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Statement of Need:

Since 2007, fisheries management within the U.S. has experienced many changes, in particular the implementation of annual catch limits and accountability measures under all fishery management plans. Based on this experience, the NMFS believes the National Standard guidelines can be improved to enhance the utility of the guidelines for managers and the public. The objective of the proposed revisions is to improve and streamline the guidelines, address concerns raised during the implementation of annual catch limits and accountability measures, and provide flexibility within current statutory limits to address fishery management issues.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

Alternatives:

The rule attempts to improve fisheries management by proposing alternatives that clarify guidance in the following topic areas: 1) identifying fishery management objectives; 2) identifying whether stocks require conservation and management; 3) managing data limited stocks; 4) stock complexes; 5) aggregate maximum sustainable yield estimates; 6) depleted stocks; 7) multi-year overfishing determinations; 8) optimum yield; 9) acceptable biological catch control rules; 10) accountability measures; 11) establishing annual catch limits and accountability measures mechanisms in Fishery Management Plans; and 12) flexibility in rebuilding stocks.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The changes to the guidelines would not establish any new requirements and thus are technical in nature. As such, the changes would allow, but do not require the Fishery Management Councils or the Secretary of Commerce, to make changes to their Fishery Management Plans. Because changes to the guidelines would not directly alter the behavior of any entities that operate in federally managed fisheries, no direct economic effects are expected to result from this action. The potential benefits of revising the National Standard guidelines include: improving and streamlining the guidance, providing additional clarity, and providing flexibility to address fishery management issues.

Risks:

NMFS anticipates that a revision to the National Standard guidelines would enhance the utility of the guidelines. NMFS does not foresee any risks associated with revising the National Standard guidelines.