Under the Endangered Species Act, we develop protections, designate critical habitat, implement recovery, and authorize scientific research permits for threatened and endangered species. Therefore, the recovery of floating groundline from an entanglement does not explicitly rule out Maine lobster fisheries. FLC also states that the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery is currently classified as a Category II based on a killer whale M/SI in 2012. at 67,130. We also note that two additional entanglements have been identified as Massachusetts lobster trap/pot entanglements (E36-16/RW 3623 and E25-09). Education and Outreach Specialist, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Herrera Environmental Consultants Sep 2007 - Oct 2015 8 years 2 months Sustainable Fisheries West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries and Gear Highly migratory species include Pacific tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish. NMFS clarifies the fishery description of the Category II Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery. CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size 3.5 in and <14 in). The seal had injuries consistent from dog bites, and was transported to SR3 for rehabilitation. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. The majority of the Southern DPS green sturgeon encountered are released alive and expected to survive. In 2011, NOAA Fisheries and the Council implemented catch shares management for portions of the commercial fishery. Response: NMFS appreciates the actions the state of Massachusetts has taken, and continues to take, to help conserve and protect North Atlantic right whales. PDF Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological and The study did not estimate mortality or injury rates incidental to fisheries. PDF 12864 Federal Register /Vol. 88, No. 40/Wednesday, March 1, 2023/Rules MLA alleges there are no documented M/SI in the Maine Federal lobster fishery, but the Category II classification may be warranted under an abundance of precaution that a future interaction could occur due to the offshore migration of North Atlantic right whales. Boggs, K.A. The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal Portland, OR 97232-1274 . If no recent information is available on the number of participants, vessels, or persons licensed in a fishery, then the number from the most recent LOF is used for the estimated number of vessels or persons in the fishery. There are several fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a portion of the fishing vessels cross the EEZ boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high seas. To establish whether the species has recovered and may be taken off the list of vulnerable and endangered species under the ESA, NMFS advises creating a recovery team of species specialists to prepare a recovery plan, including delisting criteria (Region, n.) Research/References. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6, any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of non-vessel fisheries), participating in a fishery listed on the LOF must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations, regardless of the category in which the fishery is placed (I, II, or III) within 48 hours of the end of the fishing trip or, in the case of non-vessel fisheries, fishing activity. The West Coast groundfish recreational fisheries are primarily made up of anglers on charter fishing vessels targeting groundfish species with hook and line fishing gear. Multiple states participate in the Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery, using a wide variety of gear and gear configurations throughout a large portion of coastal waters. To reduce impacts on seabirds, streamer lines (tori lines, bird scaring lines) or night setting are required for longline vessels with an overall length greater than 26 feet (see streamer line regulations). The injury was determined to be non-serious. The commenter notes that revising the single M/SI between both killer whale stocks (based on probability of encounter) would distribute the single 2012 M/SI in the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery from 100 percent for both stocks to 80 percent to the resident stock and 20 percent to the transient stock. National Marine Fisheries Service | U.S. Department of Commerce Serious injury and mortality determinations for baleen whale stocks along the Gulf of Mexico, United States East Coast, and Atlantic Canadian Provinces, 2012-2016. Blainville's beaked whale, HI. Learn more about the work of the West Coast Area Offices. Species diversity is part of the natural legacy we leave for future generations. Fish and Wildlife Service, NMFS adds the Antillean subspecies (Puerto Rico stock) of West Indian manatee to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in Category III Caribbean haul/beach seine fishery. For fisheries with no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific Start Printed Page 3030fishery) species and stocks may be retained for longer than 5 years. In Comment #14, MLA notes there has been only one right whale entangled in Maine gear in April 2002, and the entanglement was determined to be a non-serious injury. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. There is a very low amount of eulachon bycatch in West Coast groundfish fisheries. Vessels fishing for Pacific hake, shown here, sometimes inadvertently catch salmon in the wintertime fishery. The groundfish fishery may affect leatherback sea turtles by entanglement in fishing gear. NMFS adds the Aleutian Islands stock of harbor seal to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl fishery. Steelhead are native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific basin in Northeast Asia and North America.Like other sea-run (anadromous) trout and salmon, steelhead spawn in . Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Register documents. Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay, Bonsecour Bay. Of those, 0.2 were attributed to U.S. fisheries, 1.2 to Canadian fisheries, and the remaining 4.15 were undetermined. Using dolphins to catch tuna: Assessment of associations between pantropical spotted dolphins and yellowfin tuna hook and line fisheries in Hawai`i. West Coast Region Species in the Spotlight: Sacramento River Winter-Run Chinook 5:00 The Sacramento River system is home to the only winter-run Chinook salmon in the world. Changes made to Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not affect observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data. They experience more pronounced boom and bust population dynamics. Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries, Staff and volunteers from Feiro Marine Life Center and SR3 release a juvenile seal back to Port Angeles Harbor. Catch shares allocates each fisherman a share of the allowable catch, as determined by scientific data. Waite, and A.N. Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA. The Branch works with staff throughout the region to share strategic communications and knowledge, build understanding, and recognize achievements from NOAA Fisheries stewardship activities on the West Coast. Given NMFS's assessment in 2012 proposed LOF that interactions were likely `occasional', combined with more recent information, the Commission recommends that NMFS reclassify the Category III Hawaii troll fishery as a Category II fishery. 03/03/2023, 159 This checklist is intended to clarify and streamline coordination for Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultations between NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries) and the California Department of Transportation NOAA Fisheries and the Council carefully manage salmon bycatch through bycatch guidelines (limits on salmon bycatch by fishing sector). NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-AFSC-355. New Documents MLA recommends NMFS reclassify the Maine state waters lobster fishery as Category III fishery since there are no documented serious injuries or mortalities with this fishery, and NMFS determined that regulating the waters exempt from the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) would have no significant benefit to large whales. Information about this document as published in the Federal Register. PDF Appendix IV. NMFS and State Permit Contacts 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100 . 03/03/2023, 234 One killer whale (Gulf of Alaska, BSAI transient stock) M/SI was driving the Category II classification of the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery. Over the past 5 years, there have been 4.15 M/SI entanglements documented annually where the origin of the entanglement is unknown (Hayes et al., 2020). 19-13; 54 p. Muto, M.M, V.T. PDF Regional Operating Agreement from 36 agencies. We also conduct research on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and on fishery and conservation socio-economics. Additional species are currently under review or have been proposed for Endangered Species Act listing: 2 petitioned species awaiting a 90-day finding, 15 candidate species for ESA listing, 1 proposed species for ESA listing. These stocks are harvested in both non-tribal and tribal commercial fisheries and recreational fisheries. Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML The forms for actions on these permits and licenses can be found on the West Coast Fisheries Permits page. Together with decision-makers at NOAA, other federal agencies, states, and others, we apply this scientific knowledge to make our environment healthier and improve peoples lives and livelihoods. *Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in U.S. waters; and. In the Pacific Islands, West Coast, and Alaska regions, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail or with their state or Federal license or permit at the time of issuance or renewal. on FederalRegister.gov Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum. These habitat conservation measures restrict vessels targeting other species besides groundfish, and, when working in concert with other gear restrictions and fishery management measures, minimize the adverse effects of fishing on groundfish essential fish habitat. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. Individuals fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no state or Federal license or permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). This rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP regulations? Iron Gate Dam on the Klamath River is one of several expected to be removed in 2024. Credit: Thomas Dunklin. Only official editions of the Federal Register issue. The Operations, Management, and Information Services Division supports West Coast Region operations through budget planning, formulation, and execution; human resources management (including Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity); oversight of administrative processes; management of information, information technology, and communications systems; and management of environmental compliance, travel, facilities, safety, and property. The number of permits listed in Table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high seas component of the fishery; **These gear types are not authorized under the Pacific HMS FMP (2004), the Atlantic HMS FMP (2006), or without a South Pacific Tuna Treaty license (in the case of the South Pacific Tuna fisheries). Learn more about Protected Resources on the West Coast. NOAA has recorded a generally increasing trend in the number of whale entanglement cases reported on the West Coast with the average number of confirmed cases rising from 9 confirmed cases to 41 confirmed cases between the spans of 1982 to 2013 and 2014 to 2017, respectively (NOAA Fisheries, 2019; Saez et al., 2020). documents in the last year, 83 Comments were received from members of the public, Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association (AOLA), Freezer Longline Coalition (FLC), Hawaii Longline Association (HLA), Maine Lobstermen's Association (MLA), Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF), Marine Mammal Commission (Commission) and Whale Safe USA. Am I required to take an observer aboard my vessel? Affected Species and NMFS' Determinations: ESA-Listed Species Status . For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of information listed above and use its discretion to decide when it is appropriate to remove a species or stock. Specifically, these offices implement protections and conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act, essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and actions under the Federal Power Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act in their geographic areas. Additionally, species identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMAP reports) may not be verified. More information and documentation can be found in our In this Issue, Documents To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. Ghrist. Due to the observed injury, the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale is retained on the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II HI shallow-set longline fishery. A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 01/14/2021. The Commission states that the clearer case can be made for reclassifying the Category II SE Alaska salmon drift gillnet fishery as a Category I fishery. Forney, and N.C. Young. A full list of projects is available on RCO's Web site. The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain fisheries. Literature citations should read as . should verify the contents of the documents against a final, official The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2021, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). See response to comment #11 above about how cases that would have been serious injuries prior to disentanglement are not counted against PBR in the SAR, but are included in the LOF classification process. NMFS has designated those fisheries in each table with an asterisk (*) after the fishery's name.Start Printed Page 3041, Table 1List of FisheriesCommercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, Table 2List of FisheriesCommercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, Table 3List of FisheriesCommercial Fisheries on the High Seas, Table 4Fisheries Affected by Take Reduction Teams and Plans. These density data were categorized by species and life stage, habitat type, seasonal period, and geographic region to develop frequency statistics (e.g., 25th and 75th percentiles, or quartiles). NMFS estimated that M/SI would be, at a minimum, approximately 2 percent of PBR, justifying the Category II classifications for both fisheries. FLC further states that NMFS attributes the single M/SI to both stocks equally. Information on observer coverage levels in Category I, II, and III fisheries can be found in the fishery fact sheets on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources' website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/list-fisheries-summary-tables. Federal Register :: List of Fisheries for 2023 FedCenter - 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List Oregon Coast and Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of information listed above and use its discretion to decide when it is appropriate to remove a species or stock. Both the Northwest and Southwest Regional prioritizations began with a list of all 136 stocks managed by the PFMC under four Fishery Management Plans (FMPs): Coastal Pelagic Species (8 stocks) Pacific Coast Groundfish (50 stocks2) Pacific Coast Salmon (66 stocks3) U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (12 stocks4) The description of observer coverage included in the LOF fishery fact sheet is outdated and does not reflect the Observer Program structuring for catcher processor and catcher vessels sectors since 2012. This feature is not available for this document. We also manage and conserve marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and coordinate and support the marine mammal stranding networks. Together, they find approaches and strategies for reducing bycatch and protecting habitat. The U.S. west coast widow rockfish stock has declined since the mid-1980s, leading to implementation of increasingly stringent management restrictions upon the commercial fishery. Bradford, J. Barlow, D.L. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to ensure that the regions living marine resources remain at healthy and sustainable levels, as functioning parts of their ecosystems, and continue to enhance the quality of life for the public. The SARs are available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region. West Coast Region . NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine whether changes in fishery classification are warranted. This variability is due to multiple permitting agencies, differences in fishery management, and artifacts with available data sets. Am I required to submit reports when I kill or injure a marine mammal during the course of commercial fishing operations? Fish and Wildlife Service share jurisdiction of some listed entities; this service only contains spatial data for NMFS critical habitat in the West Coast Region. US Department of Commerce, Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc. offers a preview of documents scheduled to appear in the next day's Ream, E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. AOLA understands that with limited observer coverage and data gaps there is a level of subjectivity into the LOF classification process; however, the process should be equal among fisheries. Our ESA program supports a national focus on species needing immediate action to prevent extinction and species with identified actions that can be immediately implemented. AOLA recommends NMFS take a more equitable approach when assessing entanglement risk across fisheries, countries, and non-fishery sources, and also notes this would assist in assuring fishermen are treated fairly. Also, MHI Insular false killer whale range overlaps with areas that are open to deep-set longline fishing and MHI Insular false killer whales have been documented with injuries consistent with fisheries interactions that have not been attributed to a specific fishery (Baird et al., 2014). Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States the timing of BAT evacuation occurred during the known window of parturition for both species in the region based on the occurrence of neonates (25; 15). Our Vision Federal Register :: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding U.S. Department. The report evaluates catch and bycatch of all species. You can also see a list of, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal, Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative, West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Draft National Seafood Strategy Listening Sessions, Financial Assistance Workshop for Grant Applicants and RecipientsSeattle, Research Surveys in the Pacific Northwest, About the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA), Socio-economics of Eastern Pacific and West Coast Fisheries, California Central Valley Chinook Salmon Life Cycle Modeling, Social-economics of California Salmonid Habitat and Water Resource, Southwest Fisheries Science Center Stock Assessment, Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, SWFSC Data on the NOAA Big Data Program (BDP), SWFSC Metadata Library on Fisheries InPort, Ecosystem-based and Dynamic Ocean Management, Dynamic West Coast Sea Surface Temperature Interactive, Puget Sound Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries, Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries, West Coast Salmon and Steelhead Fisheries Management, Management Measures/Actions under Tuna Conventions Act, Management Measures/Actions under Magnuson-Stevens Act, NEPA Documents Available for Public Review, Our Work Under the Endangered Species Act, Threatened and Endangered Species on the West Coast, Our Work Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Report Dead, Injured, Stranded, or Entangled Marine Mammals, Share the Shore: Responsible Marine Mammal Viewing, Protected Resources App: Display Spatial Data for ESA-listed Species, Salmon and Steelhead: Status of ESA Listings and Critical Habitat Designations (July 2016), National Overview: Protecting Marine Life, Mitigation Banks, Conservation Banks, and In-Lieu Fee Programs, Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion, Habitat Blueprint - Russian River Habitat Focus Area, Restoration of Salmon and Steelhead Habitat. NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Diana Kramer. The Protected Resources Division is responsible for the oversight, policy direction, guidance and coordination of management programs mandated by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Fiscal Year 2022 Priorities NOAA Fisheries announces a correcting amendment published today in the Federal Register. The best available scientific information used in the SARs and reviewed for the 2021 LOF generally summarizes data from 2013-2017. Comment 13: AOLA expresses concern with how NMFS assigns M/SI when the origin of entanglement is unknown. Additional information about HSFCA permits can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/high-seas-fishing-permits. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. West Coast Region . None documented in the most recent 5 years of data. Analysis of West Coast Groundfish Fisheries for the 2017 Biological Opinion on Endangered Species Act-listed Salmon. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Refer to NMFS No: WCRO-2018-00288 . (Photo courtesy of Woody Venard), Expanding Electronic Reporting Across the Pacific Ocean, Gray Whale Numbers Continue Decline; NOAA Fisheries Will Continue Monitoring, A gray whale mother calf pair migrating along the central California coast from the wintering grounds in Mexico to the summer feeding grounds in Alaska. PDF CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY RECOVERY DOMAIN 5-Year Review: Summary and Because there were no data to indicate specific stock or reliable data that could be used to partition the 2012 killer whale M/SI, the M/SI was assigned to both stocks as prescribed by NMFS' Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA. That final rule was effective January 1, 2023. the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for Many vessels/participants holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2.