80 FR 24246 - Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan Recommendations 14/15 Identifying Species “At Risk” of IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 83 (April 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 24246-24247 | |
| FR Document | 2015-10125 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 24246-24247] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-10125] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD922 Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud Action Plan Recommendations 14/15 Identifying Species ``At Risk'' of IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Ocean Council Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood [[Page 24247]] Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking public input on principles to be used in determining seafood species ``at risk'' for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. DATES: Comments must be received by June 8, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2014-0090, by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0090, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Danielle Rioux, 1315 East-West Highway; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. 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 the NOC Committee. 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. The NOC Committee will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Rioux, 301-427-8516. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: According to NOAA, in 2013, U.S. fishers landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth $5.5 billion. Globally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud undermine the sustainability of U.S. and global seafood stocks and negatively impact general ecosystem health. At the same time, IUU fishing and fraudulent seafood products distort legal markets and unfairly compete with the products of law-abiding fishers and seafood industries. On March 15, 2015, the Presidential Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, took an historic step to address these issues and published its action plan to implement Task Force recommendations (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/iuu/taskforce.html). This plan articulates the aggressive steps that Federal agencies will take to implement the recommendations the Task Force made to the President in December 2014 on a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The plan identifies actions that will strengthen enforcement, create and expand partnerships with state and local governments, industry, and non- governmental organizations, and create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce, including the use of existing traceability mechanisms. The work the Task Force began will continue under the oversight of the NOC Committee. This notice is the first step in implementing Task Force Recommendations 14 and 15, ``Identifying current at risk species threatened by IUU fishing and seafood fraud.'' Once ``at-risk'' species have been determined, the NOC Committee will transmit the list to agencies for appropriate action. This list will form the basis for the species addressed in the first phase of the risk-based seafood traceability program, as described in the Task Force Action Plan. With this notice, the NOC Committee is soliciting comment on what principles should be used to determine the seafood species ``at risk'' for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Recommended principles should be measurable (i.e., there should be a reasonable amount of existing data to assess), and be applicable to domestic and/or international fisheries. For example, possible principles could include assessing the extent to which species are known to have: significant domestic or international enforcement-related concerns, such as substantial numbers of violations of relevant regulations or conservation and management measures, significant challenges or limitations in existing enforcement regimes, or repeated reports of IUU activity; catches that are mis-reported or not reported according to the reporting procedures of the relevant international regional fisheries management organizations or national authorities, particularly when they are of high economic value; a human health risk when substituted for other species; and instances of being substituted for other species in order to avoid tariffs or to sell a lower value fish at a higher price. Following the public comment period, the NOC Committee will take the input received into consideration as it develops a draft list of principles to be used in determining species ``at risk'' for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The draft list of principles will then be used to create a draft list of ``at-risk'' species. Both the draft list of principles and the draft list of ``at-risk'' species will be published in the Federal Register for public comment in July 2015. Dated: April 27, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-10125 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![24246 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices
for importation into the United States of Dated: April 24, 2015. 544685613. On May 20, participants can
yellowfin tuna harvested by purse seine Eileen Sobeck, join Meeting ID: 991–327–765 at
vessels in the ETP under certain Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/
conditions. If requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service. 991327765. On May 21, participants can
harvesting nation, the Assistant [FR Doc. 2015–10167 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am] join Meeting ID: 845–869–013 at
Administrator will determine whether BILLING CODE 3510–22–P https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/
to make an affirmative finding based 845869013. Once you have joined the
upon documentary evidence provided webinar, choose either your computer’s
by the government of the harvesting DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE audio or select ‘‘Use Telephone.’’ If you
do not select ‘‘Use Telephone’’ you will
nation, the IATTC, or the Department of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric be connected to audio using your
State. Administration computer’s microphone and speakers
The affirmative finding process (VolP). If you do not have a headset and
RIN 0648–XD903
requires that the harvesting nation is speakers, you may use the conference
meeting its obligations under the IDCP Pacific Fishery Management Council; line number by dialing 1–888–790–
and obligations of membership in the Public Meeting 6085, and entering passcode 1730793 at
IATTC. Every 5 years, the government of the prompt.
the harvesting nation must request a AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Although non-emergency issues not
new affirmative finding and submit the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and contained in the meeting agenda may be
required documentary evidence directly Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), discussed, those issues may not be the
to the Assistant Administrator. On an Commerce. subject of formal action during these
annual basis, NMFS reviews the ACTION: Notice; public meeting. meetings. Action will be restricted to
affirmative finding and determines those issues specifically listed in this
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery document and any issues arising after
whether the harvesting nation continues Management Council’s (Pacific Council)
to meet the requirements. A nation may publication of this document that
Groundfish Endangered Species require emergency action under section
provide information related to Workgroup will hold a meeting, which 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
compliance with IDCP and IATTC is open to the public. Conservation and Management Act,
measures directly to NMFS on an DATES: The meeting will occur May 19– provided the public has been notified of
annual basis or may authorize the 21, 2015. The meeting will begin at 1 the intent to take final action to address
IATTC to release the information to p.m. Tuesday, May 19 and at 9 a.m. on the emergency.
NMFS to annually renew an affirmative Wednesday and Thursday, May 20–21.
finding determination without an Special Accommodations
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
application from the harvesting nation. the Regional Administrator’s Conference The meetings are physically
An affirmative finding will be Room, Building 1, National Oceanic and accessible to people with disabilities.
terminated, in consultation with the Atmospheric Administration, Western Requests for sign language
Secretary of State, if the Assistant Regional Center, 7600 Sand Point Way interpretation or other auxiliary aids
Administrator determines that the NE., Seattle, WA 98115–6349, should be directed to Mr. Kris
requirements of 50 CFR 216.24(f) are no telephone: (206) 526–6150. Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2425 at least
longer being met or that a nation is Council address: Pacific Council, 5 days prior to the meeting date.
consistently failing to take enforcement 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Dated: April 27, 2015.
actions on violations, thereby Portland, OR 97220–1384. Tracey L. Thompson,
diminishing the effectiveness of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
IDCP. Sarah Williams, NMFS, Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Sarah.Williams@noaa.gov; telephone: [FR Doc. 2015–10080 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am]
As a part of the affirmative finding
(206) 526–4646. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
process set forth in 50 CFR 216.24(f), the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Assistant Administrator considered
documentary evidence submitted by the primary purpose of the meeting is to
review information on take of species DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Government of Spain and obtained from
listed under the Endangered Species Act
the IATTC and has determined that National Oceanic and Atmospheric
(ESA) in the Pacific Coast groundfish
Spain has met the MMPA’s Administration
fishery (other than salmonids) and
requirements to receive an affirmative provide recommendations to the Pacific RIN 0648–XD922
finding annual renewal. Council on any additional mitigation
After consultation with the measures needed, if any, to meet the Presidential Task Force on Combating
Department of State, the Assistant requirements of the ESA as Illegal Unreported and Unregulated
Administrator issued an affirmative implemented through the terms and (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud
finding annual renewal to Spain, conditions in the most recent biological Action Plan Recommendations 14/15
allowing the continued importation into opinion for the fishery. Identifying Species ‘‘At Risk’’ of IUU
the United States of yellowfin tuna and You may also join this meeting by Fishing and Seafood Fraud
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
products derived from yellowfin tuna conference line and webinar. To join by AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
harvested in the ETP by Spanish-flag phone, participants should dial 888– Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
purse seine vessels or purse seine 790–6085, passcode 1730793. To join by Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
vessels operating under Spanish webinar, each day of the meeting Commerce.
jurisdiction through March 31, 2015. requires a different Web address. On ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
Spain’s 5-year affirmative finding will May 19, participants can join Meeting
remain valid through March 31, 2015. ID: 544–685–613 at https:// SUMMARY:The National Ocean Council
global.gotomeeting.com/join/ Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 83 / Thursday, April 30, 2015 / Notices 24247
Fraud (NOC Committee) is seeking This plan articulates the aggressive the input received into consideration as
public input on principles to be used in steps that Federal agencies will take to it develops a draft list of principles to
determining seafood species ‘‘at risk’’ implement the recommendations the be used in determining species ‘‘at risk’’
for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Task Force made to the President in for IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The
DATES: Comments must be received by December 2014 on a comprehensive draft list of principles will then be used
June 8, 2015. framework of integrated programs to to create a draft list of ‘‘at-risk’’ species.
combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Both the draft list of principles and the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
The plan identifies actions that will draft list of ‘‘at-risk’’ species will be
on this document, identified by NOAA–
strengthen enforcement, create and published in the Federal Register for
NMFS–2014–0090, by any of the expand partnerships with state and public comment in July 2015.
following methods: local governments, industry, and non-
• Electronic Submission: Submit all governmental organizations, and create
Dated: April 27, 2015.
electronic public comments via the Samuel D. Rauch III,
a risk-based traceability program to
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to track seafood from harvest to entry into Deputy Assistant Administrator for
www.regulations.gov/ Regulatory Programs, National Marine
U.S. commerce, including the use of Fisheries Service.
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014- existing traceability mechanisms. The
0090, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, work the Task Force began will [FR Doc. 2015–10125 Filed 4–29–15; 8:45 am]
complete the required fields, and enter continue under the oversight of the NOC BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
or attach your comments. Committee.
• Mail: Submit written comments to This notice is the first step in
Danielle Rioux, 1315 East-West implementing Task Force DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Highway; Silver Spring, Maryland Recommendations 14 and 15,
20910. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
‘‘Identifying current at risk species Administration
Instructions: Comments sent by any threatened by IUU fishing and seafood
other method, to any other address or fraud.’’ Once ‘‘at-risk’’ species have RIN 0648–XD923
individual, or received after the end of been determined, the NOC Committee
the comment period, may not be will transmit the list to agencies for New England Fishery Management
considered by the NOC Committee. All appropriate action. This list will form Council; Public Meeting
comments received are a part of the the basis for the species addressed in AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
public record and will generally be the first phase of the risk-based seafood Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
posted for public viewing on traceability program, as described in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
www.regulations.gov without change. Task Force Action Plan. Commerce.
All personal identifying information With this notice, the NOC Committee ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential is soliciting comment on what
business information, or otherwise principles should be used to determine SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
sensitive information submitted the seafood species ‘‘at risk’’ for IUU Management Council (Council) is
voluntarily by the sender will be fishing and seafood fraud. scheduling a public meeting of its Risk
publicly accessible. The NOC Recommended principles should be Policy Working Group to consider
Committee will accept anonymous measurable (i.e., there should be a actions affecting New England fisheries
comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required reasonable amount of existing data to in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
fields if you wish to remain assess), and be applicable to domestic Recommendations from this group will
anonymous). and/or international fisheries. be brought to the full Council for formal
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For example, possible principles consideration and action, if appropriate.
Danielle Rioux, 301–427–8516. could include assessing the extent to DATES: This meeting will be held on
which species are known to have: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: According • significant domestic or
to NOAA, in 2013, U.S. fishers landed ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
international enforcement-related
9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish the Four Points by Sheraton, 407 Squire
concerns, such as substantial numbers
worth $5.5 billion. Globally, illegal, Road, Revere, MA 02151; Phone: (781)
of violations of relevant regulations or
unreported, and unregulated (IUU) 284–7200; Fax: (781) 289–3176.
conservation and management Council address: New England
fishing and seafood fraud undermine measures, significant challenges or
the sustainability of U.S. and global Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
limitations in existing enforcement Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
seafood stocks and negatively impact regimes, or repeated reports of IUU
general ecosystem health. At the same FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
activity;
time, IUU fishing and fraudulent • catches that are mis-reported or not Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
seafood products distort legal markets reported according to the reporting New England Fishery Management
and unfairly compete with the products procedures of the relevant international Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492.
of law-abiding fishers and seafood regional fisheries management SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The items
industries. organizations or national authorities, of discussion on the agenda are to
On March 15, 2015, the Presidential particularly when they are of high discuss implementation of the Councils
Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing economic value; Risk Policy across all Council-managed
• a human health risk when
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), co- species. The group will also continue
chaired by the Departments of substituted for other species; and work on development of the Risk Policy
Commerce and State, took an historic • instances of being substituted for ‘‘operational handbook’’ to address the
step to address these issues and other species in order to avoid tariffs or application of the Risk Policy.
published its action plan to implement to sell a lower value fish at a higher Additionally they will discuss the
Task Force recommendations (http:// price. application of the Risk Policy in the
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/iuu/ Following the public comment Atlantic Herring FMP and develop
taskforce.html). period, the NOC Committee will take related recommendations. The group
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Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:14:43
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:14:43
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by June 8, 2015. | |
| Contact | Danielle Rioux, 301-427-8516. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 24246 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XD92 |
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