NMFS approves Framework Adjustment 47 (Framework 47) to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and implements the approved measures. The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) developed and adopted Framework 47 based on the biennial review process established in the NE Multispecies FMP to develop annual catch limits (ACLs) and revise management measures necessary to rebuild overfished groundfish stocks and achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. This action also implements management measures and revises existing regulations that are not included in Framework 47, including common pool management measures for fishing year (FY) 2012, modification of the Ruhle trawl definition, and clarification of the regulations for charter/party and recreational groundfish vessels fishing in groundfish closed areas. This action is intended to prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best available scientific information at the time Framework 47 was submitted.
DATES: Effective May 1, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Copies of Framework 47, the draft environmental assessment (EA), its Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and the draft Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act (IRFA) analysis prepared by the Council are available from Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. A supplemental analysis was included with the draft IRFA prepared by the Council in the preamble to the proposed rule for this action. The Final Regulatory Flexibility Act (FRFA) analysis consists of the IRFA, public comments and responses, and the summary of impacts and alternatives contained in the Classification section of this final rule and Framework 47. The Framework 47 EA/RIR/FRFA is also accessible via the Internet at http://www.nefmc.org/nemulti/index.html or http://www.nero.noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Heil, Fishery Policy Analyst,phone: 978-281-9257, fax: 978-281-9135.
Approved Measures
This section summarizes the Framework 47 measures, all of which have been approved, and the measures being implemented by NMFS under the authority of section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), which allows the Secretary of Commerce to implement egulations necessary to ensure that fishery management plans or amendments are carried out consistent with the Magnuson-Steven Act. The measures implemented under this authority are necessary to implement changes to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP proposed by the Council in Framework 47, and to change regulations that are not part of Framework 47, but that are necessary to clarify existing regulations and achieve the objective of the FMP.
This final rule modifies the Rhule trawl definition and clarifies the regulations for charter/party vessels fishing in the groundfish closed areas. This action does not change the conversion rate for home consumption landings, which NMFS had originally proposed, for reasons discussed below. This final rule also implements management measures for the common pool fishery for FY 2012 that are not included in Framework 47, but that are implemented by the Regional Administrator (RA) under authority provided by the FMP.
To read more: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-02/html/2012-10526.htm