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Apr 1 3 2011 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT DF CDMMERC Natlonel Dc.enlc and At:rno.pherlc Admlnl.trtrtlon PROGRAM PLANNING AND IN T E GRATION Silver SprIng. Merylend 2Q81 0 APR 1 3 2011 To All Interested Govenunent Agencies and Public Groups: Under the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental review has been performed on the following action. TITLE: Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP); Fishing Year (FY) 2011 Sector Operations Plans and Contracts, and Allocation of NE Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements LOCATION: Northeastern United States, Northwest Atlantic, Exclusive Economic Zone SUMMARY: Approval of 19 sector operations plans and contracts for the FY 2011; authorizes the operation of the 19 sectors for FY 2011; allocates NE multispecies annual catch entitlements to 19 sectors, and exempts sector members from various regulations of the NE Multispecies FMP. RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Patricia A. Kurkul Regional Administrator National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 (978) 281-9315 The environmental review process led us to conclude that this action will not have a significant impact on the environment. Therefore, environmental impact statements were not prepared. A copy of the finding ofno significant impact (FONSI), including the environmental assessment (EA), are enclosed for your information. Although NOAA is not soliciting comments on the completed EAJFONSI, we will consider any comments submitted that would assist us in preparing future NEP A documents. Please submit any written comments to the Responsible Official named above. Sincerely, Enclosure ® Prinlc<.i on Recycled Paper Fishing Year 2011 Northeast Multispecies Sector Operations Plans and Contracts A Final Environmental Assessment Prepared by: Cardno ENTRIX, Inc. Lead Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service April 13, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. I LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ V 1.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1 1.1 MULTISPECIES FISHERY ........................................................................................... 2 1.2 SECTORS AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL .................................................................... 2 1.2.1 General Requirements for Operations Plan Harvesting Rules ............................... 3 1.2.2 Potential for Redirection of Effort and or Fleet Consolidation .............................. 4 1.3 HISTORY OF SECTORS IN THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ..........................................8 3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .............................................................8 3.1 ALTERNATIVE 1 - IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTOR OPERATIONS PLANS FOR FISHING YEAR 2011 ............................................................................... 8 3.1.1 No Action Alternative 1 ......................................................................................... 8 3.2 ALTERNATIVE 2 – STATE PERMIT BANK SECTORS ........................................ 28 3.2.1 Maine Permit Banking Sector (MPBS)................................................................ 28 3.2.2 No Action Alternative 2 ....................................................................................... 29 3.3 ALTERNATIVE 3 - EXEMPTIONS TO BE ANALYZED FOR ALL NON- PERMIT BANK SECTORS .......................................................................................... 29 3.3.1 Universal Exemptions as specified in Amendment 16 ........................................ 29 3.3.2 Sector-Specific Exemptions ................................................................................. 30 3.3.2.1 No Action Alternative 3 ...................................................................... 44 3.4 ALTERNATIVE 4 - EXEMPTIONS TO BE ANALYZED FOR STATE PERMIT BANK SECTORS ONLY .............................................................................. 44 3.4.1 No Action Alternative 4 ....................................................................................... 44 3.5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED FROM FURTHER ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................... 44 3.5.1 Sector Roster Deadline ........................................................................................ 45 3.5.2 Definition of a Sector ........................................................................................... 45 4.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................45 4.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/HABITAT/EFH ......................................................... 45 4.1.1 Affected Physical Environment ........................................................................... 46 4.1.1.1 Gulf of Maine ...................................................................................... 46 4.1.1.2 Georges Bank ...................................................................................... 49 4.1.1.3 Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Bight ........................................ 50 4.1.2 Habitat .................................................................................................................. 51 4.1.3 Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) ............................................................................... 55 i 4.1.4 Gear Types and Interaction with Habitat ............................................................. 56 4.1.4.1 Gear Types........................................................................................... 56 4.1.4.2 Gear Interaction with Habitat .............................................................. 60 4.2 ALLOCATED TARGET SPECIES .............................................................................. 62 4.2.1 Species and Stock Status Descriptions ................................................................ 62 4.2.1.1 Gulf of Maine Cod ............................................................................... 63 4.2.1.2 Georges Bank Cod ............................................................................... 64 4.2.1.3 Gulf of Maine Haddock ....................................................................... 64 4.2.1.4 Georges Bank Haddock ....................................................................... 65 4.2.1.5 American Plaice ................................................................................... 65 4.2.1.6 Witch Flounder .................................................................................... 65 4.2.1.7 Gulf of Maine Winter Flounder ........................................................... 66 4.2.1.8 Georges Bank Winter Flounder ........................................................... 66 4.2.1.9 Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine Yellowtail Flounder .................................... 66 4.2.1.10 Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder ..................................................... 67 4.2.1.11 Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder ................. 67 4.2.1.12 Redfish ................................................................................................. 67 4.2.1.13 Pollock ................................................................................................. 68 4.2.1.14 White Hake .......................................................................................... 68 4.2.2 Assemblages of Fish Species ............................................................................... 69 4.2.3 Stock Status Trends ............................................................................................. 69 4.2.4 Areas Closed to Fishing ....................................................................................... 71 4.2.5 Interaction between Gear and Allocated Target Species ..................................... 72 4.3 NON-ALLOCATED TARGET SPECIES AND BYCATCH ..................................... 72 4.3.1 Spiny Dogfish ...................................................................................................... 72 4.3.2 Skates ................................................................................................................... 76 4.3.3 Monkfish .............................................................................................................. 76 4.3.4 Interaction between Gear and Non-allocated Target Species and Bycatch ......... 77 4.4 PROTECTED RESOURCES ........................................................................................ 78 4.4.1 Species Present in the Area .................................................................................. 78 4.4.2 Species Potentially Affected ................................................................................ 80 4.4.2.1 Sea Turtles ........................................................................................... 81 4.4.2.2 Large Cetaceans ................................................................................... 82 4.4.2.3 Small Cetaceans ................................................................................... 82 4.4.2.4 Pinnipeds
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