda tion meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with other applicable law and determines that a proposed rule is warranted, and, as a result, the effec tive date of a final rule falls after the start of the fishing year on May 1, fish ing may continue. However, DAS used or regulated species or ocean pout landed by a vessel on or after May 1 will be counted against any DAS or sector ACE allocation the vessel or sec tor ultimately receives for that year, as appropriate. (viii) If the Regional Administrator concurs in the Council’s recommenda tion, a final rule shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on or about April 1 of each year, with the exception noted in paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section. If the Council fails to submit a recommendation to the Regional Ad ministrator by February 1 that meets the FMP goals and objectives, the Re gional Administrator may publish as a proposed rule one of the options re viewed and not rejected by the Council, provided that the option meets the FMP objectives and is consistent with other applicable law. If, after consid ering public comment, the Regional Administrator decides to approve the option published as a proposed rule, the action will be published as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (3) Default OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs. (i) Unless otherwise specified in this para graph (a)(3), if final specifications are not published in the FEDERAL REGISTER for the start of a fishing year, as out lined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, specifications for that fishing year shall be set at 75 percent of the pre vious year’s specifications for each NE multispecies stock, including the U.S./ Canada shared resources, for the period of time beginning on May 1 and ending on October 31, unless superseded by the final rule implementing the current year’s specifications. (ii) If the default specifications ex ceed the Council’s recommendations for any stock for the current year, the specifications for that stock shall be reduced to the Council’s recommenda tion through notice consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (iii) These specifications shall be sub divided among the various sub-compo nents of the fishery consistent with the ABC/ACL distribution adopted for the previous year’s specifications. (4) Process for setting ABCs and ACLs— (i) ABC/ACL recommendations. As de scribed in this paragraph (a)(4), with the exception of stocks managed by the Understanding, the PDT shall develop recommendations for setting an ABC, 908 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 ACL, and OFL for each NE multispe cies stock for each of the next 3 years as part of the biennial review process specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this sec tion. ACLs can also be specified based upon updated information in the an nual SAFE report, as described in para graph (a)(1) of this section, and other available information as part of a spec ification package, as described in para graph (a)(6) of this section. For NE multispecies stocks or stock compo nents managed under both the NE Multispecies FMP and the Under standing, the PDT shall develop rec ommendations for ABCs, ACLs, and OFLs for the pertinent stock or stock components for each of the next 2 years as part of the annual process described in this paragraph (a)(4) and § 648.85(a)(2). (A) ABC recommendations. The PDT shall develop ABC recommendations based on the ABC control rule, the fish ing mortality rate necessary to rebuild the stock, guidance from the SSC, and any other available information. The PDT recommendations shall be re viewed by the SSC. Guided by terms of reference developed by the Council, the SSC shall either concur with the ABC recommendations provided by the PDT, or provide alternative recommenda tions for each stock of regulated spe cies or ocean pout and describe the ele ments of scientific uncertainty used to develop its recommendations. Should the SSC recommend an ABC that dif fers from that originally recommend by the PDT, the PDT shall revise its ACL recommendations if necessary to be consistent with the ABC rec ommendations made by the SSC. In ad dition to consideration of ABCs, the SSC may consider other related issues specified in the terms of reference de veloped by the Council, including, but not limited to, OFLs, ACLs, and man agement uncertainty. (B) ACL recommendations. The PDT shall develop ACL recommendations based upon ABCs recommended by the SSC and the pertinent recommenda tions of the Transboundary Manage ment Guidance Committee (TMGC). The ACL recommendations of the PDT shall be specified based upon total catch for each stock (including both landings and discards), if that informa tion is available. The PDT shall de scribe the steps involved with the cal culation of the recommended ACLs and uncertainties and risks considered when developing these recommenda tions, including whether different lev els of uncertainties were used for dif ferent sub-components of the fishery and whether ACLs have been exceeded in recent years. Based upon the ABC recommendations of the SSC and the ACL recommendations of the PDT, the Council shall adopt ACLs that are equal to or lower than the ABC rec ommended by the SSC to account for management uncertainty in the fish ery. (ii) Timing. The PDT recommenda tions for setting ABCs and ACLs shall be provided to the SSC prior to the September Council meeting, to the ex tent possible. The Council shall con sider the ABC recommendations of the SSC and the ACL recommendations of the PDT (and TMGC) and shall make a decision on those recommendations prior to December 1, to the extent pos sible. Once the Council has approved its recommended ACLs, they shall be submitted to NMFS prior to December 1, to the extent possible for approval and implementation. If the Council is submitting a management action as part of the biennial adjustment proc ess, the ACLs can be included in that document along with any necessary analysis required by applicable law. After receipt of the Council rec ommendation for ACLs, either as part of a new management action or as part of a specification package, as described in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, NMFS shall review the Council’s deci sion and, if consistent with applicable law, implement the ACL in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (iii) ABC/ACL distribution. The ABCs/ ACLs adopted by the Council for each regulated species or ocean pout stock pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) shall be subdivided among the various sub components of the fishery, as specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (H) of this section. For transboundary stocks managed by the Understanding, pursuant to § 648.85(a), the distribution of ABC/ACLs described in paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (H) of this section 909 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 shall be based upon the catch available to U.S. fishermen. The Council may re vise its recommendations for the dis tribution of ABCs and ACLs among these and other sub-components through the process to specify ABCs and ACLs, as described in this para graph (a)(4). (A) Regulated species or ocean pout catch by vessels outside of the FMP. The catch of regulated species or ocean pout that is expected to be harvested by vessels operating in state waters that have not been issued a Federal NE multispecies permit and are not sub ject to the regulations specified in this part shall be deducted from the ABC/ ACL of each regulated species or ocean pout stock pursuant to the process for specifying ABCs and ACLs, as described in this paragraph (a)(4). (B) Regulated species or ocean pout catch by exempted fisheries. Unless oth erwise specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(F) or (G) of this section, regu lated species or ocean pout catch by other, non-specified sub-components of the fishery, including, but not limited to, exempted fisheries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting exempted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3) shall be deducted from the ABC/ACL of each regulated species or ocean pout stock, pursuant to the proc ess to specify ABCs and ACLs described in this paragraph (a)(4). The catch of these non-specified sub-components of the ACL shall be monitored using data collected pursuant to this part. If catch from such fisheries exceeds the amount specified in this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(B), AMs shall be developed to prevent the overall ACL for each stock from being exceeded, pursuant to the framework adjustment process specified in this section. (C) Yellowtail flounder catch by the At lantic sea scallop fishery. Yellowtail flounder catch in the Atlantic sea scal lop fishery, as defined in subpart D of this part, shall be deducted from the ABC/ACL for each yellowtail flounder stock pursuant to the restrictions spec ified in subpart D of this part and the process to specify ABCs and ACLs, as described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(C), or subpart D of this part, the specific value of the sub-components of the ABC/ACL for each stock of yellowtail flounder dis tributed to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery shall be specified pursuant to the biennial adjustment process speci fied in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The Atlantic sea scallop fishery shall be allocated 40 percent of the GB yellowtail flounder ABC (U.S. share only) in fishing year 2013, and 16 per cent in fishing year 2014 and each fish ing year thereafter, pursuant to the process for specifying ABCs and ACLs described in this paragraph (a)(4). An ACL based on this ABC shall be deter mined using the process described in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section. Based on information available, NMFS shall project the expected scallop fish ery catch of GB and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder for the current fishing year by January 15. If NMFS determines that the scallop fishery will catch less than 90 percent of its GB or SNE/MA yellowtail flounder sub-ACL, the Re gional Administrator may reduce the pertinent scallop fishery sub-ACL to the amount projected to be caught, and increase the groundfish fishery sub ACL by any amount up to the amount reduced from the scallop fishery sub ACL. The revised GB or SNE/MA yellowtail flounder groundfish fishery sub-ACL shall be distributed to the common pool and sectors based on the process specified in paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section. (D) Haddock catch by the midwater trawl Atlantic herring fishery—(1) Sub ACL values. The midwater trawl Atlan tic herring fishery will be allocated sub-ACLs equal to 1 percent of the GOM haddock ABC, and 2 percent of the GB haddock ABC (U.S. share only), pursuant to the restrictions in § 648.86(a)(3). The sub-ACLs will be set using the process for specifying ABCs and ACLs described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. For the purposes of these sub-ACLs, the midwater trawl Atlantic herring fishery includes ves sels issued a Federal Atlantic herring permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear in Management Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined in § 648.200(f)(1) and (3). (2) GB haddock sub-ACL Review. Fol lowing an assessment of the total GB haddock stock, the Groundfish PDT 910 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 will conduct a review of the sub-ACL and recommend to the Groundfish Committee and Council a sub-ACL for the midwater trawl Atlantic herring fishery of 1 and up to 2 percent of the GB haddock U.S. ABC. The sub-ACL re view should consider factors including, but not limited to, groundfish fishery catch performance, expected ground fish fishery utilization of the GB had dock ACL, status of the GB haddock resource, recruitment, incoming year class strength, and evaluation of the coefficient of variation of the GB had dock incidental catch estimates for the midwater trawl Atlantic herring fish ery. (E) Windowpane flounder catch by the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. The Atlantic sea scallop fishery, as defined in sub part D of this part, will be allocated sub-ACLs equaling 21 percent of the northern windowpane flounder ABC and 36 percent of the southern window pane flounder ABC. The sub-ACLs will be set using the process for specifying ABCs and ACLs described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. (F) SNE/MA windowpane flounder catch by exempted fisheries. SNE/MA windowpane flounder catch by other, non-specified sub-components of the fishery, including, but not limited to, exempted fisheries that occur in Fed eral waters and fisheries harvesting ex empted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3), shall be deducted from the ABC/ACL for SNE/MA windowpane flounder pursuant to the process to specify ABCs and ACLs, as described in this paragraph (a)(4). The specific value of the sub-components of the ABC/ACL for SNE/MA windowpane flounder dis tributed to these other fisheries shall be specified pursuant to the biennial adjustment process specified in para graph (a)(2) of this section. (G) GB yellowtail flounder catch by small mesh fisheries—(1) For the pur poses of this paragraph, the term ‘‘small-mesh fisheries’’ is defined as vessels fishing with bottom tending mobile gear with a codend mesh size of less than 5 in (12.7 cm) in other, non specified sub-components of the fish ery, including, but not limited to, ex empted fisheries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting ex empted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3). (2) Small-mesh fisheries allocation. GB yellowtail flounder catch by the small-mesh fisheries, as defined in paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(G)(1) of this sec tion, shall be deducted from the ABC/ ACL for GB yellowtail flounder pursu ant to the process to specify ABCs and ACLs, as described in this paragraph (a)(4). This small mesh fishery shall be allocated 2 percent of the GB yellowtail flounder ABC (U.S. share only) in fishing year 2013 and each fish ing year after, pursuant to the process for specifying ABCs and ACLs de scribed in this paragraph (a)(4). An ACL based on this ABC shall be deter mined using the process described in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section. (H) Regulated species or ocean pout catch by the NE multispecies commercial and recreational fisheries. Unless other wise specified in the ACL recommenda tions developed pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, after all of the deductions and considerations specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (G) of this section, the remaining ABC/ACL for each regulated species or ocean pout stock shall be allocated to the NE multispecies commercial and rec reational fisheries, pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H). (1) Recreational allocation. Unless oth erwise specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, recreational catches shall be compared to the ACLs allocated pur suant to this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(1) for the purposes of determining wheth er adjustments to recreational meas ures are necessary, pursuant to the rec reational fishery AMs specified in § 648.89(f). (i) Stocks allocated. Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(1), the ABCs/ACLs for GOM cod and GOM haddock available to the NE multispecies fishery pursu ant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H) of this section shall be divided between com mercial and recreational components of the fishery, based upon the average proportional catch of each component for each stock during fishing years 2001 through 2006. (ii) Process for determining if a rec reational allocation is necessary. A rec reational allocation may not be made 911 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 if it is determined that, based upon available information, the ACLs for these stocks are not being fully har vested by the NE multispecies fishery, or if the recreational harvest, after ac counting for state waters catch pursu ant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(A) of this section, is less than 5 percent of the overall catch for a particular stock of regulated species or ocean pout. (2) Commercial allocation. Unless oth erwise specified in this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2), the ABC/ACL for regu lated species or ocean pout stocks available to the commercial NE multi species fishery, after consideration of the recreational allocation pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(1) of this sec tion, shall be divided between vessels operating under approved sector oper ations plans, as described at § 648.87(c), and vessels operating under the provi sions of the common pool, as defined in this part, based upon the cumulative PSCs of vessels participating in sectors calculated pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(E). For fishing years 2010 and 2011, the ABC/ACL of each regu lated species or ocean pout stocks not allocated to sectors pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(E) (i.e., Atlantic halibut, SNE/MA winter flounder, ocean pout, windowpane flounder, and Atlantic wolffish) that is available to the com mercial NE multispecies fishery shall be allocated entirely to the common pool. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, regu lated species or ocean pout catch by common pool and sector vessels shall be deducted from the sub-ACL/ACE al located pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) for the purposes of de termining whether adjustments to common pool measures are necessary, pursuant to the common pool AMs specified in § 648.82(n), or whether sec tor ACE overages must be deducted, pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(iii). (3) Revisions to commercial and rec reational allocations. Distribution of the ACL for each stock available to the NE multispecies fishery between and among commercial and recreational components of the fishery may be im plemented through a framework ad justment pursuant to this section. Any changes to the distribution of ACLs to the NE multispecies fishery shall not affect the implementation of AMs based upon the distribution in effect at the time of the overage that triggered the AM. (iv) ACL monitoring—(A) Landings. For the purposes of monitoring the catch of regulated species or ocean pout towards the harvest of ACLs and other, non-specified sub-components of the ACLs specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the reporting require ments specified in this part, including dealer reports, VTRs, VMS catch re ports, sector catch reports, and other available information shall be used to identify and apportion regulated spe cies or ocean pout landings by stock area. (B) Discards. Unless otherwise speci fied in this paragraph (a)(4)(iv)(B), reg ulated species or ocean pout discards shall be monitored through the use of VTRs, observer data, VMS catch re ports, and other available information, as specified in this part. Regulated spe cies or ocean pout discards by vessels on a sector trip shall be monitored pur suant to § 648.87(b)(1)(v)(A). (v) Adjustments to ACLs. The Council may elect to revise the ACL for any regulated species or ocean pout stock in the second fishing year following a biennial review to account for any overages of an ACL in year one that may result in overfishing for a par ticular stock. Any adjustments to the ACLs in year two will be implemented pursuant to the process to specify ABCs and ACLs, as described in para graph (a)(4) of this section. (5) AMs. Except as specified in para graphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (G) of this section, if any of the ACLs specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section are ex ceeded based upon available catch in formation, the AMs specified in para graphs (a)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section shall take effect in the following fish ing year, or as soon as practicable, thereafter, once catch data for all af fected fisheries are available, as appli cable. (i) AMs for the NE multispecies commer cial and recreational fisheries. If the catch of regulated species or ocean pout by a sub-component of the NE multispecies fishery (i.e., common pool 912 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 vessels, sector vessels, or private rec reational and charter/party vessels) ex ceeds the amount allocated to each sub-component, as specified in para graph (a)(4)(iii)(H) of this section, then the applicable AM for that sub-compo nent of the fishery shall take effect, pursuant to paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(A) through (C) of this section. In deter mining the applicability of AMs speci fied for a sub-component of the NE multispecies fishery in paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(A) through (C) of this section, the Regional Administrator shall con sider available information regarding the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by each sub-component of the NE multispecies fishery, plus each sub-component’s share of any overage of the overall ACL for a particular stock caused by excessive catch by ves sels outside of the FMP, exempted fish eries, or the Atlantic sea scallop fish ery, as specified in this paragraph (a)(5), as appropriate. (A) Excessive catch by common pool ves sels. If the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by common pool vessels exceeds the amount of the ACL speci fied for common pool vessels pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this sec tion, then the AMs described in § 648.82(n) shall take effect. Pursuant to the distribution of ABCs/ACLs specified in paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this sec tion, for the purposes of this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A), the catch of each regulated species or ocean pout stock not allo cated to sectors pursuant to § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(E) (i.e., Atlantic halibut, ocean pout, windowpane flounder, and Atlantic wolffish) during fishing years 2010 and 2011 shall be added to the catch of such stocks by common pool vessels to determine whether the dif ferential DAS counting AM described in § 648.82(n)(1) shall take effect. If such catch does not exceed the portion of the ACL specified for common pool ves sels pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section, then no AMs shall take effect for common pool vessels. (B) Excessive catch by sector vessels. If the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by sector vessels exceeds the amount of the ACL specified for sector vessels pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section, then the AMs described in § 648.87(b)(1)(iii) shall take effect. For the purposes of this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(B), the catch of reg ulated species and ocean pout for each sector approved pursuant to § 648.87 shall be based upon the catch of vessels participating in each approved sector. If such catch does not exceed the por tion of the ACL specified for an indi vidual sector pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section, then no AMs shall take effect for that sector. (C) Excessive catch by the NE multispe cies recreational fishery. If the catch of regulated species and ocean pout by private recreational and charter/party vessels exceeds the amount of the ACL specified for the recreational fishery pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(1) of this section, then the AMs described in § 648.89(f) shall take effect. If such catch does not exceed the portion of the ACL specified for the recreational fishery pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(1) of this section, then no AMs shall take effect for the rec reational fishery. (D) AMs for both stocks of windowpane flounder, ocean pout, Atlantic halibut, and Atlantic wolffish. At the end of each fishing year, NMFS shall determine if the overall ACL for northern window pane flounder, southern windowpane flounder, ocean pout, Atlantic halibut, or Atlantic wolffish was exceeded. If the overall ACL for any of these stocks is exceeded, NMFS shall implement the appropriate AM, as specified in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(D), in a subsequent fishing year, consistent with the APA. If reliable information is available, the AM shall be implemented in the fishing year immediately following the fishing year in which the overage occurred. Otherwise, the AM shall be imple mented in the second fishing year after the fishing year in which the overage occurred. For example, if NMFS deter mined before the start of fishing year 2013 that the overall ACL for northern windowpane flounder was exceeded by the groundfish fishery in fishing year 2012, the applicable AM would be imple mented for fishing year 2013. If NMFS determined after the start of fishing year 2013 that the overall ACL for 913 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 northern windowpane flounder was ex ceeded in fishing year 2012, the applica ble AM would be implemented for fish ing year 2014. If updated catch informa tion becomes available subsequent to the implementation of an AM that in dicates that an ACL was not exceeded, the AM will be rescinded, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (E) Windowpane flounder. Unless oth erwise specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(E)(5) and (6) of this section, if NMFS determines the total catch ex ceeds the overall ACL for either stock of windowpane flounder, as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E), by any amount greater than the management uncertainty buffer, up to 20 percent greater than the overall ACL, the ap plicable small AM area for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the overall ACL is ex ceeded by more than 20 percent, the ap plicable large AM area(s) for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E), consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. Vessels fishing with trawl gear in these areas may only use a haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). (1) Multispecies Fishery. If an overage of the overall ACL for southern win dowpane flounder is a result of an over age of the sub-ACL allocated to the multispecies fishery pursuant to para graph (a)(4)(iii)(H)(2) of this section, the applicable AM area(s) shall be in effect year-round for any limited ac cess NE multispecies permitted vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or sector trip. (2) Exempted Fisheries. If an overage of the overall ACL for southern window pane flounder is a result of an overage of the sub-ACL allocated to exempted fisheries pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(F) of this section, the appli cable AM area(s) shall be in effect for any trawl vessel fishing with a codend mesh size of greater than or equal to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, non-specified sub-components of the fishery, includ ing, but not limited to, exempted fish eries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting exempted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3). If triggered, the Southern Windowpane Flounder Small AM Area will be implemented from September 1 through April 30; the Southern Windowpane Flounder Large AM Areas 2 and 3 will be implemented year-round. (3) Combined Overage. If an overage of the overall ACL for southern window pane flounder is a result of overages of both the multispecies fishery and ex empted fishery sub-ACLs, the applica ble AM area(s) shall be in effect for both the multispecies fishery and ex empted fisheries as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E). If a sub-ACL for either stock of windowpane flounder is allocated to another fishery, consistent with the process specified at paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and there are AMs for that fishery, the multispecies fish ery AM shall only be implemented if the sub-ACL allocated to the multispe cies fishery is exceeded (i.e., the sector and common pool catch for a particular stock, including the common pool’s share of any overage of the overall ACL caused by excessive catch by other sub components of the fishery pursuant to paragraph (a)(5) of this section exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall ACL is also exceeded. (4) Windowpane AM Areas. The AM areas defined below are bounded by the following coordinates, connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless oth erwise noted. Point N latitude W longitude Northern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Small AM Area 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 67°40′ 2 ............................................. 41°10′ 67°20′ 3 ............................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ 4 ............................................. 41°00′ 67°00′ 5 ............................................. 40°50′ 67°00′ 6 ............................................. 40°50′ 67°40′ 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 67°40′ Northern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area 1 ............................................. 42°10′ 67°40′ 2 ............................................. 42°10′ 67°20′ 3 ............................................. 41°00′ 67°20′ 4 ............................................. 41°00′ 67°00′ 5 ............................................. 40°50′ 67°00′ 6 ............................................. 40°50′ 67°40′ 914 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 42°10′ 67°40′ Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Small AM Area 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°30′ 2 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°20′ 3 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°20′ 4 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°30′ 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°30′ Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area 1 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°50′ 2 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°10′ 3 ............................................. 41°00′ 71°10′ 4 ............................................. 41°00′ 71°20′ 5 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°20′ 6 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°50′ 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°50′ Southern Windowpane Flounder and Ocean Pout Large AM Area 2 1 ............................................. (1) 73°30′ 2 ............................................. 40°30′ 73°30′ 3 ............................................. 40°30′ 73°50′ 4 ............................................. 40°20′ 73°50′ 5 ............................................. 40°20′ (2) 6 ............................................. (3) 73°58.5′ 7 ............................................. (4) 73°58.5′ 8 ............................................. 5 40°32.6′ 5 73°56.4′ 1 ............................................. (1) 73°30′ Southern Windowpane Flounder Large AM Area 3 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°30′ 2 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°10′ 3 ............................................. 41°00′ 71°10′ 4 ............................................. 41°00′ 71°20′ 5 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°20′ 6 ............................................. 40°50′ 71°30′ 1 ............................................. 41°10′ 71°30′ 1 The southernmost coastline of Long Island, NY, at 73°30′ W longitude. 2 The easternmost coastline of NJ at 40°20′ N latitude, then northward along the NJ coastline to Point 6. 3 The northernmost coastline of NJ at 73°58.5′ W longitude. 4 The southernmost coastline of Long Island, NY, at 73°58.5′ W longitude. 5 The approximate location of the southwest corner of the Rockaway Peninsula, Queens, NY, then eastward along the southernmost coastline of Long Island, NY (excluding South Oyster Bay), back to Point 1. (5) Reducing the size of an AM. If the overall northern or southern window pane flounder ACL is exceeded by more than 20 percent and NMFS determines that the stock is rebuilt, and the bio mass criterion, as defined by the Coun cil, is greater than the most recent fishing year’s catch, then only the small AM may be implemented as de scribed in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E), consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. This provision applies to a limited access NE multispecies permitted vessel fishing on a NE multi species DAS or sector trip, and to all vessels fishing with trawl gear with a codend mesh size equal to or greater than 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, non specified sub-components of the fish ery, including, but not limited to, ex empted fisheries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting ex empted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3). (6) Reducing the duration of an AM. If the northern or southern windowpane flounder AM is implemented in the third fishing year following the year of an overage, as described in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(D) of this section, and NMFS subsequently determines that the ap plicable windowpane flounder ACL was not exceeded by any amount the year immediately after which the overage occurred (i.e., the second year), on or after September 1 the AM can be re moved once year-end data are com plete. This reduced duration does not apply if NMFS determines during year 3 that a year 3 overage of the applica ble windowpane flounder ACL has oc curred. This provision applies to a lim ited access NE multispecies permitted vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or sector trip, and to all vessels fishing with trawl gear with a codend mesh size equal to or greater than 5 inches (12.7 cm) in other, non-specified sub-components of the fishery, includ ing, but not limited to, exempted fish eries that occur in Federal waters and fisheries harvesting exempted species specified in § 648.80(b)(3). (F) Atlantic halibut. If NMFS deter mines the overall ACL for Atlantic hal ibut is exceeded, as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(F), by any amount greater than the management uncer tainty buffer, the applicable AM areas shall be implemented and any vessel issued a Federal permit for any fishery management plan may not fish for, possess, or land Atlantic halibut for the fishing year in which the AM is im plemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(F) of this section. Vessels issued only a charter/party permit, and/or an Atlantic highly migratory species angling permit, and/or an At lantic highly migratory species char ter/headboat permit are exempt from the AM. A vessel issued a permit that is not exempt from the AM in addition to an exempt permit may not fish for, possess, or land Atlantic halibut for 915 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 the fishing year in which the AM is im plemented. If the overall ACL is ex ceeded by more than 20 percent, the ap plicable AM area(s) for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in para graph (a)(5)(i)(F) of this section, and the Council shall revisit the AM in a future action. The AM areas defined below are bounded by the following co ordinates, connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. Any vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing with trawl gear in the Atlantic Halibut Trawl Gear AM Area may only use a haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6); except that selective trawl gear is not required in the portion of the Trawl Gear AM Area between 41 de grees 40 minutes and 42 degrees from April 1 through July 31. When in effect, a limited access NE multispecies per mitted vessel with gillnet gear may not fish or be in the Atlantic Halibut Fixed Gear AM Area from March 1 through October 31, unless transiting with its gear stowed and not available for im mediate use as defined in § 648.2, or such gear was approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). If a sub-ACL for Atlantic halibut is allo cated to another fishery, consistent with the process specified at § 648.90(a)(4), and there are AMs for that fishery, the multispecies fishery AM shall only be implemented if the sub ACL allocated to the multispecies fish ery is exceeded (i.e., the sector and common pool catch for a particular stock, including the common pool’s share of any overage of the overall ACL caused by excessive catch by other sub components of the fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5), exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall ACL is also exceeded. ATLANTIC HALIBUT TRAWL GEAR AM AREA Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 42°00′ 69°20′ 2 ............................................. 42°00′ 68°20′ 3 ............................................. 41°30′ 68°20′ 4 ............................................. 41°30′ 69°20′ ATLANTIC HALIBUT GILLNET GEAR AM AREA Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 43°10′ 69°40′ 2 ............................................. 43°10′ 69°30′ 3 ............................................. 43°00′ 69°30′ 4 ............................................. 43°00′ 69°40′ (G) Atlantic wolffish. If NMFS deter mines the overall ACL for Atlantic wolffish is exceeded, as described in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(G), by any amount greater than the management uncertainty buffer, the applicable AM areas shall be implemented, as speci fied in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(G). If the overall ACL is exceeded by more than 20 percent, the applicable AM area(s) for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(G), and the Council shall revisit the AM in a future action. The AM areas defined below are bounded by the following co ordinates, connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. Any vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing with trawl gear in the Atlantic Wolffish Trawl Gear AM Area may only use a haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). When in effect, a limited access NE multispecies permitted ves sel with gillnet or longline gear may not fish or be in the Atlantic Wolffish Fixed Gear AM Areas, unless transiting with its gear stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2, or such gear was approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). If a sub-ACL for Atlantic wolffish is al located to another fishery, consistent with the process specified at § 648.90(a)(4), and AMs are developed for that fishery, the multispecies fishery AM shall only be implemented if the sub-ACL allocated to the multispecies fishery is exceeded (i.e., the sector and common pool catch for a particular stock, including the common pool’s share of any overage of the overall ACL caused by excessive catch by other sub components of the fishery pursuant to § 648.90(a)(5), exceeds the common pool sub-ACL) and the overall ACL is also exceeded. 916 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 ATLANTIC WOLFFISH TRAWL GEAR AM AREA Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 42°30′ 70°30′ 2 ............................................. 42°30′ 70°15′ 3 ............................................. 42°15′ 70°15′ 4 ............................................. 42°15′ 70°10′ 5 ............................................. 42°10′ 70°10′ 6 ............................................. 42°10′ 70°20′ 7 ............................................. 42°20′ 70°20′ 8 ............................................. 42°20′ 70°30′ ATLANTIC WOLFFISH FIXED GEAR AM AREA 1 Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 41°40′ 69°40′ 2 ............................................. 41°40′ 69°30′ 3 ............................................. 41°30′ 69°30′ 4 ............................................. 41°30′ 69°40′ ATLANTIC WOLFFISH FIXED GEAR AM AREA 2 Point N latitude W longitude 1 ............................................. 42°30′ 70°20′ 2 ............................................. 42°30′ 70°15′ 3 ............................................. 42°20′ 70°15′ 4 ............................................. 42°20′ 70°20′ (H) Ocean pout. Unless otherwise specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(E)(5) and (6) of this section, if NMFS deter mines the total catch exceeds the over all ACL for ocean pout, as described in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, by any amount greater than the manage ment uncertainty buffer up to 20 per cent greater than the overall ACL, the applicable small AM area for the stock shall be implemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the overall ACL is ex ceeded by more than 20 percent, large AM area(s) for the stock shall be im plemented, as specified in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E) of this section, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. The AM areas for ocean pout are defined in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(E)(4) of this section, connected in the order listed by rhumb lines, unless otherwise noted. Vessels fishing with trawl gear in these areas may only use a haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). (ii) AMs if the overall ACL for a regu lated species or ocean pout stock is ex ceeded. If the catch of any stock of reg ulated species or ocean pout by vessels fishing outside of the NE multispecies fishery; vessels fishing in state waters outside of the FMP; or vessels fishing in exempted fisheries, as defined in this part, exceeds the sub-component of the ACL for that stock specified for such fisheries pursuant to paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (G) of this sec tion, and the overall ACL for that stock is exceeded, then the amount of the overage of the overall ACL for that stock due to catch from vessels fishing outside of the NE multispecies fishery shall be distributed among components of the NE multispecies fishery based upon each component’s share of that stock’s ACL available to the NE multi species fishery pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(H) of this section. Each com ponent’s share of the ACL overage for a particular stock would be then added to the catch of that stock by each com ponent of the NE multispecies fishery to determine if the resulting sum of catch of that stock for each component of the fishery exceeds that individual component’s share of that stock’s ACL available to the NE multispecies fish ery. If the total catch of that stock by any component of the NE multispecies fishery exceeds the amount of the ACL specified for that component of the NE multispecies fishery pursuant to para graph (a)(4)(iii)(H) of this section, then the AMs specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(A) through (C) of this section shall take effect, as applicable. If the catch of any stock of regulated species or ocean pout by vessels outside of the FMP exceeds the sub-component of the ACL for that stock specified pursuant to paragraphs (a)(4)(iii)(A) through (C) of this section, but the overall ACL for that stock is not exceeded, even after consideration of the catch of that stock by other sub-components of the fishery, then the AMs specified in this paragraph (a)(5)(ii) shall not take ef fect. (iii) AMs if the incidental catch cap for the Atlantic herring fishery is exceeded. At the end of the NE multispecies fish ing year, NMFS shall evaluate Atlantic herring fishery catch using VTR, VMS, IVR, observer data, and any other available information to determine whether a haddock incidental catch 917 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 cap has been exceeded based upon the cumulative catch of vessels issued an Atlantic herring permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear in Manage ment Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3. If the catch of haddock by all vessels issued an Atlantic herring permit and fishing with midwater trawl gear in Manage ment Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, exceeds the amount of the incidental catch cap specified in § 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(D) of this section, then the appropriate inci dental catch cap shall be reduced by the overage on a pound-for-pound basis during the following fishing year. Any overage reductions shall be announced by the Regional Administrator in the FEDERAL REGISTER, accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, prior to the start of the next NE multi species fishing year after which the overage occurred, if possible, or as soon as possible thereafter if the overage is not determined until after the end of the NE multispecies fishing year in which the overage occurred. (iv) AMs if the sub-ACL for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery is exceeded. At the end of the scallop fishing year, NMFS will evaluate whether Atlantic sea scallop fishery catch exceeded the sub-ACLs for any groundfish stocks allocated to the scallop fishery. On January 15, or when information is available to make an accurate projection, NMFS will also determine whether total catch exceed ed the overall ACL for each stock allo cated to the scallop fishery. When eval uating whether total catch exceeded the overall ACL, NMFS will add the maximum carryover available to sec tors, as specified at § 648.87(b)(1)(i)(C), to the estimate of total catch for the pertinent stock. (A) Threshold for implementing the At lantic sea scallop fishery AMs. If scallop fishery catch exceeds the scallop fish ery sub-ACLs for any groundfish stocks in paragraph (a)(4) of this section by 50 percent or more, or if scallop fishery catch exceeds the scallop fishery sub ACL by any amount and total catch ex ceeds the overall ACL for a given stock, then the applicable scallop fish ery AM will take effect, as specified in § 648.64 of the Atlantic sea scallop regu lations. (B) 2017 and 2018 fishing year threshold for implementing the Atlantic sea scallop fishery AMs for Northern windowpane flounder. For the 2017 and 2018 fishing years only, if scallop fishery catch ex ceeds the northern windowpane floun der sub-ACL specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and total catch exceeds the overall ACL for that stock, then the applicable scallop fishery AM will take effect, as specified in § 648.64 of the Atlantic sea scallop regulations. For the 2019 fishing year and onward, the threshold for implementing scallop fishery AMs for northern windowpane flounder will return to that listed in paragraph (a)(5)(iv)(A) of this section. (C) 2018 fishing year threshold for im plementing the Atlantic sea scallop fish ery AM for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder. For the 2018 fishing year, if the scallop fishery catch exceeds its SNE/MA yellowtail flounder sub-ACL specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and total catch exceeds the overall ACL for that stock, then the applicable scallop fishery AM will take effect, as specified in § 648.64 of the Atlantic sea scallop regulations. Beginning in fishing year 2019, the threshold for implementing scallop fishery AMs for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder listed in paragraph (a)(5)(iv)(A) of this section will be in ef fect. (D) 2017 through 2020 fishing year threshold for implementing the Atlantic sea scallop fishery AM for GB yellowtail flounder. For the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 fishing years, if scallop fishery catch exceeds the GB yellowtail floun der sub-ACL specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and total catch exceeds the overall ACL for that stock, then the applicable scallop fishery AM will take effect, as specified in § 648.64 of the Atlantic sea scallop regulations. For the 2021 fishing year and onward, the threshold for implementing scallop fishery AMs for GB yellowtail flounder will return to that listed in paragraph (a)(5)(iv)(A) of this section. (v) AM if the small-mesh fisheries GB yellowtail flounder sub-ACL is exceeded. If NMFS determines that the sub-ACL of GB yellowtail flounder allocated to the small-mesh fisheries, pursuant to paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(G) of this section, is exceeded, NMFS shall implement the AM specified in this paragraph con sistent with the Administrative Proce dures Act. The AM requires that small 918 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 mesh fisheries vessels, as defined in paragraph (a)(4)(iii)(G)(1) of this sec tion, use one of the following approved selective trawl gear in the GB yellowtail flounder stock area, as de fined at § 648.85(b)(6)(v)(H): A haddock separator trawl, as specified in § 648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A); a Ruhle trawl, as specified in § 648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3); a rope separator trawl, as specified in § 648.84(e); a large-mesh belly panel trawl, as specified in § 648.84(f); or any other gear approved consistent with the process defined in § 648.85(b)(6). If reliable information is available, the AM shall be implemented in the fishing year immediately following the year in which the overage occurred only if there is sufficient time to do so in a manner consistent with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. Otherwise, the AM shall be implemented in the second fishing year after the fishing year in which the overage occurred. For exam ple, if NMFS determined after the start of Year 2 that the small-mesh fisheries sub-ACL for GB yellowtail flounder was exceeded in Year 1, the applicable AM would be implemented at the start of Year 3. If updated catch information becomes available subsequent to the implementation of an AM that indi cates that an overage of the small mesh fisheries sub-ACL did not occur, NMFS shall rescind the AM, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (6) Specifications process—(i) PDT rec ommendations. Unless otherwise devel oped pursuant to the biennial review process specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the PDT shall develop rec ommendations for setting ACLs for each regulated species or ocean pout, including ACLs for stocks managed by the Understanding; revising rebuilding programs and associated management measures; or modifying AMs for consid eration by the Council’s Groundfish Oversight Committee based upon the SAFE report prepared pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section. If the Council determines, based on informa tion provided by the PDT or other stock-related information, that the ACLs should be adjusted between bien nial reviews, it can do so through the same process outlined in this section during the interim year. (ii) Guidelines. As the basis for its recommendations under paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section, the PDT shall review available data pertaining to: Commercial and recreational catch data; current estimates of fishing mor tality; discards; stock status; recent estimates of recruitment; virtual popu lation analysis results and other esti mates of stock size; sea sampling and trawl survey data or, if sea sampling data are unavailable, length frequency information from trawl surveys; im pact of other fisheries on herring mor tality; and any other relevant informa tion. (iii) Groundfish Oversight Committee recommendations. Based on the PDT’s recommendations and any public com ment received, the Groundfish Over sight Committee shall recommend to the Council appropriate specifications a period of at least 1 year. The Council shall review these recommendations and, after considering public comment, shall recommend appropriate specifica tions to NMFS. NMFS shall review the recommendations and publish proposed specifications in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the proposed specifications dif fer from those recommended by the Council, the reasons for any differences shall be clearly stated. (iv) Analysis. Any specifications package developed pursuant to this paragraph (a)(5) shall be supported by the appropriate NEPA analysis, which shall be made available for public com ment. (b) Small-mesh multispecies—(1) Three year specifications process, annual re view, and specifications package. The Council shall specify on at least a 3 year basis the OFL, ABC, ACLs, and TALs for each small-mesh multispecies stock in accordance with the following process. (i) At least every 3 years, based on the annual review, described below in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and/or the specifications package, described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, rec ommendations for ABC from the SSC, and any other relevant information, the Whiting PDT shall recommend to the Whiting Oversight Committee and Council specifications including the OFL, ABC, ACL, and TAL for each 919 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 small-mesh multispecies stock for a pe riod of at least 3 years. The Whiting PDT and the Council shall follow the process in paragraph (b)(2) of this sec tion for setting these specifications. (ii) The Whiting PDT, after reviewing the available information on the status of the stock and the fishery, may rec ommend to the Council any measures necessary to assure that the specifica tions will not be exceeded; changes to the SBRM, including the CV-based per formance standard, the means by which discard data are collected/ob tained, fishery stratification, the proc ess for prioritizing observer sea-day al locations, reports, and/or industry funded observers or observer set aside programs; as well as changes to the ap propriate specifications. (iii) Taking into account the annual review and/or specifications package described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(4), respectively, of this section, the advice of the SSC, and any other rel evant information, the Whiting PDT may also recommend to the Whiting Oversight Committee and Council changes to stock status determination criteria and associated thresholds based on the best scientific informa tion available, including information from peer-reviewed stock assessments of small-mesh multispecies. These ad justments may be included in the Council’s specifications for the small mesh multispecies fishery. (iv) Council recommendation. (A) The Council shall review the recommenda tions of the Whiting PDT, Whiting Oversight Committee, and SSC, any public comment received thereon, and any other relevant information, and make a recommendation to the Re gional Administrator on appropriate specifications and any measures nec essary to assure that the specifications will not be exceeded. (B) The Council’s recommendation must include supporting documenta tion, as appropriate, concerning the en vironmental, economic, and social im pacts of the recommendations. The Re gional Administrator will consider the recommendations and publish a rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER proposing speci fications and associated measures, con sistent with the Administrative Proce dure Act. (C) The Regional Administrator may propose specifications different than those recommended by the Council. If the specifications published in the FED ERAL REGISTER differ from those rec ommended by the Council, the reasons for any differences must be clearly stated and the revised specifications must satisfy the criteria set forth in this section, the FMP, and other appli cable laws. (D) If the final specifications are not published in the FEDERAL REGISTER for the start of the fishing year, the pre vious year’s specifications will remain in effect until superseded by the final rule implementing the current year’s specifications, to ensure that there is no lapse in regulations while new speci fications are completed. (2) Process for specifying ABCs, ACLs, and TALs. The Whiting PDT shall cal culate the OFL and ABC values for each small-mesh multispecies stock based on the control rules established in the FMP. These calculations shall be reviewed by the SSC and guided by terms of reference developed by the Council. The ACLs and TALs shall be calculated based on the SSC’s approved ABCs, as specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(A) through (C) and (a)(2)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section. (i) Red hake—(A) ABCs. (1) The Coun cil’s SSC will recommend an ABC to the Council for both the northern and southern stocks of red hake. The red hake ABCs are reduced from the OFLs based on an adjustment for scientific uncertainty as specified in the FMP; the ABCs must be less than or equal to the OFL. (2) While the southern red hake stock is under a rebuilding plan, the ABC for that stock shall be set to 75-percent of the OFL for the duration of the re building period or until the stock reaches its biomass target, whichever occurs first. (B) ACLs. The red hake ACLs are equal to 95 percent of the cor responding ABCs. (C) TALs. (1) The red hake TALs are equal to the northern red hake and southern red hake ACLs minus a dis card estimate based on the most recent 3 years of data and then reduced by 3 percent to account for silver hake and 920 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 offshore hake landings that occur in state waters. (2) If more than two-thirds of the southern red hake TAL is harvested in a single year, the Regional Adminis trator shall consult with the Council and will consider implementing quar terly TALs in the following fishing year, as prescribed in the FMP and in a manner consistent with the require ments of the Administrative Procedure Act. (ii) Silver and Offshore Hake—(A) ABCs. The Council’s SSC will rec ommend an ABC to the Council for both the northern and southern stocks of silver hake. The ABC for the south ern stock of silver hake will be in creased by 4 percent to account for catch of offshore hake. The combined silver hake and offshore hake ABC in the southern area will be the southern whiting ABC. The silver hake and whit ing ABCs are reduced from the OFLs based on an adjustment for scientific uncertainty as specified in the FMP; the ABCs must be less than or equal to the OFLs. (B) ACLs. The northern silver hake and southern whiting ACLs are equal to 95 percent of the ABCs. (C) TALs. (1) The northern silver hake and southern whiting TALs are equal to the northern silver hake and southern whiting ACLs minus a discard estimate based on the most recent 3 years of data and then reduced by 3 percent to account for silver hake and offshore hake landings that occur in state waters. (2) If more than two-thirds of the southern whiting TAL is harvested in a single year, the Regional Adminis trator shall consult with the Council and will consider implementing quar terly TALs in the following fishing year, as proscribed in the FMP and in a manner consistent with the require ments of the Administrative Procedure Act. (3) Annual Review. (i) Using a report provided by NMFS that includes trends in the fishery, changes in stock bio mass, and total catch data, the Whit ing PDT shall meet at least once annu ally to review the status of the stock and the fishery and the adequacy of the 3-year specifications. Based on such re view, the PDT shall provide a report to the Council on any changes or new in formation about the small-mesh multi species stocks and/or fishery, and it shall recommend whether the speci fications for the upcoming year(s), es tablished pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section, need to be modified. At a minimum, this review should include a review of at least the following data, if available: Commercial catch data; discards; stock status (exploitation rate and survey biomass); sea sam pling, port sampling, and survey data or, if sea sampling data are unavail able, length frequency information from port sampling and/or surveys; im pact of other fisheries on the mortality of small-mesh multispecies; and any other relevant information. (ii) If new and/or additional informa tion becomes available, the Whiting PDT shall consider it during this an nual review. Based on this review, the Whiting PDT shall provide guidance to the Whiting Oversight Committee and the Council regarding the need to ad just measures for the small-mesh multispecies fishery to better achieve the FMP’s objectives. After considering this guidance, the Council may submit to NMFS its recommendations for changes to management measures, as appropriate, through the specifications process described in this section, the process specified in paragraph (c) of this section, or through an amendment to the FMP. (4) Specifications package. (i) The Whiting PDT shall prepare a specifica tion package, including a SAFE Re port, at least every 3 years. Based on the specification package, the Whiting PDT shall develop and present to the Council recommended specifications as defined in paragraph (a) of this section for up to 3 fishing years. The specifica tions package shall be the primary ve hicle for the presentation of all up dated biological and socio-economic in formation regarding the small-mesh multispecies fishery. The specifications package shall provide source data for any adjustments to the management measures that may be needed to con tinue to meet the goals and objectives of the FMP. The specifications package may include modifications to the OFL, ABC, ACL, TAL, possession limits, and in-season possession limit triggers. 921 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.90 (ii) In any year in which a specifica tions package, including a SAFE Re port, is not completed by the Whiting PDT, the annual review process de scribed in paragraph (a) of this section shall be used to recommend any nec essary adjustments to specifications and/or management measures in the FMP. (5) Accountability measures for the small-mesh multispecies fishery—(i) In season adjustment of possession limits. In season adjustment accountability measures for the small-mesh multispe cies fishery are specified in accordance with the procedures in § 648.86(d)(4). (ii) Post-season adjustment for an over age. If NMFS determines that a small mesh multispecies ACL was exceeded in a given fishing year, the in-season accountability measure adjustment trigger, as specified in paragraph (b)(5)(iii) of this section, shall be re duced in a subsequent fishing year by 1 percent for each 1 percent by which the ACL was exceeded through notification consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. For example, if the in season adjustment trigger is 90 per cent, and an ACL is exceeded by 5 per cent, the adjustment trigger for the stock whose ACL was exceeded would be reduced to 85 percent for subsequent fishing years. (iii) Small-mesh multispecies in-season adjustment triggers. The small-mesh multispecies in-season accountability measure adjustment triggers are as fol lows: Species In-season adjustment trigger (percent) Northern Red Hake ....................................... 90 Northern Silver Hake ..................................... 90 Southern Red Hake ....................................... 40.4 Southern Silver Hake .................................... 90 (c) Within season management action for NE multispecies, including small-mesh NE multispecies. The Council may, at any time, initiate action to add or ad just management measures if it finds that action is necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and objec tives of the NE Multispecies FMP, to address gear conflicts, or to facilitate the development of aquaculture projects in the EEZ. This procedure may also be used to modify FMP over fishing definitions and fishing mor tality targets that form the basis for selecting specific management meas ures. (1) Adjustment process. (i) After a management action has been initiated, the Council shall develop and analyze appropriate management actions over the span of at least two Council meet ings. The Council shall provide the public with advance notice of the avail ability of both the proposals and the analyses and opportunity to comment on them prior to and at the second Council meeting. The Council’s rec ommendation on adjustments or addi tions to management measures, other than to address gear conflicts, must come from one or more of the following categories: DAS changes; effort moni toring; data reporting; possession lim its; gear restrictions; closed areas; per mitting restrictions; crew limits; min imum fish sizes; onboard observers; minimum hook size and hook style; the use of crucifer in the hook-gear fishery; sector requirements; recreational fish ing measures; area closures and other appropriate measures to mitigate ma rine mammal entanglements and inter actions; description and identification of EFH; fishing gear management measures to protect EFH; designation of habitat areas of particular concern within EFH; changes to the SBRM, in cluding the CV-based performance standard, the means by which discard data are collected/obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer sea-day alloca tions, reports, and/or industry-funded observers or observer set aside pro grams; and any other management measures currently included in the FMP. (ii) The Council’s recommendation on adjustments or additions to manage ment measures pertaining to small mesh NE multispecies, other than to address gear conflicts, must come from one or more of the following cat egories: Quotas and appropriate sea sonal adjustments for vessels fishing in experimental or exempted fisheries that use small mesh in combination with a separator trawl/grate (if applica ble); modifications to separator grate (if applicable) and mesh configurations 922 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.90 for fishing for small-mesh NE multi species; adjustments to whiting stock boundaries for management purposes; adjustments for fisheries exempted from minimum mesh requirements to fish for small-mesh NE multispecies (if applicable); season adjustments; dec larations; participation requirements for any of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank small-mesh multispecies exemp tion areas; OFL and ABC values; ACL, TAL, or TAL allocations, including the proportions used to allocate by season or area; small-mesh multispecies pos session limits, including in-season AM possession limits; changes to reporting requirements and methods to monitor the fishery; and biological reference points, including selected reference time series, survey strata used to cal culate biomass, and the selected survey for status determination; and changes to the SBRM, including the CV-based performance standard, the means by which discard data are collected/ob tained, fishery stratification, the proc ess for prioritizing observer sea-day al locations, reports, and/or industry funded observers or observer set aside programs. (iii) Adjustment process for whiting DAS. The Council may develop rec ommendations for a whiting DAS effort reduction program through the frame work process outlined in paragraph (c) of this section only if these options are accompanied by a full set of public hearings that span the area affected by the proposed measures in order to pro vide adequate opportunity for public comment. (2) Adjustment process for gear con flicts. The Council may develop a rec ommendation on measures to address gear conflicts as defined under 50 CFR 600.10, in accordance with the proce dures specified in § 648.55 (d) and (e). (3) Council recommendation. After de veloping management actions and re ceiving public testimony, the Council shall make a recommendation to the Regional Administrator. The Council’s recommendation must include sup porting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an anal ysis of impacts and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If the Council recommends that the management measures should be issued as a final rule, the Council must consider at least the following factors and provide support and analysis for each factor considered: (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended manage ment measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire harvest/fishing season. (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for participa tion by the public and members of the affected industry in the development of the Council’s recommended manage ment measures. (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource. (iv) Whether there will be a con tinuing evaluation of management measures adopted following their im plementation as a final rule. (4) Regional Administrator action. If the Council’s recommendation includes adjustments or additions to manage ment measures, after reviewing the Council’s recommendation and sup porting information: (i) If the Regional Administrator con curs with the Council’s recommended management measures and determines that the recommended management measures should be issued as a final rule, based on the factors specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. (ii) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council’s rec ommendation and determines that the recommended management measures should be published first as a proposed rule, the measures will be published as a proposed rule in the FEDERAL REG ISTER. After additional public com ment, if the Regional Administrator concurs with the Council’s rec ommendation, the measures will be issued as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. 923 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.91 (iii) If the Regional Administrator does not concur, the Council will be no tified in writing of the reasons for the non-concurrence. (d) Flexible Area Action System. (1) The Chair of the Multispecies Oversight Committee, upon learning of the pres ence of discard problems associated with large concentrations of juvenile, sublegal, or spawning multispecies, shall determine if the situation war rants further investigation and pos sible action. In making this determina tion, the Committee Chair shall con sider the amount of discard of regu lated species, the species targeted, the number and types of vessels operating in the area, the location and size of the area, and the resource condition of the impacted species. If he/she determines it is necessary, the Committee Chair will request the Regional Adminis trator to initiate a fact finding inves tigation to verify the situation and publish notification in the FEDERAL REGISTER requesting public comments in accordance with the procedures therefore in Amendment 3 to the NE Multispecies FMP. (2) After examining the facts, the Re gional Administrator shall, within the deadlines specified in Amendment 3, provide the technical analysis required by Amendment 3. (3) The NEFMC shall prepare an eco nomic impact analysis of the potential management options under consider ation within the deadlines specified in Amendment 3. (4) Copies of the analysis and reports prepared by the Regional Adminis trator and the NEFMC shall be made available for public review at the NEFMC’s office and the Committee shall hold a meeting/public hearing, at which time it shall review the analysis and reports and request public com ments. Upon review of all available sources of information, the Committee shall determine what course of action is warranted by the facts and make a recommendation, consistent with the provisions of Amendment 3 to the Re gional Administrator. (5) By the deadline set in Amendment 3 the Regional Administrator shall ei ther accept or reject the Committee’s recommendation. If the recommended action is consistent with the record es tablished by the fact-finding report, impact analysis, and comments re ceived at the public hearing, he/she shall accept the Committee’s rec ommendation and implement it through notification in the FEDERAL REGISTER and by notice sent to all ves sel owners holding multispecies per mits. The Regional Administrator shall also use other appropriate media, in cluding, but not limited to, mailings to the news media, fishing industry asso ciations and radio broadcasts, to dis seminate information on the action to be implemented. (6) Once implemented, the Regional Administrator shall monitor the af fected area to determine if the action is still warranted. If the Regional Ad ministrator determines that the cir cumstances under which the action was taken, based on the Regional Adminis trator’s report, the NEFMC’s report, and the public comments, are no longer in existence, he/she shall terminate the action by notification in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (7) Actions taken under this section will ordinarily become effective upon the date of filing with the Office of the Federal Register. The Regional Admin istrator may determine that facts war rant a delayed effective date. (e) Nothing in this section is meant to derogate from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action and interim measures under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. [69 FR 22984, Apr. 27, 2004] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.90, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.91 Monkfish regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear and methods of fishing. All vessels fishing for, possessing or landing monkfish must comply with the following minimum mesh size, gear, and methods of fishing require ments, unless otherwise exempted or prohibited: (a) Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA)—Area definition. The NFMA (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request) is that area 924 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.91 defined by a line beginning at the intersection of 70° W. longitude and the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA (point A), then southward along 70° W. longitude to 41° N. latitude, then east ward to the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, then in a northerly direction along the U.S.-Canada maritime bound ary until it intersects the Maine shore line, and then following the coastline in a southerly direction until it inter sects with point A. (b) Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA)—Area definition. The SFMA (copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request) is that area defined by a line beginning at point A, then in a southerly direction to the NC-SC border, then due east to the 200– mile limit, then in a northerly direc tion along the 200–mile limit to the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary, then in a northwesterly direction along the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to 41° N. latitude, and then westward to 70° W. longitude, and finally north to the shoreline at Cape Cod, MA (point A). (c) Gear restrictions—(1) Minimum mesh size—(i) Trawl nets while on a monkfish DAS. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the minimum mesh size for any trawl net, including beam trawl nets, used by a vessel fish ing under a monkfish DAS is 10-inch (25.4-cm) square or 12-inch (30.5-cm) di amond mesh throughout the codend for at least 45 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net. The min imum mesh size for the remainder of the trawl net is the regulated mesh size specified under § 648.80(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2)(i), or (c)(2)(i) of the Northeast multispecies regulations, depending upon and consistent with the NE multispecies regulated mesh area being fished. (ii) Trawl nets while on a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS. Vessels issued a Category C, D, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and fishing with trawl gear under both a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS are subject to the minimum mesh size allowed under reg ulations governing mesh size at § 648.80(a)(3), (a)(4), (b)(2)(i), or (c)(2)(i), depending upon, and consistent with, the NE multispecies regulated mesh area being fished, unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii). Trawl vessels participating in the Off shore Fishery Program, as described in § 648.95, and that have been issued a Category F monkfish limited access permit, are subject to the minimum mesh size specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. (iii) Gillnets while on a monkfish DAS. The minimum mesh size for any gillnets used by a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS is 10-inch (25.4-cm) di amond mesh, unless: (A) The owner or operator of a lim ited access NE multispecies vessel fish ing under a NE multispecies category A DAS with gillnet gear in the NFMA changes the vessel’s DAS declaration to a monkfish DAS through the ves sel’s VMS unit during the course of the trip in accordance with the provisions specified under § 648.92(b)(1)(iii); (B) A vessel issued a Category C or D limited access monkfish permit is fish ing under both a monkfish and NE multispecies Category A DAS in the SFMA using roundfish gillnets, as de fined at § 648.2, with 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh; (C) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit is fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlan tic Exemption Area using roundfish gillnets with a minimum mesh size of 5 inches (12.7 cm) in accordance with the provisions specified under § 648.80(c)(5); or (D) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit is fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in the Southern New England Dogfish Exemption Area using roundfish gillnets with a min imum mesh size of 6 inches (15.2 cm) in accordance with the provisions speci fied under § 648.80(b)(7). (iv) Authorized gear while on a monkfish and scallop DAS. Vessels issued a Category C, D, G, or H limited access monkfish permit and fishing under a monkfish and scallop DAS may only fish with and use a trawl net with a mesh size no smaller than that speci fied in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this sec tion. (2) Other gear restrictions. (i) A vessel may not fish with dredges or have dredges on board while fishing under a monkfish DAS. 925 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.92 (ii) All other non-conforming gear must be stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (iii) The mesh size restrictions in paragraph (c)(1) of this section do not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) × 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 ft2 (0.81 m2)). (3) SFMA trawl roller gear restriction. The roller gear diameter on any vessel on a monkfish DAS in the SFMA may not exceed 6 inches (15.2 cm) in diame ter. [64 FR 54747, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 37917, June 19, 2000; 67 FR 50323, Aug. 1, 2002; 70 FR 21942, Apr. 28, 2005; 72 FR 53949, Sept. 21, 2007; 79 FR 52580, Sept. 4, 2014; 81 FR 58865, Aug. 26, 2016] § 648.92 Effort-control program for monkfish limited access vessels. (a) General. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit may not fish for, possess, retain, or land monkfish, except during a DAS as allocated under and in accordance with the applicable DAS program described in this section, except as otherwise provided in this part. (1) End of year carryover. With the ex ception of a vessel that held a Con firmation of Permit History, as de scribed in § 648.4(a)(1)(i)(J), for the en tire fishing year preceding the carry over year, a limited access monkfish vessel that has unused monkfish DAS on the last day of April of any year may carry over a maximum of 4 unused monkfish DAS into the next fishing year. A vessel whose DAS have been sanctioned through enforcement pro ceedings shall be credited with unused DAS based on its DAS allocation minus any DAS that have been sanctioned. (2) [Reserved] (b) Monkfish DAS program—permit cat egories and allocations—(1) Limited access monkfish permit holders—(i) General pro vision. Each vessel issued a limited ac cess monkfish permit shall be allocated 46 monkfish DAS each fishing year, which must be used in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (b), unless the permit is enrolled in the Off shore Fishery Program in the SFMA, as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section. The annual allocation of monkfish DAS to each limited access monkfish permit shall be reduced by the amount calculated in paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this section for the research DAS set-aside. Unless otherwise speci fied in paragraph (b)(2) of this section or under this subpart F, a vessel issued a limited access NE multispecies or limited access sea scallop permit that is also issued a limited access monkfish permit must use a NE multi species or sea scallop DAS concur rently with each monkfish DAS uti lized. (ii) DAS restrictions for vessels fishing in the SFMA. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit may not use more than 37 of its 46 monkfish DAS al location in the SFMA during each fish ing year. Each vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit fishing in the SFMA must declare that it is fishing in this area through the vessel call-in sys tem or VMS prior to the start of every trip. In addition, if a vessel does not possess a valid letter of authorization from the Regional Administrator to fish in the NFMA as described in § 648.94(f), NMFS shall presume that any monkfish DAS used were fished in the SFMA. (iii) DAS declaration provision for ves sels fishing in the NFMA with a VMS unit. Any limited access NE multispe cies vessel fishing on a sector trip or under a NE multispecies Category A DAS in the NFMA, and issued an LOA as specified in § 648.94(f), may change its DAS declaration to a monkfish DAS through the vessel’s VMS unit during the course of the trip after leaving port, but prior to crossing the VMS de marcation line upon its return to port or leaving the NFMA, if the vessel ex ceeds the incidental catch limit speci fied under § 648.94(c). (A) Vessels that change their DAS declaration from a NE multispecies Category A DAS to a monkfish DAS during the course of a trip remain sub ject to the NE multispecies DAS usage requirements (i.e., use a NE multispe cies Category A DAS in conjunction with the monkfish DAS) described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section. (B) Gillnet vessels that change their DAS declaration in accordance with this paragraph (b)(1)(iii) are not sub ject to the gillnet minimum mesh size restrictions found at § 648.91(c)(1)(iii), but are subject to the smaller NE 926 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.92 multispecies minimum mesh require ments for gillnet vessels found under § 648.80 based upon the NE Multispecies Regulated Mesh Area in which the ves sel is fishing. (iv) Offshore Fishery Program DAS al location. A vessel issued a Category F permit, as described in § 648.95, shall be allocated a prorated number of monkfish DAS as specified in § 648.95(g)(2). (v) Research DAS set-aside. A total of 500 DAS shall be set aside and made available for cooperative research pro grams as described in paragraph (c) of this section. These DAS shall be de ducted from the total number of DAS allocated to all monkfish limited ac cess permit holders, as specified under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section. A per vessel deduction shall be determined as follows: Allocated DAS minus the quotient of 500 DAS divided by the total number of limited access permits issued in the previous fishing year. For example, if the DAS allocation equals 31 DAS and there were 750 limited ac cess monkfish permits issued during FY 2006, the number of DAS allocated to each vessel during FY 2007 would be 31 DAS minus 0.7 (500 DAS divided by 750 permits), or 30.3 DAS. (2) Category C, D, F, G, or H limited ac cess monkfish permit holders. (i) General provision. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, each monkfish DAS used by a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H permit and a limited access NE multispecies or scallop DAS permit shall also be counted as a NE multispe cies or scallop DAS, as applicable. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, or H permit may not use a NE multispecies Category B Reg ular DAS under the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS Program, as specified under § 648.85(b)(6), in order to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph (b)(2)(i) to use a NE multispecies DAS concurrently with a monkfish DAS. (ii) Monkfish-only DAS. When a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Cat egory C, D, F, G, or H permit and a lim ited access NE multispecies DAS per mit has an allocation of NE multispe cies Category A DAS, specified under § 648.82(d)(1), that is less than the num ber of monkfish DAS allocated for the fishing year May 1 through April 30, that vessel shall be allocated ‘‘monkfish-only’’ DAS equal to the dif ference between the number of its allo cated monkfish DAS and the number of its allocated NE multispecies Category A DAS at the start of a fishing year. For example, if a vessel issued a lim ited access monkfish Category D per mit is allocated 46 monkfish DAS and 26 NE multispecies Category A DAS, it would have 20 monkfish-only DAS at the start of each fishing year. The available balance of monkfish-only DAS may vary throughout the fishing year based upon monkfish-only DAS usage and the acquisition or relin quishment of NE multispecies DAS under the NE Multispecies DAS Leas ing Program, as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Cat egory C, D, F, G, or H permit may use monkfish-only DAS without the con current use of a NE multispecies DAS at any time throughout the fishing year, regardless of the number of NE multispecies Category A DAS avail able. When fishing under a monkfish only DAS, the vessel must fish under the regulations pertaining to a limited access monkfish Category A or B per mit, as applicable, and may not retain any regulated NE multispecies. For ex ample, a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C permit must com ply with the monkfish landing limits applicable to a Category A monkfish permit when fishing under a monkfish only DAS. (iii) Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels that lease NE multispecies DAS. (A) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H permit that has monkfish-only DAS, as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, and that leases NE multispecies DAS from another vessel pursuant to § 648.82(k), must fish its available monkfish-only DAS in conjunction with its leased NE multispecies DAS, to the extent that the vessel has NE multispecies DAS available. (B) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, F, G, or H per mit that leases NE multispecies DAS to another vessel(s), pursuant to § 648.82(k), must forfeit a monkfish DAS for each NE multispecies DAS that the 927 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.92 vessel leases, equal in number to the difference between the number of re maining NE multispecies DAS and the number of unused monkfish DAS at the time of the lease. For example, if a les sor vessel that had 31 unused monkfish DAS and 35 allocated NE multispecies DAS leased 10 of its NE multispecies DAS to another vessel, the lessor would forfeit 6 of its monkfish DAS (10 ¥ (35 NE multispecies DAS–31 monkfish DAS) = 6). (3) Accrual of DAS. Unless otherwise provided in § 648.92(b)(8)(v), all monkfish DAS fished shall be charged to the nearest minute. (4) DAS credits—(i) Good Samaritan credit. A limited access vessels fishing under the DAS program and that spends time at sea assisting in a USCG search and rescue operation or assist ing the USCG in towing a disabled ves sel, and that can document the occur rence through the USCG, will not ac crue DAS for the time documented. (ii) Canceled trip DAS credit. A limited access vessel operating under the DAS program and that end a fishing trip prior to setting and/or hauling fishing gear for any reason may request a can celled trip DAS credit for the trip based on the following conditions and requirements. (A) There is no fish onboard the ves sel and no fishing operations on the vessel were initiated, including setting and/or hauling fishing gear; and (B) The owner or operator of the ves sel fishing under a DAS program and required to use a VMS as specified under § 648.10(b) makes an initial trip cancelation notification from sea, at the time the trip was canceled, or at the earliest opportunity prior to cross ing the demarcation line as defined at § 648.10(a). These reports are in the form of an email to NMFS Office of Law Enforcement and include at least the following information: Operator name; vessel name; vessel permit num ber; port where vessel will return; date trip started; estimated date/time of re turn to port; and a statement from the operator that no fish were onboard and no fishing activity occurred; and (C) The owner or operator of the ves sel operating under the DAS program required to use the IVR call in as speci fied under § 648.10(h) makes an initial trip cancelation notification to NMFS by calling the IVR back at the time the trip was canceled, or at the earliest op portunity prior to returning to port. This request must include at least the following information: Operator name; vessel name; vessel permit number; port where vessel will return; date trip started; estimated date/time of return to port; and a statement from the oper ator that no fish were onboard and no fishing activity occurred; and (D) The owner or operator of the ves sel requesting a canceled trip DAS credit, in addition to the requirements in paragraphs (b)(4)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section, submits a written DAS credit request form to NMFS within 30 days of the vessel’s return to port from the canceled trip. This application must include at least the following in formation: Date and time when the vessel canceled the fishing trip; date and time of trip departure and landing; operator name; owner/corporation name; permit number; hull identifica tion number; vessel name; date and time notification requirements speci fied under paragraphs (b)(4)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section were made; reason for canceling the trip; and owner/oper ator signature and date; and (E) The vessel trip report for the can celed trip as required under § 648.7(b) is submitted along with the DAS credit request form; and (F) For DAS credits that are re quested near the end of the fishing year as defined at § 648.2, and approved by the Regional Administrator, the cred ited DAS apply to the fishing year in which the canceled trip occurred. Cred ited DAS that remain unused at the end of the fishing year or are not cred ited until the following fishing year and may be carried over into the next fishing year, not to exceed the max imum number of carryover DAS as specified under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (5) [Reserved] (6) Declaring monkfish DAS. A vessel’s owner or authorized representative shall notify the Regional Adminis trator of a vessel’s participation in the monkfish DAS program using the noti fication requirements specified in § 648.10. 928 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.92 (7) Adjustments in annual monkfish DAS allocations. Adjustments in annual monkfish DAS allocations, if required to meet fishing mortality goals, may be implemented pursuant to the frame work adjustment procedures of § 648.96. (8) Gillnet restrictions—(i) Number and size of nets—(A) Category A and B ves sels. A vessel issued a monkfish limited access Category A or B permit and fish ing under a monkfish DAS may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 160 gillnets. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.44 m), or 50 fath oms, in length. (B) Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels that possess a limited access NE multispe cies permit. A vessel issued a valid monkfish limited access Category C, D, F, G, or H permit that possesses a valid limited access NE multispecies permit and fishing under a monkfish DAS may not fish with, haul, possess, or deploy more than 150 gillnets. A vessel issued a NE multispecies limited access per mit and a limited access monkfish per mit, and fishing under a monkfish DAS, may fish any combination of monkfish, roundfish, and flatfish gillnets, up to 150 nets total, provided that the number of monkfish, roundfish, and flatfish gillnets is con sistent with the limitations of § 648.82. Nets may not be longer than 300 ft (91.4 m), or 50 fathoms, in length. (ii) Tagging requirements. Beginning May 1, 2000, all gillnets fished, hauled, possessed, or deployed by a vessel fish ing for monkfish under a monkfish DAS must have one monkfish tag per net, with one tag secured to every other bridle of every net within a string of nets. Tags must be obtained as described in § 648.4. A vessel operator must account for all net tags upon re quest by an authorized officer. (iii) Lost tags. A vessel owner or oper ator must report lost, destroyed, or missing tag numbers by letter or fax to the Regional Administrator within 24 hours after tags have been discovered lost, destroyed, or missing. (iv) Replacement tags. A vessel owner or operator seeking replacement of lost, destroyed, or missing tags must request replacement tags by letter or fax to the Regional Administrator. A check for the cost of the replacement tags must be received before the tags will be re-issued. (v) Method of counting DAS. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear under a monkfish DAS shall accrue 15 hours monkfish DAS for all trips less than or equal to 15 hours in duration. Such ves sels shall accrue monkfish DAS based on actual time at sea for trips greater than 15 hours in duration. A vessel fish ing with gillnet gear under only a monkfish DAS is not required to re move gillnet gear from the water upon returning to the dock and calling out of the DAS program, provided the ves sel complies with the requirements and conditions of paragraphs (b)(8)(i)–(v) of this section. A vessel fishing with gillnet gear under a joint monkfish and NE multispecies DAS, as required under § 648.92(b)(2)(i), that is declared as a trip gillnet vessel under the NE Multispecies FMP, must remove its gillnet gear from the water prior to calling out of the DAS program, as specified at § 648.82(j)(2). (9) Category G and H limited access per mit holders. (i) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category G or H per mit may fish under a monkfish DAS only in the SFMA, as defined at § 648.91(b). (ii) Vessels issued valid limited ac cess monkfish Category G or H permit that also possess a limited access NE multispecies or limited access scallop permit are subject to the same provi sions as Category C or D vessels, re spectively, unless otherwise stated under this subpart F. (10) DAS Adjustment for Trip Limit Overage. Any limited access monkfish vessel, required to or voluntarily using a VMS, fishing on a monkfish DAS may land up to the equivalent of one additional day’s worth of its trip limit (i.e., amount of monkfish authorized per DAS) than would otherwise be au thorized, provided the vessel, vessel owner, or vessel operator notifies the Regional Administrator of the overage via VMS prior to crossing the VMS de marcation line. If the vessel is not re quired to be, or is not equipped with an operable VMS, the vessel, vessel oper ator, or owner must notify the Re gional Administrator via the call-in system at least 1-hr prior to landing. 929 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.92 The monkfish DAS charged to the ves sel will then be increased to equal a full 24-hr period plus 1 minute to ac count for the trip limit overage. For example, if a vessel has the equivalent of two monkfish DAS trip limits (based on its permit category) on board, but has only been declared into the monkfish DAS program for 15 hr, the vessel, vessel owner, or vessel operator may land fish equal to the two DAS trip limits only if the Regional Admin istrator of the overage is notified via VMS or the call-in system as described above. In this case, the monkfish DAS charged to the vessel would be adjusted from 15 hr to 24 hr and 1 minute. (c) Monkfish Research—(1) DAS Set Aside Program. (i) NMFS shall publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the FEDERAL REGISTER consistent with pro cedures and requirements established by the NOAA Grants Office to solicit proposals for the upcoming fishing year that are based on research priorities identified by the Councils. (ii) NMFS shall convene a review panel that may include members of the Councils’ Monkfish Oversight Com mittee, the Council’s Research Steer ing Committee, and other subject mat ter experts, to review proposals sub mitted in response to the RFP. (A) Each panel member shall rec ommend which research proposals should be authorized to utilize the re search DAS set aside in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this sec tion, based on the selection criteria de scribed in the RFP. (B) NMFS and the NOAA Grants Of fice shall consider each panel member’s recommendation, and NOAA shall pro vide final approval of the projects, and notify applicants of the grant award through written notification to the project proponent. The Regional Ad ministrator may exempt selected ves sel(s) from regulations specified in each of the respective FMPs through the exempted fishing permit (EFP) process specified under § 600.745(b)(2). (iii) The grant awards approved under the RFPs shall be for the upcoming fishing year. Proposals to fund re search that would start prior to the fishing year are not eligible for consid eration. Multi-year grant awards may be approved under an RFP for an up coming fishing year, so long as the re search DAS available under subsequent RFPs are adjusted to account for the approval of multi-year awards. (iv) Research projects shall be con ducted in accordance with provisions approved and provided in an EFP issued by the Regional Administrator, as authorized under § 600.745(b)(2). (v) If the Regional Administrator de termines that the annual allocation of research DAS will not be used in its en tirety once all of the grant awards have been approved, the Regional Ad ministrator shall reallocate the unallocated research DAS as exempted DAS to be authorized as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and provide notice of the reallocation of DAS in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Any al located research DAS that are not used during the fishing year for which they are granted may be carried over into the next fishing year. Any unallocated research DAS may not be carried over into the next fishing year. (vi) For proposals that require other regulatory exemptions that extend be yond the scope of the analysis con tained in the Monkfish FMP, subse quent amendments, or framework ad justments, applicants may be required to provide additional analysis of the impacts of the requested exemptions before issuance of an EFP will be con sidered. (2) DAS Exemption Program. (i) Vessels that seek to conduct monkfish re search within the current fishing year, and that were not selected in the RFP process during the previous fishing year, may seek exemptions from monkfish DAS for the purpose of con ducting exempted fishing activities, as authorized at § 600.745(b), under the fol lowing conditions and restrictions: (A) The request for a monkfish DAS exemption must be submitted along with a complete application for an EFP to the Regional Administrator. The re quirements for submitting a complete EFP application are provided in § 600.745(b)(2); (B) Exempted DAS must be available for usage. Exempted DAS shall only be made available by the Regional Admin istrator if it is determined that the an nual set-aside of research DAS will not be used in its entirety, as described in 930 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.93 paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section. If exempted DAS are not available for usage, the applicant may continue to seek an exemption from monkfish DAS, but may be required to conduct an analysis of the impacts associated with the monkfish DAS exemption re quest before issuance of the EFP appli cation will be considered; and (C) For EFP applications that require other regulatory exemptions that ex tend beyond the scope of the analysis contained in the Monkfish FMP, subse quent amendments, or framework ad justments, applicants may be required to provide additional analysis of the impacts of the requested exemptions before issuance of an EFP will be con sidered. (ii) Monkfish DAS exemption re quests shall be reviewed and approved by the Regional Administrator in the order in which they are received. [64 FR 54748, Oct. 7, 1999] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.92, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. § 648.93 Monkfish minimum fish sizes. (a) General provisions. All monkfish caught by vessels issued a valid Fed eral monkfish permit must meet the minimum fish size requirements estab lished in this section. MINIMUM FISH SIZES (Total Length/Tail Length) Total Length Tail Length 17 inches (43.2 cm) 11 inches (27.9 cm) (b) The minimum fish size applies to the whole fish (total length) or to the tail of a fish (tail length) at the time of landing. Fish or parts of fish, with the exception of cheeks and livers, must have skin on while possessed on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet minimum size require ments. ‘‘Skin on’’ means the entire portion of the skin normally attached to the portion of the fish or fish parts possessed. Monkfish tails are measured from the anterior portion of the fourth cephalic dorsal spine to the end of the caudal fin. Any tissue anterior to the fourth dorsal spine is ignored. If the fourth dorsal spine or the tail is not in tact, the minimum size is measured be tween the most anterior vertebra and the most posterior portion of the tail. [64 FR 54749, Oct. 7, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 22329, Apr. 28, 2003; 70 FR 21944, Apr. 28, 2005; 79 FR 41924, July 18, 2014] § 648.94 Monkfish possession and land ing restrictions. (a) General. Monkfish may be pos sessed or landed either as tails only, tails with associated heads possessed separately, or in whole form (head on and gutted), or any combination of the three provided the weight of monkfish heads on board does not exceed 1.91 times the weight of monkfish tails on board. When any combination of tails, and whole fish are possessed or landed, the possession or landing limit shall be based on tail weight where all whole monkfish (head on and gutted) are con verted to tail weight using the conver sion factor of 2.91. For example, whole weight is converted to tail weight by dividing the whole weight by 2.91. Con versely, tail weight is converted to whole weight by multiplying the tail weight by 2.91. If heads only are pos sessed in combination with tails, the possession or landing limit for monkfish heads may not exceed 1.91 times the tail weight of fish on board, excluding any whole monkfish. The al lowed amount of head weight is deter mined by multiplying the tail weight by 1.91. For example a vessel possessing 100 lb (45 kg) of tail weight may possess an additional 191 lb (87 kg) of monkfish heads (100 × 1.91 = 191). A vessel may not possess heads only without pos sessing the equivalent weight of tails allowed by using the conversion factor. (b) Vessels issued limited access monkfish permits—(1) Vessels fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the NFMA— (i) Category A vessels. A limited access monkfish Category A vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may land up to 1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of 931 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.94 monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (ii) Category B vessels. A limited ac cess monkfish Category B vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iii) Category C vessels. A limited ac cess monkfish Category C vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS may land up to 1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category C vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iv) Category D vessels. A limited ac cess monkfish Category D vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category D vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (2) Vessels fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the SFMA—(i) Category A, C, and G vessels. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category A, C, or G permit that fishes under a monkfish DAS in the SFMA may land up to 700 lb (318 kg) tail weight or 2,037 lb (924 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail-only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (ii) Category B, D, and H vessels. A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category B, D, or H permit that fishes under a monkfish DAS in the SFMA may land up to 575 lb (261 kg) tail weight or 1,673 lb (759 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail-only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iii) Category F vessels. Vessels issued a Category F permit are subject to the possession and landing restrictions specified at § 648.95(g)(1). (iv) Administration of landing limits. A vessel owner or operator may not ex ceed the monkfish trip limits as speci fied in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section per monkfish DAS fished, or any part of a monkfish DAS fished. (3) Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels fishing under the multispecies DAS pro gram—(i) NFMA. Unless otherwise spec ified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C permit that fishes under a NE multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 900 lb (408 kg) tail weight or 2,619 lb (1,188 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category D permit that fishes under a NE multi species DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 750 lb (340 kg) tail weight or 2,183 lb (990 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of 932 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.94 tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C, D, or F permit participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS program, as specified under § 648.85(b)(6), is also subject to the incidental landing limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section on such trips. (ii) SFMA—(A) Category C, D, and F vessels. Limited access monkfish Cat egory C, D, or F vessels that fish any portion of a trip under a NE multispe cies DAS in the SFMA, and not a monkfish DAS, may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 873 lb (396 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS if trawl gear is used exclusively during the trip, or 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight per DAS if gear other than trawl gear is used at any time during the trip. Category C, D, and F vessels participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS pro gram, as specified under § 648.85(b)(6), are also subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. For the purpose of con verting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as de scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. (B) Category G and H vessels. Limited access monkfish Category G and H ves sels that fish any portion of a trip under a NE multispecies DAS in the SFMA, and not under a monkfish DAS, are subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Category G and H vessels participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS program, as specified under § 648.85(b)(6), are also subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. (iii) Transiting. A vessel that har vested monkfish in the NFMA may transit the SFMA and possess monkfish in excess of the SFMA land ing limit provided such vessel complies with the provisions of § 648.94(e). (4) Category C, D, F, G, or H vessels fishing under the scallop DAS program. A Category C, D, F, G, or H vessel fishing under a scallop DAS may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 873 lb (396 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (5) Category C, D, F, G, or H scallop vessels declared into the monkfish DAS program without a dredge on board, or not under the net exemption provision. Category C, D, G, or H vessels that have declared into the monkfish DAS program and that do not fish with or have a dredge on board, or that are not fishing with a net under the net exemp tion provision specified in § 648.51(f), are subject to the same landing limits as specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, or the landing limit specified in § 648.95(g)(1), if issued a Category F permit. Such vessels are also subject to provisions applicable to Category A and B vessels fishing only under a monkfish DAS, consistent with the provisions of this part. (6) Vessels not fishing under a NE multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS. The possession limits for all limited access monkfish vessels when not fish ing under a NE multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS are the same as those possession limits applicable to a vessel issued a monkfish incidental catch per mit specified under paragraphs (c)(3) through (c)(8) of this section. (c) Vessels issued a monkfish incidental catch permit—(1) Vessels fishing under a NE multispecies DAS—(i) NFMA. A ves sel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit fishing under a NE multispecies DAS exclu sively in the NFMA may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 873 lb (396 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS, or 25 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board, whichever is less. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail-only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as de scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. 933 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.94 (ii) SFMA. If any portion of the trip by a vessel issued a monkfish inci dental catch (Category E) permit, or issued a valid limited access Category G or H permit, is fished under a NE multispecies DAS in the SFMA, the vessel may land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (2) Scallop vessels fishing under a scal lop DAS. A scallop vessel issued a monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit fishing under a scallop DAS may land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 873 lb (396 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (3) Vessels fishing with large mesh and not fishing under a DAS —(i) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch limit (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Cat egory A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing in the GOM or GB RMAs with mesh no smaller than specified at §§ 648.80(a)(3)(i) and (a)(4)(i), respec tively, while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may pos sess, retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board. For the purpose of con verting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as de scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. (ii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing in the SNE RMA east of the MA Ex emption Area boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at § 648.80(b)(2)(i), while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the pur pose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iii) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing in the SNE RMA under a Skate Bait Letter of Authorization, as authorized under § 648.322(c), while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land monkfish (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board, not to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the pur pose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iv) A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing in the SNE or MA RMAs west of the MA Exemption Area boundary with mesh no smaller than specified at § 648.108(a)(1) while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land monkfish 934 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.94 (whole or tails) only up to 5 percent (where the weight of all monkfish is converted to tail weight) of the total weight of fish on board, up to a max imum of 450 lb (204 kg) tail weight or 1,310 lb (594 kg) whole weight of monkfish per trip, unless that vessel is fishing under a Skate Bait Letter of Authorization in the SNE RMA. Such a vessel is subject to the incidental catch limit specified under paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section. For the pur pose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (4) Vessels fishing with small mesh and not fishing under a DAS. A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Cat egory E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Category A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) fishing with mesh smaller than the mesh size specified by area in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may possess, retain, and land only up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is di vided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (5) Small vessels. A vessel issued a lim ited access NE multispecies small ves sel category permit and a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit that is less than 30 ft (9.1 m) in length and that elects not to fish under the NE multispecies DAS program, may possess, retain, and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail only weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (6) Vessels fishing with handgear. A vessel issued a valid monkfish inci dental catch (Category E) permit or a limited access monkfish permit (Cat egory A, B, C, D, F, G, or H) and fishing exclusively with rod and reel or handlines with no other fishing gear on board, while not on a monkfish, NE multispecies, or scallop DAS, may pos sess, retain, and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a maximum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the purpose of con verting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as de scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. (7) Vessels fishing with surfclam or ocean quahog dredge gear. A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit and a valid surfclam or ocean quahog permit, while fishing exclusively with a hydraulic clam dredge or mahogany quahog dredge, may possess, retain, and land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, not to exceed 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (8) Scallop vessels not fishing under a scallop DAS with dredge gear—(i) General provisions. A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a valid limited access Cat egory C, D, F, G, or H permit, and also possessing a valid General Category sea scallop permit or a limited access sea scallop vessel not fishing under a scal lop DAS, while fishing exclusively with scallop dredge gear as specified in § 648.51(b), may possess, retain, and 935 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.94 land up to 50 lb (23 kg) tail weight or 146 lb (66 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day, up to a max imum of 150 lb (68 kg) tail weight or 437 lb (198 kg) whole weight per trip, unless otherwise specified in paragraph (c)(8)(ii) of this section. For the pur pose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (ii) Limited access scallop vessels fish ing in Sea Scallop Access Areas. A vessel issued a valid monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit or a valid limited access Category C, D, F, G, or H permit, and also possessing a limited access sea scallop permit while fishing exclusively with scallop dredge gear as specified in § 648.51(b), and fishing in one of the established Sea Scallop Ac cess Areas specified under § 648.59, may possess, retain, and land up to 300 lb (136 kg) tail weight or 873 lb (396 kg) whole weight of monkfish per day or partial day fished within the bound aries of the Sea Scallop Access Area. Time within the applicable access area, for purposes of determining the inci dental catch limit, will be determined through the vessel’s VMS unit. For the purpose of converting whole weight to tail weight, the amount of whole weight possessed or landed is divided by 2.91. For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (d) Monkfish liver landing restrictions. (1) A vessel authorized to land monkfish under this part may possess or land monkfish livers up to 25 per cent of the tail-weight of monkfish, or up to 10 percent of the whole weight of monkfish, per trip, except as provided under paragraph (d)(2) of this section. (2) If a vessel possesses or lands both monkfish tails and whole monkfish, the vessel may land monkfish livers up to 10 percent of the whole weight of monkfish per trip using the following weight ratio: (0.10) × [(tail weight × 2.91) + (whole fish × 1)]. (e) Transiting. A vessel that has de clared into the NFMA for the purpose of fishing for monkfish under the less restrictive measures of the NFMA, may transit the SFMA provided that the vessel does not harvest or possess monkfish, or any other fish, from the SFMA, and the vessel’s gear is properly stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (f) Area declaration requirement for a vessel fishing exclusively in the NFMA. A vessel intending to fish for, fishing for, possessing, or landing monkfish under a NE multispecies, scallop, or monkfish DAS under the less restric tive management measures of the NFMA, must fish exclusively in the NFMA for the entire trip. In addition, a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS must declare its intent to fish in the NFMA through the vessel’s VMS unit or through the vessel call-in system, as applicable. A vessel that is not re quired to and does not possess a VMS unit must also declare its intent to fish in the NFMA by obtaining a letter of authorization from the Regional Ad ministrator, which is effective for a pe riod of not less than 7 days, and fishing exclusively in the NFMA during the ef fective period of that letter of author ization. A vessel that has not declared into the NFMA under this paragraph (f) shall be presumed to have fished in the SFMA, and shall be subject to the more restrictive requirements of that area. A vessel that has declared into the NFMA may transit the SFMA, pro viding that it complies with the transiting and gear storage provision described in paragraph (e) of this sec tion, and provided that it does not fish for or catch monkfish, or any other fish, in the SFMA. (g) Other landing restrictions. Vessels are subject to any other applicable landing restrictions of this part. [64 FR 54749, Oct. 7, 1999] EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER ci tations affecting § 648.94, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. 936 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.95 § 648.95 Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA. (a) General. Any vessel issued a valid monkfish limited access permit is eli gible to apply for a Category F permit in order to fish in the Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA. (1) A vessel issued a Category F per mit is subject to the specific provisions and conditions of this section while fishing on a monkfish DAS. (2) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C or D permit that applies for and is issued a Category F permit remains subject to the provi sions specific to Category C and D ves sels, unless otherwise specified under this subpart F. (3) Limited access Category C or D vessels that apply for and are issued a Category F permit remain subject to the provisions specific to Category C and D vessels, unless otherwise speci fied under this subpart F. (b) Declaration. To fish in the Off shore Fishery Program, a vessel must obtain a monkfish limited access Cat egory F permit and fish under this per mit for the entire fishing year, subject to the conditions and restrictions spec ified under this part. The owner of a vessel, or authorized representative, may change the vessel’s limited access monkfish permit category within 45 days of the effective date of the ves sel’s permit, provided the vessel has not fished under the monkfish DAS program during that fishing year. If such a request is not received within 45 days, the vessel owner may not request a change in permit category and the vessel’s permit category will remain unchanged for the duration of the fish ing year. (c) Offshore Fishery Program Area. The Offshore Fishery Program Area is bounded on the south by 38° 00′ N. lat. and on the north, west, and east by the following coordinates, connected in the order listed by rhumb lines. Point N. latitude W. longitude 1 ............................... 41°18.6′ 66°24.8′ 2 ............................... 40°55.5′ 66°38.0′ 3 ............................... 40°45.5′ 68°00.0′ 4 ............................... 40°37.0′ 68°00.0′ 5 ............................... 40°30.0′ 69°00.0′ 6 ............................... 40°22.7′ 69°00.0′ 7 ............................... 40°18.7′ 69°40.0′ 8 ............................... 40°21.0′ 71°03.0′ 9 ............................... 39°41.0′ 72°32.0′ Point N. latitude W. longitude 10 ............................. 38°47.0′ 73°11.0′ 11 ............................. 38°04.0′ 74°06.0′ (d) Season. October 1 through April 30 each year. (e) Restrictions. (1) Except for the transit provisions provided for in para graph (f) of this section, a vessel issued a valid Category F permit may only fish for, possess, and land monkfish in or from the Offshore Fishery Program Area while on a monkfish DAS. (2) A vessel enrolled in the Offshore Fishery Program is restricted to fish ing under its monkfish DAS during the season in paragraph (d) of this section. (3) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category F permit fishing on a monkfish DAS is subject to the min imum mesh size requirements specified in § 648.91(c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(iii), as well as the other gear requirements speci fied in § 648.91(c)(2) and (c)(3). (4) A vessel issued a Category F per mit must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets the minimum performance criteria speci fied in §§ 648.9 and 648.10 during the en tire season established under para graph (d) of this section. Unless other wise required to maintain an oper ational VMS unit under the VMS noti fication requirements specified at § 648.10(b), a vessel issued a Category F permit may turn off its VMS unit out side of that season. (f) Transiting. A vessel issued a lim ited access monkfish Category F per mit fishing under a monkfish DAS that is transiting to or from the Offshore Fishery Program Area, described in paragraph (c) of this section, shall have all gear stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. (g) Monkfish landing limits and DAS allocations. (1) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category F permit may land up to 1,600 lb (726 kg) tail weight or 4,656 lb (2,112 kg) whole weight of monkfish per monkfish DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). (2) The monkfish DAS allocation for vessels issued a Category F permit 937 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.96 shall be equal to the trip limit applica ble to the vessel’s monkfish limited ac cess permit category divided by the fixed daily possession limit specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and then multiplied by the DAS allocation for limited access monkfish vessels not issued Category F permits, specified under § 648.92(b)(1). For example, if a vessel has a limited access monkfish Category C permit, and the applicable trip limit is 800 lb (363 kg) for this cat egory, and the vessel has an annual al location of 40 monkfish DAS, then the monkfish DAS allocated to that vessel when issued a Category F permit would be 20 monkfish DAS (800 lb divided by 1,600 lb, multiplied by 40 monkfish DAS equals 20 DAS). Any carryover monkfish DAS will be included in the calculation of monkfish DAS for Cat egory F vessels. (3) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category F permit that is fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the NFMA is subject to the incidental landing limit specified at § 648.94(b)(3). (4) When not fishing on a monkfish DAS, a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category F permit may fish under the regulations applicable to the monkfish incidental catch (Category E) permit, specified at § 648.94(c). (h) DAS usage by NE multispecies or sea scallop limited access permit holders. A vessel issued a Category F permit that also has been issued either a NE multi species or sea scallop limited access permit, and is fishing on a monkfish DAS, is subject to the DAS usage re quirements specified in § 648.92(b)(2). [70 FR 21945, Apr. 28, 2005, as amended at 72 FR 20960, Apr. 27, 2007; 72 FR 53942, Sept. 21, 2007; 74 FR 20557, May 4, 2009; 79 FR 41925, July 18, 2014; 79 FR 52580, Sept. 4, 2014] § 648.96 FMP review, specification, and framework adjustment process. (a) Annual review and adjustment proc ess. The NEFMC and MAFMC, the Monkfish Plan Development Team (PDT), and the Monkfish Advisory Panel shall monitor the status of the monkfish fishery and resource. (1) Monkfish annual SAFE Report. The PDT shall prepare an annual Stock As sessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the monkfish fish ery. The SAFE Report shall be the pri mary vehicle for the presentation of updated biological and socio-economic information regarding the monkfish fishery. The SAFE report shall provide source data for any adjustments to the management measures that may be needed for the Councils to meet the goals and objectives of the FMP. (2) Annual review. The PDT shall meet at least annually to conduct a re view of the monkfish fishery in rela tion to the goals and objectives speci fied in the Monkfish FMP, including a review of catch relative to the annual catch targets (ACTs) for each manage ment area. They shall review available data pertaining to discards and land ings; DAS and other measures of fish ing effort; stock status and fishing mortality rate information, if avail able; enforcement of and compliance with management measures; and any other relevant information. Based on this review, the PDT shall provide guidance to the NEFMC and MAFMC regarding the need to adjust manage ment measures to better achieve the FMP’s goals and objectives. After con sidering the PDT’s guidance, the Coun cil may submit to NMFS its rec ommendations for changes to manage ment measures, as appropriate, through the annual framework adjust ment process specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the in-season framework adjustment process speci fied in paragraph (b) of this section, or through an amendment to the FMP. (3) Annual framework adjustment pro cedures. (i) If necessary based on the annual review, the Councils may de velop adjustments to management measures to achieve the annual catch target (ACT) for the upcoming fishing year, and may develop other manage ment options to better achieve the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP, which may include a preferred option. The Councils must demonstrate through analysis and documentation that any options they develop are ex pected to meet the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP. Additionally, if necessary based on the recommenda tion of the NEFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), the Councils may recommend measures to 938 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.96 revise the ABCs and ACLs for the up coming fishing year(s) as described in paragraph (c) of this section. (ii) The range of options developed by the Councils may include any of the management measures in the Monkfish FMP, including, but not limited to: ACTs; closed seasons or closed areas; minimum size limits; mesh size limits; net limits; liver-to-monkfish landings ratios; annual monkfish DAS alloca tions and monitoring; trip or posses sion limits; blocks of time out of the fishery; gear restrictions; transfer ability of permits and permit rights or administration of vessel upgrades, ves sel replacement, or permit assignment; measures to minimize the impact of the monkfish fishery on protected spe cies; gear requirements or restrictions that minimize bycatch or bycatch mor tality; transferable DAS programs; changes to the SBRM, including the CV-based performance standard, the means by which discard data are col lected/obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer sea-day allocations, reports, and/or in dustry-funded observers or observer set aside programs; changes to the Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program; and other frameworkable measures in cluded in §§ 648.55 and 648.90. (iii) The Councils shall review the op tions analyzed by the PDT and other relevant information, consider public comment, and submit a recommenda tion to the Regional Administrator that meets the Monkfish FMP’s objec tives, consistent with other applicable law. The Councils’ recommendation to the Regional Administrator shall in clude supporting documents, as appro priate, concerning the environmental and economic impacts of the proposed action and the other options considered by the Councils. Management adjust ments made to the Monkfish FMP re quire majority approval of each Coun cil for submission to the Secretary. (A) The Councils may delegate au thority to the Joint Monkfish Over sight Committee to conduct an initial review of the options analyzed by the PDT and any other relevant informa tion, consider public comment, and make a recommendation to the Coun cils. (B) If the Councils submit a rec ommendation that is consistent with other applicable law but does not meet the Monkfish FMP’s goals and objec tives, the Regional Administrator may adopt any option developed by the Councils and analyzed by the PDT that has not been rejected by either Coun cil, provided such option meets the Monkfish FMP’s goals and objectives, and is consistent with other applicable law. If either the NEFMC or MAFMC has rejected all options, then the Re gional Administrator may select any measure that has not been rejected by both Councils and that meets the Monkfish FMP’s goals and objectives. (iv) If the Councils submit, on or be fore December 1, a recommendation to the Regional Administrator after one meeting with each Council, and the Re gional Administrator concurs with the recommendation, the recommendation shall be published in the FEDERAL REG ISTER as a proposed rule, or as other wise authorized under the Administra tive Procedure Act. The Councils may instead submit their recommendation on or before February 1, if they choose to follow the framework process out lined in paragraph (b) of this section and request that the Regional Adminis trator publish the recommendation as a final rule. If the Regional Adminis trator concurs with the Councils’ rec ommendation the recommended man agement measures may be published as a proposed rule or a final rule, in ac cordance with the Administrative Pro cedure Act. If the effective date of a final rule to implement the rec ommended measures falls after the start of the fishing year, fishing may continue under the existing regula tions, but any DAS used by a vessel on or after the start of a fishing year shall be counted against any DAS allocation the vessel ultimately receives for that fishing year. (v) Following publication of a pro posed rule and after receiving public comment, if the Regional Adminis trator concurs in the Councils’ rec ommendation, a final rule, if possible, shall be published in the FEDERAL REG ISTER prior to the start of the next fishing year. If the Councils fail to sub mit a recommendation to the Regional Administrator by February 1 that 939 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.96 meets the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP, the Regional Adminis trator may implement through rule making in accordance with the Admin istrative Procedure Act one of the op tions reviewed and not rejected by ei ther Council, provided the option meets the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP, and is consistent with other applicable law. (b) Within-season management action. At any time, the Councils or the Joint Monkfish Oversight Committee (sub ject to the approval of the Councils’ Chairmen) may initiate action to add or adjust management measures if it is determined that action is necessary to meet or be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Monkfish FMP. (1) In-season Framework adjustment procedures. (i) Framework adjustments shall require at least one initial meet ing of the Joint Monkfish Oversight Committee or one of the Councils (the agenda must include notification of the framework adjustment proposal) and at least two final Council meetings, one at each Council. The Councils shall provide the public with advance notice of the availability of both the pro posals and the analysis, and oppor tunity to comment on them prior to the first of the two final Council meet ings. Framework adjustments and amendments to the Monkfish FMP re quire majority approval of each Coun cil for submission to the Secretary. (ii) Recommended adjustments to management measures must come from the categories specified under paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, in cluding specification of ABC and ACLs, if necessary. (2) Councils’ recommendation. After de veloping management actions and re ceiving public testimony, the Councils shall make a recommendation to the Regional Administrator. The Councils’ recommendation must include sup porting rationale and, if management measures are recommended, an anal ysis of impacts and a recommendation to the Regional Administrator on whether to issue the management measures as a final rule. If the Councils recommend that the management measures should be issued as a final rule, the Councils must consider at least the following four factors and provide support and analysis for each factor considered: (i) Whether the availability of data on which the recommended manage ment measures are based allows for adequate time to publish a proposed rule, and whether regulations have to be in place for an entire harvest/fishing season; (ii) Whether there has been adequate notice and opportunity for participa tion by the public and members of the affected industry in the development of the Councils’ recommended manage ment measures; (iii) Whether there is an immediate need to protect the resource or to im pose management measures to resolve gear conflicts; and (iv) Whether there will be a con tinuing evaluation of management measures adopted following their im plementation as a final rule. (3) Adjustments for gear conflicts. The Councils may develop a recommenda tion on measures to address gear con flict as defined under § 600.10 of this chapter, in accordance with the proce dure specified in § 648.55(g) and (h). (4) Action by NMFS. (i) If the Regional Administrator approves the Councils’ recommended management measures and determines that the recommended management measures should be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, the Secretary may, for good cause found under the standard of the Administrative Procedure Act, waive the requirement for a proposed rule and opportunity for public comment in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The Secretary, in so doing, shall publish only the final rule. Submission of the recommenda tions does not preclude the Secretary from deciding to provide additional op portunity for prior notice and com ment in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (ii) If the Regional Administrator concurs with the Councils’ rec ommendation and determines that the recommended management measures should be published first as a proposed rule, then the measures shall be pub lished as a proposed rule in the FED ERAL REGISTER. After additional public comment, if NMFS concurs with the Councils’ recommendation, then the 940 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 648.96 measures shall be issued as a final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (iii) If the Regional Administrator does not concur, then the Councils shall be notified in writing of the rea sons for the non-concurrence. (c) Process for setting ABCs and ACLs. (1) The Councils or the PDT may de velop options for setting ABC, ACL, and OFL for each monkfish stock, as necessary, as part of the annual review and adjustment process specified in paragraph (a) of this section, or as oth erwise deemed necessary following the in-season adjustment process specified in paragraph (b) of this section. These options shall be submitted to the SSC for consideration. The Councils or the PDT may recommend to the SSC that ABC, ACL, and OFL are specified for each monkfish stock for multiple years as determined necessary to best align management with the stock assess ment process for this fishery. (i) ABC recommendation. The Councils or the PDT shall calculate ABC values for each monkfish stock based on the ABC control rule established in the FMP. These calculations shall be re viewed by the SSC, guided by terms of reference developed by the Councils. The SSC shall either concur with these ABC calculations, or provide alter native recommendations for each stock and describe the elements of scientific uncertainty used to develop its rec ommendations. If the SSC concurs with the ABC calculations, the revised ABC values are automatically updated and no action by the Councils is necessary. If the SSC provides an alternative rec ommendation for calculating the ABC than that currently specified in the FMP, the Councils would need to need to take action through the annual or in-season framework adjustment proc ess specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, respectively, to imple ment the SSC’s recommendation. The SSC may also consider other related issues specified in the terms of ref erence developed by the Councils, in cluding, but not limited to, OFLs, ACLs, and management uncertainty. (ii) ACL recommendations. The Coun cils shall establish ACLs for each man agement area that are equivalent to the ABCs calculated using the control rule established in the FMP, and re viewed and recommended by the SSC. (iii) Timing. If determined necessary under the annual review process, the Councils shall develop and approve any recommendations for ABCs and ACLs prior to December 31, to the extent pos sible. Once the Councils have approved the recommended ABCs and ACLs, only if they require adjustments to the ACTs described in paragraph (d) shall they be submitted to NMFS as part of an annual framework adjustment or in season framework adjustment, as de scribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, along with any necessary anal ysis required by applicable law. After receipt of the Councils’ recommenda tion for ACLs, NMFS shall review the Councils’ decision and, if consistent with applicable law, implement the ACLs in accordance with the Adminis trative Procedure Act. (d) Accountability Measures (AMs)—(1) Specification of ACTs. Through the an nual review process described in para graph (a) of this section, or as other wise determined necessary, the Coun cils shall specify ACTs for each man agement area that are set sufficiently below the ACL to account for manage ment uncertainty and prevent the ACL from being exceeded. The ACTs estab lished for each management area shall be the basis for setting management measures (DAS and trip limits), after accounting for incidental catch in non directed fisheries and discards in all fisheries. (2) ACL overages and adjustments—(i) Council action. The Councils shall re vise the ACT for a monkfish stock if it is determined that the ACL was ex ceeded in any given year, based upon, but not limited to, available landings and discard information. The amount of an ACL overage shall be deducted from the ACT for the corresponding monkfish stock on a pound-for-pound basis. The revised ACT and cor responding management measures (DAS and trip limits) shall be imple mented through either the annual or in-season framework adjustment proc ess, specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, in the second fishing year following the fishing year in which the ACL overage occurred. 941 Fishery Conservation and Management § 648.100 (ii) NMFS action. If the Councils fail to take appropriate action to correct an ACL overage consistent with para graph (d)(1)(i) of this section, the Re gional Administrator shall implement the required adjustment, as described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, in cluding the specification of DAS and trip limits using a formulaic approach developed by the PDT, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable law. Notification of the proposed ACL revision and DAS and/or trip limit adjustments shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER no later than January 1, if possible, for implementation on May 1 of the second fishing year following the fishing year in which the ACL overage occurred. (e) Emergency action. Nothing in this section is meant to derogate from the authority of the Secretary to take emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. [76 FR 30274, May 25, 2011, as amended at 76 FR 81849, Dec. 29, 2011; 80 FR 37196, June 30, 2015] § 648.97 Closed areas. (a) Oceanographer Canyon Closed Area. No fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Oceanographer Canyon Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Re gional Administrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stat ed, while on a monkfish DAS: OCEANOGRAPHER CANYON CLOSED AREA Point N. Lat. W. Long. (1) OC1 40°10′ 68°12′ (2) OC2 40°24′ 68°09′ (3) OC3 40°24′ 68°08′ (4) OC4 40°10′ 67°59′ (5) OC1 40°10′ 68°12′ (b) Lydonia Canyon Closed Area. No fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Lydonia Canyon Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Ad ministrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the fol lowing points in the order stated, while on a monkfish DAS: LYNDONIA CANYON CLOSED AREA Point N. Lat. W. Long. (1) LC1 40°16′ 67°34′ (2) LC2 40°16′ 67°42′ (3) LC3 40°20′ 67°43′ (4) LC4 40°27′ 67°40′ (5) LC5 40° 27′ 67°38′ (6) LC1 40°16′ 67°34′ [70 FR 21946, Apr. 28, 2005] Subpart G—Management Meas ures for the Summer Flounder Fisheries § 648.100 Summer flounder Annual Catch Limit (ACL). (a) The Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee shall recommend to the MAFMC separate ACLs for the com mercial and recreational summer flounder fisheries, the sum total of which shall be equal to the ABC rec ommended by the SSC. (1) Sector allocations. The commercial and recreational fishing sector ACLs will be established consistent with the allocation guidelines contained in the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). (2) Periodicity. The summer flounder commercial and recreational sector ACLs may be established on an annual basis for up to 3 years at a time, de pendent on whether the SSC provides single or multiple year ABC rec ommendations. (b) Performance review. The Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee shall conduct a detailed review of fishery performance relative to the sector ACLs at least every 5 years. (1) If one or both of the sector-spe cific ACLs is exceeded with a frequency greater than 25 percent (i.e., more than once in 4 years or any 2 consecutive years), the Summer Flounder Moni toring Committee will review fishery performance information and make recommendations to the MAFMC for changes in measures intended to ensure ACLs are not exceeded as frequently. (2) The MAFMC may specify more frequent or more specific ACL perform ance review criteria as part of a stock rebuilding plan following a determina tion that the summer flounder stock has become overfished.