Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
| Published date | 12 July 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 36516 |
| Record Number | 2021-14692 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
Proposed Rules Federal Register
36516
Vol. 86, No. 130
Monday, July 12, 2021
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0559; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–00079–R]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
AGENCY
: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION
: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
SUMMARY
: The FAA proposes to
supersede airworthiness directive (AD)
2020–24–03 which applies to certain
Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B,
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2,
AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1,
and AS355F2 helicopters. AD 2020–24–
03 requires testing the UP/DOWN
switches of a certain part-numbered
DUNLOP cyclic stick grip, installing a
placard, and revising the existing
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your
helicopter, or removing the DUNLOP
cyclic stick grip. Since the FAA issued
AD 2020–24–03, Airbus Helicopters
developed a modification procedure for
the electrical wiring of the hoist control
of the DUNLOP cyclic stick grip. This
proposed AD would retain some
requirements of AD 2020–24–03 and
would also require incorporating the
new modification, and removing the
placard and the RFM amendment
installed previously as required by AD
2020–24–03. The proposed additional
actions would be required as specified
in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed
for incorporation by reference (IBR). The
FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES
: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by August 26,
2021.
ADDRESSES
: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
•Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
•Fax: (202) 493–2251.
•Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
•Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For material that is proposed for IBR
in this AD, contact the EASA, Konrad-
Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000;
email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
IBR material on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may
view this material at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room
6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–
5110. It is also available in the AD
docket on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–
0559.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–
0559; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
Daniel Poblete, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems & Equipment Section, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712;
telephone (562) 627–5335; email:
daniel.d.poblete@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under
ADDRESSES
. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–0559; Project Identifier
MCAI–2021–00079–R’’ at the beginning
of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this proposal.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Daniel Poblete,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems &
Equipment Section, Los Angeles ACO
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562)
627–5335; email: daniel.d.poblete@
faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA
receives that is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
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Background
The FAA issued AD 2020–24–03,
Amendment 39–21333 (85 FR 76955,
December 1, 2020), (AD 2020–24–03),
which applies to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1,
AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F,
AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters
with DUNLOP cyclic stick grip
manufacturer part number (MP/N)
AC66444 with UP/DOWN switches for
rescue hoist control installed. AD 2020–
24–03 requires accomplishing a ground
test of the UP/DOWN switches of
DUNLOP cyclic stick grip for proper
function before each hoist operation. If
there is any uncommanded hoist action,
AD 2020–24–03 requires removing the
DUNLOP cyclic stick grip from service.
If DUNLOP cyclic stick grip MP/N
AC66444 is installed, before the next
operation, AD 2020–24–03 also requires
installing a placard and revising the
existing RFM for your helicopter to
prohibit the use of the UP/DOWN
switches of the DUNLOP cyclic stick
grip. Alternatively, AD 2020–24–03
allows removing DUNLOP cyclic stick
grip MP/N AC66444, however before the
DUNLOP cyclic stick grip is re-installed,
AD 2020–24–03 requires accomplishing
a ground test of the UP/DOWN switches
and installing the placard and revising
the existing RFM for your helicopter.
AD 2020–24–03 also prohibits installing
an affected DUNLOP cyclic stick grip
unless the ground testing of the UP/
DOWN switches has been
accomplished, the placard has been
installed, and the existing RFM for your
helicopter has been revised. The FAA
issued AD 2020–24–03 to prevent an
inadvertent activation of the rescue
hoist cable cutter and consequent
detachment of an external load or
person from the helicopter hoist. This
unsafe condition could result in
personal injury or injury to persons on
the ground.
Actions Since AD 2020–24–03 Was
Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2020–24–
03, Airbus Helicopters developed a
modification (MOD) MC20096 and
issued service information that provides
instructions for modifying the electrical
wiring of the hoist control on DUNLOP
cyclic stick grips.
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0023,
dated January 19, 2021 (EASA AD
2021–0023) to correct an unsafe
condition for Airbus Helicopters Model
AS 350 and AS 355 helicopters.
This proposed AD was prompted by
Airbus Helicopters developing MOD
MC20096 and Airbus Helicopters
issuing service information for
performing this modification on the
DUNLOP cyclic stick. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address
inadvertent activation of the rescue
hoist cable cutter function and
consequent detachment of an external
load or person from the helicopter hoist,
possibly resulting in personal injury, or
injury to persons on the ground. See
EASA AD 2021–0023 for additional
background information.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021–0023 specifies
procedures for installing the placard
and revising the Flight Manual to
prohibit the use of the UP/DOWN
switches of the DUNLOP cyclic stick
MP/N AC66444. EASA AD 2021–0023
also specifies procedures for modifying
the electrical wiring of the DUNLOP
cyclic stick and removing both the
placard and RFM amendment
previously installed.
This material is reasonably available
because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course
of business or by the means identified
in the
ADDRESSES
section.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
These helicopters have been approved
by the aviation authority of another
country, and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
bilateral agreement with the State of
Design Authority, the FAA has been
notified of the unsafe condition
described in the EASA AD referenced
above. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all the relevant
information and determining the unsafe
condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop in other products of
these same type designs.
Explanation of Retained Requirements
Although this proposed AD does not
explicitly restate the requirements of AD
2020–24–03, this proposed AD would
retain certain requirements of AD 2020–
24–03. Those requirements are
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0023,
which, in turn, is referenced in
paragraph (g) of this proposed AD.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
EASA AD 2021–0023 described
previously, as incorporated by
reference, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD and
except as discussed under ‘‘Differences
Between this Proposed AD and EASA
AD 2021–0023.’’
Explanation of Required Compliance
Information
In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to
improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to
use certain civil aviation authority
(CAA) ADs as the primary source of
information for compliance with
requirements for corresponding FAA
ADs. The FAA has been coordinating
this process with manufacturers and
CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2021–0023
will be incorporated by reference in the
FAA final rule. This proposed AD
would, therefore, require compliance
with EASA AD 2021–0023 in its
entirety, through that incorporation,
except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. Using common terms that
are the same as the heading of a
particular section in EASA AD 2021–
0023 does not mean that operators need
comply only with that section. For
example, where the AD requirement
refers to ‘‘all required actions and
compliance times,’’ compliance with
this AD requirement is not limited to
the section titled ‘‘Required Action(s)
and Compliance Time(s)’’ in EASA AD
2021–0023. Service information
specified in EASA AD 2021–0023 that is
required for compliance with it will be
available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0559 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and EASA AD 2021–0023
For helicopters with DUNLOP cyclic
stick grip MP/N AC66444 with UP/
DOWN switches for rescue hoist control
installed, this proposed AD would
require accomplishing a ground test of
the UP/DOWN switches for proper
function before each hoist operation,
whereas the EASA AD does not. Where
EASA AD 2021–0023 refers to its
effective date or the effective date of
EASA Emergency AD 2020–0217–E,
dated October 8, 2020, this proposed AD
would require using the effective date of
this AD. Where the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0023
specifies ‘‘work must be performed on
the helicopter by the operator,’’ this
proposed AD would require that the
work be accomplished by a mechanic
that meets the requirements of 14 CFR
part 65 subpart D. Where the service
information referenced in EASA AD
2021–0023 specifies to discard certain
placards and Flight Manual pages (that
were required by EASA AD 2020–0217–
E), this proposed AD would require
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removing them instead. EASA AD
2021–0023 requires operators to ‘‘inform
all flight crews’’ and thereafter to
‘‘operate the helicopter accordingly.’’
However, this proposed AD would not
require those actions. Where paragraph
(4) of EASA AD 2020–0023 allows
modifying a Group 2 helicopter into a
Group 1 helicopter, this proposed AD
would also require accomplishing the
requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this
AD. Finally, the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0023
requires reporting certain information,
whereas this proposed AD would not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 390 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates that
operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this proposed
AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per
work-hour.
Accomplishing a ground test of the
UP/DOWN switches for proper function
takes a minimal amount of time for a
nominal cost. Replacing a DUNLOP
cyclic stick grip, if required, takes about
2.5 work-hours and parts cost about
$2,500 for an estimated cost of $2,713.
Installing the placard and revising the
existing RFM for your helicopter would
take about 0.5 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and
$16,770 for the U.S. fleet.
Modifying the electrical wiring of the
DUNLOP cyclic stick would take up to
4 work-hours and parts would cost
$2,147 for an estimated cost of up to
$2,487 per helicopter and $969,930 for
the U.S. fleet. Removing the placard and
revising the existing RFM for your
helicopter would take about 0.5 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $43 per
helicopter and $16,770 for the U.S. fleet.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
44701: General requirements. Under
that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil
aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds
necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of
that authority because it addresses an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
■1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
■2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:
■a. Removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 2020–24–03, Amendment 39–
21333 (85 FR 76955, December 1, 2020);
and
■b. Adding the following new AD:
Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2021–
0559; Project Identifier MCAI–2021–
00079–R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by August 26,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020–24–03,
Amendment 39–21333 (85 FR 76955,
December 1, 2020) (AD 2020–24–03).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1,
AS350B2, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F,
AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters,
certificated in any category, as identified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2021–0023, dated January 19,
2021 (EASA AD 2021–0023).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the
development of a modification of the
electrical wiring of the hoist control on the
DUNLOP cyclic stick grip. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent
activation of the rescue hoist cable cutter and
consequent detachment of an external load or
person from the helicopter hoist. This
condition could result in personal injury or
injury to persons on the ground.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
(1) For helicopters with DUNLOP cyclic
stick grip manufacturer part number
AC66444 with UP/DOWN switches for rescue
hoist control installed, before each hoist
operation after December 16, 2020 (the
effective date of AD 2020–24–03),
accomplish a ground test of the UP/DOWN
switches for proper function. If there is any
uncommanded hoist action, before further
flight, remove the DUNLOP cyclic stick grip
from service. Accomplishing the
modification in paragraph (2) of EASA AD
2021–0023 constitutes terminating action for
the requirements of this paragraph.
(2) Except as specified in paragraph (h) of
this AD: Comply with all required actions
and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021–0023.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0023
(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0023 refers to
October 8, 2020 (the effective date of EASA
Emergency AD 2020–0217–E, dated October
6, 2020 (EASA AD 2020–0217–E)), this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the service information
referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD
2020–0023 specifies that the ‘‘work must be
performed on the helicopter by the operator,’’
this AD requires that the work be
accomplished by a mechanic that meets the
requirements of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D.
(3) Where EASA AD 2021–0023 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(4) Where EASA AD 2021–0023 refers to
flight hours (FH), this AD requires using
hours time-in-service.
(5) Where the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0023 specifies
to discard certain placards and Flight Manual
pages (that were required by EASA AD 2020–
0217–E), this AD requires removing them.
(6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021–
0023 specifies to ‘‘inform all flight crews and,
thereafter, operate the helicopter
accordingly,’’ this AD does not require those
actions.
(7) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020–
0023 allows modifying a Group 2 helicopter
into a Group 1 helicopter, this AD also
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requires accomplishing the requirements of
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(8) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0023 does not apply to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Where the service information referenced
in EASA AD 2021–0023 specifies to submit
certain information to the manufacturer, this
AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the International Validation
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-
LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(k) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2021–0023, contact the
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://
ad.easa.europa.eu. For Airbus Helicopter
service information identified in this AD,
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive,
Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972)
641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax (972) 641–
3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/
helicopters/services/technical-support.html.
You may view this material at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222–5110. The EASA
material may be found in the AD docket on
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0559.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Daniel Poblete, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems & Equipment Section, Los Angeles
ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
CA 90712; telephone (562) 627–5335; email
daniel.d.poblete@faa.gov.
Issued on July 2, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–14692 Filed 7–9–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No.: 210630–0140]
RIN 0648–BK10
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Southern Red Hake Rebuilding
Plan; Framework Adjustment 62 to the
Small-Mesh Multispecies Fishery
Management Plan
AGENCY
: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION
: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
SUMMARY
: NMFS proposes to approve
and implement Framework Adjustment
62 for Whiting, Red Hake, and Offshore
Hake to the Northeast Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan. The purpose
of this action is to establish a 10-year
rebuilding plan and adjust management
measures for the overfished southern
red hake stock. This action is necessary
to meet the statutory requirements for
an overfished stock and rebuilding plan
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act.
DATES
: Comments must be received by
July 27, 2021.
ADDRESSES
: The New England Fishery
Management Council has prepared a
draft environmental assessment (EA) for
this action that describes the proposed
measures in Framework Adjustment 62,
other considered alternatives, and
analyzes the impacts of the proposed
measures and alternatives. The Council
submitted a draft of Framework 62 to
NMFS that includes the draft EA, a
description of the Council’s preferred
alternatives, and the Council’s rationale
for selecting each alternative. Copies of
the draft Framework 62, the draft EA,
and information on the economic
impacts of this proposed rulemaking are
available upon request from Thomas A.
Nies, Executive Director, New England
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 and
accessible via the internet in documents
available at: https://www.nefmc.org/
library/framework-62.
You may submit comments on this
document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
2020–0166, by any of the following
methods:
•Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
NOAA–NMFS–2020–0166 in the Search
box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
:
Laura Hansen, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978–281–9225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:
Background
In January 2018, the southern red
hake stock was declared overfished. To
meet the Magnuson-Stevens Act
requirements of an overfished stock, a
rebuilding plan and associated
management measure changes are
necessary to prevent overfishing, ensure
adequate rebuilding, and help achieve
optimum yield in the fishery. The New
England Fishery Management Council
took final action on this framework at its
June 2020 meeting and submitted the
action to us in mid-August 2020.
Proposed Action
Framework 62 would establish a 10-
year rebuilding schedule for southern
red hake. The proposed rebuilding
schedule is a range from a minimum
associated with a similar increase in
biomass that occurred during 2006–
2011 to a longer duration that accounts
for biological characteristics of red hake.
Southern red hake are fully mature, on
average, at age 3 and the maximum
observed age is 10 years in 2011–2019
survey data. By applying the estimated
maturation rate and using biomass at
age as a guide, and making reasonable
assumptions that fertility (increases by 5
percent per year after age 3) and egg
viability (full viability at age 5) increase
with age, the Whiting Plan Development
Team estimated that 50 percent of
lifetime egg production of an unfished
female occurs at 4.4 years. By definition,
it would take 50 percent of a female’s
egg production to exactly replace itself
and its mate with offspring that would
spawn a successive generation. It would
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
