50 C.F.R. Subpart C—Management Measures
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
(a) General. The CFL will be the sole criterion for determining the size and/or size class of whole (head on) Atlantic tunas for a vessel that has been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under §635.4. The LJFL will be the sole criterion for determining the size of whole (head on) North Atlantic swordfish for a vessel that has not been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under §635.4. If the head or tail of an North Atlantic swordfish has been removed prior to or at the time of landing, the CK or minimum weight standard shall be applied in all cases. (b) BFT size classes. The size class of a BFT found with the head removed shall be determined using pectoral fin curved fork length (PFCFL) multiplied by a conversion factor of 1.35. The CFL, as determined by conversion of the PFCFL, will be the sole criterion for determining the size class of a beheaded BFT. The conversion factor may be adjusted after consideration of additional scientific information and fish measurement data, and will be made effective by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the adjustment. (c) BFT, bigeye tuna, and yellowfin tuna. (1) No person shall take, retain, or possess a BFT, bigeye tuna, or yellowfin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean that is less than 27 inches (69 cm) CFL; (2) Applying the conversion factor from PFCFL to CFL for a beheaded BFT in §635.20(b) means that no person shall retain or possess a BFT, with the head removed, that is less than 20 inches (51 cm) PFCFL. (3) No person shall remove the head of a bigeye tuna or yellowfin tuna if the remaining portion would be less than 27 inches (69 cm) from the fork of the tail to the forward edge of the cut. (d) Billfish. (1) No person shall take, retain or possess a blue marlin taken from its management unit that is less than 99 inches (251 cm), LJFL. (2) No person shall take, retain or possess a white marlin taken from its management unit that is less than 66 inches (168 cm), LJFL. (3) No person shall take, retain or possess shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ a sailfish taken from its management unit that is less than 63 inches (160 cm), LJFL. (e) Sharks. All sharks landed under the recreational retention limits specified at §635.22(c) must have the head, tail, and fins attached. All sharks, except Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks, landed under the recreational retention limits specified at §635.22(c) must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) FL. (f) Swordfish. (1) No person shall take, retain, or possess a north or south Atlantic swordfish taken from its management unit that is less than 29 inches (73 cm), CK, 47 inches (119 cm), LJFL, or 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight. A swordfish that is damaged by shark bites may be retained only if the remainder of the carcass is at least 29 inches (73 cm) CK, 47 inches (119 cm), LJFL, or 33 lb (15 kg) dw. No person shall import into the United States an Atlantic swordfish weighing less than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight, or a part derived from a swordfish that weighs less than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight. (2) Except for a swordfish landed in a Pacific state and remaining in the state of landing, a swordfish, or part thereof, weighing less than 33 lb (15 kg) dressed weight will be deemed to be an Atlantic swordfish harvested by a vessel of the United States and to be in violation of the minimum size requirement of this section unless such swordfish, or part thereof, is accompanied by a swordfish statistical document attesting that the swordfish was lawfully imported. Refer to §300.186 of this title for the requirements related to the swordfish statistical document. (3) A swordfish, or part thereof, will be monitored for compliance with the minimum size requirement of this section from the time it is landed in, or imported into, the United States up to, and including, the point of first transaction in the United States. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 FR 42804, Aug. 15, 2001; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004] (a) All Atlantic HMS fishing gears. (1) An Atlantic HMS harvested from its management unit that is not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival, but without removing the fish from the water. (2) If a billfish is caught by a hook, the fish must be released by cutting the line near the hook or by using a dehooking device, in either case without removing the fish from the water. (3) All vessels that have pelagic longline gear on board and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must possess inside the wheelhouse the document provided by NMFS entitled, “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury,” and all vessels with pelagic or bottom longline gear on board must post inside the wheelhouse the sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS. (4) No person may fish for, catch, possess or retain any Atlantic highly migratory species or anchor a fishing vessel, issued a permit or required to be permitted under this part, in the areas designated at §622.34(d) of this chapter. (b) General. No person shall use any gear to fish for Atlantic HMS other than those gears specifically authorized in this part. A vessel using or having on board in the Atlantic Ocean any unauthorized gear may not have on board an Atlantic HMS. (c) Pelagic longlines. For purposes of this part, a vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of supporting the mainline, and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline gear. If a vessel issued a permit under this part is in a closed area designated under paragraph (c)(2) of this section with pelagic longline gear on board, it is a rebuttable presumption that fish on board such vessel were taken with pelagic longline gear in the closed area. (1) From August 1, 1999, through November 30, 2000, no person may deploy a pelagic longline that is more than 24 nautical miles (44.5 km) in length in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. (2) If pelagic longline gear is on board a vessel issued a permit under this part, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear in: (i) The Northeastern United States closed area from June 1 through June 30 each calender year; (ii) In the Charleston Bump closed area from March 1 through April 30, 2001, and from February 1 through April 30 each calender year thereafter; (iii) In the East Florida Coast closed area at any time beginning at 12:01 a.m. on March 1, 2001; (iv) In the DeSoto Canyon closed area at any time beginning at 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 2000; (v) In the Northeast Distant closed area at any time, unless persons onboard the vessel comply with the following: (A) The vessel is limited, at all times, to possessing onboard and/or using only 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 10°. The outer diameter of the hook at its widest point must be no smaller than 2.16 inches (55 mm) when measured with the eye of the hook on the vertical axis (y-axis) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis (x-axis), and the distance between the hook point and the shank (i.e., the gap) must be no larger than 1.13 inches (28.8 mm). The allowable offset is measured from the barbed end of the hook, and is relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook when laid on its side. The only allowable offset circle hooks are those that are offset by the hook manufacturer; and, (B) The vessel is limited, at all times, to possessing onboard and/or using only whole Atlantic mackerel and/or squid bait; and, (C) Vessels must possess, inside the wheelhouse, a document provided by NMFS entitled, “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury,” and must post, inside the wheelhouse, sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS; and, (D) Required sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, which NMFS has approved under paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of this section, on the initial list of “NMFS-Approved Models For Equipment Needed For The Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught In Hook And Line Fisheries,” must be carried on board, and must be used in accordance with the handling requirements specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(v)(E) - (G) of this section; and, (E) Sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section, must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles that cannot be brought on board, and to facilitate access, safe handling, disentanglement, and hook removal or hook cutting of sea turtles that can be brought on board, where feasible. Sea turtles must be handled, and bycatch mitigation gear must be used, in accordance with the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and in accordance with the onboard handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1). (F) Boated turtles. When practicable, active and comatose sea turtles must be brought on board, with a minimum of injury, using a dipnet approved on the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section. All turtles less than 3 ft (.91 m) carapace length should be boated, if sea conditions permit. A boated turtle should be placed on a standard automobile tire, or cushioned surface, in an upright orientation to immobilize it and facilitate gear removal. Then, it should be determined if the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks should be removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt to remove a hook should be made if the hook has been swallowed and the insertion point is not visible, or if it is determined that removal would result in further injury. If a hook cannot be removed, as much line as possible should be removed from the turtle using approved monofilament line cutters from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section, and the hook should be cut as close as possible to the insertion point before releasing the turtle using bolt cutters from that list. If a hook can be removed, an effective technique may be to cut off either the barb, or the eye, of the hook using bolt cutters, and then to slide the hook out. When the hook is visible in the front of the mouth, an approved mouth-opener from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section may facilitate opening the turtle's mouth, and an approved gag from that list may facilitate keeping the mouth open. Short-handled dehookers for ingested hooks, long-nose pliers, or needle-nose pliers from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section should be used to remove visible hooks from the mouth that have not been swallowed on boated turtles, as appropriate. As much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle without causing further injury prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1) of this title, for additional information. (G) Non-boated turtles. If a sea turtle is too large, or hooked in a manner that precludes safe boating without causing further damage or injury to the turtle, sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section, must be used to disentangle sea turtles from fishing gear and disengage any hooks, or to clip the line and remove as much line as possible from a hook that cannot be removed, prior to releasing the turtle, in accordance with the protocols specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section. Non-boated turtles should be brought close to the boat and provided with time to calm down. Then, it must be determined whether or not the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks must be removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt should be made to remove a hook if it has been swallowed, or if it is determined that removal would result in further injury. If the hook cannot be removed and/or if the animal is entangled, as much line as possible must be removed prior to release, using an approved line cutter from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section. If the hook can be removed, it must be removed using a long-handled dehooker from the initial list specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(D) of this section. Without causing further injury, as much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(C) of this section, and the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1) of this title, for additional information. (3) When a marine mammal or sea turtle is hooked or entangled by pelagic longline gear, the operator of the vessel must immediately release the animal, retrieve the pelagic longline gear, and move at least 1 nm (2 km) from the location of the incident before resuming fishing. Reports of marine mammal entanglements must be submitted to NMFS consistent with regulations in §229.6 of this title. (4) In the Gulf of Mexico: pelagic longline gear may not be fished or deployed from a vessel issued a permit under this part with live bait affixed to the hooks; and, a person aboard a vessel issued a permit under this part that has pelagic longline gear on board shall not maintain live baitfish in any tank or well on board the vessel and shall not possess live baitfish, and shall not set up or attach an aeration or water circulation device in or to any such tank or well. For the purposes of this section, the Gulf of Mexico includes all waters of the U.S. EEZ west and north of the boundary stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c). (5) The operator of a vessel required to be permitted under this part and that has pelagic longline gear on board must undertake the following sea turtle bycatch mitigation measures: (i) Possession and use of required mitigation gear. Required sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, which NMFS has approved under paragraph (c)(5)(iv) of this section as meeting the minimum design standards specified in paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A) through (c)(5)(i)(L) of this section, must be carried on board, and must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles in accordance with the handling requirements specified in paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section. (A) Long-handled line clipper or cutter. Line cutters are intended to cut high test monofilament line as close as possible to the hook, and assist in removing line from entangled sea turtles to minimize any remaining gear upon release. NMFS has established minimum design standards for the line cutters. The LaForce line cutter and the Arceneaux line clipper are models that meet these minimum design standards, and may be purchased or fabricated from readily available and low-cost materials. One long-handled line clipper or cutter and a set of replacement blades are required to be onboard. The minimum design standards for line cutters are as follows: (1) A protected and secured cutting blade. The cutting blade(s) must be capable of cutting 2.0–2.1 mm (0.078 in. - 0.083 in.) monofilament line (400–lb test) or polypropylene multistrand material, known as braided or tarred mainline, and must be maintained in working order. The cutting blade must be curved, recessed, contained in a holder, or otherwise designed to facilitate its safe use so that direct contact between the cutting surface and the sea turtle or the user is prevented. The cutting instrument must be securely attached to an extended reach handle and be easily replaceable. One extra set of replacement blades meeting these standards must also be carried on board to replace all cutting surfaces on the line cutter or clipper. (2) An extended reach handle. The line cutter blade must be securely fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal to, or greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or a minimum of 6 feet (1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, but not required, that the handle break down into sections. There is no restriction on the type of material used to construct this handle as long as it is sturdy and facilitates the secure attachment of the cutting blade. (B) Long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. A long-handled dehooking device is intended to remove ingested hooks from sea turtles that cannot be boated. It should also be used to engage a loose hook when a turtle is entangled but not hooked, and line is being removed. The design must shield the barb of the hook and prevent it from re-engaging during the removal process. One long-handled device to remove ingested hooks is required onboard. The minimum design standards are as follows: (1) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed of 5/16–inch (7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel and have a dehooking end no larger than 1 7/8–inches (4.76 cm) outside diameter. The device must securely engage and control the leader while shielding the barb to prevent the hook from re-engaging during removal. It may not have any unprotected terminal points (including blunt ones), as these could cause injury to the esophagus during hook removal. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna. (2) Extended reach handle. The dehooking end must be securely fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal to or greater than 150 percent of the freeboard, or a minimum of 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. It is recommended, but not required, that the handle break down into sections. The handle must be sturdy and strong enough to facilitate the secure attachment of the hook removal device. (C) Long-handled dehooker for external hooks. A long-handled dehooker is required for use on externally-hooked sea turtles that cannot be boated. The long-handled dehooker for ingested hooks described in paragraph (c)(5)(i)(B) of this section would meet this requirement. The minimum design standards are as follows: (1) Construction. A long-handled dehooker must be constructed of 5/16–inch (7.94 mm) 316 L stainless steel rod. A 5–inch (12.7–cm) tube T-handle of 1–inch (2.54 cm) outside diameter is recommended, but not required. The design should be such that a fish hook can be rotated out, without pulling it out at an angle. The dehooking end must be blunt with all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna. (2) Extended reach handle. The handle must be a minimum length equal to the freeboard of the vessel or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. (D) Long-handled device to pull an “inverted V”. This tool is used to pull a “V” in the fishing line when implementing the “inverted V” dehooking technique, as described in the document entitled “Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release With Minimal Injury,” required under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, for disentangling and dehooking entangled sea turtles. One long-handled device to pull an “inverted V” is required onboard. If a 6–ft (1.83 m) J-style dehooker is used to comply with paragraph (c)(5)(i)(C) of this section, it will also satisfy this requirement. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) Hook end. This device, such as a standard boat hook or gaff, must be constructed of stainless steel or aluminum. A sharp point, such as on a gaff hook, is to be used only for holding the monofilament fishing line and should never contact the sea turtle. (2) Extended reach handle. The handle must have a minimum length equal to the freeboard of the vessel, or 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. The handle must be sturdy and strong enough to facilitate the secure attachment of the gaff hook. (E) Dipnet. One dipnet is required onboard. Dipnets are to be used to facilitate safe handling of sea turtles by allowing them to be brought onboard for fishing gear removal, without causing further injury to the animal. Turtles must not be brought onboard without the use of a dipnet. The minimum design standards for dipnets are as follows: (1) Size of dipnet. The dipnet must have a sturdy net hoop of at least 31 inches (78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 38 inches (96.52 cm) to accommodate turtles below 3 ft (0.914 m)carapace length. The bag mesh openings may not exceed 3 inches (7.62 cm) 3 inches (7.62 cm). There must be no sharp edges or burrs on the hoop, or where it is attached to the handle. (2) Extended reach handle. The dipnet hoop must be securely fastened to an extended reach handle or pole with a minimum length equal to, or greater than, 150 percent of the freeboard, or at least 6 ft (1.83 m), whichever is greater. The handle must made of a rigid material strong enough to facilitate the sturdy attachment of the net hoop and able to support a minimum of 100 lbs (34.1 kg) without breaking or significant bending or distortion. It is recommended, but not required, that the extended reach handle break down into sections. (F) Tire. A minimum of one tire is required for supporting a turtle in an upright orientation while it is onboard, although an assortment of sizes is recommended to accommodate a range of turtle sizes. The required tire must be a standard passenger vehicle tire, and must be free of exposed steel belts. (G) Short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks. One short-handled device for removing ingested hooks is required onboard. This dehooker is designed to remove ingested hooks from boated sea turtles. It can also be used on external hooks or hooks in the front of the mouth. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) Hook removal device. The hook removal device must be constructed of 1/4–inch (6.35 mm) 316 L stainless steel, and must allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. It must be no larger than 1 5/16 inch (3.33 cm) outside diameter. It may not have any unprotected terminal points (including blunt ones), as this could cause injury to the esophagus during hook removal. A sliding PVC bite block must be used to protect the beak and facilitate hook removal if the turtle bites down on the dehooking device. The bite block should be constructed of a 3/4 -inch (1.91 cm) inside diameter high impact plastic cylinder (e.g., Schedule 80 PVC) that is 10 inches (25.4 cm) long to allow for 5 inches (12.7 cm) of slide along the shaft. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna. (2) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 - 24 inches (40.64 cm - 60.69 cm) in length, with approximately a 5–inch (12.7 cm) long tube T-handle of approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter. (H) Short-handled dehooker for external hooks. One short-handled dehooker for external hooks is required onboard. The short-handled dehooker for ingested hooks required to comply with paragraph (c)(5)(i)(G) of this section will also satisfy this requirement. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) Hook removal device. The dehooker must be constructed of 5/16–inch (7.94 cm) 316 L stainless steel, and the design must be such that a hook can be rotated out without pulling it out at an angle. The dehooking end must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish and tuna. (2) Handle length. The handle should be approximately 16 - 24 inches (40.64 cm - 60.69 cm) long with approximately a 5–inch (12.7 cm) long tube T-handle of approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter. (I) Long-nose or needle-nose pliers. One pair of long-nose or needle-nose pliers is required on board. Required long-nose or needle-nose pliers can be used to remove deeply embedded hooks from the turtle's flesh that must be twisted during removal. They can also hold PVC splice couplings, when used as mouth openers, in place. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) General. They must be approximately 12 inches (30.48 cm) in length, and should be constructed of stainless steel material. (2) [Reserved] (J) Bolt cutters. One pair of bolt cutters is required on board. Required bolt cutters may be used to cut hooks to facilitate their removal. They should be used to cut off the eye or barb of a hook, so that it can safely be pushed through a sea turtle without causing further injury. They should also be used to cut off as much of the hook as possible, when the remainder of the hook cannot be removed. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) General. They must be approximately 17 inches (43.18 cm) in total length, with 4–inch (10.16 cm) long blades that are 2 1/4 inches (5.72 cm) wide, when closed, and with 13–inch (33.02 cm) long handles. Required bolt cutters must be able to cut hard metals, such as stainless or carbon steel hooks, up to 1/4–inch (6.35 mm) diameter. (2) [Reserved] (K) Monofilament line cutters. One pair of monofilament line cutters is required on board. Required monofilament line cutters must be used to remove fishing line as close to the eye of the hook as possible, if the hook is swallowed or cannot be removed. Minimum design standards are as follows: (1) General. Monofilament line cutters must be approximately 7 1/2 inches (19.05 cm) in length. The blades must be 1 in (4.45 cm) in length and 5/8 in (1.59 cm) wide, when closed, and are recommended to be coated with Teflon (a trademark owned by E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company Corp.). (2) [Reserved] (L) Mouth openers/mouth gags. Required mouth openers and mouth gags are used to open sea turtle mouths, and to keep them open when removing ingested hooks from boated turtles. They must allow access to the hook or line without causing further injury to the turtle. Design standards are included in the item descriptions. At least two of the seven different types of mouth openers/gags described below are required: (1) A block of hard wood. Placed in the corner of the jaw, a block of hard wood may be used to gag open a turtle's mouth. A smooth block of hard wood of a type that does not splinter (e.g. maple) with rounded edges should be sanded smooth, if necessary, and soaked in water to soften the wood. The dimensions should be approximately 11 inches (27.94 cm) 1 inch (2.54 cm) 1 inch (2.54 cm). A long-handled, wire shoe brush with a wooden handle, and with the wires removed, is an inexpensive, effective and practical mouth-opening device that meets these requirements. (2) A set of three canine mouth gags. Canine mouth gags are highly recommended to hold a turtle's mouth open, because the gag locks into an open position to allow for hands-free operation after it is in place. A set of canine mouth gags must include one of each of the following sizes: small (5 inches)(12.7 cm), medium (6 inches) (15.24 cm), and large (7 inches)(17.78 cm). They must be constructed of stainless steel. A 1 -inch (4.45 cm) piece of vinyl tubing (3/4–inch (1.91 cm) outside diameter and 5/8–inch (1.59 cm) inside diameter) must be placed over the ends to protect the turtle's beak. (3) A set of two sturdy dog chew bones. Placed in the corner of a turtle's jaw, canine chew bones are used to gag open a sea turtle's mouth. Required canine chews must be constructed of durable nylon, zylene resin, or thermoplastic polymer, and strong enough to withstand biting without splintering. To accommodate a variety of turtle beak sizes, a set must include one large (5 1/2 - 8 inches(13.97 cm - 20.32 cm) in length), and one small (3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (8.89 cm - 11.43 cm) in length) canine chew bones. (4) A set of two rope loops covered with hose. A set of two rope loops covered with a piece of hose can be used as a mouth opener, and to keep a turtle's mouth open during hook and/or line removal. A required set consists of two 3–foot (0.91 m) lengths of poly braid rope (3/8–inch (9.52 mm) diameter suggested), each covered with an 8–inch (20.32 cm) section of 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) or 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) light-duty garden hose, and each tied into a loop. The upper loop of rope covered with hose is secured on the upper beak to give control with one hand, and the second piece of rope covered with hose is secured on the lower beak to give control with the user's foot. (5) A hank of rope. Placed in the corner of a turtle's jaw, a hank of rope can be used to gag open a sea turtle's mouth. A 6–foot (1.83 m) lanyard of approximately 3/16–inch (4.76 mm) braided nylon rope may be folded to create a hank, or looped bundle, of rope. Any size soft-braided nylon rope is allowed, however it must create a hank of approximately 2 - 4 inches (5.08 cm - 10.16 cm) in thickness. (6) A set of four PVC splice couplings. PVC splice couplings can be positioned inside a turtle's mouth to allow access to the back of the mouth for hook and line removal. They are to be held in place with the needle-nose pliers. To ensure proper fit and access, a required set must consist of the following Schedule 40 PVC splice coupling sizes: 1 inch (2.54 cm), 1 1/4 inch (3.18 cm), 1 1/2 inch (3.81 cm), and 2 inches (5.08 cm). (7) A large avian oral speculum. A large avian oral speculum provides the ability to hold a turtle's mouth open and to control the head with one hand, while removing a hook with the other hand. The avian oral speculum must be 9–inches (22.86 cm) long, and constructed of 3/16–inch (4.76 mm) wire diameter surgical stainless steel (Type 304). It must be covered with 8 inches (20.32 cm) of clear vinyl tubing (5/16–inch (7.9 mm) outside diameter, 3/16–inch (4.76 mm) inside diameter). (ii) Handling and release requirements. (A) Sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, as required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A)–(D) of this section, must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles that cannot be brought on board. Sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear, as required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(E)–(L) of this section, must be used to facilitate access, safe handling, disentanglement, and hook removal or hook cutting of sea turtles that can be brought on board, where feasible. Sea turtles must be handled, and bycatch mitigation gear must be used, in accordance with the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and in accordance with the onboard handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1)of this title. (B) Boated turtles. When practicable, active and comatose sea turtles must be brought on board, with a minimum of injury, using a dipnet as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i)(E) of this section. All turtles less than 3 ft (.91 m) carapace length should be boated, if sea conditions permit. (1) A boated turtle should be placed on a standard automobile tire, or cushioned surface, in an upright orientation to immobilize it and facilitate gear removal. Then, it should be determined if the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks should be removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt to remove a hook should be made if it has been swallowed and the insertion point is not visible, or if it is determined that removal would result in further injury. If a hook cannot be removed, as much line as possible should be removed from the turtle using monofilament cutters as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, and the hook should be cut as close as possible to the insertion point before releasing the turtle, using boltcutters as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. If a hook can be removed, an effective technique may be to cut off either the barb, or the eye, of the hook using bolt cutters, and then to slide the hook out. When the hook is visible in the front of the mouth, a mouth-opener, as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, may facilitate opening the turtle's mouth and a gag may facilitate keeping the mouth open. Short-handled dehookers for ingested hooks, long-nose pliers, or needle-nose pliers, as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, should be used to remove visible hooks from the mouth that have not been swallowed on boated turtles, as appropriate. As much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle without causing further injury prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1) of this title, for additional information. (2) [Reserved] (C) Non-boated turtles. If a sea turtle is too large, or hooked in a manner that precludes safe boating without causing further damage or injury to the turtle, sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A)–(D) of this section must be used to disentangle sea turtles from fishing gear and disengage any hooks, or to clip the line and remove as much line as possible from a hook that cannot be removed, prior to releasing the turtle, in accordance with the protocols specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section. (1) Non-boated turtles should be brought close to the boat and provided with time to calm down. Then, it must be determined whether or not the hook can be removed without causing further injury. All externally embedded hooks must be removed, unless hook removal would result in further injury to the turtle. No attempt should be made to remove a hook if it has been swallowed, or if it is determined that removal would result in further injury. If the hook cannot be removed and/or if the animal is entangled, as much line as possible must be removed prior to release, using a line cutter as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. If the hook can be removed, it must be removed using a long-handled dehooker as required by paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. Without causing further injury, as much gear as possible must be removed from the turtle prior to its release. Refer to the careful release protocols and handling/release guidelines required in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, and the handling and resuscitation requirements specified in §223.206(d)(1) for additional information. (2) [Reserved] (iii) Gear modifications. The following measures are required of vessel operators to reduce the incidental capture and mortality of sea turtles: (A) Gangion length. The length of any gangion on vessels that have pelagic longline gear on board and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must be at least 10 percent longer than any floatline length if the total length of any gangion plus the total length of any floatline is less than 100 meters. (B) Corrodible hooks. Vessels that have pelagic longline gear on board and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico must only have corrodible hooks on board. (C) Hook size, type, and bait. Vessels fishing outside of the NED closed area, as defined at §635.2, that have pelagic longline gear on board, and that have been issued, or are required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are limited, at all times, to possessing on board and/or using only whole finfish and/or squid bait, and the following types and sizes of fishing hooks: (1) 18/0 or larger circle hooks with an offset not to exceed 10°; and/or, (2) 16/0 or larger non-offset circle hooks. (i) For purposes of paragraphs (c)(5)(iii)(C)(1), and (c)(5)(iii)(C)(2) of this section, the outer diameter of an 18/0 circle hook at its widest point must be no smaller than 2.16 inches (55 mm), and the outer diameter of a 16/0 circle hook at its widest point must be no smaller than 1.74 inches (44.3 mm), when measured with the eye of the hook on the vertical axis (y-axis) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis (x-axis). The distance between the hook point and the shank (i.e., the gap) on an 18/0 circle hook must be no larger than 1.13 inches (28.8 mm), and the gap on a 16/0 circle hook must be no larger than 1.01 inches (25.8 mm). The allowable offset is measured from the barbed end of the hook, and is relative to the parallel plane of the eyed-end, or shank, of the hook when laid on its side. The only allowable offset circle hooks are those that are offset by the hook manufacturer. (ii) [Reserved] (iv) Approval of sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication an initial list of required sea turtle bycatch mitigation gear that NMFS has approved as meeting the minimum design standards specified under paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. Other devices proposed for use as line clippers or cutters or dehookers, as specified under paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A), (B), (C), (G), (H), and (K) of this section, must be approved as meeting the minimum design standards before being used. NMFS will examine new devices, as they become available, to determine if they meet the minimum design standards, and will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any new devices that are approved as meeting the standards. (d) Bottom longlines. For the purposes of this part, a vessel is considered to have bottom longline gear on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, weights and/or anchors capable of maintaining contact between the mainline and the ocean bottom, and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of bottom longline gear. Bottom longline vessels may have a limited number of floats and/or high flyers onboard for the purposes of marking the location of the gear but removal of these floats does not constitute removal of bottom longline gear. If a vessel issued a permit under this part is in a closed area designated under paragraph (d)(1) of this section with bottom longline gear on board, it is a rebuttable presumption that any fish on board such a vessel were taken with bottom longline in the closed area. (1) Effective January 1, 2005, if bottom longline gear is on board a vessel issued a permit under this part, persons aboard that vessel may not fish or deploy any type of fishing gear in the mid-Atlantic shark closed area from January 1 through July 31 each calendar year. (2) When a marine mammal, sea turtle, or smalltooth sawfish is hooked or entangled by bottom longline gear, the operator of the vessel must immediately release the animal, retrieve the bottom longline gear, and move at least 1 nmi (2 km) from the location of the incident before resuming fishing. Reports of marine mammal entanglements must be submitted to NMFS consistent with regulations in §229.6 of this title. (3) The operator of a vessel required to be permitted under this part and that has bottom longline gear on board must undertake the following bycatch mitigation measures to release sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or smalltooth sawfish, as appropriate. (i) Possession and use of required mitigation gear. Line clippers meeting minimum design specifications as specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of this section and dipnets meeting minimum standards prescribed in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(B) of this section must be carried on board and must be used to disengage any hooked or entangled sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or smalltooth sawfish, in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section. (A) Line clippers. Line clippers are intended to cut fishing line as close as possible to hooked or entangled sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or smalltooth sawfish. NMFS has established minimum design standards for line clippers. The Arceneaux line clipper is a model that meets these minimum design standards and may be fabricated from readily available and low-cost materials (65 FR 16347, March 28, 2000). The minimum design standards for line clippers are as follows: (1) A protected cutting blade. The cutting blade must be curved, recessed, contained in a holder, or otherwise designed to minimize direct contact of the cutting surface with sea turtles, prohibited sharks, smalltooth sawfish, or users of the cutting blade. (2) Cutting blade edge. The blade must be able to cut 2.0–2.1 mm monofilament line and nylon or polypropylene multistrand material commonly known as braided mainline or tarred mainline. (3) An extended reach holder for the cutting blade. The line clipper must have an extended reach handle or pole of at least 6 ft (1.82 m). (4) Secure fastener. The cutting blade must be securely fastened to the extended reach handle or pole to ensure effective deployment and use. (B) Dipnets. Dipnets are intended to facilitate safe handling of sea turtles and access to sea turtles for purposes of cutting lines in a manner that prevents injury and trauma to sea turtles. The minimum design standards for dipnets are as follows: (1) Extended reach handle. The dipnet must have an extended reach handle of at least 6 ft (1.82 m) of wood or other rigid material able to support a minimum of 100 lb (34.1 kg) without breaking or significant bending or distortion. (2) Size of dipnet. The dipnet must have a net hoop of at least 31 inches (78.74 cm) inside diameter and a bag depth of at least 38 inches (96.52 cm). The bag mesh openings may not exceed 3 inches × 3 inches (7.62 cm × 7.62 cm). (ii) Handling requirements. (A) The dipnets required by this paragraph should be used to facilitate access and safe handling of sea turtles where feasible. The line clippers must be used to disentangle sea turtles, prohibited sharks, or smalltooth sawfish from fishing gear or to cut fishing line as close as possible to a hook that cannot be removed without causing further injury. (B) When practicable, active and comatose sea turtles must be brought on board immediately, with a minimum of injury, and handled in accordance with the procedures specified in §223.206(d)(1) of this title. (C) If a sea turtle is too large or hooked in a manner that precludes safe boarding without causing further damage or injury to the turtle, line clippers described in paragraph (c)(5)(i)(A) of this section must be used to clip the line and remove as much line as possible prior to releasing the turtle. (D) If a smalltooth sawfish is caught, the fish should be kept in the water while maintaining water flow over the gills and examined for research tags and the line should be cut as close to the hook as possible. (iii) Corrodible hooks. Vessels that have bottom longline gear on board and that have been issued, or required to have, a limited access shark permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, must only have corrodible hooks on board. (iv) Possess and use a dehooking device that meets the minimum design standards. The dehooking device must be carried on board and must be used to remove the hook from any hooked sea turtle, prohibited shark, or other animal, as appropriate. The dehooking device should not be used to release smalltooth sawfish. NMFS will file with the Office of the (e) Authorized gear—(1) Atlantic tunas. A person that retains or possesses an Atlantic bluefin tuna may not have on board a vessel or use on board the vessel any gear other than that authorized for the category for which the Atlantic tunas or HMS permit has been issued for such vessel. When fishing for Atlantic tunas other than BFT, fishing gear authorized for any Atlantic Tunas permit category may be used, except that purse seine gear may be used only on board vessels permitted in the Purse Seine category and pelagic longline gear may be used only on board vessels issued an Atlantic Tunas Longline category tuna permit as well as ILAPs or LAPs for both swordfish and sharks. When fishing for BFT, a person must use only the gear types authorized for the Atlantic tunas or HMS permit category of the fishing vessel: (i) Angling. Rod and reel (including downriggers) and handline. (ii) Charter/Headboat. Rod and reel (including downriggers), bandit gear, and handline. (iii) General. Rod and reel (including downriggers), handline, harpoon, and bandit gear. (iv) Harpoon. Harpoon. (v) Longline. Longline. (vi) Purse Seine. Purse seine. (A) Mesh size. A purse seine used in directed fishing for BFT must have a mesh size equal to or smaller than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in the main body (stretched when wet) and must have at least 24–count thread throughout the net. (B) Inspection of purse seine vessels. Persons that own or operate a purse seine vessel conducting a directed fishery for Atlantic tunas must have their fishing gear inspected for mesh size by an enforcement agent of NMFS prior to commencing fishing for the season in any fishery that may result in the harvest of Atlantic tunas. Such persons must request such inspection at least 24 hours before commencement of the first fishing trip of the season. If NMFS does not inspect the vessel within 24 hours of such notification, the inspection requirement is waived. In addition, at least 24 hours before commencement of offloading any BFT after a fishing trip, such persons must request an inspection of the vessel and catch by notifying NMFS. If, after notification by the vessel, NMFS does not arrange to inspect the vessel and catch at offloading, the inspection requirement is waived. (vii) Trap. Pound net and fish weir. (2) Billfish. (i) Persons may possess a blue marlin or white marlin in or take a blue marlin or a white marlin from its management unit only if it is harvested by rod and reel. Regardless of how taken, persons may not possess a blue marlin or a white marlin in or take a blue marlin or a white marlin from its management unit on board a vessel using or having on board a pelagic longline. (ii) Persons may possess or take a sailfish shoreward of the outer boundary of the Atlantic EEZ only if it is harvested by rod and reel. Regardless of how taken, persons may not possess or take a sailfish shoreward of the outer boundary of the Atlantic EEZ on board a vessel using or having on board a pelagic longline. (3) Sharks. (i) No person may possess a shark in the EEZ taken from its management unit without a permit issued under §635.4. No person issued a shark LAP under §635.4 may possess a shark by any gear other than rod and reel, handline, bandit gear, longline, or gillnet. No person issued an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/headboat permit under §635.4 may possess a shark in the EEZ if the shark was taken from its management unit by any gear other than rod and reel or handline, except that persons on a vessel issued both an HMS Charter/headboat permit and a shark LAP may possess sharks taken with rod and reel, handline, bandit gear, longline, or gillnet if the vessel is not engaged in a for-hire fishing trip. (ii) No person may fish for sharks with a gillnet with a total length of 2.5 km or more. No person may have on board a vessel a gillnet with a total length of 2.5 km or more. (iii) Provisions on gear deployment for the southeast U.S. shark gillnet fishery to implement the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan are set forth in §229.32(f) of this title. (iv) While fishing for Atlantic sharks with a gillnet, the gillnet must remain attached to at least one vessel at one end, except during net checks. (v) Both the observer and vessel operator are responsible for sighting whales. If a listed whale is taken, the vessel operator must cease fishing operations immediately and contact NOAA Fisheries as required in §635.5(a)(5). (vi) Vessel operators are required to conduct net checks every 0.5 to 2 hours to look for and remove any sea turtles, marine mammals, or smalltooth sawfish. Smalltooth sawfish should not be removed from the water while being removed from the net. (4) Swordfish. (i) No person may possess north Atlantic swordfish taken from its management unit by any gear other than handgear or longline, except that such swordfish taken incidentally while fishing with a squid trawl may be retained, subject to restrictions specified in §635.24(b)(2). No person may possess south Atlantic swordfish taken from its management unit by any gear other than longline. (ii) An Atlantic swordfish may not be retained or possessed on board a vessel with a gillnet. A swordfish will be deemed to have been harvested by gillnet when it is onboard, or offloaded from a vessel using or having on board a gillnet. (iii) A person aboard a vessel issued a directed handgear ILAP or LAP for Atlantic swordfish may not fish for swordfish with any gear other than handgear. A swordfish will be deemed to have been harvested by longline when it is on board, or offloaded from a vessel using or having on board longline gear. (iv) Except for persons aboard a vessel that has been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under §635.4, no person may fish for North Atlantic swordfish with, or possess a North Atlantic swordfish taken by, any gear other than handline or rod and reel. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 65 FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 66 FR 17372, Mar. 30, 2001; 67 FR 45400, July 9, 2002; 67 FR 47469, July 19, 2002; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40754, 40755, July 6, 2004; 69 FR 47797, 47798, Aug. 6, 2004] (a) General. Atlantic HMS caught, possessed, retained, or landed under these recreational limits may not be sold or transferred to any person for a commercial purpose. Recreational retention limits apply to a longbill spearfish taken or possessed shoreward of the outer boundary of the Atlantic EEZ, to a shark taken from or possessed in the Atlantic EEZ, to a North Atlantic swordfish taken from or possessed in the Atlantic Ocean, and to bluefin and yellowfin tuna taken from or possessed in the Atlantic Ocean. The operator of a vessel for which a retention limit applies is responsible for the vessel retention limit and for the cumulative retention limit based on the number of persons aboard. Federal recreational retention limits may not be combined with any recreational retention limit applicable in state waters. (b) Billfish. No longbill spearfish from the management unit may be possessed shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ. (c) Sharks. One shark from either the large coastal, small coastal, or pelagic group may be retained per vessel per trip, subject to the size limits described in §635.20(e), and, in addition, one Atlantic sharpnose shark and one bonnethead shark may be retained per person per trip. Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than one Atlantic sharpnose shark and one bonnethead shark per person may be possessed on board a vessel. No prohibited sharks from the management unit, which are listed in table 1(d) of appendix A to this part, may be retained. The recreational retention limit for sharks applies to any person who fishes in any manner, except to a person aboard a vessel who has been issued an Atlantic shark LAP under §635.4. If an Atlantic shark quota is closed under §635.28, the recreational retention limit for sharks may be applied to persons aboard a vessel issued an Atlantic shark LAP under §635.4, only if that vessel has also been issued an HMS Charter/Headboat permit issued under §635.4 and is engaged in a for-hire fishing trip. (d) Yellowfin tuna. Three yellowfin tunas per person per day may be retained. Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than three yellowfin tuna per person may be possessed on board a vessel. The recreational retention limit for yellowfin tuna applies to a person who fishes in any manner, except to a person aboard a vessel issued an Atlantic Tunas vessel permit under §635.4. The recreational retention limit for yellowfin tuna applies to persons, including captain and crew, aboard a vessel that has been issued an Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit only when the vessel is engaged in a for-hire trip. (e) Bluefin tuna. Refer to §635.23 for Atlantic bluefin tuna recreational retention limits. (f) North Atlantic swordfish. One North Atlantic swordfish per person up to three per vessel per day may be retained. Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than the daily limit of North Atlantic swordfish may be possessed on board a vessel. The recreational retention limit for North Atlantic swordfish applies to a person who fishes in any manner, except to a person aboard a vessel that has been issued a limited access North Atlantic swordfish permit under §635.4. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37704, July 13, 1999; 66 FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 67 FR 77437, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 714, Jan. 7, 2003; 68 FR 74785, Dec. 24, 2003] The retention limits in this section are subject to the quotas and closure provisions in §§635.27 and 635.28. (a) General category. (1) No person aboard a vessel that has a General category Atlantic Tunas permit may possess, retain, land, or sell a BFT in the school, large school, or small medium size class. (2) On an RFD, no person aboard a vessel that has been issued a General category Atlantic Tunas permit may fish for, possess, retain, land, or sell a BFT of any size class, and catch-and-release or tag-and-release fishing for BFT under §635.26 is not authorized from such vessel. On days other than RFDs, and when the General category is open, one large medium or giant BFT may be caught and landed from such vessel per day. NMFS will annually publish a schedule of RFDs in the (3) Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than a single day's retention limit of large medium or giant BFT may be possessed or retained aboard a vessel that has a General category Atlantic Tunas permit. On days other than RFDs, when the General category is open, no person aboard such vessel may continue to fish, and the vessel must immediately proceed to port once the applicable limit for large medium or giant BFT is retained. (4) To provide for maximum utilization of the quota for BFT, NMFS may increase or decrease the daily retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero (on RFDs) to a maximum of three per vessel. Such increase or decrease will be based on a review of dealer reports, daily landing trends, availability of the species on the fishing grounds, and any other relevant factors. NMFS will adjust the daily retention limit specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the adjustment. Such adjustment will not be effective until at least 3 calendar days after notification is filed with the Office of the Federal Register for publication, except that previously designated RFDs may be waived effective upon closure of the General category fishery so that persons aboard vessels permitted in the General category may conduct catch-and-release or tag-and-release fishing for BFT under §635.26. (b) Angling category. BFT may be retained and landed under the daily limits and quotas applicable to the Angling category by persons aboard vessels issued an HMS Angling permit as follows: (1) Large medium and giant BFT. (i) No large medium or giant BFT may be retained, possessed, landed, or sold in the Gulf of Mexico, except one per vessel per year may be landed if caught incidentally to fishing for other species. (ii) One per vessel per year may be retained, possessed, and landed outside the Gulf of Mexico. (iii) When a large medium or giant BFT has been caught and retained under this paragraph (b)(1), no person aboard the vessel may continue to fish, the vessel must immediately proceed to port, and no such BFT may be sold or transferred to any person for a commercial purpose. (2) School, large school, or small medium BFT. (i) No school, large school, or small medium BFT may be retained, possessed, landed, or sold in the Gulf of Mexico. (ii) One school, large school, or small medium BFT per vessel per day may be retained, possessed, or landed outside the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of the length of a trip, no more than a single day's allowable catch of school, large school, or small medium BFT may be possessed or retained. (3) Changes to retention limits. To provide for maximum utilization of the quota for BFT spread over the longest period of time, NMFS may increase or decrease the retention limit for any size class BFT or change a vessel trip limit to an angler limit and vice versa. Such increase or decrease in retention limit will be based on a review of daily landing trends, availability of the species on the fishing grounds, and any other relevant factors. Such adjustments to the retention limits may be applied separately for persons aboard a specific vessel type, such as private vessels, headboats or charter boats. NMFS will adjust the daily retention limit specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the adjustment. Such adjustment will not be effective until at least 3 calendar days after notification is filed with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. (c) HMS Charter/Headboat. Persons aboard a vessel issued an HMS Charter/Headboat permit may retain and land BFT under the daily limits and quotas applicable to the Angling category or the General category as follows: (1) When fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, the restrictions applicable to the Angling category specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section apply. (2) When fishing other than in the Gulf of Mexico when the fishery for the General category is closed, the restrictions applicable to the Angling category specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section apply. (3) When fishing other than in the Gulf of Mexico and when the fishery under the General category has not been closed under §635.28, a person aboard a vessel that has been issued an HMS Charter/Headboat permit may fish under either the retention limits applicable to the General category specified in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section or the retention limits applicable to the Angling category specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section. The size category of the first BFT retained will determine the fishing category applicable to the vessel that day. (d) Harpoon category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category may retain, possess, or land an unlimited number of giant BFT per day. An incidental catch of only two large medium BFT per vessel per day may be retained, possessed, or landed. (e) Purse Seine category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine category, (1) May retain, possess, land, or sell large medium BFT in amounts not exceeding 15 percent, by weight, of the total amount of giant BFT landed during that fishing year. (2) May retain, possess or land BFT smaller than the large medium size class that are taken incidentally when fishing for skipjack tuna or yellowfin tuna in an amount not exceeding 1 percent, by weight, of the skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna landed on that trip. Landings of BFT smaller than the large medium size class may not be sold and are counted against the Purse Seine category BFT quota allocated to that vessel. (f) Longline category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the Atlantic Tunas Longline category may retain, possess, land, and sell large medium and giant BFT taken incidentally when fishing for other species. For vessels fishing North or South of 31°00' N. lat., limits on retention, possession, landing and sale are as follows: (1) One large medium or giant BFT per vessel per trip may be landed, provided that at least 2,000 lb (907 kg) of species other than BFT are legally caught, retained, and offloaded from the same trip and are recorded on the dealer weighout slip as sold. Two large medium or giant BFT per vessel per trip may be landed, provided that at least 6,000 lb (2,727 kg) of species other than BFT are legally caught, retained, and offloaded from the same trip and are recorded on the dealer weighout slip as sold. Three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per trip may be landed, provided that at least 30,000 lb (13,620 kg) of species other than BFT are legally caught, retained, and offloaded from the same trip and are recorded on the dealer weighout slip as sold. (2) NMFS may increase or decrease the Longline category retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range from zero to a maximum of three per trip, or, for a given BFT retention limit, increase or decrease the target catch requirement by 25 percent from the level specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. Such increase or decrease in the BFT retention limit or target catch requirement will be based on a review of dealer reports, observer reports, vessel logbooks, landing trends, availability of the species on the fishing grounds, and any other relevant factors, and will consider the likelihood of increasing dead discards of BFT and/or exceeding the incidental landings quota established for the pelagic longline fishery. Such adjustments may be made separately for vessels fishing North or South of 31°00' N. lat. NMFS will adjust the retention limits and target catch requirements specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section by filing the adjustment with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. In no case shall such adjustment be effective less than 21 calendar days after the adjustment is filed with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. (3) For pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant closed area, as defined under §635.2, under the exemption specified at §635.21(c)(2)(v), all BFT taken incidental to fishing for other species while in the Northeast Distant closed area may be retained up to a maximum of 25 mt for all vessels so authorized, notwithstanding the retention limits and target catch requirements specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. (g) Trap category. Persons aboard a vessel permitted in the Atlantic Tunas Trap category may retain, possess, land, and sell each fishing year only one large medium or giant BFT that is taken incidentally while fishing for other species with a pound net or fish weir. No other Atlantic tunas caught in a pound net or fish weir may be retained. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 32417, May 30, 2003; 68 FR 56788, Oct. 2, 2003; 68 FR 74511, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40758, July 6, 2004; 70 FR 10900, Mar. 7, 2005] The retention limits in this section are subject to the quotas and closure provisions in §§635.27 and 635.28. (a) Sharks. (1) Persons who own or operate a vessel that has been issued a directed ILAP or LAP for shark may retain, possess or land no more than 4,000 lb (1,814 kg), dw, of LCS per trip. (2) Persons who own or operate a vessel that has been issued an incidental catch ILAP or LAP for sharks may retain, possess or land no more than 5 LCS and 16 SCS and pelagic sharks, combined, per trip. (b) Swordfish. (1) Persons aboard a vessel that has been issued an incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish may retain, possess, or land no more than two swordfish per trip in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. (2) Persons aboard a vessel in the squid trawl fishery that has been issued an incidental ILAP or LAP for swordfish may retain, possess, or land no more than five swordfish per trip in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. A vessel is considered to be in the squid trawl fishery when it has no commercial fishing gear other than trawls on board and when squid constitute not less than 75 percent by weight of the total fish on board or offloaded from the vessel. (a) General. Persons on board fishing vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are authorized to fish for, catch, retain, or land species governed by an international catch sharing agreement implemented under this part only in or from those management areas for which the United States has received an allocation. (b) Exemptions. Persons and vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States intending to fish for regulated species in fishing areas not otherwise authorized under this part, whether for the purposes of scientific research or commercial fishing under a chartering arrangement, must have a permit from NMFS issued under §635.32. (c) Atlantic bluefin tuna. No person aboard a U.S. fishing vessel shall fish for bluefin tuna in, or possess on board that fishing vessel a bluefin tuna taken from, the Mediterranean Sea. [67 FR 70026, Nov. 20, 2002] (a) BFT. (1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a person aboard a vessel issued a permit under this part, other than a person aboard a vessel permitted in the General category on a designated RFD, may fish with rod and reel or handline gear for BFT under a catch-and-release or tag-and-release program. When fishing under a tag-and-release program, vessel owner/operators should use tags issued or approved by NMFS. If a BFT is tagged, the tag information, including information on any previously applied tag remaining on the fish, must be reported to NMFS. All BFT caught under the catch-and-release or tag-and-release programs must be returned to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury. (2) Persons may obtain NMFS-issued conventional tags, reporting cards, and detailed instructions for their use from the NMFS Cooperative Tagging Center. Persons may use a conventional tag obtained from a source other than NMFS to tag BFT, provided the use of such tags is registered each year with the Cooperative Tagging Center and the NMFS program manager has approved the use of a conventional tag from that source. An angler using an alternative source of tags wishing to tag BFT may contact the NMFS Cooperative Tagging Center at the Southeast Fishery Science Center. (3) An angler registering for the HMS tagging program is required to provide his or her name, address, phone number and, if applicable, the identity of the alternate source of tags. (b) Billfish. NMFS is encouraging further catch and release of Atlantic billfish by establishing a recreational catch-and-release fishery management program, consistent with the guidance of §600.350(c). (c) Sharks. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a person may fish for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and reel, provided the person releases such fish to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury, and that such fish may not be removed from the water. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 70 FR 10900, Mar. 7, 2005] (a) BFT. Consistent with ICCAT recommendations, NMFS will subtract any allowance for dead discards from the fishing year's total U.S. quota for BFT that can be caught and allocate the remainder to be retained, possessed, or landed by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction. The total landing quota will be divided among the General, Angling, Harpoon, Purse Seine, Longline, and Trap categories. Consistent with these allocations and other applicable restrictions of this part, BFT may be taken by persons aboard vessels issued Atlantic Tunas permits, HMS Angling permits, or HMS Charter/Headboat permits. Allocations of the BFT landings quota will be made according to the following percentages: General—47.1 percent; Angling—19.7 percent, which includes the school BFT held in reserve as described under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section; Harpoon—3.9 percent; Purse Seine—18.6 percent; Longline—8.1 percent; and Trap—0.1 percent. The remaining 2.5 percent of the BFT landings quota will be held in reserve for inseason adjustments, to compensate for overharvest in any category other than the Angling category school BFT subquota or for fishery independent research. NMFS may apportion a landings quota allocated to any category to specified fishing periods or to geographic areas. BFT landings quotas are specified in whole weight. (1) General category landings quota. Prior to each fishing year, NMFS will set the General category effort control schedule, including time-period subquotas and restricted-fishing days, through proposed and final specifications published in the (i) Catches from vessels for which General category Atlantic Tunas permits have been issued and certain catches from vessels for which an HMS Charter/Headboat permit has been issued are counted against the General category landings quota. See §635.23 (c)(3) regarding landings by vessels with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit that are counted against the General category landings quota. The total amount of large medium and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or sold under the General category landings quota is 47.1 percent of the overall U.S. BFT landings quota, less 10 mt which is set aside for an area comprising the waters south and west of a straight line originating at a point on the southern shore of Long Island at 72° 27' W. long (Shinnecock Inlet) and running SSE 150° true, and north of 38°47' N. lat. as specified in §635.27(a)(1)(iii). This 47.1 percent, less the 10 mt set aside as specified in §635.27(a)(1)(iii), is apportioned as follows: (A) June 1 through August 31—60 percent; (B) September 1 through September 30—30 percent; and (C) October 1 through January 31—10 percent. (ii) NMFS will adjust each period's apportionment based on overharvest or underharvest in the prior period. (iii) When the coastwide General category fishery has been closed in any quota period under §637.28(a)(1), NMFS may publish notification in the (2) Angling category landings quota. The total amount of BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, and landed by anglers aboard vessels for which an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit has been issued is 19.7 percent of the overall annual U.S. BFT landings quota. No more than 2.3 percent of the annual Angling category landings quota may be large medium or giant BFT and, over each 4–consecutive-year period, no more than 8 percent of the overall U.S. BFT landings quota may be school BFT. The Angling category landings quota includes the amount of school BFT held in reserve as specified under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section. The size class subquotas for BFT are further subdivided as follows: (i) Under paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section, 52.8 percent of the school BFT Angling category landings quota, after adjustment for the school BFT quota held in reserve, may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed south of 39°18' N. lat., with the remaining quota being available to the fisheries north of the dividing line. (ii) An amount equal to 52.8 percent of the large school/small medium BFT Angling category quota may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed south of 39°18' N. lat., with the remaining quota being available to the fisheries north of the dividing line. (iii) An amount equal to 66.7 percent of the large medium and giant BFT Angling category quota may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed south of 39°18' N. lat., with the remaining quota being available to the fisheries north of the dividing line. (3) Longline category quota. The total amount of large medium and giant BFT that may be caught incidentally and retained, possessed, or landed by vessels for which Longline category Atlantic tunas permits have been issued is 8.1 percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. In the initial quota specifications issued under paragraph (a) of this section, no more than 60.0 percent of the Longline category quota may be allocated for landing in the area south of 31° 00'; N. lat. In addition, 25 mt shall be allocated for incidental catch by pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Northeast Distant closed area, as defined under §635.2, under the exemption specified at §635.21(c)(2)(v). (4) Purse Seine category quota. (i) The total amount of large medium and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by vessels for which Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permits have been issued is 18.6 percent of the overall U.S. BFT landings quota. The directed purse seine fishery for BFT commences on July 15 of each year unless NMFS takes action to delay the season start date. Based on cumulative and projected landings in other commercial fishing categories, and the potential for gear conflicts on the fishing grounds or market impacts due to oversupply, NMFS may delay the BFT purse seine season start date from July 15 to no later than August 15 by filing an adjustment with the Office of the Federal Register for publication. In no case shall such adjustment be filed less than 14 calendar days prior to July 15. (ii) An owner of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued must apply in writing to NMFS at an address designated by NMFS, for an allocation of BFT from the Purse Seine category quota. The application must be postmarked no later than April 15 for an allocation of the quota that becomes available on June 1. (iii) On or about May 1, NMFS will make equal allocations of the available size classes of BFT among purse seine vessel permit holders so requesting, adjusted as necessary to account for underharvest or overharvest by each participating vessel or the vessel it replaces from the previous fishing year, consistent with paragraph (a)(9)(i) of this section. Such allocations are freely transferable, in whole or in part, among vessels that have Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permits. Any purse seine vessel permit holder intending to land bluefin tuna under an allocation transferred from another purse seine vessel permit holder must provide written notice of such intent to NMFS, at an address designated by NMFS, 3 days before landing any such bluefin tuna. Such notification must include the transfer date, amount (mt) transferred, and the permit numbers of vessels involved in the transfer. Trip or seasonal catch limits otherwise applicable under §635.23(e) are not altered by transfers of bluefin tuna allocation. Purse seine vessel permit holders who, through landing and/or transfer, have no remaining bluefin tuna allocation may not use their permitted vessels in any fishery in which Atlantic bluefin tuna might be caught, regardless of whether retained. (iv) An owner of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued may apply to NMFS to permanently consolidate Purse Seine category vessel permits issued under §635.4. Upon written approval of consolidation by NMFS, the Purse Seine Category Atlantic Tunas Permit of a transferring vessel will be canceled, and the receiving owner may apply for allocations of BFT commensurate with the number of consolidated permits. An owner of a purse seine vessel whose permit is canceled through consolidation may not use his or her vessel in any purse seine fishery in which BFT might be caught. (5) Harpoon category quota. The total amount of large medium and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, landed, or sold by vessels for which Harpoon category Atlantic Tunas permits have been issued is 3.9 percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. The Harpoon category fishery closes on November 15 each year. (6) Trap category quota. The total amount of large medium and giant BFT that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by vessels for which Trap category Atlantic Tunas permits have been issued is 0.1 percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. (7) Reserve. (i) The total amount of BFT that is held in reserve for inseason adjustments and fishery-independent research using quotas or subquotas other than the Angling category school BFT subquota, is 2.5 percent of the overall U.S. BFT quota. Consistent with paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, NMFS may allocate any portion of this reserve for inseason adjustments to any category quota in the fishery, other than the Angling category school BFT subquota. (ii) The total amount of school BFT that is held in reserve for inseason adjustments and fishery independent research is 18.5 percent of the total school BFT quota for the Angling category as described under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, which is in addition to the amounts specified in paragraph (a)(7)(i) of this section. Consistent with paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section, NMFS may allocate any portion of the school BFT held in reserve for inseason adjustments to the Angling category. (iii) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any inseason adjustment. Before making any such adjustment, NMFS will consider the following factors: (A) The usefulness of information obtained from catches in the particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock. (B) The catches of the particular category quota to date and the likelihood of closure of that segment of the fishery if no allocation is made. (C) The projected ability of the vessels fishing under the particular category quota to harvest the additional amount of BFT before the end of the fishing year. (D) The estimated amounts by which quotas for other gear categories of the fishery might be exceeded. (E) Effects of the transfer on BFT rebuilding and overfishing. (F) Effects of the transfer on accomplishing the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks. (8) Inseason adjustments. Within a fishing year, NMFS may transfer quotas among categories or, as appropriate, subcategories. If it is determined, based on the factors in paragraphs (a)(7)(iii)(A) through (a)(7)(iii)(F) of this section and the probability of exceeding the total quota, that vessels fishing under any category or subcategory quota are not likely to take that quota, NMFS may transfer inseason any portion of the remaining quota of that fishing category to any other fishing category or to the reserve as specified in paragraphs (a)(7)(i) and (a)(7)(ii) of this section. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any inseason adjustment. (9) Annual adjustments. (i) If NMFS determines, based on landings statistics and other available information, that a BFT quota in any category or, as appropriate, subcategory has been exceeded or has not been reached, with the exception of the Purse Seine category, NMFS shall subtract the overharvest from, or add the underharvest to, that quota category for the following fishing year, provided that the total of the adjusted category quotas and the Reserve is consistent with a recommendation of ICCAT regarding country quotas, the take of school BFT, and the allowance for dead discards. For the Purse Seine category, if NMFS determines, based on landings statistics and other available information, that a purse seine vessel's allocation, as adjusted, has been exceeded or has not been reached, NMFS shall subtract the overharvest from, or add the underharvest to, that vessel's allocation for the following fishing year. (ii) NMFS may allocate any quota remaining in the reserve at the end of a fishing year to account for overharvest in any fishing category, provided such allocation is consistent with the criteria specified in paragraph (a)(7)(iii) of this section. (iii) Regardless of the estimated landings in any year, NMFS may adjust the annual school BFT quota to ensure that the average take of school BFT over each 4–consecutive-year period beginning in the 1999 fishing year does not exceed 8 percent by weight of the total U.S. BFT quota for that period. (iv) If NMFS determines that the annual dead discard allowance has been exceeded in one fishing year, NMFS shall subtract the amount in excess of the allowance from the amount of BFT that can be landed in the subsequent fishing year by those categories accounting for the dead discards. If NMFS determines that the annual dead discard allowance has not been reached, NMFS may add one-half of the remainder to the amount of BFT that can be landed in the subsequent fishing year. Such amount may be allocated to individual fishing categories or to the Reserve. (v) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the amount subtracted or added and the basis for the quota reductions or increases made pursuant to paragraphs (a)(9)(i) through (a)(9)(iv) of this section. (b) Sharks—(1) Commercial quotas. The commercial quotas for sharks specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(vi) of this section apply to sharks harvested from the management unit, regardless of where harvested. Commercial quotas are specified for each of the management groups of large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks. No prohibited sharks from the management unit, which are listed in table 1(d) of appendix A to this part, may be retained except as authorized under §635.32. (i) Fishing seasons. The commercial quotas for large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks will be split among three fishing seasons: January 1 through April 30, May 1 through August 31, and September 1 through December 31. (ii) Regions. The commercial quotas for large coastal sharks and small coastal sharks are split between three regions. The regions are: Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and North Atlantic. For the purposes of this section, the Gulf of Mexico region includes all waters of the U.S. EEZ west and north of the boundary stipulated at 50 CFR 600.105(c). The South Atlantic region includes all waters east of the Gulf of Mexico region north to the border between North Carolina and Virginia at roughly 36°30' N. lat., including the waters surrounding the Caribbean. The North Atlantic region includes all waters north of the North Carolina and Virginia border at roughly 36°30' N. lat. (iii) Large coastal sharks. The annual commercial quota for large coastal sharks is 1,017 mt dw, unless adjusted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. This annual quota is split among the regions as follows: 52 percent to the Gulf of Mexico, 41 percent to the South Atlantic, and 7 percent to the North Atlantic. The length of each fishing season will be determined based on the projected catch rates, available quota, and other relevant factors. Consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, NMFS will publish in the (iv) Small coastal sharks. The annual commercial quota for small coastal sharks is 454 mt dw, unless adjusted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. This annual quota is split among the regions as follows: 10 percent to the Gulf of Mexico, 87 percent to the South Atlantic, and 3 percent to the North Atlantic. (v) Pelagic sharks. The annual commercial quotas for pelagic sharks are 92 mt dw for porbeagle sharks, 273 mt dw for blue sharks, and 488 mt dw for pelagic sharks other than porbeagle or blue sharks, unless adjusted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section. (vi) Annual adjustments. (A) NMFS will adjust the next year's fishing season quotas for large coastal, small coastal, and pelagic sharks to reflect actual landings during any fishing season in any particular region. For example, a commercial quota underharvest or overharvest in the fishing season in one region that begins January 1 will result in an equivalent increase or decrease in the following year's quota for that region for the fishing season that begins January 1. (1) NMFS will adjust a region's annual quota based on the following criteria: if a region has an overharvest of 10 percent or greater of its regional annual quota, and any other region or regions has an underharvest of more than 10 percent of their respective quotas, then NMFS may transfer up to 10 percent of the quota from the region or regions with the underharvest to the region with the overharvest. Any overharvest above 10 percent would be counted against that region's quota for the same season of the following year. If the underharvest is less than 10 percent of the quota for any other region or regions, NMFS would not transfer any quota, even if another region or regions had an overharvest in excess of 10 percent. (2) Other factors NMFS would consider before making a transfer include, but are not limited to, the likelihood of protected species interactions and bycatch rates within a region, historic landings for the region, total landings reported for all regions at the end of their respective seasons, the number of storms during the open season, the size of a region's quotas, the amount of available quota remaining, the projected ability of the vessels fishing in the region from which the quota is proposed to be removed to harvest the remaining quota, and the projected ability of vessels fishing in the region receiving the quota to harvest the additional quota. (3) Quotas for each region would be further divided equally (33.3 percent/season) among the trimester seasons in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic regions, and based upon historic landings of 4, 88, and 8 percent for the first, second, and third trimester seasons, respectively, in the North Atlantic region. NMFS would make adjustments to trimester season quotas based on a number of factors including, but not limited to: the historic landings for each trimester season in a particular region, total landings reported for all seasons at the end of their respective seasons, the number of storms during each open season, the size of each seasonal quota, the amount of available quota remaining, and the projected ability of vessels fishing in the season receiving additional quota to harvest the additional quota. (4) Consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, NMFS will publish in the (B) NMFS will reduce the annual commercial quota for pelagic sharks by the amount that the blue shark quota is exceeded prior to the start of the next fishing season. (C) Sharks taken and landed from state waters are counted against the fishery quota for the applicable region and time period. (2) Public display and research quota. The annual quota for persons who collect sharks from any of the management groups under a display permit or EFP is 60 mt whole weight (43 mt dw). All sharks collected under the authority of a display permit or EFP, subject to restrictions at §635.32, will be counted against this quota. (c) Swordfish—(1) Categories. Consistent with ICCAT recommendations, the fishing year's total amount of swordfish that may be caught, retained, possessed, or landed by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction is divided into quotas for the North Atlantic swordfish stock and the South Atlantic swordfish stock. The quota for the North Atlantic swordfish stock is further divided into equal semi-annual directed fishery quotas, an annual incidental catch quota for fishermen targeting other species or taking swordfish recreationally, and a reserve category. (i) North Atlantic swordfish. (A) A swordfish from the North Atlantic stock caught prior to the directed fishery closure by a vessel for which a directed fishery permit, or a handgear permit for swordfish, has been issued is counted against the directed fishery quota. The annual fishery quota, not adjusted for over- or underharvests, is 2,937.6 mt dw for each fishing year beginning June 1, 2004. The annual quota is subdivided into two equal semiannual quotas of 1,468.8 mt dw: one for June 1 through November 30, and the other for December 1 through May 31 of the following year. (B) A swordfish from the North Atlantic swordfish stock landed by a vessel for which an incidental catch permit for swordfish or an HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat permit has been issued, or caught after the effective date of a closure of the directed fishery from a vessel for which a directed fishery permit or a handgear permit for swordfish has been issued, is counted against the incidental catch quota. (C) A dead discard allowance of 60.2 mt dw is established for North Atlantic swordfish in 2003, but the allowance is reduced to zero in 2004 and beyond. All swordfish discarded dead from U.S. fishing vessels in 2004 and beyond, regardless of whether such vessels are permitted under this part, shall be counted against the annual directed fishing quota. (D) A portion of the total allowable catch of North Atlantic swordfish shall be held in reserve for inseason adjustments to fishing categories, to compensate for projected or actual overharvest in any category, for fishery independent research, or for other purposes consistent with management objectives. (E) In the event of an overharvest of South Atlantic swordfish, up to 150.4 mt dw of swordfish landed between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude may be applied against the North Atlantic swordfish quota. Otherwise, swordfish landed from this area shall be applied against the South Atlantic swordfish quota. For example, if the South Atlantic swordfish quota were 100 mt dw, and 50 mt dw were landed between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude, and 75 mt dw were caught south of 5 degrees South latitude, then 25 mt dw of the swordfish caught between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude would be applied against the North Atlantic swordfish quota. If only 25 mt dw of swordfish were caught between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South latitude, and 150 mt dw of swordfish were caught south of 5 degrees South latitude, 25 mt dw would be applied against the North Atlantic swordfish quota. The remaining 50 mt dw overharvest would be counted against the following year's South Atlantic swordfish quota. (ii) South Atlantic swordfish. From June 1, 2003, to May 31, 2006, the annual directed fishery quota for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is 75.2 mt dw. Beginning June 1, 2006, the annual directed fishery quota for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is 90.2 mt dw. The entire quota for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is reserved for vessels with pelagic longline gear onboard and for which a directed fishery permit for swordfish has been issued; retention of swordfish caught incidental to other fishing activities or with other fishing gear is prohibited in the Atlantic Ocean south of 5 degrees North latitude. (2) Inseason adjustments. (i) NMFS may adjust the December 1 through May 31 semiannual directed fishery quota or, as applicable, the reserve category, to reflect actual directed fishery and incidental fishing category catches during the June 1 through November 30 semiannual period. (ii) If NMFS determines that the annual incidental catch quota will not be taken before the end of the fishing year, the excess quota may be allocated to the directed fishery quota or to the reserve. (iii) If NMFS determines that it is necessary to close the directed swordfish fishery prior to the scheduled end of a semi-annual fishing season, any estimated overharvest or underharvest of the directed fishery quota for that semi-annual season will be used to adjust the annual incidental catch quota or the reserve as necessary to maintain landings and discards within the required annual limits. (iv) NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any inseason swordfish quota adjustment and its apportionment to fishing categories or to the reserve made under this paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (3) Annual adjustments. (i) Except for the carryover provisions of paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any adjustment to the annual quota necessary to meet the objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks. NMFS will provide at least 30 days opportunity for public comment. (ii) If consistent with applicable ICCAT recommendations, total landings above or below the specific North Atlantic or South Atlantic swordfish annual quota shall be subtracted from, or added to, the following year's quota for that area. As necessary to meet management objectives, such carryover adjustments may be apportioned to fishing categories and/or to the reserve. Any adjustments to the 12–month directed fishery quota will be apportioned equally between the two semiannual fishing seasons. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any adjustment or apportionment made under this paragraph (c)(3)(ii). (iii) The dressed weight equivalent of the amount by which dead discards exceed the allowance specified at paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section shall be subtracted from the landings quota in the following fishing year or from the reserve category. NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of any adjustment made under this paragraph (c)(3)(iii). [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 58796, Nov. 1, 1999; 65 FR 42887, July 12, 2000; 65 FR 77526, Dec. 12, 2000; 66 FR 8904, Feb. 5, 2001; 66 FR 42805, Aug. 15, 2001; 66 FR 67121, Dec. 28, 2001; 67 FR 70026, Nov. 20, 2002; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 32417, May 30, 2003; 68 FR 56788, Oct. 2, 2003; 68 FR 74511, 74785, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 40758, July 6, 2004; 69 FR 68093, Nov. 23, 2004; 69 FR 69544, Nov. 30, 2004; 71 FR 29089, May 19, 2006] (a) BFT. (1) When a BFT quota, other than the Purse Seine category quota specified in §635.27(a)(4), is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure. On and after the effective date and time of such notification, for the remainder of the fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the notice, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota is prohibited until the opening of the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified in the notice. (2) From the commencement date of the directed BFT purse seine fishery, as provided under §635.27(a)(4)(i), through December 31, the owner or operator of a vessel that has been allocated a portion of the Purse Seine category quota under §635.27(a)(4) may fish for BFT. Such vessel may be used to fish for yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, or skipjack tuna at any time, however, landings of BFT taken incidental to fisheries targeting other Atlantic tunas or in any fishery in which BFT might be caught will be deducted from the individual vessel's quota for the following BFT fishing season. Upon reaching its individual vessel allocation of BFT, the vessel may not participate in a directed purse seine fishery for Atlantic tunas or in any fishery in which BFT might be caught for the remainder of the fishing year. (3) If NMFS determines that variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migration patterns of BFT, or the catch rate in one area, precludes anglers in another area from a reasonable opportunity to harvest a portion of the Angling category quota, NMFS may close all or part of the fishery under that category and may reopen it at a later date if NMFS determines that BFT have migrated into the other area. In determining the need for any such interim closure or area closure, NMFS will consider: (i) The usefulness of information obtained from catches of a particular geographic area of the fishery for biological sampling and for monitoring the status of the stock; (ii) The current year catches from the particular geographic area relative to the catches recorded for that area during the preceding 4 years; (iii) The catches from the particular geographic area to date relative to the entire category and the likelihood of closure of that entire category of the fishery if no interim closure or area closure is effected; and (iv) The projected ability of the entire category to harvest the remaining amount of BFT before the anticipated end of the fishing season. (b) Sharks. (1) The commercial fishery for large coastal sharks will remain open in each region under the fishing seasons and regional quotas, as specified at §635.27(b)(1). From the effective date and time of a season closure in a particular region until additional quota becomes available, the fishery for large coastal sharks in that particular region is closed. (2) When the fishing season quota for small coastal sharks or pelagic sharks specified in §635.27(b)(1) is reached for a particular region, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file for publication with the Office of the Federal Register, a notice of closure at least 14 days before the effective date. From the effective date and time of the closure until additional quota becomes available, the fishery for the appropriate shark species group in that particular region is closed. (3) When the fishery for a shark species group in a particular region is closed, a fishing vessel, issued an Atlantic Shark LAP pursuant to §635.4, may not possess or sell a shark of that species group in that region, except under the conditions specified in §635.22 (a) and (c), and a shark dealer in that region, issued a permit pursuant to §635.4, may not purchase or receive a shark of that species group from a vessel issued an Atlantic Shark LAP, except that a permitted shark dealer or processor may possess sharks that were harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered, prior to the effective date of the regional closure and were held in storage. Under a regional closure for a shark species group, a shark dealer issued a permit pursuant to §635.4 may, in accordance with state regulations, purchase or receive a shark of that species group if the sharks were harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered from a vessel that fishes only in state waters and that has not been issued a Shark LAP, HMS Angling permit, or HMS Charter/Headboat permit pursuant to §635.4. (c) Swordfish—(1) Directed fishery closure. When the annual or semiannual directed fishery quota specified in §635.27(c)(1)(i) or (ii) is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure at least 14 days before the effective date. From the effective date and time of the closure until additional directed fishery quota becomes available, the directed fishery for the appropriate stock is closed and the following catch limits apply: (i) When the directed fishery for the North Atlantic swordfish stock is closed, (A) No more than 15 swordfish per trip may be possessed in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel using or having on board a pelagic longline. However, North Atlantic swordfish legally taken prior to the effective date of the closure may be possessed in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel with a pelagic longline on board, provided the harvesting vessel does no fishing after the closure in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5 N. lat., and reports positions with a vessel monitoring system, as specified in §635.69. Additionally, legally taken swordfish from the South Atlantic swordfish stock may be possessed or landed north of 5 N. lat. provided the harvesting vessel does no fishing on that trip north of 5 N. lat., and reports positions with a vessel monitoring system as specified in §635.69. NMFS may adjust the incidental catch retention limit by filing with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the change at least 14 days before the effective date. Changes in the incidental catch limits will be based upon the length of the directed fishery closure and the estimated rate of catch by vessels fishing under the incidental catch quota. (B) No more than 2 swordfish per trip may be possessed in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel that has been issued a handgear permit under §635.4(f)(1) provided that such swordfish were not taken with a harpoon. (ii) When the directed fishery for the South Atlantic swordfish stock is closed, swordfish from that stock taken incidental to fishing for other species may not be retained. (2) Incidental catch closure. When the annual incidental catch quota specified in §635.27(c)(1)(i) is reached, or is projected to be reached, NMFS will file with the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of closure. From the effective date and time of such notification until an additional incidental catch quota becomes available, no swordfish may be possessed in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state, and a swordfish in or from the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. may not be sold. However, legally taken swordfish from the South Atlantic swordfish stock may be possessed in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. or landed in an Atlantic coastal state on a vessel with a longline, provided the harvesting vessel does not fish on that trip in the Atlantic Ocean north of 5° N. lat. and reports positions with a vessel monitoring system, as specified in §635.69. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 37705, July 13, 1999; 66 FR 67121, Dec. 28, 2001; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 63741, Nov. 10, 2003; 68 FR 74511, 74786, Dec. 24, 2003] (a) Persons may not transfer an Atlantic tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, or swordfish at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, regardless of where the fish was harvested. However, an owner or operator of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued under §635.4 may transfer large medium and giant BFT at sea from the net of the catching vessel to another vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit has been issued, provided the amount transferred does not cause the receiving vessel to exceed its currently authorized vessel allocation, including incidental catch limits. (b) Persons may not transfer a shark or a sailfish at sea shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ, regardless of where the shark was harvested, and persons may not transfer at sea a shark or a sailfish taken shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ, regardless of where the transfer takes place. (a) Atlantic tunas. Persons that own or operate a fishing vessel that possesses an Atlantic tuna in the Atlantic Ocean or that lands an Atlantic tuna in an Atlantic coastal port must maintain such Atlantic tuna through offloading either in round form or eviscerated with the head and fins removed, provided one pectoral fin and the tail remain attached. (b) Billfish. Any person that possesses a blue marlin or a white marlin taken from its management unit or a sailfish taken shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ or lands a blue marlin or a white marlin in an Atlantic coastal port must maintain such billfish with its head, fins, and bill intact through offloading. Persons may eviscerate such billfish, but it must otherwise be maintained whole. (c) Shark. (1) Not withstanding the regulations issued at part 600, subpart N of this chapter, no person who owns or operates a vessel issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit shall possess or offload wet shark fins in a quantity that exceeds 5 percent of the dressed weight of the shark carcasses. No person shall possess a shark fin on board a fishing vessel after the vessel's first point of landing. While shark fins are on board and when shark fins are being offloaded, persons issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit are subject to the regulations at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter. (2) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit may not fillet a shark at sea. A person may eviscerate and remove the head and fins, but must retain the fins with the dressed carcasses. While on board and when offloaded, wet shark fins may not exceed 5 percent of the dressed weight of the carcasses, in accordance with the regulations at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter. (3) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark limited access permit and who lands shark in an Atlantic coastal port must have all fins and carcasses weighed and recorded on the weighout slips specified in §635.5(a)(2) and in accordance with regulations at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter. Persons may not possess a shark fin on board a fishing vessel after the vessel's first point of landing. The wet fins may not exceed 5 percent of the dressed weight of the carcasses. (4) Persons aboard a vessel that does not have a commercial permit for shark must maintain a shark in or from the EEZ intact through landing—the head, tail, or fins may not be removed. The shark may be bled. (d) Swordfish. Persons that own or operate a fishing vessel that possesses a swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean or lands a swordfish in an Atlantic coastal port must maintain such swordfish in round or dressed form through off-loading. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 69 FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004] (a) Atlantic tunas. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel from which an Atlantic tuna is landed or offloaded may sell such Atlantic tuna only if that vessel has a valid HMS Charter/Headboat permit, or a General, Harpoon, Longline, Purse Seine, or Trap category permit for Atlantic Tunas issued under this part. However, no person shall sell a BFT smaller than the large medium size class. Also, no large medium or giant BFT taken by a person aboard a vessel with an Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing in the Gulf of Mexico at any time, or fishing outside the Gulf of Mexico when the fishery under the General category has been closed, shall be sold (see §635.23(c)). Persons shall sell Atlantic tunas only to a dealer that has a valid permit for purchasing Atlantic tunas issued under this part. (2) Dealers may purchase Atlantic tunas only from a vessel that has a valid commercial permit for Atlantic tunas issued under this part in the appropriate category. (3) Dealers or seafood processors may not purchase or sell a BFT smaller than the large medium size class unless it is lawfully imported and is accompanied by a bluefin tuna statistical document, as specified in §300.185(a) of this title. (4) A BFT in the possession of a dealer or seafood processor is deemed to be from the Atlantic Ocean. However, a BFT will not be deemed to be from the Atlantic Ocean if— (i) It was landed in a Pacific state and remains in the state of landing, or (ii) It is accompanied by a bluefin tuna statistical document, as specified in §300.185(a) of this title. (b) Billfish. (1) Persons may not sell or purchase a billfish taken from its management unit. (2) A billfish or a closely related species, namely, black marlin, Makaira indica, striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax, or shortbill spearfish, Tetrapturus angustirostris, or a part thereof, in the possession of a dealer or seafood processor is considered, for purposes of this part, to be a billfish from the Atlantic Ocean management unit. However, a billfish or a closely related species will not be considered to be from the Atlantic Ocean management unit if– (i) It was landed in a Pacific state and remains in the state of landing, or (ii) It is accompanied by a Billfish Certificate of Eligibility (COE) form, obtained from NMFS, or its equivalent that documents that the fish was harvested from other than the Atlantic Ocean management unit. (A) The Billfish COE required under this section must indicate, in English, the name and homeport of the harvesting vessel, and the date and port of offloading. Only the purchaser of the billfish from the harvesting vessel must complete this information. (B) The Billfish COE must be signed and dated by each dealer in possession of the product throughout the chain of custody up to but not including the consumer. This signature indicates a declaration that the billfish were not harvested from the management unit. (C) A Billfish COE may refer to billfish taken from only one harvesting vessel. If a shipment contains billfish taken from more than one vessel, a separate billfish COE must accompany the shipment for each harvesting vessel. (D) A model Billfish COE can be obtained by contacting the Division Chief. An equivalent form may be used provided it contains all of the information required under this section. (3) For the purposes of this paragraph, a dealer or seafood processor means any individual, other than a consumer, who engages in any activity, other than fishing, of industry, trade, or commerce, including but not limited to the buying or selling of a regulated species or parts thereof and activities conducted for the purpose of facilitating such buying and selling. (c) Shark. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel that possesses a shark from the management unit may sell such shark only if the vessel has a valid commercial permit for shark issued under this part. Persons may possess and sell a shark only when the fishery for that species group has not been closed, as specified in §635.28(b)(3). (2) Persons that own or operate a vessel for which a valid commercial shark permit has been issued and on which a shark from the management unit is possessed, may sell such shark only to a dealer that has a valid permit for shark issued under this part. (3) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, purchase, and sale of shark fins are found at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter and in §635.30(c). (4) Only dealers that have a valid permit for shark may purchase a shark from the owner or operator of a fishing vessel. Dealers may purchase a shark only from an owner or operator of a vessel who has a valid commercial permit for shark issued under this part, except that dealers may purchase a shark from an owner or operator of a vessel that does not have a commercial permit for shark if that vessel fishes exclusively in state waters. Dealers may purchase a shark from an owner or operator of fishing vessel that has a permit issued under this part only when the fishery for that species group has not been closed, as specified in §635.28(b)(3). (5) A dealer issued a permit under this part may not purchase from an owner or operator of a fishing vessel shark fins that were not harvested in accordance with the regulations found at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter and in §635.30(c). (d) Swordfish. (1) Persons that own or operate a vessel on which a swordfish in or from the Atlantic Ocean is possessed may sell such swordfish only if the vessel has a valid commercial permit for swordfish issued under this part. Persons may sell such swordfish only to a dealer who has a valid permit for swordfish issued under this part. (2) Dealers may purchase a swordfish harvested from the Atlantic Ocean only from an owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has a valid commercial permit for swordfish issued under this part. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 67 FR 77438, Dec. 18, 2002; 68 FR 715, Jan. 7, 2003; 69 FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004; 69 FR 67284, Nov. 17, 2004] (a) General. (1) Consistent with the provisions of §600.745 of this chapter, except as indicated in this section, NMFS may authorize activities otherwise prohibited by the regulations contained in this part for the conduct of scientific research, the acquisition of information and data, the enhancement of safety at sea, the purpose of collecting animals for public education or display, the investigation of bycatch, economic discard and regulatory discard, or for chartering arrangements. (2) Activities subject to the provisions of this section include, but are not limited to, scientific research resulting in, or likely to result in, the take, harvest or incidental mortality of Atlantic HMS; exempted fishing and educational activities; programs under which regulated species retained in contravention to otherwise applicable regulations may be donated through approved food bank networks; or chartering arrangements. Such activities must be authorized in writing and are subject to all conditions specified in any letter of acknowledgment, exempted fishing permit, scientific research permit, display permit, or chartering permit issued in response to requests for authorization under this section. (3) For the purposes of all regulated species covered under this part, NMFS has the sole authority to issue permits, authorizations, and acknowledgments. If a regulated species landed or retained under the authority of this section is subject to a quota, the fish shall be counted against the quota category as specified in the written authorization. (4) Inspection requirements specified in §635.5(e) apply to the owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has been issued an exempted fishing permit, scientific research permit, display permit, or chartering permit. (b) Scientific research activities. For the purposes of all species covered under this part regulated under the authority of ATCA, the provisions for research plans under §600.745(a) and reports under §600.745(c)(1) of this chapter are mandatory. In such cases of authorized scientific research activities, NMFS shall issue scientific research permits. For scientific research activities involving the capture of Atlantic sharks, research plans and reports are requested; letters of acknowledgment shall be issued by NMFS as indicated under §600.745(a) of this chapter. (c) Exempted fishing permits. (1) For activities consistent with the purposes of this section and §600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, other than scientific research conducted from a scientific research vessel, NMFS may issue exempted fishing permits. (2) [Reserved] (d) Display permits. (1) For activities consistent with the purposes of this section and §600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, NMFS may issue display permits. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of §600.745 of this chapter and other provisions of this part, a valid display permit is required to fish for, take, retain, or possess an HMS in or from the Atlantic EEZ for the purposes of public display. A valid display permit must be on board the harvesting vessel, must be available when the fish is landed, must be available when the fish is transported to the display facility, and must be presented for inspection upon request of an authorized officer. A display permit is valid for the specific time, area, gear, and species specified on it. Species landed under a display permit shall be counted against the appropriate quota specified in §635.27 or as otherwise provided in the display permit. (3) To be eligible for a display permit, a person must provide all information concerning his or her identification, numbers by species of HMS to be collected, when and where they will be collected, vessel(s) and gear to be used, description of the facility where they will be displayed, and any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or administration of the permit, as requested by NMFS. (4) Collectors of HMS for public display must notify the local NMFS Office for Law Enforcement at least 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to departing on a collection trip, regardless of whether the fishing activity will occur in or outside the EEZ, as to collection plans and location and the number of animals to be collected. In the event that a NMFS agent is not available, a message may be left. (5) All live HMS collected for public display are required to have either a conventional dart tag or a microchip Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag applied by the collector at the time of the collection. Both types of tags will be supplied by NMFS. Conventional dart tags will be issued unless PIT tags are specifically requested in the permit application and their use approved by NMFS. Terms and conditions of the permit will address requirements associated with the use of the tags supplied on a case-by-case basis. (e) Chartering permits. (1) For activities consistent with the purposes of this section, §635.5(a), and §600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, NMFS may issue chartering permits for record keeping and reporting purposes. An application for a chartering permit must include all information required under §600.745(b)(2) of this chapter and, in addition, written notification of: the species of fish covered by the chartering arrangement and quota allocated to the Contracting Party of which the chartering foreign entity is a member; duration of the arrangement; measures adopted by the chartering Contracting Party of which the foreign entity is a member to implement ICCAT chartering provisions; copies of fishing licenses, permits, and/or other authorizations issued by the chartering Contracting Party of which the foreign entity is a member for the vessel to fish under the arrangement; a copy of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act Permit pursuant to 50 CFR 300.10; documentation regarding interactions with protected resources; and documentation regarding the legal establishment of the chartering company. To be considered complete, an application for a chartering permit for a vessel must include all information specified in §600.745(b)(2) of this chapter and in §635.32(e) and (f). (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of §600.745 of this chapter and other provisions of this part, a valid chartering permit is required to fish for, take, retain, or possess ICCAT- regulated species under chartering arrangements as specified in §635.5(a)(6). A valid chartering permit must be on board the harvesting vessel, must be available when ICCAT-regulated species are landed, and must be presented for inspection upon request of an authorized officer. A chartering permit is valid for the duration of the chartering arrangement or until the expiration date specified on the permit, whichever comes first. Vessels issued a chartering permit shall not be authorized to fish under applicable Atlantic Highly Migratory Species quotas or entitlements of the United States until the chartering permit expires or is terminated. (3) Charter permit holders must submit logbooks and comply with reporting requirements as specified in §635.5. NMFS will provide specific conditions and requirements in the chartering permit, so as to ensure consistency, to the extent possible, with laws of foreign countries, the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, as well as ICCAT recommendations. (4) Observers may be placed on board vessels issued chartering permits as specified under §635.7. (5) NMFS will issue a chartering permit only if it determines that the chartering arrangement is in conformance with ICCAT's conservation and management programs. (6) A vessel shall be authorized to fish under only one chartering arrangement at a time. (7) All chartering permits are subject to sanctions and denials as indicated under §635.4(a)(6). (f) Applications and renewals. Application procedures shall be as indicated under §600.745(b)(2) of this chapter, except that NMFS may consolidate requests for the purpose of obtaining public comment. In such cases, NMFS may file with the Office of the Federal Register, on an annual or more frequent basis as necessary, notification of previously authorized exempted fishing, scientific research, public display, or chartering activities and to solicit public comment on anticipated EFP, SRP, LOA, public display, or chartering permit requests. Applications for EFP, SRP, public display, or chartering permit renewals are required to include all reports specified in the applicant's previous permit including the year-end report, all delinquent reports for permits issued in prior years, and all other specified information. In situations of delinquent reports, renewal applications will be deemed incomplete and a permit will not be issued under this section. (g) Terms and conditions. (1) For EFPs, SRPs, and public display permits: Written reports on fishing activities and disposition released under a permit issued under this section, must be submitted to NMFS, within 5 days of return to port. NMFS will provide specific conditions and requirements as needed, consistent with the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks, in the permit. If an individual issued a Federal permit under this section captures no HMS in any given month, either in or outside the EEZ, a “no-catch” report must be submitted to NMFS within 5 days of the last day of that month. (2) For chartering permits, written reports of fishing activities must be submitted to NMFS by a date specified, and to an address designated, in the terms and conditions of each chartering permit. (3) An annual written summary report of all fishing activities and disposition of all fish captured under the permit must be submitted to NMFS for all the permits (EFP, SRP, Display, and Chartering Permits) listed in this section within 30 days after the expiration date of the permit. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 63742, Nov. 10, 2003; 68 FR 74786, Dec. 24, 2003; 69 FR 70399, Dec. 6, 2004] (a) Implantation report. Any person affixing or implanting an archival tag into a regulated species must obtain written authorization from NMFS pursuant to §635.32. Persons so authorized to conduct archival tag implantation must provide a written report to NMFS at an address designated by NMFS, indicating the type and number of tags, the species and approximate size of the fish as well as any additional information requested in the authorization. (b) Landing. Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, persons may catch, possess, retain, and land an Atlantic HMS in which an archival tag has been implanted or affixed, provided such persons comply with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. (c) Landing report. Persons that retain an Atlantic HMS that has an archival tag must contact NMFS, prior to or at the time of landing; furnish all requested information regarding the location and method of capture; and, as instructed, remove the archival tag and return it to NMFS or make the fish available for inspection and recovery of the tag by a NMFS scientist, enforcement agent, or other person designated in writing by NMFS. (d) Quota monitoring. If an Atlantic HMS landed under the authority of paragraph (b) of this section is subject to a quota, the fish will be counted against the applicable quota for the species consistent with the fishing gear and activity which resulted in the catch. In the event such fishing gear or activity is otherwise prohibited under applicable provisions of this part, the fish shall be counted against the reserve quota established for that species. (a) NMFS may adjust the catch limits for BFT, as specified in §635.23, and the quotas for BFT, shark, and swordfish, as specified in §635.27. (b) In accordance with the framework procedures in the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Billfishes, NMFS may establish or modify for species or species groups of Atlantic HMS the following management measures: maximum sustainable yield or optimum yield levels based on the latest stock assessment or updates in the SAFE report; domestic quotas; recreational and commercial retention limits, including target catch requirements; size limits; fishing years or fishing seasons; shark fishing regions or regional quotas; species in the management unit and the specification of the species groups to which they belong; species in the prohibited shark species group; classification system within shark species groups; permitting and reporting requirements; Atlantic tunas Purse Seine category cap on bluefin tuna quota; time/area restrictions; allocations among user groups; gear prohibitions, modifications, or use restrictions; effort restrictions; essential fish habitat; and actions to implement ICCAT recommendations, as appropriate. (c) NMFS may add species to the prohibited shark species group specified in Table 1 of appendix A if, after considering the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section, the species is determined to meet at least two of the criteria. Alternatively, NMFS may remove species from the prohibited shark species group and place them in the appropriate shark species group in Table 1 of appendix A if, after considering the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this section, NMFS determines the species only meets one criterion. (1) Biological information indicates that the stock warrants protection. (2) Information indicates that the species is rarely encountered or observed caught in HMS fisheries. (3) Information indicates that the species is not commonly encountered or observed caught as bycatch in fishing operations for species other than HMS. (4) The species is difficult to distinguish from other prohibited species. [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 74788, Dec. 24, 2003]
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 635—ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
Subpart C—Management Measures
§ 635.20 Size limits.
§ 635.21 Gear operation and deployment restrictions.
§ 635.22 Recreational retention limits.
§ 635.23 Retention limits for BFT.
§ 635.24 Commercial retention limits for sharks and swordfish.
§ 635.25 Fishing areas.
§ 635.26 Catch and release.
§ 635.27 Quotas.
§ 635.28 Closures.
§ 635.29 Transfer at sea.
§ 635.30 Possession at sea and landing.
§ 635.31 Restrictions on sale and purchase.
§ 635.32 Specifically authorized activities.
§ 635.33 Archival tags.
§ 635.34 Adjustment of management measures.
