MMPA section 118 states that the Secretary is not required to place an observer on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an observer or performing observer functions are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the vessel would be jeopardized; thereby authorizing the exemption of vessels too small to safely accommodate an observer from this requirement. 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). Aerial surveys, whale watching boats, the presence of other fisheries, and the presence and associated outreach by a disentanglement team contribute to the higher reporting of entanglement sightings in certain areas (i.e., Massachusetts) than in Maine state and offshore waters; we cannot conclude that risk is nonexistent in other areas where entanglements are not observed. This area appeared to be with live bottom and artificial structure and is a known coastal nursery area for this species along the U.S. Atlantic east coast . developer tools pages. West Coast Highly Migratory Species Fisheries and Gear The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain fisheries. In January 2019, there was an observed mortality of a false killer whale incidental to the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery that occurred within the Start Printed Page 3034range of the NWHI stock. Learn more about key issues in our sub-regions. Therefore, NMFS retains Kogia on the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I HI deep-set longline fishery. The injury was determined to be non-serious. We work with partners to protect and restore habitats necessary for species recovery, using an ecosystem-based approach that considers benefits, interactions, and trade-offs for multiple species. The best available scientific information used in the SARs and reviewed for the 2021 LOF generally summarizes data from 2013-2017. For Atlantic fisheries, this information can be found in the LOF Fishery Fact Sheets. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, through the development of a TRP, NMFS would consult under ESA section 7 on that action. Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Deep-set component)*^. Response: As noted by the Commission, there are four stocks of pantropical spotted dolphins in the Hawaii Islands region: Oahu stock, 4-Islands stock, Hawaii Island stock, and Hawaii pelagic stock. PDF of the Loggerhead Turtle 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. The groundfish fishery may affect leatherback sea turtles by entanglement in fishing gear. After publication of the final rule, NMFS noted the need for corrections to Dahlheim, B.S. Eulachon bycatch in the groundfish fishery appears to be driven by both eulachon distribution and cyclic abundance. The Western North Atlantic stock of pantropical spotted dolphins' total annual estimated fishery-related M/SI is presumed to be zero, as there were no reports of mortalities or serious injuries (2019 SAR). Information regarding the LOF and the MMAP, including registration procedures and forms; current and past LOFs; descriptions of each Category I and II fishery and some Category III fisheries; observer requirements; and marine mammal mortality/injury reporting forms and submittal procedures; may be obtained at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries,, or from any NMFS Regional Office at the addresses listed below: NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, Attn: Allison Rosner; NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Attn: Jessica Powell; NMFS, West Coast Region, Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, Attn: Dan Lawson; NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. NMFS estimated that M/SI would be, at a minimum, approximately 2 percent of PBR, justifying the Category II classifications for both fisheries. Injury is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical harm. They note that the following marine mammal stocks are included on the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery: Killer whale (Eastern North Pacific AK resident); killer whale (Gulf of Alaska, BSAI transient); Northern fur seal (Eastern Pacific); spotted seal (AK) and Steller sea lion (Western U.S). False Killer Whales and Fisheries Interaction in Hawaiian Waters: Evidence for Sex Bias and Variation Among Populations and Social Groups. Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi River Delta. In addition to the SARs, NMFS also reviews other sources of new information for the LOF, including injury determination reports, bycatch estimation reports, and observer data. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region. NMFS designates those fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 with an asterisk (*) after the fishery's name. HLA notes that (a) the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP) closed the deep-set longline fishery for almost the entire range of the MHI insular stock, (b) since this change was made in 2013 there have been no false killer whale interactions in the fishery, and (c) there has never been a deep-set longline fishery interaction in the very small area of the stocks' range where the fishery operates. Those cases where we could identify lobster gear from right whale entanglements during the past 10 years were determined to result in non-serious injuries. The report evaluates catch and bycatch of all species. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/Southern SC estuarine system. We recognize that this peer review process takes additional time to ensure that the best available are used to inform the LOF. wikipedia.en/National_Marine_Fisheries_Service.md at main chinapedia NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. NOAA Fisheries. NMFS updates the estimated number of HSFCA permits for high seas fisheries (Table 3) as follows: The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the MMPA. NMFS adds a superscript 1 to the following four stocks to indicate they are driving the Category II classification of the Northeast trawl fishery: (1) Western North Atlantic stock of Risso's dolphin, (2) Western North Atlantic stock of long-finned pilot whale, (3) Western North Atlantic offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin, and (4) Western North Atlantic stock of gray seal. (Federal Register 11 January 2023 [Proposed Rule] Pages 1548-1555) . Pacific highly migratory species troll fishery from 119 to 111 HSFCA permits. 03/03/2023, 234 While NMFS appreciates the state of Maine's efforts to manage the footprint of where individual lobstermen may set their gear, NMFS must look at the risk that the gear itself poses to large whales, particularly North Atlantic right whales. Federal Register :: Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified documents in the last year, 36 With a few exceptions, groundfish live on or near the bottom of the ocean. Together, they find approaches and strategies for reducing bycatch and protecting habitat. NMFS has designated those fisheries listed by analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by adding a 2 after the fishery's name. ^The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively in coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/or stocks are also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the same on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Boveng, J.M. The Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program freed fishermen from having to race each other to catch the most fish. Maine gear was involved in a second case in 2004, but it was not the primary entangling gear in this case. Learn more about Protected Resources on the West Coast. Therefore, while HSFCA permits exist for these gear types, it does not represent effort. For example, the State of Hawaii does not issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at least once in a given year, without considering how many times the gear was used. For additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on Table 1 or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information included above in Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP? Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. The species and/or stocks are found, and the fishery remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary. documents in the last year, 35 The commenter cites four cases of unknown entanglements they believe explicitly rule out Maine lobster fisheries from the origin of entanglement. That final rule was effective January 1, 2023. Its expertise includes online information and design, intergovernmental relations, education, tribal relations, media relations, and social media. Habitat protection and restoration are critical components of species recovery and conservation. Harvest specifications include annual catch limits for a species or species complex. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. ESUs/DPSs of west coast anadromous salmonids was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2015 (80 FR 6695). 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. Webster. 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. 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. on (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. documents in the last year, 822 The SARs are available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region. Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). Status review of West Coast steelhead from Washington, Idaho, Oregon These fishery fact sheets are updated after each final LOF and can be found under How Do I Find Out if a Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III? on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources' website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries,, linked to the List of Fisheries Summary table. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal. NMFS updates the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Pacific Ocean (Table 1) as follows: NMFS adds the Aleutian Islands stock of harbor seal to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands rockfish trawl fishery. 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. Each document posted on the site includes a link to the West Coast From killer whales slicing through waves to salmon jumping rapids on their journey home, marine life fills and defines the waters of the West Coast. Leanne Marten . Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, and estuarine. From floodplains to estuaries, nearshore habitats to kelp forests, urban waterways to rural streams, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of our nations living marine resources and their habitats. Information about this document as published in the Federal Register. The classification of fisheries on the LOF is not considered to be a management action that would adversely affect threatened or endangered species. The following is a collection of organizations and programs involved in various aspects of West Coast groundfish science. Reflections on the West Coast Groundfish Survey. At this time, we consider it appropriate to retain North Atlantic right whales as a species listed as driving the classification of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic lobster trap/pot fishery given that PBR is 0.8 and the further detail provided below, which reiterates responses provided in the 2020 Final LOF (85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020). corresponding official PDF file on govinfo.gov. Additionally, EPSB provides guidance to NOAA Fisheries staff and leadership to strategize actions for watersheds and resource management.