80 FR 65683 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)

Page Range		65683-65686
FR Document		2015-27258

NMFS proposes to implement a resolution adopted by the Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels, fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an International Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO numbers will be included with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels authorized to fish in the IATTC Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like species, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65683-65686]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27258]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 150902807-5949-01]
RIN 0648-BE99


International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register 
Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering 
Scheme

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 65684]]

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement a resolution adopted by the Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) by requiring U.S. vessels, 
fishing for tuna and tuna-like species with a capacity equal to or 
greater than 100 gross resister tons (GRT), to have an International 
Maritime Organization (IMO) number. The IMO numbers will be included 
with information the United States sends to the IATTC for vessels 
authorized to fish in the IATTC Convention Area for tuna and tuna-like 
species, and will enable more effective tracking of vessels that may be 
engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by November 27, 2015. A 
public hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12, 
2015, in Long Beach, CA.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this proposed rule and supporting 
documents, including the Regulatory Flexibility Act certification and 
Regulatory Impact Review, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129, 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-2015-0129, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Attn: Chris Fanning, NMFS West Coast Region, 501 W. 
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Include the identifier 
``NOAA-NMFS-2015-0129'' in the comments.
     Public hearing: The public is welcome to attend a public 
hearing and offer comments on this proposed rule from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
PST, on November 12, 2015, at 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802. The public may also participate in the public hearing 
via conference line: 1-888-790-6181, passcode 47596.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments sent by any other 
method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end 
of the comment period. 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: Chris Fanning, NMFS, West Coast 
Region, 562-980-4198.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is issuing a proposed rule under the 
authority of the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, as amended (TCA), to 
implement the new regional vessel register (RVR) requirements in 
Resolution C-14-01 (Resolution (Amended) on a Regional Vessel Register) 
adopted by the IATTC at its June 2014 annual meeting. U.S. vessels that 
have been authorized to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the 
IATTC Convention Area of the eastern Pacific Ocean must be included on 
the RVR. NMFS adds authorized vessels to the RVR by submitting vessel 
information to the Secretariat of the IATTC. The Convention Area 
includes the waters bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50 
[deg]N. and 50 [deg]S. parallels, and the 150 [deg]W. meridian. The 
proposed rule would require that U.S. fishing vessels of 100 GRT (or 
100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater operating in the IATTC Convention 
Area obtain IMO numbers.
    An IMO number is a unique vessel identifier that is permanently 
associated with the vessel hull, even if the vessel name changes or the 
vessel is reflagged to another nation. IMO numbers enable more 
effective tracking of vessels that may be engaging in IUU fishing. An 
estimated 120 U.S. vessels would be subject to this rule, of which 
approximately 90 percent already have an IMO number.
    Resolution C-14-01 requires each member of the IATTC, including the 
United States, to maintain a record of its fishing vessels authorized 
to fish for tuna and tuna-like species in the IATTC Convention Area and 
to share the information in its record with the IATTC periodically for 
purposes of maintaining the RVR. In 2014, the IATTC decided to require 
an additional piece of information in members' records for fishing 
vessels of 100 GRT (or 100 gross tonnage (GT)) or greater: Either the 
IMO number or Lloyd's Register number. An IMO number, also known as an 
IMO ship identification number, is the number issued for a ship or 
vessel under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the IMO. 
As used in C-14-01, ``Lloyd's Register number,'' or ``LR number,'' has 
the same meaning as an IMO number except that an LR number refers to 
the number issued for a vessel not required to have an IMO number under 
IMO agreements. Accordingly, C-14-01 now requires IATTC members to 
ensure that IMO numbers or Lloyd's Register numbers are issued for such 
vessels. The administrator of the IMO ship identification number scheme 
issues both types of numbers using the same numbering scheme. 
Hereafter, ``IMO number'' is used to refer to both IMO numbers and 
Lloyd's Register numbers. IHS Maritime, located in Surrey, England, 
currently issues IMO numbers via their Web site at: http://www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/default.aspx.
    For each of the subject fishing vessels, the proposed rule would 
require that the owner of the fishing vessel either ensure that an IMO 
number has been issued for the vessel or apply to NMFS for an exemption 
from the requirement. Resolution C-14-01 (at footnote 1) allows for an 
exemption from the IMO number requirement in extraordinary 
circumstances if the vessel owner has followed all appropriate 
procedures to obtain a number. In the event that a fishing vessel 
owner, after following the instructions given by the designated manager 
of the IMO ship identification number scheme, is unable to ensure that 
an IMO number is issued for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel 
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the West Coast 
Regional Administrator. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption, the 
West Coast Regional Administrator will assist the fishing vessel owner 
in requesting an IMO number. If the West Coast Regional Administrator 
determines that the fishing vessel owner has followed all appropriate 
procedures and yet is unable to obtain an IMO number for the fishing 
vessel, he or she will issue an exemption from the requirements for the 
vessel and its owner, and notify the owner of the exemption. NMFS notes 
that IHS Maritime is a private third party, and it is conceivable that 
an eligible vessel may not be able to complete the necessary steps and 
supply the required information, resulting in a denied vessel number 
request.
    To minimize the burden on affected U.S. businesses, NMFS is not 
proposing to require that vessel owners report the IMO numbers 
associated with their vessel to NMFS. NMFS will collect that 
information via data available from the United States Coast Guard and 
IHS Maritime directly.

Classification

    The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed 
rule is consistent with the TCA and other applicable laws, subject to 
further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

[[Page 65685]]

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the 
Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to 
the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration 
that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    The small entities to which the proposed action would apply are all 
U.S. commercial fishing vessels that may target tuna and tuna-like 
species in the IATTC Convention Area. As of August 2015, there are 
1,798 Pacific Highly Migratory Species permits. Of these, 118 vessels 
are 100 GRT or greater and 104 of the vessels have already been issued 
an IMO number. Thus, the proposed action would initially require 14 
vessels to obtain IMO numbers. For these 14 vessels, the average annual 
revenue per vessel from all finfish fishing activities since 2010 has 
been $1.3 million, and less than $20.5 million when considering both an 
individual vessel or per vessel average. Complying with the IMO number 
requirement in this proposed action requires no out-of-pocket expenses 
because applications are free. The 30 minutes estimated to apply for an 
IMO number would not result in a significant opportunity cost to the 
fisherman considering it is a one-time occurrence for the life of the 
vessel hull. The rule is not expected to change fishery operations. 
Accordingly, the impact of this rule on the affected vessel owners' and 
operators' income is expected to be de minimis.
    This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which has been approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 
0648-0387. A request for revision to account for the additional 
information that would be required pursuant this rule is under OMB 
review. Public reporting burden for obtaining an IMO number, or for 
making an IMO exemption request are each estimated to average 30 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of 
this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to 
NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs ([email protected] or fax to 202-395-7285).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. All currently approved NOAA 
collections of information may be viewed at: http://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/prasubs.html.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

    Administrative practice and procedure, Fish, Fisheries, Fishing, 
Marine resources, Vessels, Reporting and record keeping requirements, 
Treaties.

    Dated: October 21, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300, subpart 
C, is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

Subpart C--Eastern Pacific Tuna Fisheries

0
1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 300, subpart C, continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.


0
2. In Sec.  300.22, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.22  Eastern Pacific fisheries recordkeeping and written 
reports.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Vessel information. (i) Information on each commercial fishing 
vessel or CPFV authorized to use purse seine, longline, drift gillnet, 
harpoon, troll, rod and reel, or pole and line fishing gear to fish for 
tuna and tuna-like species in the Convention Area for sale shall be 
collected by the Regional Administrator to conform to IATTC resolutions 
governing the Vessel Register. This information initially includes, but 
is not limited to, the vessel name and registration number; the name 
and business address of the owner(s) and managing owner(s); a 
photograph of the vessel with the registration number legible; previous 
vessel name(s) and previous flag (if known and if any); port of 
registry; International Radio Call Sign; vessel length, beam, and 
moulded depth; gross tonnage, fish hold capacity in cubic meters, and 
carrying capacity in metric tons and cubic meters; engine horsepower; 
date and place where built; and type of fishing method or methods used. 
The required information shall be collected as part of existing 
information collections as described in this and other parts of the 
CFR.
    (ii) IMO numbers. For the purpose of this section, an ``IMO 
number'' is the unique six or seven digit number issued for a vessel 
under the ship identification number scheme adopted by the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) and managed by the entity 
identified by the IMO (currently IHS Maritime) and is also known as a 
Lloyd's Register number.
    (iii) Requirement for IMO number. The owner of a fishing vessel of 
the United States used for commercial fishing for tuna and tuna-like 
species in the IATTC Convention Area shall ensure that an IMO number 
has been issued for the vessel if the vessel's Certificate of 
Documentation issued under 46 CFR part 67 indicates that the vessel's 
total internal volume is 100 gross register tons or greater. A vessel 
owner may request that an IMO number be issued for a vessel by 
following the instructions given by the administrator of the IMO ship 
identification number scheme; those instructions are currently 
available on the Web site of IHS Maritime.
    (iv) Request for exemption. In the event that a fishing vessel 
owner, after following the instructions given by the designated manager 
of the IMO ship identification number scheme, is unable to ensure that 
an IMO number is issued for the fishing vessel, the fishing vessel 
owner may request an exemption from the requirement from the West Coast 
Regional Administrator. The request must be sent by mail to NMFS West 
Coast Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802, and 
must include the vessel's name, the vessel's official number, a 
description of the steps taken to request an IMO number, and a 
description of any responses from the administrator of the IMO ship 
identification number scheme.

[[Page 65686]]

    (v) Exemption process. Upon receipt of a request for an exemption 
under paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the West Coast Regional 
Administrator will, to the extent he or she determines appropriate, 
assist the fishing vessel owner in requesting an IMO number. If the 
West Coast Regional Administrator determines that the fishing vessel 
owner has followed all appropriate procedures and yet is unable to 
obtain an IMO number for the fishing vessel, he or she will issue an 
exemption from the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this 
section for the vessel and its owner and notify the owner of the 
exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may limit the duration 
of the exemption. The West Coast Regional Administrator may rescind an 
exemption at any time. If an exemption is rescinded, the fishing vessel 
owner must comply with the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of 
this section within 30 days of being notified of the rescission. If the 
ownership of a fishing vessel changes, an exemption issued to the 
former fishing vessel owner becomes void.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-27258 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules 65683

In addition, the SIP is not approved public comments received will be of encryption, and be free of any defects
to apply on any Indian reservation land addressed in a subsequent final rule or viruses.
or in any other area where the EPA or based on this proposed rule. EPA will Docket: All documents in the
an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a not institute a second comment period. electronic docket are listed in the
tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Any parties interested in commenting www.regulations.gov index. Although
Indian country, the rule does not have on this action should do so at this time. listed in the index, some information is
tribal implications as specified by DATES: Comments must be received in not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, writing by November 27, 2015. information whose disclosure is
November 9, 2000), nor will it impose restricted by statute. Certain other
substantial direct costs on tribal ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, material, such as copyrighted material,
governments or preempt tribal law. identified by Docket ID Number EPA– is not placed on the Internet and will be
R03–OAR–2014–0568 by one of the publicly available only in hard copy
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 following methods: form. Publicly available docket
Environmental protection, Air A. www.regulations.gov. Follow the materials are available either
pollution control, Incorporation by on-line instructions for submitting electronically in www.regulations.gov or
reference, Intergovernmental relations, comments. in hard copy during normal business
Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping B. Email: campbell.dave@epa.gov. hours at the Air Protection Division,
requirements. C. Mail: EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dave Campbell, Associate Director, Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Office of Permits and Air Toxics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.
Dated: October 15, 2015.
Mailcode 3AP10, U.S. Environmental Copies of the State submittal are
Dennis J. McLerran, Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 available at the Maryland Department of
Regional Administrator, Region 10. Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the Environment, 1800 Washington
[FR Doc. 2015–27165 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] 19103. Boulevard, Suite 705, Baltimore,
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P D. Hand Delivery: At the previously- Maryland 21230.
listed EPA Region III address. Such FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
deliveries are only accepted during the Cathleen Van Osten, (215) 814–2746, or
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Docket’s normal hours of operation, and by email at vanosten.cathleen@epa.gov.
AGENCY special arrangements should be made SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For
40 CFR Part 55 for deliveries of boxed information. further information, please see the
Instructions: Direct your comments to information provided in the direct final
[EPA–R03–OAR–2014–0568; FRL–9917–70– Docket ID No. EPA–R03–OAR–2014– action, with the same title, that is
Region 3] 0568. EPA’s policy is that all comments located in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’
received will be included in the public section of this Federal Register
Outer Continental Shelf Air
docket without change, and may be publication.
Regulations Consistency Update for
made available online at
Maryland Dated: March 10, 2015
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless William C. Early,
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). the comment includes information Acting, Regional Administrator, Region III.
ACTION: Proposed rule. claimed to be Confidential Business Editorial Note: This document was
Information (CBI) or other information received for publication by the Office of the
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Federal Register on October 21, 2015.
Agency (EPA) proposes to update a Do not submit information that you [FR Doc. 2015–27159 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am]
portion of the Outer Continental Shelf consider to be CBI or otherwise BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
(OCS) Air Regulations. Requirements protected through www.regulations.gov
applying to OCS sources located within or email. The www.regulations.gov Web
25 miles of States’ seaward boundaries site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system,
must be updated periodically to remain which means EPA will not know your DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
consistent with the requirements of the identity or contact information unless
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
corresponding onshore area (COA), as you provide it in the body of your
Administration
mandated by the Clean Air Act, as comment. If you send an email
amended in 1990 (the Act). The portion comment directly to EPA without going
50 CFR Part 300
of the OCS air regulations that is being through www.regulations.gov, your
updated pertains to the requirements for email address will be automatically [Docket No. 150902807–5949–01]
OCS sources for which Maryland is the captured and included as part of the
designated COA. In the Final Rules comment that is placed in the public RIN 0648–BE99
section of this Federal Register, EPA is docket and made available on the
taking this action as a direct final rule Internet. If you submit an electronic International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna
without prior proposal because the comment, EPA recommends that you Fisheries; Vessel Register Required
Agency views this as a noncontroversial include your name and other contact Information, International Maritime
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

submittal and anticipates no adverse information in the body of your Organization Numbering Scheme
comments. A detailed rationale for the comment and with any disk or CD–ROM AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
approval is set forth in the direct final you submit. If EPA cannot read your Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
rule. If no adverse comments are comment due to technical difficulties Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
received in response to this action, no and cannot contact you for clarification, Commerce.
further activity is contemplated. If EPA EPA may not be able to consider your
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
receives adverse comments, the direct comment. Electronic files should avoid
comments.
final rule will be withdrawn and all the use of special characters, any form

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1

$65686 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 207 / Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / Proposed Rules (v) Exemption process. Upon receipt number for the fishing vessel, he or she must comply with the requirements of of a request for an exemption under will issue an exemption from the paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this section, the requirements of paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of within 30 days of being notified of the West Coast Regional Administrator will, this section for the vessel and its owner rescission. If the ownership of a fishing to the extent he or she determines and notify the owner of the exemption. vessel changes, an exemption issued to appropriate, assist the fishing vessel The West Coast Regional Administrator the former fishing vessel owner becomes owner in requesting an IMO number. If may limit the duration of the void. the West Coast Regional Administrator exemption. The West Coast Regional determines that the fishing vessel owner Administrator may rescind an * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015–27258 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] has followed all appropriate procedures exemption at any time. If an exemption BILLING CODE 3510–22–P and yet is unable to obtain an IMO is rescinded, the fishing vessel owner srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Oct 26, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1$

Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:36:35
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:36:35

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		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be submitted in writing by November 27, 2015. A public hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PST, on November 12, 2015, in Long Beach, CA.
Contact		Chris Fanning, NMFS, West Coast Region, 562-980-4198.
FR Citation		80 FR 65683
RIN Number		0648-BE99
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Fish; Fisheries; Fishing; Marine Resources; Vessels; Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements and Treaties

80 FR 65683 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Vessel Register Required Information, International Maritime Organization Numbering Scheme

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 207 (October 27, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration