[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7155-7156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2899]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XA200
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Announcement of Billfish and
Swordfish Catch Card Pilot Program for Puerto Rico
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; Announcement of Billfish and Swordfish Catch Card Pilot
Program for Puerto Rico.
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SUMMARY: Accurate information is vital to NMFS' efforts to manage
highly migratory species (HMS). In an effort to improve the accuracy of
recreational billfish and swordfish landings data, NMFS will pilot test
a new catch card program in Puerto Rico in 2011. Recreational HMS
Angling category, HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category
(participating in a
[[Page 7156]]
tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all
billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be
readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and
swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit
holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their
landing. If the pilot catch card program is successful, NMFS may
consider long-term implementation in place of the current reporting
system.
DATES: The voluntary HMS catch card pilot program will begin in Puerto
Rico in March 2011.
ADDRESSES: Questions or comments can be submitted to Ron Salz, NMFS
Office of Science and Technology, 1315 East West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Salz by phone at (301) 713-2328 or
by e-mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Accurate information is vital to NMFS'
efforts to manage highly migratory species (HMS). The collection of
catch and effort information for Atlantic HMS fulfills U.S. obligations
to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT) and provides the basis for stock assessments and management of
these valuable species in U.S. territorial waters and international
waters.
In an effort to improve the accuracy of recreational billfish and
swordfish landings data as part of the Marine Recreational Information
Program, NMFS will pilot test a new catch card program in Puerto Rico
in 2011. The program will be implemented by the University of Puerto
Rico at Mayaguez Sea Grant Program. Recreational HMS Angling category,
HMS Charter Headboat category, and General category (participating in a
tournament) permit holders will be asked to affix a landings tag to all
billfish and swordfish prior to removal from the vessel. Tags will be
readily available at most fishing locations where billfish and
swordfish are landed. In exchange for the tag, HMS recreational permit
holders will be asked to fill out a catch card documenting their
landing. The success of this voluntary pilot program and the value of
the information obtained will depend entirely on recreational fishing
industry support or ``buy-in.'' Through educational outreach, HMS
recreational permit holders will be encouraged to participate and
provide their landings information. Marinas, tackle shops and other
private businesses will be asked to serve as catch card reporting
stations to assist in this effort. If the pilot catch card program is
successful, NMFS may consider long-term implementation in place of the
current reporting system.
The current mandatory reporting system and regulatory requirements
will remain in effect, and anglers who report their billfish and
swordfish landings through the voluntary catch card pilot program must
also report their non-tournament landings through the online web-
reporting portal at http://www.hmspermits.gov or by phone at 1-800-894-
5528. Non-tournament landings reports are not considered complete
unless a landings-specific confirmation number has been issued by NMFS.
Dated: February 4, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2899 Filed 2-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P