9/25/13 Modifications to Federally Permitted Seafood Dealer Reporting Requirements Final Generic Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions Including Environmental Assessment, Fishery Impact Statement, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis August 2013 This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA10NMF4410011. This page intentionally blank ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COVER SHEET Name of Action Generic Amendment to the fishery management plans for the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions for Modifications to Federally Permitted Seafood Dealer Reporting Requirements, Including Environmental Assessment, Social Impact Statement/Fishery Impact Statement, Regulatory Impact Review, and Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis Responsible Agencies and Contact Persons Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 813-348-1630 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 813-348-1711 (fax) Tampa, Florida 33607 [email protected] John Froeschke ([email protected]) http://www.gulfcouncil.org South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 843-571-4366 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201 843-769-4520 (fax) North Charleston, South Carolina 29405 www.safmc.net Gregg Waugh ([email protected]) National Marine Fisheries Service (Lead Agency) 727-824-5305 Southeast Regional Office 727-824-5308 (fax) 263 13th Avenue South http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Rich Malinowski ([email protected]) Rick DeVictor ([email protected]) Type of Action ( ) Administrative ( ) Legislative ( ) Draft (X) Final Generic Amendment i Dealer Reporting Requirements ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT ACCSP Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program ACL annual catch limits ALS Accumulated Landing System AM accountability measures ASMFC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission CMP Coastal Migratory Pelagic EA environmental assessment EEZ exclusive economic zone EFH essential fish habitat EIS Environmental Impact Statement EJ Environmental justice FLS Fisheries Logbook System FMP fishery management plan FTE full time equivalent GSMFC Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission HAPC habitat areas of particular concern HMS Highly Migratory Species IRFAA Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act Magnuson-Stevens Act Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act MSY maximum sustainable yield NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration OY optimum yield RA Regional Administrator RIR regulatory impact review SAFE Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report SAFIS Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council SEDAR Southeast Data Assessment and Review SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center SERO Southeast Regional Office SRD Science and Research Director USCG U.S. Coast Guard YPR yield-per-recruit Generic Amendment ii Dealer Reporting Requirements TABLE OF CONTENTS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COVER SHEET ................................................................ i ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT ...................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii FISHERY IMPACT STATEMENT .............................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Proposed Actions ................................................................................................................. 4 1.3.1 Gulf of Mexico Council’s History of Management for Fishery Management Plans (FMP) Affected by this Amendment .................................................................................... 15 1.3.2 South Atlantic Council’s History of Management for Fishery Management Plans (FMP) Affected by this Amendment .................................................................................... 16 1.3.3 Joint Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Council’s History of Management for Fishery Management Plans ( FMP) Affected by this Amendment ....................................... 18 Chapter 2. Management Alternatives .......................................................................................... 21 2.1 Action 1 – Dealer Permits Required .................................................................................. 21 2.2 Action 2 – Frequency and Method of Reporting ............................................................... 26 2.3 Action 3 – Requirements to Maintain a Dealer Permit ...................................................... 30 Chapter 3. Affected Environment ................................................................................................ 33 3.1 Description of the Physical Environment .......................................................................... 33 3.1.1 Gulf of Mexico Region ............................................................................................... 33 3.1.2 South Atlantic Region ................................................................................................. 38 3.1.3 Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions ............................................................... 43 3.2 Description of the Biological/Ecological Environment ..................................................... 45 3.2.1 Gulf of Mexico Region ............................................................................................... 46 3.2.2 South Atlantic Region ................................................................................................. 47 3.2.3 Mid-Atlantic Region ................................................................................................... 48 3.2.4 Northeast Region ........................................................................................................ 49 3.2.5 Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions ............................................................... 51 3.3 Description of the Economic Environment......................................................................... 51 3.4 Description of the Social Environment .............................................................................. 57 3.4.1 Federal Dealer Permits ................................................................................................ 57 Generic Amendment iii Dealer Reporting Requirements 3.4.2 Dealers that Receive Federally-Managed Species ...................................................... 61 3.4.3 Fishermen and Fishing Permits ................................................................................... 67 3.4.4 Descriptions of Affected Communities ...................................................................... 68 3.4.5 Environmental Justice Considerations ........................................................................ 68 3.5 Description of the Administrative Environment ................................................................ 73 3.5.1 The Fishery Management Process and Applicable Laws ........................................... 73 3.5.2 Enforcement ................................................................................................................ 75 3.5.3 Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 76 Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences .................................................................................... 78 4.1 Action 1: Dealer Permits Required ................................................................................... 78 4.1.1 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Biological/Ecological Environment ..................... 78 4.1.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Economic Environment ........................................ 79 4.1.3 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Social Environment .............................................. 90 4.1.4 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Administrative Environment ................................ 91 4.2 Action 2: Frequency and Method of Reporting ................................................................ 93 4.2.1 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Biological/Ecological Environment ..................... 93 4.2.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Economic Environment ........................................ 94 4.2.3 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Social Environment .............................................. 99 4.2.4 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Administrative Environment .............................. 100 4.3 Action 3: Requirements to Maintain a Dealer Permit ..................................................... 102 4.3.1 Direct and Indirect Effects on the Biological/Ecological Environment ................... 102 4.3.2 Direct and Indirect