[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